A journey in every glass

As the year draws to a close, it is time to take stock—boxes to check, wins, losses, lessons learned, and unresolved events that defy categorization. You could take out a sheet of paper and get to work, or pour a glass of Survivor's Cut bourbon and sit in quiet contemplation with that steadfast companion who has been there all year to lift your spirits, celebrate your victories, and soothe the ache of losses.

Distilled from a grain mash of corn, 2-row malted barley, and rye, and quietly aged in a new American Oak cask, Survivor's Cut is more than just a drink; it's a journey in a glass. May this ritual of embracing uncertainty and finding comfort in the unknown encourage clarity, gratitude, and the courage to journey on...

Crafting Innovation: The NoBull Burger Packaging Project

In the grocery world, it's not often that a client takes risk to stand out in the frozen veggie burger category. NoBull’s decision to veer from the conventional path of showing a veggie burger in a bun and instead embrace the unconventional was, in essence, an act of courage. This redesign coincided with a recent launch nationally in Whole Foods Market so there was a significant amount of risk in the unconventional design direction. It was a decision to trust the creative vision and to believe that something different could resonate with consumers and leave a lasting impression.

Inspired by a photograph in my portfolio, the client wanted to showcase their ingredients, reflecting the authenticity and quality of their products. This was an invitation to step away from the conventional norms of packaging photography and embark on a journey that would eventually set their product apart from others on the grocery store shelf.

Andy Kurtts, creative director at Buttermilk Creative, was crucial in this project. As a long-time friend and collaborator, his ability to convey the vision, the essence of the brand, and the potential impact of this approach was pivotal—he bridged the gap between the client's aspirations and creative risk-taking. The trust built over years of partnership laid the foundation for this project.

The opportunity to create work that stands out from the crowd is a privilege. In a world oversaturated with visual stimuli, brands that break free from the norm have the chance to make a lasting impact on consumer perceptions. NoBull (link: https://nobullburger.com/) embraced this chance to elevate its brand and authentically engage its audience.

Cheers to Summer with Miller Lite's Beer Cubes!

I am thrilled to share a recent shoot for Miller Lite's summer promotion campaign, "Beer Cubes." This incredibly challenging photoshoot pushed my creative boundaries and required serious troubleshooting by everyone on the creative side and the crew.

The campaign's concept revolved around showcasing Miller Lite's refreshing taste and highlighting their commitment to providing the perfect brew for the summer season. The idea of "Beer Cubes" was born, and it was my responsibility to capture the essence of this concept through captivating visuals.

miller lite beer
close up of miller lite beer cube
frozen beer cubes

I am incredibly grateful to have been a part of this campaign and work with such a talented team. It was an opportunity that pushed me to explore new horizons, problem-solve on the go, and ultimately create captivating imagery that brings the spirit of summer and the joy of Miller Lite's Beer Cubes to life.🍻

Client: Miller Lite

Agency : DDB Chicago

Production: Shel Burks

Studio: Throop Studio

Agent: Emissary Artists

ECD: Ben Wolan

ACD: Aaron Willard

CD: Patrick Almaguer

AD: Lane Hedler

Copy: Analisha Santini

Executive Producer: Adine Becker

Prop styling: Lorrie Jamiolkowski

Beverage stylist: Michael Nakumura

Photo assistant: Joe Bankmann

Digital tech: Nate Smith

Retouching: Aaron Willard, and Mickey Chesky

.

Inspiration is intoxicating.

Inspiration is intoxicating. It is the fuel that propels you to think, act and create with intention. I have been considering Mona King's artwork for a while. Still, after contemplating this piece, "Amazon just breathe," for an inordinate amount of time, an idea began to coalesce into a solid vision for what could be. This wall installation, made entirely of preserved natural moss, was the inspiration and the backdrop for a fantasy scene I created to showcase Bacoo, a rum from the Dominican Republic. I love the branding and design of the bottle, and it fit perfectly with the concept.

But what use is an idea without execution? Another thought I have harbored is using an LED light source for still photographs and video. Having transitioned from natural light to strobe, making the switch back to a continuous source was challenging. But tech moves fast, and the new generation of LED lights makes this a viable possibility. To say I could shoot stills and videos using the same light source may seem insignificant, but for someone who spent years fine-tuning the nuance of strobe, this was a big deal.

Many thanks to Mona King for the artwork Amazon, Just Breathe and Alejandro Rutty for the incredible sound track.

It's all about candy

The focus this month has been on all things sweet. For the February edition of Our State magazine, I had the opportunity to capture a tiny bit of the sweeter side of North Carolina.

Nestled on Main Street in Lexington, NC, The Candy Factory is a journey back in time for someone with a sweet tooth. With wooden barrels and glass jars brimming with candy, chocolate, peppermint, and popcorn, this store takes you nostalgically back to happier memories. I focused on their legendary homemade fudge for the nostalgic character of the sweet treat and the potential for illustrative imagery. All images were made on location, which is a challenge in itself, but one that makes for a fun process. With all the AI imagery floating around, it reminded me that I do this because I love the process.

Coffee is my cup of Tea

Recipes for Impact is a coffee table book featuring Blk&Bold's barista tried-and-tested recipes. Envisioned and produced by Canteen, a brand of Compass USA. The book features over 30 handcrafted specialty beverage recipes, and caffeinated lovers can rejoice with tea and coffee concoctions that are delicious and community-conscious. 100% of the proceeds go to nonprofit organizations that dedicate their resources to American children in need. The company mantra is "Coffee for you. Impact for our youth."

I love the brand BLK&Bold and its charity efforts in general, but to know that the profits from the sale of this book go to charity made this an extra special project! When Compass USA reached out to see if I’d be interested in shooting the book, I had to keep my excitement in check! From setting up the sets and incorporating the ingredients that infuse to make the drink to perfecting the lighting and adding the chocolate swirl finishing touch, some incredible work goes into crafting the perfect image. Thanks to a brilliant multi-tasking Creative Director/Stylist Mark Kaminski and two stellar assistants, Amber Hogan and Alina Kosmala, we got through 30 shots in two days. Check out our behind-the-scenes videos: I love sharing my creative process...

So what's a Sonker, you ask?

The Sonker is a uniquely North Carolinian dessert reminiscent of the traditional Southern cobbler. While food historians debate its origins, the Sonker solidified its fame in Western North Carolina, resulting in an entire trail dedicated to the bakeries and restaurants serving it.

With Our State magazine, I traveled part of the trail to capture these sweet treats and the faces behind them. We made three Mt. Airy pit stops for this photoshoot, first at Anchored Sweet Treats and Eats, then at Miss Angel's Heavenly Pies before finishing the day off at Harvest Grill Shelton Vineyards. From savory to spirit inclusions, each owner puts their spin on the Sonker, making the trail a must-see in NC.

I want summer to stay

Road trips, beach days, chilled rosé, bright food spreads, long lazy naps, cool dips in the water... the freedom to laze around and indulge, guilt-free. So perfect and delightful! What’s not to like about summer… if only summer could stay.