THe Michigan Ave Oct issue - We go Culinary too!

This month's Michigan Avenue features an eight page advertorial section in which we supplied 90% of the photography. People ask us alot what we do for a living and the answer is simple: We take photographs. Food is always a learning experience and after 2 weeks in, our comfort ability with quick set ups and short shoot times became second nature. We hit Gene and Georgetti, Brazzaz, Picolo Sogno, Stefani's on Rush, Chicago Chop House, Labriola Bakery in Oak Brook, Sushi Samba, and Zodiac at Nieman Marcus. We'd like to thank Tara Reid, Susanna Negovan and Dan Uslan for giving us a shot and a huge chunk of the magazine to showcase our skills. Above are a few choice shots that compose our daytime efforts.

Injured Reserve and the abridged Party Circuit

I have to apologize to our four readers for not updating in a week. I have a nasty day ahead tomorrow in which I will get a 10 gauge needle plummeted into my elbow in an effort to remedy my torn extender in my shooting arm. I would have understood this injury in my single days, but being married reduces your "alone time" considerably. The doc says it might be from a 15 lb. camera in my right hand 6 hours a day, but I don't believe him. I think its from hi-fiveing every drunk in town. I've been stuck in front of the computer hacking away at peoples hairlines as I prep the Chicago Suicide Club Fashion Triptych. You can see a sneak preview above. Kudos to our 30+ models, movers and shakers who made Oliver and I very happy that evening. Because God knows I'll never attempt a shoot in Crimson Lounge again for fear of lighting it. Be sure to check out the St. Pauli Girl boxes hanging over the paintings hiding our strobes. Just another "Strobist" solution to an otherwise impossible situation.

Reeves and I took a stroll into Wicker Park and shot plenty of Black Swan parties (Cheers to Clayton Hauck for pimping us all month). Be sure to ask Reeves about the He Say She Say and Holt events because I only shot the "Zipcar Anniversary". It was the first party I've seen where anyone could get a drink but the line for the buffet was 200 people long. When I went up to the "Top Chef" contestants who were preparing the food and told them their new codename was the "Lunch Ladies" I don't think they were so amused. Nothing like going from national cable TV to feverishly cutting baguettes for hungry car renters.

A few weeks earlier I had the displeasure of shooting Dave Navarro again. Something tells me that watching your father shoot your mother, battling heroin, and getting dumped by Carmen Electra for our friend Rob Patterson makes you a total douche. It drives me nuts to see this virtuoso turned low grade porn director because he was my hero in high school along with Perry Farrel (Who is always fucking awesome to hang around). Reeves and I took on the last night of "Outdanced" at Funky Buddha as well and had a fucking blast. I'm so unhip and was like a wide eyed school child upon seeing Pooper and Leslie and the Lys kill it on stage. "Ham Dance" rulez. Our friend Shaka 23 is back in town and always brings good mojo to the party.
Oh, and I shot the Michigan Avenue Launch party and stayed away from almost all the celebs since Jason Binn prefers to hire 4 people to shoot the same thing. It's just not my thing having to push and shove to get a shot. I enjoyed the night and took time to take care of their readers and clients instead of hounding Cindy Crawford, Verne Troyer, Terrance Howard and Michelle Williams. I heard it was a great party. I, however, had tunnel vision and couldn't wait to leave due to my elbo feeling like it was gonna burst.

I did however piss someone off by sneaking my way to the front of the stage while Mr. Binn and Mrs. Gerber did their version of "Who's on First" seen below....

Ivana hang with Ivanka...Getting it right and keeping quiet...

There are some moments that truly surprise you. And usually it occurs when you blink behind a camera. I shot Ivanka last night and knew that I wanted to capture something different so I unhooked my TTL cable and began firing away as she was preparing for a television spot. Immediately, I captured a demure and graceful Ivanka who melted my lens. We went inside and I was able to get her in the cascading sunset from the ceiling to floor windows with that same inner glow.
I bring this up because later in the evening as I was following her around for candids, I pulled her aside for a portrait (1/2 CTO, 3200 K wb for my monthly Strobist assignment) and told her how great she looked. Big Mistake. Immediately I came off as another creepy photographer and she gave me the "Yeah, it was nice hanging, but I gotta fucking GO." . And the result is as follows:
Sometimes its just better to not say a thing. This is the most boring pic of Ivanka I could ever have managed. Half cocked smile, stiff body language...Joe McNally would not be proud.