Margie Johnson

Don't you love Ella Fitzgerald? I love imagining that I'm at a party, and there's live music with a wonderful vocalist singing favorite songs. Well, that's what Margie does. She and Irv are just wonderful people who'd you want to have at a party anyway, but then they get together and make lovely music, too! You should book them for your next event--you'll regret it if you don't.

Nikon D800, 70-200mm f/2.8 VRII lens @ 200mm, f/8, 1/125s, ISO 200.

Nikon D800, 70-200mm f/2.8 VRII lens @ 102mm, f/13, 1/125s, ISO 500.

"Sing us a song, you're the Pizza Man"

It's just about lunchtime today. I'm gettin' hungry. I'm jonesin' for something tasty on a Saturday afternoon...and I reckon some sour dough pizza would really hit the spot. Maybe I'll go see Irv; it's only fair--he came to see me yesterday.

Irv Nelson is quite a fellow. I'm sure you've seen him around, maybe toting a bass guitar or other stringed instrument to support another musician. You'll see him supporting another singer at Summerfest (more to come). Maybe you've heard his classic rock band, The Fender Benders. Or maybe you take piano lessons from him--he's a passionate fellow and you can't help but become passionate along with him, which makes him a great teacher. 

And talk about Passion! You should try his pizza! He owns the Pier 49 Sourdough Pizza shop in Providence, and those pies are so good that I sometimes awake with a hankering. I love the Embarcadero...and the Tourist...and the Little Italy...and the Ghiradelli...

You've got to give it a try if you haven't yet. You really will "Fall in Love with Pizza again"!

Nikon D800, 70-200mm f/2.8 VRII lens @ 155mm, f/10, 1/125s, ISO 200.

Flappers

I am continually amazed at the diversity that can be found in a little tiny valley in the mountains. Here in Cache Valley, Utah we've got everything from cowboys to fashionistas to skaters to world class opera performers. Today, I'm happy to share another set of folks here: our own '20's style gangsters.

The Cache Valley Cartel puts on a great show, and I'm privileged to be helping with some pictures for the crew. They are a blast to work with, full of character and vision for their art. We made this image today as part of the promo set for the Cuties who engage the crowd during shows and keep the energy high. I'm excited to see where they go!

Nikon D3, 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6 VR lens @ 72mm, f/11, 1/160s, ISO 200.

7 Secrets Complete

Nikon D7000, 70-200mm f/2.8 VRII lens @ 112mm, f2.8, 1/8000s, ISO 500.

Wow. I am so grateful to everyone who came to my workshop with Steve on Saturday. We had more than 40 attendees who learned concrete techniques to make their photography better, both while using the camera and while using finishing tools in Photoshop and Lightroom. I really had a fun time.

Nikon D7000, 50mm f/1.4 lens, f/2.2, 1/1600s, ISO 500

I really want to thank my good friend, Jane. She has been my supporter for a long time--one of my early subjects, and one of the first musicians I've been privileged to work with. She is always looking for the bright side and finding ways to be cheerful; she brings smiles to everyone she meets--seriously, you just can't help it.. She is now picking up the camera herself and so our time on Saturday was just right: she got to learn with Steve and me, and I got to photograph her to demonstrate techniques to the rest of the group. The weather cooperated--a balmy 30 degrees--not bad for January--but we did eventually take it in doors to finish up. Steve and I split the group into two for our shooting demos and switched after a time. Although it was cold, Jane didn't complain and obliged us in the shady shed as happily as the dining room window. The Old Rock Church in Providence really has some great places for making beautiful pictures.

Nikon D7000, 70-200mm f/2.8 VR II lens @ 70mm, f/2.8, 1/3200s, ISO 500.

Jane's moved away, bobbed her hair, drifted around, lived some life, and is now back in Cache Valley for more, and the Valley will be better for it. Thanks a million, Jane.

Nikon D7000, 70-200mm f/2.8 VRII lens @ 112mm, f2.8, 1/8000s, ISO 500.

No that the 7 Secrets seminar is over, I'm looking forward to my next event. I'm thinking a workshop on flash work--really making great light...

Homeward Bound

J. is an old friend. My wife and I often go listen to her perform--singing and playing guitar, with a bit of yuke thrown in now and again. Always a pleasure.

Well, she stopped by the other evening to bring some friends to see the Thatcher-Young Mansion (my home away from home) and we happened to be holding a photography class. Ever the good sport, J. acquiesced to a few frames.

Nikon D700, 85mm f/1.8 lens, f/2.5, 1/400s, ISO 400.

New Family

I always say that I love working with musicians, but it's more than that: I love working with people who are passionate about their craft. I think it makes me feel a little justified in being outrageously passionate about my photography. Justified in laying awake at night thinking about light. Justified in carrying my camera everywhere I go. Justified in considering "Nikon" as a name for my firstborn. In speaking of first born...

Gil and Nadine are professional musicians, playing the bass and cello, respectively. But, as you can see, they are about to be trio. I highly recommend their work to you. It'll be very interesting to see the developments of this little troupe.

Nikon D700, 70-200mm f/2.8 VR lens @ 105mm, f/14, 1/200s, ISO 400.

Family Picture

Five Bodies, four necks, four heads, only six feet. Yep, if your instruments are over one hundred years old, then I think they qualify as part of the family. The fifth body? That ones tucked away safely between Nadine and her cello for another few months.

Gil and Nadine are in town playing for the Utah Festival Opera, and they leave town in the next few days. I'm so glad that I had the privilege of shooting for them. They are incredibly talented. Check out there info and bios at their site, Nona Music.

I love to photograph musicians. I tell them it's because when they play they look completely comfortable and natural. I'll tell you, though: it's really just 'cause they play. They filled the Mansion with music this evening, and it was a pleasure.

Nikon D700, 70-200mm f/2.8 VR lens @ 140mm, f/14, 1/200s, ISO 400. tow Paul C. Buff strip lights.

Free at Last

Nikon D700, 70-200mm f/2.8 VR lens @ 140mm, f/5.6, 1/200s, ISO 800, SB-600 through white umbrella.

You probably saw these guys at Summerfest last week. In their words, they play Funk. 

I'm fortunate enough to have them practice at the Mansion on Thursday nights. You should by and jam with them.

Nikon D700, 70-200mm f/2.8 VR lens @ 75mm, f/8, 1/250s, ISO 800, SB-600 through white umbrella.

Nikon D700, 70-200mm f/2.8 VR lens @ 140mm, f/7.1, 1/160s, ISO 800, SB-600 through white umbrella.

Nikon D700, 70-200mm f/2.8 VR lens @ 75mm, f/5.6, 1/125s, ISO 800, SB-600 through white umbrella.

Nikon D700, 70-200mm f/2.8 VR lens @ 98mm, f/8, 1/200s, ISO 800, SB-600 through white umbrella.

Nikon D700, 70-200mm f/2.8 VR lens @ 130mm, f/8, 1/250s, ISO 800, SB-600 through white umbrella.

Nikon D700, 70-200mm f/2.8 VR lens @ 82mm, f/7.1, 1/400s, ISO 800, SB-600 through white umbrella.

Nikon D700, 14-24mm f/2.8 VR lens @ 24mm, f/5.6, 1/125s, ISO 800, SB-600 through white umbrella.

The Hatch Academy (Performer Portraits)

This family works together to create performances featuring both Magic and Music of exceptional calibre. And I am lucky enough to have them as neighbors at the Mansion. Be sure to catch them on April 9th at the Mansion for their Matinee Enchante, a magical and musical performance for the family.

The Best Work

I simply love working with Musicians. These are people who love their work...and they may have paid more for their equipment than I have for mine, which is always a nice feeling.

This is Lacey, violinist for The Pretty Darns. These three girls are seriously talented, each of them writing songs and each of them singing while performing. I mean, I can't even walk and chew gum, or keep both eyes open when using my camera, and here they're creating art with their whole persons in front of large crowds. Pretty amazing.

Nikon D700, 70-200mm f/2.8VR lens @ 200mm, f/5.6, 1/100s, ISO 400.

Next up is Liz on mandolin. Her fingers make that thing sing! There are, like, a thousand strings on it, and she strums and plucks and picks out the most enjoyable tunes. She can leave her instrument at home, anytime, though and keep the crowd enthralled with her voice alone. She's got one song, Lunacy, and I think it's just great. 

Nikon D700, 70-200mm f/2.8 VR lens @ 135mm, f/2.8, 1/250s, ISO 400.

Finally, Annemarie on guitar. She's lead vocals on most songs, I guess (seems like they all carry each other as they work the tunes around, supporting one another), and half the fun with Annemarie is the great expressions she pulls while singing and playing. You can tell from this one that she's got some spunk hidden in there somewhere.

Nikon D700, 70-200mm f/2.8 VR lens @ 150mm, f/2.8, 1/320s, ISO 400.

The Pretty Darns

These gals are an especially talented troupe of musicians. They play folk classics, and many of their own excellent compositions. They have a new album coming out next month, and this is one of the pictures we made recently to use on the album. Seriously, they are a pleasure to listen to; friend me on facebook and I'll let you know when they play nearby. Better yet, like them, too!

Nikon D700, 70-200mm f/2.8 VR lens @ 70mm, f/5.6, 1/100s, ISO 400.

Kris

Nikon D700, 70-200mm f/2.8 VR lens @ 116mm, f/2.8, 1/500s ISO 800.

Allow me to introduce Kris Krompel. He teaches guitar lessons at the Mansion a couple of days a week. He's a Master Musician, excelling at all styles of guitar playing. His students range from 9 years old to 70, male and female, Americans and expatriates; everybody comes to learn from this kind hearted master. It was incredible to hear him improvise a tune for us.

If you can believe it, some people are a little shy in front of a camera. Kris sat for us during a class last night, so he had 7 cameras clicking mindlessly away at him. So, to help him relax and look more naturally himself, we asked him to play us a tune. Immediately his face relaxed, and the trapped animal look left his eyes. The trouble was, all the shutters stopped clicking, too, as he mesmerized us with his music. I'd hate to see what would happen if he was a piper.

Nikon D700, 70-200mm f/2.8 VR lens @ 125mm, f/2.8, 1/640s, ISO 800.

Nikon D700, 70-200mm f/2.8 VR lens @ 190mm, f/2.8, 1/640s, ISO 800.

Nikon D700, 70-200mm f/2.8 VR lens @ 102mm, f/2.8, 1/640s, ISO 800.

Nikon D700, 70-200mm f/2.8 VR lens @ 150mm, f/2.8, 1/640s, ISO 800.

Scrap Arts, #1

This group was terrific to see. Here's the first of a ton of fun pictures I made with them today. They're heading to New York, so look for them if your are in the neighborhood.

Nikon D700, 70-200mm f/2.8 VR lens @70mm, f/2.8, 1/200s, ISO 1600.

Grand Opening (again...)

Saturday from 2pm-9pm we will be holding our grand opening at the Mansion (as opposed to our opening at the Studio last year...). We'll have magic, music, and art galore. Come on down and see everything we have to offer.

Including the Serendipity String Quartet, for which A. is the cellist.

Nikon D700, 28-70mm f/2.8 lens @ 70mm, f/2.8, 1/320s, ISO 400.

Preparation

Nikon D700, 70-200mm f/2.8 VR lens @ 130mm, f/3.5, 1/100s, ISO 400.

Nikon D700, 70-200mm f/2.8 VR lens @ 200mm, f/10.0, 1/5s, ISO 200.

Preparing to perform is not only about practicing the movements. A large part is simply thinking about the performance itself, preparing things mentally before creating them physically/ audibly/visibly. This is an age-old piece of wisdom which I am trying to incorporate regularly in my workflow. Oh, not my violin playing (fortunately for you!) like S. here, but in my photographic performances which actually begin the moment I consider inviting you to be my client or responding to your invitation to shoot for you. The first thing I do is to think what words will help to ensure a good fit between us in a working relationship (often I ask if a prospective client has seen my work) because I want 

to make sure there are no misconceptions about what the resulting pieces of artwork will be like. I try to vet those who are after a style I don't do and point them to a photographer I know who might be a better fit. Like the gal who called the other day asking if I could shoot her pottery for her. I was certainly intrigued by her descriptions, and she said she liked my work, so we got together to make it work. The result is that I met a fascinating woman who makes some truly beautiful ceramic creations. I don't want to spoil them, though, so you may have to find them next time you're in Jackson. Anyway, I was thinking for a week about how to light and showcase her work without ever having seen it! In the end, I had to remember that these images were really just the same as my portrait work: they are about capturing her spirit in the clay, not showing off my skill. Still, I bet S. is more skilled at the meditative preparation than I...

Jane Sorensen

You know I love Smokin' Blues Barbeque. I love the food. I love the atmosphere. Heck, I love the substantial wooden tables. Then they throw in musicians that are simply talented and a pleasure to listen to. They're usually blues or folk or acoustic rock, and everyone enjoys the tunes. They play their own songs and cover other artists work with their own flare as well. It's nice. It's like a free concert with your sweet potato fries.

Last night's artist was a real treat, though. Like she jumped off the pages of a Japanese comic book. Seriously. Let's look at the evidence:

1. Huge, incredibly clear eyes
2. Raven black hair--so black the light shines blue off of it
3. A tiny mouth that mysteriously grows to fill the entire stage with a terrific timbre that terrifies bad guys
4. Rings of power that imbue super human strumming qualities
5. When she gets into trouble, her sidekick takes the stage

See below for corroborating photographs in order of the points made here.

Yep. I'm pretty sure she's an anime super hero. You'll know it, too, when you see her later this year on American Idol (try-outs next month in San Francisco--wish her luck!)

Click here for a few more...

Steven Halliday

Another good time at Smokin' Blues BBQ on Saturday. This time, Steven Halliday took the stage, and was joy to work with and listen to. A very talented fellow, Steven writes all his excellent music, and performs on both guitar and piano. I liked his style very well, and can recommend his music to just about anybody--at least, the sampling I heard and anything on his CD, "Beginner's Luck".

Nikon D90, 50mm f/1.4 lens, Canon 5D, 35mm f/1.4 lens.