A Well Dressed Woman Is Always Dangerous

Last spring, I worked with Kristen Elmer of Silk & Cyanide again (previously here) to develop a lookbook for her new line. I ventured through the streets of New York with a team of models and stylists to capture the essence of a busy working woman. We then set up inside a midtown cigar bar to get a handful of dramatic interior shots. Ultimately, the goal was to emphasize a classic style that transitions easily from day to night, a collection "designed for dynamic and confident women that lead active work and social lives."

The rich reds, the mahogany hand-carved bookcases, and the general vibe of the location was fantastic. The lighting was definitely challenging but it's always exciting to experiment with various lighting patterns to achieve different effects.

Sunsets and Seashells

Last summer, I had the great opportunity to work with author Emily Morgan on her Next Time You See book series from NSTA Kids. Emily had three photographers working on the project. Seth Patterson focused mainly on the up close and personal nature shots and Judd Patterson provided a variety of landscape photography. As the third photographer, I produced a selection of images that featured children and adults interacting with sunsets and seashells. Below are the images that were selected for use in the book.

So, the next time you see a beautiful sunset or come across a crazy looking seashell on the shore, remember Emily's message that "you don't have to look far to find something remarkable in nature." You can check out both books on Amazon.com by clicking the titles below.

Next Time You See a Seashell

Next Time You See a Sunset

A Different Kind of Portrait

I just had a really successful photo shoot with Silk & Cyanide for some of their upcoming products and—once I sort through them all—I'm excited to share those photos with you! In the meantime, here is a collection where I have captured people portrayed in various ways without focusing on their faces. From in-studio to more natural environments, it's amazing how different emotions can emanate from such simple gestures.

You've Gotta Update Your Fairy Tale, Baby

Last night I watched the funny rom-com Friends with Benefits. Your standard boy meets girl and they fall in love but don't realize it until a grand-gesture-at-the-end kind of a movie. I laughed, I cried, and shockingly, I was inspired (yes inspired by a cheesy rom-com!)

Jamie (Mila Kunis) is hooked on the idea of the classic fairy tale. She wants Prince Charming to come in and sweep her off her feet. But her mom tells her: "That's not who you want. I mean, you're looking for a man to be your partner. Someone you can take on the world with. You've gotta update your fairy tale, baby." Love it!

In light of this rom-com inspiration, I remembered a project I worked on last year. OK so it wouldn't be super great if the updated version of Snow White turned out to be a depressed addict but these images are evidence that life doesn't have just one formulaic, storybook ending; that things change; and that sometimes the unexpected can make life a little more interesting.