Tag: portrait

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A Truckload of Serendipity

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I got an email the other week from a media company in Ann Arbor. It was a request for environmental portrait photography for a client of theirs – a Metro Detroit shipping/trucking company.  The dates lined up, details worked out fine, and I was on board with the project.

Who’s the client? Con-way Inc. Oh – cool.ConWay

So the project brief and shot list came… Hang on a second. Something’s not right. This isn’t Con-way’s address. This is the address for Menlo Intl. I know that because my father has worked there for years.

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The Golden Gang

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A friend of mine has a golden retriever.  His name is Mondego (after the character in Alexander Dumas’ Count of Monte Cristo).  He also happens to be the smallest fully-grown male golden I’ve ever met, tipping the scales at something like 40 pounds.

But that’s beside the point.

This dog is a member of an extended family that also loves goldens.  Parents and siblings included, there are 6 golden retrievers… and I got to photograph them.

Oh, and there’s a cockatoo as well.

Here are a few of my favorites.

– Jon

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The Way of the World

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Much like birds and whatnot on National Geographic, people do things to attract attention or show off.  For the most part these things can be summed up in a word:

“Style”

Sometimes it’s clothing style, cosmetic style, artistic style, or personality style.  Many times, these days, it’s hairstyle.

Recently I did a photoshoot for a long time friend of mine, who happens to be a top-notch stylist.  By “top-notch,” I mean Redken Certified.    If you know what that means, you know how prestigious it is.

Anywho – she has had her styling fingers in many heads of hair and, as such, has developed her own unique style of cutting, feathering, trimming, coloring and other verbs that I don’t actually know.  The point is that she’s good and has something to show off.

 

That’s where the actual photography comes in.

Ch-Ch-Ch-Ch-Ch-Ch-Check it out.

However, the whole point about trends in style all filter down to the point of the whole post.
The Pack

Much like with wolves, if you don’t keep up, you fall behind to get eaten by crows and such…  OK, maybe not to that extent, but still – there are ramifications.  Really what I’m trying to say is “beauty is determined by the determiner.”  I know that sounds convoluted, but its just the case.  This model is beautiful.  She’s beautiful with the retouching and she’s beautiful without the retouching.  In fact, she’s flat-out hilarious (one of the most fun people I’ve worked with in quite some time.)    Just to drill home my point – she busted out the robot in the parking lot for the sake of a funny portrait.  Awesome.

However, people that look to style mags demand a more “commercial” level of beauty, and so the process of retouching begins.
Now, I know what you’re saying (or at least should be):  “Jon!  Didn’t you write a post a few months back about not doing this exact thing if at all possible?”

Well, yes.  Yes I did.  But in the same breath as condemnation, I will always stand straight up and say I will break my own rules to help my friends succeed.  Also, I like paying my bills… well not… I… YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN!
So yes.  I am conflicted and my brain doesn’t quite know which side of the fence to come down on… So I sure wouldn’t mind some opinions.  There’s a comment box down there somewhere…
But, because I know you’re looking for it, here’s the before and after:

– Jon

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High Tech Self-Promo

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This has been in the works for about 3 months now.

Since the start of term, I wanted to put together a booklet – kind of like a process book (showing clients how I get to the end of a project).  So, I did.

I won’t ramble about it, as it’s intended to be fairly self-explanatory.  I wouldn’t mind some thoughts and opinions, though.

Whadaya think?

– Jon

 

 

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Oldy but a Goody

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I’ve been gettin’ retroactive lately.

I’ve been feeling the need to restructure my portfolio – trimming down some spots, bulking up some others, creating new categories altogether…  Throughout the process I’ve been looking through my work from early on in my career all the way up to last week.  It’s been fascinating.

One of the trends I notice repeating itself is that of the “completely ridiculous.”  It seems to be a driving force in a lot of my personal work.

Which brings us to the topic at hand.

2 years ago there was a competition for a scholarship; I had to tell a story in 8 images.  As per usual, I put things off and it was dangerously close to the deadline.  Then I got a call from the accepting committee, reminding me that I still had not submitted.  I confirmed that there were still 4 days left to submit.

They corrected me.  It turns out I had gotten the date wrong.  I had less than 36 hours.

With the relentless help of Carl Amyoni, we jumped into action.

In a 30-hour shooting spree we planned the shoot, bought the props, found the locations (3 different cities), shot the pictures, and ran post production.

The project won 2nd place in the nation.

I share with you – NERDMAN.

– Jon

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Foolishly Fun

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Most of you know, but for those who don’t – I rarely shoot weddings.  It happens occasionally, but it’s always a special circumstance (family and friends).

This allows myself and my clients a unique opportunity.  I know them and they know me.  This means I can get closer, more natural reactions, and a more personal level of happiness and humor than would be possible with a clients whose only interactions with me had been business-related.

On April Fools’ Day, with the fantastic help of Ashley Lawler, I shot a fairly unique wedding in Bay City at the Perre Marquette Train Depot.

Check out some of my favorite shots from the day!

-Jon

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Reconsideration

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Well, folks – after a bit of soul searching, a sizable chunk of staring off into the distance, and an overpowering need to get out and take some pictures, I decided it’s time for mighty deal.

I want to create.  I want to create something for YOU.

So, for the next 5 weeks, the deal is as follows:  If you’d like some portraits shot, you get half off the session.  This includes, but is not limited to: you, your kids, you and your significant other, your whole family, your grandmother, your BFF, your dog, you AND your dog…. I think you get the picture.

– Oh and dude(s) – I come to YOU.  There ain’t no sittin’ pretty on a stool in a cheesy studio, with the wafting tunes of (whoever I think you might like), that smells vaguely of Kmart brand vanilla candle.  NO, SIR (or ma’am).  This all happens on your turf (or at a super cool spot if your turf is lacking in creative possibilities).  The point here is that we’re going to have an adventure!

But let’s not forget global warming and oil and what not… don’t make me drive 50 miles, people.

ANYWAY!  Here’s a little doodle I put together for this.  Have a gander.  Send it to your mother (it’s mother’s day soon and she’d LOVE a picture with her precious little bundle of joy), send it to your coworker, your neighbor, your dog… OK, don’t send it to your dog.  That was a bad idea.

I’m rambling now.  Here’s the picture.

I’m in the Detroit area, by the way.

 

– Jon

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Smokin’ Hot

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I went through some of my old pictures and found a number of pictures with fire.  Fire and people.  But don’t worry – they’re being safe.

So, I’m thinking about starting a new project – a series of self portraits, probably in somewhat obscure locations.

Opinions?

-Jon

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