HUNT BROTHERS PIZZA

Earlier this year I was commissioned by Hunt Brothers pizza to capture and create social media content for NASCAR driver Joey Logano. I would being working alongside a video team capturing blue screen to camera reads.

The client also requested images that had more mood, in addition to a high key commercial look. For this I built two sets in order to minimize the downtime

An often overlooked aspect working with athletes is the importance of keeping a good steady workflow. Actors are used to being put on hold while the production sets up the next scene. This is not the case for athletes, we want to keep them engaged and focused. Losing the talent to downtime can wreck the production schedule, possibly leading to overtime for the crew.

This is why a video and stills combination is a great partnership. Video can pivot and send the talent to the stills set. This gives them time to make changes on their end and keep the work going, Making for a more efficient working environment. Which often leads to finishing the day early.

I like to treat my time with the drivers like a pit stop. High quality precision work, accomplished at a rapid pace. If the photo team can gain back time lost elsewhere it is a win for everyone involved. Production work is a team effort.

I love working alongside a video team to create cohesive content. This combination leads to greater longevity of assets and maximizes the production value. In turn leading to a larger ROI for your production budget.

---

I Am Available To Join Any Production That Wants More From Their Production Day

Marshall NC Hurricane Helene

"When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, 'Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping” -Fred Rogers

On October 9, 2024 I arrived in Marshall, North Carolina at the NanoStead base camp. Like a beehive buzzing with activity you could see an army of people working tirelessly with one mission in mind. To save their town.

My friends and I arrived with supplies to help further the cleanup effort. Gas, propane, shovels, brooms and Tyvek suits all before noon.

In less than five minutes we were put to work. There is no standing around, everyone is helping. They needed eight people to raise a large tent to serve as a dining hall for all volunteers at NanoStead. Quickly and efficiently a team came together to raise a 40 foot long tent. Tables built from sawhorses and plywood, benches made from cinderblocks and two by tens. Not pretty but functional.

After the dining area was settled we went over to the PPE station and got briefed on to expect when heading to Downtown Marshall. Tyvek suits, two sets of rubber gloves, muck boots, respirators and goggles all needed to be worn to protect us from the toxic mud we will encounter. This is not a quick process and it requires help from your friends to get suited up and sealed. Once we were ready to go, we were shuttled down in the back of a pick up truck. It was a short drive as we descended down to town. Quickly we realized the severity of the devastation. People are not exaggerating the extent of damage. Words that come to mind are apocalyptic or biblical destruction.

Once we arrived we went to the field office willing to help in anyway we can. Very quickly we were told a historic home had a basement with 3 inch thick muck that needed to be removed. The homeowners Steve and Raven were incredibly appreciative of the help we had to offer. Volunteers have already started to dwindle and locals are beyond exhausted. For three hours we filled up buckets of nasty muck. We pulled down waterlogged insulation and worked in the glow of a single work light. Being in the bottom of an outhouse is the only thing that seemed comparable. Six volunteers in total put forth their time and effort and the basement for the most part clear of the thick muck.

All of us were covered head to toe in this nasty mix of mud water and god know what-else. We took a brief break to eat at the field office. I don’t think I’ve eaten a better hamburger in my life.

My friends returned to squeegee the basement while I went to gather photos of Marshall. I encountered some of the nicest people I’ve ever met and ran into the 101st and 82nd airborne army. They were setting up to deliver supplies to people cut off further in the mountains. Contrary to what people are saying the army is there and they are helping.

I reconnected with my friends and a group of volunteers shuttled back up in the pick up truck to NanoStead. This is where we went through decontamination. We removed our PPE with a team that walked us through the decontamination process. It took about 10 minutes to remove and clean are gloves, boots, goggles and respirators. We then went into a tent where our boots scrubbed and sprayed down. Another volunteer removed our boots and Tyvek suits.

After getting our shoes back on we went over and ate one of the many food options provided by another group of volunteers. For my photo and video friends it’s essentially craft service and catering on steroids. Curried goat, jerk chicken, hot dogs, hamburgers all cooked by loving and compassionate people who know that a full belly is necessary to sustain the massive amount of work that is being done and still needs to be done.

If you’re not afraid of hard work I recommend you volunteer. Our neighbors need help.

”A good deed is never lost; he who sows courtesy reaps friendship, and he who plants kindness gathers love."

HELPMARSHALL.ORG

- Daniel Clark Cunningham

MY LOWE'S REWARDS LIFESTYLE CAMPAIGN

MY LOWE’S REWARDS LIFESTYLE PRODUCTION

LOWES KNOWS HOME IMPROVEMENT

They also have rolled out a new rewards program. I was commissioned to create a group of lifestyle images of Lowe’s customers throughout the store. The objective was to create a series of stories that showcased couples shopping for their everyday home improvement needs, all while collecting points for rewards. Creative direction and production was handled by Paper Theater Studio and it was such a joy to work alongside them. Together we built an incredible team of freelancers. This team worked like a well oiled machine, which allowed us to create a large amount of content with relative ease.

With a 10 person crew and 8 models we created 7 different lifestyle scenes and captured the talent on white seamless. This was accomplished over 2 days. We utilized the Lowe’s design center, which has a full sized and stocked store. This allowed us to work without disrupting customers or staff. Each scene was centered around the use of the MLR app.

We set up a white seamless set in the lumber aisle to capture our talent with product. We used rolling stand for all lighting to easily move from location to location. From self checkout to paint and tools we covered most of the departments. Hair and make up set up in the back fo the store in our “green room” this area was the bullpen for all the talent and home base for the production.

This production is a great example of teamwork and shared creative vision. We worked in lock step to create a large variety of images for use in marketing and advertising. Paper Theater Studio over saw brand creative and created and kept a schedule that allowed for a great working pace which fostered a positive environment for all crew and talent.

---

Check Out More Images From The Shoot In The Gallery Below

Credits

Production: @paper.theater.studio
Photographer Daniel Clark Cunningham
AD: Caroline Harmon
DT : Wilson Gregg
First Assistant: @marchesephoto
HMUA @reneegameonly
HMUA @megandeputy
Prop styilst @cameronrenfrow
Fashion stylist @brittanycarderstylist
PA @connoramitchell

Gear provided by OUTTAKE

Thank you for your continued support and interest in my work. I hope you enjoyed this look into a lifestyle photography production. I look forward to future collaboration!

Charlotte Plastic Surgery

Charlotte Plastic Surgery

Charlotte Plastic Surgery is the longest practicing clinic in Charlotte. Since 1951 they have provided transformations to thousands of patients. They have been honoured for the last 9 years by Charlotte magazine’s BEST OF THE BEST awards. Their team of board certified plastic surgeons are masters of the craft and provide the best solutions to their clients

I was commissioned to created headshots and lifestyle images of the staff for use in marketing and advertising. I worked along side a video team for this project. We mirrored each set up for the client to have a library of video and stills that could be deployed separately or in use together to meet their marketing needs.

This project is a great example of content creation without agency direction. We created a large amount of content for the in house marketing team. This provided a library of videos and images that could be pulled from throughout the year.

Headshots, group imagery and lifestyle photos help to tell a story about the people and services provided. Having a library of images to pull from allows for faster deployment of marketing and advertising materials. If your business is centered around real people doing great work, stock photos will only do so much for your brand.

If you are ready to put your best foot forward and showcase your business in a new light, I recommend building your own asset library.

8 Tips For Getting The Most From Your Aerial Photo Session.

If you are considering booking or have already confirmed an Aerial Photo shoot the 8 tips below are great way to maximize the time and will help you get the most from your session.

Make sure you have had time to train and learn at your studio. Everyone is different but having at least 6 months to a year of training will pay off come shoot day.

1. Plan Plan Plan. Figure out what poses you want to do and do not try something you are not 100 percent on. Make a cheat sheet with the poses you want to showcase. It could be just the names of the poses or images of you from class. This will maximize your time come shoot day, leaving you with a good problem… Lots of images to narrow down.

2. Wardrobe and Costumes. You have time to do anything you want! People have done IT the Killer Clown, Sailor Moon, and Disney Themes. The day of your shoot we can work together to bring your vision to life. Most Aerialists have had time for at least 2 changes, sometimes 3 or 4! Use your time wisely.

3. Get some rest the day before the shoot. make sure you get good rest and eat a well balanced meal.

4. Be on time! Once your hour is up, someone new will be coming in ready for their session.

5. Need some support? Bring an aerial friend to help you remember poses and give you some extra encouragement.

6. You will be drained. Aerial photoshoots are not like performances. You will hold poses longer than you would in a sequence. It is a good idea you practice your poses a week before your session date.

7. HAVE FUN.. Seriously this is your time to shine. The studio will have music and you can pick a playlist that works for you.

If you follow these tips I can guarantee you will have a great session and get some killer images. Images you can share on social media, use for self promotion or print to hang on your wall.

Thanks for reading and I hope to see you at the next Aerial Photo Session!

Carvana and Seven Time Champion Jimmie Johnson

Earlier this year I was commissioned by Carvana to capture images of Nascar legend Jimmie Johnson for his upcoming car reveal. I worked alongside a film crew that were capturing content for the tv commercial that would reveal the new paint scheme.

Adding a stills photographer to a video production is a huge value add to the creative. Let me explain, you have already invested resources into creating a video spot. You have your star talent in approved wardrobe, they have been though hair and make up, there is a dressed set or propped environment. This creates a perfect opportunity to capture a solid set of still images… Otherwise you are leaving creative fruit on the production tree!

Improve your ROI with allocating time for stills. I regularly jump in at the end of the scenes to capture images that will add to the creative work. Oh, you do not need images from the set?? I can also set up a seamless background to capture the talent for use in a variety of ways.

Having a solid 20-25 images for use in digital or print will help to cover your needs when there is a shift in the creative or you need to add to media placements. Having quality content is never a bad thing. Imagine having a deep well of creative assets that will help give your marketing and advertising teams coverage for any situation.

The initial scope of work was for Jimmie to be photographed on a white seamless set in his fire suit, with his helmet and racing gloves. They needed a nice mix of full length, waist up and tight head shots for use in various promotional materials. My team and I set up inside the lobby of the Carvana dealership while the video team prepped.

Jimmie would only be available for a few hours and stills was the first stop on his schedule. After we captured what we needed and the Art Director was satisfied with the images, She called an audible. “It would be great if we could capture Jimmie standing next to his car in the delivery bay, Maybe even a few shots of him in his car, would that be possible?” Without protest I said yes. My only request was for 15 minutes to build out a lighting set up for the new location.

At the end of the shoot, the client got exactly what they planned for and so much more. In addition to the seamless assets they requested, they left with a set of environment portraits of Jimmie Johnson with his new Carvana Number 84 car inside a branded location!

---

If You Want to Talk More about How You Can Maximize Your Content Creation from a Video Production with a Photography Element Please Reach Out

Lifestyle Product Photography Case Study.

If you have a great product that people do not understand, it can be hard to sell effectively.

Lifestyle images centered around product use are a great way to translate form and function to your potential client. Let take a look at my work with InVue. They released a new product for point of sale retail use.

I worked along side the marketing agency Louis and partners for this project. When the agency reached out we started with a break down of the scope of work presented by the client. There were many ideas that needed to be refined in order to achieve the client’s goal. The first creative ask was estimated and was not aligning with the client’s budget. We paired down our production from two shooting days with ten models and four location, to one shooting day, three models and two locations.

large talent needs quickly add up and the need for more hair and make up artists becomes another added expense. The value you get it is high with the large amount of variety you can achieve to cover all your demographic needs. However it takes more time with each shot listed. It will also increase catering and craft service costs.

We achieved our objective of showcasing the product and it’s function in three different environments, with three models and five crew. The final set of twenty images paired with the copy clearly illustrates the product use. We delivered on time, meeting the clients strict deadline for product launch. The client was thrilled with the end result.

“Daniel was amazing to work with! I recently needed to hire a photographer that was local to one of my clients in Charlotte, NC for a lifestyle photoshoot ahead of a product launch. I am out of state and I happened to find Daniel’s website through a Google search. He was extremely easy to work with, both before and during the photoshoot — excellent communication and very quick to respond to messages. We had a few bumps pop up along the way and he managed them all with ease. We had a very tight timeline on this project and he never flinched. In the end, the project was completed on time, on budget, and the images were beautiful. I look forward to working with Daniel and his team in the future!”

— Heather Berardi-Senior Art Director at Louis+Partners Design

---

---

Do you have a product that needs lifestyle images to best showcase it’s use?

Reach out to me today for a creative call! I am here to provide the best visual solutions for all your brand needs.

Pre visualize, Plan, Produce. How a prompt will not replace creatives.

If you do not know what you want, you will never be able to make it.

In today's highly competitive business landscape, effective marketing and advertising play a pivotal role in capturing the attention of consumers and driving business growth. While some may consider handling these crucial aspects in-house or through cost-cutting measures, the true value lies in entrusting the task to creative professionals.

Visual Storytelling and Brand Identity:

Photographers possess a unique ability to tell stories through their lens. We have a keen eye for composition, lighting, and aesthetics, enabling us to create captivating images that resonate with your target audience. By working closely with you to understand your brand essence, we can capture images that align with your vision, conveying your brand's personality and values effectively.

Saving Time and Streamlining Processes:

Attempting to handle photography in-house or relying on stock images may seem like a cost-effective solution, but it often falls short in delivering the desired impact. Choosing to hire a professional photographer will save valuable time and streamline the entire photography process. Photographers are experts that bring technical expertise, production knowledge, a network of freelance talent and the right equipment for the job at hand. All of this ensures that the final images are of the highest quality.

The Unique Creativity of Professionals:

While AI image creation tools have gained popularity, they can never fully replicate the creative prowess of professional photographers. These tools may assist in enhancing images, generating content and automating certain tasks, but they lack the emotional intelligence and creative intuition that human photographers possess. When a group of creatives come together they can release a creative force greater than the sum of it parts. Sometimes the best ideas come in the moments while you are fully present in the process. This allows for an infusion of depth, storytelling, and a human touch that resonates with audiences.

Conclusion:

When it comes to the visual aspect of marketing and advertising, hiring a photographer is essential to create impactful imagery that resonate with your audience. Their artistic vision, time and resource optimization, and problem-solving abilities bring immense value to any project. While new tools and technologies enhance creativity and problem-solving, they can never replace the artistry and expertise of a seasoned photographer. Embrace the value of their craftsmanship, and let their unique perspective elevate your marketing and advertising endeavors to new heights of success.

---

Questions?

Print Your Memories

As we quickly move into 2023 I want to take a moment to encourage you to print your photos. We have so many photos living solely on our phones. It seems tragic to leave them in this digital space, moving them from device to device, up and down from the cloud. They exist in a form of visual purgatory never being able to live in a physical space.

I spent many years working in a darkroom and loved the traditional print making. I have an inkjet printer in my office and use Millers pro service when I need archival grade prints. After years of not making a single print I was thrust back in to it. My Mother found 25 plus rolls of old 35 mm film. She asked if it was still possible to process and print them. Lucky for me Charlotte still has an independent camera store processing film. A lot of the rolls were blank years of poor storage did not give that captured light a chance shine. However some of the rolls did reveal a gimpilse in to the past.

For example the color layers did not develop but the black and white layer remained on a roll from 2002. I only know this because the images revealed are from my brothers 15th birthday! After many trips to the camera store I ended up buying a vintage point and shoot camera just for fun. The Minolta Hi-Matic AF2 has become my favorite camera for family snapshots. True candid photos of my wife, kids, friends and family. I even used it to make our family Christmas card.

Another cool thing to do is make ChatBooks tiny books made from pictures you have captured on your phone. You can get a book for every month filled with memories to share with friends and family. They also look cool on a shelf or table, think of them as a visual diary.

Below are two galleries one with images from over 20 years ago and another full of images from the last three months. If you are wondering. Yes, I had prints made and will setting up a Chatbooks subscription very soon.

Have a great day!

~Daniel

Abyssal Frost- A Case Study

This single image was used to sell out a rock club, drive merch sales over 300% and speaks directly to a niche demographic. Death Metal music might not be your cup of tea but you definitely get an idea of the music this band creates.

Using quality images for marketing and advertising never goes out of style. It is an assest to all businesses large or small. Well crafted images are instrumental in helping a brand or product reach its fullest potential. This partnered with a marketing and advertising strategy makes for a winning combonation. That is the case for the band Abyssal Frost. The band approached me to create an image set that they could use for paid social media ads, web, editorial and OOH usage. Given the band name and the thematic concepts around their album, we created a set of images that have a cold and distant feeling. With the use of gels, dynamic lighting, atmosphere and toning we made this group of nice and nerdy guys seem evil and forbidding. The corpse paint helps a lot too…

So how do I know this image help convert sales? Well the proof comes from a show that they played in January. This Atlanta based band played to a sold crowd in Charlotte, NC. Band leader Kenan thanked me and shared his excitement that the use of the images with paid social media ads led to a packed club and a surge in merch sales before they even played!

Abyssal Frost is a great example of how investing in professional image making aids to the creation of value. The band had an immediate return on their investment and now has asset arsenal that will work to grow their fan base and sales higher and higher.

************* P.S.

This work bring me full circle in life. I have been a “band guy” for over 20 years. I would often photograph live shows and help bands with images in high school. While in college, I would make some extra cash by making promos for bands and artists(I remember mailing DVDs LOL) Flash forward to my life now. I am back in a band after a decade of my drums collecting dust. Making music with friends is magical and frustrating all at the same time. I would argue that even one should try to play an instrument, you don’t have to be good to have fun. Although it helps!

THANKS!

~ Daniel

Ally and the Charlotte FC

Back in September I was commissioned by MKTG to cover the fan appreciation events surrounding the Charlotte Football Club and their title sponsor Ally Financial. I spent several days capturing all the events scheduled. Starting with a visit from Team Captain Christian Fuchs to the Ally Financial Charlotte office. He gave out swag, tickets, autographs and one lucky employee got a shoulder massage. The next event was the Hispanic Heritage Block party featuring a Charlotte FC team autograph session, food trucks, vendors and tons of fun for all ages. Ally even had an activation station for attendees to take a shot on goal. The party went on into the night and was highly attended.

Following the block party was a ceremony to christen the new mini pitch at Idlewild elementary school. The students were thrilled to get out of the class to play and get some cool gifts. The kids really enjoyed their new scarfs and shirts. The highlight had to be the mini game they played. Christian Fuchs made another appearance as did team mascot Sir Minty! They each picked teams and it was time to play!

The coverage came to an end at the final Charlotte FC home game. Ally employees took the field to wave banners at the start of the game. Even a few kids of Ally employees joined the players on the pitch during the walkout. This game proved to be historic as Charlotte FC player Daniel Rios scored 4 goals against Philadelphia Union. Everyone probably knows that 3 goals is a hat trick but many in attendance including myself learned that 4 goals is called a haul. An absolutely incredible way to end the last home game of their inaugural season!

Halloween at Goodwill

It is officially spooky season! Back in July I was commissioned to make a new set of Halloween costume images for Goodwill Industries. Fun fact October is the biggest sales month of the year for Goodwill and for one reason. Thousands of people from all over the nation head to Goodwill to make halloween costumes. Move over big box halloween stores! Making your own costume at Goodwill not only looks better but saves you money. Before getting this opportunity I regularly put my costumes together via Goodwill. Using your imagination and finding real clothes that will last has given me options for future halloween events. Cowboy to Mad Hatter to Jedi all in one night thanks to my goodwill costume collection.

The shoot was incredibly fun! I had music cued up for each costume. Obviously we played some Kate Bush for our Stranger Things inspired costumes. The models consisted of a mix of Goodwill employees and agency friends and family. That brings me to our next big player in this production. MYTHIC! The agency was fantastic and really helped to bring the vision to life. We hired the best freelancers in town and it made for a dream team. Hair and make up crushed each look. They did everything from natural looks to a zombie Dr. Strange. The biggest job for this production was wardrobe, 25 costumes all made from thrift store finds! The wardrobe stylist absolutely crushed this shoot! With everyone working at their best we made some incredible images for Goodwill. They will be used online, on social media, in store and out of store nationwide. Below are some examples of placements.

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

Check Out This BTS Video From The Shoot Day!

CLUB CAR- Case Study

Do You Struggle with Having Enough Visual Content to Support Your Brand’s Marketing and Advertising? Are You Sick and Tried of Old Stale Images or Worse, a Mixed Media Stock Photo Cut and Paste Hack Job! While That May Work for Amazon Listings, It Does the Opposite for Selling High Value Items. Here’s the Thing, I Know How to Create Enough Content in Three Days That Will Last a Year or More. I Created 50 Final Images for Club Car on Location in Florida, That They Have Used in Brochures, Posters, Paid Social Media, Web and Trade Shows. My Experience and Network of Freelancers Allows Me to Create the Most Efficient and Productive Production Possible. If You Want to Make You Life a Little Easier, We Should Definitely Chat!

HOW WE DID IT

In February 2022 I completed a lifestyle campaign for CLUB CAR golf carts. Little did I know my summers as a child would prep me to lead the creative direction on this project. I grew up spending every summer from 1985 -2000 at a family campground where the main mode of travel within the grounds was a golf cart. This experience created a vast amount of core memories that helped me create the lifestyle stories needed for this campaign.

The production started with a scout day in Destin FL 2 weeks before the scheduled shooting days with the producers. Their relationship with the San Destin Resort gave us a large selection of locations within close proximity. It allowed us to capture multiple locations with relative ease.

We arrived in Destin for our technical scout with our AD. We visited all the locations from our pre scout so he could get a sense of the resort campus in order to build the most efficient schedule. I will say this again and again, working with an AD is the best way to achieve a large amount of shots in a day. Our AD worked not only to make a schedule that made sense, he also helped give direction to the models and kept the morale high all while keeping us on track. When you have a production with a lot moving parts having a quality AD is incredibly helpful.

Another element of this production was a video component. We work with a videographer and drone pilot to create additional video content to pair with the still images. The videographer and I worked in tandem during each lifestyle story. I would set my composition on my tripod and direct the action. Once the still images had been captured he would grab all the video assets needed. We did this for every lifestyle setup. Starting each story on a tripod allowed me to capture exposure brackets for use in retouching. Once the main action was captured I moved to handheld image capture for a more intimate lifestyle feel. The combination of both methods leads to a large image pool for the client to select from while giving us flexibility in the final retouching.

Dermatology, Laser, & Vein Specialists of the Carolinas

The best part of my job is meeting new people. I loved field trips as a kid and each time I am commissioned to make images I feel that same excitement of learning something new. This time I got to learn about the world of Dermatology. Fun Fact -The skin is the largest organ of the body, with a total area of about 20 square feet.

I partnered with the agency Saturday Brand Communications. I worked with them on a campaign for the Charlotte Area Transit system. You can read a more about that job here. They are a great team of creatives and are joy to work with.

This goal for this photo shoot with Dermatology, Laser, & Vein Specialists of the Carolinas was to showcase the 3 main providers at the practice. Dr. Munavalli, Dr. Kosari and Dr. Leight. We created portraits on seamless background paper, inside exam rooms, the lab and in the medical plaza. We captured individual and group images in all locations.

We had a short window in which to create these assets. All three doctors have a busy schedule and we needed to work around their appointments as not to disrupt the care they provide. We accomplished this by shooting on Friday afternoon. The practice operates on a shorter schedule that day with the last appointments ending at 11am. Starting at noon my assistant and I built out a seamless set inside the waiting room. As each subject finished with hair and make up, I made their individual portrait. Once we had the approval from the AD we moved on to capturing the Doctors on the catwalk within the medical plaza.

Discovering my subjects interests is something I pride myself on. I feel that most people have more in common than they think. For example Dr. Munavalli loves classic rock and memorabilia. I am huge Beatles fan and collect rock and roll memorabilia as well. We chatted about our collections and he showed me his guitar signed by all the members of Queen! Connecting to people at this level opens them up too revealing their true self. This is the person I most want to capture. It leads to the subject liking their image in deeper way. Capturing their real smile, not the one they think the world wants to see. I do not want to be an intruder I want to be a welcomed guest in their life, if only for a brief moment.

If you want to learn more about my process or would like to have your portrait made please reach out!

Case Study-Horizon Investment Company Headshots (60 Subjects)

A great team needs great photos. Award winning investment firm Horizon Investments needed just that. With 60 employees Horizon Investments aims to empower the advisor with financial products that line up with their goals. I would argue this is hands down the coolest investment company around.

President and CEO John Drahzal

We spent 3 days at the Horizon office capturing headshots and culture/lifestyle images. Each team member went through hair and make up before getting to set. The HMUA worked along side me and the DT to make sure every detail was correct. Having more eyes on each subject helps to prevent any undesired and distracting elements from creeping into the image. It is a real bummer to have a great expression on a subject whose collar is skewed or hair is out of control. I like to capture the best image I can in camera. Retouching will always be needed on headshots but creating extra work for no reason is not fun or efficient.

In between headshots we moved into creating images that showcase the culture and lifestyle of Horizon investments. We used battery powered strobes that let us move easily through the office while keeping our headshot studio set intact.

After three days of image capture we moved into the selection phase, each subject made a selection from their image set. Once all selections had been made the images moved to the retouching phase. Each image received skin clean up, color balance, levels adjustments, sharpening, and toning. The creative director also requested that each image be clipped off the background. They wanted to have the ability to easily change the background depending the marketing materials needed.

Nexans - Industrial Reportage

One of my favorite shows is How It’s Made. This past job was like me being on my own episode. Just before Thanksgiving I was commissioned by CAPA Pictures for industrial reportage of the NEXANS plant located in Goose Creek, SC. Nexans is a global player of the energy transition listed on Euronext Paris. For over 120 years, Nexans has brought energy to life by providing customers with advanced cable technologies and services.
Today, Nexans goes beyond cables to become a pure player in electrification.

Nexans was awarded a turnkey contract to supply power export cables for Scotland’s Seagreen offshore windfarm project. Nexans subsea and land cables will provide power for up to 1 million Scottish homes helping the UK achieve its clean energy targets. When completed in 2022/23 Seagreen 1 will be Scotland’s largest wind farm and single largest source of renewable energy, providing a significant contribution to Scotland’s net zero ambition and enough clean, renewable energy to power 1 million homes.

Cable Spools outside the Nexans plant.

I spent the day with a Nexans supervisor who explained the process from start to finish. We moved from each stage of production capturing not only the specialized equipment but the team needed to manufacture the high output power cables. Nexans also has the tallest structure in South Carolina, The 427-foot concrete tower at the Nexans high voltage cable manufacturing plant uses gravity to coat copper and aluminum cabling while keeping the cable straight.

Drone image of the Nexans plant

Selfie on top of the Nexans tower.

If you have any questions feel free to reach out

Ad Creation for the City of Charlotte Streetcar Project.

Over the summer I created image assets for the City of Charlotte for the creation of ads to promote the newest addition to the city’s public transportation system. The Gold Line is a streetcar that connects east and west Charlotte. Streetcars initially appeared in Charlotte in 1887, however in 1938 service ended. You can still see the original waiting stations in the Myers park and Queens neighborhoods.

---

I really enjoyed how many different types of images this job required. We needed interiors of the streetcar, portraits, lifestyle and urban landscapes. We achieved this with multiple locations along the rail line and 15 models. The day started early with the crew meeting at the location of our first lifestyle setting. Our group of models represented the diversity of Charlotte and the many ways the streetcar could benefit Charlotteans young and old. While the talent was in hair and make up, we set up a white seamless and did a pre-light. The DT and I then drove over to the train yard for the streetcar interiors. The interior plates plus lifestyle and urban landscape images would be used to create the view a rider might  have while riding the streetcar. Once we returned I moved on to creating portraits of the talent. I directed each model in an organic way giving them real life situations or cues that would help them find a similar experience from their lives. With our elderly couple (not a real couple by the way) I bought up the dynamics a couple can have. For example, he is looking for his wallet and can not find it even though you told him right where it was. This got a laugh and they made some real magic. We had to move fairly quickly to stay on schedule. The biggest help during this shoot was the First AD. He kept everyone on track and his time management skills helped us complete a very aggressive shot list on time. 

Next we moved into lifestyle images. The first was of a large group of people having a party in a mixed use urban environment. In the future this area will host live music, local vendors and food trucks. Then we moved on to capturing talent at the waiting stations. We photographed different combinations of talent at select stations. Many of the stations had only been partially constructed. I found the best angles to showcase the station, city and talent while avoiding eye sores. We also moved a lot construction cones.  Many of the shots called for a streetcar at the station. We thought we would have control of the train day of, however it was not possible. The solution was a production caravan and a CATS system employee to keep contact with the two trains that were running tests that day.

I love the collaboration it takes to make jobs like this work. I was thankful to have a great Art Director.  She approved the images once she knew she had what she needed. This cut down on unnecessary shots and time. We also had the benefit of a very experienced Producer. Their hard work and planning made this production run smoothly.  We had 31 people working day of to make this job a reality.

It was a long hot day but everyone kicked ass and that made for a great time! I love working with talented people on a singular goal. I am thankful to everyone who helped to make it this happen. Team work really does make the dream work!

Chad and I at the train yard capturing plates of the train interior.

Case Study-Reality Show Cast Images

I was commissioned by Discovery INC/TLC in April to create branding images for the upcoming show “You, Me and My Ex” This job came out of nowhere and I had very little time to make it all happen. I was sitting at home with my family Saturday evening when I got a message from an industry friend in Charlotte, he asked if I was available Monday for a job out of town? He was helping a producer find a photographer. After learning the scope of work I made a plan and started to execute. The location was 4 hours away and my call time was 10 am. I picked up the DT at 5:30am and we started our drive. Once we arrived we checked in with the local producer and started building out the set. We had the option of the garage or the living room. We decided to set up in the living room. The vaulted ceiling and white walls made for a great studio. The creative lighting direction for the images called for them to be well lit with no heavy shadows or modeled light. I accomplished this with two large soft sources from camera left. I used a 54 inch Rotalux octabank and a 41in Profoto deep umbrella with diffusion. I positioned them to create an even yet directional lighting source. The white walls and ceiling of the living room created a natural bounce fill. The spill was more than sufficient to light the background giving enough tone for the retouchers to cleanly cut out each subject.

I always try to create a fun environment for anyone I am photographing. I like to learn about their lives and interests. Chances are we will have something in common that I can elaborate on. This makes everyone more comfortable and makes it easier to get the expressions we are after. The cast members were full of energy and it was easy to direct them. The the creative team from TLC gave me feedback via zoom, this is was a huge help. I love the collaborative process involved in photo shoots like this. Huge thanks to everyone at Discovery Inc and TLC for trusting me to make this happen.

---

Below are examples of how the final images were used.

---

25 Subject Creative Head Shot Session For a Marketing and Production Company.

I always enjoy meeting new people and this project allowed me to meet 25 new people from all over the US. Tiny Horse employees came together for the first time after months of emails and zoom calls for a team meeting and headshot creation. Tiny Horse wanted to showcase their team in a slightly different way. Forget about the traditional headshot on white. This was more of an individual branding session for each employee. The Creative Director wanted the values and culture of Tiny Horse to be expressed in the images. Tiny Horse is an authentic and engaging brand. Work hard, play hard is an old adage but it is definitely appropriate for this group. I met with the Creative Directer after our zoom call became a tech scout at the Tiny Horse office, an historic home in Charlotte built in 1905. He showed me the room available and wanted to add an environmental lifestyle shot if time allowed. The room they had available in their office was 13x13 feet with 9ft ceilings. Not Ideal but definitely possible. I end up shooting through the door frame for full length images. After we built out the studio, tested our lighting and two focal lengths. I had the Creative Director give me his thoughts on the results. We both agreed the 50mm lens looked the best. Now with the look approved, we started with our first subject at 9am. We had a subject every 15 minutes most of the day. The office was packed! Everyone was working up until their time slot plus many came from other states. The office is not a huge place.. remember it is a house from 1905. I, for the day considered myself a new hire at Tiny Horse, ready to meet all my new coworkers. I used a mix of questions and direction to help my subjects release any tension they might have while getting their portrait made. I asked a lot of people if they picked up a new hobby during the pandemic and inquired into small parts of their lives. I learned about people’s favorite restaurants and some interesting bar antics. Apparently throwing limes with your number on it at guys has a zero percent success rate in a call or text. One subject turned their garage into in a guest house/Air BNB. A whole lot of them learn how to bake bread.

In addition to the headshots, it was requested that I try and get an environmental portrait of the founder of Tiny Horse, Kyle Young. During a small break later in the day I scouted his office. I found a composition and formalized it on my tripod. I left my tripod and went back to my headshot set up. When Kyle was available we made about 25 captures. Some of which feature Micheal Cohen, CEO of Team Whistle.

Finally as my assistant and I packed up the gear. We made our way outside to make a group portrait on the front steps of the Tiny Horse office. It was a busy day and very productive day

High Key vs Low Key

In photography, if you want to create a different mood, one of the things that you can do is use "high and low key lighting". These basic lighting styles are simple, yet an important way to help craft your image.

High Key? Low Key? What does it all mean? How do you recognize the difference?

There is an easy way to determine whether something is high key or low key. High key photos are bright, and do not have many shadows. Low key photos are darker, and have more shadows.

Lets take a look at some examples below:

High Key Examples

Low Key Examples

Determining what style of lighting you will use depends highly on your subject, and the final end use of your image.

-High key portraits, for example, would be great for a NASCAR driver. It would be an effective way to light the subject but also showcase the sponsors. Pure, clean, minimalist, and elegant are words that come to mind with high key lighting. High key lighting for commercial portraits is often used by brands that are associated with sophistication.

-Low key portraits are great for invoking mood and tension. Using shadow and light- you can create mystery for your subject. It is an effective way to photograph actors, musicians or any other character. All it has to do is fit the specific ambiance that you want to create, or follow the brand vision you have from your client.

Which do you prefer? Let me know!