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

What's the story?

Do you ever hang out in places - whether doing work, having a cup of coffee or just waiting for someone and you make up stories about the people you are seeing?  Maybe it is just me, but I like to think that many of us, especially in the creative end of the business - make up these incredible stories about what is going on with this person, who they are meeting, where they have been.  

Ironically, as I thought about this more and more - I realized the correlation between creative minds creating imaginary stories and photography visionaries creating stories with their images - especially still photographers.  One image needs to capture a lot of information - so that the person viewing it can see the details and get it.  I love that!  It's kind of what makes me want to do, what I do each day.  Create a story in one shot (okay - sometimes maybe a few more images than that - but you know what I mean).

So, here's an image.  Joshua shot it......there is a story behind it.

What's the story you think it should tell?

www.joshuaweinfeld.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

It goes on.

With so much going on in the world, I feel like I am constantly trying to make sense of it all.  Many times, I can't make all of the pieces come together to "make sense."

Recently, I had a quote that popped up that actually spoke to me:

"In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life:  it goes on." ~ Robert Frost

It spoke to me because I realized that everything does NOT make sense.  It happens.  I need to adjust and move forward as positively as I can.  So, as I approach each day, each work assignment, each issue - I try and take it one step at a time.  Don't get overwhelmed and make more of something than is needed.  Take in that moment and make it count.

Each issue needs appropriate attention.  Each project that we work on, that is our focus.  Give time to make it the best it can be and don't over think it.  It will all fall in place.

It goes on.

www.tophercox.com

Light and Bright..........

Pure joy.

Keeping things light and bright and sharing all the goodness.  This image really captures the moment and all that exudes as she is singing deep from her soul.  I love when imagery can shout out that raw emotion and capture the true feeling.

I hope that within each day, as we face our normal schedule and busy lifestyles, that we take time to let it all hang out and enjoy the moments.  Last week was a very busy production with a number of challenges, yet there were bright spots throughout the experience.  People that I had the chance to collaborate with that were phenomenal, locations that we shot that were incredible little diamonds in the rough, weather than happened to support our exact needs and issues that tried to rear their crazy little heads were re-routed into positive opportunities.  All in all, we made the best out of what was around us and celebrated.

Keeping things on track for making the best out of all situations.  Topher used this opportunity for good.  His project was to work on a great video, he walked away with so much more than simply producing an incredible video project........he walked away with great creative product and a tighter respect for the many people he work with.  A fruitful experience for all, focused on the good stuff.

Life lived well!

www.tophercox.com

Style, humor, compassion and passion.

Staring straight into whatever lies ahead being true to yourself.........honestly, it's the best thing to do.  It might be scary, but if you dive in with the right mix of your assets, there's nothing that can really stop you.  As Maya Angelou said, "My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor and some style."

I love Topher's passion for life.  His compassion for many of the projects he works on and the people that he chooses to work with.  Topher laughs each day, whether it be as the photographer behind the camera making his subject feel comfortable or as the fantastic Dad to his children.  He's got his own style and approach and Lord knows, I wouldn't change him for anything.

Be passionate.  Show compassion.  

Laugh out loud and always, always let your style be known.

www.tophercox.com

Balance

Balance.

Each day, it's all about finding the right way to approach life. 

Work, family, friends, fun.  Lots of pressures and many pleasures, but can you make the pressure more pleasurable?  Of course.  

As I mentioned in a recent blog post, it is all about your choices and approach.  Finding your balance could be as simple as how you decide you want to approach your life.   Surround yourself with like-minded people.  Make a cognitive decision to work with people that hold the same morals and ethics.  Foster the right opportunities to put yourself in the right place so great things can happen.

Choose to find balance.

www.tophercox.com

Flying High

Joshua has this thing about him.............something about always being out in the midst of the action.  It's one of those amazing qualities that for me, makes him.....well, him.  He is all in.  There is NO halfway for Joshua and that goes for his athletics, life and his photography.  He's the kind of guy that you want to work with because he pushes you and the project to its limits.  Take a look at more of his work ~ you'll see what an asset he can be for "getting it."

www.joshuaweinfeld.com

Dreaming of Winter, and all the thrills........

Oh yes, I am sitting here working feverishly today. Mailing lists, postings, calls and estimates, but in the back of my head - I am still dreaming of Winter with snow and making some runs down a mountain full of speed and wind running past my ears. The sights and sounds that happen and the pounding of ones heart, as the thrill of tackling the mountain is eerily similar to a crazy production, filled with twists and turns where you don't know what is coming, but you are prepared for anything. It's the life of a thrill seeker or a producer, at least that is how I see it. It's kind of funny how a producer is ready to deal with anything that is thrown their way and actually, that's a lot like an athlete that is ready for anything that comes their way. I love the "fever pitch" and look forward to each opportunity to tackle the mountain and the work. Joshua is also a thrill seeker and actually - all of the photographers that I work with are a bit like that. We all have passions - that is what makes us special and able to take on the projects that come our way.

Thanks for all of the thrills ~ keep them coming!

www.joshuaweinfeld.com

What a way to begin the day AND the week...........

There is just something exhilarating about seeing all of Joshua's adventures and posts. I love that he combines his many talents and passions. Can't we all be so lucky? Out on the path, on our own or with a friend, enjoying the outdoors and sights and taking it all in through your eyes and sharing it through your camera and your way of documenting and creating this incredible vision for others? Simply amazing. I marvel at his tenacity of planning and executing in multiple ways. Go get em' Joshua and enjoy your day!

www.joshuaweinfeld.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

It's just another dog day...........

The question would be, is she walking the dogs or are they walking her??? It's pretty funny to me because that's often how I feel when I walk my dog ~ and he's a little guy! What personalities our four legged friends have, love them!

www.doubleimagestudio.com

Dogs, Walks and girls............

Well, on these "dog days" of Summer - I certainly hope that all the doggies are getting taken care of and meeting with LOTS of love and long walks with their owners. Susan and Nicholas seem to find a cool way of pulling these shots together, producing them - but still feeling like the expected "real life" moments. Take a look at more of their work..........

www.doubleimagestudio.com

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

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

One more run?

Joshua really has found a passion in shooting all types of sports. He's an outdoor guy, that enjoys being with people and making really cool things happen. Think he's got a few more runs planned before the season is gone till next winter. And you?

Take a look at some of the projects that Joshua has been working on, maybe you all could hook up on a project - OR - find a compatible hobby?

www.joshuaweinfeld.com

Spring, can't you come???

This shoot of Susan & Nicholas' make me long for Spring and then Summer. I'm not that greedy - just could use a little warmth right about now. Double Image Studios' images always seem to emote warm feelings.......whether the images are portraits or lifestyle. The shots pull you right on in and make the viewer feel comfortable. Love that!

www.doubleimagestudio.com

Guess signs don't count, sometimes..............

Joshua has an eye to catch those quirky things that some would just miss. Certainly makes you chuckle though. With many of the great relationships that he has formed with bands, it has given him unprecedented access to the members, on-stage and behind. This just happened to be one of those moments that he got to capture. This also is the image he has in the Workbook that was released in March 2011. Enjoy!

www.joshuaweinfeld.com
www.workbook.com