Showing posts with label seattle. Show all posts
Showing posts with label seattle. Show all posts

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Javas & Gordini


Several years ago I had the chance to see an apartment in capitol hill that I would never forget. I met a random kid outside the Ben Lomand building smoking cigarettes who happened to be subletting it from the owner; Gordon Brown (better known as Gordini by friends). It was a four bedroom apartment filled with his art work as well as rare relics of the past from all over the world. Each room having a specific theme and color palette. I always wanted to do a photo shoot there but never thought id have the chance. Years later, I have become good friends with Javas Lehn who ended up being Gordini's godson. He invited us to spend some time in the apartment with him and told us more about his late godfathers amazing life.

Gordon served in World War 2 as a Navy officer. Later in life he went on to doing interior design for the Frederick and Nelson department store. He eventually decided to devote his life to art/writing/travel and spent the last forty years of his life doing this. Last night Javas had one final get together with our friends at Gordons apartment before he moves to NYC. I planned a portrait for him of all of us inside my favorite room of the apartment. The White Room. Im extremely happy to get to have this memory of Gordon's place and good friends. You can read more about Gordon Summers Brown in his Obituary and his Book (To No Nameless End) which is available on Amazon.

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Spencer Moody


Had a chance to photograph Spencer Moody of The Murder City Devils/Triumph of Lethargy on his last day of running his store The Anne Bonny. After 3.5 years he has decided to move on with other interests. Hopefully more music! I'm glad he still had the 9 foot cross in tact on the day we shot. One of my favorite pieces seen at the Anne Bonny over the years.

Thursday, August 5, 2010

Stranger Cover/Approaching a Portrait


Very excited to receive this week's Stranger Cover with my film portrait of Stan Rumbaugh. I'm really happy with the results & wanted to reflect on the assignment a bit on my blog. I think most photographers agree you never want to attempt "the same" shot twice; nor can you. My portrait of now Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn during last years election time worked out really well. It was the right combination of photo/pose/personality. When asked to do something similar last week for Stan I immediately got a bit worried. Obviously he is different than Mike and I didn't want the shots to look exactly the same with editing, although the crop would also be a head shot. In the end I'm glad I tried something a bit different and I think it worked to show Stan as a positive approachable guy. Not just a cheesy Politician's head shot. Vote Rumbaugh!

Friday, July 30, 2010

Photo Of The Day: KJ By Dan Carilllo


Had the pleasure of being shot by Seattle Photographer Dan Carillo. Dan has been working on a series of Northwest Artist Portraits shot using his 11x14 DearDorf View Camera. The camera has been modified to shoot 8x10 Wet Plate Collodion Ambrotypes which is what you see above. Truly an honor to be part of the series and even cooler to watch the process in action. I really respect the amount of time and patience these portraits require from both Dan and the subjects (Some exposures requiring stillness for 5-10 seconds). Check out more of his work here: Dan Carillo Flickr

Monday, July 26, 2010

Photo Of The Day: Greenwood


I love when I see a good moment unfolding and actually have the camera I want on me. This was taken in Greenwood after leaving a job.

Thursday, July 8, 2010

Abandoned Tomb in South Seattle


Well..Not an abandoned tomb exactly but an art installation entitled Tomb by Lars aka No Touching Ground. Him & NKO (Neko) recently collaborated with a friend/Photographer Dan Hawkins to make the piece in an anonymous south seattle abandoned factory. Jen Graves wrote a nice piece in the Stranger awhile back HERE. I recently toured the space myself and got a few photos for my own record. Few of the digitals:




Thursday, May 6, 2010

Portland Mercury/Seattle Stranger/Keep It Light


Had the oppurtunity to travel down south to my home away from home Portland, OR. Shooting our Seattle Stranger's sister paper s (The Portland Mercury) Spring Fashion Issue: Open Season Article.



This was a fun shoot although it definitely turned into more of a challenge/adventure than we had planned. After getting to our original scouted location up in the sketchy winding logging roads to find a freak May 1st snowstorm we had to find an all new location (Stylist wasnt digging the Snow Filled Spring Vibe) and start shooting much later than planned. Even with the mishaps/NW weather, I'm happy with what we pulled off. No the guns were not my idea..nor my favorite idea but it was fun to watch Jay (The Owner) shoot them in the woods.

Also feels really cool to see my good friend/Keep It Light Collective member Lauren Max getting this week's Seattle Stranger cover. Featuring a photo of none other than our fellow KIL member Ryan Furbush . Good things are happenin! cheers to more and more!

Friday, April 16, 2010

Charlotte Gainsbourg


Truly a dream come true shooting Charlotte Gainsbourg. So refreshing to meet such an incredible talent (Film/Music/Etc..) who is still so genuine, friendly, and a bit shy. I had a brief portrait opportunity after her in studio performance with KEXP. The top photo was my favorite of the 3 frames I shot. Urghh and did I mention that accent :P haha (sorry katie =) )

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Short Films & Coffee


I am beyond excited for this Sunday. Even a bit nervous. I was asked to speak at the first in a new series The Blue Scholars & Cafe Vita are putting on "The Process Series/Short Films & Coffee" Small invite events featuring local Filmmakers giving a look into their process on a specific work. This month's theme is film inspired by music.

Jake One "HOME" Music Video from Zia Mohajerjasbi on Vimeo.

Speaking among two of my biggest Seattle creative inspirations (Chase Jarvis/Zia Mohajerjasbi) will be a really special event.

Patrick Wright & I will be screening and discussing our HisStory Music Video we recently completed for ONEBELO.

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Mia Loomba Design


Its always cool to see people progress and moving forward with their goals in their own field. Mia Loomba reached out to me over a year ago about shooting her final outfits for her 2010 AIS Fashion Design Graduation. It was cool to shoot for someone who has followed my work the last few years and felt like it was the right fit for her own designs. Here is a few from the first half of our shoot. Worked with Giselle again who is always a pleasure and such a young talent.



Thursday, March 11, 2010

Mobile Upload


I was asked by SPIN Magazines SPIN EARTH sector to be part of a new project with other Music Photographers across the globe. We are using Nokia's new N97 Mini to document life as we see it. Including uploading anything from music related videos/photos to random people or things we do. Im loving the phone so far.. did i mention it has a 5mp Flash Camera with a CARL ZEISS Lens. I hope my new NYC Area Code is a sign of things to come..

Ill start posting the photos and videos from this bad boy soon!

Friday, February 26, 2010

DAZED & Confused


Waiting to find a physical copy to scan but extremely stoked to have had a job for one of my favorite Fashion/Music Publications. DAZED & Confused Magazine.

I shot Mike aka Perfume Genius. Dont let the name throw ya, his music is extremely special and unique. Spending a day with Mike was interesting. He was one of those talents who really doesn't realize it and strictly makes music in his spare time.

He has had some personal troubles over the last few years and now stays kind of reclusive living outside the city working at a Fred Meyers. However, If this feature is any indication, I think his music is finally about to spread whether he likes it to or not.

Friday, January 15, 2010

B.A.B.Y & Binary


Nashid aka ONEBELO, formally of Binary Star has become a good friend of mine over the years. Thanks to meeting him through some mutual friends about 5 or 6 years back he became the first musician I ever took a portrait of. We have since shot over 5 different portrait sessions and I have gotten to travel to Michigan to see his home town. This week my buddy Patrick and I will be shooting a music video for his new Album B.A.B.Y (Being a Black Youth). I really think this album could be his best work to date and am excited to create a visual to match the themes and mood of the album. Its a really positive piece of music that shows Lo's evolving skill on the mic but more importantly his ties to community, world problems, and helping youth.

Ill be posting the video when we finish but for now here are a few old photos of him I still really enjoy as well as the flier for this weekends Binary Star show. If you never caught the group in their prime come out to nectar for this rare chance to see the duo performing. Could be the last time it happens in Seattle.

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

$5 Cover Seattle


I'm stoked to see the $5 Cover Seattle Trailer is finally out HERE: VIMEO LINK
Working on this was a blast and its gonna be really cool to watch it online. Seeing some of my good friends bands all melded together into Lynn's work. I also am proud to have my first MTV Photo Credit in this months Seattle Magazine; Tear Sheet posted at the top of this entry.

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

Bad Luck & Shabazz

Sorry for the slight delay in blogging lately..Had a stroke of bad luck losing my house keys and having my Macbooks HD Randomly fail and crash...

Im finally back on my feet and working on the stack of photos I have to edit this week. Also planning a lot of fun shooting in the next few weeks.

Had the pleasure of working with one of my favorite groups of 2009 for this weeks Stranger Lead Music Feature. Featuring Ish from Digable Planets; Shabazz Palaces records were some of the illest hiphop to come out of anywhere in the US last year, let alone seattle. Im stoked for their first live show this friday. These were my favorite two from the shoot. They wished to keep their faces hidden which is why both dont show any face detail.

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

The Morrison Holiday Portraits


I volunteered to help Katie's Mom with a special Xmas gift for the residents of The Morrison. They offer apartments for around 200 chronically home-less people suffering to overcome addiction, mental disease and financial troubles keeping them on the streets. These people were so excited to have their portraits taken for Xmas gifts to their friends/family.

That first photo is Skip. Although he normally is extremely quiet and doesn't talk much with other residents/volunteers he was soo excited to talk shop about photography. He shot sports for a living years ago. We talked about lens's, films, strobes and everything else. He didnt want a Christmas tree portrait but offered to let me snap a few against this wall.

It felt great knowing how grateful these people were for such a simple Christmas photo. Looking forward to spending more time @ The Morrison and doing more photo projects with the residents.

Thanks to Nas for helping out and assisting all day!
A few of my favorites from the afternoon:




Friday, December 11, 2009

3 Shows in Seattle! you SHOULD Attend

Its been a great month of art shows and there is 3 more you really should attend if you find yourself in Seattle this month.

First and Foremost.. Shameless Self Plug. Come check out a few of my prints as well other amazing NW Talent Andrew Waits, Aya Sato, April Brimer & Christine Hahn @ The Winners Circle this coming thursday night. Holiday Party/Photos.. Not sure what everyones showing but 1 of my favs from each photographer:
KJ:

April Brimer:

Christine Hahn

Andrew Waits:

Aya Sato



2nd-My buddy Robin from Flexions is also a very talented artist aside from his music. His photographic prints from his most recent project: Trace. A photographic journey through the Ohio River Valley and Appalachians following early American westward migration routes." are currently on display at the Ursa Minor Pop Up Gallery @ 3308 E Spring St. Seattle, WA until January 5th.


Lastly, my friend Jay Clark whose opinion/art i respect so much is showing at Moksha this coming Friday Night. Definitely swing by and see some work from Jay. This guy is full of ideas and knowledge and puts much more real thought into a show than most people I know. No samples to show of what hes showing yet...

Friday, December 4, 2009

Zloggin down hills




Took a nice hilly ride with my buddy Zach of ZLOG Blog yesterday on my day off. I love the feel of riding a bike on these crisp clear winter days. A few shots from the afternoon.