3 Ways to Photograph Wine Bottles
Because we’ve got a fair number of winery clients on our roster, we shoot a lot of wine bottles. On the surface, it seems like a simple thing–the bottle is small, it doesn’t talk or move and you can put it pretty much where ever you want. While it is straightforward, it’s not simple. The [...]
New images: Oven and Shaker
Recently Oven and Shaker needed new images for their restaurant launch. I had the pleasure of working with Cathy Whims, who also owns Nostrana. Cathy and I share great synergy: her approach to food is a great fit with my style of photography. Shooting with her is a fantastically satisfying experience. Over several days we [...]
feelin’ my sweet tooth
Post-holidays, I’m trying to avoid eating anything & everything in sight as I normally do. Especially the sweets. So, I thought I’d ponder these instead of plowing through a plate full of this ridiculously rich fudge. shot for Southern Peanut Growers in my studio, art directed by Amy Wood of Harvest PR and styled by [...]
Come see me at Pastaworks this Sunday, 2-4pm
As part of the Dishing Up Oregon cookbook launch, I’m taking part in a panel discussion at Pastaworks this Sunday. It will be a fun opportunity to meet the cookbook author, Ashley Gartland, or hear from one of Oregon’s best Chefs, Vitaly Paley. I’ll be answering questions and sharing my thoughts about the images in [...]
Hot off the Presses! Dishing Up Oregon is OUT Right Now.
Last Fall was a whirlwind of travel and shooting. More than 70 outings to a gazillion locations over 6 months lead to a whole bunch of satisfying images and at least 300 photos delivered the publisher. I’m proud to say that Dishing Up Oregon: 145 Recipes that Celebrate Farm-to-Table Flavors is finally out in print. [...]
Recent shoot: Adam Sappington, Country Cat
It’s always fun to do a project with someone you know well. I’ve known Adam for years and have always been a big fan. Adam’s PR agency came to us with a challenge: create some stylized images that convey Adam’s approach to butchery and capture the offbeat groove of the Adam and Jackie’s restaurant. We [...]
Artisan Goat Cheese from Juniper Grove Farms
Recently I had the chance to shoot at Juniper Grove Farms in Central Oregon. I thought it would be an interesting and fun challenge to photograph some of their beautiful cheeses as a companion to the farm photos. Also, a big “thank you” to our friend (and awesome stylist) Lucy, who let us play in [...]
New website is LIVE
After 5 months of planning, editing, mulling and sweating the details, I’m proud to announce my new website. This new version reflects the subjects I’m passionate about and where my heart lies in commercial photography. The new site includes three photo essays. One I’m especially fond of features Juniper Grove Farm, where one man and [...]
Rad Radishes with NW Palate Magazine
The invisible ingredient in a good photo is rapport. Why? Because with that strong foundation of trust, there’s freedom to challenge and be challenged. To push, to be better. That’s what I often see when I shoot with Vitaly Paley. Over the years, Vitaly has built a rock solid foundation with his fellow chefs, [...]
New in Oregon Home: Ingredients
This project was a fun shoot with Jon Taylor Carter for the recently spiffed-up Oregon Home Magazine. Jon is a great hands-on art director and it was a pleasure to work with him and Sophie Goodwin styling this playful concept. The layout was quite different for me, being top-down and strobe light. Often images like [...]
Simple but subtle: bottle shots for knock out
Just because a shot is simple, it still needs subtlety and finesse. At some point almost every winery or vintner needs bottle shots for knock out. And if you’ve ever tried to do it yourself, you quickly learned that dark colored bottles reflect every little glint and sparkle in the room, and probably you and [...]
Best. Sandwich. Ever.
Had a great meeting with a prospective client today at Kenny & Zukes Absolutely the best sandwiches around. Certainly not for the faint of heart!
Crab Processing
This is a shot from last week – a dungeness crab processing facility. I love it when I can shoot in a reportage style and give the client a little something they weren’t expecting. Additionally, I’ve been thinking about what I want to focus a new personal photo project on. This frame helps me zero [...]
Portland Independent Spirits
I’ve been getting a lesson in the nuances of small craft distilling, from House Spirits and (not so small) Clear Creek Distillery. Pre-shoot research has not been a problem.
Portland Cocktail Culture
Portland has great mixologists. Drinks get the same respect and level of finesse as great food does. Makes for mind-blowing cocktails.
More Summertime Favorites from “Dishing Up Oregon”
A few more of my summertime favorites from the “Dishing Up Oregon” cookbook project. Soon I’ll have to glue my face to the computer and finish the monster edit. These are from Meriwether’s Restaurant & farm, where Chef Earl Hook sources all of his produce. Awesome!
Update: “Dishing Up Oregon” Cookbook
Working on a great assignment with Ashley Gartland on her cookbook “Dishing Up Oregon” that has me shooting farms, food & restaurants all over the state. As time and inspiration allows, I’ll post up some progress pics. Today, I spent a neat morning at Champoeg Farms. 1500 free range chickens plus. Need I say more?
IACP conference & French Butchering Lesson
… just finished up an exhausting and delicious week while the International Association of Culinary Professionals conference was in town. We’ve been a member since we worked on the Paley’s Place cookbook and it’s a wonderful collection of the best food writers, publishers and restauranteurs around. The IACP puts on seminars and gives out awards [...]
Gregory Gourdet at Saucebox
This is Chef Gregory Gourdet at Saucebox. He is super professional, very mellow, and a lot of fun. We had finished shooting a couple of dishes like this halibut when it came time for the portrait. He went off to check himself over, fluff the hairdo & on the insistence of his coworkers, toughen up [...]
Langdon Cook: forager
It’s great when personal interests intersect with a professional assignment. That was the case for these recent images of Langdon Cook, author and professional forager. I met up with Langon on the PCT at the 5000 foot elevation mark of Mt. Rainer. On a brisk day in amazing light, we hiked and talked about the [...]
Grand Central Baking Book
Chocolate cake transports me back to my best birthday memories. A good photo can do just that: communicate an experience. This half eaten chocolate cake takes me right back to playtime and birthday parties. Shooting with art director Nancy Austin for the Grand Central Baking book was a great opportunity to expand on the classic, [...]
Country Living Magazine, Ashland Oregon
While shooting a travel story in Ashland (where it seems it’s always 100 degrees) for Country Living, the writers & I went up into Lithia Park. There we saw this ridiculously cute kid chilling out in the stream. Mom was nearby, chatted with us and allowed me to make a few quick portraits.
