Get out there...........

There is just something special about the Summer.  A time to get out there and enjoy all that we have around us.  Yes, of course - we all have to work, but we certainly need to take time to have fun too.  It's all part of life.  Work hard, play hard.

This pic is a little mix of both working and playing.  Eric - as many of you know is a very capable shooter, stills and fishing and a lot lot in between.  He has a passion for the outside and often charters boats taking people out to enjoy fishing and then not only is he the Captain, but he's a documenter of the experience.  He knows the angles, he captures the experience and the emotions.

What a great way to combine passions........work hard, play hard and enjoy life!

www.erickulin.com

www.sanpshotcharters.net

So, DO something about it!!!

What to do?  Do SOMETHING!  And that is what many of us are doing.  We will not stand by watching as the world is changing and that can be quite empowering.

As Advertising professionals journalists, we have the power to report, document and inform people and their lives.  Thank goodness for that.

Rodney Rascona is an example of that - he has worked tirelessly over 17+ years in the oddest of place to bring the harsh realities of lives to light.  I had the pleasure of originally meeting Rodney when he shot for Volkswagen - shooting cars all over the place, in incredible locations at the twilight hours for the golden light was what was necessary.  It was an incredible experience where I learned a lot and a thrill was to be had for the long hours, hard work and beautiful finished product that made us all smile upon completion.  That all said, the work that makes me the proudest of Rodney, is the work he's done under the radar, in many ways.  Traveling in 2004 to document the Southeast Asia Tsunami, the hours spent capturing inner beauty of the Haitians after hit by an earthquake, the Ethiopian famine, women fighting for their rights in the Congo and many, many NGO projects, too many to name.

He has done it all and captured these folks sometimes in their harshest hours, but with dignity.

So, here's my call to action for all of us.  We MUST find a way to live out our passion, while helping others.  Find your calling and make it happen.

You can find out more about Rodney and his incredible work, stills and videos:
http://beakstreetbugle.com/articles/view/565/dont-moan-organise

And Rodney's website:
www.rascona.com

Appreciation, everyday.

Yes, Veterans Day was earlier this week.  

A day that is set aside as an acknowledgement, yet we really do need to say thank you all the time, everyday.  Hard to remember to do that...........but so worthwhile.  

Appreciation:  the gratitude for something, a full understanding of a situation or the recognition and enjoyment of the good qualities of someone or something.

Topher is keenly aware of how precious each day, each hour and each moment can be.  Make the most out of life.  Choose wisely and appreciate, everyday.

www.tophercox.com

Follow the leader................

Don't you remember playing games as a kid, like Capture the Flag, Simon Says or Follow the Leader?  These games as kids actually started putting each of us on the path toward how well we could do things in the future.  Things that we learn early on, help us as we navigate our direction down the road.  

When on are on a job, you need to pull out all of these learned items and put them to good use.  You must be able to work well with others, show teamwork and patience, navigate differences of opinion, understand the assets and capabilities of people around you, collaborate on ideas and perspectives...........whether it's for business, sports, production and basically, life.

Today, I'm sitting, working on the computer on a production (kind of like study hall), with client, agency and production all lined up working, and our week, so far...........has entailed all of these areas of expertise.  Ironic that along the way - all of our skills have been mustered from experience and some people get it, while others are still learning and working on that craft.  It's simply the way it is.  Fortunately, like follow the leader - we get to learn from each other and store that information away and pull it out sooner or later.

A little bit of knowledge is taken away after each shoot, each job, each experience.  It makes us better and hopefully it improves who we are, as we continue on the path of life.

www.joshuaweinfeld.com

Time to get serious

Topher seems to always keep us all on track.  Focused. 

I believe that is one of the reasons that his clients seem to fall in love and return again and again. Topher can be counted upon.  He has an ease about how he approaches projects, everyone is always comfortable and knows what is going on, yet every single detail is fully handled.  Production and prep is key to success and that is an asset that is a constant in Topher's back pocket.

Focused.  Detailed.  Comfortable and Luna often tags along too. (Luna is his best friend ~ his dog.) 

If you follow Topher on facebook, you'll learn of Luna's adventures.

www.tophercox.com

Cookstove Films and Rodney Rascona on assignment

Cookstove Films

Rodney Rascona & Russ & Scott & Chuck & Kendall & Phil & Michael 

and 3 billion people breathing nasty smoke.

Rodney and his production team have been  busily working on an important film for the UN Foundation, Global Alliance for Clean Cook Stoves in Kenya.  Here was a recent post at the close of the first portion of the project.  Good work Team!

Back from Torbi, overnight in Marsabit.

Short post to start, but look for a lot more over the next two days. We’re back from the shoot in Torbi, overnighting in Marsabit on our way back to Nairobi. Though we obviously cannot post much here in Marsabit (super slow internet), I’ll get to it when we’re in Nairobi. But, the shoot was EXCELLENT, the experience unforgettable, and the people we met and who shared their lives with us bring new meaning to the word generous. More soon. And everyone on the the team sends their love and appreciation to their families, friends and all those who helped make this possible.

www.rascona.com