Finding SuperMan

Everyone loves their favorite teams; It's extraordinary that I have been privileged enough to work with my favorite ones over the years.  Then when you get to work with one of your favorite players, it makes it even more special.  That was the case when we I was contacted about doing a promo piece for the Charlotte Hornets for Lending Tree, and they told me the players that we would be shooting.   

Going back to my days of covering All-Star games for the NBA, I have been a huge fan of Dwight Howard.  I have always based pro athletes by the way they handle themselves around kids.  Dwight is one of those rare people that is downright amazing with kids.  He has a pure heart that makes everyone light up when he walks into a room, and if that doesn't do it, then the 6'11' 265-pound massive frame will do it for you (ladies).  

The Hornets were about to announce a new multi-year founding level partnership highlighted by jersey patch with Lending Tree.   We had a short amount of time with each player since they had just returned from an eight-day trip on the road, so we had to make it quick and to the point.   Howard was not the only ones coming to the shoot, we had Marvin Williams, Cody Zeller, and one of the best point guards in the NBA Kemba Walker too.  

Next up was Dwight, I can say that he brings a smile to everyone when he shows up.  He instantly starts to market the jersey and the new Leading Tree logo.  Before we knew it, the shoot was over, and the art director was super happy with all of the images.  It was instantly downloaded and off to the press ready to go for the adds that would follow along with the press conference video.  So when you see Dwight Howard at the next game, I would make sure to yell his name...he has been known to look you dead in the eye, and smile.

Dwight Howard of the Charlotte Hornets

Kemba Walker of the Charlotte Hornets sports the new Lendingtree jerseys.

Making it Right

When you are a photographer, you can have all kinds of request for photo shoots.  Some of them are exciting, and some just get to the point type of shoots, but for me, I have found that you shouldn't do a shoot unless you are committed to the shoot.  

When you get a call to create the cover image of a major magazine, it always gets your attention, and this was one that will reach into my backyard.  American Banker was looking to create an image that was business like, but also beautiful.  The cover shot had to be simple, but able to have a place for lots of text.  Bank of America Executive Michelle Moore was the recipient of the highest award, and she was named the Digital Banker of the Year by the magazine.   

It was our goal to capture something that would look appealing for the magazine, but also show her personality, and also her strength as woman banker.  Well, it helps when you a beautiful person, and someone who was willing to take direction, but also show here style on the shoot.  The hardest part for the art director was choosing the right images from all the different selections that we shot that day.  We are so lucky to have been a part of this great project with the talented crew at American Banker. 

Bank of America Ad for Digital Banker of the Year, Michelle Moore

Great Images

One of the questions that I get from students all the time is how do you create images that stand out from the others.  First, It's always a compliment to hear this from photography students who are looking to become better photographers.  My only response is that it didn't happen over night.  

I recently when back to some of my first images, and realized that I was way off in my approach to lighting and style, but I did make a few interesting images by accident.   The more images that I created there did become a sense of style that started to show up in my work.  As I changed as an artist, I found out more about myself and the people who I was photographing.   It became more about what message that I was trying to create with the images and less about the distractions.  

All I can say to new photographers is that it will not happen until you push the button, and I plan on continuing to push the button to find more and exciting images over the years.  

Ad campaign for Visit Charlotte.  

“To me, photography is an art of observation. It’s about finding something interesting in an ordinary place... I’ve found it has little to do with the things you see and everything to do with the way you see them.
”

— Elliott Erwitt

Reviewing your Images

It's very interesting to go back through your images that you have shot over the years to check what you have done, and decide what you want to become in the future as an image maker.  I find myself looking at the images from the past, and remembering the times, but also looking at ways to make better images.    

Photography is about telling stories to me.  It's about taking one concept or idea and transcending it into an image that speaks thousands of words for you and the client.  The photography world has changed so much over the last fours years,  mainly because of the internet and social media.  The first images out are in most cases to the social media platforms.  It's my thought that it should be the other way around.  It should first come out on the necessary print or ad, and then it should hit the social media platforms.  It's time that we get back to quality and leave the other on the side for afterwards.

Quality first and everything else second!  

View fullsize