Final shoot for "Ribbon"

Today was our final big shoot for the Ribbon book. The concept was to create an image capable of holding a full page, showing the use of ribbon in horse medals.

Model Samantha and PJ both gave us their best. Here's an outtake.



At one point, all of the other horses gathered around to see what was happening. I'm a bit afraid of getting hoofed in the face, so I backed off and made this image. If you look closely, you can see Melanie trying to shoo off the interlopers.



So, we're sorta done, except for a few more studio shots and the big edit. Thanks to Wendy (PJ's mom), Samantha, Susan and Melanie for all of their help getting this production together.

This November, Melanie and my friend SusieQ will hold an art party at my studio featuring many local artists. More details to follow!

Flashes of Hope on Parade.com

Flashes of Hope's Amy Green emailed to highlight a feature article about FOH in the new Parade Magazine website. (Parade is the magazine that comes in many Sunday newspapers, although it's been so long since I read the AJC that I'm not sure if they carry it any more.)

Entitled "Changing the Face of Cancer," it's a terrific read on Flashes of Hope, how they started and the work that they do. One of my portraits is showcased in the gallery. Click the title above to read the article.

Charlie from PugDaddy Productions

We needed a pug to model ribbon leashes and collars for our book, so I contacted my friend Lynn Cullen, author of "Moi and Marie Antoinette" a wonderful children's book told from the point of view of Sebastien, Marie Antoinette's fawn pug.

Lynn passed me onto Randi Tucker, Volunteer PR Chair of RescuePug.com, who put me in touch with Lisa Knapp, author and creator of the book "Fabulous Pugs" and her pug Charlie, model and star of the book.

Charlie is a doll baby! Kinda snorty, lovey, a super curly tail. She made a terrific model. Thanks guys!

Here's a few outtakes from the session. Charlie's the good looking one.

Three Base Hit

French Bulldogs

As part of our book project, Nick wanted to show ribbon being used for dog collars and leashes. Two of my favorite portrait clients, The Cottinghams and The Allegras, are French Bulldog owners, so I rang them up and they graciously agreed to bring in Cooper and Cusco.

Here's Cooper (left) and Cusco (right) getting to know each other between takes, plus one of Cusco looking very regal:

"Ribbon" book project, continued... Good News!

After speaking with Gibb-Smith, our publisher for "Ribbon," we've just heard that based upon the images we've already produced, they've decided to increase both the overall size and length of the book, meaning MORE photos and BIGGER photos.

Our goal all along was to produce a coffee table book with images that stand on their own as photographic art, not just a "how to" book. Nick and I have always shared a similar vision about the images and how they would support the overall concept of ribbon's use in fashion and design. Nice to see it paying off!

Book project, continued... Part 3 or 4

Today, we produced more images in the studio for the "Ribbon" book. Nick, Tim and I managed to style and photograph over SIXTY table top/still life images for the book. Whew! I'm telling you, when these guys show up ready to shoot, they bring a tractor trailer full of stuff. I was pretty stunned when I checked the database at the end of the day and saw how much we had accomplished. It's amazing what you can do when you get a head of steam.

We've now produced nearly 300 unique images for the book!

Kewpie Doll

Two Brothers

Top Secret Book Project

I am in Memphis this week for a Professional Photographers of America conference, and as fortune would have it, I've had the opportunity to get started (a BIG start) on a fine art photography project that's been in the back of my mind for many months. My goal is to publish a book of these fine art images in the year 2008.

For now, the subject matter shall remain a secret. :-@

Why? Because no one has ever published a fine art photography book on this subject, and I want it to hit like a bombshell! It will be very compelling, I promise.

Wolfgang in the Loan Collection

My portrait of Wolfgang has been chosen for the 2008 Professional Photographers of America Loan Collection!

The loan collection consists only of images judged as "The Best of The Best" from the entries to the annual print competition. It's a tremendous honor to be chosen. Thanks, Wolfie!