Happy Valentine's Day

As we dip our toes into images that move, one big, bold thing remains the same…we seek the uniqueness in each of our subjects.

This gal impressed us during an audition we held in our studio.  Her energy, enthusiasm and clear desire for “Fashion Diva-ness” inspired us to design this shoot around her.

Our own transition from seeing in still images toward seeing in motion is beginning to take shape.  And we are thrilled by the opportunities.

Hope you enjoy our take on a bit of holiday cheer!

Here’s what our first ever video client had to say about working with us:

What a way to ring in the New Year…a new project…in new media…it’s motion alright!  Shot in a part day in our studio, edited on another day. See the description below for more info.

Carol Engler/ Originator, Empathic Education from George C. Anderson on Vimeo.

George C. Anderson and Julie Schirmer take their years of enthusiasm and experience creating memorable still photography and step into video production with their first client-sponsored project, shot in George’s studio with sound captured by Jay Alton. Helping Carol convey her passion for Empathic Education, George and Julie consulted on script-writing, studio set, lighting, wardrobe/hair/makeup and of course, on-camera direction, to portray Carol as the authentic person she is: professional, informed and approachable. In support of Carol’s message, George and Julie licensed music from stockmusic.net and also selected and sequenced stock images from Shutterstock. They offered creative direction working with freelance video editor Eric Ringquist to finalize their collective vision.

- by Jules

You never know when lightening will strike. Or opportunity. Thankfully, opportunity has struck me more than lightening.

So it really came as no surprise when, in February 2011, I was hi-jacked by my friend Ruth Milligan in the parking lot of our kids’ daycare center…

“Hey, Jules- got 30 seconds?” she called from her car window.

And the rest is…art and opportunity, collaboration and community all combined into what turned out to be an exciting little package.

You see, Ruth had just attended the TED conference in California and had witnessed an idea there. The artist JR, who received the 2011 TED prize, was looking to involve other communities in his concept. Ruth wanted to roll it out locally, and as co-chair of TEDx Columbus, she had a vision of how we could interpret this idea in our own town.

But she needed help. Through the car window I heard…”Would you be able to help me coordinate some photographers to put this thing together?”

“Yes!” I said, agreeing immediately. I knew Geo would join in wholeheartedly and that between the two of us, we’d be able to round up other willing photographers.

Geo and I made some phone calls to our friends in the Columbus ASMP (American Society of Media Photographers). Each person we contacted, who could fit us into their schedule, said “Yes.” They all participated with incredibly generous heart and spirit.

(L-R) asst. Jon Iddings, Stephen Webster, Julie Schirmer, Tom Dubanowich (front row), Ray LaVoie, George C. Anderson, Larry Hamill, asst. Stephen Newport (front row) and Mike Foley not pictured: assts. David Allison, Brian Cole

That’s how we found ourselves, 6 months after my parking lot conversation, on Saturday, September 17th at COSI shooting side by side with Tom Dubanowich, Mike Foley, Larry Hamill,Ray LaVoie and Steven Webster. Working within the guidelines of JR’s Inside Out project, each photographer provided their own white background, lighting and cameras. We photographed volunteers from the general public and also from the Harmony Project. All in all, almost 100 faces were captured that day in about 2 hours. The photographers edited their work after the shoot on site and selected their favorite images for inclusion in our group project.

Samples from Columbus Inside Out photo project

Later, Geo uploaded the photos to JR’s site and 3′x5′ prints were returned. The prints were then hung by Adam Brouillette of Wonderland in various sites within Franklinton, on the near west side of Columbus, an area of town which is being gentrified with a particular focus on the arts.  Other prints were installed for public viewing outside COSI.

© 2011 Adam Brouillette

© 2011 Adam Brouillette

© 2011 Adam Brouillette

© 2011 Adam Brouillette

Then, in culmination, our Inside Out effort was highlighted at TEDx Columbus on 11/11/11. Ruth’s wish had come to fruition and Geo was privileged to be invited on stage to help explain the project to the live audience.

On stage at TEDx Columbus

George explains Columbus' Inside Out project

It was very satisfying to organize and work alongside other photographers- as colleagues more than competitors.  You could just feel the synergy on the shoot. Both Geo and I were very proud to be part of this group. We had a wonderful, invigorating day with our fellow photographers and were thrilled to meet so many great Columbus citizens who, as subjects said “yes” and were willing to be part of this global art initiative.

We really are part of the greater whole, not just globally but also locally, within our own industry.

But you have to say “yes” first.

Thanks, Ruth, for asking!

Time to Say Good-Bye

Today turns over a new leaf. Much of the gear that fueled our business for many of the past years has been sold. It’s perfectly fine equipment and very serviceable. But it’s no longer of use to us, made obsolete by faster, sharper, cheaper and less fussy equipment.

Gone are the days when placing a Hasselblad on your tripod meant instant status. The images produced by the Zeiss glass and larger format did the trick back in the film era and early days of the digital revolution.  And while those cameras and lenses were beastly expensive to buy, they were workhorses that functioned perfectly with very rare exception. And when things would occasionally break, they were imminently repairable. And they didn’t need software upgrades every year or so.

Tens of thousands of dollars were poured into acquiring the pile of gear you see in the photo. We could count on the longevity and quality of the investment to come back to us without fail. Much of what you see here has been useful and been put to work for 15 years or more, in some cases. The gear held its value for years after its purchase.

It is, however, time to say good-bye. For my whole professional life, up to this point, I shot with Hasselblad gear. I had used Horseman 4×5 and Nikon, but my first choice tended to be the Hasselblad.  Now the only thing left in our studio emblazoned with that fabulous Hasselblad logo is a cinch-top lens bag…perfect, for carrying something other than a ‘Blad lens.

Today, there are many new pieces of gear we own. And what they are capable of doing is almost magical.

But when you put them on the tripod, they just don’t have that Ooh-Aah-Hasselblad wow factor!  No worries, it’s really always been about the image-wow-factor anyhow.  And the new tools we have just make that easier to create.

This past weekend, an event called “Art al Fresco” happened in Columbus, Ohio. Artists made spontaneous art in public places, starting conversations and evoking responses from people passing by. I was proud to be a small part of this, when 3 B&W photos from my “About Face: The Art of Being Human” series were chosen for display.

Additionally, these photos are “teasers” for another upcoming community building art effort, the “Columbus: Inside Out Project.”  It will be a group endeavor as part of the worldwide initiative known as “Inside Out.”  Inspired by the artist/photographer JR, winner of the 2011 TED prize, who said “I wish for you to stand up for what you care about by participating in a global art project, and together we’ll turn the world…INSIDE OUT.” Six other Columbus-based photographers and I will be capturing portraits of local volunteers from all walks of life this Saturday 9/17/2011 at COSI from 10am until 12pm.  The resulting prints will be posted around town in public places. The hope is to create a feeling of community through the display of these portraits in areas accessible to all.

More info about the Columbus:  Inside Out Project at http://tedxcolumbus.com/2011/09/inside-out/

More info about JR’s global Inside Out Project at http://www.tedprize.org/jr-2011-ted-prize-winner/

-by Jules

So, since this is the theme of our blog…and it seems to come naturally to us (or so we’ve been told), I thought I’d share a timely link to an article I came across today echoeing the same sentiment. Talks about the importance of collaboration within agencies, big and small, and also between agencies and their clients.  Check it out over at at Fast Company.

We’ve been fortunate to have the opportunity to combine forces with many wonderful creative people over the course of more than a few years. Look for a bit of a retrospective blog post next when we, not very formally, celebrate having been in the same studio location for 26 years this month.

‘Til then, enjoy working on whatever you’re doing. And hopefully, with whomever else is involved. Your kindergarten teacher will be keeping notes.

And this one even older!

But that’s just our two cents…

Summer is a great time to capture evocative images. Everyone can relate to the sweet simplicity summertime brings to mind.  School’s out, days are long, temperatures are pleasant.  The livin’ is easy!

It doesn’t get much simpler than fun times in the sprinkler.  Just ask this boy.  Hopefully you won’t have to, maybe the picture tells it all.