Call for female models. Selvedge Fashion Show in Madison, Wisconsin.

Model Call for Selvedge, the 2010 Textile and Apparel Student Association Fashion Show.

Approximately 30 volunteer, female models are needed. The majority of the student garments are constructed for sizes 0-8.

Model call
• Monday, February 15th, 7-9pm. Memorial Union, 4th Floor.
• Bring a recent photo. Models under the age of 18 should bring a written parent's consent.
• Wear fitted clothing and heels (2" minimum).

Models MUST be available for the following dates:

• April 25th: Final fittings.
• April 30th: Rehearsal.
• May 1st: Fashion Show.
• Models will also be contacted by student designers for fittings.

Editorial photography: Epic Systems Campus in Verona

A few years ago, I photographed Epic Systems in Verona, Wisconsin while on assignment for Isthmus. I've finally gotten around to making a web gallery of the images with several unpublished photos. Epic is on an interesting, 400 acre campus with unique architectural/ landscape features, as well as housing a large collection of original artwork. View the Epic Systems photo gallery.

New jewelry photography tearsheet

I was fortunate enough to help work on the February issue of Madison Magazine. I photographed several pieces of jewelry on a tabletop sweep as well as some fine jewelry isolated on white. Shot with my Canon 70-200mm and extension tubes on a tripod. I'm really stoked about how the layout turned out. Stylist: Shayna Miller, art director: Tim Burton.

Photographer self-promotion

Over the last two years I have sent out hundreds of postcards and promotional pieces to a few dozen hand-selected publications and art buyers. I have really enjoyed the ongoing project since it requires extremely-tight editing of images, utilizing my graphic design skills to create the print pieces, and directing my focus toward publications and agencies that I'm truly interested in working for. For me, this sort of project keeps my creative vision on track, as I continue to chip away at shooting the kind of work I love to do.






















Overnightprints.com prints all of my self-promotional pieces. They specialize in 4-color printing on heavy stock in large and short-runs. The quality is excellent and color is very consistent. They offer fantastic email deals from time-to-time and I recommend them to friends often. Tip: download one of their templates to ensure that print size and crop marks are accurate. Design in 8-bit, CMYK color mode and use the GRACoL 2006 color profile (always check first to be sure this is the most current profile in use).

I hand-write individual notes to each potential client and occasionally send the 5.5"x8.5" color postcards in transparent vellum envelopes (which substantially adds to my expense). Addressing and writing out all the mailers generally takes several days and I try to send them out quarterly. Researching my recipients is extremely important in the process. I always want to be sure I have the proper name and address of the art director or photo editor as well as an understanding of the style of photography they typically use.

First fashion photo shoot of the year: Lucinda

I had a fantastic shoot with Lucinda last weekend. I have worked with her in the past and she always does excellent work. A few years ago Lucinda did runway modeling in Paris. Rosalee, and her assistants Caroline Radaj, and Jessica Rudnik helped with styling, hair and makeup. The shoot was a collaborative effort and everyone came up with some very creative concepts.


Behind the scenes photo of Rosalee working on Lucinda's hair in my Madison studio. Shot with my Zeus ringflash.


Ringflash vintage-styled photograph with Super8.

Editorial headshot with chrome catmask.


Cinematographic chic.



Lucinda in blue dress.

Madison skyline photo in use

Hey how about that?

Even with thousands of image sales, I rarely get to see my images at work. Segredo, a lounge opening in Madison next week, has been using my stock photo image in its print ad campaign and website. I think it looks pretty cool.


License the skyline image here.

Running Noise Ninja on Snow Leopard with Intel Macs

Recently I migrated all the apps and documents from my PowerPC G5 to a brand-spankin' new Intel iMac machine running Snow Leopard. The setup assistant flawlessly transferred everything over the FireWire connection in about a half hour. Miraculously, everything worked including CS3 with the exception of one of my favorite Photoshop plug-ins: Noise Ninja.

The error message I got when launching Photoshop was "One or more plug-ins are currently not available on your system. For details, see Help > System Info." Upon checking the System Info, the message was "Plug-ins that failed to load: Noise Ninja NO VERSION - - from the file “/Applications/Adobe Photoshop CS3/Plug-Ins/NoiseNinjaPlugin_MacPowerPC_2_3_2/NoiseNinja.8bf”

I assumed that the Noise Ninja version I paid for was not going to be compatible with Snow Leopard and that I was going to be shit out of luck. Actually, I went back to the site at www.picturecode.com and found an Intel Mac version of the software. I installed it and it accepted my license keycode. Problem solved.

Canon introduces updated 70-200mm f/2.8 IS II

Canon has revised its 70-200mm f/2.8 image stabilized lens for professional photographers. The new design features a decreased minimum focusing distance, improved autofocus performance, more durable build-quality, and improved optics. This is a very expensive, specialized lens which would be ideal for photojournalism, aerial photography, and fashion runway photo work. I own a 70-200mm f/4L and in hindsight I should have gotten the IS version. Without going into too much detail-my studio strobe lighting system allows for 1/125 second exposures and for the long end of my lens focal lengths, IS would be handy to ensure sharp captures. For the majority of my work I prefer the f/4 versions of the 70-200mm models due to the lighter weight specs.


Photo courtesy Canon Inc.

Lake Success, N.Y., January 5, 2010 – Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging, introduces the new EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM lens. Arguably the most popular focal range in Canon's telephoto arsenal and a staple lens for any professional photographer, the EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM lens provides the focal length, maximum aperture and zoom power for capturing everything from fast-action sports to studio portraits. Built for the professional, the body structure of the new EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM lens has been enhanced to provide better durability and strength without a significant increase in weight. Canon has improved optical performance on the new EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM lens by redesigning the internal elements, incorporating a fluorite element and a fifth UD element. The use of the fluorite element and five UD elements helps to minimize secondary chromatic aberrations and produce better image quality with improved contrast and resolution through the entire zoom range; the end result is an optically precise lens worthy of becoming the leader of Canon's L-series lenses.

Along with its redesigned optical elements, the new lens design features improved AF speed due to a new focusing algorithm and has reduced the minimum focusing distance to 3.9 feet (1.2 meters) through the entire zoom range, allowing photographers to capture tighter portraiture shots in a small studio space. The previous lens model's minimum focusing distance was 4.6 feet (1.4 meters), whereas now photographers can stand nearly 8 inches closer to their subject and achieve sharp focus and tight crops. Canon has also enhanced the Image Stabilization allowing it to compensate for shutter speeds up to four steps slower than 1/focal length, a one step improvement over the previous lens model.

"Canon's core has always been our optics, and we are constantly challenging ourselves to produce better and more advanced optical systems for our customers. The new EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM lens incorporates the best advancements in Canon lens technology from the past few years and packages it into what we believe will be the most popular lens for professionals and advanced photographers," stated Yuichi Ishizuka, senior vice president and general manager, Consumer Imaging Group, Canon U.S.A.

The enhanced magnesium alloy barrel design of the EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM lens features added strength with a minimal 20-gram increase in weight compared with the previous model (1490g vs. 1470g) and retains Canon's protective seals and fittings providing dust and water resistance for those photographers working in adverse conditions. A new bayonet mount on the front of the lens includes a locking mechanism to ensure the supplied lens hood remains securely in place. Other noticeable improvements include a wider focusing ring, and sleeker design by reducing the thickness of any protruding elements such as the switch panel. The new lens is also compatible with Canon's existing EF1.4X II and EF2X II Extenders as well as EF Extension Tubes and the 77mm Close-Up Lens 500D.

Pricing and Availability
The Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM lens is supplied with a detachable tripod collar, a reversible bayonet mount lens hood and a lens pouch. The new lens is scheduled to be delivered to U.S. dealers in April, price to be determined.

Happy New Years everyone!

I got the year started with a new front cover :)


Sally and I took a bunch of headshots with different lighting and backgrounds and here's the one that was published. I think it looks quite nice. Art director: Carolyn Fath, photo assistant: Ken Udell.

4M (6.43k) in 0:39:19 this afternoon

Not my 5k running pace but not too shabby either. Hope to be bangin' out 5 mile runs [in 50 minutes] this winter on the treadmill.

Madison Magazine: Style + Shopping, January

The January issue of Madison Magazine is out and I've got a nice-looking double truck (2-page spread) of winterwear in the style section of the print magazine. We shot a ton of products for the feature, but it was a lot of fun to work on. We've got a fantastic team that works with me on these projects including stylist Shayna Miller and art director Tim Burton.