Jason Janik: Life as a Dallas Photographer

Strike Two For CPS...

2012-01-20T09:52:00.000-08:00

Canon Professional Services, I am becoming more and more frustrated with you. I've spent the last couple hours on and off the phone with CPS. I am trying to upgrade to a gold membership, but their online system is having trouble with my credit card. The card company said everything is fine on their end. Canon finally gave up and said to just mail them a check. Really?!? That is your answer? Fine... if it were still 1963.

GRRRRRRRRR!!!!! At this point, I've wasted more than the $100 fee, spending time on hold and on the phone with them getting nowhere. They should've just bumped me up and called it done, since it is their problem with the payment not being accepted. Canon, you are making me mad... And, this is all because another one of your lenses broke. How much will it cost me to switch over to Nikon?!?

New Posts Are Coming...

2012-01-20T09:12:00.000-08:00

I promise! I'll get some new posts up soon. I've just been so slammed with shoots over the last couple weeks, I've barely had time to sleep... forget about finding time to post on the blog! In the meantime, enjoy this photo link:

www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2012/01/17/captain-scott-polar-expedition-photos_n_1209750.html

C-Stands Are The Stars!!!

2012-01-06T10:40:00.001-08:00

I love to see photo gear used as props in photos... I don't know why, but I think it's fun! The current Urban Outfitters catalog has some wallpaper displayed on page 16, and they are using three C-stands as props.

Speaking of photo gear as props, there is a commercial on television right now where a woman on a yacht is using a beautiful Leica camera... I think it might be an S2 digital? I can't remember what the commercial is, maybe for a perfume? If I see it again, I'll find a link to it online.

I've noticed that a lot of medical and pharmaceutical companies also use cameras as props in their ads. If you have allergies, apparently you've always yearned to take your large format camera out to a sunny field of flowers, but never could before. Or, men with erectile disfunction love playing with cameras, now that they've got their fire back, so to speak...

I've also seen one or two credit card commercials where they do a sort of interview/mini-documentary on a pro photo that has a thriving business - all in thanks to that great card and its line of easy credit!

I guess photo gear and photographers can be found both behind AND in front of the lens. Let me know what other ads you've seen where photo stuff is used a prop or a background element (in other words, not an actual ad for a camera or photo item, but it's a secondary piece to the story).

Rhode Island, 2008...

2012-01-04T11:04:00.001-08:00

Shooting Fire...

2011-12-22T10:26:00.001-08:00

The abstract nature of fire and flames makes for a very fun photo subject!

We'll Steal Your Music...

2011-12-22T10:16:00.001-08:00

As the title of my post (stolen from a quote in the story) clearly points out, there is a copyright problem among wedding photographers... but, not the problem of stolen images. PDN has a great article on photographers in trouble for using unlicensed music in their projects. They are basically stealing music when they don't pay a licensing fee for the copyright:

www.pdnonline.com/pdn/news/Wedding-Photographer-4188.shtml

I always try to use local music in my video projects, so I can call up the artist directly and get permission or pay for licensing. This doesn't address the issue of wanting top 40 hits in a project, but it sure helps me avoid problems with ASCAP or any of the other licensing groups out there!

Luckily, Dallas has a thriving music scene, so I have plenty of great tunes to pull from and I'm also supporting local artists. This may not be a viable solution in a small town in the middle of nowhere. If you live in a tiny town with only a few bar bands, you will definitely have to look into the licensing options stated in the article.

Recent Concert Photography...

2011-12-19T09:21:00.001-08:00

I sure hope you have a subscription to the wonderful Dallas Morning News. If not, it means you are missing out on a whole bunch of wonderful photos and writing. Here's a sample of some of my recent photos that ran in the news. They are from three recent concerts, including Bob Seger, Staind and the Dallas Symphony Orchestra and Children's Choir.

If you like these photos, you should also check out my website at www.janikphoto.com for other great Dallas music photography.

Free Photo Magazine...

2011-12-16T16:08:00.000-08:00

Want a free photography magazine? Pix currently has their magazine in digital form for free:

http://digitalmag.pdn-pix.com/pdnpix/

I'm not sure if this free link is a temporary promotion, or if it will be a regular thing, but enjoy the free issue while it's here!

Dallas PR and Corporate Event Photography...

2011-12-07T10:21:00.000-08:00

Dallas is a big city. Because it's a hub for so many industries, there's a LOT of corporate event and PR photography to shoot. There are plenty of conventions, product announcements/launches and general Press Release opportunities that all need photos and video!

In general, this type of photography is paid by a day rate or an hourly shooting rate. Rates can vary from city to city, but Dallas photographers normally charge $200-$300 per hour for standard event coverage. Certain factors could raise or lower this rate, but I've found this is a good ballpark to expect.

Here's an example of just a few recent events I was hired to cover. You'll notice that corporate events can have a wide range of subject matter. Expect to shoot guest speakers, convention displays, pictures of mascots, facility tours, meeting sessions and much more ...

If you like these photos and need a corporate event and PR photographer in Dallas, visit my main website at www.janikphoto.com for more info.

Photo Booths!!!

2011-12-02T12:34:00.000-08:00

I sure do love photo booths! I've already blogged about their return in a post earlier this year. I see them at weddings, community events and used as promotional items during product launches or corporate events. They really are a hot ticket these days.

I miss the old school booths... the real ones that developed real photos while you waited. The new booths are all digital, using a digital camera and a computer printer, which isn't quite the same. Maybe I'm just being too picky, sounding like my grandfather (Photo booths were better in my day...)

However, the modern digital booths still capture the fun and nostalgia of the old booths, they are MUCH more portable (no nasty photo chemicals to mess with, for one thing) and most modern booths also offer digital copies of your photos!

There was a booth set up at a recent event I was hired to photograph. During a break, I took my assistant inside the booth for a little photo fun. Who could resist?!?

More Soundgarden...

2011-11-29T09:59:00.001-08:00

I know most of you saw my Soundgarden concert photos in The Dallas Morning News last month, but I thought I'd share a couple extra shots with you. Enjoy...

If you like these photos, you should also check out my official website at www.janikphoto.com

Police Shoot Photographer...

2011-11-11T07:12:00.000-08:00

Here is video that shows just how dangerous it can be to carry a camera these days...

Read the story here:

pdnpulse.com/2011/11/video-shows-oakland-police-shooting-photographer.html

I Miss the 2011 State Fair of Texas...

2011-11-02T10:16:00.000-07:00

I love the State Fair of Texas. I go every year... at least since I was four years old. You can't really blame me for missing the first three years, since I was stuck in another state at the time and not able to drive myself down to Texas!

This year I documented the fair for D Magazine on their FrontBurner website and blog. They ran a bunch of my images throughout the month-long run of the fair. Of course, there's never enough room to run ALL my favorite shots, so I decided to go through and pick my personal favs. Some of these were published, and others are being seen by the public for the first time. Enjoy!

If you like these pics, you should check out my official website, filled with more great photos!

Prominent Photographer's Archive Found...

2011-11-02T10:00:00.000-07:00

Read this interesting story of photographer Alexi Tan's entire photographic portfolio being lost... then found:

pdnpulse.com/2011/10/photographers-lost-archive-turns-up-at-ny-flea-market.html

Photographing Soundgarden!!!

2011-10-31T20:38:00.000-07:00

What more do I have to say?!? Growing up as a teenager during the 1980's and early 90's meant that I was the perfect age to appreciate all the angst and frustration that grunge music had to offer. And what bands best represented the grunge movement? Nirvana, Pearl Jam and Soundgarden!

Why wouldn't I get excited to shoot such an amazing band in concert for the Dallas Morning News? It was a blast, to say the least! I've photographed lead singer Chris Cornell a couple times before during his solo tours, and that was fun. However, nothing quite compares to seeing him perform with his grunge-era band mates.

Here's a tear sheet with a couple of my pics printed in the paper. You should definitely go to the paper's website and read Mario's review, as I think he nailed the evening spot on...

Canon's New Camera...

2011-10-28T08:49:00.001-07:00

Start dreaming about this camera sitting in your hand one day. Enjoy...

www.pdnonline.com/pdn/gear/Hands-On-with-Canon

Now, go check out my photography at www.janikphoto.com

Completely Random Pics...

2011-10-10T11:55:00.001-07:00

What do these photos have in common? Not much. Sure, they were all taken by me and they were all taken in Dallas. It gets much harder to connect them, after that. I was digging through my photo files, and I decided to share a few shoots with you... just random stuff that's fun to look at.

The first three images were from a Mayor's Back To School Fair that I was hired to shoot PR pictures for. It was a great event that helped the community by providing school supplies and health services to needy families.

I don't know what possessed me to shoot this discarded television, but the image caught my eye and I had to snap it!

These last two images are from a concert here in Dallas. The performer is the one and only Mos Def, who puts on quite a fine show!

Shooting Catalog Images, Texas Style...

2011-10-10T10:49:00.000-07:00

Product photography is fun! Really?!? Really!

There are a ton of catalogs, both in print and online that are shot in Dallas. If you think about it, the North Texas area is headquarters to two major department stores several national retailer chains, and countless small/niche companies. There is a LOT of product to shoot here!

I recently worked on one giant retailer's catalog. I won't name the company on my blog, but hopefully you spend a few dollars there to keep them (and me) in business! I took a few pics during the shoot days with my iphone to give you a basic idea of what a catalog shoot involves. While looking at the pics, be sure to drool over the pretty Profoto packs and lights that are helping to make the magic happen!

This is a rack of outfits waiting to be steamed and pressed by the stylist, so it can be worn by a model and shot by me.

You can see a model on set, getting her hair fixed up, as another model waits off set near the stylist and stylist's assistant. There are a lot of people on the set, including me, a photo assistant, an art director and a make-up artist.

Another shot of hair being done... hair is a major issue and requires a specialist on set.

This image shows a set of pics waiting to be looked at on the computer in Capture One. The art director will comb through roughly 30-50 images of each outfit and pick his/her favorite to be sent off to the post-processing department. Then, a whole new team of professionals will take over. It's quite a process!

Here are a couple screen shots of some new maternity outfits that were produced. This will give you an example of how the final product is displayed for the customer. You may wonder why such a big production goes into taking one photo, but it's actually pretty important. The image needs to accurately represent the product, since the customer can't hold it in their hand, try it on and make an in-person decision. Those photos give the customer details to make a good, informed decision.

One reason why I've been asked to shoot product photography is my ability to capture motion, emotion, energy and excitement in my images. It's not all that often that an editorial shooter crosses over to shooting product photography, but the need for that style of imagery is becoming more in demand every day by all sorts of clients that used to prefer much more conservative styles of photography.

If you like these pictures, you should also check out my main website at www.janikphoto.com

Photographing a Cheesy CEO...

2011-10-06T09:26:00.000-07:00

No, this CEO wasn't cheesy. In fact, he was very nice, sincere and hospitable. It's a pun of sorts... a play on words. I recently photographed Scott McCallum, the CEO of a Dallas-based company for DCEO Magazine. I use the word "cheesy" to indicate our common connection - Wisconsin, land of cheese! Have you ever seen the cheese head foam hats that fans wear to Green Bay Packer's football games? Have you ever had a bite of honest-to-goodness Wisconsin cheese? Yup, it's a cheesy state, and I was born there!

Scott was the Governor of the great state of Wisconsin, and he now runs a company that handles logistics for aid relief. While shooting him for the magazine, we talked a bit about our time in WI - mine was rather short as a citizen, since my family moved to the Dallas area when I was four years old. However, it was still nice to discuss something we had in common, as it breaks the ice and allows for much more natural photos.

DJ Rave Festival Pics...

2011-09-30T10:33:00.001-07:00

I recently photographed a big DJ festival for the paper and wound up with way more fun photos than they'd ever have room to print, so I thought I'd share some of the extras with you!

If you like these concert photos, you should check out my other photography at www.janikphoto.com

Thanks for nothing Canon CPS...

2011-09-30T10:17:00.000-07:00

From Canon, proving they're customer service towards pro shooters is declining:

Effective October 1, 2011 CPS will no longer offer the 20% service discount currently being applied to CPS Silver Member repairs.

As a professional photographer, CPS understands that extended down time due to equipment repairs can be detrimental to good business. Therefore, we will continue to offer CPS Silver Members pro standard turn around times on repairs and access to the CPS Member Only 24/7 contact phone number and email, along with access to content on the CPS website including posted CPS supported Events, Shows and Workshops in your area.

Further, we encourage CPS Silver Members to explore the expanded support a CPS Gold Membership offers. CPS Gold Membership includes 3-day expedited repairs at a 30% discount along with many other benefits. Also, during the month of October we are offering a promotion when upgrading to a CPS Gold Membership that will include one (1) additional Free Clean & Check coupon. This coupon would be included along with the other items in your CPS Gold Membership Welcome Kit. Please visit the CPS website for a complete list of member benefits.

For more information:
Contact us at cpsmember@cusa.canon.com or call our general CPS support line 1-888-CPS-4540.

Industrial Photography...

2011-09-20T09:30:00.000-07:00

Recently, I've received several shoots from industrial and manufacturing clients. I think this is a good sign for the economy, since they wouldn't be spending money on photography, if they weren't selling anything.

I've found that my job is at the front of the economic wave. As the economy constricts, companies cut back or cancel their photography and advertising budgets. As the economy starts to pick up, companies allocate money to freshen up their image database.

Here's a sample of a recent photo shoot I did for an extrusion company. They make all sorts of metal items... stuff that needs aluminum heatsinks or other special shapes. It was pretty neat getting to document the assembly process.

If you like these photos, you should check out www.janikphoto.com

Food Trucks Invade Dallas!!!

2011-09-09T07:55:00.000-07:00

Dallas photographers and Dallas food lovers now have one more thing to make life fun... gourmet food trucks! Besides having tons of tasty treats for sale, these rolling restaurants are also a blast to photograph. I highly suggest you pick up a copy of today's Dallas Morning News and check out my cover photo on the Guide. The story is definitely worth reading and I've got plenty more photos to see in print. Go buy a newspaper now!

If you liked these pics, you should also check out my website at www.janikphoto.com

A Baker's Dozen of Concert Photos...

2011-09-03T07:50:00.000-07:00

I have been shooting a lot of performances lately, so I figured I'd offer up a baker's dozen of recent concert shots. I still have a ton more shows, so I may continue this post with a second and third installment in the coming days...

Glee Photo Controversy...

2011-09-03T06:46:00.000-07:00

Apparently (as you can see by his image above), photographer Tyler Shields' most recent domestic violence fashion shoot with a popular Glee actress is just one of many controversial shoots popping up. Is getting beat up supposed to be the new black in fashion?!?

shine.yahoo.com/channel/beauty/glee-star-latest-fashion-victim

This would actually make sense, as everything goes in cycles. Back in the mid-1990's, fashion photography hit a sort of heroin chic fad, with rough, strung-out models being the hot thing. Kate Moss was known as the poster girl for the movement as photogs like Vincent Gallo and Nan Goldin ushered in the style.

Another Lego Camera...

2011-09-03T00:57:00.000-07:00

I've seen several Lego-made DIY projects, including a camera or two. However, this neat little invention is the first large format Lego camera I've seen. Very nice, indeed! See more about it here:

carynorton.com/legotron-mark-i

Hot In The City With Shea...

2011-09-01T06:30:00.000-07:00

It's been super hot in Dallas this summer, but I braved the burning sun to do a photo shoot with FC Dallas' Brek Shea for the final issue of Quick. We were practically melting as I shot him outside of his North Dallas home, but I think it was worth it. Below, you will see the story and pics that ran in the paper.

Goodbye, Quick...

2011-09-01T00:47:00.000-07:00

The last issue of Quick has hit stands and faded away. A few weeks ago, someone high up on the food chain decided to end Quick's run... stop it... end it... kill it... no more issues. ever. Yup, the cover photo above was my last cover shoot with the publication. It was a fitting farewell. I've had a lot of disgruntled readers complain to me about the decision, but there's not much I can do. I'm sure they'll eventually find something new to read.

I have since found a couple new projects to fill the void, including shooting some covers for the Friday Guide. I'll share those as they hit the stands. I've also started shooting some models for a pretty major client. I'll share more on that soon, but for now let me say that I think catalog work is a great new avenue that I should've been pursuing a long time ago.

Anyway... bye everyone at Quick. You were a blast to work with. I'll miss you!

Photographer and UO Getting Sued...

2011-08-19T13:52:00.000-07:00

shine.yahoo.com/channel/beauty/parents-sue-retailers-and-photographer

Underage model and beer? Underage model in a very suggestive pose?!? Just because you shoot something, it doesn't mean you can't get sued for shooting it. Follow the above story for info about the parents of an underage model suing Urban Outfitters and the photographer who sold the image to UO.

Katy Perry in Dallas...

2011-08-07T21:54:00.000-07:00

If you are a Katy Perry fan (and there are apparently a lot in North Texas), hopefully you picked up a copy of the Dallas Morning News a week or two ago. If not, you missed out on some nice photos I took during her Dallas concert (OK, technically it's not Dallas, it's Grand Prairie). The show was a visual feast, jam-packed with wild costumes, colorful lights and high-energy performances.

Don't Rip Off Other People...

2011-07-28T10:56:00.000-07:00

www.pdnonline.com/pdn/news/David-LaChapelle

Sorry Rihanna, but you can't claim fair use when your image is clearly a rip off of David LaChapelle's image. You can be "inspired" by another photographer's work, but you can't simply copy it.

I'm International...

2011-07-26T09:34:00.000-07:00

My photos have appeared in countless publications across the USA. I've had my pictures run in several of England's magazines and newspapers, a French music magazine and even one of India's biggest business newspapers. Well, now I've invaded Japan! It looks like I got the cover photo for a popular Japanese rock and roll magazine. Pretty cool, huh?

Recent Photos In The DMN...

2011-07-22T11:06:00.001-07:00

Being in my 30's, I don't feel like I'm that old and out of touch. However, I tend to agree more with the older generations when it comes to my news. I love to read the paper! There are a million important stories I would've missed, if I only depended on the television or internet. Oh well... call me old-fashioned I guess.

Speaking about newspapers, I figured I would share a couple recent clippings from the wonderful Dallas Morning News. Included is the American Idol concert that just made its way on tour through North Texas. I shot the American Idol tour last year as well. I must admit that I liked this year's show a lot better! Below that is an interview with Motley Crue drummer Tommy Lee. The original photo looks even more wild, with the bright red and orange flames shooting up into the air.

If you liked these photos, you should check out my other photojournalism work at www.janikphoto.com by clicking here.

Everyone Loves A Dallas Music Video...

2011-07-22T09:46:00.001-07:00

The music video I directed and edited has finally had its official release! You can view it above, or keep an eye out on TV. Several networks are considering it for their rotation, including Fues and CMT!!!

Gorilla vs. Bear...

2011-07-21T09:06:00.001-07:00

Fans of indie music are probably all as anxious as I am to attend the Gorilla vs. Bear concert at the Granada Theater in Dallas this weekend. Quick currently has the event as their cover story, in case you feel like reading up on the bands (including Tim DeLaughter's new band Preteen Zenith!) and getting some interesting info from the concert's founder. Speaking of the cover story, how many times do you think a photographer will shoot a gorilla playing an electric guitar in his/her lifetime?!? I'm guessing this is not a common occurrence...

Fish Fun!!!

2011-07-20T11:29:00.001-07:00

I had a client shoot at the Children's Aquarium at Fair Park today, shooting a PR event. After it was over, I stuck around and photographed some of the creatures. There were a ton of interesting animals, including turtles, jellyfish, stingrays and lobsters. Now, I'm no underwater photographic authority... it takes years of practice to perfect that photo specialty. However, I did have a lot of fun shooting through the tanks and would definitely visit the aquarium again!

If you like these photos, you should visit my website at www.janikphoto.com

Time To Get Wet...

2011-07-14T08:01:00.000-07:00

It is burning hot in North Texas right now. This triple digit weather is murder! Luckily, my most recent cover story photo shoot for Quick was a cool one. I will admit, though... it was a little scary taking my expensive Canon 5DmkII and my Profoto AcuteB 600r strobe pack and ring light in the water with me. One slip and I would've lost a LOT of great photo gear on this shoot! No accidents, though. Everything went well and the models were great to work with.

In case you were wondering exactly how this sexy photo feature was shot, you can find out all the juicy details in the behind-the-scenes video. Luckily, John Jones - my friend, occasional photo assistant and amateur photo/video dabbler - was there to capture this pool party on his new Canon 60D. Wouldn't it be nice if all my Dallas photo shoots were at Hotel ZaZa's pool? I could get used to that!

If you like this swimsuit cover photo shoot, you might also like some of my other work at www.janikphoto.com

Some Old Videos...

2011-07-11T08:33:00.000-07:00

I thought I'd share some old video documentary pieces I did for a now-defunct online community newspaper. It was fun filming and editing these little news features. Many of the videos are a few years old now, and you can tell I was still working on my video and post production skills...

The above video is about an annual charity Easter Egg Hunt. That was a blast to shoot! Kids running everywhere and lots of action to capture.

The above video was probably one of the most adventurous features I've ever done video for. We trekked through the storm drains of downtown Dallas!

This was a fun little video feature on a privately run community library in Lake Highlands. It is hard to believe this place still exists today. It feels like something straight out of 1955...

I'll post some more of these old videos throughout the coming days, and I'll soon be able to post the new Von Ehrics music video I did! In the meantime, check out my other work here:

Janik Photography

Patio Pics!!!

2011-07-05T15:27:00.001-07:00

I recently shot a cover of Quick that was a lot of fun. The story was about some of Dallas' best patio spots to enjoy the weather while having some fine food and drink.

Bring A Long Lens...

2011-07-05T15:09:00.000-07:00

Sometimes you are forced to shoot a concert in less than ideal conditions. There isn't a dedicated photo pit right up front, forcing you to shoot in a mob of people. Sometimes the band's management specifically wants the photographers to shoot from the soundboard, often located far from the front of the stage.

These shooting conditions can make things much more difficult, but you can still come back with some nice images... just make sure to bring a long lens! The three concerts below - Mötley Crüe, Pete Bjorn & John and Kylie Minogue - were all shot using a 70-200mm 2.8L Canon lens. Sure, I could've used a 300mm or 400mm lens and taken some tighter shots, but I like what the 200mm focal length accomplished.

If you like these Dallas concert photos, you should also check out my main website for more great music photography.

Girls In Bikinis?!?

2011-06-26T09:00:00.000-07:00

Yes, I was forced to photograph a bunch of girls in bikinis for a recent issue of Quick. My life is so horrible, isn't it?

Be sure to check out my other photography by clicking here.

Another Cover...

2011-06-26T08:41:00.001-07:00

First of all, I know this post is WAAAAYYYYYY overdue. Sorry for ignoring the blog lately. I've been slammed with work, including a labor-intensive music video for an amazing band called The Von Ehrics. I'll let you know when the video gets released, but in the meantime I thought you'd enjoy seeing a recent Quick cover photo I did...

If you like these photos, you should check out my other photography, too!

Toadies Concert Pic...

2011-06-03T09:27:00.001-07:00

I like this shot of Toadies guitarist Clark Vogeler I took this year at a concert. I've photographed the band and its members plenty of times over the years and have always come back with great images. I should take some time and dig through my archive to post some pics and stories from 1998 (the first year I shot the band) to present. I bet that would make for some fun reading and viewing!

I have more concert pics at www.janikphoto.com

Homegrown Fest Concert Pics...

2011-06-02T12:20:00.000-07:00

I just thought I'd share a few pics from a recent Dallas music festival, featuring indie acts Neon Indian and School of Seven Bells, among others...

If you like these photos, you should check out my other work at www.janikphoto.com

What Does an Art Buyer Do?!?

2011-05-31T10:10:00.000-07:00

As always, Mac-On-Campus has more great content for photo students. This time, it's a piece on Art Buyers:

www.mac-on-campus.com/CareerCenter/

Kids With Cameras...

2011-05-31T09:48:00.000-07:00

I have three little boys and they love their dad! They also love taking pictures and they asked if they could today. I wasn't ready to hand over my pro gear and watch them drop $5k worth of camera, but I did let them play with a little point and shoot we have. This is what they did with it...

My 4-year-old took a cute portrait of his bigger brother.

When it came time for the 5-year-old to use the camera, nobody would hold still long enough for him to snap a proper picture. He had to settle for an action shot.

Surprisingly, the 3-year-old seemed to get the most "normal" shot of the bunch, with a pleasant little picture of his oldest brother.

If Only Vampire Weekend Hired Me...

2011-05-26T22:50:00.000-07:00

www.pdnonline.com/pdn/news/In-Vampire-Weekend-C-2943.shtml

PDN gave an update in the lawsuit against photographer Tod Brody, stating that his lawyers want to drop him as a client. Apparently, he's been pretty much non-responsive to their attempted communication with him. This is only the latest misstep in a string of bad moves for Brody (including forged model releases and general unprofessional behavior). Let me just state this:

As a professional photographer who's work has appeared on numerous indie and major label album covers, this is not how a music photographer acts. If only Vampire Weekend would've hired me instead... they wouldn't even be in this mess. I don't steal images or forge model releases. Most of us don't.

Four Lenses Are Better Than One...

2011-05-16T18:59:00.000-07:00

I was shooting a music festival this weekend and just noticed this guy in the audience as I was editing the images today. Check out his camera with four lenses. If I remember correctly, it's a specialty camera that makes 3D images, though there were also Lomo-style four lens cameras designed to take four images in rapid succession. It would be interesting to see if he got any good shots from the show.

Oprah, What Were You Thinking?!?

2011-05-07T07:36:00.001-07:00

Seriously, Oprah? Out of all the poses you could've chosen? After all the classy, inviting cover photos you've run on your magazine before? This is the one you choose? This is the classic pose that all the trashy girls use for their prom photo, right before they sneak out behind the gym and get wasted on cheap wine coolers. The whole "butt out front" pose should be banned from society; and a powerful, respected woman such as yourself should be leading this valient cause. Instead, you decide to give the world this photo...

Textures, Shapes And Shadows...

2011-05-07T06:53:00.001-07:00

I don't really know why this wall behind a local bar caught my eye, but I couldn't resist photographing it. I was out shooting a concert for one of my clients and a friend of mine suggested we stop in a local dive called The Goat afterward.

We stopped by for a moment, and that's when I noticed the interesting shapes created by the light and shadow play. Combine that with the wonderful texture and contrast of the old concrete wall and the angular shapes of the spray-painted exit sign... I just couldn't help myself. I had to shoot it.

If you like this image, you should also check out my other photography.

Rhode Island vs Lensbaby...

2011-05-05T14:24:00.000-07:00

A few years back I was commissioned to do a huge art photography installation in Rhode Island. I spent most of one week in May hanging around Providence and Warwick, driving around and capturing all the wonderful shapes, colors and textures that most Rhode Island residents take for granted. The $12,000 project was exhausting, but it was so rewarding! I noticed tiny details of decay, fleeting moments in time and long lost memories in and around the North Eastern towns.

Unfortunately, my giant art installation was destroyed in a huge flood that hit the are a year or two ago. I'm sad that nobody will get to experience the final mural panels I created, but at least I still have some of the original photo files to share. Each 3x5' panel was made up of roughly 60-75 small images, making a sort of abstract texture and color scheme from afar, but providing sharp details of Rhode Island life when viewed up close.

All of the tiny images were shot using an old Lensbaby lens. If you've never played with one before, you should. The Lensbaby's lo-fi quality is very appealing on certain subjects. I don't use mine often, but when I do... stand back and watch me shoot!

Photographing Dallas Nightlife...

2011-05-01T09:20:00.000-07:00

I've been photographing Dallas nightlife for a long time now. I probably took my first photograph in a bar back in 1996 or so, shooting some local bands. My nightlife documentation has grown to covering bars, bands, nightclubs, drunks, parties, bartenders, street life and almost anything else that happens late at night.

Even though I'm getting closer and closer to twenty years of nightlife photography, I still never get tired of it! I have documented Dallas nightlife and seen my photos run in The Dallas Morning News, Spin, Quick, American Profile, Rolling Stone and countless other publications and places over the years, and I can't wait to go out and shoot again and again! Heck, with crazy, wild, happy, fun people in front of my camera, how could I resist?

If you like these photos, you should check out my other photography.

Shooting The Von Ehrics...

2011-04-29T11:18:00.000-07:00

We didn't have much time and it was windy as hell, but I think we still got a nice promo photo for Dallas band The Von Ehrics. The guys have been making music for a long time, releasing their first album in 2001. With a new record out, the band needed a good promo photo. I think we did alright. If you like this image, you should also check out my music photography and editorial photography.

Thanks PDN...

2011-04-28T12:32:00.000-07:00

PDN Online has some nice photo links worth checking out:

www.pdnonline.com/pdn/gear/How-to-Light-a-Worst-2520.shtml

pdnpulse.com/2011/04/mother-claims-defamation-over-daughters-image-on-billboard.html

www.pdnonline.com/pdn/gear/New-Eye-Fi-Memory-Ca-2435.shtml

Night Driving...

2011-04-28T12:00:00.000-07:00

I want to play around more with the movement and motion of night driving. I like the way a slow shutter speed and some intentional camera shake can give the image a feeling of speed and energy. Next time I do a test, I may find a better clamping for the camera, though. That will sharpen up the car's interior a little more, but it should still leave all the movement and motion in the street and street lights.

Return Of The Photo Booth...

2011-04-28T08:33:00.001-07:00

Photo booths have become the new, hot thing at wedding receptions. I shoot an occasional wedding every now and then, and I've seen just how excited the guests get over these fun little photo factories! Of course, a photo booth doesn't have to be limited to weddings. I recently saw one set up at a charity event and rock concert. I think it would also make for a great attraction at trade shows, corporate events and just about anywhere else that the mind can imagine.

Who doesn't have fun sitting in a tiny booth and seeing those four flashes pop, capturing a crazy moment in time? I took the pictures above with Leah, the girl running a booth at a recent wedding I photographed. Her booth can be found at www.4flashesphotobooth.com. Imagine having one of these booths set up at a corporate event, like a sales kick-off or a new product rollout! Not only is it much more exciting than receiving yet another Koozie or keychain with a company logo on it, but people are much more likely to show and share the photos with friends - extending the marketing reach of the company giveaway.

Everyone has a blast in the booth. People will remember it more than another pen or other blah marketing giveaway! And modern photo booths allow you to put all sorts of text on the photo strip, making the marketing potential of the photo strip endless...

I love seeing how crazy people get around a photo booth. When silly props are involved (like the cats ears and glasses above), guests go absolutely nuts!

I know of several reputable companies that are running photo booths in the North Texas area. Every time I've seen them set up and running, they have a crowd of smiling people around them. I'm glad the old school photo booth has been updated to be successful in the modern, digital age. They are so cool. Check out the following photo booth companies for more info:

www.4flashesphotobooth.com

www.impressionistportraits.com

www.boothbooth.com

and, as always, check out more of my photography here and here.

Picnics Rule!!!

2011-04-27T05:58:00.000-07:00

After doing this cover photo shoot on a very nice Friday afternoon in Dallas' Lee Park, I would've gladly sat down and enjoyed our picnic setup. Some of the other crew stuck around and ate/drank the props, but I had another shoot to get to. I did wind up plowing through the grapes on my way out, but I didn't have time to stick around for cherry pie and wine. That's the nice thing about using real food for props... you get to eat it after the photo shoot is done!

Pictures of Chernobyl...

2011-04-26T08:54:00.000-07:00

Worth taking a look at:

www.flickr.com/photos/yahooeditorspicks/galleries/72157626251068003/

Some Photo Shoots Get Buried...

2011-04-20T05:50:00.000-07:00

Sometimes you'll be paid good money to shoot an advertising campaign, only to never see those photos used. They get buried, lost and forgotten. I was digging through my photo files and I stumbled upon these shots from last May. I was hired by an advertising agency here in North Texas to take photos for their client - a financial institution.

The agency was doing several television spots, but they wanted to get some good stills for use in a potential billboard and print campaign. They had their client sold on the TV spots, but the agency was still pushing for the print work. Instead of eventually getting their client to commit to the print campaign, then having to rehired all the models, they brought me in to piggyback my shoot off their video shoot - hoping they would eventually use the stills I was paid to take.

It's a lot cheaper to piggyback your stills off the video shoot, but they also ran the risk of spending a lot of money on photos they'd never use. I don't know if the billboards ever ran or not, but it is possible these photos were paid for and never saw the light of day. It happens all the time.

The images were supposed to be turned into black and white images and have the opacity reduced so they could run as background behind the billboard's text. They aren't anything mind-blowing or wild, but they are exactly what the bank wanted... safe, secure, happy and inviting.

If you like these images, you should check out my other work here.

Why I Love The O's...

2011-04-15T07:36:00.000-07:00

I love photographing The O's - one of the best bands in Dallas! I recently shot them at the opening of the new Singlewide bar, what used to be the old Winedale Tavern on Lower Greenville. You can see the pics here:

blog.quickdfw.com/archives/2011/04/wish-you-were-there-the-os-at.html

A Little Bit Of Austin In Dallas...

2011-04-14T11:43:00.000-07:00

If you are into the Austin, TX vibe, you might want to read the newest issue of Quick. I was surprised to find a little slice of Austin right here in Dallas! We were photographing the cover image for a story on the new Katy Trail Ice House, and I was shocked at how much the place felt like Austin. It was a nice change of pace from the average Dallas hangout.

If you like this cover photo, you should check out more of my photography here. By the way, it isn't all that easy working with dogs, but I think we managed to make it happen. The dog's name is Chloe and she was really easy to work with! If all pets were that well trained, I wouldn't mind being a pet photographer. She was a professional.

Dallas Event Photography...

2011-04-11T12:49:00.001-07:00

Sure, I shoot a lot of assignments for newspapers and magazines here in North Texas. However, I also have a ton of clients that need me to photograph their corporate events. As a matter of fact, I've probably photographed more special events for corporate clients this month than anything else! I guess this is the season for businesses to have seminars, special announcements and community outreach events.

Below is a set of images I took during a recent shoot for a client. Enjoy!

If you like these corporate event photos, you should also check out my online portfolio here.

Proof That Ross Perot Is Cool...

2011-04-08T22:15:00.000-07:00

I was hired by a client to shoot a special event at the Perot Museum construction site in Dallas recently. The construction workers were getting treated to a special day of food and fun during the building's topping out ceremony. My client needed casual portraits of all the workers involved in the construction process, as well as images of the event itself.

During the lunch break, Ross Perot (the museum's main donor and namesake sponsor) showed up and visited with everyone. What makes him so special... so cool? Well, instead of just spending his time with the other executives at the event, Ross actually took the time to walk around and thank all the workers - the blue collar guys - for their involvement in the project! He shook hands and gave countless heartfelt thanks to everyone he saw. I'd have to say that was pretty cool of him!

Here are a few sample images from the day:

I you like these shots, take a look at my other work here.

Bee Season Is Here...

2011-04-05T11:36:00.001-07:00

Spring is here, the flowers are blooming and it's time to put on your macro lens! Plants, bugs, bees and more are waiting to be photographed...

A Couple More Quick Covers...

2011-03-31T09:42:00.000-07:00

I can't help but love shooting covers for Quick (the best weekly publication in Texas). They are always fun, challenging, exciting and different! Here are my cover shots from this week and last week. I hope you enjoy looking at them as much as I enjoyed shooting them!

If you want to see more of my Texas editorial photography, please click here.

Photos For a Cause...

2011-03-28T12:38:00.001-07:00

I have done a lot of photography for charities and non-profits. I've also donated a lot of images and money to important causes. I know a lot of Dallas photographers who have also put their heart and soul into important causes. I think photographers in North Texas just seem to be very caring and connected to the community.

Of course, it's even easier to help a charity when you have family connected to it. My two nephews have Cystic Fibrosis and they are ambassadors for finding a cure. They are participating in the Great Strides network, with the help of their parents, to raise awareness and financial help towards a cure. Since they needed some new photos to accompany their story, who else would they call, but their uncle?!? This was one of my favorite images from the photo shoot... a nice, telling portrait of the boys.

To see more of my photography, please click here.

Playing With Water...

2011-03-25T10:03:00.000-07:00

It's fun being a photographer in Dallas. There is a lot to shoot here - events, landscapes, architecture, celebrities, politics, portraits, spot news, fine art, and the list goes on and on... However, sometimes you just want to stay in the studio and play around with the camera. That's how I felt the other night. I decided to practice some shooting with a very unpredictable subject... water!

Technically, I didn't stay "in" the studio for this shot. I actually set up right outside, since it was going to be a very wet and messy shoot. I like shooting water as it splashes and flies across the image. It can make for some very dynamic photos. Now, if only Canada Dry or another soft drink brand would hire me. I love shooting for all the newspapers and magazines that regularly call me, but it would be nice to add a major soft drink manufacturer to my resume!

For more of my photographs, please click here.

A Macro Strawberry...

2011-03-21T22:09:00.000-07:00

Have you ever looked at a strawberry? I mean really looked at one up close? Sometimes everyday objects can be a lot of fun to shoot. Pull out your macro lenses and extension tubes and start playing around with household items. You'll be surprised at how much fun you'll have!

It Helps To Have A History...

2011-03-17T09:43:00.000-07:00

A good photographer can shoot almost anyone almost anywhere. A good photographer will always come back with a good shot and make his/her editor happy. However, it does help when you have a history with your subject. There will be a built-in rapport that allows you to go bigger and better with your ideas, and the subject(s) will trust you - even if your idea sounds a little crazy!

I've shot several of Bowling For Soup's album covers, posters, singles and promo shots over the years. The guys have come to trust me as a kind of "go-to guy for photos", knowing I will ALWAYS deliver something good! When they needed promo shots for their upcoming album release, they called me. It was kind of last-minute but we've worked together enough that we were able to jump right into things. That's how we wound up in a freezing lake (yes, Dallas, TX does get cold during the winter).

Having worked with me enough, the guys knew to trust me when I pushed a wild idea over into the realm of insane. This was polar bear weather, with near freezing water and the sky was starting to open up with rain! And yet, they didn't hesitate to disrobe and jump in!

The shot worked out great and has already started making its way to media outlets. It's funny that one of the first publications to use it would be Quick, a publication I'm usually hired to shoot most of their covers for. It seems like even when they use promotional pictures instead of contracting me for a custom shoot, they still wind up using my stuff! But, I can't blame Quick... after all, they are an amazing entertainment magazine and they know a fun photo when they see it. I know their readers will be happy when they pick up this issue... it just looks like a wild, fun issue to me!

So, the moral of the story? If you can build a history with your subjects, you'll have a much better time getting those killer shots - even if it means wading in thigh-high freezing water while you carry ten grand worth of photo gear across slippery rocks. But, that's another story for another day!

More Piano Bar Photos...

2011-03-16T07:58:00.000-07:00

Some of you may remember me talking about my sudden onslaught of Piano Bar photo assignments that came from my clients several weeks back. Well, here is another piano bar story in print, this time in the fabulous D Magazine. As fun as the piano bar shoots were, I think I've had my fill of those places for a while. Well... I say that now, but you know I'd jump on another piano bar photo shoot in a heart beat, if someone called me up. I'm just a photo shoot junkie, I guess.

Check out more of my work here.

Crowd Shots Are The Best...

2011-03-16T07:11:00.000-07:00

I love shooting crowds at concerts. They can be just as exciting as the show on the stage. If you have followed my blog from the beginning, you've probably seen some of my other wild crowd shots, like this one here or this one here. See if you can guess which band would get the crowd this excited and make such a huge confetti-filled mess...

If you like these concert crowd photos, you should check out my other concert photography here.

Shooting Ray and Willie...

2011-03-15T11:43:00.000-07:00

I love photographing musicians, and I've had the chance to shoot a lot of them over the last fifteen years or so. I really enjoyed this recent cover shoot with Ray Benson of Asleep At The Wheel for American Profile magazine. And the best part is that I not only got to hang with the country swing legend, but I also got to meet and talk with Willie Nelson (you can see my picture of Willie inside the magazine on the second or third page of the story, or online here). Who could complain about meeting and photographing two music legends?!?

You can see more of my music images online here.

If You Like Food Photography...

2011-03-15T11:41:00.000-07:00

If you really like Food Photography, this is the book for you:

extreme-eating-inside-the-new-625-cookbook

Shooting White On White...

2011-03-14T07:53:00.001-07:00

Shooting white on white can be hard sometimes. You need to have the product look white, but you also need enough shadow and detail held to separate it from the white background. This is something that the best product photographers in Dallas can do with their eyes closed and their hands tied behind their back.

Usually, I'll practice shooting white objects on white during my downtime, because it's kind of like riding a bicycle - Once you learn how, you never forget; but you'll need to practice regularly, if you want to be great at it. Even though I shoot a lot more people/lifestyle photography here in North Texas than I shoot products, shooting white on white is still a critical tool to have.

OK, so my white slip covers could use a wash... you can see the discoloration around the arms. I also think part of it is the fact that the material is more of a natural white than a bright white. However, this cheap Ikea chair is still a great practice subject for photographing white on white. Now, go find something white and shoot it on white! It makes for a great photo practice exercise.

See more at www.janikphoto.com

Playing With Color...

2011-03-08T14:51:00.001-08:00

I recently did a little photo project that focused on color. These were my favorite images from the set...

Dallas Photographers

Spring Is Here...

2011-03-04T12:35:00.001-08:00

According to the latest cover of Quick that I shot, Spring Fever is here! It's always fun shooting pretty girls in pretty clothes.

www.janikphoto.com

Sure, The Money Is Important...

2011-03-04T12:30:00.000-08:00

...but, it's still great to hear these words from your client:

"you always do great work."

That made my day today. It's nice to know your clients respect your photography.

My Boy, The Star...

2011-02-24T08:06:00.001-08:00

One of my clients is the children's museum, which is perfect for my family. They can actually tag along on some of my shoots and enjoy the activities at the museum while I work. The other benefit is they sometimes get to be stars! That's my middle boy blowing the big bubble at the top of the new brochure. Isn't he cute?!?

www.janikphoto.com

Another Good Blog...

2011-02-22T10:03:00.000-08:00

Lots of good info here:

http://blog.worldassignment.com

Of course, you'll want to visit it AFTER you finish digging around at www.janikphoto.com. Just sayin'...

Asleep, Awake...

2011-02-17T08:42:00.001-08:00

I've been working on a personal project that documents the boys when they are asleep and first waking up, then combines that moment with a portrait of them wide awake during the day. The idea is to show the differences and similarities of our time asleep and awake, and how we relate and react to the outside word in each.

Through the use of a diptych, the two worlds can be directly compared and contrasted. It's a neat idea and I'm already learning more about my boys than I did before. I'm not sure if I'll carry this project past my own family, but it would be interesting to see what kind of stories a full book of children could tell... maybe even carry the idea over to adults, too?!?

Recent Photos In Print...

2011-02-17T07:34:00.000-08:00

I've been keeping busy with my regular clients lately. I'll have some nice shots coming out in D Magazine any day now, some new brochures and publications from the museum are about to be finished and of course there's always my stuff for Quick! I always love shooting for Quick, reading Quick and talking to fans of Quick that I meet out in public. Here are some of my most recent Quick covers and pics...

OK, so this meal is a bit exaggerated. That's actually three full orders of fries! However, everything else is 100% real. No fake food or photoshop trickery that takes place in most food photos. We went to an awesome burger place called Motor and Maple and used a real burger, real fries, a real booth at the place and real ketchup spelling out the words!

Piano bars are fun to visit, but they actually aren't the easiest to shoot. If you want to show the performer, the piano, the crowd and some ambiance all in one shot, it can get tricky! I think I pulled it off, though. The funny thing is that I hadn't ever shot at a piano bar in my life (even though I've been shooting in bars and clubs for nearly 13 or 14 years now). Out of the blue, I get this assignment and then a shoot for another publication at another area piano bar both in one week! I was waiting for the third piano bar shoot to arrive, but I guess Dallas can only have so many piano bar stories written in a week!

Chocolate! What more can I say? Who wouldn't want a nice big pile of chocolate to shoot? Too bad I didn't get to eat it...

The best night of Super Bowl week in Dallas was definitely the Flaming Lips show! I never get tired of shooting them.

I did a lot of red carpet shooting during Super Bowl week in Dallas. Snoop, The Situation, Sean "Diddy" Combs, Gene Simmons and a million other celebs all walked in front of my camera. It was definitely a different experience than most of my shoots.

See my homepage... Jason Janik

Photogs In Egypt, Beware...

2011-02-03T12:42:00.000-08:00

pdnpulse.com/2011/02/photographers-beaten-robbed-as-pro-mubarak-gangs-turn-on-press.html

Gap Could Steal Your Photo...

2011-02-03T12:26:00.000-08:00

Yes, my blog post title is a bit inflammatory. I don't have all the details, and Gap may not be responsible. The designer that stole the photograph may have hid this little fact from the people at Gap. However, it's still an interesting read for every photographer with photos displayed on Flickr.

designtaxi.com/news/33944/Did-Gap-Use-Flickr-Photo-for-Its-Designs

Look At Those Boots...

2011-02-03T00:37:00.000-08:00

I was at an event tonight and I saw some Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders waiting against a wall. I liked how all the boots were lined up in a row.

Just Call Me Mr. File Photo...

2011-02-02T12:21:00.001-08:00

99.9995% of viewers would've never known who took these photos, unless I legally changed my name to Mr. File Photo. As part of my contract with certain publications, they are required to credit me on new images, but they are allowed to run old photos with a "file photo" credit. That means all my pics that were reused for the latest Super Bowl edition of the Guide get labeled with the generic photo credit.

That's my Snoop Dogg shot, as well as my Sean Diddy Combs image.

The Pitbull photo? Yup, that's mine.

Who shot Manhattan Lounge and Ghostbar? You guessed it.

I have photographed The Flaming Lips several times over the years. This photo of mine was taken at the NX35 Festival in Denton, TX, last year. I'm supposed to be shooting Wayne Coyne and company in concert tomorrow night. I think it will be my seventh or eighth time...

That's How Dallas Does It...

2011-02-01T21:39:00.000-08:00

A friend of mine talks about a recent Super Bowl-related photo feature he did...

photographyblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2011/02/an-exercise-in-patience-persis.html

Practicing some Tabletop Shots...

2011-01-30T16:14:00.001-08:00

Shooting tabletop stuff is like riding a bike. Once you learn, you can always do it. However, you won't be able to do any fancy tricks, unless you practice and push yourself on a regular basis.

Back in the middle to late 1990's, I was a commercial photographer's assistant. I worked with photographers on catalogs and advertisements for Neiman Marcus, Horchow, JC Penney, The Container Store and several others. I watched, helped and learned how to light, style and shoot a variety of items. I still remember when we shot Fabregé eggs for a catalog... the process was insanely complex and detailed to make them look as expensive as they really were in person.

Of course, I got away from tabletop work. As I started shooting for myself, I developed a knack for lifestyle shots. However, I still get an occasional gig shooting tabletop items (like one shooting several hundred vases for a collector's museum). That's why I try to practice different tabletop items... I want to keep these skills fresh. I decided that tonight would be a good night to practice.

Traveling Through The Savannah of Home Depot?!?

2011-01-30T15:16:00.000-08:00

You never know where inspiration might hit you. You might be on safari in the savannah grasslands, or you might be at... Home Depot?!?

I was at the local Home Depot today and I saw the sun sitting over this small patch of tall decorative grass near the entrance. I wanted to shoot it, but the giant, boxy building was right behind it. Luckily, with a creative angle, I was able to shoot like I was in the middle of some endless grasslands. It just goes to show that you can take an interesting image almost anywhere!

This actually gives me an idea for a fun project, taking pictures all over a local Home Depot and trying to transform it into something completely different. Maybe I could find a way to turn its selection of natural stones into a mountain scene. Or, maybe shoot some of the power tools in a way that makes them look like part of a science fiction space movie. I'm sure the ideas are endless. Now, if only Home Depot's advertising agency were a client of mine... don't they use Richards Group?

I Still Shoot...

2011-01-30T14:43:00.000-08:00

I still shoot on my day off... I can't help it. Well I use the term day off loosely, because this isn't really a day off. I still have a couple photo shoots to process in the computer and have ready to deliver tomorrow morning. I meant that I'm not actually shooting an assignment today.

Anyway, I was "off work" today and took the two older boys to a birthday party for their friend. I don't like carrying a bunch of camera gear with me when I'm with the family, because I want to simply enjoy the moment with them. I want to stop having this need/desire to capture it like I'm shooting some photojournalism piece. However, I usually break down and grab a body, a couple lenses and a flash. I can't help it.

So, as you can see below, I got some nice shots of the "best friend" brothers posing for a snapshot and their friend in action. At least their father's addiction/compulsion/obsession will give them a lot of nice photos to look back on as they grow older. You've got to love the look of that 85mm 1.8f prime lens!

How Far Can You Push Photoshop?!?

2011-01-29T21:33:00.000-08:00

This guy knows...

www.bertmonroy.com/timessquare/timessquare.html

Telegraph Canyon...

2011-01-28T14:01:00.001-08:00

I had the chance to photograph two wonderful Denton bands last night at Granada Theater. These pics are of Telegraph Canyon. I also shot Seryn, but those pics will have to go up later.

Buy D Magazine Now!!!

2011-01-28T12:32:00.000-08:00

If you love exciting stories about the history, present and future of mixed drinks in Dallas, then you'll want to buy the current issue of D Magazine. More importantly, if you love my photos, you'll want to buy the new issue! There's a big five page feature story covered with my pics. The scans below don't really do it justice, but hopefully they're just good enough to entice you into buying an actual copy for yourself...

You Can't Shoot Them All...

2011-01-28T09:06:00.000-08:00

You can't shoot every assignment you get a call for. Either you'll already be booked, be sick, be on vacation, etc... You need to have a network of other photogs you can trust. You need someone that you know can get the job done and return the favor one day.

Here's a great example. The family and I were at Disney World last week and I got a call from one of my music industry contacts. Apparently, Ozzy Osbourne's tour needed photos taken ASAP. Nothing fancy... they needed passport photos taken for a South American trip.

Why not take the crew and musicians to a local Kinko's for a few bucks a headshot, instead of paying a grand to have a pro come to them? It seems like overkill, right? Some shoots aren't about the quality. Some are simply about the convenience, and Ozzy isn't going to shut down an afternoon of work in the middle of a stadium tour to drive everyone all over town! It's actually cheaper in the grand scheme of things to bring in a pro, even if he/she seems pricey. The savings of keeping the tour running is much bigger.

Anyway, I got sidetracked from the main point. I wanted to meet Ozzy and make some extra money, but I couldn't. I was 1150 miles away, in the middle of a family vacation. So, I did what any smart photog would do. I told the client that I could send them a list of great shooters. I immediately asked my group of trusted peers who wanted to do it and who was available, then sent over three choices to the client. They booked one and everyone was happy.

I got a follow-up from the photog I referred, and she said it was a lot of fun getting to meet Ozzy. I bet it was!

Enter A Contest...

2011-01-27T13:37:00.000-08:00

Who knows?!? You might just win...

www.pdncuratorawards.com

www.facesphotocontest.com

shotsmag.com/shotssubmission.htm

neworleansphotoalliance.org/grants/MPS_Fund/

www.thegalaawards.net/call-for-entries/

The O's Like To Yell...

2011-01-27T09:51:00.001-08:00

Do you want to know how I got Dallas band The O's to make those faces for the current cover of Quick? A lot of yelling...

A few Good Links...

2011-01-27T09:00:00.001-08:00

If you want to keep track of what's going on in the commercial and editorial photo worlds, you might want to keep on eye on these websites:

www.brandweek.com

www.pdnonline.com/pdn/news/Whos-Shooting-What--479.shtml

www.aphotoeditor.com

It Was Nice Meeting You, Jack Borden...

2011-01-27T01:05:00.000-08:00

I had the chance to photograph a lawyer out in Weatherford, TX at the end of 2009 for a story on active Centenarians that ran in American Profile Magazine. His name was Jack Borden, and he was the nicest, polite, humble, productive and thoroughly entertaining senior citizen I've met. I guess after a hundred years of practice, you figure out what's important in life.

Last week, I noticed a story in the newspaper on Jack. It told about his time as mayor of Weatherford some fifty-odd years ago. It talked about his recent time spent as a successful lawyer and radio host. It also talked about his death. I was sad to see his obituary, but I was honored to know that I met and photographed a man who lived such an extraordinary life. It was nice meeting you, Jack...

Splash, Splash!!!

2011-01-27T00:11:00.000-08:00

Want to see how Timothy Hogan shot a beer bottle? PDN gives us a behind-the-scenes look:

www.pdnonline.com/pdn/gear/How-I-Got-That-Shot-1283.shtml

and a short video...

www.pdnonline.com/pdn/gear/Behind-the-Scenes-Vi-1299.shtml

Macro Time In The Kitchen...

2011-01-25T23:00:00.001-08:00

Have you ever looked up close at a pizza cutter? I have. When you get in real close and turn that cutting wheel into basic shapes and textures, it looks so sleek and cool. I bet there's a lot of interesting kitchen tools that would be fun to use as macro photography subjects.