Special Olympics and Denver Bronco Heroes

I had the honor of photographing some incredible Special Olympics kids with some genuine Denver Bronco's players in August. The Billboards have been strategically popping up right next to Invesco Field.

I was really thrilled that the three Denver Broncos were true gentlemen. On AND off camera alike, they were playing with the kids around the studio. I can report from the other side of the camera that this was more than just a photo-opp for these guys.

In addition, I'm lucky to get 15 minutes with a Bronco when I shoot for Sports Illustrated, but these guys hung out for hours laughing and boosting the egos of the kids. I truly believe all the kids left the studio beaming and feeling like a hero.

Broncos: DJ Williams, Andra Davis, and Darrell Reid

Agency: Pure

Creative Director: Gregg Bergan

Art Director: Jerry Stafford

Account Exec: Eric Espinoza

Volunteers of America

Here is a billboard campaign I photographed for Volunteers of America recently. I've seen a few of these around Denver. I'd like to give a shout out to my crew who worked for peanuts to help out a good cause. Thanks also go to Kiona and Ezri for modeling.

Thank you!

Agency: Integer

Creative Director: James Pelz

Art Director: Brian Gritzmaker

Copywriter: Jay Roth

Stylist: Katelyn Simpkins

Digital Tech: LA Digital Assistant

Below is a video of the new studio tent for viewing images as we shoot on screen- in any weather or sunlight. I can describe the tent with one word: AWESOME! They are made by Village Black Out Tents. Get one here.

The tent can function as a digital darkroom, changing room, and staging area for gear. We were shooting in a seedy area of Colfax and it provided a sense of security to not have a bunch of open cases with camera gear sitting around. You'll be seeing this tent in a lot of upcoming posts as we are using it on just about every outdoor shoot.

FulCircle Brochure Photography

An art director friend, Peter Reese, asked me to help create some unique photographs for a brochure he was producing for a packaging, receiving, etc. etc. company called FulCircle. At first, the job description began with the challenge to enter the warehouse and find circular objects to photographs for small 2 inch "buttons" on the brochure.

After a quick scout of the facility, I proposed that we create our own circles from objects that relate to the information in that part of the brochure. Here are a few of the many buttons that we created and a portrait of the CEO.

Below is my digital tech Wess from a test we shot before our

real models were pulled from the production line.

5280 Kids

Aleah Vigil, 14 - Student Activist

You may recall a few posts back that I posted some pictures from a personal series called "Generation Lost." I had been playing with some post production techniques creating custom "wallpapers" to cross the line between illustration and photography. 5280 Magazine came to me and wanted me to photograph some special kids with special talents for their August 09 Kids Guide to Denver.

I pitched an idea that we could use this illustrative process to make the children look like saints using props relating to their interests. For instance, in the shot above, I took a single image of a bullhorn and created "flowers" for a student activist. All of these shots were shot natural light in the new studio on plane jane colored backgrounds.

5280 Mag took some risk and let me depart from the "safe shot" on colored background to make it something more. Thanks for the trust guys. I'm using a lot of "Quotes" in this post.

Davis Bryant, 9

(The next Tiger Woods?)

Hazel Allison, 11 - Bug Enthusiast

Isaac Crewse, 7 - Has severe asthma, but is running a Marathon - One mile at a time

Art Director: Alese Pickering Becket

Photo Editor: Steffanie Woodword

New Portfolio

I've been so busy over the last year that I haven't had the time to get new work into my portfolio. July has been a slower month, so here it is - page by page, my freshly printed book of mostly newer work. The prints are on Red River Double matte pages 12x12 inches in a shiny metallic aluminum cover.

I would love some feedback. Seriously... I want to hear your opinions!
-Is the work consistent?
-Do you have a favorite?
-If people will remember me by my weakest image, which one is it?

Don't just give me fluff... I want some real constructive criticism. I have thick skin, so let me have it... it will only make me stronger. Call me, email me, or comment here.

But if you like it, I'll accept compliments too. Better yet, call me for photography services.

ADCD Annual Show Awards

I was notified that a homemade book I made got into the ADCD Annual Awards Show.

I took a book making class in college and have enjoyed producing my own portfolios and books ever since. This small book was a collection of images from a job I shot for Healing Waters International and Compassion International in the Dominican Republic. I recently re-visited those pictures and felt I had too nice a collection of images to be laid to rest on a hard drive. Besides, a nice coffee table book is a great conversation starter- and I love to talk about getting clean water to third world countries.

The book was printed here at my studio on premium Red River double sided matte paper with an Epson 2400 printer.

One of the annual show judges,Chase Jarvis, recently spoke the the Art Director's Club of Denver about how there has never been a better time for artists to do something personal and creative and self publish it. I can't agree more. Printing this single edition book took up some of my time and materials but it filled a need as an artist to say something with meaning... that's priceless. I hope that my images will cause someone somewhere to become more interested in the worldwide clean water shortage. Get Involved!

Here are some of the pages:

Above are the slums in Villa Duarte where a new water filtration system is helping bring desperately needed clean H2O to families living in deep poverty. Here is an invited peak inside one of the houses. The kitchen in the tin roof shanty is water damaged, but tidy.
Above are some boys playing in the slums and collecting water in buckets.
Baseball is the sport of choice in the D.R. Someone in the USA donated some baseball gear and these kids snatched it up with wide eyes and smiles.
I met this guy on the street with a blue "General Lee" and a USA shirt. Top right is an ad for a photo studio. Note the family commuter vehicle on the right.

These school kids will be directly effected by free water from the water filtration system. Education is key to ending poverty but it's hard to go to school if you are sick.

Above are slices of life and culture in the D.R. Below are Compassion International sponsors meeting their sponsored families and kids for the first time in the houses where the sponsored children live.

Happy 4th Of July

God Bless America.

Pirate Signal Westword cover

Here's a quick little cover I shot for Westword Magazine for the Cover of their Music Showcase issue.
Art Director: Jay Volmar
Writer: Dave Herrera

Generation Lost

Here's some spec work I've pulled out of my hat for some potential clients. I love these images.
Kudos to Eden Talent for sending some teens my way. The crying girl above was styled by Nicky Lee.