Recently I was asked to help out on a PSA for the pro-gun control Brady Campaign as a production stills photographer, capturing behind the scenes, candids, and portraits for the day. The campaign slogan was “We Are Better Than This” and I couldn’t agree more. Why our country is so much more obsessed with guns than most other countries is a testament to the increasing statistics of violence, especially the horrific mass homicide shootings that has shaken the communities of Colorado in recent years. The campaign interviewed several families, mostly mothers and fathers, who had lost children to such tragic events. Most interviewed were from the Aurora theater shootings, but also from Columbine. For 12 hours, we sat and listened to their unbelievable soul wrenching stories as they recounted their experiences and insurmountable sorrow into a camera. There wasn’t a dry eye in the studio, and at times many of us had to walk away and take a moment to compose ourselves. Its really hard to hear pro-gun activists arguments rationality when you listen to a grandmother explain that she received a call on her birthday at 6am informing her that her granddaughter was murdered by a lunatic and his AR-15 semi-automatic assault rifle that had previously been banned under the Assault Weapon Ban that expired in 1995 (Congress didn’t renew the prohibition). Or how a daughter survived a previous mall shooting 6 weeks prior only to be gunned down in a theater minutes after texting her mom telling her how excited she was for her to come and visit. Some of these families are active members in the NRA, but even they understand the completely obvious.
America has a gun problem. People kill people…with guns. It’s that simple. And there are conservative gun enthusiasts who are so afraid of losing their 2nd amendment rights that they are willing to fight tooth and nail to protect their precious guns, even if it means more people dying.
These issues are never black and white but one thing is for certain, there needs to be change. There needs to be REASONABLE gun control laws in place, and we need to pressure our elected officials into making these changes so that families like these don’t have to lose loved ones.
On a side note, the Director, Griffin Dunne was incredibly heartwarming, gentle, and inspiring to work with. His professionalism was only bested by his compassion for the families involved.
YACHT rocks.
or rather, Electro-rocks. Band members Jona Bechtolt, Claire Evans, Rob “Bobby Birdman” Kieswetter, Jeffrey Brodsky and Katy Davidson turn the stage into fire and burns it down during their shows. They are one of those bands you just need to see LIVE as their studio albums (while also highly energetic) just doesn’t do the justice to witnessing them firsthand in front of your face. Rolling Stone mag declared on their new album “Shangri-La” that they “split the difference between Talking Heads and electro pop, and make a breakthrough album of digital ear candy.? Well said.
They performed a sold out show at the Larimer Lounge in Denver, CO on 3/3/12, a small intimate venue known for its incredible roster of underground bands. After the show, I managed to patiently wait for lead vocalist Claire Evans to let me steal her for a minute long portrait session. Well worth the wait. Love shooting subjects who have a natural stage presence. Translates nicely to photography.
Also added a video performance of their track “Psychic City” from the album See Mystery Lights. Its shaky and distorted (no mono on me that night or rode mic) but it really shows off the band’s incredible stage presence.
I traveled back to Cincinnati for Thanksgiving this year (first Thanksgiving home for awhile!) and before I left, I had thrown out a quick solicitation on Facebook for my services – and of all people, this guy responded. Say hi to Casey and his new family. Ive known Casey since 6th grade, which makes us about 86 years old, give or take. Oh how time flies. Casey has an incredible sense of humor which is only topped by his loyalty in friendship. I havent seen him in years, so it was pretty awesome to reconnect, if not for a few short hours, and meet his lovely wife Lauren, and their new kiddo Owen. Of course, as is traditional in Cincinnati, it was cloudy and raining all day (all month) but that didnt stop us from hitting up Ault Park & Mariemont Bluffs for some outdoor shots. I think the shot of Casey holding the umbrella after the wind tore us a new one, pretty much sums up his humor.
Casey, it was so great to see you again and meet your fam. You’ve done pretty well for yourself, my friend. and Lauren…the tall vertical B&W shot of you holding Owen by yourself at the Buffs is my favorite. I can tell you’re going to be an incredible mother. Now you guys need to come out to Denver and visit!
Dia de los Muertos! Day of the Dead! Colorado has a vast Mexican population, and as such, many of their traditions are celebrated here, such as this one. Many Latin American countries have their own versions of this holiday, based on the Catholic days of All Saints Day and All Souls Day, but all revolve around the celebration and remembrance of deceased family and loved ones. Traditionally, people will adorn altars at cemeteries (or build shrines in their homes) with gifts of flowers, food, toys, tequila, and other crafts for the dead to enjoy. Often there are processions with many of the people dressed in the style of the famous calaveras (sugar skulls) and catrinas of José Guadalupe Posada, a Mexican illustrator.
The art style that emerged from his drawings have influenced many other artists over the decades, such as Denver’s own Enrique Lazaro. Coming from a family of artists and born and raised in Mexico, he embraces his heritage and tradition by evoking a vivid color pallete and mesmerizing punch to the senses in his artwork. Tattoos, paintings, skateboard decks, and tshirts – Enrique continuously pushes the medium in expressing his art. Check him at Lazaroart.com (The last photo in this post is him).
This year, El Camino restaurant hosted a Dia de los Muertos celebration, complete with artwork by Enrique Lazaro and sugar skull face paintings by the lovely Indie Six ladies. You might remember them from such fun calendar release shoots like this ONE. TPL offered up a photo booth for their end result.
Technical note on lighting:
Key: 1 x Profoto Pro-7B mounted high slightly left of subject on a c-stand with 22″ beauty dish and 20 degree grid.
Fill: 1 x 580 EXII mounted high right of subject in a chimera speedring and a Photoflex 12×16 softbox.
Bounce: Flexfill 38″ silver reflector below the subject aimed at face (I actually had the subjects hold the reflector).
The location had us in a very tight corner in terms of space, so I literally had subjects up against a wall, with little room for back-lighting them, but it all turned out quite well!
Many, many thanks to Brian Rossi for having us!
This is Tom & Haley and their awesome kiddos, Stephen & Reina. Rewind time for a moment: I’ve known Haley since 4th grade and became close friends with her in high school. Parting ways for college, we dropped communication for awhile, and during that time I became fast friends with Tommy after we studied in Luxembourg together. Now in Denver, Tommy is one of my best buds and together, with their new additions, make the pretty exceptional family. If there’s one thing to be said about the Nemann’s, it’s their outwards positive energy. Haley is very sweet, kind, and patient while Tommy can make a room full of funeral mourners burst out in laughter. Both have a perpetual smile that is infectious and, moreover, welcoming. They truly are good people to have in your lives.
As for the little ones, Stephen takes after Tommy with his rambunctious, curious, and giddy nature. Reina is more like her mother; sweet, contemplative, and endearing. Together, they are a pretty loveable brother and sister. And, well, that’s not too surprising seeing as the apples don’t drop far from the trees.
I’ve been meaning to get these photos up on the blog for some time. Some select shots of my niece, my brother, and his wife when we went back to Cincinnati for Christmas. The house I grew up in is kinda like a mini nature preserve. Hundreds of birds flock to the dozen or so bird feeders to compete with squirrels and other wildlife for the food my parents put out every weekend. Deer and wild turkeys love to make impromptu appearances too in our backyard. It’s bitter cold but quite peaceful, especially next to the fireplace on a winter evening. Can’t wait to go back!
