3 Doors Down Tour Highlights

Over the last several years, the popular rock band 3 Doors Down has hired me to live and tour with them to capture images of their lives and their music. I have taken over 50,000 photos of the band over time and it has been one heck of an experience. Recently they asked me to put together a handful of my favorite photos from tour for the band's website.

You may visit their website and click the gallery on the left, "3 Doors Down Tour Highlights." I hope to add a touring section to my photography website in the near future.

www.3DoorsDown.com

New fashion shoot

Had a great shoot in NYC at the clocktower last friday. It is a music-celebrity owned and founded clothing line. I will post more information in the future.

Off to Vegas this weekend to shoot portraits of the Universal Records band Hinder (again). Should be fun!

Back from Vegas

Just got back from Las Vegas. Did a shoot with the amazing UFC fighter, Randy Couture, for Axis Shavers. Axis created an electric shaver that will be sold to raise money for Randy's charity that raises money for injured soldiers. Spike TV filmed the photoshoot and so my camera and I may make an appearance next month on a Spike TV UFC show.

Thought I should also mention that Delta lost one of my lighting cases on my flight back east. This will be approximately the 6th time in less than a year a bag has been misplaced by a domestic airline. Thankfully they are eventually found (sometimes days later). Be careful when you travel! Its no wonder why I prefer to drive.

Attached a few unedited proofs from the shoot. It was a REALLY quick portrait session with limited setup time. Randy was fantastic and a breeze to work with. Used 2 softboxes, one main and one catch-light, and a strobe on the background.

AXIS Website

Fire and drums

Another beautiful summer evening. Shot these for fun. I have to admit it, but I love setting things on fire for photos. I think the fascination started during my volunteer firefighting days. Fire can be truly beautiful.

I dont like to do a lot of "drop in" photoshop, so I worked to actually set drumsticks on fire. I did something like this before with a clean thin rag and rubbing alcohol. I wrapped the rag around the drumstick and poured small controlled amounts of rubbing alcohol and set it aflame. I also made sure to shoot at dusk and not overpower the scene with strobe-light.

You can see the rag pretty clearly here. Nice flame!

Couldnt help it. I have this collection of gas masks that I have been spraypainting. This one I spray painted with chrome enamel paint. I had to sneak in a few shots with it.

Clocktower Studio Website

The site is now up for my clocktower studio in New York. It will soon be available to rent for photo and video shoots. More information to come!

ClocktowerStudio.com

Custom 1964 Chevelle photoshoot

It was a beautiful day in Virginia today. Photographed this amazing custom 1964 Chevelle at Manassas Airport. Used a 4-strobe setup at approximately 400 watts each, ISO 200, and camera set to approx. 1/200 at f/13.

Check out that engine!

A 2nd car battery for on-location shooting power

I worked with Hurley's Automotive in McLean, Virginia to design and install a portable power system in my Range Rover Sport.

Many of my photoshoots take place on-location and I did not want to have to lug a loud and messy generator around. The solution was to install a second car battery and power inverter.

The long story short:

A second high-performance car battery was installed in an empty space in the engine compartment. A relay was connected to the car's alternator to ensure that when the truck is running, it charges the main car battery first, and the alternate battery next.

The power from the second battery is drawn from a 2-plug 1000 watt sine wave inverter hidden under the back seat. Sine wave inverters yield a cleaner current necessary to powering photo strobes than standard inverters.

The system has been working great so far and I can power a couple of strobes without running the car! I will work on more power in the future.

iPhone...yes

Waited 6 hours in line for it the day it came out and it was worth the wait.

My photo portfolio has never looked more sharp and fantastic and the music and video are great on the regular flights and train rides I have to take.

I have to admit, I even run with the supplied iPhone earbuds with built in microphone so I can listen to music and take calls without stopping. Now THAT is crazy!