Blogging about another blog?!?

You can read my guest-blog post about hiring a professional photographer and what to expect by clicking this link:

http://dallasiabcblog.wordpress.com/2013/04/23/todays-visual-world/

Recent Work Spring 2013...

Paperwork is never fun...

Just a note about the business side of photography.  It is never fun, but it is very important!  Today, I was going through my invoices and I noticed one client had paid me fifty dollars less than the invoice stated, one client is thirty days past due for payment, and another sent a check, but I had misplaced it in a pile of mail.

If I didn't have a clear and consistent billing system, I wouldn't have caught these issues, and I'd be out thousands of dollars!  I have a very basic, but very accurate invoice tracking plan, and I know when something isn't right.  If you are just starting out as a pro, you may think it's easy to keep track of your payments.  True, as you are probably only doing a few shoots a month.  You probably only have a couple clients to track.  Well, that will all change as you add more and more clients, and it can get very confusing very fast!  So, develop a plan that is simple, and one that allows you to make sure everything gets paid... because, if you don't get paid for that shoot, you just worked for free.

More Recent Work...

Some cover photos, some news stories, some non-profit work... it all keeps me busy!  Here is a recent cover story I did for the Dallas Observer about the 35 Denton Music Festival:

New August and J Music Video...

The new August and J music video has only been out for a week and a half, and it already has over 1.3 million views!  It's great knowing it's been so well-received!  I shot most of the content and was director on this project.  The story line was provided by one of the band members, and all the post/editing was outsourced.  It really was a team effort, which is much different than still photography.

Fort Worth Elementary School...

I recently visited an elementary school in Fort Worth, Texas and was able to take some Architectural pictures.  I like the timelessness of the images, as if the photos could've been made twenty or thirty years ago.  I wouldn't mind turning this series into a full-blown fine art project some day, capturing behind the scenes rooms, overlooked details, and everyday objects found in public schools across Texas.  

My Photos Will Make You Smarter!!!

Well, my photo might not literally make you smarter, but it will help illustrate some important political points in a newly-released textbook.  That's right, I recently sold another image to a textbook company, and my image of Dallas mayor Mike Rawlings is now in the American Politics Today/3E Texas Edition authored by William Bianco and David Canon.

It has a print run of 40,000 copies, so plenty of Texas students studying politics will get a chance to see my work as they study.  So, not only are my photos interesting and engaging, but they also have the potential to make you smarter!  Yeah, it's a stretch to suggest that I'm making anyone smarter... I know, but it's still cool to know my pics are in the classroom.

Rock and Roll Royalty...

Located in North Texas, Denton is home to several accomplished musicians.  Some, like Brent Best, have toured across several continents, recorded stacks of albums, and even been written into a Stephen King novel - yup!  Google the band Slobberbone, and you'll see the world famous novelist included them in Black House!

Luckily, I got the chance to photograph a few of these musical geniuses for the current cover story in the Dallas Observer.  It was a blast getting to hang out in Denton for the day, and I think the photos represent what the artists and town are all about.  

More Perot Museum...

I know that I just had a post about the current Perot Museum of Nature and Science advertisements, but they were just so much fun to shoot!  I get excited every time I see a new one in a magazine or on a billboard.  Over two or three days, I shot a ton of little kids, teens, adults, and senior citizens.  They all showed their awe towards the new museum, and I captured those expressions with my camera.  Doesn't this little girl look like she's full of wonder and intrigue, as she experiences all the excitement the new building has to offer?!?  

It really is a cool place to go, whether you're a child or just a child at heart.  I can't wait to see some of the future faces and expressions they use in this ad campaign.  I think it really captures what every guest feels as they take their first steps into the world-class attraction!

The Perot Museum of Nature and Science...

Keep an eye out for these fun advertisements!  I recently shot a campaign for The Perot Museum of Nature and Science that features a bunch of different people excited about seeing the new museum.  It was great getting to work with the museum's real friends and family, no actors or models, just real members.  It can be a challenge to work with people who aren't normally used to being in front of professional photographers, cameras, and lighting.  However, I think the end result was worth the effort.  These photos and advertisements should be popping up all around Dallas in the coming year, in newspapers and magazines, on billboards, and who knows where else?!?