When Framework Creative approached me about helping rebrand Vieira Financial Group, they were looking for more than just a photographer. They needed a partner to help tell a complex, multi-dimensional story, through stills, video, aerial footage, and on-camera narrative.

BlinkJoy already had a visual identity in place, but they needed to level up their product and lifestyle imagery. Their goal? Photos and videos that didn’t just show a product, but told a story—of ritual, relaxation, and rejuvenation.

Over the last few months, I’ve done a complete reset on how I present my work, serve clients, and help brands tell their story through high-impact photo and video content.

I’ll always be a photographer. I love photography. It’s my craft, my core, and it’s taken me on an incredible journey — from shooting lifestyle campaigns to leading commercial photo work for one of the most prestigious guitar companies in the world.

But something has been shifting.

CREATIVE PEOPLE ARE WEIRD. They overthink, underprice, care too much, and vanish into their own heads for hours only to emerge with a half-finished concept and …

Let's face it—we're all drowning in a sea of beige content. That's not hyperbole. The average person today scrolls through 300 feet of mobile content daily. That's the height of the Statue of Liberty, if Lady Liberty was made entirely of forgettable brand posts and people trying desperately to look carefree on their carefully staged beach vacations.

Working for free can be a powerful tool if you’re strategic about it. The key is to choose projects that build your portfolio, elevate your skills, and open doors to bigger opportunities. Don’t give away your time and talent for nothing—make sure every “free” project is an investment that pays off in the long run.

This contract template outlines the expectations, responsibilities, and rights of both the Photographer and the Model for a Time-For-Print shoot, ensuring a clear mutual understanding and professional collaboration.

Color is felt before it's noticed, and it's often an afterthought when it comes to a photo shoot. As a commercial photographer and graphic designer for many years, I am fully convinced that styling (which includes color) is THE most important aspect of a photoshoot. Yes, above lighting, above talent, above the product itself -- styling can make or break the success of a campaign.

User-generated content (UGC) is a beacon of authenticity and engagement. It's the voice of your customers advocating for your brand, a testament to their trust and loyalty. This newsletter delves into encouraging and leveraging UGC, transforming satisfied customers into your most valuable promoters.

In this blog, we’ll explore how I replicate the sun in the studio. The technique is pretty simple, and for these images. One strobe, one reflector and we tested 3 modifiers including bare bulb.

The case of the Iconic Jacket - how Patagonia changed how people look at outdoor wear by tapping into something powerful through powerful visual storytelling. In this post, I explore how photography can profoundly impact consumer behavior.

It's a common pitfall to view mood boards as a shopping list of exact shots to replicate. This literal approach not only stifles creativity but also undermines the mood board's true purpose: to inspire and guide the creative direction of a shoot. Mood boards are about setting a tone, evoking emotions, and providing a visual target—a north star for the creative team to aim for, not a step-by-step manual to follow to the letter.

Referrals are the heartbeat of our business, allowing us to expand our horizons, meet new clients, and embark on fresh, creative journeys. Through your recommendations, we can continue to do what we love: transforming ordinary moments into extraordinary visuals. To show our appreciation for your trust and support, we're launching a referral incentive program designed to thank you for every new story you help us discover.

Alright, let's kick this off by saying that diving into my 2023 photo archive is a bit like rummaging through an old attic—except instead of finding dusty baseball cards and questionable fashion choices (I'm looking at you, neon windbreakers), I uncovered a treasure trove of moments.

Imagine walking down a bustling street in your city. Billboards, shop windows, and the ever-present glow of smartphone screens serve as canvases, narrating the ongoing dialogue between brands and their audiences. 2024 has just begun, and the narratives woven by advertising photography are evolving, embracing a more profound connection with our daily lives and the raw authenticity we yearn for.

Commercial photography licensing fees can vary widely based on several factors, including the usage scope, distribution size, duration of use, and exclusivity. Below is a simplified table to give you an idea of how licensing fees might be structured for commercial photography.

This template is designed to be a starting point and should be customized to fit the specific needs and circumstances of each photographer and their clients.

When determining how much to charge for licensing your photography to a client, asking the right questions is crucial. These questions will help you understand the client's needs, the scope of the project, and how the images will be used, all of which are essential factors in setting your licensing fees.

Have you ever found yourself scratching your head over the maze that is photography licensing? You're not alone. Today, we're diving deep into the world of photography licensing, breaking it down into bite-sized, easy-to-digest pieces. Think of it as translating legalese into photographer-speak.