February 2023 cover for Sacramento Magazine
As an artist, there's nothing quite like seeing your work featured in a publication, especially one as prominent as Sacramento magazine. I was thrilled to have the opportunity to create the cover artwork and interior feature image for this month's issue, which focused on local art galleries.
In the process of completing this assignment, I had the pleasure of visiting several of Sacramento's most renowned art galleries, including Elliott Fouts Gallery, Archival Gallery, Axis Gallery, Blue Line Arts, The Brickhouse Gallery and Art Complex, Kennedy Gallery, Latino Center of Art and Culture, and Twisted Track Gallery. Each visit was a unique experience, and I was struck by the incredible range of talent and style on display. It was a powerful reminder of the thriving arts community that exists right here in Sacramento.
As an artist, there's nothing quite like seeing your work featured in a publication, especially one as prominent as Sacramento magazine. I was thrilled to have the opportunity to create the cover artwork and interior feature image for this month's issue, which focused on local art galleries.
In the process of completing this assignment, I had the pleasure of visiting several of Sacramento's most renowned art galleries, including Elliott Fouts Gallery, Archival Gallery, Axis Gallery, Blue Line Arts, The Brickhouse Gallery and Art Complex, Kennedy Gallery, Latino Center of Art and Culture, and Twisted Track Gallery. Each visit was a unique experience, and I was struck by the incredible range of talent and style on display. It was a powerful reminder of the thriving arts community that exists right here in Sacramento.
For the cover image, we decided to photograph the exterior of Elliott Fouts Gallery. This required a bit of preparation, including the setup of four lights and some creative thinking to add some extra visual interest. I also enlisted the help of my trusty assistant, Kevin, who was kind enough to fetch countless buckets of water to create the perfect wet sidewalk effect.
Working with the Art Director, Gabriel, we were able to recruit the one and only Phoebe Verkouw (IG: thedressfiend) and some of her fashionable friends as our cover subjects. Phoebe is a true professional, and I always enjoy collaborating with her.
All in all, it was an incredible experience, and I'm grateful to Sacramento magazine for giving me the opportunity to showcase my work in such a meaningful way. I hope this issue inspires others to explore the rich and diverse arts scene that can be found right here in our city.
Sacramento magazine may cover shoot
I was very excited to get the assignment to make the May 2021 cover for Sacramento magazine. This one presented different challenges that I've dealt with in the past. A majority of the images I made were with my drone. Some of the locations required me to ride my mountain bike, which presented a set of physical challenges I wasn't quite in shape for.
I'm no stranger to riding, but it's been quite a few years since I've been off-road with my bike.
I put together a small kit to take to the different locations that consisted of my drone, three extra batteries, and, just in case, my Nikon Z6 with a 24 to 70mm. Gabe, the art director, joined me on a few of the shoots. It was great having him along to ensure the images I was making were what he needed.
Going into all these locations around the area reminds me of what great outdoor activities we have in this region.
My Month
The other day I was having a conversation with a client, and they asked what an average month looks like for me. It’s something I haven’t given much thought to lately, but I looked back and pulled images that represented what my month looks like.
The other day I was having a conversation with a client, and they asked what an average month looks like for me. It’s something I haven’t given much thought to lately, but I looked back and pulled images that represented what my month looks like. It showed that I have a lot of variety. While some photographers have niches and specialties when it comes to their portfolios, I enjoy keeping a wide range of things I photograph. It keeps me interested and excited. There are also technical things that I pick up or learn from one assignment that can benefit another.
When I don’t have an assignment for a client to work with, I usually self assign projects. A lot of times, those end up being beauty type work, and I try to do something technical that can serve me commercially. I never want to go to a commercial shoot and experiment for the first time, so I always test several times to make sure I’m comfortable and proficient in that technique or style.
Below is a representation of August 2019. The first images were made for Sacramento magazine’s “Best of Sacramento” issue.
The next images are photos I do for the Casa Roble High School football team. Which my two sons were a part of in the last eight years, but no longer.
Then there’s a group of 39 I did for a private client. I ended up having to substitute for different people into that image for the final composite. The rest of the gallery represents various beauty and private work, as well as a few of the images I did for the Preston Castle.
So for that month, I ended up making 7166 images.
Now on to the next month.
Sacramento Magazine Best Of Issue
About two months ago the art director for Sacramento magazine came to me with a concept for the upcoming best of Sacramento issue. He wanted images with a really high saturation look. One of the things about doing photos like this is that everybody has a different idea of what high saturation looks like. The first thing we decided to do was run some test, so we were all on the same page with the look. This was so helpful in determining the saturation and color palette we wanted to keep throughout the entire project.
Sacramento Magazine “Best Of Sacramento”
About two months ago, the art director for Sacramento magazine came to me with a concept for the upcoming Best of Sacramento issue. He wanted images with a highly saturated look. One of the things about doing photos like this is that everybody has a different idea of what high saturation looks like. The first thing we decided to do was run some tests, so we were all on the same page with the look. Testing was helpful to determine the level of saturation, as well as the color palette that we wanted to keep throughout the entire project.
A little bit on the technical part; most of the images were created with the Nikon Z6. The gels were by ROSCO. A majority of the shots were tethered to my laptop so the art director could watch as we were shooting, providing feedback and direction to the individuals. Shooting images like this requires a delicate balance between color saturation and exposure. You can get higher saturation, but you run the risk of losing detail in the highlights if you're not careful. I was able to find a perfect combination, and with the help of lightroom, I was able to pull the saturation to the desired level.
The full assignment ended up being 11 separate shoots, ranging from studio still life and tabletop, to a group of three women restauranteurs. Gabriel (SacMag art director) scheduled all the various shoots at my studio, which always proves to be one of the hardest things to do with so many people. Because my studio doesn't have air conditioning throughout and the temperature was registering 102 degrees, we tried to keep most of the shoots earlier in the day.
It's gratifying to see a project like this come together and then printed in one piece. I enjoyed meeting all the wonderful subjects and making images with them.
The Best Of Winners I made images for are.
Best TVsportscaster: Del Rodgers, KCRA 3
Best Mexican Dining: Tres Hermanas
Best Bakery: Freeport Bakery
Best Hair salon, Best Bath shop, Best Beauty supply store & Best place to buy a special gift: Total Beauty Experience
Best Fitness Center: California Family Fitness
Best place to get a tattoo: Emerald Tattoo and Piercing
Best Afternoon Drive radio: “That Damn Show,” 98 Rock
Best rock radio station: 98 Rock
Best place to get a costume: Evangeline's Costume
Best Dance Club Best LGBT Bar: Faces
Best Bartender: Jim Wakeland, The Firehouse Restaurant
Special thanks to
Art Director: Gabriel Teague
Makeup: Ernesto Robledo
Assistants: Christine Alward, Skip Jones, and Serena Starks
Equipment used:
Nikon Z6 & D810
Sigma 35 & 85mm
Phottix Indra 500's
ROSCO gels
Teather Tools cables
Run Cover
A few months back, we went on location for a cover shoot, for a special Sacramento magazine supplement.
A few months back, we went on location for a cover shoot, for a special Sacramento magazine supplement. The day we chose ended up being the only day that week that was overcast and dreary, which worked in our favor. There was a bit of moisture which gave higher saturation to the surrounding plants and also made it easier for our model to function. The lighting for the shoot was Phottix Indra 500's. These lights are so ideal for location work. They offer very durable batteries as well as high-speed sync, which was crucial for a running shoot my other the lights would not have performed so well. It's so important to have a solid crew to help on these types of shoots. I've worked with all of these individuals before, and they're genuinely talented and good at what they do.
Thanks to a great crew!
Model: Arionna Morales
Makeup: Ernesto Robledo
Art Direction: John Facundo
Production: Christine Alward
Assistant: Skip Jones
20minute Portrait
I was recently assignedto photograph multiple law firms for a local magazine.
Photographing law firms is something I've done the past few years for this magazine and I really enjoy it. A majority of them are on location, but I do shoot a few at my studio. It always a challenge to get busy people scheduled to photograph. One of the attorneys was in between appointments and called to see if I was available. I happened to have about an hour before my next shoot, so his timing worked out perfectly. By the time my lighting was set up and he arrived, I had about 20 minutes to make some images. Over the years I have worked really hard to get the images that I need, quickly and efficiently. It's taken much practice and is something I'm still working on.
Here are a few tips I have picked up over time.
I was recently assignedto photograph multiple law firms for a local magazine.
Photographing law firms is something I've done the past few years for this magazine and I really enjoy it. A majority of them are on location, but I do shoot a few at my studio. It always a challenge to get busy people scheduled to photograph. One of the attorneys was in between appointments and called to see if I was available. I happened to have about an hour before my next shoot, so his timing worked out perfectly. By the time my lighting was set up and he arrived, I had about 20 minutes to make some images. Over the years I have worked really hard to get the images that I need, quickly and efficiently. It's taken much practice and is something I'm still working on.
Here are a few tips I have picked up over time.
WORK QUICKLY
Having a portrait taken is an intimidating process for many people and I constantly hear, "I hate having my photo taken." or "I am so nervous". When I first meet my subjects, I try to find something in common that we can chat about to help put them at ease. There is no point being a loud, “Out There” person, when the subject is shy and introverted. I take my time setting up lighting and posing them, but when it is time to shoot, I work quick, as no one likes to hold a pose. And the longer you hold a pose the stiffer it looks and feels. If it feels awkward it will look awkward. The only way to learn is to pose yourself, even in front of a mirror so you can see what works.
SUBJECT FIRST, TECHNIQUE SECOND
My approach to portrait photography is all about the person I am photographing. Too often it’s the technical trickery of the photographer that ends up showing through and speaking for the sitter. When that happens you don't really get to know the person in the picture, just the photographer. My goal is to strip all of the extraneous stuff out. Of course, a portrait can never be more than a subjective view of someone. So, even though I am trying to portray the sitter for who they are it’s inevitably my view, my interpretation.
EXPLAIN YOUR APPROACH
Most of the portraits I am making at the moment are commissioned by an editorial client or an organization. Commissioned portraits require a brief from the client including a consideration of layout, style, deadline, budget and availability of the subject. I get organized as much as possible and try to find out about the person I’m photographing. I do a Google search on the person so I have some thing to talk about and some idea of what may resonate with them. I explain a little of my approach to the subject so they know what I am hoping to achieve. Sometimes I want to create a formal structured portrait and other times a more fluid spontaneous style depending on what I want to communicate and what medium the image will be published in. Every photograph, even commissioned work, has a little of me in it in some way.
Thunder Valley Casino Ad
Last month we had another photo shoot with Thunder Valley Casino. Working with them is always enjoyable. For this year's shoot, they wanted to focus on the slots and gaming area.
Last month we had another photo shoot with Thunder Valley Casino. Working with them is always enjoyable. For this year's shoot, they wanted to focus on the slots and gaming area. Last year we featured Illusions Ultra Lounge. I tried to keep the lighting similar for each shoot, so the images from each year could be used together if desired. We were very fortunate to be able to use Dwight Droze and Amy Jane as our models. This was their first time working together, but you would never know it. They hit it off right away and gave us the energetic fun feel we were going for. As always I couldn't do it with out my great crew!
Production manager: Christine Alward
1st Assistant: Chris Wright
Makeup: Jasmine Cardenas
Art Director: John Facundo Jr.
Model Christine Alward for Illusions Ultra Lounge located inside Thunder Valley Casino
I try to always make the environment and light look natural, as if its coming from the casino. For this shoot I used mostly LED panels with some gel's to warm them up. Ad appearing in Sacramento Magazine
