Harwen Productions Sci-fi Slasher Recap

So the final verdict of the shoot today is that it was a success. Things began slowly, as is the case with most film shoots. The first scene is always one of the longest ones to take care of. While make-up and camera equipment was prepared, I did my thing and shot plenty of stills. I really wish I could post everything that I shot, but copyright prevents me from doing so. At least until I can arrange something with Harwen Productions. Until then, hope you enjoy a few pics of the cast. Unleash those optic nerves, here there be vitamins to drink.

Three of the cast members -Jenni, Kristin and Yuliya- strike a pose for the camera. These girls definitely had to glam things up after spending the day in futuristic spaceship costumes.
And here is the entire cast for Spaceship Terror: Emily, Kristin, Lacey, Steve, Jenni, Rhonda and Yuliya. The relief on their faces is because they can finally go home after a near 10-hour workday!
For enders, everyone goes for the goof pose. Ya gotta shake off that terror somehow, right? Or am I right?

Sci-fi Slasher Production Stills

Today is the day that I begin shooting production stills for a sci-fi slasher. The film is being produced by Harwen Productions. It should be interesting, especially with a name like Spaceship Terror. I'm looking forward to working on set with the crew and actors. Shooting film stills is one of the oldest genres of photography that I have ever shot. I was involved in the senior films of several friends my freshman year in college and never gave up after that. I enjoy the energy on set and think it a great experience. Here's hoping I'll get some great shots today.

Our gem, Ophelia

Here are some of my favorite selected images of my new daughter Ophelia. She is a gem, completely adorable. Being Ophelia's father is the best experience that I could ever hope for. Most of these images were shot at the hospital. As new parents, Natalie and I had a great experience thanks to the wonderful hospital staff.

This shot is when the doctor brought Ophelia out of Natalie, via C-section. The surgery was a wise choice, as Ophelia was a 9.96 pound baby. The anesthesiologist's reaction was, "That's not a baby, that's a toddler!" 
Here I am, moments after becoming a happy and well-pleased Papa.
One of many bonding moments with my new daughter. She took every available opportunity to wrap me around her little finger too.
Ophelia's initials are O-P-A-L. Natalie and I named her this way on purpose to show exactly how precious she is to us.
Ophelia is an amazingly alert baby. It really surprises us what she is capable of and adds to our joy as her parents.
Here is the "Spoon family" finally leaving the hospital. After five days inside, we were ready to go home!
And a final shot of me smothering my daughter with a kiss. I love this pic, her facial expression is priceless. Ophelia is definitely her own little person. We're glad that she is what represents the best of us. Natalie and I couldn't possibly be any happier about that. 

Well, there always is the option for twins next time... :D

Sussurros perto da Agua

"Sussurros perto da Agua" is Portuguese for "whispers by the water." The phrase invokes an enigmatic feeling with me, as do the images that I am posting today.

Yet there is great news to share! My daughter was born last week, on the 18th. She is a new gem in my life and a beautiful, healthy baby. I have a wonderful fiancée who labored long and hard until we ultimately we chose a C-section (per doctor's recommendation) to prevent any complications. And we made the right choice. I couldn't be any more pleased than I am now. My daughter is lovely, strong and already working at wrapping me around her finger. My partner is a wonderful, brave and magnificent woman for enduring what she did to bring our daughter into the world. In light of such a fantastic milestone, I wanted one final chance to post some maternity photos that I shot of my fiancée out along the Ruston Way Waterfront. These images were at her 9th month of pregnancy. So enjoy! Vitamins for your optic nerves.

The Maternity Race

So I've been building a lovely portfolio of maternity pics these past few weeks. Our due date is today, so I only have a few more days to work until we're induced next week. I've been quite satisfied with the images that I have shot so far, but time is running by fast. I have a beautiful muse to work with, and I couldn't be happier about that. But will I be able to get all those fantastic maternity shots that I want? Such as this one?

Perhaps not. But I have thoroughly enjoyed the journey so far. Not as much a race, as a pathway that we have shared. One of parenthood. A path that we'll continue to tread together as time goes, racing by much faster than we ever can..

Tommy Gardner Promos

Another of the portrait projects that I undertook while in Miami was for Tommy Gardner, a good friend that is an aspiring musician. The following images are a collection of headshots and poses that Tommy requested for publicity promos. These images were shot in Key Biscayne, a fabulous place for photos. So enjoy. Vitamins for your optic nerves.

If you're interested in hearing some of Tommy's music, don't fret. I'm told that there are samples on the way, so I'll be certain to keep more updates about it when I hear them. 'Til then, enjoy the scenery.

Maternity photography

One of the wonderful things that has come with my move across the country is being able to photograph my fiancée during the last two months of her pregnancy. The images that I've shot so far all look very lovely. Not only does she look fantastic for a pregnant woman in her eighth month but she is an extremely good model!

I'll let the images speak for themselves. Enjoy. Vitamins for your optic nerves.
All of these phenomenally amazing photos were shot at Point Defiance, one of the many public parks in Tacoma WA. With a model this stunning you can expect more images to come, and soon!

Les Visages de Joie, pt. 2

So I thought about things and decided to post some of the photos that I shot for Les Visages de Joie, the charity exhibition that Pamela Jones debuted back in March. It's currently planned to exhibit in NYC and all proceeds from the show are being donated to a charity organization established by Wyclef Jean for the people of Haiti.

Here is Pam, with Jeff Feldman who assisted her in organizing the exhibition.

As I mentioned before, the exhibit drew a large crowd. There was a lot of money raised for charity that night.
One of the great things about Pam's work is that it attracted people of all types to come and show their support!
Here are Pam and Jeff, ready to raffle off one of her photographs for charity.
Pam also compiled a small coffee table book of her exhibit. You can contact her if interested in purchasing one.
The musical guests, Papaloko, DJ Kiki and Jowie Omicil added a soulful dimension to the exhibit. They were also very popular with the crowd.
The band was popular with other photographers as well. I consider myself fortunate to have captured this image..
By the end of the night, everyone was having a good time and infused with their own 'visages de joie' -which you can see here..
Here's Pam among her photographs. A world traveler, she manages to keep things in perspective and with this exhibit inspired others to reach out and lend assistance to the people of Haiti who needed it.
With Les Visages de Joie, Pam and Jeff organized a successful exhibit. That night's efforts to promote Haitian relief awareness and increase contributions for Wyclef Jean's charity organization was very well received and brought aid to many people in need. If you happen to be in NYC, keep an eye out for this exhibit and make a point to attend!

Les Visages de Joie

The other day Pamela Jones, one of the photographers that I had worked for in Miami, contacted me with news that her exhibition, Les Visages de Joie, would be traveling to New York this month. Her work was a collection of photographs from a trip to Haiti last year after the island was ravaged by several hurricanes. I thought to help promote Pamela's exhibit by giving her a shout-out in the blog.

I was present at the original exhibit in Miami, which was organized by Pamela and Jeff Feldman. Les Visages de Joie was part of the Design District's Second Saturday back in March. Along with the exhibition, Pam and Jeff had arranged for music to be provided by Papaloko, DJ Kiki and Jowee Omicil. Diageo, one of the world's largest alcohol distributors, provided complimentary drinks as part of their Spirit of the Americas relief project. To contribute with relief efforts, the exhibit ran a raffle and the proceeds were donated to www.yele.org- a charity established by Wyclef Jean to benefit the Haitian people.

The exhibition was a smashing success. The music drew in a large crowd and Pam's inspiring and wonderful images made people stay until the lights were being turned off outside. Jeff described it best, "The purpose of the exhibition to is maintain a local awareness of the incredible human spirit of our Haitian brothers and sisters. In spite of the adversity and suffering in the wake of four destructive hurricanes in 2008, Pamela's images show the Haitian people were still smiling." I think everyone involved was beyond excited about the Miami debut of Les Visages de Joie and it's success.

So if you happen to be in New York and hear about the exhibit, go czech it out. As you can see from the images below, it's quite a show. Plus the donations go to a great charity, which is certainly needed in that country right now. It was a fantastic opportunity to work with Pam and promote her exhibit, which in turn helps to promote aid and awareness for the Haitian people. I hope to stay involved if the opportunity comes my way again.

Spaceship Terror Production Stills

One of the upcoming gigs that I'll be shooting is for a movie called Spaceship Terror. It's a Harwen Productions film, and Lionsgate is said to have some interest in purchasing it after post-production wraps. I'll be handling the production stills and behind the scenes interviews.

From the bare-bones synopsis we were given by the director, this flick seems to be a moody sci-fi slasher thriller. I'm thinking something along the lines of the Descent. Some of the set can be seen here -adapted from a prior film that was produced by Harwen Productions- but it will be drastically altered to fit with the demands for this slasher flick.

I'm excited to get to work on a movie set again. I love the vibe and interactive nature that a film shoot brings out in the crew. From what I can gather, this may be the type of movie that I'll need to bring a tent and a sleeping bag with me to the shoot. I have the feeling it is going to be very campy. But hey, that means it will be fun!