Environmental Portraiture in Denver

I absolutely LOVED every minute of this shoot last weekend...

How can you go wrong with such a beautiful girl (a dear friend's daughter) who, it turns out, is a natural in front of the camera and enjoyed modeling as much as I enjoy shooting; a great photo assistant (her awesome mom!);  AND great light?

And who doesn't love wandering around Denver Botanic Gardens on a beautiful day in January?

Already excited for my next environmental portrait shoot!

Also, stay tuned... I'm chomping at the bit to share another project on which I've been hard at work for the past few weeks!

Macro Food Photography

Denver architect Gosia Kung of Kung Architecture, recently commissioned me after seeing some of my macro floral work, for a super fun (and educational) assignment, to create artwork for the walls of a Vietnamese restaurant she is designing.
Every part of this project was fun for me, from shopping the Asian market, to composing and shooting, to getting creative in the kitchen with the "leftovers" (food which did not wilt under the heat of the lights).  These ingredients are so luscious and sensual... I had no idea there was a natural edible color such as the hot pink of a gorgeous Dragon Fruit, nor did I realize you could cook with fresh turmeric (quite tasty).  My cutting boards will never be the same!
Pho-natic is scheduled to open early August at Colfax and Grant, across from the Capitol Building in Denver.  I can't wait to check it out!

Art Dress by Nicole Finger

Nicole Finger, an incredibly talented painter (and lovely person) from Telluride, Colorado, asked me to photograph her this past weekend wearing the fruits of her latest passion, couture painting.

It began last year with an original creation for the Ah Haa Auction: a bold safari themed dress which she modeled during the live auction, adorned with a huge, live snake draped across her shoulders!

This year's spectacular dress (the second in what I certainly hope will be a long line of Nicole's art dresses!) takes a retro and artful turn, its inspiration being Gustav Klimt's "The Kiss."  The fabric is intricately painted with shimmering colors and then hand jeweled.

The piece will be auctioned during the live auction part of this Friday night's annual Ah Haa School "Artopia" fundraiser in Telluride.

Sparkles beautifully in late afternoon Colorado light... and on such a gorgeous artist!

Urban Spring (with tunes!)

I've lived in the mountains for long enough that I forgot that spring was more than just mud and melting snow at a lower altitude.  Colors, trees, bees - couldn't get enough of it!
Here is a sampling of what I've tried to capture of urban spring set to "Dueling Guitars" from the August Rush soundtrack.  Enjoy in HD (full screen) for best experience!

Telluride AIDS Benefit - Model Photos coming!

Can't give away this year's Annual Model Photo until it is revealed at the Art Auction on Friday night next week, but here is a teaser of this year's (now an annual tradition of mine) "butt shot."  (2) uniquely framed prints will be auctioned during the silent auction again this year.

The models were FANTASTIC sports and it genuinely felt like everyone had a great time at this year's shoot!  I heard an update that the framing on our main model photo is going to look fantastic, and I'm VERY excited to see it!  We are trying to think outside the box a bit with this one (with the photo concept AND the framing)... it has been quite a collaborative effort to pull this off.  Very excited for next week's events in Telluride - hope to see you there!

Dreaming of the next in a series...

Array, 2009

Behind the Models, 2008

Ah, what to do when you have scores of beautiful, local fashion show models, all donating their time and energy to an incredible cause... who all happen to be willing to pose for you, nude, in the pursuit of creating art for an auction to raise money for AIDS education and care?

'Tis that time of year again, the incredible, annual Telluride AIDS Benefit Gala Fashion Show is almost upon us.  This year's models are now auditioning, couture is being collected, donors and volunteers alike are all in a flurry of preparation, and me, I am busy dreaming up the next in the series of these fundraiser photographs with great anticipation!

Stay tuned for more!!