I Shot A Bank And Didn't Get Arrested

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Recently photographed for UBS Financial Services. This is the new location in Boca Raton, FL.

A beautifully simple interior with interior glass walls that allow the Florida sunlight into the entire space.

Lemons To Lemonade

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It seems I'm 46 years too late to catch Cassius Clay (Muhammad Ali) beating Sonny Liston at this very site. Not to mention that I'd be much older than I am if I'd had that chance.

This shot was commissioned by the Miami Beach Convention Center and Visitors Bureau earlier this year. I think it's a much improved version of their old one (click here) that has yet to be updated at the time of this writing.

I'm always happy to be handed lemons and make some lemonade.

New Heights

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Photography is usually all about problem solving. In this case, on a recent assignment in Missouri, I was faced with photographing an exterior that was on an elevation. From ground level, the shot would have missed all the waterfalls, pools and landscaping, and created some horrible distortion that would probably never look "corrected."

The only solution: hire a boom-lift to get over the trees and into a vantage point for the most flattering view. I don't particularly enjoy heights, so whenever I have to hang out of a helicopter or get 70 feet into the air in a boom, I'm cautious. However, I'll usually do anything for my clients and the right shot. I've even been known to investigate shooting from rooftop edges or buildings that are under construction. Who would've thought I'd need a hard hat as part of my photo gear?

Whether photographing people or architecture, there's always an angle that looks best. Sometimes I need to do unconventional things to get there. It's part of what makes being a photographer so enjoyable. Problem solving that doesn't involve math. That's my kind of job.

Bend It Like Beckham

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A recent project landed me at a beautiful private home in South Miami to photograph furniture. This was one of those projects that definitely doesn't come around often enough.

We did a quick scout of the property a few days beforehand and I was instantly excited about the project. A lush, tropical mix of huge breezeways with artifacts collected from around the world. Huge coral tiles, shades of soft green, blue and yellow mixed in with punches of red and bright whites. There was an instant sense of well-being here. Outdoor, tropical living at its best. This private residence is everything that South Florida homes should be, but too often are not.

No need for art direction prop-shopping. Anyone interested in tasteful design would be at home here.

The furniture is made by Lloyd Loom, based in the UK. The project was photographed for Beckham & Issa Fine Furnishings, based in Miami. Beckham & Issa are the exclusive representatives of Lloyd Loom Furniture here in the U.S., Caribbean, Latin and South America. I could try to explain it better, but here's a direct link to read about it.

Human Scale

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When an image is lacking a sense of proportion, one of the easiest tricks is to add a person into the shot. Hotels and resorts often require an image with and without the human element, like the one I shot here for the Eden Roc in Miami Beach. Our 5' 11" concierge that volunteered to model proves how intentionally oversized the space is. It somehow feels a little more "grand".

Eden...Roc on!

Re-emerging from its mid-50's splendor, the Eden Roc Beach Resort and Spa has recently re-opened after an 18 month, $200 million renovation and expansion.

Eden Roc is easily one of the most iconic resorts in Miami Beach. It was designed in 1956 by renowned architect, Morris Lapidus (who also designed the famous Fountainbleau next door). Many episodes of "I Love Lucy" were shot here. You can also envision Sinatra and the rest of the Rat-Pack stumbling down the corridors balancing a glass of scotch, 50 years before.

If these walls could talk...

I was happy to see that most of the renovation was a simple face-lift (besides the new tower addition), and kept the soul of Lapidus' design intact. The Baroque Revival design Lapidus was known for is most evident in the lobby, with the rosewood columns and eccentric floating ceiling to which they connect (pictured above).

If only every project I photograph could be this inspiring at 4:30am...