I’ve written a lot about HeartsApart.org over the last year. My first post was last June.  I get so many requests from professional photographers who are looking for a way to give back. Well gang, here it is, but there’s a major qualifier – it’s not just enough to give back. You’ve got to have [...]

When I added a website review as part of this year’s Summer School program I had no idea what to expect. I knew from looking at so many sites and portfolios over the years everyone needed a little help, but there are some new things I’ve learned. One of them is the fact that many [...]

The year is 1987 and I’ve just taken over as president of Hasselblad USA after being with Polaroid for over 17 years.  Hasselblad was just in the process of kicking off a workshop series with a young commercial photographer I’d never heard of, Dean Collins. I had spent virtually all of my Polaroid career, at [...]

Ever had a day that just started out wrong? No matter what you did you felt like you were in quicksand and couldn’t get a solid footing. So, that’s my day this morning. Can’t figure out how to resolve it, but a blog is supposed to be a way for us to open our hearts [...]

Over the last couple of years I’ve written a lot about personal projects and their importance to helping you stay focused on your long term goals. Personal projects help keep you grounded. They help fuel your passion for photography when your full time job or full time photo-specialty seems miles away from what brought you [...]

Last week’s video from Lou Jones got some nice feedback, but I love this one even more.
You don’t need to spend a lot of time watching these short clips to pick up some great information. Watch the video and pay attention to how Lou has things set up to work with his client, concert pianist, [...]

Okay, if nothing else I want points for having the nerve to once again publish  my senior head shot! Then I want points for my glasses hiding the unibrow and the fact that I could even get a knot out of a tie not much wider than a pair of Nike shoelaces today!
But here’s [...]

Ever had a friend who you wanted to help with a project, but you just couldn’t figure out what he/she needed? Well, meet my good buddy Matthew Jordan Smith and the challenge was his website. Matthew is one of the finest fashion and editorial photographers in the world, although there’s really nothing Matthew can’t shoot!
The [...]

Parts of this post are part of an encore from almost three years ago, but the real issue is that I just don’t get it. I completely understand everyone having their favorite things to photograph and their specialty, but in the hierarchy of why people hire a professional photographer the ranking is brides, babies and [...]

Over the last few years Roberto Valenzuela has become a very good friend, but the friendship came out of the respect I have for his refusal to ever compromise on the quality of his images.  He made a statement in the first workshop I ever heard him teach, “Practice doesn’t make perfect.  Only perfect practice [...]