Portraits

Environmental Artist Portraits with Briony Morrow-Cribbs

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I first noticed Briony's work at last fall's semi-annual Gallery Night, a MMoCa-sponsored event where many Madison artists and galleries open their doors extra-late and host special shows to stoke the city's art scene. A print of hers, Buzz #5, was included in a faculty show at the Humanities building, and stood out from the other talent there. Maybe a month later, I noticed more work in the Artisan Gallery, my favorite Madison-area destination for an art fix... and then I saw her stuff at the Overture Center... and then at the new Madison Central Library. Who was this great new local talent? It seemed she had suddenly been discovered and exhibit venues were snapping up the opportunity to feature her.

I sent Briony an email to compliment her work, and we ended up discussing websites. Soon we started a new project to update her online presence, which wasn't wasn't reflecting the quality of her work the way it should. As part of the website development process, we did a studio shoot  to capture some of the gestalt of her working environment and process. The above images are a few of my favorites.

If you like etching, or printmaking in general, check out Briony's portfolio; it's a treasure trove of nature-inspired pieces, rendered in a great old-school style. The watercolor she applies to the prints reminds me a lot of hand-tinted photographs, but somehow the effect comes off way better here. It's worth pointing out that the online-images don't hold a candle to the real thing; just like photographic prints, seeing them in-person makes a world of difference.

Morrow-Cribbs soon leaves for Vermont, but if you act fast you can still catch her show at the Central Library. Or check out her website for future shows/events.

 

Student Headshots on Campus at UW-Madison

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Kasia is a Fulbright scholar doing post-doc work at the UW in both the Education and Business schools, specializing in setting up international study abroad programs across the globe. Since it was Spring Break week and campus was empty, we met at the Education school and took advantage of its big, bright windows and interesting architectural nooks and crannies to do a natural light shoot. Being next door to Science Hall was too much to resist, so we hopped over there for a while too. Love shooting in the rich, interesting character the classic campus buildings bring, even if that doesn't show up in the shots.

Thanksgiving in Muscoda

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Headed west on Saturday for a family portrait session on Saturday. Jeremy said his family built their cabin near Muscoda because they felt it was "kinda off the radar." Yeah, I'll say. I had only been through Muscoda once before, and though I was enamored with it, I did not think I'd ever be back there for a portrait shoot. But opportunity struck and I was psyched to follow State Route 60 (aka The River Road) down the Wisconsin to the 40-acres retreat these folks use to escape the city.

A few notes: 
• A "cabin" does not always denote a humble log cabin affair in the woods. Sometimes a "cabin" is really something more.
• It's pronounced Musk-a-day, not Mus-co-da. I'm not sure how anyone would figure that out on their own.
• There's are numerous hidden sandstone parapets and buttresses in the driftless terrain west of Lone Rock. These guys had two really neat formations hidden in the trees, up on the ridge. Wondering if there could be a secret climbing crag somewhere in the territory?

Frosty Times, Downtown Madison

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I might be in the minority, but I think the best holiday cards look seasonal. The holiday season is cold, but we can't let that stop us, especially when we all have layers and layers of wool, leather, and down in our closets. It's usually in the 10's or 20's here in December, so when I see families looking bundled up and cozy together, having a great time despite the minor inconvenience of 7-degree windchill factor... those cards gets to be on top of the fridge. Solidarity!

On the other hand... those conditions are tough to shoot in, and I never wish for that kind of weather. But that's what we got last week, and this family pulled through in high style. I compliment their spirit and love the shots we walked away with. Thanks for setting the record for my coldest portrait shoot ever!

Ebert's Greenhouse Adventure

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I shot Jon and Ann's darling son George last summer when he was just a few days old, and now he has gorgeous long curls and a wonderfully stubborn disposition. Ann wanted to bring the entire family together at Ebert's Greenhouse Village in Ixonia, which seemed like a good idea to me. Turns out there is a LOT going on at Ebert's, so we ducked through the greenhouse complex and found the corn field, complete with tractors and a warm, quiet greenhouse.

Molly & Steve

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Schedule the shoot... cancel because it looks like rain. It never rains. Reschedule for next week... the forecast calls for rain. Discuss two hours before the shoot... Molly wants to go for it. Drive to small town under dark skies. It begins to rain. Scout the small town, looking for places that make offer any kind of shelter. Rains gets harder. Start thinking about restaurants and bars. Molly calls and says, "It's totally cool, let's just shoot in a bar or something. That will be more fun anyway." Ten minutes before the shoot, the couple calls and says they are early. Rain stops, right then. Go to an industrial area, upon the Molly's request. Explore. Have fun. Get a little dirty. Get a little spooked. Go home.

If every engagement shoot was like this, that would be okay with me. Thanks you two.

A Good Thanksgiving

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With the holiday season upon us, many families are scrolling through their 2012 photographs, looking for that one image that will faithfully represent their clan in the annual holiday card. If you can't find one, however, it's not the end of the world... you can always MAKE one. Just got everybody gussied up (or at least mostly dressed), set the timer, and take some pictures. If you aren't happy with the results, then bring me in to help... that's what these guys did.

Shooting formal portraits with young children always feels so crazy, like we are asking for the very last thing they would ever do of their own volition. I can hear them thinking, "Why on earth are we standing still, looking at that dude? This is boring." I sympathize, kids. I would rather roll on the floor with you, chase you around, and let you throw things at me. But occasionally, we need a family portrait to document to remind all our friends who we are, since we haven't seen them in years. You will understand one day, I promise.

I must take a moment to thank Dad for his heroism during the shoot. After his son accidentally threw his prized football off the bridge and into the river, Dad punched his hero card by running down the ball, wading INTO the river, and retrieving the ball, completely saving the day. And then he proceeded to pose and smile for another 30 minutes in wet shoes and socks on a sunny but brisk November day. Admirable.

Fall Family Portraits in Stoughton with Three Generations

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When you've been married for forty years, you deserve a photo shoot with all the trouble you've created over the years. This clan gathered in beautiful Stoughton for a pre-Packer family portrait session on a quintessential October day, an anniversary gift from their kids, Bill and Leslie. Peggy and Bill Sr. presided over the family admirably, deftly juggling five grandkids while managing photo requests and looking dapper all the while. I had a ton of fun with the kids, who were all incredibly sweet to me, whether they liked the camera pointed at them or not (and some definitely did not). Thanks to the whole crew for your hospitality, cooperation, and light-heartedness... I think we made some great images together. Happy anniversary!