Calm Photos

I feel I need to get a post or two up on calmphotos before the holiday weekend.

It has been a crazy-busy two weeks for me - new home, new office/studio, daughters here with me for the summer, several large print orders and a few assignments as well.

I never realized just how much goes into putting a new household together from scratch. It’s always, always something. And I’m still not finished with the moving-in process.

But it will all be worth it.

The following are my favorite shots from three recent photo shoots, all within the last week. Corporate portraits for Battelle and Battelle, event photography of the President’s Club Brunch at the University of Dayton and home exterior photography for custom home builder Dan De Vol, of his strikingly beautiful Mariner home at the 2008 Homerama.

Lebanon, Ohio - a small town located between Dayton and Cincinnati, is known for its historic buildings, restored homes and antique shops. It is everyone’s vision of what small town America is all about. Lebanon’s claim to fame includes the historic Golden Lamb Restaurant and Inn, a favorite stop for U.S. Presidents dating back to Abraham Lincoln,  and serving as the stage and backdrop of the late 1970’s movie, Harper Valley PTA.

Most people who grow-up in Dayton have fond memories of Lebanon, primarily because it was the little, scenic town you’d drive through on the way to summer camp at Camp Kern, a evening at a Red’s game in Cincinnati or a day of fun at Kings Island.

A couple of years ago I had the opportunity to photograph the formal portraits - both individual and group - of the Lebanon City Council. That was around the holidays, so afterwards I captured some classic, decorated storefronts along Main Street.

Just last week I re-visited Lebanon and photographed the interior of the historic Nixon-Brant House, a restored home that is open to the public which dates back to 1808.

Housetrends Dayton, OH

Home and architectural photographs that were taken on assignment are once again part of Housetrends Magazine, including the cover and feature article. This is the second issue in a row where one of my images was used for publication on the cover, this one being the May/June 2008 issue of the magazine.

Another fun photo shoot that I completed recently was for Housetrends Magazine, a local publication here in the Dayton area that features fine homes, decorating and landscaping trends. I’ve always been impressed with quality of the printing and editorial content of Housetrends, which is comparable to many regional and national magazines. The photo shoot was the interior of an upscale condominium on one of the upper floors of Dayton’s Schuster Center. The focus of the article was the owner’s unique and impressive display of artwork. Photographing the condo and the art was a real treat for me to do. One of the images was even selected for the cover of the March/April 2008 issue. I will be having some more photographs from other interior and exterior architectural assignments completed for Housetrends appearing in some upcoming issues.

Some sample images from a recent client photo shoot. These are home interiors completed at model homes in the Winding Creek Development off of State Route 48 near Springboro. Winding Creek is a Beazer Home project. This is about the fourth or fifth photo shoot I’ve completed for Beazer since last summer. I’ve shot both interiors and exteriors. Their model homes are pleasure to photograph, not only because of the open style design of the home floor plans, but also because this developer does such a great job in decorating their models. The small touches can make all the difference. I’ve enjoyed shooting for Beazer and they have been one of my best clients. Unfortunately for me the company recently made the decision to pull out of the Ohio real estate market.

           

Yes, there is such a thing as press that’s less than positive. Sometimes it’s completely non-intentional and the negative effects aren’t realized until a few years down the road. Shortly after I started my photography business in 2003, the Dayton Daily News ran a full-page story about my work with nature and landscape photography. It was a good article. I can’t complain about that. The problem is that it ran at a time (early stage of going into business) when I held the mistaken belief that I could actually make a living solely based on the fine art market for nature, landscape and wildlife photography. The lasting negative effect of both that initial belief and particular article is that I’ve been permanently pigeon holed as just a “nature photographer” here in my local market, and I accept full responsibility.

I received a quick and expensive education to the contrary once the payables far outstretched the receivables. Even today people in Dayton keep mentioning “the article” and how much they are a “great fan of my nature and landscape photographs.” Daytonians love my work so much that they email or call me quite frequently asking me to donate a print to some silent auction or donate services or donate licensing rights. Donate, donate, donate. “It’s a great way to get your name out there.”

If I hear that phrase one more time I’m going to go out of my mind. Uh, I’m pretty sure that here in Dayton my name is out there. Perhaps that’s part of the problem ??

Here’s one the few certain things I’ve learned now that I’ve been in business as a photographer in the Dayton area going on five years now. The only thing that results from donations are more requests for donations, plus a whole host of hobbyists fishing for free info (that’s why I added paid workshops and lessons to my list of services).

Anyhoo, the truth is that my bread and butter is my commercial and assignment photography services, particularly in covering events, architectural projects, business portraits, products, processes, and a recent pick-up in activity for family portraiture.

Posted below is a new flyer I put together highlighting some of the recent architectural projects that I photographed. If I had to decide which area of commercial photography that I enjoy the most, I would have to say architecture followed closely by editorial and event work.

And yes, I will always hold-on to my first love of nature and landscape photography. However, I like to consider myself as a “renaissance man” in the field of photography. I can’t stand being pigeon holed - whether it applies to my professional or my personal life. What is it about this area of the Midwest that people feel so comfortable being permanently stuck in ruts - ruts of the same old way of doing business, day in and day out, and of applying convenient labels to one another.

Change, expand, adapt, learn, move forward. When things get too comfortable, then I know it’s time to light a fire under my @%# and get moving. In the words of Martha Stewart, “it’s a good thing.” Yesterday an old friend - originally from Dayton but who has also lived elsewhere (and that means out of Ohio) - commented that there’s just this “negative energy” to the area. I think it comes from so many of my fellow Daytonians falling into their comfortable zones and well, becoming permanent residents in the bland land of security and predictability. That’s not living. That’s just simply waiting.

Toy robots at the Children’s Museum and the Union Station Terminal, Indianapolis.

Still life and architectural photography by Jim Crotty.