The year is off to a busy but cold start, so I’m simply putting on boots and gloves and not complaining a bit! Immediately below is a shot of an iPhone app developer, and his creation allows you to plug in what you’ve been drinking, and in how much time – which lets you know if you’re too drunk to drive. VERY useful app for some people I know…

We had a pretty big room to photograph him in, and while the setting was medical I wanted to de-emphasize it and focus on our subject. The first task was to set the exposure to correctly capture the iPhone screen, then build up an edgy and engaging look to the lights for our subject himself. This took a lot of running around few more minutes of setup than usual, so I was glad I brought all of the lights in the arsenal – I used five altogether. It just ran in the NYIT alumni magazine, along with the full story.

Next is a shot is a rare behind-the-scenes snap for you,  of my miraculous crew of photographers and elves on location at an undisclosed location on Long Island, where we met a US Navy MH-60R for some images of the crew, the machine, and its capabilities. I work regularly with this contractor, but never mention them by name here (nor do I show their work) as I’m bound by Copyright agreements.

I'm the tall, nerdy guy in black, obnoxiously leaning on the $28M Seahawk as though it were a pickup truck.

I mentioned it was shaping up to be a cold and snowy winter, yes? On the bright side, that meant a really great opportunity recently when Stella Betty Davie came over to the studio for a head shot workout. Stella is originally from Scotland, and her original songs – along the folk vein – are amazing. I was treated to a few, I insisted! It was also a great way to get Stella into some natural poses, and garner some smiles. When the snow started, it was perfect – big flakes, nice light. It didn’t hurt that one of her most popular songs is about winter, which let us nail some appropriately thematic images. Way to go, Stella!

Stella Betty Davie

And lastly, I had a bit of a breakdown yesterday, what with the snow and sleet. I’m gearing up to head down to Sanibel Island in Florida, I just need a break from the winter. On the plus side, it will be a working vacation for wild bird stock photography. I’ve been down there a few times for 4:30 a.m. alarm clock mornings, wading into lagoons, and making images of my favorite dinosaurs. Of course, the grouper sandwiches and Coronas at the beach bars after never hurt a guy, either…

A few from my last trip to Sanibel Island