Here is a recent shoot we did for Campbell Ewald for USPS' Deliver Magazine. We had a blast shooting at the wonderfully colorful Bubbleland laundromat here in Chicago as well creating the outdoor "set" on location in Humboldt Park. 
Producer: Emily Herr
Styling: Julie Tallarida
Makeup/Hair: Ashley Bourdon
Assistants: Mark D, T. Harrison, Mike C
Models: Ife and Tommy from Planet Earth
Do you have a great concept that needs to be photographed? And do you wanna work with a kick ass team? Call in the Ryan Robinson Studio S.W.A.T. Team! Here's an outtake from a fun shoot we just did with AbelsonTaylor and Charley, the super-fantastic Art Director.
The wonderful folks across the big pond at Tendencias Fashion Magazine have graciously featured me and my photography for their current issue (in print and online). If you're in Spain (Oh, man, do I wish I was back in Barcelona) be sure to pick up a copy. I believe you may also find it on the racks around Europe and occasionally in the States, at those special magazine stores. In anycase, it's pretty cool!
So, it's the middle of April and it is still in the upper 30s outside (my arms are crossed and my brow is furrowed as I say this). We are SO in need of a beach vacation. But the way things are going here at the studio, the sun, sand and surf will just have to wait. Unless, of course, you have the ability to bring the beach to the studio like we did for Time Out today! Sizzzzzling hot! 
But Modern Postcard is!!
Thank you Modern Postcard for recognizing me and my passion for photography! Modern Postcard has been the ONLY place I've trusted for our promotional pieces. Speed, accuracy and great customer service! Check out this month's PDN Magazine for a slick full page ad that includes an image of mine! 
Its a long one, but a fun one to watch. Three days of set building to capture a couple moments in time (and space). We had a blast shooting Dean for his upcoming performance during Collaboraction’s annual SKETCHBOOK Festival. Check out their site here for more information about Collaboraction and this year's SKETCHBOOK schedule! DO NOT MISS IT!!!!
And we found a hole in the process! I think the easiest way would have been to find a location and dig a hole. But, instead, we found a hole and built a location!
We had another great shoot this weekend for the USPS. Here's a sneak peak at the original concept as well as another time lapse of the setup with a few shots that I did for myself. The final image for the client is finished and I'm SO EXCITED to see it printed! You'll just have to wait and see what led this man to dig, dig, dig!
And once again, I was all hands on this by scouting the hole (thanks Ife), designing the simple set, styling the wardrobe and the final retouching (which at one point was a 1.25GB file in Photoshop!) Yowzahs!
We just wrapped a FANTASTIC and ENLIGHTENING shoot for the USPS today at the ultra-colorful Bubbleland here in Chicago! Ife (our amazing model) kicked some serious ass, as well as our amazing team Emily, Julie T, Ashley, Mark and Michael. Can't wait to see the final images all clean and polished!
Pick up the latest issue of ESPN Magazine to see a portrait I shot of the executives of Fatheads, a fun, campy and innovative company that creates those HUGE life-size decals for your walls, ceiling, car, or pretty much anywhere you want! We had a blast with the Fatheads at their headquarters, especially dodging their nurf darts and getting a head-rush from their slushy machine!
So, I've been shooting time lapse images of my work in the studio and realized that it is a great way for others to get a sense of my personal shoots. The video below gives you a glimpse into a shoot that I did yesterday in the studio. It took about 12 total hours to build the simple set and a couple more hours to shoot and play around. Reiterating the importance of being resourceful and using/learning new skills (other than pressing a shutter button) in order to keep your creative compact fluorescent lightbulb in the "on" position.
We just got back from an insanely adventurous week in Columbus shooting anything and everything UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship). Thanks to an amazing team (Lisa, Seth & Mark) and also to Jim who owns the Mug and Brush for letting us take over the shop for a portrait! If you're looking for a trim or a good shave the next time you're in Columbus, Ohio, be sure to stop in!
That's me checking in on my current issue of Boys Life magazine.
And, there I am again sippin on the world's best orange-carrot-ginger blend from Northstar. Although it looks like I'm drinking a cup of orange tempera paint, it's quite tasty and highly addictive. I'm yearning for my own home juicing machine really bad.
We're about to head out on location again for an action-packed, star-studded 4 day shoot. I'm already getting butterflies about creating powerful portraits some of the world's toughest fighters. Perhaps they'll teach me some new tricks to kick some more ass! Perhaps!
I just won't tell them about my butterflies or they'll think I'm some sort of fancy-pants city boy (wait a second . . .)
There's nothing like a day filled with nudity, fishnets, GIANT martini shakers, horribly wonderful fake scenery and a Liza Minnelli fanatic with 5 personalities trapped in her head. Wacky as all hell. This is Shanna (AKA Lorraine). She has a brilliant new show coming up at Davenports in Wicker Park that you must must must go see. I'll be sure to post more when the show dates and times are available.
In these bumpy economic times just remember that there is an entire population (likely around 80% of the world) who barely have the resources to eat, and live their lives to the fullest. And trying to start a business is next to impossible for anyone in a developing country. My point is (not to sound preachy) with a week's worth of Starbucks Mocha Pocha Chatta Lattes you could help lead hopeful women and men, across the globe, in reaching their goal to start their own business, which will enhance the quality of life for them and their communities.
Enter Microfinancing and the world of Kiva. A whole new level of hope and charity. Truly the way a charity should work with modern internet resources and technology. They had me at hello. I've recently joined up with Kiva in a quest to do more with what I have, even if it isn't very much. To find out more about Kiva, check out their extremely intuitive website here.
We're back in the studio for less than 10 hours and now we're off to another shoot. Motor City here we come!
Also this is my 200th post on the blog! Kick ass!! Beers are on me tonight!
Be sure to pick up the latest issue of Chicago Magazine which features their ever-popular Salaries Issue. Curious about what that CEO makes? How much dough that baker brings in, or what those hard-working non-profit saints can pull in? You'll find it there!
You'll also find a portrait that I photographed of NBC 5's lovely and beautiful reporter/anchor Anna Davlantes. Pick up a copy to learn more about her and her new show! This image was created at the amazing International Museum of Surgical Science here in Chicago. The IMSS is a wonderful place to get lost in the world of surgical science. Stare at softball sized gall stones, peek into the Iron Lung, or gaze upon towering statues in the Hall of Immortals. Definitely a place to see here in Chicago! This shot was styled by Julie Tallarida with an amazing wardrobe provided by Maria Pinto, which was impressively complimented by the makeup and hair styled by Ashley Bourdon.
On the road again! Although, I wish we were headed to a warm tropical climate. Instead, we'll just have to settle with southern Indiana. Oh well! See you in a few days!
Here are the 2009 Spring portfolios! This time, we transitioned from a landscape tabloid size to a more user-friendly 12x15 inch format which, when opened, gives the viewer a fantastic 24x15 inch spread! As an important necessity, the books have the ability to be updated with new images and re-paginated at any moment. This is especially important since I'm constantly building my portfolio (both online and printed). 
The books were a collaborative effort. The hand-honed birch covers were crafted by a friend, the skeleton of each book is a modified Pina Zangaro screwpost cover (in white) and the paper was supplied by InkPress out of Brooklyn, NY and was trimmed, scored and punched by the amazing Rohner Press here in Chicago.
Our next phase of this redesign will include a set of pocket-sized versions of these wooden beauties (for clients) and a mega-oversized printed book just for in-studio viewing.
Thank you to everyone that showed up to hear me speak at the Apple Store here in Chicago last night! New faces, great friends and a wealth of talented photographers were present! And a special thanks to APA for creating such a great opportunity and to the generosity of ModernPostcard, MyEmma, Data Robotics and PaperChase Printing for extending a discount for those that attended.
Special thanks also goes out to my underarm deodorant for the wetness protection.
I will be speaking at the Apple Store here in the Windy City on Monday, February 16th @ 7:00PM - 8:00PM. I'll be sharing the stories behind the images, my path to becoming a photographer and the happy "mistakes" that have built the foundation of my portfolio and identity. In addition, I will talk about the importance of developing your portfolio, being resourceful, and keeping busy during the itchy economic times.
Plus, those that attend will receive shiny discounts from industry brands that I use and trust!
Look what just arrived in the mail today! My model, Pepe, from Bolivia! He's part of a new concept image I'm working on. I just can't wait to photograph him and his little buddy who is still inside the package! Keep tuned for his final resting place in my portfolio!!
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