Campus Life

I late April, I was invited back to the campus of Episcopal Collegiate School in Little Rock to spend the day photographing daily life in the lower, middle and upper schools. I spent two days on the campus last year on the same project and many of my images can be found on the school's home page. Just like last year, I was instructed to be an observer with a camera. The school wanted real photos of real students. Nothing was to be posed or set up. We did set up a few portraits of selected school teachers and headmasters and one can be seen listed below.

It's always refreshing to get back to my photojournalism roots, sit back and wait for the moments to happen.

Behind the Scenes

Late last fall, I hung up my camera (sort of) and worked as production assistant with Backfocus Productions on their week-long commercial shoot with EXIT Marketing on a series of television spots for National Park Medical Center in Hot Springs, Arkansas. National Park prides itself with being patient-oriented and this campaign reflects that.  To promote the excellence in physician care offered at National Park Medical Center, Backfocus worked closely with creative team at EXIT.  We produced four, 30-second spots as well as 12, 15-second spots. Each spot featured not only National Park Medical Center physicians and staff, but several of their patients as well.

The “For Me” campaign promotes the quality results delivered and close relationships developed by the leading specialists at National Park Medical Center.

You can see a few of the NPMC spots below.

To see another spot, check it out on BackFocus' blog.

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Acting at production assistant, I have a whole new appreciation for the job.  I acted as: crafts services, general gopher, talent wrangler, babysitter, lunch runner, coffee go-getter, lighting stand-in, wardrobe and makeup assistant and a host of other tasks.  After we got home -- usually after a 12-hour day -- I then had to re-organize the crafts cart and run out to buy more snacks and drinks.  So if you think being a PA is a blow off job, think again. I have so much respect for the hard work PA's do on any film or commercial shoot.

I also have an incredible amount of respect and admiration for Backfocus' crew on this shoot: Shelley, Brian, Trey, Charles, Nancy, Matt and Brandon....oh and the guy behind the camera.

Going Green

I kicked off my 2014 on a very high note. In early January, I received an e-mail from the Art Director at Arkansas Green Guide asking if I would be interested in photographing a series of Eco portraits for their 2014 issue.  I couldn't type "yes" fast enough.

Green Guide 2014 five Eco Heroes which are persons who go above and beyond in making and keeping Arkansas a greener place.  Over the course of five days, the Art Director and myself traveled to: Northwest Arkansas, Hughes and Little Rock to photograph each of the Eco Heroes.  In addition to the Eco Heroes, I also photographed a consulting firm based in Fayetteville who helps businesses develops way they can recycle their waste.  Another great feature story is on Little Rock Urban Farming.  These guys and gals focus on bringing farm-fresh -- and local -- food to the dinner table.  Several of my other photos are sprinkled throughout the issue as well.

Green Guide also has a completely revamped and redesigned look for 2014.  They abandoned the traditional magazine shape and opted for a sleek and hipper, square design which I just love.  If you want to see the e-version, you can find it here.