Shooting In The Rain

January 24, 2010 by vard · Leave a Comment 

Still trying to decide if we’re headed out to shoot in Oak St. Part of me thinks it would rock…the other part wonders how much water the studio gear is designed to withstand…?

I’ll figure this out soon…

A Few Recent Good Times

January 23, 2010 by vard · Leave a Comment 

Wanted post these quick before heading out for the day.  Had a great time on each shoot.  All the ladies here rock it awesome for the camera.

Thanks ladies!

Phoenix, We Have a Problem

January 21, 2010 by vard · Leave a Comment 

Hey, look what I broke!  Got inspired to move the blog over to another service last night.  Things were going well until I started messing around with this end of it…you might have noticed some subtle changes ;P.  I still think I’d be better served moving the blog, but what I realized over the last 24 hours, among other things, is that I can’t do everything.

Ultimately, yes, I want to be able to, but it’ll all come in time.  There’s sooooo much I want to try and DO with the blog, the website and social media in general, that I try to dabble in quite of bit of it, but end up excelling in none of it.  This blog is a perfect example.  It’s lame as hell.  I know what I want…at least I think I do…but I’ve really been sucking at making it all work.  Teaching myself ’stuff’ is one of my favorite things…I love it.  But I realized today that some things are going to take longer than I’m used to having patience for.  Staying focused on the shooting and editing is pretty much primary for most of the season, but I still REALLY want to take some of this stuff up a notch.

On my run this morning I started thinking about video blogging – actually, I’ve been thinking about it for quite some time, but what I wasn’t doing was actually doing anything about it.  I think it would be rad to start putting short vids together of shoots or some of the cool stuff we try to fill our lives with.  Not because I NEED someone to watch it, but because ‘I’ want to watch it…and I think it’ll be SUPER fun to do.  I have friends that can help with this, but I still want to know how to do it myself.  Annie B and Jimmy C are both either in or getting in to video.  I’ll be bugging the hell out of them to come have some fun with us, but until we can work that out, Connie and I can give it a shot.  I haven’t shot any video because I was waiting around for some magical moment where one of two things would happen; either someone would come in and just start doing it for me, or I’d have some epiphany and feel like I knew what I was doing.  Neither is happening…but duh..seriously, why would they?  It hit me today that the only way for me to feel comfortable shooting video was to start, accept that I’ll be screwing it up a lot from the get go, and learning from that.  Along the way, perhaps I’ll be lucky enough to have someone want to show me what I’m doing wrong, but if not, I should be learning some interesting and fun stuff, right.

Same for the blog…this thing stinks.  But I can’t seem to take the time to make it like I want, and when I tried last night, I made it smell worse!  I’m sure I know at least a person or two that rocks blogs blindfolded…but I’ve never asked.  So now I am.  Anyone out there really good at this stuff?  Can I bend your ear for a few minutes?  I need help with it.  I want to get some video going here, links to the important stuff and basically take it up a notch, while at the same time having fun with people that geek out on some of the same things I do.

I know and work with some really cool and artistic people.  It’s great!  I know musicians (anyone bored and want to work on some soundtrack stuff for the videos?).  We’ll probably both learn a lot and walk away with some cool collaborations on top of it.  I know writers (anyone want to have some fun with that skill helping me get my point across online?).  I know other photographers (anyone want to get together and shoot some time?).  All the stuff I think about and never seem to be doing…that’s what I want to start doing…right now.

I’m starting to ramble a bit here…sorry about that.  My brain has been in overdrive this week.  I started helping Barry & Cathy Beck get their online presence stepped up and it just inspired me to start doing the things I’m thinking about all the time…I’ll end this here.  This all sounded more clear in my head anyway.

Sunday night – if anyone is interested in dropping by, we’ll be on Oak St. (the one way thing).  I’ve been running by those passenger cars for a couple of months thinking it would make a cool image.  So I’m going to take it.  Sunset, some studio lighting and an idea.  If I hose it, oh well, it’ll still be fun.  If anyone is interested in geekin’ out with us, cool!  If not, cool too.  I’m thinking we’re going to shoot some video of it all, just to see what we can put together and start the process of making better, more interesting videos in the not too distant future.  Monday, we’re headed out of town for a shoot @ Daniel Oz studios in Philly…thinking we should vid that too…why not…

Basically I want to start having more fun…does anyone want to come out and play?

Stuff From This Week

January 15, 2010 by vard · Leave a Comment 

Had a blast shooting this week.  No one here is a 1st timer in front of the camera…a couple of them have been here NUMEROUS times.  Started off the week with Nicole – I think this is her 5th or 6th shoot in the 18 months I’ve been working with her.  Always energetic and packed full of ideas.  Tuesday saw the return of David to the studio.  The dude’s motivated in everything he does.  And we had to relive the tie+beater look again; this time with added spice!

On Wednesday we had Christine in to play around with some lighting ideas and basically have a good time.  Thanks for putting up with my stupid humor Chris!  :D  And yesterday I go the chance to work with Sarah once again.  Every time she gets in front of the camera she blows my mind.

So here’s a glass raised for everyone that finds the time to explore their own creativity while trying to have as much fun as possible.  Thank you all for rockin it this week.  Also, a big shout out to Allyson and Erica for rockin’ the makeup on 3/4 of these shoots – Sorry David, I’ll get you someone next time!  :P

Peace Out!

Black Light Paint

January 8, 2010 by vard · Leave a Comment 

Took a small break yesterday to dump some more paint on a willing individual.  Thank you Marinna and Renee (assistant extraordinaire) for helping me with this.  Holding still for 1/4 second exposures under a black light isn’t easy at all, but Marinna champed it out and we got a few cool shots.

I have two more painted individuals on the way – normal light, awesome paint – Hope to have those ready in the not too distant future.

Rock on…

New Ad Series

January 3, 2010 by vard · Leave a Comment 

Had to post these.  Some times, you just gotta!

Thank you Andrea and Julie for helping me with this project.  I look forward to working with you both in the coming months on this series of images.  Hi-5’s to these great women…they took a decent comfort beating to help make this a reality.  And thank you to Marc down at Fuel Fitness for the inspiration on this set.  These will be hanging somewhere inside Fuel Fitness, along with the rest of the set, throughout the coming year.  If you’re in the area, stop in and check ‘em out!

Rock On!

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