One thing leads to another and another and another

It's rare these days to be asked to shoot a project for a client if you don't have any photographs in your portfolio that depict the look or type of product your client wasn't to see.

Ahh, that's where a visionary agency, creative director and art director comes in.

I worked for this agency in the past doing some food photography.  We shot some really cool stuff even though it was food.

I got an email not so long ago wanting to know if I would be interested in working together with then to create a whole new 'Visual Brand" for some 15-25 million dollar aircraft.

Let's see, Hmm, I get to be creative, Create a new 'Visual Brand" and play with some big boy toys!

I thought I better keep my cool so I said " How about I do a test for you and see what you think.  In my mind I was jumping up and down with excitement!  WooHoo!!!!

Well, One thing led to another,

To another

To another

To another

We're thrilled, the agency is happy and the client is totally excited about their New "Visually Branded"  images.

I can't wait to post some of the new ads we've been doing.

It's awesome when creatives and clients work together and let photographers truly be creative!

Web Page Update

I'm excited to announce our updated Website. We refreshed the look just a little, but still wanted to keep the site consistant with our Brand. The big difference is on the back side where most will never see. One of the great things about the refreshed site is that it is much, much easier to upload new images. The other good thing is that the refreshed website looks and works the same on mobile devices.  Let us know if you enjoy the new work.  Thanks, http://www.levelfivesolutions.com/ for all your help!

IPad Version

Gold and Silver at AAF-KC Addy Awards

Normally, David Morris Photography doesn't enter to many awards show as most of our work is product driven images.  Every once in a while a project will come to you that is more "Idea" base.  These are always fun because you get to really be creative.

We were reward this year with 2 Gold and 3 silver Addy awards for two such projects this year!

AAF-KC Gold awards

Dog at Blackboard received a Gold Addy 

Cargill's  Ranchers Reserve  received a Gold and 3 silver awards 

Thanks to all of our clients for an "AWESOME" year and can't wait to see what's in store for 2012!

Simplicity Sells

It might not be the latest fad in photography.  It doesn't use all the latest filters and techniques, but Simplicity Sells!  Beautifully lit, well designed, clean photographs are some of the sexiest and most beautiful imagery out there.

In advertising photography, the point is to grab and hold the attention of the viewer and to clearly communicate to them your message.

Let me give you three examples:

Apple

Target

and now J.C. Pennies

Some of these, for years, have sold their products with simple, clean, beautifully lit, well designed images.

I'm not saying you can't sell with other styles of photography, but it's hard to argue with clean, clear
communications.

A nice clean Margarita on ice.

A little behind the scene shot of some of the supplies it took to shoot a few simple drinks.

Which reminds me, just because it's a simple, clean shot doesn't mean it's any less complex than a shot with all kinds of props and atmosphere.   In fact I would suggest just the opposite.  When the image is the only item in the advertisement, it draws all the attention and it better be perfect.

Photoshop allow you to do make all the behind the scenes props disappear.

Thinking of Spring in December

December is normally a raw cold month in the mid-west.  Today is one of those rare days in December it's going to hit 60 degrees.  Nothing like a little warm weather and shooting tropical fragrances to get one in the mood for spring!  

Orange Vanilla

Just a quick "Fact of the Day" Vanilla Beans are not beans at all but the seed pod of a tropical orchid.

White Lotus Flower and Lychee 

We had so much fun a few weeks ago shooting some new fragrances for one of our long time clients.  A number of years ago we were asked to help them "Visually Brand" their product with a consistent upscale look and feel that matches the quality of their product.  We've had this privilege for some time now and can't wait to see what new scents they come up with next.    If your a candle lover and you haven't fired up a Trapp candle, you don't know what your missing.  They are awesome!


                                By the way, if you don't know what a Lychee fruit looks like here's a photo.

I hope everyone has an awesome winter but if your not a fan of winter, like myself, it might help you make it through if you break out one of thse scented candle and think of the spring to come.

84 Pounds of instant mashed potatoes later....

In a casual conversation about doing some new food images our associate photographer Tiffany Matson suggested I do a shot of a winter scene that was made of all edible items.  Hmm,  That sounds like a fun challenge.

84 pounds of mashed potatoes, 25 pounds of sugar, rock candy, cauliflower, pretzels, mushrooms, sugar cones, jerk spice, etc. later we came up with a fun winter scene.

Shots of the scene being roughed in.

Food stylist Sarah Hunt putting the finishing touches on the winter scene.

Putting powdered sugar on the sugar cone pine trees.  Although it didn't appear in the final images you can see we included a small stream in the set.

Set assistant Braden Edwards mixing another batch of instant mashed potatoes for the base of the set.

Braden adding rock candy as a rock wall next to the road.

One word "Plastics"

We had the privilege of shooting this ad for Sig Sauer recently.  Sig Sauer is one of the finest gun companies in the world because of the quality of their product.

Now, the rest of the story.  When photographing firearms the client can't just send you the product to photograph.   First, the gun has to be shipped to someone that has a Federal Firearms License.  Then you have to fill out all kinds of paperwork, they run a background check and then you can take it to the studio.

As long as you don't have any ammunition you can transport it in the same compartment as you are in.  If you have ammo, it has to be put in the trunk.  Once you're done then it has to be shipped back to someone with an FFL.  

It's always the little details that make the difference between good photography and great communication.

Between the 2 gun photos in this Ad we shot 40 shots.  Every little detail was carefully lit and shot then put together to subtly emphasize every edge and texture detail of the gun. 

The client wanted it to look manly, yet sexy.  I think it looks very 007.