Surfing Lake Michigan on a Saturday in November with the Chevrolet Colorado. When wind direction and water temperatures are true, this surf rivals any ocean surf with the bonus of being fresh (sweet) water! These folks aren’t out for fame, just the ride. Pure soul. Check out the story of how I used this vehicle to capture the story of Surfers on the Great Lakes this past November. 

Five days, twenty-plus integral team members, three vehicles, a foreign country, multiple climates, layovers and countless cups of coffee…

The 2018 Ford EcoSport National Launch.

Three national advertisements, variations of motion shots all captured with finite time and in our case, sun. Days are short in winter and weather, unpredictable during these months. Being open to a fluid schedule and knowing any “Plan” can and will change will help alleviate more grey beard hairs.

We shot panoramic assets with a Phase One 1Q260 Back on a Hasselblad H5X body. This allowed me to use my Hasselblad H4D40 as a backup and have my H system lenses be the primary glass. Traveling out of country, the crew and I had Carnets issued for all the gear we crossed the boarder with. As a professional, all gear used for paid assignments out of country MUST be documented and claimed on the Carnet. This includes serial numbers and value.

The Core team that I worked with on the Ford EcoSport is as follows:

Global Team Blue, Ford Advertising Agency. GTB
Mesa Lange. Producer, Mesa Lange Productions
Carbon Detroit. Artist Agent/Retouching

Without each one of these team members I would not be able to achieve a successful shoot. Thank you to all involved!

Documenting fellow creators and their craft gives me a chance to experience inspiration while simultaneously creating myself. Every time I receive the opportunity to work with HGTV, I am energized to meet the hosts whom I will be photographing. Their creative process, relationship with one another and vision make snapping images a joy.

Ben and Erin Napier host a Show called “Hometown” based in their home of Laurel, MS and it can be viewed Mondays at 9pm on HGTV.

Capturing natural moments while working with people who share their passion to teach others. These traits align well with my goals not only as an artist, but as a member of society. Having the opportunity to work with Goldfish Swim School has been very satisfying, it has taken me back to my visual roots of reaction to spontaneous moments. As these moments are candid in nature, the team and I set up each scenario to represent an actual class or structure of the education these children receive while attending Goldfish. The results are pure. They tell a story of an environment where both child and parent thrive while a fundamental physical skill is taught and mastered.

The 2018 RAM Power Wagon. I was hired by FCA to produce imagery over a 3 day period with the vehicle in my hands. Being able to operate the truck independently of the constraints present with a “Shoot vehicle” lends itself well to my style of storytelling. I am challenged to balance high profile productions and also create powerful content with little to no direction on location with dynamic turnaround times. I achieve this by being up to date with the offerings in the automotive industry and having genuine love for transportation. My approach to capturing the essence of products, is to immerse myself in the lifestyle. To think like a user of the product, not merely capturing the imagery but to tell the story of the products through the eye of an experienced user.

5/11

• Travel DTW -JFK -KEF 3:30pm

5/12 

• Arrive Reykjavik 6:45 am 
• Secure Land Rover Defender Shuttle Service Keflavík Airport DL 446 (ISAK 4×4)
• Drive to ION Adventure Hotel to check in
• Head south to Vik, Seljalandsfoss & Skógafoss
• Return to ION Adventure Hotel for night

5/13

• Breakfast & travel to Fosshotel Westfjords, Aðalstræti, Patreksfjörður, Iceland (home for 2 nights)
• Hellulaug, Iceland (HOT SPRINGS)
• Rauðasandur, Iceland (Red Sand Beach)

5/14

• Bolungarvik, Iceland
• Súðavík, Iceland
• Tjöruhúsið, Neðstakaupstað, 400 Ísafjörður, Iceland (Dinner)
• Travel to Fosshotel Westfjords, Aðalstræti, Patreksfjörður, Iceland

5/15

• Travel to City Park Hotel Reykjavik, Iceland Hallarmúli 1, 108
• See Blue Lagoon along way
• Enjoy Reykjavik for evening 

5/16

• Wake up 4:30am
• Drop off Land Rover Defender IFAK 4×4
• Shuttle to Keflavík Airport DL 246 
• 8:30am Flight Departure

IMPORTANT INFO

• City Park Hotel Reykjavik, Iceland Hallarmúli 1, 108     +354 415 2300
• Fosshotel Westfjords, Aðalstræti, Patreksfjörður, Iceland    +354 456 2004
• ION Adventure Hotel Nesjavellir, 801, Iceland    +354 578 3700
• ISAK 4×4 Smiðshöfði 21, 110 Reykjavík, Iceland    +354 554 8860
• Link to google maps waypoints: https://www.google.com/maps/placelists/list/1ucOXYW14VWtFY2RQp2IH3B3Legc

Kauai. The Garden Island of Hawaii. The longest over ocean flight from the United States mainland that a passenger can take. Worth every minute and dollar spent traveling. Upon Arrival you feel the humidity, the lifeblood of this oceanic island paradise. Senses become heightened and your spirit awoken. A lush landscape for adventure and relaxation at your fingertips. Below you will find my story. From the Beaches of Hanalei Bay, the treacherous footfalls of the Kalalau Trail. Wailua Falls, Waimea Canyon and the natural spa of Queens Bath.

Mahalo nui loa.

The NĀPALI Coast. Kauai. Eleven mile trek one way to Kalalau Beach on the Kalalau Trail. With each step, some of the most amazing scenery one can witness on earth. At Kalalau Beach where the trail ends, life draws us together like magnets… Never random, always with purpose… From diverse areas on the planet we unite and join with like minds. Over the course of this 22 mile round trip hike lasting 3 days and 2 nights (two total days of hiking and one zero day on the beach) I carried a simple kit. The Camera Contents are linked here, and here in a few videos snapped from my hotel room in Princeville. The Outdoor Gear consisting of the following:

Granite Gear Crown 2 60L Backpack
MSR Mini Works water filter
Pace Lid foot care kit on top of 32oz Nalgene Bottle
Sunnto Core watch (altimeter is key, also the only way to track distance in the wild is by time. Knowing your pace and applying math)
Snow Peak titanium cookware
Sea to Summit 10L bucket filter water at camp. Simply fill the bucket at the water source then carry it to camp for a more efficient and contained filter experience.
MSR Pocket Rocket stove
Enlightened Equipment 20 degree down blanket
Big Agnes Copper Spur UL2 & Mummy Air Core pad
INOV8 TraiRoc Shoes
Morakniv Carbon Steel Bushcraft Blade w/Ferrocerium Rod
Leki Trekking Poles
Exped Pillow
Adventure Medical Kits Med Kit
Brunton Compass
Source 3L Low Profile Bladder
Shemagh Scarf. Dust and sun protection.
Two athletic fit t-shirts & two pair board shorts.

Total pack weight was 34 pounds (1o pounds being Drone and Camera Gear)

A Traverse of the Medano Pass with the 2016 Toyota 4 Runner TRD PRO.  Great Sand Dunes National Park. Colorado, USA

The 2017 Ram 2500 HD in Estes Park, Colorado traversing the Switzerland Trail.

Commissioned work produced over a three day period in November of 2016 for RAM and FCA. (Fiat Chrysler Automobiles) I captured these images using my Fujifilm XT2 and X-Pro 2 mirrorless cameras mounted with various prime lenses. When a story requires speed and flexibility these systems produce the best results. Small form factor with maximum image quality, they are mobile and deployed quicker than traditional DSLR cameras. Mission and assignment always dictate kit.