ADRIAN CRUTCHFIELD: Private Party

I shot Adrian Crutchfield for the first time about 8 years ago for the Arts and Science Council, Charlotte, NC. He was a young and rising talent on the scene. Not to mention, he was in High School. Since then, he went on to college somewhere down in Florida, oh yeah, Florida State and majored in music. Adrian completed the program with flying colors and is still making great music.

Adrian came to me a few months ago and said, "hey man, you're my photographer and I need an album cover." That's all I needed to hear.

Here it is. Please check it out.

I wonder, if I'm his photographer, is he my horn player? Hope so, the guy rocks.

Best to you, Adrian. Keep rolling brother.

Benji Hughes Esquire Magazine

Early this morning I got an e-mail from a photographer here in Charlotte. A guy I know, but not well. He sent me a link to one of my photos that had been published in Esquire Magazine. The message said, "great work, wish they would have given you a credit line."

Hey, it happens. Fortunately the magazine was kind enough to do two other important things: pay me and post a by line to the on line version. I'm happy with that credit.

Anyway, Benji is a friend and I love this image of him. Actually I would have picked a different one but he insisted, "the chicks will understand, they'll get it." Okay with me.

So, thanks to Benji for letting me photograph him and thanks to Esquire for using the image. I love, LOVE, seeing my work in magazines. Next time I want the cover.

http://www.esquire.com/features/music/benji-hughes-review-0409?click=main_sr

My Girls.

The family! Really, this is one of the best parts of having a studio at home. Since I moved from the big ole cavern I've begun to feel very refreshed. My eye for imagery has been given a new view on life. As the world crashes in around us and doom hangs overhead let's all remember the important things in life.

Our family, our friends, the good people in our lives. Let's all be thankful. Let's all have one really nice thought. Hell, maybe that's even enough to bring us out of this bleak economic time.

Peace and love.

Mike

Another Great Shoot With Wray Ward

I’m so excited to make this post to the BLOG. Wray Ward and Glen Raven have been friends and clients for a very long time. Jennifer Appleby, president of the agency now, designed my first logo package. It’s in my prior post. I’ve known these guys and respected them for years.

This ad series sets a benchmark for me. Thinking back it could really be the 10^th or 11^th year I’ve worked with GR and Sunbrella. But this set of ads is different. It’s a departure from the ordinary lifestyle image of models enjoying shade on patio furniture under awnings.

These ads and the concept, taking furniture and adding a very human nature (movement) to them, is brilliant and fun. The challenge was to think in a different dimension. Hundreds of images had to be captured. Angles had to match. Light had to match. The puzzle was intricate. I love the result.

Thanks to Wray Ward's John Robert, Brandon Scharr, Belle Rape, and Karen Smith AND Mind’s Eye (Atlanta). Great time and great work.

Been A While

Father, forgive me, it's been a few weeks since my last BLOG entry. What can I say? I've been busy working on killer projects with killer designers. Happy to say it all went well. I'll be posting soon once pdf's start hitting the inbox.

In the mean time I'd like to say:

I'm so thankful in these times to have such great friends and clients. For me, they are one in the same. Long ago, 06-21-1994, I wrote my mantra. I've done my best to stick with it. What else do we have?

Thanks Pals.

Mike

The King And Queen visit MCP

The joke goes like this: two really funny guys (and clients to boot) call and want to be photographed in costume. My interest is brewing and then they say...One in an Elvis suit and one as the Queen of England...HOW COULD I SAY NO? For Cotton And Crown's Annual Christmas Card they came up with a fantastic idea to play Elvis and The Queen. It got a bit rowdy, but in the end we had a ton of fun and produced some really killer images. Thanks guys. AND, especially thanks for making my neighbors wonder even more.

Here's the final result:

My Macro World

This past weekend I decided to pull out a lens that I haven't used in ages. Really one of my favorite lenses and a gift from a great friend...a Nikon 60 mm MACRO one to one. Awesome glass. It was a gorgeous day and the kids were sleeping soundly so I had plenty of time to just shoot. It's amazing what you just don't see with the naked eye. Hope you enjoy my backyard as much as I do.