How I used a personal project to learn a new skill, gain confidence directing behind the camera, and even open a few doors for new work. So often working in this business you can be more of a tool for someone else’s creative vision than of you own. In order to maintain my creative drive I try my best to jump out of that box with side or what you might call personal projects. For myself, I wouldn’t say the motivation would be to gain more work from these projects but more so to just connect with something inspiring.  If I can learn something new, have … [Read more...]

How I used a personal project to learn a new skill, gain confidence directing behind the camera, and even open a few doors for new work. So often working in this business you can be more of a tool for someone else’s creative vision than of you own. In order to maintain my creative drive I try my best to jump out of that box with side or what you might call personal projects. For myself, I wouldn’t say the motivation would be to gain more work from these projects but more so to just connect with something inspiring.  If I can learn something new, have … [Read more...]

  virtual portraits photographed by Jonas Jungblut   Jonas Jungblut Heidi: Is this satisfying your creative spirit? Jonas: Overall I have to say I’ve had an incredible boost in creative thinking and sense of opportunity through this thing. I always preach that if you want to move forward you want to go down the rapids, less comfort but faster progress. This really feels like that. Just this morning, by 10 am, I had done a portrait session in Capetown, Lugano, Switzerland, Antigua and Los Angeles, pretty exhilarating. Describe the project. This … [Read more...]

Louise Hagger Who printed it? ​ A Carp in the Tub Fold Out Identity Print Booklet Mixam Print, A Year in Food annuals Mixam Print Who designed it? All designed by Owen Evans Tell me about the images? A Carp in the Tub: “If you want to take a bath, do it today; I’m bringing the carp tomorrow and it lives in the tub till Easter,” said Natalia helpfully. WAIT. Easter is three months away. A Carp in the Tub is an artist collaboration by Food Stylist Victoria Granof, Photographer Louise Hagger and Prop Stylist JoJo Li. In words, pictures and recipes, … [Read more...]

  Part 1. The Intro   Why do people travel? Why do we go places? Right now, it’s a good question, because we can’t. Go places. (Those of us not headed to “life essential” jobs each day, I mean.) Speaking of which, two of my former photo students work at the local Smith’s Grocery store. I haven’t been there in three weeks, but I’m assuming they’re still at it, and hope they’re safe. Big shout outs to Jason and Dylan! And to my father-in-law Mike, and sister-in-law Jemery, who are both Taos doctors. The … [Read more...]

The Art of the Personal Project is a crucial element to let potential buyers see how you think creatively on your own.  I am drawn to personal projects that have an interesting vision or that show something I have never seen before.  In this thread, I’ll include a link to each personal project with the artist statement so you can see more of the project. Please note: This thread is not affiliated with any company; I’m just featuring projects that I find.  Please DO NOT send me your work.  I do not take submissions.   Today’s … [Read more...]

Sometimes you think you’ve shot just about everything!! I got a call from an Art Director I had worked with before, telling me that he’s now at a new agency. The agency he was at lost a big account, so everyone got the proverbial boot! If you professionals out there ever thought that being a free-lance photographer was/is a precarious occupation, you should try being an Art Director back in the day. Your portfolio was always up to date and under your desk. You went home on Friday after a successful meeting with the client (third in agency billing) who had … [Read more...]

Joe Pugliese Heidi: Which was your first image, and how did they build on one another? Joe: I started with a couple of my immediate neighbors, who are longtime friends and collaborators. As with all personal work, for me the biggest challenge is just getting the ball rolling. There is a huge unknown of what it will feel like to make the work and how the subjects will receive the experience. As I did a few of them, it became clear that it felt good and that I was being reposnsible in terms of my safety and that of my subjects, so I continued to reach out. What was … [Read more...]

Myles McGuinness Who printed it? PaperChase Who designed it? Me, I used my previous design skills as an Art Director. Tell me about the images? Series of images captured for Tahiti Tourism’s “Embraced by Mana” campaign. The ad featured opposing micro and macro photos. Ad headlines read: MOVE / BE MOVED As the Cradle of Polynesian Culture, The Islands of Tahiti are alive with expressions of craftsmanship, traditions, and history. Come immerse yourself and discover what it means to be Embraced By Mana. Lots of great energy with this group of local … [Read more...]

  It was hard to motivate today. (That’s the truth.) I get so much joy from this column, all year long, but there are always one or two dips, per year, when my strategic-creativity-reserve drops precipitously. I’m not alone, as most of you don’t want to work today either. (I’m writing on Thursday, as deadlines are deadlines.) We’re living through exceptional times, and it takes so much mental and physical energy just to process it all without going crazy. Let’s call it 60% of our total energy output? Throw in parenting, … [Read more...]