Take me back to the Summer days as a kid...............

How can any of us not long for the days of Summer as a kiddo?  I mean, C'mon.  You got to hang out with friends, eat tons of ice cream, ride banana seat bikes around all day and into the evening, catch fireflies, go to camp and play kick the can..........so, so simple and fun.

Funny thing about remembering all of that good stuff as a kid?  Those great memories jump right to the front of my mind when I see other kids - today - enjoying the same things.  I loved this shoot that Heath did.  We got to do all of those "basic" things.  Play in the sprinkler, blow bubbles, create artistic masterpieces with sidewalk chalk, eat ice cream, popsicles and watermelon till it was coming out of our ears.  Life was good!   It was a great production crew and although it was work, it was a fun day that got us a lot of great images.  Everyone walked away happy.

That's what we aim for each day.  Walk away happy.  Communicate well.  Meet or exceed expectations.  Have fun and make sure that you enjoy every moment.  It IS work, but work can and should be fun too.

Eat well.  Live happy.

www.heathrobbins.com

Let them eat cake!!

What a fun shoot this was..........so much inspiration from every single aspect, from the baker, visionary and inspiration, to the food stylists creations, to the prop stylists sets and surfaces and as well, the creativity and perspective of the photographer.  Each set was so cleverly thought of to compliment the cake and to create an scene that would pull every view in - and it did!

We had to worry about the inside and outside representation AND we got to taste along the way.  Seriously, it was one of the yummiest jobs to be a part of, creating, baking and tasting.  Yum!

Simply beauty to ornate decorations.  Little bits and pieces of candies and cookies, food coloring, chocolate used in ways you had never envisioned and it all came together.

More fun to be had on our next project..........wonder what that will be?

www.heathrobbins.com

Letting in all happen........or making it look that way

Do you remember the days of just letting it all go and enjoying the moment, not a care in the world?  Some days, don't you wish for it?  Okay - most days I wish for it, but then I remember - I'm a planner, a producer, an organizer.  In this role - we make it happen for others and make it look "easy".   And so that's how shoots happen that look flawless. 

These young girls were great on set and embodied all the fun that Summer can hold.  So, casting was spot on.  The crew was all that we wanted and so much more.  Styling and propping hit the mark - exactly - and the location, that worked too.  Boom, it all happened and the marks were hit.  Success.

It's all the little pieces that need to come into play, boxes that need to be checked off with care.  Crossing the T's and dotting the I's.

Seamless.

And that's what we do.

www.heathrobbins.com

Stepping out of your comfort zone...............

Life is not about walking a straight line, I mean - you can.........but is that the best way to experience life?  Probably not.  

Part of being involved in this crazy, creative Industry - photography, advertising, editorial, publishing, marketing, etc - it's kind of always being ready for whatever is being thrown at you and not letting things really shake you.

So, a straight line is not normally how things work........it's more about ducking when something comes barreling at you unexpectedly, it's making a shoot work when the talent isn't exactly "into it", making a situation turn from disastrous to sensational and somehow finding a silver lining when things kind of look bleak.

Yes, this month seemed to me to be pretty bleak, but letting things stay that way really isn't an option.  I need to (and possibly you too) need to pick myself up by my boot straps and get back on the horse and not be thrown by the unexpected.  Make lemonade out of lemons......and step out of my expected comfort zone and see what is out there.

There are a bunch of people that I run into in daily life that do this all the time - you may be one of them and I feel like many of the photographers that I work with, tend to have that kind of approach to life.  Deal with it and make it work.  So don't expect to follow a straight line........jump in or jump off - find a different way of approaching things.  It MAY just be refreshing.

www.tophercox.com

Happy New Year???

It's the last hurrah of Summer, Labor Day weekend!  Hard to believe that the Summer has come and is almost gone.  How did that happen?  Each year - I always think that this is, once again, a time of rebirth.........enjoying the past and jumping full-fledged into a new year.

So, Happy New Year!

Okay - may seem odd to some of you, but many of us aren't beholden to the calendar year - but think of our year by "school year" or "sports season."  So here we are,......beginning again.

I love this time of the year - thinking about all of the fun things to come work wise and being able to make more plans to see my Industry friends who will be in the office, creatively planning things.......collaboration, here we come!

Heath recently had a chance to plan some fun while capturing some awesome Summer fun. 

Lucky Guy!

www.heathrobbins.com

Joshua............LIVE

Yep.  It's LIVE.

We are excited because Joshua has spent a ton of time pulling together a new site.  It calls for a few minutes of your time and yes, may be partial, but I SO think it is worth it.

Grab a coffee or your favorite libation and peruse.  Fun stuff and an adventure at every turn.  It's pretty much just like Joshua.  Fun. Driven. Passionate. Adventurer.

If you have some feedback.  We're all ears.

www.joshuaweinfeld.com

Passion Needed.

Are you passionate about what you do?  


How you live?  


Who you spend time with?



If you are passionate, then you have found the key to being fulfilled.  If not, then you need to lasso that passion.





I came across a quote today by Gilda Radnor, "I wanted a perfect ending. Now I've learned the hard way, that some poems don't rhyme and some stories don't have a clear beginning, middle and end.  Life is about not knowing, having to change, taking the moment and making the best of it, without knowing what's going to happen next."


So, why does that tie to passion?  I say it does because you have to have something deep inside you that makes you tick for the right reason and keeps you going. 

Eric Kulin is a guy who is passionate.  He loves his family.  He loves to fish.  He loves to shoot.  He loves to enjoy life and to make things happen.  What an incredible zest for life and he does not know what's coming next, but he certainly enjoys himself along the way.

May we all be passionate, not knowing what is coming next, but embracing it and making the most of it!  Carpe' Diem!

www.erickulin.com

LOVE.

Jim Scherer and Beth Wickwire collaborated on the sweet stop-motion animation.  Take a moment to enjoy this treat!  Click on the pic and watch the youtube video.  Have fun!

www.jimscherer.com

Food, Fashion and Fun!

This was an incredible collaborative shoot that Jim Scherer did with Dana Moscardelli and Catrine Kelty ~ two wonderfully creative stylists. It was a great project that everyone walked away from it simply blown away by what strong images had been created. It simply was an example of a "perfect storm" of the creative kind!

To see more:
http://scherer-food-photography.com/featured/

www.jimscherer.com

Resolutions or Plans?

So what did you do to celebrate the New Year? Every year, people discuss goals and resolutions, things we want to do and achieve, but the question really is, do you make a plan to conquer that goal? This year - I am making a plan and sticking to it. Much of it has to do with my focus. Enjoy the here and now, love what I am doing and see it for all its beauty as I am experiencing it TODAY! I am really grateful for all that I have, family, friends, a business, health and loads of opportunity ahead. Jim and all of my photographers hope to collaborate with you this upcoming year.

Here is to a year of all of us seeing an incredible 2012 and achieving our collective goals!

www.jimscherer.com

Long and Winding Road..............2012, here we come!

This image that Joshua shot actually seems quite fitting, what lays ahead is an adventure. Not exactly sure what is ahead, but I am sure it will present with plenty of challenges and will provide excitement along the way. I'm up for the challenge and look forward to partnering with many of you to see what awesome work we can do together. Let's get going on this new path!

www.joshuaweinfeld.com

Simplicity is sometimes really, really nice............

Playing with tires, a cardboard box, bubble wrap, sticks - just normal stuff ............ can sometimes bring SO much enjoyment. Life is meant to be jam packed full of love, passion, fun, adventure. Kids seem to be able to see things much clearer than adults. It is, what it is. Right? Shouldn't we all be so lucky to live life that way. Carrie works hard to capture some of those simple pleasures in life - those moments, that if you don't catch them quick, they will pass you by. So stop and smell the roses and don't let those turkeys get you down. Life is short, have fun and keep it simple.

www.carrieprophett.com

BACK TO SCHOOL!!!

I truly think that these kiddos must be the excited ones....school is starting, maybe the mom and the dad are cheering them on too? In my household, it has been abuzz about the new teachers, the new year and all of the fun stuff that lies ahead. So hey, if they want to jump on their bed because they can't hold back their enthusiasm - so be it! YEAH for back to school!!!

www.doubleimagestudio.com

Summertime appointments............

Summertime has actually been VERY busy for appointments, yahoo! I have really enjoyed running around and visiting people. It's been kind of laid back, which has been quite nice for truly getting to hang out with creatives and talk about our photographers, their work and mutual interest in projects and such. I think that appointments during this kind of a situation is really ideal. Thank you to the many agencies that have open their doors and welcomed me inside. Thank you to the many creatives that have brought me in and made me feel very comfortable. Now ~ let's see the fruits of the labor!! I hope.

Time to play in the Chicken Coop???

Recently, a number of friends have decided to start "mothering" a chicken coop and I must say that it certainly has provided many stories to be shared. One story came through this morning on Facebook.........."Who broke into our chicken coop?" I guess I haven't made it down that path yet to start caring for farm animal chickens because I am always running around after my "children" chickens! These friends are amazing and I give them a TON of kudos for the chicken coops. Carrie had a lot of fun with the little chicks on this shoot for Pink Chicken. Take a look at more of her work.........lots of fun!

www.carrieprophett.com

Something blue, for the gorgeous blue skies I see........

On a beautiful Friday, why not have a fun shot to post. Bright colors, fun drink, sunshine outside - it just feels like the right image to share. Enjoy! Eric just had fun shooting some drink shots, just because. Sometimes it's great to have shots - just because.

www.erickulin.com

Squirrel Nut Zippers.............fun times!

Joshua has spent a lot of time on the road, whether it be with musicians, biking or flying off somewhere. His time spent with the Squirrel Nut Zippers always proved for some great shots. You can see more of Joshua's work on his site - which includes a ton of musical imagery. Enjoy!

www.joshuaweinfeld.com

Sun Gods..........

Joshua tends to get the best gigs. Working with the boys, out in the heat of the desert - catching rays and some great shots. Nice way to get to work on band promotions! I want in. Joshua, need someone to carry your bags???


www.joshuaweinfeld.com

Summer Jammin'

This kid was totally in his element - loving his moment to shine and playing his heart out. Great that Susan & Nicholas could capture that pure enthusiasm and spirit. That's their thing, they capture those moments...........see more of their work via the website. Thanks for looking!

http://www.doubleimagestudio.com

Summer Fun..........

Tie-dye tee shirts, swings and things............items that just seem to scream the easy attitude of the Summer. Livin' is easy........enjoy all of these little moments and take a look at how well Double Image Studio captures these moments. Their camera is always ready to capture, please take a look at some of their work on their site. Have a good weekend!

http://www.doubleimagestudio.com