RYAN ROBINSON LOVES YOUR FACE

Another FANTASTIC crew!

2011-09-11T09:32:00.000-05:00

Working with these talented people is always the highlight of my year! Thanks again (from left to right, top to bottom) Severine, Peter-Paul, Gayani, Stuart, Sigrid, Ed, Christian, Ray, Sofie, Marie, James, Saurav, Martin, Svenja, Dipa, Sarah, Ivan, Julie, Lorna, Thomas, Manansi, Jules, and Stephanie!

Off to Paris for a few hundred portraits - YIKES!

2011-08-24T12:38:00.000-05:00

That's right, a few HUNDRED portraits! I've been trying to prepare my trigger finger for a few days now. Getting it ready for few thousand clicks. Á bientôt!

Recent work for Timeline Theatre Company

2011-08-11T21:27:00.001-05:00

Here is a fun project I completed recently for Timeline Theatre Company's 2011/2012 Season brochure. I've been creating photography for Timeline's season brochures for a few years now. This year was a bit different compared to previous shoots.
Timeline Theatre "presents stories inspired by history that connect with today's social and political issues." Therefore, I wanted the process of creating the images to be just as important as the final images. No gimmicks or Photoshop trickery needed. When we had our initial meeting to go through the four plays and talk about concepts, I approached Timeline with a completely different idea. I wanted to create EVERYTHING out of cut paper - no actors, no real environments, no scheduling the team to meet in four various locations around Chicago. Just me, a million x-acto blades and stacks and stacks of paper.

Here are the final shots as well as a quick three-minute video of the process. Be sure to check out Timeline Theatre Company for compelling plays inspired by our history.

Recent work for USPS Deliver Magazine

2011-07-26T15:43:00.000-05:00

G'day mate!

2011-07-07T04:04:00.000-05:00

Yep, I've officially flown over 100,000 miles this year for "work". I skipped out of the hot & humid Chicago summer for brisk & breezy Australian winter. In addition, I get to work with a kick ass crew, catch up with some old friends and tour around Sydney for a couple weeks. Next up: Los Angeles and Paris! Life. Is. Great!

Switching from Hyderabadi Biryani to Svičková in Prague

2011-06-19T13:17:00.000-05:00

Greetings from Prague! Immediately after landing back in Chicago from India, Brian and I hopped over the pond to Praha. Our main objective is to explore and soak in the world of performance design and space at the Prague Quadrennial. One of Brian's award-winning shows, The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity was selected among a handful of other designs to represent the Unites States in this elaborate festival. Our other objectives include guzzling prodigious amounts of Czech beer, devouring hearty dumplings & meat, battle hoards of tourists and explore fantastic architecture that this city has to offer. Here are a handful of snaps from our first weekend here. I'm definitely looking forward to another week being a tourist and can't wait to discover more of this beautiful city.

The view from our rooftop at the hotel.

Street scene on Újezd

A detail of a door near the Prague Castle

Sunset on Légil bridge

Sunset on Légil bridge

Detail of Piss by David Cerny

Brian checking out the view inside of Brownnoser by David Cerny

Rollercoaster Summer

2011-06-11T00:44:00.000-05:00

Here's just a quick illustration of what May through August is going to be like for me. If you ever need travel advice . . . just give me a ring! Adios, au revoir, namaste, sbohem, ta ta, catch ya later, अलविदा, goodbye!

Delhi waking up

2011-06-04T00:03:00.000-05:00

I'm headed off to Hyderabad this afternoon to join up with the rest of the crew for this week's gig. Last time I was in India, I woke up just before the sun and headed out to document Mumbai waking up. This morning, I did the same thing in Delhi. I hopped in a cab from the hotel and headed out to Chandni Chowk in the old city. It is such a different experience when you see a city begin it's day - without the hussle and bussle of a packed street full of horns honking, traffic jams and people everywhere. Here are some snapshots of my morning. Namaste.

From India, with love...

2011-06-03T04:51:00.003-05:00

My first day back in India was greeted with the usual rush of buses, auto-rickshaws, bicycles, motorcycles, cars and honking. Lots of honking. The weather is hot and muggy, the food is fantastic (as usual) and I can't wait to go explore some more (right after I gulp down some more water and cool off in the hotel lobby).
I wish we could buy an auto-rickshaw and transport it to Chicago! I can just imagine Brian and I heading off to the movies, or grabbing dinner across town. Awesomesauce!

Off to India again!

2011-06-01T08:00:00.000-05:00

Headed off to India for the second time in a year. I'm still so curious about this country and can't wait to land! I'm spending a few days in New Delhi in the north and then headed down to Hyderabad for another gig with an amazing crew of people from all over the world! The next full chapter of my evolving career is in full swing! Stay tuned for some pics and updates from this amazing country.

Big brother's wedding in Baja California Sur, Mexico

2011-05-31T21:07:00.000-05:00

Brian and I just landed from an amazing week in Mexico filled with family, friends and a new set of friends and family! Funny how that works when two people get married!
My brother Kevin and his beautiful new wife, Tanya, were married in quite possibly the most beautiful place I've ever seen (next to our wedding in Kaua'i in 2009). The wedding took place at the same spot Kevin proposed to Tanya a couple years ago. It was a private lush pocket of beach in between Todos Santos and Pescadero on the Baja peninsula of Mexico. Playa Las Palmas is a perfect setting complete with a handful of beautiful horses, and, of course lush palm trees leading to the beach. Here are a few snapshots that I did for the new couple (since I was the honorary photographer for the week!). With the exception of the last pic of Brian and I hammin' it up for the camera.
I'm gearing up for another gig in another warm climate on another continent for a couple weeks - whew - my airline miles are sure piling up this year so far! Have a great week and we'll catch ya on the other side of the world!

Take me with you (literally)

2011-05-19T18:49:00.003-05:00

So, The Rapture (AKA Judgement Day) is upon us and we decided to celebrate with another update to the website! As you're running out of the house to stock up on pantry staples, helmets and bugs spray, you'll have a chance to check out the site on your phone! The lovely and talented Deb at dstripe.com hooked up our clean and simple Flash-based website to a clean and simple mobile site for all you smartphone users out there! Take some time to check out the site on your iPad while you're at it too (she did some custom coding for that as well).
I've also got some career-evolving work going on over here and you'll be seeing some new and interesting things popping up on the site in the next couple months. Stay tuned for the next chapter for Ryan Robinson Studio. It'll sure knock your socks off (or, at least encourage you to do some more doodling).
Speaking of Judgement Day, have a listen to one of my favorite bands, The Rapture.

Campaign for Crane

2011-05-06T14:38:00.001-05:00

I've recently collaborated with the lovely and talented gal, Nikki, over at Caliente Creative for a new campaign for a Chicago school in need. Nikki and I (along with Greentarget, DLA Piper, Accenture, McDonalds, and Karyn’s Restaurants) are participating in this program unofficially coined "Campaign for Crane". "Campaign for Crane" is a fundraising program designed to improve both the aesthetics and infrastructure of the Richard T. Crane school. In addition, this campaign will help develop and maintain outside mentoring and tutoring programs which are vital to the development of Crane's students.
Nikki contacted me to create the photography for the "Campaign for Crane" brochure. This brochure will be handed out to potential corporate and individual donors for the school's first fundraiser on May 16th. We spent the day photographing various students and mentors around the hallways and classrooms of the school.
Click here to learn more about Richard T. Crane High School.

SXSW Interactive with Ogilvy & ImageThink

2011-03-02T10:47:00.003-06:00

Some of you may (or may not) know that I live a double life. Say what? Most of my passion belongs to being a photographer. The other part of my passion involves being a graphic recorder. I have never fully announced to anyone that I have two roles as an artist. However, it gives me the most fantastic pleasure to fill you all in on my little secret.

The wonderful folks at ImageThink in NYC along with the world famous advertising agency, Ogilvy and myself are teaming up to facilitate this year's SXSW Interactive festival in Austin. I'm STOKED to be working with my my great friends at ImageThink; Heather, Nora and Andrew as well as play an integral role in an amazing event.

SXSW® Interactive features five days of compelling presentations from the brightest minds in emerging technology, scores of exciting networking events hosted by industry leaders, the incredible new SXSW Trade Show and an unbeatable lineup of special programs showcasing the best new digital works, video games and innovative ideas the international community has to offer.

To give some insight, I created this short stop motion video describing myself in a way that best illustrates what my super secret double life as a graphic recorder means. I am part of an amazing network of other Graphic Recorders around the world who continue to inspire, impress and motivate me as a visual person. Stay tuned for more updates once we land in Austin for a whirlwind of awesomeness!

Ryan Robinson Studio from Ryan Robinson Studio on Vimeo.

Just for fun. A brief bio about me.

Recent Work for USPS and Campbell-Ewald

2011-02-28T17:09:00.001-06:00

This is going to be a thorough post about a shoot we did recently with Campbell-Ewald. I want to talk through the whole creative and tactical process of this cover shoot for USPS Delver Magazine.
The initial call from the art director was for an inside spread. It was going to be a HUGE shoot with 8 models, 9 different sets and a fantastic concept. While brainstorming on ways to create the images, I came up with a version of the concept to tie all the images together in a slightly different way than the original. Since the magazine had a very tight turnaround time, and I was on assignment in Minneapolis, we decided to turn down the initial shoot. (gasp!) HOWEVER, soon after discussing the fact that we would not have time to execute the original concept, I got a call from the art director. He mentioned my revised concept to his creative director. Turns out, they loved my new idea so much, the original cover was modified to fit my idea! BANG! Got a cover shoot! Since it was only one shot, we were able to produce it with short notice. Here are the steps to which we conceived, executed and delivered the final cover image...

I began by spending the day at the Field Museum of Natural History here in Chicago. (and was able to shoot some personal work for myself here, here, here, here and here)

This is my original sketch for the creatives to review. I always prefer to get sketches from clients instead of stock photo comps. Therefore, I thought I would practice what I preach.

Here are the notes from the creatives after talking through the details of "who" we are portraying in the concept. Talent, props, paint colors, wardrobe, layout, etc.

Here are the draft versions from my set builder. It was exciting to see the concept coming to life, even though it was still in its infancy stage as rough rendering.

Here is the style board with some of the elements that my stylist Sage was getting together as well as the final talent from the casting.

I purchased a stock photo to be printed as the background image for our display case.

And here is the final hero image. You can see the whole image on the front and back cover (TOTALLY WORTH THE READ) here. A BIG thank you goes out to the crew: Sage Reed (stylist), Morgan Blaul (hair & makeup), Crosstown Scenic (set build), Winston (the dog), Ed, Lettie, Jarell and Maia (talent from Stewart and Planet Earth Agency) and my assistant Mark D.

Also, during the shoot, the creative director was able to load up the Capture Pilot app. This app allowed him to sit back with an iPad and review a constant stream of images flow onto his screen through the studio's wireless network! It's CRAZY COOL technology available if you're using Capture One Pro 6 during tethered shooting.

Snowday(s)!

2011-02-03T09:32:00.000-06:00

Snowmageddon, SnOprah, SnowMG, Snowpocolypse . . . in case you haven't heard, Chicago recently got a decent amount of snow, wind and yes THUNDERSNOW!! It was wild. The stories of people getting stuck, and unstuck are crazy. But, our neighborhood was so peaceful the day after the storm (with the exception of Brian screaming like a girl while I was snapping a few photos of him . . . see below). It was great to go wander around in the middle of the quiet streets armed with my iPhone and big boy camera

Recent Work for Chicago Magazine: The Clone Ranger

2011-01-21T13:58:00.001-06:00

Here's a quick shot we did recently for Chicago Magazine of law professor and novelist Lori Andrews. Lori has work on some very interesting cases in her extensive career. The portrait we created for Art Director Kim Thorton showcases the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the strange cases that Lori has been involved in. Pick up a copy of Chicago Magazine's February issue to read more. (queue eerie music)

Stuffed, part five

2011-01-17T18:27:00.002-06:00

Series five, photographed at the Field Museum of Chicago

Who does your hair?

2011-01-14T19:03:00.002-06:00

Why, Gabby's on Clark of course! We've been going to Gabby's Barbershop in Chicago for YEARS. I cannot say enough good things about this fantastically classic barber shop in Lakeview. They have been in business for decades and have the clients to prove it. They also have THE BEST magazine collection in Chicago. If you're looking for a classic barbershop experience without giving up your first born, check them out. No reservations, just pop in, write your name on the chalkboard, pick up a magazine and chill out.
Oh, and check out the new cut from today. I'm going a little old school at the moment and I'm kinda diggin' it!

Music Video Inspiration for your weekend . . .

2011-01-14T14:55:00.007-06:00

Here are a few music videos that are still at the top of my favorites list. All still so powerful, provocative and mesmerizing at the same time. Wow.

Stuffed, part four

2011-01-14T14:55:00.005-06:00

Series four, photographed at the Field Museum of Chicago

Stuffed, part three

2011-01-13T09:14:00.002-06:00

Series three, photographed at the Field Museum of Chicago

Stuffed, part two

2011-01-11T07:00:00.005-06:00

Series two, photographed at the Field Museum of Chicago

Sketch artist

2011-01-10T18:02:00.001-06:00

Creating a set is another exciting aspect of being a photographer. We have a fun shoot coming up which requires equal amounts of creativity, resourcefulness and good old pen and paper.
Here is my preliminary concept sketch for our shoot which I sent to the art director after our initial conversation. A clear sketch is a useful element because the art director and creative director can see my vision without influencing the style with stock imagery composites. In addition, my clients and I are able to make some notes on it and send it back and forth to the studio for my stylist, set builder and myself to review. Stay tuned for more progress of this shoot and the final images.

Stuffed, part one

2011-01-09T19:32:00.003-06:00

I was scouting for a shoot at the Field Museum of Natural History this afternoon and I ended up staying longer that I planned. I became absorbed by the fantastic displays, which have been there since I can remember. I snapped up as many pics as I could - using a couple different cameras (a big boy camera and my iPhone 4). These are the first images in a handful that I'll be posting over the next few weeks. Stay tuned!

PDN Magazine - The Best Part of My Studio

2011-01-09T16:14:00.001-06:00

PDN Magazine has a nice little blurb about me and Brian's live/work loft in the February issue. We've really made this place our own during the past five years and are always excited when we open it up to friends, family and clients. Pick up a copy and read why we chose this space and what makes it great!

Recent work for Black Box Acting Studio

2011-01-04T14:45:00.001-06:00

There's a force that's been brewing in the Chicago acting world for a while now. Black Box Acting Studio is making waves in this town and they have the talent and instructors to prove it.
Here is a sampling of the various portraits I shot for them. The different personalities, expressions and poses quickly filled up our capture folder with over 4000 images to edit (whew!). In the end, I'm thrilled with the results!

Check out their new website here!

Recently published work: The great Canadian migration

2011-01-04T14:39:00.001-06:00

It's an oldie, but a goodie. If you're up in Canada, you can check out the latest issue of Report on Business and check out one of my Snowbird images (Bert and Alice Sarafram) used for the illustration about the great Canadian migration of Snowbirds to warmer climates.

I want to continue photographing for the Snowbirds Project in 2011. There, I said it: one of my resolutions for 2011.

Happy New Year!

2010-12-30T19:33:00.001-06:00

I've recently donated to a wonderful new charity called Cameras For Kids Foundation. Cameras For Kids Foundation, Inc. has been created specifically to provide underprivileged teens living in foster care the opportunity to have a camera and learn basic concepts of art and photography while fostering self esteem, self confidence and offering a skill set. They have a couple locations so far and are working their way into more and more cities. Please check them out here.

2010-12-25T11:15:00.000-06:00

Behind the scenes with Triathlete Magazine

2010-12-20T18:15:00.010-06:00

A day after landing in Chicago from a few weeks in India (and battling some mean jet-lag) I was able to ease back into the cold climate with a cover shoot for Triathlete Magazine at the Garfield Park Conservatory Gardens' Fern Room. It was also a fantastic opportunity to reconnect with an old friend (and now client) from photo school back in California. Stay tuned for the final shots of our subject and her amazing story of survival and triumph.

Thanks to a great crew: Sage Reed for wardrobe, Beth Follert for Hair/Makeup, Harrison & Mark for assisting and a HUGE THANK YOU to Nils and Lisa for being fantastic clients

Recent work for UFC Magazine

2010-11-27T10:07:00.000-06:00

I had the recent pleasure of shooting a portrait of Anthony "Showtime" Pettis for UFC Magazine. Showtime is an incredible force to watch train and compete. Pick up a copy of this month's issue of UFC to read more about this fascinating athlete. Truly inspiring.

Greetings from India!

2010-11-14T00:42:00.000-06:00

India is as diverse as you would expect . . . the scenery, the people, the traffic, the food, the smells, the weather. Every corner brings something interesting. Here are just a few images from my travels so far in Pune, Mumbai and Goa. I'm off to work on a project in Hyderabad for the next week . . . check back for more updates!

Recent work for Time Out Chicago

2010-11-13T20:01:00.000-06:00

Behind the scenes for Time Out Chicago cover shoot

2010-11-05T11:51:00.000-05:00

A big thank you to Sarah for helping build and style the set!!

Happy Humpday! Here's your weekly SQUARE + PLASTIC, No. 17

2010-11-03T07:00:00.006-05:00

Greetings from India! Hope you're having a lovely day/night, wherever you're viewing this from!
The Met, NYC

ORD to BOM

2010-11-02T08:00:00.004-05:00

Leaving for India today for some exciting leisure travel as well as some work. I'm starting off in Pune, then on to Mumbai, then to Goa (for some true R&R) and then working on a project in Hyderabad until just before Thanksgiving! Have a fantastic November! See you in December!! More photos will be coming!

Behind the scenes for Men's Fitness

2010-11-01T07:00:00.033-05:00

Instead of just snapping normal behind the scenes images of our shoot with Men's Fitness this weekend, we popped a radio slave onto our Canon G12 point-n-shoot camera. This allowed us to take shots of the whole scenario and have the scene lit with our strobes (instead of just using available light like the last image shown). The result is a very cool perspective of the photo shoot that definitely gives a good idea of the final image (hitting newsstands this winter)

I Spread Your Ideas Because...

2010-10-31T22:32:00.000-05:00

Another great post by the inspirational Seth Godin...

Ideas spread when people choose to spread them. Here are some reasons why:
1. I spread your idea because it makes me feel generous.
2. ...because I feel smart alerting others to what I discovered.
3. ...because I care about the outcome and want you (the creator of the idea) to succeed.
4. ...because I have no choice. Every time I use your product, I spread the idea (Hotmail, iPad, a tattoo).
5. ...because there's a financial benefit directly to me (Amazon affiliates, mlm).
6. ...because it's funny and laughing alone is no fun.
7. ...because I'm lonely and sharing an idea solves that problem, at least for a while.
8. ...because I'm angry and I want to enlist others in my outrage (or in shutting you down).
9. ...because both my friend and I will benefit if I share the idea (Groupon).
10. ...because you asked me to, and it's hard to say no to you.
11. ...because I can use the idea to introduce people to one another, and making a match is both fun in the short run and community-building.
12. ...because your service works better if all my friends use it (email, Facebook).
13. ...because if everyone knew this idea, I'd be happier.
14. ...because your idea says something that I have trouble saying directly (AA, a blog post, a book).
15. ...because I care about someone and this idea will make them happier or healthier.
16. ...because it's fun to make another teen snicker about prurient stuff we're not supposed to see.
17. ...because the tribe needs to know about this if we're going to avoid an external threat.
18. ...because the tribe needs to know about this if we're going to maintain internal order.
19. ...because it's my job.
20. I spread your idea because I'm in awe of your art and the only way I can repay you is to share that art with others.

Thank you Seth Godin

Happy 10th Birthday to www.ryanrobinson.com!

2010-10-31T12:24:00.003-05:00

It seems like just yesterday that I was changing it's tiny little diaper with every little shoot I did. I can't believe it's been over 10 years!! Here a little snapshot of each major iteration of the online portfolio. Starting with the year 2000, 2002, 2004 and the present website. So much has changed since the beginning! With the exception of the first website I built, all of the credit goes to the amazing Deb at dstripe.com for the design and build. She's amazing and if you're lucky enough, she'll design and build one for you too!

Behind the scenes with UFC Magazine

2010-10-30T17:21:00.003-05:00

Here is a great little behind the scenes video we created for our shoot with UFC Magazine last month. I was part of shooting the first issue of UFC Magazine a couple years ago. It's great to see the magazine doing so well and how much MORE popular this sport has become. These fighters never cease to amaze me with their skills and are always the nicest and most enthusiastic subjects to work with.

A big thank you to Ian for the video footage (not bad for a cell-phone camera, eh?)

A few from behind the scenes from our shoot this week

2010-10-29T07:00:00.002-05:00

It's always fun to shoot in beautiful spaces. We recently shot a quick editorial for American Lawyer Mag on the top floor of an amazing building downtown Chicago. Impeccable views of the city including Millennium Park and the lake. The light was amazing and therefore allowed us to use available light and a simple reflector.

A big thank you to Sarah and Ace for assisting and behind the scenes photos!

Reach Further

2010-10-28T16:54:00.001-05:00

My photography has been featured with Wonderful Machine for about a year now. They're a great resource for creatives to find many of the countries top photo professionals. With the launch of a new online magazine, F8, Wonderful Machine used an image from my portfolio to promote their website. They chose an appropriate tagline that not only speaks to the audience, but I also feel that I follow those two words to the fullest extent: Reach further.

Happy Humpday! Here's your weekly SQUARE + PLASTIC, No. 16

2010-10-27T07:00:00.006-05:00

Broadway and Howard, NYC

Victims of the recent Chicago windstorm

2010-10-26T22:37:00.000-05:00

Such a sad sad day for umbrellas in Chicago. I was walking back to the studio this afternoon when I notice all of the trash cans were occupied by broken umbrellas. The more I walked around, the more casualties of the strong windstorm I saw. Some trash cans were even filled with two or three umbrellas. These images are definitely moments of frustration frozen in time.
So sad . . . for the umbrellas.

Recent work for INKED Magazine

2010-10-25T14:09:00.002-05:00

Happy Humpday! Here's your weekly SQUARE + PLASTIC, No. 15

2010-10-20T09:23:00.002-05:00

Las Vegas, Nevada

Recent Work: USPS Deliver Magazine

2010-10-13T17:32:00.000-05:00

This shoot was, hands down, one of the more memorable ones in the past year. How often do you get to purchase dozens and dozens of rolls of duct tape and build an ENTIRE set out of it? I mean, come on, duct tape fixes everything! It couldn't have been done without the following kick-ass people:

Grayson C - Art Director
Sage Reed - Styling and props
T. Harrison Hillman and Marc Altman for assisting and rolling out some serious tape
Aaron Kissman - intern extraordinaire and professional plant-ductaper
Cross Town Scenic - set build

Happy Humpday! Here's your weekly SQUARE + PLASTIC, No. 14

2010-10-13T09:00:00.003-05:00

Humboldt Park, Chicago

Happy Humpday! Here's your weekly SQUARE + PLASTIC, No. 12 & 13

2010-10-06T09:00:00.004-05:00

Cannon Beach, Oregon - 2002

Kaua'i, Hawaii

Happy Humpday! Here's your weekly SQUARE + PLASTIC, No. 11

2010-09-29T08:00:00.000-05:00

Santa Barbara, California

Turkish Delight

2010-09-24T07:00:00.001-05:00

I did end up buying a boatload of Turkish Delight while in Istanbul last week. I was also fortunate to stumble upon a book seller who had a stack of vintage movie posters from Turkey. Some are American flicks and most were foreign. Check out the four I bought, after I had to bargain with the owner's 7 year old son for a lower price . . .

Recent work for American Lawyer Magazine

2010-09-23T07:00:00.000-05:00

Happy Humpday! Here's your weekly SQUARE + PLASTIC, No. 9 & 10

2010-09-22T07:30:00.000-05:00

Paris, France

Paris, France

Recent Work for Chicago Magazine

2010-09-21T08:10:00.001-05:00

Had another great shoot with Chicago Magazine for their Fall Theatre opener. We photographed a concept for Timeline Theatre's TO MASTER THE ART production opening in October. In addition to this shot, I also shoot all of Timeline's season promotional photography, check out some samples here

Styling: Sage Reed
Wardrobe: Rachel Healy

Recent work for Mountain Bike Magazine

2010-09-20T08:00:00.002-05:00

Here are some outtakes from our recent shoot with Mountain Bike Magazine. Thanks to a great team: T. Harrison Hillman & Guido. I hope you've recovered from your allergic reaction to weeds out in the 'burbs!

Random link for your Monday pleasure: Russia 100 years ago, in color

2010-09-20T07:15:00.000-05:00

This was posted on Boston.com about a month ago and is so fascinating. We may be able to recreate a specific image quality through an iPhone app or a Photoshop filter, but we'll never be able to recreate the emotion documented in these images. Click and Check this out!
(Prokudin-Gorskii Collection/LOC)

Recent work for Chicago Magazine

2010-09-20T07:00:00.000-05:00

The studio was recently graced by the lovely Laurie Metcalf for Chicago Magazine. A native Chicagoan, Laurie's vibrant career started at the legendary Steppenwolf Theatre here in Chicago. She is best known for her role as Aunt Jackie on TV's Rosanne, Toy Story 1,2 & 3 as well as making a few guest appearances on CBS's Big Bang Theory. You can see her in the play DETROIT at Steppenwolf Theatre - currently running through November 7th.

Recent Work for USPS Deliver Magazine

2010-09-19T10:11:00.002-05:00

Art Director: Grayson Cardinell
Producer: Lynn Renee
Stylist: Courtney Rust
Assistants: Brian Guido, Aaron Kissman, Taylor Prather
Retouching: Brian York
Set builder: Means of Production

iPhone snaps from Istanbul

2010-09-19T08:37:00.002-05:00

We're back from a quick and exciting project in Istanbul, Turkey. To say that this city is amazing would be an understatement. The smells of tobacco, spices, food and the occasional whiff of Raki enhanced the impressive beauty that entombs this beautiful and historically significant city. Home to almost 13 million people, this city is constantly moving (except when you're stuck in the immense traffic jams everywhere). We were greeted with true kindness, open arms and a culture that is rich with layers and layers of history. I am extremely fortunate to have had this opportunity and cannot be more excited with the road ahead. Life is good. Ziyaret ve zevk benim fotoğraflar için teşekkür ederiz!

------ If you can't view the gallery above click here

Happy Humpday! Here's your weekly SQUARE + PLASTIC, No. 7 & 8

2010-09-15T09:00:00.002-05:00

NW 17th and Lovejoy, Portland, Oregon Google Streeview

NW 11th and Flanders, Portland, Oregon Google Streetview

ORD to IST

2010-09-10T19:00:00.001-05:00

I'm just arriving back in the studio from Boston and now we're off for a quick job in Byzantium, otherwise known as Constantinople, otherwise known as Istanbul, Turkey!! See you in a week!

Happy Humpday! Here's your weekly SQUARE + PLASTIC, No. 6

2010-09-08T09:00:00.003-05:00

The River Seine, Paris, France

The limitless uses for Duct Tape

2010-09-02T09:42:00.001-05:00

Supply list for this week's shoot:
1 Living room set w/furniture
2 Xacto knives
1 Bone folder
1 Pile of 3" Duct Tape
3 High Fives for awesomeness

Stay tuned to see more about what the heck we're doing in the studio!

Happy Humpday! Here's your weekly SQUARE + PLASTIC, No. 4

2010-09-01T09:00:00.001-05:00

Somewhere in Portland, Oregon

Playing in the dirt for Mountain Bike magazine

2010-08-30T18:23:00.001-05:00

Here are a couple outtakes from our recent shoot for Mountain Bike Magazine. Besides my assistants have a raging case of allergies to the surrounding tall grass and weeds, the shoot came out great! I'm stoked to see the final selects and excited for these two young rockstar tricksters.

Random link for your Monday pleasure: Shwood!

2010-08-30T18:22:00.001-05:00

I'm in love with these. I don't think they would work with my face. But DAMN, wouldn't these make a great impulse buy?!? Check them out!

Throwback Thursday: The Mission Shot

2010-08-26T09:00:00.000-05:00

This is a shot of me over ten years ago in Santa Barbara. It was my first assignment at photo school and my first time using the 4x5 Horseman. I had no idea of what was ahead of me in life, but I knew that I had a wealth of new friends and experiences coming from every direction.

I just recently learned that none of the assignments are shot on film anymore and that they may be selling all of the Santa Barbara campuses and moving the school south to Ventura. It's a sad thing to imagine a filmless photo program and the school moving to a new location. After I had been accepted to a handful of other photo programs around the country, the location of Brooks in Santa Barbara was my deciding factor.

Happy Humpday! Here's your weekly SQUARE + PLASTIC, No. 5

2010-08-25T09:00:00.004-05:00

Megan snapping a pic - Pantin, France

Random link for your Monday pleasure: In It Studios

2010-08-23T08:00:00.000-05:00

Yet another thing to put on my "I want/need" list. I can imagine Brian and I owning a small plot of land near a body of water and putting one of these fantastic structures in the corner of it. A little getaway to replace the buzzing city sound with buzzing fireflies.

Copyright © 2010 in.it.studios.

Copyright © 2010 in.it.studios.

Copyright © 2010 in.it.studios.

2010-08-20T20:02:00.000-05:00

I recently photographed the promotional images for Timeline Theatre's 2010/2011 season. Before delivering the final photos, I experimented with designing a few versions of the posters. These didn't make it to press, but I still like the way they look.

Throwback Thursday: Me in Seventh Grade!

2010-08-19T11:55:00.000-05:00

Yes, this is me with the rest of our Junior High School Art Club! Am I wearing lipstick? Did I always have a look of terror on my face?
In all seriousness, if it weren't for my art teacher, Mrs Jones, I wouldn't be where I am today. She piqued my interest in art from the beginning and pushed me to keep creating. Not to mention she taught every single one of my siblings, aunts, uncles, cousins and close friends in our little town of Minooka. Go Indians!! Fan-TASTIC!

Happy Humpday! Here's your weekly SQUARE + PLASTIC, No. 3

2010-08-18T09:00:00.010-05:00

I kicked this series off on a Monday, but I am going to post these every Wednesday. So, be sure to keep your blog roll tuned in at 9:00AM (CST) every humpday for a new image from the SQUARE + PLASTIC series. Woop woop!

Paris, France

Repost via Seth Godin: Avoiding Momentum

2010-08-18T08:30:00.008-05:00

Some days, even the best dentist doesn't feel like being a dentist.

And a lifeguard might not feel like being a lifeguard.

Fortunately, they have appointments, commitments and jobs. They have to show up. They have to start doing the work. And most of the time, this jump start is sufficient to get them over the hump, and then they go back to being in the zone and doing their best work.

Momentum is incredibly useful to someone who has to overcome fear, dig in deep and ship. Momentum gives you a reason to overcome your fear and do your art, because there are outside forces and obligations that keep you moving. Without them, you'd probably stumble and fall.

And yet...

And yet many of us fear too much momentum. We look at a project launch or a job or another new commitment as something that might get out of control. It's one thing to be a folk singer playing to a hundred people a night in a coffeehouse, but what if the momentum builds and you become a star? A rock star? With an entourage and appearances and higher than high expectations for your next work. That's a lot of momentum, no?

Deep down, this potential for an overwhelming response alerts the lizard brain and we hold back. We're afraid of being part of something that feels like it might be too big for us.

Hint: it probably isn't.

Seth Godin is one of my daily readings and you're missing out if his site or his blog are not part of your daily/weekly/monthly reading too. Don't wait, just go check him out here.

New personal image series: Square + Plastic, No. 1 & 2

2010-08-17T09:00:00.008-05:00

I've started to play with film again. It is a fun way to let go of the digital instant gratification that we've all grown accustomed to. I have a couple rolls of film waiting to be processed and if they turn out interesting, I'll post them! In the meantime, I'll start off by posting some images that were scanned today in the studio. These are raw scans and have only had the exposures and color adjusted - I'm not going to use the ShakeIt Photo app, Hipstomatic app or Make My Photo Look Awesome app (I just made that one up). Just simple, honest photographs of little things I notice from time to time - just with film and without the ability to press the delete button or to post instantly on Facebook or Twitter.

The title of this new work, Square + Plastic, doesn't necessarily mean that all of the images are square format. It does, however, mean that all of the images are taken with either the many Holgas, mix of Lomos, fun Dianas, or some of my dusty Brownies, Baby Brownies, Argus or some old Kodak box cameras - most of which are plastic.
Here are two to start off this fun series . . .

Randolph Street and the River, Chicago, Illinois Google Streetview

NW Johnson St & NW 16th, Portland, Oregon Google Streetview

Scenes from the 6th Annual Green Barn Farm Dance . . .

2010-08-16T16:26:00.001-05:00

Well, unfortunately, there aren't any dancin' photos (my little Leica ran out of juice). But I hope you will gain a sense of how magical the weekend was in the middle of Indiana. Amazing people, incredible food (oink oink!) and wonderful weather for camping and square dancing! Thank you Janet and Eliot for an amazing evening! Looking forward to next year!

This last image shows the sun's last push of energy to shoot a single ray of light into the pending night sky.

Last frames with Laurie Metcalf

2010-08-16T12:58:00.001-05:00

The studio was graced by the presence of the lovely Laurie Metcalf last week. We had an amazing team of stylists working together to produce some great images (that you'll have to stay tuned to see).

A big thank you to our team - styling by Sage Reed; wardrobe provided by Shernett Swaby; Accessories by Robin Richman; Couch provided by DWR; Makeup/Hair by Beth Follert at Stewart; Assistants: Brett Bulthuis, Aaron Kissman and Taylor Prather

This is what a great crew looks like . . .

2010-08-13T15:39:00.002-05:00

Among the hundreds and hundreds of portraits we created last month in France, I was able to coax the crew into getting some time in front of my lens. Good lookin' bunch, eh?

From left to right, top to bottom: Stuart, Severine, Patrick, Lucia, Marijke, Julie, Jules, Damien, Caroline, Svenja, Ray, Alika, Lorna, Purva, Pascal (and Adrien), Adrien, Charlie, Sanjay, Julie (again) and Sure

Work featured on Workbook!

2010-08-13T14:23:00.001-05:00

A few from behind the scenes in Paris

2010-08-13T14:21:00.003-05:00

While on another assignment in France, I was lucky enough to shoot a quick editorial for Chicago Magazine near the Gare de Lyon in Paris. We photographed the super talented fashion designer Earl Pickens (who got his start in Chicago at SAIC). Be sure to check out the full write up in September's Fashion issue of Chicago Magazine!

Inside of Earl's home studio in Paris

Signing the model release via iPhone! Yes, paperless model releases (click here)

Outside of Gare de Lyon

Thanks Megan at Chicago Magazine and my assistants Laurent and Tommy (for the behind the scenes shots)

Recent personal work

2010-08-02T22:17:00.004-05:00

I have butterflies in my stomach when I think about the places I go and the people I meet as part of my "job". Here are some images from a very early, foggy morning at the chateau in Gouvieux, France (just outside of Paris). Even though we spent 10 days here, every day was special and filled with familiar faces, new friends, BIG laughs and a stellar crew to work with. I'm stoked at the chance to see them all again, somewhere in the world . . .
Click here if you cannot view the gallery below

Thank you (in no particular order) Ray, Sevrine, Lucia, Charlie, Caroline, Stuart, Julie, Jules, Lorna, Marijka, Pascal, Alika, Adrien, Patrick, Pourva, Svenja and Sanjay for being such a kick ass crew to work with!

Jumping the big pond again . . .

2010-07-19T08:29:00.001-05:00

Well, not the one pictured here. Instead, I'm about to jump the BIG pond back over to Paris for a couple more shoots. This image is of yesterday's last remaining hours of daylight after my father and Debi's wedding reception. It was filled with so many people that I haven't seen in over 15 or 20 years. Old neighbors, family friends and new family members that have been joined through my dad and Debi's recent wedding in Yellowstone. It was great to reconnect with them, disconnect from the internet (for only a few hours) and get some needed fresh air before my next journey.
Á bientôt!

The Wonder Camera

2010-07-14T10:23:00.000-05:00

The world of still photography is changing at such a rapid pace. This is a very intriguing glimpse into the next generation of image capture. Via A Photo Editor

An outtake from one of last week's shoots for my mom to frame up on the wall . . .

2010-07-13T20:32:00.001-05:00

Hey look!

2010-07-13T20:31:00.002-05:00

Thanks PDN and Photoserve.com! You made my day (actually I'll be featured for the month, but who's counting?)!

Our recent trip to Yellowstone

2010-07-12T22:46:00.001-05:00

Here is a big handful of snapshots from our recent trip to Yellowstone to surprise my father on his wedding day (he thought I was still working in Berlin!) What a wonderful week and an amazing wedding day!

------ If you can't view the gallery above click here

The journey is the destination

2010-07-08T22:07:00.005-05:00

...and this journey must include change. Because change is inevitable.

If you resist change, you'll get lost in the dust. If you accept change you will be riding the top of a wild curve looking back at a small puff of dust and debris.

For most of June, I was working with an amazing team of creatives in France and Germany. Those weeks were filled with energy, conversation, frustration, happiness, new friends, anger, good (and bad) food, severe boredom, beautiful languages and a HUGE surge of creative fuel (that I don't quite know what to do with). Immediately following the weeks of work overseas, Brian and I spent a few days in Montana to surprise my father and his new bride on their wedding day. Then we promptly turned around and drove to the other side of the country for Brian's cousin's wedding.

Those last few days gave me the ability to do two things. It gave me uninterrupted time with Brian (we haven't been able to see each other for more than a couple days at a time for the past three months). We reconnected in person, rather than by email or Skype. This time also gave me the opportunity to, creatively, check-out for a bit and figure out what this journey, as an artist, is all about. I don't want to sound philosophical or over-analytical of my life, but I'm starting to shift as an artist. I'm starting to realize what types of images I want to create moving forward. I'm starting to understand that it's not all about the quantity of work, but about the quality. I'm starting to accept the fact that, in our industry, no one has the correct answer to everything - we've all adapted to change in our own way. I'm starting to realize that I have to listen to my gut and trust my instincts and not the instincts of others. I'm starting to realize that, in order to create better quality images, paintings, videos, drawings, or words, we have to be honest.

And so, I've leaped into an optimistic dilemma: I could hardly imagine NEVER being a photographer, and yet, at the same time, I could barely imagine myself ONLY being a photographer. I believe there is something bigger for me to be a part of. I still have no idea what that something bigger is, but I know it's out there. I'm unfolding a map and realizing that my journey is my destination.

I don't know if any of my words make sense to you. Heck, I don't know if they even make sense to me! I do know that it's an inkling of what's been on my mind lately.

In any case, I do know that I have a few random images I'd like to share with you. Some are from working in Europe (I had the extreme pleasure of spending almost two weeks inside of an amazing Gehry space inside of the DZ Bank), some are from Montana and some are from recent projects. Enjoy!

Axica Space, designed by Frank Gehry - Berlin

Axica Space, designed by Frank Gehry - Berlin

Axica Space, designed by Frank Gehry - Berlin

Den Opfern von Krieg und Gewaltherrschaft - Berlin

Den Opfern von Krieg und Gewaltherrschaft - Berlin

Sulfur caldrons - Yellowstone National Park

Bison - Yellowstone National Park

Mammoth, Montana

Near the town of Pray, Montana

Yellowstone Lake

The Turd

2010-06-09T06:59:00.000-05:00

This is just a snippet, but Godin is pretty dead-on with most of the business world with this statement . . ."Most people work hard to find artful ways to say very little. Instead of polishing that turd, why not work harder to think of something remarkable or important to say in the first place?"
This man should be on your blog roll and on your bookshelves. Period.

ORD - CDG

2010-06-02T12:13:00.000-05:00

Oui oui!! Nous travaillons à Paris pour les deux prochaines semaines! Puis, à un autre endroit lointain pour un projet fantastique. Au revoir & Auf Wiedersehen!

Have a great Summer!

Quick link: Awesomeness in Brussels

2010-05-28T11:40:00.001-05:00

Check in time is half past awesomeness.

PDN Magazine: How to Juggle Video and Stills on Assignment

2010-05-08T13:55:00.000-05:00

A while ago, I had the extreme pleasure to work with the creative team over at EURO RSCG. They approached me to direct a series of television spots for the University of Chicago Medical Center. It was a fantastic experience and a great opportunity to incorporate still and video capture using the RED ONE and the Canon 5D Mark II. The television spots and print ads have come and gone, but I am definitely eager for the next video/still project.
PDN Magazine caught word of my opportunity to direct and shoot the campaign and wrote a nice article about the whole experience. In addition to story about my experience with this project, PDN also interviewed two other shooters who encountered similar requests to shoot video and still for the same campaign.

Good Bedside Manner With a Camera: Ryan Robinson
By Holly Stuart Hughes and David Walker

Before photographer Ryan Robinson was hired to direct two commercials for the University of Chicago medical center, he had never shot video on an assignment. Before the job was complete, however, he had talked the client into hiring him to shoot stills for the outdoor and print components of the same campaign.

The two 60-second spots required videotaping interviews with two patients and their doctors, plus additional interviews with four other doctors for use as training videos on the medical center's Web site. The ad agency, Euro RSCG Life, signed up production company Bridges Media, which had done video work for the hospital previously. Creative director Brandon Gately also decided to hire a director who would be sure to put the subjects at ease on camera. He asked Robinson, who is known for photographing real people, if he'd like to try shooting video.

"I'd known Ryan for years, and especially liked his portraits and some simple time-lapse stuff on his Web site," Gately says. "I knew that doctors tend to be stiff [and] I know Ryan gets people to relax."

Robinson had only talking points for the interviews, not a script. The challenge, he says, "was digging into their [the patients' and doctors'] lives, getting them to relax, getting them to laugh."

Robinson recommended using the Red One camera, which captures 4K video. "I explained that you have more flexibility in post production, because it's such high resolution, which allows you to zoom in." And because the crew had only one day to capture six interviews, Robinson asked for—and got—two cameras in order to capture B-roll including backgrounds, and additional coverage of the subjects. "We had two camera operators shooting non-stop," he recalls.

Having used the Red One only in product demo tests, Robinson admits the camera "is intimidating." But the Bridges Media crew put him at ease. With the producer and camera operators, Robinson spent two days preparing for the shoot, scouting out a hospital hallway and a lounge with north-facing windows, and preparing what lights they needed. He shot stills in both areas to show the crew how he wanted the scenes to look.

"That way, when we showed up at 7 in the morning, the crew knew what to do when we walked in." When shooting in the lounge, they used one bank of Kino Flos; in the window-lined hallway, Robinson says, they used another strip of four Kinos held above the camera, "and two spots kicking light back to the camera." Once they were set up, they had little time to move the cameras.

They photographed the patient interviews during two half-day shoots, using a so-called Interrotron, which allows subjects to look at an interviewer and directly into the camera at the same time (See an illustration HERE). Before the camera operators began rolling, Robinson says, "I gave them specific instructions: like how to follow their hands if they start to fidget, and when I wanted to rack the focus."

Before videotaping began, the university asked for still images they could use in a print campaign. Gately says Robinson was the obvious choice for that, even though the university staff photographer could have done the job inexpensively, "It wasn't about expense," Gately says, "It was about continuity, and making sure the TV and print campaigns went together."

For the portraits, Robinson used a Canon 5D Mark II with lenses comparable to those he had used for the Red Ones. The lighting was strobe "with lots of fill." He also used the 5D Mark II to shoot a few seconds of video that were later incorporated into the footage shot with the Red camera.

Bridges Media did the editing under Gately's supervision, while Robinson checked the cuts on Bridge's Web site.

With his first commercial directing job behind him, Robinson is eager to do more. He is ramping up promotions to attract assignments. For its part, the University of Chicago had considered the video shoot part of an "interim" campaign. But they were so pleased with the results, Gately says, that they're planning future executions.

Around the neighborhood: Art + Life

2010-05-04T16:56:00.001-05:00

I. Love. This. Work.

Snapshots from Singapore

2010-05-04T08:07:00.002-05:00

Here are a smattering of moments from my last minute trip to Singapore.

------ If you can't view the gallery above click here

Nothing like a last minute job in Singapore!

2010-04-16T11:12:00.003-05:00

We're off to the wonderful country of Singapore, more details to come . . .

Vivian Maier

2010-04-06T09:06:00.003-05:00

The story of Vivian Maier is encouraging, inspiring and heartbreaking - all at the same time. Little is known about this prolific French-born, Chicago photographer except a few details and a handful of self portraits. I truly believe her work is comparable to Walker Evans, Henri Cartier-Bresson and other legendary documentary photographers. Please visit this amazing blog created by John Maloof - a Chicagoan, who by pure chance, came upon her entire collection of photographic record.
"Out of the 30-40,000 negatives I have in the collection, about 10-15,000 negatives were still in rolls, undeveloped from the 1960's-1970's. . . I found her name written with pencil on a photo-lab envelope. I decided to 'Google' her about a year after I purchased these only to find her obituary placed the day before my search. She passed only a couple of days before my inquiry on her."

All images above are © ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Dad at night

2010-03-22T21:59:00.002-05:00

My dad kicks ass. Here is another photo of him and his horse, Blackjack, out on the farm. I photographed him for a particular concept (which inevitably didn't work - hey, we all have failed concepts, right?). We're planning a trip to Montana in a few months to see my dad get married and to visit my brother Kevin. I will try a second attempt at my 'failed' concept in Montana instead of here in below zero weather in Illinois.

Beautiful new view of this city

2010-03-22T20:55:00.002-05:00

It is always a treat photograph someone on the very top floor of a brand new skyscraper at 353 North Clark. You get to see this amazing city from a bird's eye view and have such a beautiful quality of light. What's even more amazing is when it's a view of the city that you've never seen before. We're looking south and down onto the amazing Marina Towers and looking north-northwest towards the Gold Coast. I wonder if they'll let me rent a small corner of the floor for my studio?

2010 Green Awards

2010-03-19T19:25:00.000-05:00

Here are a handful of portraits that I created for Chicago Magazine. As always, the fantastic Megan Lovejoy gave me some great ideas to springboard off of and I hope you enjoy the final results! This was all shot in studio and lit entirely with tightly spotted strobes. The smoke was artistically controlled by Mark "Fog Man" Doddato and the wardrobe was lovingly styled and primped by Courtney "I'll make you fashion forward" Rust. Happy Spring!!!

Sometimes, I'm not a photographer

2010-03-08T10:32:00.001-06:00

Sleeping on the job

2010-03-01T12:00:00.002-06:00

Here are some behind the scenes from last week's campaign with DraftFCB. We had a blast shooting inside of a pimp ride with our hilarious talent (who endured hours of acting like he was sleeping (in a not so comfortable position).
Thank you to my clients for just being awesome and for another fantastic crew (Mark, Neil, Brian, Courtney, Ashley and Brandi!!) Stay tuned to see the final image(s)!

photos by Brian Guido ------ If you can't view the gallery above click here