I was hired to do cinematgraphy for the Libbey Glass Master’s Reserve series by RP Agency.
It has been a great experience working on these shoots/sets. Working with real actors and talent, to food styling, and also working along side commercial photographer Jim Rohman was an honor. We have shot each video at a different location, a casino, a downtown Detroit restaurant to a hotel. I love working with a group of creative people that you vibe with, and understand you as a person. It all seems to blend together and work smoothy. This is one of the bigger video projects that I have been apart of in my career. To be able to see what RP’s video editor did with the footage was amazing. This was also new to me to release my footage over to someone to edit, but the level of work that RP editor can put out is beyond my level…So sometimes you have to be able to let go of the levers for the greater good of the project. As a creative you can’t do it all, and in this project is was key to have each person focus on their strengths, and not over multitask.
From well planned out pre-pro meetings, to shottlist references, to call sheet shooting schedules this project was a huge success in my books, and is very helpful for a subcontractor on a job. Im looking forward to future gigs with RP in the future!
Links to videos :
Master’s Reserve - Renaissance
Master’s Reserve - Prism
Master’s Reserve - Rivere
I recently have been inspired to start shooting in the moment types of images. I do a lot of commercial/advertising where I set up 3-4 lights and takes about an 1-2 hours to setup one shot. Taking these in the moment shots give you a different type of feeling. They have a lot of soul, feeling and emotion to them. Im forsure digging the timeless look of these, and can’t wait to keep expanding this black & white series of images on my site. I absolutey love setting up a ton of strobes and shooting that way, but this is nice to create an images in a different manner. This all came on because of watching www.photoschool.com and watching the videos of Arto Saari and Estevan oriole are their work.
I recently picked up a Fuji X100 camera to wear around my neck and take random snaps on the go. Its exciting to shoot the way I did when I first fell in love with photography.
This series was a night in Toledo, Ohio in the bike shop. My buddy Ken and Brian work on motorcycles their, and I wanted to stop out and grab some snaps of them while they were working. Brains son Liam was also there hanging out watching his old man.
- Nick
12.13.15
2015 Year in Review
It has been one hell of a year. The most important thing I learned was to start shooting more of what I love and cut out the stuff I don’t..Its more of a Fuck Yes or Fuck No mentality. If you don’t love what your shooting then simply don’t waste your time. You will get what you put out as for work your showing. I understand at times as photographers we need to shoot that family photo, or wedding to pay the bills but let yourself fall into that rut of thinking its ok..You won’t get to where you want to be as a shooter. I must say this isn’t exactly my idea of knowledge it was inspired from my photography workshop I attended by FStoppers in the Bahamas. This was a trip that helped kick my ass into gear and get on track with my work. I since having been pushing my work towards motorcycle photography as my niche and doing my commercial/advertising work. My creative down time personal shoots are revolved around motorcycles. It has been paying off slow and shortly and can’t wait for it to sky rocket.
This year marked me being back in Toledo for almost 2 years now coming up in Feb. Im happy here and content with the business I receive here. Im looking to travel and shoot a lot more come 2016 but Toledo will be my home base.
Its always great when the year comes to an end for me. Its my chance to take a look back at all the work I did and see all the clients Ive worked for. It totally motivates me to think ok…how can I even do better this next year, how can I beat my income revenue, how many things can I complete of my bucket list etc…Which for 2016 is to book a client shoot in LA, get punished in a magazine 2 times, go on a cruise just a few things still need to work on that list.
I feel as a photographer health plays a important part in business. If you feel healthy you’ll be more productive, Ive been cutting back on the drinking and going out on the weekends and spending that time being productive either spending a few extra hours at the studio, or doing planning for future projects, or jamming music at home while I clean, or checking out photography sites…Its way more rewarding and inspiring then having hangovers each weekend. When you feel like a million bucks your work will show, you will show up in that light in the things you put your energy into!
In wrap up of my ramble, Id just like to say it has been a great 2015 with all the shoots, and clients Ive worked for and looking forward to 2016 and learning even more, expanding, and reaching new heights that surprise me Ive reached.
Grip&Rip
- Nick
