Some months back… November 2012 to be exact Mr. Jov Novosti took an airplane from Portland to Colorado for a collaboration of imagery. He is releasing a set of songs here very soon, April 13th to be exact. Honored to have a sneak listen and it will be a wonderful album. His sound is rich and earthy and I myself can’t wait for the final album. Getting to know the depth of this mans mind and heart was very eye opening, he is a true mad man and I mean that in a good sense. He takes what he does very seriously and labors over the intentionality of every aspect when it comes to his art. Commendable to say the least.

We brought in wonderful Jill Carter for styling and got Jov shirtless on a day where the high temps were probably 20 degrees Here are a few frames from each part of the day.

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Polaroid 195 w/ Polaroid 669 and Fuji FP3000b — Mamiya RZ67proii w/Kodak Portra160 & Portra800 — Polaroid SX70 w/The Impossible Project PX70

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Heres one frame… posted a handful from my shoot with Winston (Night Beds) a while back, which you can find here. Anyways…. got this scan back a good month after the shoot as it was taken with an old Polaroid 110a converted to shoot 4×5 film. Shot it on Portra400… underexposed it and pushed it.

Preston Utley.  I’ve had the honor of meeting him this year and he’s one of those guys that I’ve been very greatly inspired by. His imagery is amazing, yes… but it’s his commitment to the craft. He lives and breathes photography and with the few times we’ve hung out I walk away wanting to delve deeper… dig further into the Masters that have come before us… to study light, objects, people and how they interact with each other. He makes me curious to learn, and also realize that I have so very much to learn.

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Mamiya RZ67 Kodak Portra160 — Polaroid 195 w/polaroid 669 film — Polaroid SX70 w/Fade to Black film — Fuji GW690 (scanned at 6×8 unfortunately) w/Portra160

So at the end of last summer I was contacted by Jason Nava, who is now a very dear friend, about doing a really short and sweet shoot for his latest Tees which you can find HERE. We had a couple of fantastic models and a good style concept… throw in a killer Colorado location and it turned into a great way to spend the last hour of a summer day. I’ve waited quite some time to post these photos as Mint Mag picked them up for their Spring 2013 issue! 

Turn around time for the shoot was short… talking a day or so. Whereas I normally shoot 100% film I eneded up shooting polaroid and digital so that I could deliver within a day. So that is what you’re seeing here… the last 5 shots were on the RZ67 ’cause I just had to shoot at least a roll of film for my own sake

Styling- Jolene Nava  Models- Morgan T. Gales & Annalise Lundeen

-— RZ67 ¬

Dave Wilton has been a friend of friends for a while now and I’ve heard over and over that Dave and I need to meet, spend some time together. I was told we were living pretty parallel lives regarding faith, family, and profession as an artist. It was all true and I am so very grateful to have him part of my life now. To be able to connect with other creatives is so important these days where society has engrained in our minds what a working man/woman is supposed to look like.

Dave is an amazing producer and has written & recorded at a most beautiful studio (St. Idas) with the likes of The Autumn Film & Page CXVI among others. He has a couple of his own projects going also, one is A boy and His Kite which is a beautiful record and I promise you it will become a favorite to spin. A single, Cover Your Tracks was featured this year on the latest Twilight Soundtrack. His second project is Loud Harp which is a collaboration with Asher Seevinck from Sea Finch. I know there are a handful of links right there but do check them out and take a listen!

A little something that I’m really stoked about is that I’m heading out to SXSW next week with these folks… looking forward to being on the road, building of relationships with a band of brothers, and taking some photos.

This post has a handful of my favorites from a day me and Dave hung out.

You pull a group of creatives together and some awesome things happen… first and formost you have fun and second, you make some good art. Here is a string of shots for CarolAnn Wachter, some of which were in my living room and some in the hills.

Model: Marianne Hagstrom w/ Q Models   Styling: Jill Carter    MUA: Katelyn Simpkins    Hair: Graham Nation  

Special appearances by Jill, Graham, and Drew Willingham (Drew shot a ton of rad BTS stuff)

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Mamiya RZ67ii w/ Portra160 & Portra400

Contax G2 w/ Portra160

Polaroid 195 w/ Fuji FP3000B

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I chose this leading image for a good reason. You see, I stumbled on Ms. Emily‘s facebook at one point through a series of random facebook friends and was caught by her look. The majority of what I saw was a very serious and blank face but with just enough mischief and wonder behind her eyes. So I was intrigued and reached out to maybe set up a little shoot and of course I wondered what this person was all about. Well, some time went by and I had a trip planned to Colorado Springs and asked if she could meet for coffee. I walked in half expecting the very cool and collected artist (as hard as I try not to project personality on internet people, I do … i just can’t help it!) but was met by just the opposite, a super fun and light hearted soul where that mischief and wonder was actually right there on her sleeve. She never stopped smiling and hence… this lead image.

Well, I had one of those first impressions where I threw my bag on the table and said with a giant sheepish smile… “I gotta hit the bathroom or I’m gonna pee my pants, I’m sorry.” So after that was taken care of we chatted about life history, art, goals, family and faith. She kept spurting out these bits of wisdom that I had wished I written down. She’s an amazing person who is pursuing the heart of life… she’ll soon be in the Los Angeles area and I’m a bit jealous that she’ll be so close to the coast!

We weren’t at all planning on shooting but I had some cameras for something else and I couldn’t leave without at least getting a few shots of her and I’m so glad we did.

She’s a wonderful musician with a lovely voice (she’s got one track on her site… so check it out) and I can’t wait for her to release some new work…

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Mamiya RZ67 w/ kodak Portra160

Polaroid 195 w/ Polaroid 108

SX70 w/Fade to Black

Some days before Christmas these three folks… Parker Fitzgerald, Jay Fitzgerald & Joy Kim took a flight down from Portland to visit family for the holidays. I was of course excited again to see Parker’s name pop up on my phone. It’s always a blessed time hanging with the man. This trip was especially awesome because I got to spend time with Jay and Joy. Jay is another amazing photographer and Joy just kills it with her calligraphy and drawings… not to mention, she’s to thank for my ‘Lantern Room’ logo.

These three made one of the coldest Colorado days a blast and I look forward to our next meeting… hopefully in Portland

Some weeks ago… maybe even a month or more now? My good friend Steve called me up on a whim and asked if I’d like to come along on an afternoon excursion. Steve as a love for all things classic and classy which oozed through on this shoot. I gotta tell you its so fun to shoot with other photographers…

This here is Amy Bruns who carried class and a quiteness that was lovely. Steve found a rad location on the plains and we had some fun.

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Mamiya RZ67 Portra 160

Polaroid 195 Fuji 3000b

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The more you get to know me the more you’ll come to realize that I hold family dear. I’ve been getting more and more inquiries to shoot families and I’ve been on the fence about it because of a confused vision regarding family photography. Who am I as a family portraitist? So I’ve been in a state of experimenting with that and the great thing is there are a lot of awesome family’s that are a part of my life. Tess and I recently met the Spahn’s and not only the fact of both of us have four kids but both Jeff and Danielle are awesome and hold many of the same values and struggles as a young family that we do… and among other awesome reasons we hit it off and I took some photos of them. It was a blast. I ran a lot, but the kids ran even more. The mad style was brought to you by a wonderful Jill Carter.

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Mamiya RZ67, Contax G2, Polaroid 195. Kodak Portra160, Efke 25, Polaroid 669. Two frames with the 5dMKII & VSCOfilm

Upon me leaving the security of my 8-5 gig just a few weeks back an email from Dead Oceans came in for a landing asking if I would be available for some press photos with Winston Yellen of Night Beds. A few things lined up well, I was available and Winston was in town from Nashville for a week or so while visiting family. The shoot marked my first week as a full time creative.

Going into each shoot there are so many variables and that is what makes me both stoked out of my mind and nervous to my bones when arriving for a shoot. A few interesting things revolve around this shoot in particular. Mr. Winston had mentioned he couldn’t stand being photographed. We also needed to decide on a location in Denver within a day… I’m not much of an urbanite but was excited to find some good light in and around buildings. Third, is I was out my 5d which I was going to have to use as a main camera on this shoot because of multiple reasons, including cost of film and time of delivery.

Well, Winston was a champ and super easy to shoot with, so that took care of his lack of interest in being photographed. We also found a pretty open neighborhood to shoot in with some natural foliage which I tend to be drawn to. Then the afternoon light was great and we finished off with some shots in a dark bar while toasting with a glass of whisky in hand.

The only kicker is since I wasn’t able to shoot digital I was then defaulting to my main camera, the Contax G2. Well, 15 minutes into the shoot I dropped it. First time I’ve ever dropped a camera and I hope the last. It died right there on the spot which only a few frames taken, so I was left to shoot the entire day with the Mamiya RZ67 and Polaroid 195… since those were back ups I had only about 40 frames left that I could shoot. Enough, but not nearly what the record label was expecting to choose from

Its a funny thing when you’re wanting to refine your process as an artist. Its a hard thing to do especially because most often it means giving up your crutches that are so easily fallen back on. For me that was digital. Well, I was instantly refined in gear which made me further refine my process and zone in on the interaction and relationship between me and Winston which above all else is the most important anyway.

We got some good stuff, I hope you enjoy these.

I was very excited to hear that Dead Oceans were stoked on what was delivered. It confirmed the necessity of refinement for me.

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Contax G2, Mamiya RZ67 all Kodak Portra 160 & Ilford 50. Polaroid 195 with Polaroid 669 and Fujifilm FP3000-B (some being positive scans, some negative scans). P.S. I dearly miss my G2.

I can spend all my time and energy being a child, husband, dad, and creative?! 

My first day being a freelance creative is coming to a beautiful end.

My heart is full and my eyes show the joy.

Oh Chris and Emily Thompson. I met Chris around 6 or so years ago while working at *bucks. We used to talk about backpacking all the time and for some reason were into Hawthorne Heights. At that point I was still on my way out of my EMO phase… letting my jet black sweeping hair with a bleach stripe grow… and he was devising a plan to propose to his love. Ms. Emily. A little time went by and I was a groomsman at one of the most beautiful weddings up in Estes Park at the famous Stanley Hotel during the Christmas season… which is their favorite season. Obsessed even:) If I were a photographer then I would have freakin LOVED to shoot their wedding!

Anyways. I spent a morning with them this summer. Enjoyed some espresso, beignets, and took some photos… good thing we snuck this lil’ shoot in cause now they’re expecting a little boy in a handful of months! I can’t wait to see that mini Chris running around.

Oh… so for the first time I lost a whole roll of film Bummed about that but non the less… here are just a few from the time together.

Polaroid & Film - 

Luca. You can grab a good read about the man over at TGD. Upon finding his work I was instantly sucked in to a mysterious world. It is evident that Luca has intention behind his images, behind his unique vision. After months of hit-and-miss scheduling we finally grabbed a cup of fine coffee at Crema in Denver. A fitting place for two artists to converge and talk life and art. It’s always encouraging and confirming to talk shop, it can seemingly pull you out of a rut if you’re in one!

I wasn’t going to meet up without bringing a camera or two along nor he. So upon finishing an amazing cappuccino we set off for a neighborhood walk. I took a few and he took a few.

And it was an honor to be photographed by the man. Thank you again Luca! Here are a few…

I met Luke a handful of years ago. It was just after Tess and I tied the knot. We had just moved to Longmont, CO from Las Vegas and were wanting to connect with a local church. Through a string of events and ‘people meetin’ we landed at Vinelife Church just outside of Boulder, it was here that I met Luke. At the time we attended sporadically and eventually were called to a church closer to our house… all the while, this dude stuck in the back of my mind. He’s one of those people that draws you in with an authenticity that is hard to come by these days.

Fast forward about 5 years… we’re once again attending Vinelife as a family and this dude is back in my life. Can’t tell you what an encouraging soul he is, not to mention an insanely gifted communicator and musician. Being an associate pastor and worship leader has surely shaped his speaking skills and his heart for God is the evident fire behind it all. He’s also one of the leaders of the Resound Conference which you can look into here, the next conference is coming up in November.

He mentioned that he’s turning some focus to writing more intentionally through his blog and was wanting some photos so naturally we met up for coffee to talk faith, art, and family while I had a couple cameras hanging around my neck. Here a few of my favorites.

Hope you like these and I’d say you should bookmark his blog.

Round two with Marianne Hagstrom & do all stylist Jill Carter.

We had this idea that was very particular that had to do with a small boat and a sunny sunset… and then we were met with a dry river (which was full days before!) and a nice stormy evening. Hah. So it goes most of the time. Nontheless we had a fun time making images while trying not to get too soaked. Here are a few random picks from film, polaroid, even digital since it was the most weather proof of my cameras.

Mamiya RZ67

Kodak Portra 160

Meet Ms. Serena Williams -

I don’t actually know all that much about her but I can tell you that she is quite lovely, a gentle spirit about her. She is a very good friend of Sarah. So between connections online and what-not we got together for a short portrait session just before the sun dipped… We got some shots in rather quickly, which made it extra fun ’cause I was jumping around and switching cameras with a little less coordination than say… a spider monkey. Time crunch shoots keep you on your toes. They make you survey the land quickly and guesstimate how much light you have left and how should you use it. Then all you can do is dive in.

I hope to shoot with Serena again, get to know her a bit more and also more about her art, as she draws and paints. Upon parting ways we had already conjured up a great idea for the next shoot… so until next time! Here are some frames that I am fond of.

Oh community. I love it. It was about a year and a half ago on the streets of one of the most dangerous slums in the world I sat next to this dude Nick and we were talking about photography as I was actually there as a part of the RESOUND crew in Rio De Janeiro with a camera to document some amazing things, a bit of which you can see here… anyways… Nick mentioned that I needed to me Jill Carter who loved styling and such, so I put that name in the back of my mind for a bit.

Well a year later after some brief facebook exchanges and such I get one of the most heart felt emails I’ve ever gotten… be it by, for the most part, a stranger. She had, for a couple different reasons, asked if I would be willing to do a portrait session with her. It was one of those emails that pulls you into a different level of connection with the soul, it brings you back to the raw beauty of life and love and how frail we are.

Soon after we met up to talk shop since she was a stylist and we wanted to get a shoot or two going with so and so and who and who… then I asked her… well, lets start with your portrait session… ‘nah nah nah’ she said, ‘I wasn’t really serious about that.’ I said ‘uhhh, yes you were, are you available this saturday morning?’

There’s no backing out of a session, especially if there is a whiff of self-consciousness! Photographing and being photographed puts both parties in a vulnerable state… all of a sudden the people skills of the photographer is put at stake and the one getting photographed??? All of a sudden they can feel their face and get really nervous about what they should do with their hands.

Here are some of my favorites from the morning.

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I’ve seen some of Mariannes work scattered in some awesome places and realized she was based in Denver… So after a long while, trying to come up with a concept shoot… (cause i thought i had to be big time to shoot with this girl who’s represented by some legit international agencies) on a whim I shot a Facebook “hello, you have a lovely look about you, its spring, and it’d be awesome to take some photos while Colorado flowers are a bloomin” or something along those lines. Soon after I received an enthusiastic reply.

It took a while to align schedules, which is normal. And finally we had a slice of time just before dark to do a little walk a bout.

All I can say is the girl is a goof ball and is quite the sweetheart too. hah! This was a relief ’cause you know how you make those judgement calls on peoples personalities through that fancy internet? (no matter how hard you try not to) A lot of her work is fierce and for once in a very long time I was intimidated to meet someone. I think my favorite thing about photography is meeting new people and going a bit deeper relationally with the people I already know. So anyhow… she is wonderful and since this shoot we’ve shot once more and have quite the epic shoot planned in the coming months that include sweeping desert vistas.

Hope you enjoy some of these!

For the photogs: Polaroid 195, Mamiya RZ67 or Contax G2. Film is fuji fp3000b, Kodak Portra 160 and TMAX3200. (35mm was underexposed and pushed.)

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