Urban Tulsa Weekly >> "30 Under 30"

Urban Tulsa Weekly‘s annual “30 Under 30″ issue hits stands this week, and I was lucky enough to be assigned some pretty interesting small business owners; many of whom are emerging into their markets and made great conversation about where they want to go. The cover shot (below) features John Hill, an eight year old (definitely under 30) who’s website, Family Pet Search Organization, helps lost pets find their way home. John showed up to his photo shoot wearing his father’s oversizes suit and shoes, which made for a fun session.

PICTURED BELOW:
John Hill [Family Pet Search Organization], Licia Zampino + Shelly Harris [Boston Ave. Grill], Quintin Franklin [Sooner Recon], Brandon Autry [Full Scale Guitar], Kristen McCormick + Ginger Fast [Recycling Revolution], Patrick Cuningkin [I'm Delivered], Shari Alexander [Presenting Matters LLC], Sloane Merrick [Sloane Merrick Art Gallery], and Gabriel Bernal [Big Daddy's Glass Company].

I will have some more bigger posts coming soon, including coverage of Tulsa mayor Dewey Bartlett and local politics, colorful local shows, and some upcoming projects that have me convinced that 2010 is going to be one of my first break-out years.

Stay tuned.

Climbing MOUNT RIGHTEOUS

Here are some surviving highlights from an extreme show last weekend with band MT. RIGHTEOUS from Grapevine, Texas. They charged Soundpony (409 N. Main St.) Saturday night with their unique brand of hardcore marching band madness. As Soundpony is a music venue not generally known for terrific lighting, I decided to have fun with that weakness and snapped photos that conveyed the hypertension and party-time fun. Notice: I never said they were good. Just fun.

I have a few cool updates coming your way this week – especially for those of you in the Tulsa realm of things.

Stay tuned!

William the Artist

Here are some hand-picked highlights from a shoot I had with Tulsa-based artist William Franklin. William specializes mainly in mural paintings,  but you have likely seen his work in print – especially his commercial work for Tulsa International Mayfest for past years. He is also the vice president of TulsaNow, and, more exciting, is the organizer of an in-development Tulsa art deco muesum project Decopolis. I caught up with William on location as he worked on an Art Deco mural in a midtown home.

>> [see more photographs @ flickr]

William was all too willing to take a break and have some fun with our session, so we propped a chair on top of his scaffolding set-up and spent some time grabbing some light-hearted shots that showcase him with his work.

Stay tuned!

Urban Tulsa's "Hot 100"

Here are a few hand-picked highlights from some of the portraits I shot for Urban Tulsa‘s annual “Hot 100″ issue (view online here or in print on newstands).

PICTURED ABOVE:
Dr. Bob Blackburn (executive director, Oklahoma Historical Society), Macy Snyder (sales director, Mayo Hotel), Tony Henry + Greg Hughes (owners, In the Raw, Full Moon Cafe, and the upcoming Wolfgang Puck restaurant), Miranda Kaiser (owner, Cosmo Café), Jamie Jameson (partner, The Village Builders), and Tom Dittus (owner/developer, upcoming Blue Rose Café).

Phew! What a group. From here I depart to work on UTW‘s small business issue, so work will be more hectic still for the next couple of weeks. I have some cool ideas in development for many other shoots as well, so hang in there with me as we get 2010 kicked off with a bang.

TUL: Winter Wonderland

Here are some hand-picked highlights from my adventures in trying to cover the Christmas Eve blizzard. It seemed like a dreary and rainy day was ahead as the clouds grayed and the temperature dropped, but by mid-afternoon the city began to be laid flat in sleet, followed by inches of snow. Having little else to do and a lot of enthusiasm for capturing the rare weather condition, I embarked out to some of my favorite spots in the downtown area to try to provide some interesting photographs.

>> [see more photographs @ flickr]

Funny anecdote about the city-scape photograph with Cain’s Ballroom (third down): I almost found myself in hand-cuffs when I climbed up on the highway to grab the angle. The first highway patrol car just yapped through his speaker to “get off the highway!” but the second officer, pulling in only seconds later, stopped to roll down his window and yell at me about how dumb I must be. “Get off my highway!” he barked. Way to be dramatic, Harrison Ford! I was already on my way back down, anyway. Clearly he didn’t know the life-and-limb that you have to risk to get the shots you need.

Anyway.

Enjoy the shots, and happy New Year!

2009 Retrospective >> Part V: People

Back through looking glass, 2009 was a mammoth year in productivity for me. I started the year as a semi-professional photographer and finished as a professional freelance photographer. I found the brass balls needed to quit my day jobs and pursue a career I really care about, and I’ve found validation through the wonderful relationships I’ve created in the scene and the showcasing publications I work for.

Anyway, I promise to keep these posts short on words and heavy on photographs. Here are some hand-picked highlights from my portrait work this year.

Happy holidays!

2009 Retrospective >> Part IV: On Assignment

Back through looking glass, 2009 was a mammoth year in productivity for me. I started the year as a semi-professional photographer and finished as a professional freelance photographer. I found the brass balls needed to quit my day jobs and pursue a career I really care about, and I’ve found validation through the wonderful relationships I’ve created in the scene and the showcasing publications I work for.

Anyway, I promise to keep these posts short on words and heavy on photographs. Here are some hand-picked highlights from my assignment work this year.

NORMAN MUSIC FESTIVAL

[April 25th]

PICTURED ABOVE:
EL PASO HOT BUTTON, OTHER LIVES, GENTLE GHOST, ALI HARTER, MAN MAN, STARLIGHT MINTS, and OF MONTREAL.

TULSA TOUGH

[June 4th, 5th, & 6th]

DFest

PICTURED ABOVE:
OTHER LIVES, DELTA SPIRIT, CITIZEN COPE, THE BLACK CROWES, GOGOL BORDELLO, RA RA RIOT, ROONEY, METRO STATION, BLUE OCTOBER, and CAKE.

U2 360° TOUR

[October 18th]

PICTURED ABOVE:
U2 and BLACK EYED PEAS

WINTERFEST

Stay tuned. I have more posts ready to go leading up to New Year’s!

Happy holidays!