Inspiration

On Saturday I got the chance to hang out with and photographer two pretty inspiring skateboarders Sid and Josh for D&A Clothing. These guys are seriously passionate about skateboarding. Not matter how many times they did a particular trick, if it didn't feel right to them, they would do the trick until the move was perfect and sound in every way. Talk about drive and ambition, it was amazing to me to witness these guys giving 200% for a sport they love so much. The harder they pushed, the harder I wanted to push. Screw being tired, there was no time to think about that. When the people you are photographing are giving you their best, it would be an insult to them if you didn't give them your best in return.Saturday was truly an inspiring day.

Is it the gear or you?

I came across this video on YouTube of noted photographer Terry Richardson. What I find crazy about this video is that he is using a snapshot camera to do a major shoot...Crazy!!! But, it goes to show you that it's not all about the gear you have, it's about the person behind the camera.

Spot News

So I'm on the interstate trying to fight through traffic to get home when I decided to turn off the highway and go a different direction. little did I know that I was about to see a gas truck tip over and explode just ahead of me. I think it was commercial photographer Chase Jarvis who said " the best camera is the one you have beside you". Well, in my case it was in my pocket. I shot this quick image with my iPhone before the state police everyone move back off the interstate off ramp. Just because you don't have a top of the line camera with you doesn't mean you can't pick-up whatever you have around you to capture a moment. Never underestimate the power of what you have beside you or in your pocket.

Making Myself More Uncomfortable

On my last post, I talked about doing different things and making yourself uncomfortable. The other day I was asked to shoot two aspiring models in a hookah lounge. Sounded like some thing new and different to me so, I jumped at the idea to do something different taking me out of my comfort zone.

Making Yourself Uncomfortable

Yesterday evening I officially got started on a personal project that I have been thinking about doing for awhile now. I got the opportunity to work with the very talented model/dancer, Mandy Faber. We took a few shots on the beach out East Ocean View here in Norfolk, Va. It stormed a little bit before we were suppose to shoot, but the weather cleared by the time we got out there. (Thank God!!!)

I decided to start this photo study on dancers because I found myself becoming too comfortable with what I was choosing to shoot. I have been limiting my experience lately to merely the people that closely surround me and has a creative its never good to limit yourself. Besides, my passion for photography stemmed from my curiosity about people and the human condition. I love life... photography is my way of connecting and staying in tune with it. With that being said, I encourage each and every person reading this to allow yourself to see something different today. Take time out to have a conversation with someone new, someone different than your normal group of friends. If you have a camera, I don't care if its a cell phone or the latest top of the line camera out there. Take the time to take at least one photo of something you normally wouldn't shoot. Make yourself uncomfortable.

Organic...

Got the opportunity to work with the guys over at Drive&Ambition Clothing again, this time we came up with an idea to do a guerilla style commercial video shoot with an extremely fresh hip-hop band called "Upperclassmen". We did the shoot in front of mini-mart corner store in the Park Place section of Norfolk. It was definitely an experience I will always remember, for about an hour or so we had the entire neighborhood rocking to the purely organic sounds of a funky drummer, bass player, songstress and dope emcee.

All the footage was shot using a Nikon D90. It's been my goal since I got the camera to push it to the limits to see what the camera can do. So far, I'm liking the feel of the camera. The only problem I have is I keep wanting to put the camera to my face to shoot stills when I'm capturing video...??? Guess that's just the photographer in me...

Before I forget, I want to give a special thanks to the cops for not shutting us down. We had no permit to shoot, could have been a disaster.

B-Boys Roc Tha Document...

This morning was the morning I had been waiting for for a long time. I've been itching to photograph some of the B-Boys in my area for a long time now. But no matter what I tried, no lead ever seem to bare fruit. Until this past monday when I got a call from my man Trevor "G4" Lucas telling me that he ran into some talent B-Boys that were down to shoot this weekend. (Can You Say Hype!!!)

Just my luck though, this morning the weather was totally crap, but B-Boys Kid and T were good sports and willing to brave the elements with me. Thanks again fellas...!!!

Giving Back

About a week or so ago I was asked by a good friend of mine, April Campion, if I wouldn't mind taking some behind the scenes images of a video project her and her crew from Regent University was working on for St. Mary's Home for Disabled Children here in Virginia Beach, Va. The video footage she shot and the still images I took were going to be used to help advertise St. Mary's 21st Annual 5K run which is taking place on the 3 October. Doing this to me was a no brainer... it was for a worthy cause, plus I'm a firm believer in giving back to the community.

I was only able to stay for a couple of hours, but the time that I was able to spend there left a lasting impression on me. The staff at the home had a real passion for helping children and the children, though disabled, had a true passion for living. So many emotions... so many stories to tell...I definitely have to come back to St. Mary's.

The Cost of Doing Business

I had a conversation with Florida based commercial photographer and good friend Aaron Ansarov today. It had been far too long since we had last spoken and I wanted to do some catching up with my good friend and mentor. We of course discussed all the good things that are happening with the organization we are both affiliated with, ASMP. As well as the typical stuff most driving photographers talk about....PHOTOGRAPHY. But, besides that ,the main focus of our conversation was about the Cost Of Doing Business.

When I was in the military, there was no need to think about the cost of doing business because my salary was a given. I got paid on the 1st and the 15th every month like clock work no matter how little I did or how much I did, the pay was still the same. It wasn't until later on when I was almost out of the military that my eyes were opened on what I should charge for an assignment or what the differences were between Commercial, Editiorial and Retail assignments. (not to mention LICENCING OF IMAGES!!!) If there is any lesson I can pass on to photographers just starting out, it's know your cost of doing business, if you don't your CODB your business will fail. All the talent in the world can't help you if you aren't charging what you're worth.

If you want to know what you should be charging checkout the NPPA's Cost of Doing Business Calulator

Drive & Ambition

Recently I got to work with the guys over at Drive&Ambition Clothing, they asked me if I would shoot an ad campaign for them to help launch their new line of designer tee shirts. I was totally up for the task, plus I really like the designs of the tee shirts they were looking to market... they reminded me of the Marc Ecko tee shirts I used to get back in the late 90's . All the Ecko tee's had really fresh designs , plus they all came with dope underground mixtapes, which was an added bonus.

I shot all the still images with my Nikon D2Xs, but the day of the shoot I also decided to do something a little different. I brought along my Nikon D90 just in case the opportunity presented itself where I could shoot a little video to go along with the stills. Besides, my goal when I purchased the D90 was to push the camera video and still wise to see what the camera can really do. Along with that, I also wanted to push myself to see what ideas I could come up with on the fly. Well, I'm happy to say, I'm glad I decided to bring the D90 with me. The video I shot turned out to be a pretty cool commercial ad for the guys.

I guess the moral of this story is ALWAYS PUSH YOURSELF TO DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT.

Who Knew...?

When I was a photojournalist in the military, I photographed a lot of amazing people, places, and things. I was an aerial photographer, which meant I got to do things most people only dreamed about doing. When I transitioned out of the Air Force in March, if someone would have said to me " Sam... you're going to shoot still life. And you're first published book is going to be about glass" I would have told them they were nutz...!!! But guess what, I stepped out of my comfort zone and tackled the challenge of shooting still life.

Before now, I never really realized how much I truly love photography. It doesn't matter to me the subject anymore, it's all about the feeling I get while I'm shooting.

Walk-a-bout...

Today after a late lunch at Machismo Burrito Bar with a few of my friends, we decided to take a walk to burn of some calories. For me, the idea sounded liked the perfect opportunity to capture a few moments. We took a scroll through downtown Norfolk's historic Ghent neighborhood. Very relaxing time to shoot and meditate. With everything that's going on in my crazy world, moments like this are needed from time to time.

The Thirst

Yesterday I was in Richmond, Va. pounding the pavement trying to make connections with a few ad agencies and creative directors as well as doing a little bit of scouting for an upcoming photo shoot. I was very intrigued by Richmond. As soon as I arrived in the city I was ready to pull out my camera and start shooting. Needless to say, meetings took up a majority of my day. But, I was determined to shoot something before I got on the road. The weather was crap but, I didn't care. The only thing that mattered to me was finding a shot. I needed to find a shot. I drove around in the pouring rain for about 45 minutes looking for something that moved me. Then I found it. a moment that moved me to want to pick up my camera, run out into the rain and shoot.

You see, it didn't matter to me what the weather conditions were, how bad parking was, or what was going on in my life at that time. The only thing that mattered to me was that moment in time and the sweet sound of the shutter after capturing the moment.

Stepping Out on Faith...

On Friday, I finally hyped myself up enough to go out and pound the pavement and visit a few ad agencies in the area. My close friend and mentor, Aaron Ansarov , has been really pushing me to step out and test the waters to see where I stand right now; being that I'm just out of the military and starting a new career as commercial photographer.

So, there I was, portfolio book in hand, doing what some might think is the absolute wrong thing to do. I walk into to office after office without an appointment. Just a portfolio and a strong to desire to make it with my art. Sure, a few agencies took my card and told me they would be in touch but, to my surprise a couple of agencies took the time to look at my work and talk to me about me and what I wanted to do with my photography. If you never try, how will you ever know what you can be?