I’m currently in the Czech Republic on a North Face ‘expedition’ and I have been writing a daily blog with tips/insight from the shoot for the camera bag company Fstop. They are a pretty forward minded camera company, actually sponsoring photographers and trips etc. You can Czech (sic… ha) it out here:http://fstopgear.com/aweek  

Check out the new UC Mag that has my cover image and lots of other stuff inside. Like this TNF Ad: And this Point and Shoot Story:pointnshoot.PDFtk  

We just wrapped on a two-week catalog shoot in Alberta and BC Canada. It was a great shoot, but here were some of the funnier moments: [more pics to come]

5) Johanna to Random Snowboarder – “What kind of Jacket is that, I like it!”

            Random – “Next years”

4) Joshua – “Do you have any monk liver?”

3) Barry (while falling 15ft off a cliff, doing some self described ‘extreme snowshoeing’) – “Oh Shit!!!”

2) Prefers to Remain Anonymous  – “Well so far I have only cheated 45%, so I’m just going to have to round that down to 0% and its like nothing happened at all”.

 1) Older Lady to a Naked Joshua Covered in Bubbles – “Mmmm that’s some grade A beef!”

Joshua – “So when’s the barbeque?”

We just wrapped up another long shoot in Canada. It was a two week long shoot (hence the lack of too many updates here) filled with snow, glaciers, helicopters, crevasses, cornices, Scrabble, beer, snowshoes, snowboards, skis, sunrises, sunsets, and well you get the idea.Joe Kinder put together a dope video from a shoot we did in Mallorca in Feb. This was the start of a month long outdoor shoot that was mostly based in Mallorca, but also had a short trip to Morocco. The clip features Chris Sharma, Joe Kinder and a couple other world class climbers that we worked with to get the climbing shots we needed.

I know its not Monday, but this is going to be the week of the video. We have several different video projects coming together, and I have a feeling in the next seven days there is going to be lots to share.For starters check out this great video of Joe Kinder that Piton Productions put together. I didn’t have anything to do with the filming or the editing but Joe is a good friend and I cut him a good deal on my standard consultation fee when I saw a rough of the video. The heli-shots, and 35mm adapter camera work are really progressive and I’d love to see what Piton could do with a feature length project. Check out the video!Here’s a shot of my own from today… never underestimate the power of a great crew. From production to talent a good shoot is a reflection of everyone involved. Here’s Barry having fun and taking an unexpected tumble while doing some extreme snowshoeing… its the future!       

I’ve met up with a great crew in New England to shoot video and stills for the Noreaster Music and Outdoor festival coming to New England in September. Its a music-slash-art-slash-climbing festival that is looking to revolutionize the outdoor festival. The mastermind behind the scenes is Pete Ward, and I really love his passion for the promotion and production work he is doing, its motivating to be around. While we’ve shot a lot of assets the coolest was yesterday when Kevin Jorgeson stomped on the second boulder ascent of ‘The Fly’ V14 in Rumney, NH. It was cold and rainy but Kevin, showing his true pro class, sent just before the fog rolled it. Here is some raw footage, check it here! 

I got an email today asking about how to take better lifestyle images and I wrote up a response real quick, I thought it might be interesting to others so here is my response:

Thanks for the good word XXXX,

I don’t really have a set formula, its like saying  how do you shoot a good landscape images… know what I mean? Good lifestyle photographers are able to get great, believable images on demand in any lighting conditions… I’m still working on this! Carrying your camera around all day might work for getting an image or two, but might not work on bigger shoots. Here are some points that I think are important.

1) Go into the shoot with something you or the client is trying to achieve creatively. Have a look/style you want to accomplish. I like to flip through fashion magazines… a trip to Barnes and Noble can be motiving.

2) Get the athlete/talent involved in the creative process. You aren’t the only one who wants to see great images. Tell people what they are doing well and what they need to work on. Show them on the computer or at least on the camera. Also learn to realize when you need to change up locations/style/etc because things aren’t working.

3) Have fun. Do something like start the shoot with the model screaming, it loosens up the mood the things will start to flow.

4)  A little style and hair/makeup go a long way. Create relationships with local make-up artists or stylists and get their help. Let them do what they are good at so you can do what you are good at.

5) Shoot something that you are safe with and something that challenges you every time you go out. The only way to get better is to take chances so do it when you can.

Hope this helps! Tk

I just wrapped in Seattle. Here is a shot – 

I just wrapped up another shoot, this time in Denver. Everyone that helped out big props; the images, atmosphere and energy were just awesome! One person that made a big impression was Tres Altman. He is an artist from Eldorado Springs and you should all check out his great music if you get a minute. Here’s Tres –   

I’m back from China, straight to NY. I just wanted to give a big shout out to Pete Ward and the crew at Boulderingcomps.com. This group of climbers and outdoor enthusiasts are leading the pack by miles when it comes to bringing climbing to the mainstream. Check out one of their events the next time they come to town, and make the trip to see the show Summer OR in SLC or the Nor’Easter coming to New England in the early fall. tk    

So our month long journey to China has come to an end. It was an awesome experience, great shoot, and something I am sure to do again. For fear that I have sat on these for too long, in the rain and fog at times, thinking they were hilarious here are 5 quotes from the lighter sight of our journey. 

•  Lisa — “I don’t care what we have for dinner I just NEED something crunchy”
• Cedar — “When they say ‘Do you want naked message’ am I the one that’s naked?”
• Nick — “Shhhhh, do you guys hear that? I think its a Giant Panda”
• 1 of the 25 Chinese Media (to Lisa) — “For the cover shot can you and Cedar make big high five?” 
• Me to Pharmacist — “Do you know what an allergy is?” Pharmacist –”Yes some people are allergic to peanuts.” Me — “Yes, but in America some people are allergic to flowers. Do you have a medicine for that?” Pharm — “Yes don’t smell the flowers” 

tk