Destination: Relaxation

Spas generally provide an incredible opportunity for creating stunning work. Here's a few selections from some recently completed work in the Caribbean.

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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...

All Roads Lead West

There are times when a client will ask me to photograph "location" or "destination" images in order to help sell the location of their property. Rarely are the destinations as beautiful as what the American Southwest has to offer. Other than the ubiquitous pool shot on the actual property, landscapes become obvious points of interest for the lens in this part of the world. This was a rare pleasure.

I Shoot People In The Face With A Canon...

...A Canon camera, that is.

(shot recently in Charleston, South Carolina)

For me, it means being able to offer my clients the best images in any area of photography. I am confident I can provide a great product, and my work speaks for itself. Having the ability to shoot both architecture and lifestyle is a great advantage for hotel, resort and real estate clients.

And they are two aspects of photography at which I can confidently say I'm very good.

To all clients and potential clients:

Yes, I'll shoot your architectural needs or your lifestyle models, but keep in mind that being able to combine those shoots into one package, have it done well and delivered on time not only saves you headaches, it's cost effective (and who isn't concerned about cost these days?)

Plus, I've recently started to shoot HD video for clients as well. More on this topic later. It's all about being able to adapt. Isn't that Darwin?

Candy-Pop!

Earlier this month I had the pleasure of collaborating with an incredible makeup artist, Michelle Gonzales and Dana Deggs, a young but talented model who has a very bright future ahead of her in this industry. The concept was simple, bright colors that pop off the screen...like visual candy.

Raw Talent

Last Friday, I had the pleasure of being the official photographer for the Sushi Masters Competition held at the Alliance Francaise de Miami.  As a lover of sushi myself, I was amazed at the creations these chefs came up with.  I thought I'd share a few pictures of the event.

If you've ever seen Iron Chef on television, it would give you a good idea of the atmosphere and the type of exciting event this was.  Four master sushi chefs;  Nestor Espartero of Sushi Bistro Ocala, Tareshi Kamoira of Tokyo Sushi, Toshi Furihata of Moshi Moshi and Hiro Asano of Abokado Sushi, competed against each other and a 45 minute time-clock.  The results then go to a panel of judges where modern style, presentation, technical skills and taste were judged.

Toshi Furihata of Moshi Moshi claimed the $2,500 prize and will now compete at the finals in Los Angeles.

Wedding Photographer?

What do you get when you take a seasoned architectural photographer out of his element and place him in the world of wedding photography?  I'm not quite sure, but everything turned out amazing!  I've been trying on my photography hat in different arenas lately.  Professional wedding photographer is the latest.

Last week I had the opportunity of creating some great images on a very special day for Anne-Marie and Ryan.  They were both incredibly easy and fun to work for and they gave me free reign to shoot in any way I wanted.  When does that ever happen?  

Thankfully, more and more wedding photography is steering away from the stiff, contrived and overly composed.  It's becoming much more documentary and editorial in feel.  Something I truly appreciate.  The way I see it, why not shoot a wedding this way?  After all, it's a day of celebration and should be documented as such.

So, anyone need a wedding photographer?

  

Mobile to Mobile

I can officially say that something has come full-circle in my photography career.  During college and for part of my 'Senior Project', I photographed mobile homes.  That is, I photographed the very front-ends of them and arranged them in a grid form, much like Bernd & Hilla Becher.  The idea sort of took on a life of it's own.  To begin with, I was shooting with a Hasselblad, which has a square format.  The subjects themselves were square and the grouping on the wall when hung for gallery space was also square.  Another strange thing (pointed out to me when I finished the project) is the fact that the total number of images was 81.  All arranged in a square grid.  9 across.  9 down.  It's the number 9 that apparently has numerological significance (I'll leave the reader to research).

Last Spring while on location for a client in Virginia, I was asked to photograph a mobile home.  Truthfully, it's actually a camper.  Close enough.  I figured I had genuine experience shooting this subject so I was rather excited by the challenge.  So, pulling from both the artistic and advertising sides of my brain I came up with the above shot.  It was photographed pre-dawn, it was very cold outside and I had to use my rental Buick as a prop.  The moon in the shot was not planned.  Just a gift.