Vacation Therapy

I used to hate taking photos while on vacation, but as I have gotten older I have found it almost therapeutic to capture these moments, even if for no other reason than populating my computers wallpaper slideshow.

Headshots: Cosette Tomita’s Compcard

Chicago, comp card, compcard, Photographer,head shot, Headshots, lifestyle, female, model, commercial,studio,Photography, portfolio, poses, shoot,photo

I am always searching for new ways to light my subjects, and with every shoot, I seek to perfect my technique. Recently I started using a Westcott ‘7 Parabolic Umbrella. After a few test shoots, I rolled out the umbrella for this headshot with teen female model Cosette Tomita. Using a giant softbox overhead to give Cosette’s hair a little kick and some overhead fill, I had the model strike several different poses, including this jumping shot below.

David Axelrod slashes stache

Barack Obama strategist David Axelrod poses in Chicago April 25, 2008. John Gress/for The Washington Post

When I met David Axelrod in 2008 at Obama for America campaign headquarters I instantly wanted to photograph him in front of this iconic Obama image. I decided to light Axelrod with light similar to what was in the Obama portrait, only from the opposite side, to create symmetry and contrast all at the same time.

Chicago Advertorial Photographer: Powering People

Chicago Advertorial Photographer Black & White Photo

I was so excited ten years ago when an advertising agency asked me to shoot nine day-in-the-life photo essays featuring utility workers in Wyoming for a public relations ad campaign. The December 2002 project was such an amazing opportunity to not only take some really cool pictures, but experience quite an adventure. Every day we visited a new small town, each different in their own way.