Steven Shea's Blog

PHOTOSHOOT: aXis Magazine Cover, January 2012

2012-01-11T06:21:00.000-08:00

To kick off the new year, aXis had a contest, sponsored by Corona, to find the "Hottest Bartender in Orlando". The winner was Chanelle Mayer, from the Knight Library. We did the cover shoot outside of the Downtown venue The Abbey (without permission, come to find out).
I tried to do something a little different with this cover, give it more of a tiltshift look. I thought the image was pretty bland, so I wanted a little something to spice it up. Check out the cover, and BTS video below!

Model: Chanelle Mayer
Shot on Location: Downtown Orlando, FL
Canon 5D Mark II, 17-40mm f/4L Canon Lens
Lighting: Alien Bee 1600, 800 & Natural Light

PHOTOSHOOT: Star City Meltdown

2011-12-27T14:21:00.000-08:00

I got a call last month from the boys in Star City Meltdown, a Rock/Alternative band out of Johnson City, TN that I had the pleasure of shooting some promotional shots for last year. They were in town recording a new record, and their new label (Standby Records/ Victory Records) wanted some new shots. They were planning a new marketing campaign, so we knew these shots needed to be epic. We shot these in a backyard, while I was running to get into a secret concert with The Killers. Here is what we ended up with...

With Logo...

Models: Star City Meltdown
Shot On Location: Orlando, FL
Canon 5D Mark II, 17-40mm f/4L Canon Lens
Lighting: Alien Bee 1600 & 800

PHOTOSHOOT: The Shea Family Christmas Card 2011

2011-12-25T03:29:00.000-08:00

It's that time of year again. When people gather together and prepare for the most joyous and celebrated event of the last 365 days... the unveiling of the Shea Family Christmas card.
This year we decided to go with the 2nd highest grossing film of 2011, and one of my personal favorites of the year: TRANSFORMERS: DARK OF THE MOON. I think its probably the best written of the series, and anyone who knows me, knows I'm a pretty hardcore Transformers fan. So check out the Wife and little Dude below, and see how there's nothing like the end of the world to bring a family together!

Models: Steven, Melanie & Victor Shea
Shot in Studio: Orlando, FL
Canon 5D Mark II, 17-40mm f/4L Canon Lens
Lighting: Alien Bee 1600, 800 & Ring Flash

PHOTOSHOOT: aXis Magazine Cover, Dec 2011

2011-12-07T01:32:00.000-08:00

For this month at the magazine, the cover was sponsored by Coors Light, and features the Coors Girls. The original concept was to have the ladies enjoying a cold one at their fireside winter snow lodge (which luckily we have a winter lodge themed watering hole based in downtown Orlando cleverly titled, The Lodge). They were kind enough to let us take over and get some pretty cool shots (some with the help of their snow machine). Our adventures led us outside, and the shoot extended to the streets of downtown (much to the excitement of the male onlookers). The powers that be ended up deciding on an exterior shot, which I was still excited by since they turned out so well. I've always wanted to make a cover where it snowed on downtown Orlando, and here is how it would look...

Here is a Behind the Scenes video for the shoot, shot and edited by Paul Steward.

Models: Lauren Kiser, Ali Roberts, Melinda Sabina
Shot on Location: The Lodge & Downtown Orlando
Canon 5D Mark II, 17-40mm f/4L Canon Lens
Lighting: Alien Bee 1600, 800 & Ring Flash

PHOTOSHOOT: Of Valleys

2011-12-06T21:08:00.000-08:00

Ahh my brothers in Of Valleys. The rising Alternative/Pop group from Central Florida, who I completed the "dancing robot" music video for earlier this year. I have been with these guys for a while, and when it came time to do a new group shot, I had two concepts in mind... For concept #2, luckily I had secured a prop police car for a month while shooting our film "Two Days" and just so happened to have it standing by when the guys came down to shoot. We got some fun shots running around with it you can check out below...

I can't wait to release the next concept shot from the band we shot... plus we just shot a new music video that is going to be pretty amazing. Stay tuned!

Models: Of Valleys
Shot on Location: Orlando, FL
Canon 5D Mark II, 17-40mm f/4L Canon Lens
Lighting: Alien Bee 1600 & 800 & the Sun

PHOTOSHOOT: Dollface

2011-11-25T16:33:00.001-08:00

There is a pretty rad pop-rock powerhouse all girl band (and yes I say band, because they actually do play all of their instruments) called Dollface from Orlando that is starting to make quite a name for themselves. I had the recent ability to do a studio shoot with the band (after having shot lead singer, Tiffany Martin many times before). They were looking for a high fashion style, but of course mixed with my photoshopped sensibilities. Here is the fabulous shot we came up with. Each girl shot in studio individually, and then composited into the background image. I liked the idea that the girls were inviting the viewer into their lair... of rock.

Models: Dollface
Shot in Studio: Orlando, FL
Canon 5D Mark II, 17-40mm f/4L Canon Lens
Lighting: Alien Bee 1600 & 800

PHOTOSHOOT: Sarah & the Shark

2011-11-19T16:47:00.001-08:00

During a recent photoshoot for our boys in Of Valleys, I had the opportunity to bring in one of my favorite alternative models, Sarah Ann Martini. I had a hotel room for an hour, and that day I was super jonesing to do a shoot with a hammerhead shark... Sarah also happened to be standing nearby, and so this image was born.

Model: Sarah Ann Martini
Shot on Location: Days Inn, Casselberry, FL
Canon 5D Mark II, 17-40mm f/4L Canon Lens
Lighting: Alien Bee 1600 & 800
Lighting Assistance: Joe Loffredo

TWO DAYS

2011-11-09T08:24:00.001-08:00

This past October, I had the opportunity to come on board and help produce a new Police-thriller feature film to be shot in Central Florida.

TWO DAYS tells the story of GUY MARKS, a police officer with 27 years in the force. This is his last day before retiring. His job is being a police officer, his life is being a police officer. His entire existence has been the daily routine of patrolling seedy streets and dealing with scum. Now it is all coming to an end and all his inner demons finally will get a chance to surface.

We shot for 18 days throughout October, on location from Sanford, FL to Lake Wales, FL. We had a great crew and cast, and knocked the project out on time and on budget.

Here is a concept poster I shot and designed-

Here are a couple of the film stills I grabbed while not running around the production office like crazy.

We now are working, editing the film in Post. Find out more about it at it's Facebook page here.

PHOTOSHOOT: aXis Magazine Cover, Oct 2011

2011-11-09T08:16:00.000-08:00

I've fallen behind in the Blogging, due to two new feature films Ive been working on... so here come the updates!

I shot the October 2011 Cover for aXis Magazine, featuring my buddy, Tiffany Martin (Radio DJ from The Monsters on Real Radio 104.1 and lead singer of the gnarly girls rock group Dollface) The shoot was set up at the UCF World of Beer, where the cover promoted their WOBtoberfest event coming up. Here is the final image...

Here is the Behind the Scenes video, Shot & Edited by Paul Steward

Model: Tiffany Martin
Shot on Location: World of Beer, Orlando
Canon 5D Mark II, 17-40mm f/4L Canon Lens
Lighting: Alien Bee 1600, 800 & Ring Flash

PHOTOSHOOT: alt NOIR Magazine

2011-09-23T03:56:00.000-07:00

I've been super stoked to release the images from this ExtraTerrestrial themed shoot for altNOIR Magazine. I teamed up with Orlando model Lily Le Roi to do a shoot based on Katy Perry's "ET" video for the Out Of This World themed issue of the magazine. The article is used as a makeup tutorial. The shots came out stellar! You can check out the tears below (FYI: I did NOT shoot the cover), and see more info on the magazine at their site here.

Model: Lily Le Roi
Makeup: Lily Le Roi
Shot in Studio
Canon 5D Mark II, 17-40mm f/4L Canon Lens
Lighting: Alien Bee 1600, 800 & Ring Flash

PHOTOSHOOT: Et Cetera Magazine, Fall 2011

2011-09-13T06:11:00.000-07:00

For the Fall 2011 issue of Et Cetera Magazine, I got the opportunity to shoot with two very influential people: Michael McRaney (who runs The Beacham, The Social & McRaney's Tavern in Orlando) & Watersports legend Scott Byerly (Founder of Byerly Boards and creator of the Byerly Toe Jam). Two very triumphant citizens of Central Florida.

For McRaney we set up a shoot around his stomping ground, The Social. For Byerly, we built a mini studio in the living room of his beautiful Windermere home.

You can check out McRaney on the cover, and the editorials below. The mag is on stands now.

See more on Et Cetera at:
http://etceteramagazine.com

PHOTOSHOOT: aXis Magazine Cover, Sept 2011

2011-09-08T06:00:00.000-07:00

Usually each year the September aXis Magazine cover goes to Wall St's Rumfest event. This year was no different. We set up shop outside of Waitiki, to grab this shot with two of their bartenders. The girls were a lot of fun, and I think we pulled off a fun cover...

Here is our standard Behind the Scenes video, shot by the infallible Paul Steward.

Models: Kayleen & Jessica
Shot on Location: Waikiti, Downtown Orlando
Canon 5D Mark II, 17-40mm f/4L Canon Lens
Lighting: Alien Bee 1600, 800 & Ring Flash

Video by: Paul Steward
Edited by: Steven Shea

Featured.

2011-09-02T05:39:00.000-07:00

I was chosen as the Slice Creative Network's Featured Freelancer of the Month for September. Choice!

http://www.slicecreativenetwork.com/FeaturedFreelancer.html

PHOTOSHOOT: aXis Magazine's 20 Coolest People

2011-09-02T01:01:00.000-07:00

Since we were out of town on our little family vacation the first week of August, I missed the cover shoot for that month's issue of aXis Magazine, the 20 Coolest People in Orlando edition. However when I returned, we had decided to do a little video shoot, interviewing a couple of the people, and doing a couple new promo shots for them. I met up with our hostess, 2010 Playboy's Playmate of the Month for July and repeat aXis cover model, Shanna McLaughlin, and we cruised around town to interview some of the coolest people. I also did a couple promo shots with 2 of our candidates...

Chris Kirkpatrick (of 'Nsync fame)

Johnny Magic (Radio host on XL106.7)

Here is the final video we produced for the segment...

PHOTOSHOOT: Sarah Ann

2011-08-26T14:54:00.000-07:00

For a while I've had a concept that I wanted to pull off. An overheated model outside needing to cool off... but the only liquid nearby is a can of gasoline and she is addicted to cigarettes. This concept spawned into the shoot below with the lovely Sarah Ann. Between hurricanes, blown tires, and southern security guards, we pulled this shot off. I call it, "Smoke Break."

Special thanks to Whitney Hayes for the assistance.

Model: Sarah Ann
Shot on Location: Downey Park, Orlando, FL
Canon 5D Mark II, 17-40mm f/4L Canon Lens
Lighting: Alien Bee 1600, & Natural Sun
Makeup by: Cristal Texidor
Photography Assistance by: Whitney Hayes

A Brilliant Lie @ The Haven

2011-08-21T00:30:00.000-07:00

I was asked by my good friend Tara Lightfoot to shoot a promo video for her band for an upcoming show at The Haven. They wanted to do something to showcase their sound, style and humor. We came up with this funny concept and video. Hopefully it turns enough heads to come check out the show!

Check them out at:
http://www.facebook.com/ABrilliantLie

Vacation 2011 - Sapphire Valley, NC

2011-08-21T00:25:00.000-07:00

We had the opportunity this year to vacation at a beautiful 3 story timeshare in Sapphire Valley, North Carolina, that was going to go to waste from a friend of our's parents. Ironically, the same area where we had vacationed before, where Melanie's good friend, Nikki lives. She was our tour guide for the week as we introduced Victor to new things such as Reindeer, Waterfalls, and best of all, Mountains!

PHOTOSHOOT: 100 Monkeys - Live at House of Blues

2011-08-08T20:48:00.000-07:00

For our dear friend Madeleine's birthday, she chose to celebrate by a night out at the (Cursed) Disney House of Blues to see the popular band, 100 Monkeys. Ironically, the band is fronted by Jackson Rathbone, recently of the "Twilight" Movies fame, but also the starer of our friend (and recent housemate for the past week) Anthony DiBlasi's film "Dread". I grabbed a photopass through our buddies at Et Cetera Magazine and brought my sister Caitlin (who is a huge Twilight fan). The evening was most eventful, and here is a handful of the photos to give you an idea...

PHOTOSHOOT: The 1930s

2011-08-06T08:25:00.001-07:00

With all of the excitement around the fact that a new 1930s comedy film might be shooting soon in town, I've gotten the call to do a few different 1930s themed shoots. Recently, I teamed up with Makeup artists Sarah Okun & Amanda Coleman, Hair stylists Rebekah Futrell & Kaitlyn Matlock and our lovely models Leigh Anne, Jenn & Dayna to create some new 1930s-homage glamour images that could show off everyone's abilities. I like the idea that these photos were found in a dusty old box in a deceased Grandmother's attic somewhere. Worn, and handled over the past 80 years, from all different places. Here is what we came up with...

Models: Leigh Anne Thomas, Jenn Henry & Dayna Louise
Shot on Location: Orlando, FL
Canon 5D Mark II, 50mm f/1.4 Canon Lens
Lighting: Alien Bee 800, & Natural Shade
Makeup by: Sarah Okun & Amanda Coleman
Hair Styling by: Rebekah Futrell & Kaitlyn Matlock

PHOTOSHOOT: Empyrean - Live at House Of Blues

2011-07-18T10:05:00.000-07:00

This past Saturday I hit up my favorite (and least favorite to work with) venue in Orlando, House of Blues, to shoot stills for the best Metal act in Orlando, Empyrean. The staff were only slightly less aggravating then last time this band and I had to deal with them. Here are a couple of the keepers from the "House of Empyrean"...

You can check out a bunch more at the band's Facebook Page.

PHOTO ESSAY: Wynwood

2011-07-16T08:22:00.001-07:00

Last week, I spent seven days in South Florida with my Mother and family as she went through an elaborate valve replacement surgery in her heart. One of the nights I was there, I was lucky enough to crash with my longtime comrade, Chris McDaniel, who owns a nice little property on South Beach. Besides the usual hijinks (cruising the promenade for Models & stalking Michael Bay's house) Chris turned me onto a little area nearby called WYNWOOD. Wynwood is a major arts and fashion area in Miami, where there are literally blocks and blocks of buildings covered in graffiti and street art, from some of the biggest names around the world. I got up early (after a late night out) and took to the streets of Wynwood to try and capture a bit of the essence. You can check out some of my favorites below, and trust me, this is a very small portion of the area...

The famous American street artist Shepard Fairey seems to have been hanging around...

He also did a full mural on the inside of the famous "Walls at Wynwood" gallery (which unfortunately was CLOSED on Tuesday when I was there.)

You can also catch a glimpse of an original Space Invader in the back right corner of this shot... I don't know how I missed it. Other then dodging the scary looking homeless folks all over.

Can that be a Banksy?? Maybe..Maybe not.

It really is a site to be seen, especially if you are a fan of Street Art. Check it out the next time you are in South Miami!

New Photography Website

2011-07-15T17:25:00.000-07:00

Check it out, I'm expanding, and have created a specific site for just my creative photography. It runs smoother and easier than the current Abyssmal site's portfolio. Plus it's set up for mobile use as well. The future is now!

CLICK HERE FOR AWESOMNESS.

The Space Shuttle. 1981-2011

2011-07-13T17:06:00.000-07:00

Something world-altering and incredible happened in the spring of 1981, 30 years ago... I was born. 2 months later, something ELSE happened. The inaugural launch of the first NASA Space Shuttle, Columbia. STS-1. A safe, reusable ship that could escort Americans to and from space. A feat that many Earthicans had put blood, sweat and tears into since the great space race in the 1950s.

Unfortunately, due to many factors, this past week was the last of the 135 scheduled shuttle launches. Ever. The crafts are to be retired and spread around the country for many tourists to enjoy from here on out. The technology is working, but I agree is getting outdated. (Most of us wouldn't feel comfortable driving a car that old, let along a rocket ship.) It still brings a tear to my eye.

I have always been a HUGE fan of the shuttle program, a program that has grown up along side me, and has taken me along for the ride. I remember watching the Night launches from the Keys (Yes, you could see a Night launch from there). Watching day launches through my telescope. Going to Kennedy Space Center for the 1st time when I was 8.

Attending my first launch for STS-40, Columbia in 1991. My Dad got us into the Press area, as close as we could.

I even built my 2nd year Pinewood Derby car to be modeled after the Shuttle (and yes of Course I still have it!)

I attended Space Camp in High School, and visited all three Space Centers.

I've attended dozens of launches over the years, and was lucky to be able to take my son, Victor to his first (and last) shuttle launch.

...and currently a Commander Card holder.

You could say I'm a bit of a Shuttle nut. But not a Space nut, I have never truly enjoyed Sci-Fi films or tv shows. I've only seen Star Wars once (when they re-released it in theaters) I hate politics, so naturally have stayed away from Sci-Fi... With a heavy heart, I watched the last Shuttle launch from my hotel room in Miami, near a hospital where my Mother had just gone through a major aortic valve replacement in her heart. I wouldn't have missed the surgery for the world, but it was odd not being able to feel the boom of the engines igniting one last time.

I am excited for the future of NASA, the introduction of private Space administrations, and the refurbishing of KSC as a new Space Port. The plan is supposedly to start shuttling Americans to space again from America within 3 years, through Space X's new program. At the moment, we are paying the Russians to take us up... good plan. I'm stoked to be able to go through it, once it becomes a museum item. I am excited to see where the future of American Space Exploration holds... let's hope it leads us back up and further beyond the stars.

PHOTOSHOOT: We Belong Alive

2011-06-24T11:15:00.000-07:00

Anyone who knows me, knows that I am not a fan of Cancer. After losing my Father and Mother-in-Law in the past year, it is not something that I balk at. My Mother also had cancer at 20 years old, and has been dealing with side effects still even 30 years later. Cancer sucks.

On October 6th of last year, the popular Horror T-shirt site Fright-Rags released a special edition shirt, that if bought would help support a friend of the site's who was battling cancer. (You can read the whole story HERE.)

The image that they created stuck with me for a long time, and as a Photographer, I had always thought it would make a great striking photo. When all of the components and schedules came together recently, we were able to try and physically recreate the painting.

Here is the final image, a throwback to the famous Janet Jackson cover of Rolling Stone Magazine, only utilizing Frankenstein's Monster & his Bride. I hope you enjoy it, and I also hope it instills a bit of motivation to help out someone who has cancer, or who has lost someone to cancer. It is something that unfortunately will effect every single human on this planet at some point in their lifetime...

We Belong Alive.

Here is the original image created by Fright-Rags:

Models: Tara Price & Keenan McClelland
Shot in Studio: Orlando, FL
Canon 5D Mark II, 17-40mm f/4L Canon Lens
Lighting: Alien Bee 1600, 800, & 800 Ring Flash
Makeup by: Ashli Szymanski of C.S Studios FX
Hair Styling by: Kaitlyn Matlock
Wardrobe Styling by: Aleksandra Chernova

PRINT: Gothic Beauty Magazine

2011-06-23T17:05:00.000-07:00

I recently discovered, unbenounst to me, I had been published Nationally (I think the 3rd time?) in the popular alternative "Gothic Beauty Magazine" this month. I had done a shoot in the past for Pink Label Corsets, with Orlando model Lily Le Roi in a nearby Graveyard (see Blog entry HERE). The photos were used on a write up in the magazine on the clothing label. Check out the scans below, and grab a copy at most major book retailers (that haven't gone out of business...)

PHOTOSHOOT: Insane Black Rock Shooter

2011-06-20T17:52:00.000-07:00

I love fan Conventions. I love the atmosphere, the excitement, the costumes. (not so much the $9 Convention Center Hotdogs) I've gone to conventions since I was in high school, and have always loved the nature of getting a certain group of people together to obsess with their favorites of pop culture. One of the elements of conventions that I have not always gotten into... is Anime. Now I watched a bit of anime in school, and my wife Melanie loves some Dragonball Z, but I never fell in love with it the way others did.
Recently I applied to do a photoshoot for an anime cosplay with model Gemma. (My FIRST Anime Photoshoot!) She had created a costume for an upcoming Anime convention, of the character titled "Insane Black Rock Shooter".

I have no idea where this character is from, or what she is about, but the costume struck me as an awesome potential live action image. Gemma did a great job on the design, and I helped liven it up a bit with Photoshop. Here is the final image:

Model: Gemma
Shot in Studio: Orlando, FL
Canon 5D Mark II, 17-40mm f/4L Canon Lens
Lighting: Alien Bee 1600 & 800

PHOTOSHOOT: Janna

2011-06-18T08:17:00.000-07:00

Another victim of my camera in the Los Angeles area, is our friend, actress and co-producer on "The Interrogationists", Janna Jude. We broke away from our busy production schedule to grab a quick shoot on her apartment rooftop, overlooking the sunset strip and downtown L.A. There was a really full moon that night.... really full.

Model: Janna Jude
Shot on Location: Rooftop, West Hollywood, CA
Canon 5D Mark II, 17-40mm f/4L Canon Lens
Lighting: Alien Bee 1600 & 800

PHOTOSHOOT: Hollie

2011-06-11T10:31:00.000-07:00

While wandering around the Los Angeles area, I also grabbed the opportunity to shoot with our friend and actress, Hollie Winnard. We lurked through abandoned cages, shacks, and giant stone enclosures. The place had definitely been fairly vandalized and entertained by local vagrants. I definitely had the feeling like I was walking through Jurassic Park's Site B. Here are a few of the shots that came out well...

Model: Hollie Winnard
Shot on Location: Abandoned LA Zoo, Los Angeles, CA
Canon 5D Mark II, 17-40mm f/4L Canon Lens
Lighting: Alien Bee 1600

PHOTOSHOOT: Priscilla

2011-06-11T10:21:00.000-07:00

While on a recent trip to Los Angeles to Direct a comedy Web Series titled "The Interrogationists", I was able to sneak away and get some shooting done in the famous abandoned L.A. Zoo. The place has been converted to a public park, but that didn't stop us from sneaking in and getting some shots off. Here is my friend, Actress & Producer, Priscilla Gibbons having a bit of trouble with her sushi lunch...

Model: Priscilla (http://www.priscillagibbons.com)
Shot on Location: Abandoned LA Zoo, Los Angeles, Ca
Canon 5D Mark II, 17-40mm f/4L Canon Lens
Lighting: Natural

PHOTOSHOOT: aXis Magazine Cover, June 2011

2011-06-08T07:53:00.000-07:00

Nobody likes getting sick, especially me. Having to crash in your soft fort of a bed in a Dayquil induced stupor for hours is a terrible waste of time. So when it was time to shoot the June cover of aXis, I drug myself out of a bed I had been in for 2 days with a 101 degree fever. Luckily I also drug out Paul Steward as my trusty cameraman (and extra hands to carrying gear). We met with the Miller Lite rep on the rooftop pool of the 55 West building in Downtown Orlando. The shoot went fine, the girls were fun, but I was definitely dangling by a thread of consciousness. Here is the final shot, as well as a couple favorite outtakes. Also enjoy the BTS video shot by Paul. Now on newsstands!

Models: Chrissy, Lauren, Laura & Priscilla
Shot on Location: 55 West, Downtown Orlando
Canon 5D Mark II, 70-200mm f/4L Canon Lens
Lighting: Alien Bee 800

Video by: Paul Steward
Edited by: Steven Shea

POSTER DESIGN: Deep Seeded

2011-06-05T05:29:00.001-07:00

There was an independent horror film, shot last year in Orlando by our friends at CaissonFilms titled Deep Seeded. I helped out by shooting some promotional photos, as well as creating a new poster for the film. We attended the World Premiere last night at the Athens Theater in Deland. Check out a couple stills and the poster below...

PHOTOSHOOT: Sharkteeth

2011-05-16T03:39:00.000-07:00

Our friends have a crazy horror punk band in Orlando, named Sharkteeth. Recently I took some new promotional photos for the band, with this spooky Scooby-Doo theme in mind to go with the band's zaniness (They do have a song called "Leatherface's Pool Party" after all!). They also did one of the renditions to the theme song of our movie Doomsday County. Check out the final product...

See more of Sharkteeth here.

Models: Keenan, Teri, Lee, Carson, Stephen
Shot in Studio: Orlando, FL
Canon 5D Mark II, 17-40mm f/4L Canon Lens
Lighting: Alien Bee 1600 & 800 Ring Flash

PHOTOSHOOT: Jessica Reyes

2011-05-15T21:22:00.000-07:00

I was approached by Jessica Reyes, a radio personality from La Mega 98.1 in Orlando, to shoot some new promo shots. We were scheduled to shoot in the radio station, but when we arrived, we discovered that they were doing construction on the building that day. So we made due by shooting nearby...

Model: Jessica Reyes
Shot on Location: Altamonte Springs, FL
Canon 5D Mark II, 17-40mm f/4L & 70-200mm f/4L Canon Lenses
Lighting: Alien Bee 1600 & 800 Ring Flash

PHOTOSHOOT: Aurelia (JCrew Style)

2011-05-15T20:51:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite ladies to shoot in the state is our friend Aurelia. Always down to do something crazy... until her agent requests we get some "J Crew" shots... A J Crew shot is basically someone wearing normal clothing in front of a grey backdrop... Definitely something that would be exciting to me...Not.
Anyway, here are the studio shots we ended up coming up with. Needs more Sharks in my opinion.

Model: Aurelia
Shot on Location: Shea Compound, Orlando, FL
Canon 5D Mark II, 70-200mm f/4L Canon Lense
Lighting: Alien Bee 1600, 800 & 800 Ring Flash

PHOTOSHOOT: aXis Magazine Cover, May 2011

2011-05-15T20:37:00.000-07:00

Each year now at aXis our May cover revolves around the Miss Corona De Mayo contest (a play on the Mexican holiday "Cinco De Mayo", for the pedestrian readers) This was my first chance to shoot the May cover, and we did so with the utmost aXis professionalism. After Winning a Bikini contest, our model, Cassie met with myself, Rick, and Paul our videographer at the JW Marriott Golf Course, where a local beverage company was holding a Golf tournament. We spent the day shooting around the course, driving in our golf carts looking for good locations, and stopping at a different alcohol tent at each hole. Needless to say, the day was most interesting, and we got some great shots with the golfy background. Here is the final cover and other favorite frames...

You can also check out the Behind The Scenes Video of our Photoshoot below:

Model: Cassie
Shot on Location: JW Marriott, Kissimmee, FL
Canon 5D Mark II, 70-200mm f/4L Canon Lens
Lighting: Alien Bee 1600
Video by: Adam ArNali & Paul Steward

Florida Music Festival 2011

2011-05-15T20:25:00.000-07:00

After being crazy busy and in and out of town the past few weeks, I have been neglecting my Blog. Look for a mass of updates!

The first week of April, I had the opportunity to once again (4th year in a row) run Video & Photography crews for the 10th Annual Florida Music Festival. The event is always a blast, and this year was extra special, because it was the unveiling of the new musical act I have been assisting with Of Valleys (formerly T13C!) I also unveiled the Music Video I created for them as well. One of the highlights, was shooting and rocking out from the security it to one of my favorite bands of the 1990s, Better Than Ezra. So with Birch, Adam & Paul, we set out to capture the 4 day event. Here is some photographic evidence...

Also as a First this year, I was chosen to create all of the marketing materials and logo for FMF 2011. We based everything around a large X, to represent the 10th year of the festival. I wanted it to be almost a monument, covered with band names of this year, and years past...

You can find out more information about the Festival here.

The Interrogationists

2011-05-11T03:40:00.000-07:00

I was flown to Los Angeles this week to Direct and help Produce a new comedy web series from the mind of Priscilla Gibbons, called The Interrogationists. It's a pretty funny 10 episode series, going to be edited over the next few months. It stars Drew Seeley (Glory Daze, High School Musical), Sarah Agor (Scream Queens, Hatchet II), Kevin Horton (American Pie: Book of Love) & Priscilla Gibbons (Hoodoo For Voodoo) Look for it soon!

The Interrogationists: A comedy webseries centered around two interrogators who are occasionally serious about their jobs, but are always sidetracked by life and the insanity of the people they are "interrogating".

Check it out on Facebook here.

PHOTOSHOOT: MaryRobin

2011-04-14T13:57:00.000-07:00

Mary Robin is an East Coast Florida based actress & model, who recently helped me out with a top secret project. In return, I offered to do a shoot with her, to help out her book. We set up on and around the Cocoa Beach Pier, early morning, before a shoot I had to do for the FedEx Concert Series...

Model: Mary Robin
Shot on Location: Cocoa Beach Pier, Cocoa Beach, FL
Canon 5D Mark II, 50mm 1.4 Canon Lens
Lighting: Natural & Alien Bee 1600

Of Valleys "Meet Me On The Dance Floor" Music Video

2011-04-09T06:55:00.000-07:00

I am proud to unveil a new music video and new band that I am very excited to have helped come to fruition. Of Valleys is a new band created from former members of the world famous T13C! group. They have a new sound, and style and are now back ready to ravage the music scene.

Here is the first music video for the band, that I Directed, Shot, Edited & Co-wrote. I think the video pretty much speaks for itself. Enjoy!

PHOTOSHOOT: aXis Magazine Cover, March 2011

2011-03-03T10:37:00.001-08:00

After a year of not shooting covers, and only designing them for aXis Magazine, my time has come around once again! This year's St Patty's Day cover is an homage to the scene in America Beauty, with Menu Suvari in the Roses... only we used Clovers (St Patrick's Day, get it?) And she really wasn't in clovers... she was almost naked on the floor of our editor, Sean's house...

Also, check out the making of the Photoshoot, shot by the multi-talented Adam ArNali.

Model: Nicki
Shot on Location: Residence, Orlando, FL
Canon 5D Mark II, 70-200mm f/4L Canon Lense
Lighting: Alien Bee 1600, 800 & 800 Ring Flash
Makeup by: Ashli Szymanski (www.csstudiosfx.com)
Video by: Adam ArNali (www.arnalifilms.com)

PHOTOSHOOT: Star City Meltdown

2011-02-13T17:04:00.000-08:00

Star City Meltdown is a 5 piece rock group based in Johnson City, TN. We grabbed these couple of new press shots when they were in town on their current tour, for my friend (and their publicist, Stephanie Christie. Luckily the band was open to doing something a little more creative...

Model: Star City Meltdown
Shot on Location: Stardust Coffee, Winter Park, FL
Canon 5D Mark II, 70-200mm f/4L Canon Lenses
Lighting: Alien Bee 1600 & 800

PHOTOSHOOT: Aurelia

2011-01-31T18:32:00.000-08:00

Last fall, I was hired on to help shoot Production stills of the new horror/thriller feature film The Unbroken. A new film by Jason Murphy (Director of Zombies Zombies Zombies) and starring Daniel Baldwin, Warwick Davis and a lovely up and coming actress, Aurelia Rose. Aurelia is approximately 7 feet tall, and models all over. She had asked if I'd be willing to do a comp card shoot with her... and lucky for me, I said yes. We braved Model-Eating-Sharks, nosey Mailmen, Rollins College professors and Menchies. Here are some of the shots we accomplished that day. Make Up by CS Studios.

Model: Aurelia Rose
Shot on Location: Shea Compound & Rollins College, Orlando & Winter Park, FL
Canon 5D Mark II, 50mm f/1.4 & 70-200mm f/4L Canon Lenses
Lighting: Alien Bee 1600 with Soft Box, Natural
Make Up by CS Studios.

PHOTOSHOOT: FMF 2011 Avatars

2011-01-28T20:24:00.001-08:00

For the past 3 years, myself and my team have covered all of the Multimedia for the Florida Music Festival in Downtown Orlando. Whether swinging a Jib over Wall St to the sounds of Filter or sneaking people on stage for Less Than Jake, its always a rocking good time. This year I was asked to shoot promotional Avatars for some of the staff members to use on their Facebook pages. We went with an FMF Jail type of theme. Here are a few of them...

Shot on Location: Gibson Showroom, Orlando, FL
Canon 5D Mark II, 70-200mm f/4L Canon Lens
Lighting: Alien Bee 800 & 1600 with Soft Boxes

Casino "I Might Catch A Felony" Music Video

2011-01-14T05:58:00.000-08:00

I was asked by my friend and DP of Doomsday County, Paul Steward to help shoot a couple new Music Videos from hip-hop artist Casino, a young talent straight outta Donaldsonville, GA. When we arrived in the Peach state, we discovered that the locations had not been as thought out as we had hoped, and upon scouting around the area, the crew brought us to this destroyed and abandoned elementary school. I immediately fell in love, and we decided the focus the video there. If you watch closely, you might catch a cameo from yours truly! Check it out!

2:22 Now Available for Viewing!

2011-01-07T17:46:00.000-08:00

For those of you on Planet Earth who have yet to see our little horrorpiece, check out our Internationally Award Winning short film, 2:22, NOW...

Viewable on Hulu.com for FREE! Courtesy of IndieFlix.com

(If you do Not have a Hulu account, its Free to create one!)

Hasta la Vista 2010!

2011-01-01T07:48:00.000-08:00

At the end of each year, many people are forced to recollect their thoughts and activities over the past 365 days (what memories are still available at that point), and put together “Best Of..” lists. I'm not as big a fan of these, but as I get older (and more forgetful) it does make it nice to have written words of your adventures that constantly seem so much easier to slip away.

So here are my "Top 10 Most Impactful Experiences in 2010"...

10. It must be some kind of... Hot Tub Time Machine

I have the hardest time making Top 10 lists of my favorite movies of the year. This year I couldn't figure out 10, so I didn't make one. But if I had to pick a film that I enjoyed, bought on Blu-Ray and rewatched multiple times throughout the year, it would definitely be Hot Tub Time Machine. This hilarious comedy truly grasped the ideal Time Travel story, doing everything that we all wish we could do, had we the ability to travel to our past and fix out mistakes. Plus anything taking place in the 80s can't go wrong.

Other films that I also loved over the past year: Kick-Ass, Tron: Legacy, Iron Man 2, Exit Through the Gift Shop, and getting to see the Creature from the Black Lagoon in 3D!

9. The Quest for the Nike DeLorean

In preparation for Black Friday, an event that I do try and encompass every Thanksgiving, I stumbled upon the fact that Nike would be releasing a special Limited Edition shoe, based on the infamous 1981 vehicle, the DeLorean. Most famous for starring in the Back To The Future trilogy (Editor's Note: why does it seem like this list is focused on Time Travel in the 1980s so far?). Nike would only be releasing 1,000 of these shoes Worldwide, and after some investigation, I discovered that only 3 retailers in the state of Florida would have them, and 10 pairs per store. After calling ahead and actually being able to reserve a pair at the nearest location (Boca Raton, 3.5hrs away) I drug my co-hort Tim Anderson out, leaving at Midnight on Black Friday, to travel down and claim these magical shoes. Let's just say that successful can't even begin to describe it.

8. The aXis August Cover Shoot Video Controversy

In August of 2010, a month like any other. We prepped for our annual UCF cover shoot for aXis Magazine. This year Mike Anthony shot the cover in the UCF locker room, and I shot the Behind the Scenes video. Using our friend, former aXis cover model and newly crowned Miss July 2010 for Playboy Magazine, Shanna McLaughlin, the shoot went well, and without a hitch... until the Magazine came our and some parent must have made a scuff over the content of the video. Most likely just because a Playmate was attached. The video went viral, getting hundreds of thousands of hits and popping up in press all over the country from ESPN to Playboy!

7. Our Anniversary Trip/Last Vacation without the Baby

For Melanie's birthday weekend in September, we decided to take a Babymoon, one last vacation before the birth of our little dude. We traveled up to the Panhandle beaches, Pensacola Beach, Gulf Breeze & Destin. After shaking off the oil we had gotten on us, we drove up to Atlanta, where we hung out at the Aquarium, DragonCon and The Vortex! A great little romantic getaway; love, laughs and whale sharks.

6. The Epicness of Le Retour Der Mere-Terre

I got the opportunity to Direct, Shoot & Edit a most epic music video for my friends in the popular Central Florida Metal band, Empyrean. We shot this monster in 6 days, 2 states and 4 locations. It was definitely a challenge, battling the elements, travel and lack of crew. The video came out great and to a much hyped premiere at the House of Blues that led to another controversy, forcing them to have us censor over half of the video to play on Disney property. I still don't see what the fuss is about; hangings, drownings and sacrificing babies to false gods is totally Disney.

5. Photoshoot with the Lords of Acid

Working for magazines definitely has it's perks. While working on the final Layout for the Winter issue of Et Cetera Magazine, I discovered that Lords of Acid (one of my all time favorite bands) were going to be playing in Orlando after a 7 year hiatus. While in a conversation with the editor of the magazine, Daniel Alba, I made the notion that he should get an interview and photoshoot with the band. He said he'd see what he could do, and in a couple days, I received the call that I would get a chance to do an actual shoot with LOA. Definitely my biggest shoot of the year, and one of my favorites ever.

4. Discovering my Photographic Style

Something that every Photographer hopes for, a style all their own. This year I stumbled across what I wanted to do with my photography. After shooting for years, all different types, I realized that I was quickly getting bored with the basic commercial and fashion photography I was getting hired to do. Not that there was anything wrong with it, but my mind yearned for so much more. So this year I started streamlining my work to focus on the Fantastic, getting shots and adding elements that would be impossible to get in a single frame (or without a huge budget). I strongly enjoy Photographers like David LaChapelle, Matthias Clamer and Randall Slavin.

3. The Success of 2:22

Our little short film that could. 2010 was a big year for 2:22 (as was 2009). We played an additional 12 film festivals and won two more awards in Australia and Massachusettes. We played the Cannes Film Festival (something every young filmmaker dreams about). In the end, we signed a distribution deal with IndieFlix.com, leading to the streaming and DVD release, and eventually our deal with Hulu.com, allowing for the whole country to view it for free online. This short has had more legs and opened more doors then anything we have completed thus far... Luckily, that was the plan all along.

2. The Death of Judy Hansen

Judy Hansen is my wife Melanie's Mother. She had been diagnosed with Lung Cancer in January of 2009. She was a very strong, loving woman, and battled the horrific disease for over a year, before it finally took her from us on July 30th. There is nothing like loosing a parent. I had to go through it last year, and Melanie this year. There is nothing that anyone can say or do to make it hurt less or feel better. Death is a horrible thing that creeps up on you from time to time and rears it's ugly head, making you very aware of just how precious life is. We did learn to smile again, much to the assistance of #1...

1. The Birth of Victor

Remember, remember the 1st of November. At 3:50am, just a few hours shy of Halloween, our first born son, Victor Kiilerich Shea, came into this world. This little bundle of awesomeness was ready and raring to go. Now as I look back at the insanely quick 2 months he's been with us, it's amazing how fast the time flys when you have a child. I've been ranting about this gnarley kid constantly, so I'm sure people are getting sick of hearing about him. Unfortunately they are going to have to turn off my Tweets, because I don't plan on shutting up about him anytime soon!

Victor is definitely a help, forcing you to prioritize and get your schedule as streamlined as possible. I have a lot in the works for 2011. The potential release of 2 new features, more zany photography, and I have recently finished a new original screenplay, in which I am organizing a producer kit for. This new action/horror film I hope to Direct is titled “Fiend Fatale”, and is hopefully going to turn some heads. I look forward to all of the new challenges and adventures that 2011 will bring. See you on the flip side!

-Steven.

PS: To see more information about these most excellent adventures, look in my past blog posts.

TRONmas 2010!

2010-12-24T22:26:00.001-08:00

It's Officially Christmas, and I can't sleep due to my throbbing wrists (Holding the baby for hours has done wonders on my carpal tunnel. Not.) and probably excitement for the arrival of Santa, I want to share our 2010 Shea Family Christmas Card.

Now that the little dude is with us and celebrating his first Christmas, I have instilled a Tradition that I have wanted to create for Years. Working the Shea family Christmas Card around a movie scene from a classic film. Now for this year we had many titles go back and forth, but in the end we decided on Tron: Legacy (luckily the #1 movie in the country this week) I designed a Photo based on the new film, to incorporate Melanie, Victor & myself in this universe. (You know how hard it is to get a good shot of a 6 Week old in Studio? Hard enough to where I had to photoshop in his entire right arm. Yep, its not real.) Check out the photo below, and if you were lucky to be one of the 48 people we sent cards to, hope you enjoyed it!

Stay tuned for next year's, I'm sure it will be epic!

Photoshoot Memories: The Misfits

2010-12-10T21:47:00.000-08:00

The Misfits are my all time favorite band. Officially. There's not much more one can ask for then Horror Movies and Punk Music. Put those together, and you have one most triumphant combination. I listen to everything from the Danzig Era, through the Graves era, and yes, I even enjoy the newer stuff with Jerry Only on vocals. (Huge fan of the new Acoustic Graves stuff as well!) My home is decorated with Misfits poster art, and I play drums in a Misfits cover band, Green Hell. So you could say I'm somewhat of a fan.

For the past 4 years, I've had the opportunity to shoot the Misfits, as they came through Florida every year. Ironically as Jerry has gotten older, the music has gotten faster and the energy incredible. This past show on December 4th in Orlando, was no exception. To think of a non-mainstream band, who has been around for 30 years (and had constant multiple lineup changes) can still pack a house and pull a punch, is wicked impressive to me. I'll continue hitting up the shows every year, until Jerry retires, or is playing the Bass from a wheelchair in a nursing home in New Jersey. Fiend Club 4 Life.

Here are a couple of my favorite shots from the past 4 years...

If you haven't heard of The Misfits, or have never seen one of their Crimson Ghost emblems (probably one of the most prominent images on the planet in Music), then jesus man, check them out!

PHOTOSHOOT: Tara

2010-11-18T14:43:00.000-08:00

Last week while juggling changing diapers, finalizing a script and trying to catch some shut-eye, I received a lovely phone call from my good friend, accomplice and star of our Award-Winning short film, 2:22 & Award-Winning Feature film Doomsday County, Tara Lightfoot. Tara, (who besides being a wicked talented actress, is also an insanely talented Fashion model) had stumbled to the conclusion that she needed some new Commercial shots for her portfolio, and had decided to call in one of the 1062 favors that I would forever be indebted to her, for all of the crazy things I have put her through. I of course oblidged (Though happy, natural commercial shots are not my favorite), and we knocked out a few looks, utilizing the University of Central Florida Campus. It was definitely odd shooting Tara without throwing blood, or Alien goo, or some kind of staining liquid at her... We'll save that for the next shoot!

To see more of Tara or to book her, please visit her website here.

Model: Tara Lightfoot
Shot on Location: University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL
Canon 5D Mark II, 70-200mm f/4L Canon Lens
Lighting: Natural

PHOTOSHOOT: Kelly Jo, Michaela & L.T.

2010-11-13T01:19:00.000-08:00

For round two of the filming for our friend's at WJRR 101.1's Hot Tub Huddle website, I was introduced to local Orlando models Kelly Jo & Michaela.

Kelly Jo, I had previously seen rocking the Bass guitar in the girl group, Heroine, and also sporting the sash as the current Miss Monster (crowned from the Monsters in the Morning Radio Show)

Michaela, I had seen in the indie film, "Scare Zone", in which I visited the set and got to play a raunchy crowd member, waiting to get into a Haunted house.

While dodging the rain (a seemingly traditional occurrence for Hot Tub Huddle shoots), we had a good time, coming up with multiple setups and looks to fill the 6 weeks of content. Also this time, we did a more personal photoshoot with L.T., the Host of Hot Tub Huddle, and co-host of the Crash Morning Program on WJRR.

Check out the Official Website for more photos, and hear who the Ladies think will be heating up in the NFL.

Models: Kelly Jo, Michaela, L.T.
Shot on Location: Orlando, FL
Canon 5D Mark II, 55mm f/1.4 Canon Lens & 17-40mm f/4L Canon Lens
Lighting: Alien Bee 800 & 1600

Victor Kiilerich Shea.

2010-11-07T04:05:00.000-08:00

Remember, remember the 1st of November. A day which will live in infamy. The birth of my son, Victor Kiilerich Shea.

Halloween this year seemed a day like any other. We ran some errands, and prepared to pass out candy and watch the Walking Dead series premiere with some friends...a day also filled with something that I've never experienced on a fall holiday before...Contractions. Melanie had them off and on throughout the day, and being 1st time parents, worried about making a false alarm, we shrugged them off, waiting until the pain was almost unbearable. We called off the shindig, and headed downtown to the Winnie Palmer Memorial Hospital.

Upon arrival at about 9:30pm, she was admitted, placed in room 2112, and the epidural went in. We were shooting for Halloween (obviously planned from 9 months ago), but he just wanted to stay in a little longer... After a few hours of sleeping and pushing, our little dude came into this world at 3:50am, November 1st, 2010. 6.6lbs, 19.5 inches long. He had dark hair and dark bluezel (hazelly blue) eyes. He was named, Victor (after multiple different references, but mainly because we liked it the most, our little "Champion") Kiilerich (Melanie's Father's middle name, 4 generations of her family is named this) Shea (Shea stands for Awesome).

Outside the door like a paparazzi, was Unkie Birch, desperate to grab a photo of the little guy (he tried to burst in during labor, but the Nurse shoo'ed him out). Over the next few hours Victor was visited by a few friends and family, as we made our transition to our recovery room on the 8th floor. 2 more days in the hospital, and we were sent home, ready to let Victor loose on the world (and dress him in many cute and awesome outfits to be used as blackmail later in life)

PHOTOSHOOT: The Monsters

2010-10-26T11:41:00.000-07:00

A while back it was decided that I was going to be the lucky photographer (out of around 40 applicants I heard) to shoot the new promo photo for the world famous, Monsters of the Morning. A radio show that has offended audiences in the Central Florida market (and now world market thanks to XM Radio, IHeartRadio & The Internet) for years. When booked to shoot the new promo photos for Host, Russ Rollins, I was asked to shoot the whole Monster crew. Here is the new "Movie Poster" design that we went with. I understand that they will be printed into full 24x36 posters and distributed around Orlando to fans.

Also, here is a video that Daniel shot while everyone hung out in my Kitchen, waiting for Drunky The Bear to arrive...

See more of the Monsters at their Official Website.

Tech Specs:
Models: Daniel Dennis, Tiffany Martin, Russ Rollins, Dirty Jim, Drunky the Bear
Shot in Studio
Canon 5D Mark II, 17-40mm f/4L Canon Lens
Lighting: Alien Bee 1600, 800 & Ring Flash

Interview with Indie Cinema Showcase

2010-10-13T09:06:00.000-07:00

Our good buddies John Thiesen, Tim Anderson, and Gerry Godbout run a local Orlando television show called Indie Cinema Showcase, that focuses on local filmmakers and gives advice and information on the film industry. I had the pleasure of sitting down as a (last minute) interviewee on their episode themed around Music Videos. The show screens our "2:22 (It's Time To Die)" video we had done for the band Cryptidz, as well as work from our friends Adam ArNali & David Bermejo. I'll let it speak for itself below...

PHOTOSHOOT: Empyrean

2010-10-09T04:17:00.001-07:00

Our buddies in Empyrean, a very popular Orlando Metal group, had called upon me once again to shoot a new promotional photo for the band. Last time we shot was in a darkened corner of the Fiddler's Green Tavern, so this time we decided to kick it up a notch. After the controversial Music Video I directed for them, it was mandatory.

I shot each of the members individually with the plans to composite them into this Vatican-ish dungeon bathhouse room deal. I like to think it came out fairly metal.

Check out the band on their Official Website.

^Click Image for Full Sized Photo

Tech Specs:
Models: Empyrean
Shot in Studio
Canon 5D Mark II, 17-40mm f/4L Canon Lens
Lighting: Alien Bee 1600 and 800

PHOTOSHOOT: Mary Allison

2010-09-12T04:02:00.000-07:00

Our buddies at WJRR have a new concept that I think might fly. Football picks by attractive bikini bearing females in a jacuzzi. Check it out at HotTubHuddle.com I did some behind the scenes photography and set ups with the super Real Rock Girl, Mary Allison. Shooting at this insane Pool at a home in Sanford, FL. (Fiber optic lighting in the grotto, most excellent!) Unfortunately there was a monsoon scheduled for that day, which held up shooting for hours. Luckily we had this fantastic manor to grab some inside shots.

Model: Mary Allison
Shot on Location: Sanford, FL
Canon 5D Mark II, 17-40mm f/4L Canon Lens
Lighting: Alien Bee 800

The Babymoon.

2010-09-12T03:40:00.000-07:00

From what I understand, upon the arrival of your firstborn child, it is customary to create a getaway as your last trip as independent adults. The last time you will be alone without a dependent. The Babymoon. Melanie and I decided to abuse the extended Labor Day weekend and plan a mini-adventure. We left Orlando at 6:30pm on Friday for the 8 hour drive to Gulf Breeze, FL, a place I had always wanted to visit since childhood, with a small reputation for being a U.F.O. hotspot. (Not a surprise being 5 miles from a large Air Force Base) We arrived, crashed at the hotel for a few hours, and drove the long stretch of Gulf Shore islands down through Destin, stopping on the sides to check out the white beaches, and oil spill cleanup crews. After dodging the Emerald Coast (a name given by the large amounts of algae in the water, in which people were still super stoked to swim in) we settled on a nice dune on Pensacola Beach.

After getting only a minimal amount of oil on Melanie's foot (which I'm sure is great for the Baby) we headed north to the lost city of Atlanta. I had booked a hotel across the street from the Center of Disease Control (a main location in a new feature script I have recently finished) We grabbed some footage (lurking in the treeline away from the suspicious security guards) to be saved for later use.
The next day we headed to our main destination, the Georgia Aquarium, famed for supposedly being the largest Aquarium in the world. We had a blast checking out the enormous Whale Sharks, Manta Rays, Jelly Fish, Electric Eels, Beluga Whales, Piranha, and the lone Sea Turtle, nestled in the "Georgia Explorer" exhibit.

At the end of the day, we swung by the massive DragonCon convention, saying Hi to some friends, and checking out the insane costumes (Werewolf Ghostbusters?) Dinner was had at the famous Vortex Bar & Grill, where you can get the SUPER-STACK HEART ATTACK BURGER. Two half-pound sirloin patties stacked inside three grilled cheese sandwiches, topped with two fried eggs, eight slices of American cheese, ten slices of bacon, with plenty of mayo on the side. I regrettably had to pass.

Our last day was spent with a quick trip to the Atlanta Underground (which looked interesting in the advertisement, but then swiftly turned mega ghetto upon arrival). After a GPS meltdown, we routed to the famous Dreamland BBQ, and chowed down before our 9hr drive home. The portly middle aged mustache wearing male server was kind enough to offer my very pregnant wife a beer with her ribs. Oh Georgia!
I can only look forward to many more trips, only this time with the new addition. Shea. Table of 3!

PHOTOSHOOT: Summer Collins

2010-09-07T19:40:00.001-07:00

Another in a batch of shoots I did for Look Swimwear, I got to shoot again with Summer (who I had previously shot for the aXis March 2010 cover). She is in a contest on the Look Website, so go HERE and vote for her, (daily!) We did this shoot in my backyard, just a couple hours before we shot Summer's scene in our next film, Doomsday County. Summer plays "Daisy", a temptress to the Mayor of Doomsday (played by Indie Film Hero, Joel Wynkoop) Check out more of that film when it's released on DVD this fall!

^Click Image for Full Sized Photo

Model: Summer Collins
Shot on Location: Shea Compound, Orlando, FL
Canon 5D Mark II, 55mm f/1.4 Canon Lens
Lighting: Alien Bee 1600

PHOTOSHOOT: Victoria Leigh

2010-08-29T07:04:00.001-07:00

I am at the beginning of a few new bikini shoots I'm doing for Look Swimwear, and I received the opportunity to shoot with the most gnarly Victoria Leigh. This setup was done on Lake Holden, near downtown Orlando. See more of Victoria at her Official Website.

^Click Image for Full Sized Photo

Model: Victoria Leigh
Shot on Location: Lake Holden, Orlando, FL
Canon 5D Mark II, 55mm f/1.4 Canon Lens
Lighting: Alien Bee 1600

PHOTOSHOOT: Russ Rollins

2010-08-24T19:01:00.000-07:00

Through my good friend Brad, I recently was recommended to shoot new promotional shots for Russ "Triple R" Rollins, Host of the very popular, Monsters in the Morning radio show on Real Radio 104.1 in Orlando, and simulcast throughout the world through XM Radio and the Internet. This also led to shooting new promos for the entire Monster group. Russ had an idea for having him caged like a monster in a dungeon. I agreed and this is the image we came up with. A few talkbackers claim that this looks like Criss Angel's promo shot... I don't see the resemblance.

A new promotional shot for the Monsters will also be coming soon...

^Click Image for Full Sized Photo

Model: Russ Rollins
Shot in Studio
Canon 5D Mark II, 17-40mm f/4L Canon Lens
Lighting: Alien Bee 1600

PHOTOSHOOT: Lords of Acid

2010-08-09T20:14:00.000-07:00

A funny story... When I first came to Orientation at the University of Central Florida, I was put into a group of 11 other students as we toured and went through a few lectures, and then sat in a comfy room, where our guide asked each person questions, hoping to form friendships. One of the questions they asked me was, "What is your Favorite Band?" My answer was... Lords of Acid.

Last week an event happened that I never planned to exist in my lifetime. I was going to see Lords of Acid live and in Concert. I had been a huge fan throughout the late 90s and into the millennium, and had never had an opportunity to see them live. When I heard they were going back on tour after a 7 year hiatus (with many new members of course) I jumped at the opportunity. Little did I know something magical was about to happen. While doing some graphic work for my friend Daniel at Et Cetera Magazine, I joked with the idea of him setting up a photoshoot for me with Lords of Acid. He said, "Sure", and after a couple hours messaged me, to alert that he had indeed set up a shoot and interview with the band. Well, jump start my heart!

On the evening of Wed, August 4th, I had the ability to actually meet, help interview, hang out and shoot the 2010 lineup for Lords of Acid. They gave me a tour badge and backstage pass, and allowed me to rock out with them on Stage. They were opened by My Life With The Thrill Kill Kult, another favorite from the time. The band was excited to be on the road, and rekindle the relationship with their fans, the Children of Acid. This was a most amazing experience, that I will cherish for a long time...

^Click Image for Full Sized Photo

Models: Lords of Acid (Praga Khan, Lacey Conner, Sin Quirin, M3, Kirk Salvador)
Shot on Location: Firestone, Orlando, FL
Canon 5D Mark II, 17-40mm f/4L Canon Lens
Lighting: Alien Bee 800

aXis Magazine August 2010

2010-08-04T04:32:00.000-07:00

For August 2010 at aXis, we re-shot our March 2009 Cover Model, Shanna Marie McLaughlin, who recently became Playboy's Miss July 2010. This UCF graduate is moving forward with her acting and modeling career, and has relocated to California. Mike Anthony Moffa did the photography for the shoot at the men's locker room at the University of Central Florida's Stadium. I shot & edited the behind the scenes video here:

See more of the August issue here.

The Underground Lounge Interview

2010-08-02T05:07:00.000-07:00

I had taken this recent trip to Tampa foremostly to be a guest of The Underground Lounge horror themed talk show. It was a fun experience to hang around with Extremely Dead Jeania and Zombie Tonya on the set of their 3 year running television show. They lured me in with Energy Drinks, and I couldn't resist. Check out the episode below...

The Underground Lounge Episode #12 from The Underground Lounge on Vimeo.

PHOTOSHOOT: Afternoon Flight with Angela

2010-08-01T05:14:00.000-07:00

While visiting the Clearwater, FL area to be a guest on a locally produced Horror show, I had the pleasure of shooting with Angela Fong, former WWE Diva, Savannah. Thanks to my good buddy James Schrader, we got to shoot at the Clearwater Air Park, and had some access to a few rad airplanes. I went up in one of the planes to grab some aerial footage, and quickly realized that my stomach couldn't handle the big jumps the little plane was making. I grabbed some nice shots of the Tampa Bay coastline, and then we came right back down, just before anything messy would have happened. Luckily I was coherent enough to still get a few great setups with Angela.

^Click Image for Full Sized Photo

Tech Specs:
Model: Angela Fong (http://www.myspace.com/angelafong)
Shot on Location: Clearwater Air Park, Clearwater, FL
Canon 5D Mark II, 17-40mm f/4L Canon Lens
Lighting: Alien Bee 1600, 800, and Ring Flash

Special thanks to my lighting assistants: James and Jamie Schrader

PHOTOSHOOT: Moonbathing with Amber

2010-07-08T05:56:00.000-07:00

On a recent trip to the Keys, I had the luck of it being the dawning of the full moon. With the lack of ambient light in the islands, it makes it much easier to see the stars and the sky, creating the inspiration for this photo. This was shot after dark, with two shots composited together. One focusing on the lighting of Amber and the jetty, and the other focusing on the exposure of the sky and the moon. With the amount of wind, and lack of tripod, I was very pleased how it came out.

^Click Image for Full Sized Photo

Tech Specs:
Model: Amber Eastman
Shot on Location: Coral Key, Florida Keys
Canon 5D Mark II, 17-40mm f/4L Canon Lens
Lighting: Alien Bee 800, and Natural Moonlight

Special thanks to my lighting assistant: Cate Shea

PHOTOSHOOT: Lava Surfing with Leigh Anne

2010-07-02T14:59:00.000-07:00

During a recent photoshoot for our Skinvestigator Covers, Orlando model/actress, Leigh Anne Thomas and I decided to do something a little more elaborate with our time in studio. I've always had a vision of a surfer riding a wave of Lava. It makes sense, sort of. So after some proposed alignments, we came up with this concept, and put this together. The imagery is obviously an allegory to the fall of the Berlin wall... or Dante's Peak.

^Click Image for Full Size Photo

Tech Specs:
Model: Leigh Anne Thomas
Shot in Studio
Canon 5D Mark II, 17-40mm f/4L Canon Lens
Flashes: Alien Bee 1600, 800, and Ring Flash

PHOTOSHOOT: The Skinvestigator Novel Covers

2010-06-30T08:18:00.000-07:00

Our good friend Dr Terry Cronin, owner of 3 Boys Productions, the Melbourne Independent Filmmakers Festival and publisher of our comic book The Vandyls, and Student of the Unusual, has taken time out of his incredibly busy schedule, to write a new batch of novels. I had the pleasure of shooting three cover versions for the series of books. We shot these in studio in 2 sessions. I also did the layout design, simple yet effective (hopefully!)

^Click Image for Full Photo

Tech Specs:
Model: Darryl Sposato, Leigh Anne Thomas, Anna Solyanik
Shot in Studio
Canon 5D Mark II, 55mm f/1.4 Canon Lens
Flashes: Alien Bee 1600, 800, and Ring Flash

Empyrean "Le Retour" Music Video

2010-06-15T05:01:00.000-07:00

I had the pleasure of recently creating a Music Video for our good friends in the Orlando-based Metal band, Empyrean. The hired me on to Shoot, Direct, and Edit the video, for their song "Le Retour De Mere-Terre", on their album Resurrection Engine. The video was quite an undertaking, and we spent 6 days on location, 2 days in the mountains of North Georgia, a day in a Victorian manor in Gainesville, FL, a day in the woods of Geneva, FL, and 2 days in the Florida Keys. The the amount of labor and travelling (40 hrs of driving), this would be a great feat for any normal full sized film crew. None the less, we went armed with myself, the band, actors, and 5 makeup artists. We chose to laugh in the face of adversity (and Tifton, GA folk).

The video had it's grand premiere at the House Of Blues in Orlando, this past Saturday night, where the band, and 4 other local acts also performed. What should have been a magical evening, turned into turmoil, when after weeks of assurance from HOB that this was totally cool, they decide an hour before doors open, that they will NOT allow our video to play, due to content. We have a guy being hung, and a girl falling into the ocean... My argument was that just because our film didn't have "Pirates of the Caribbean" in front of it, didn't mean it should be censored. After a while of serious arguments and negotiations with HOB and Disney, we finally threatened legal action, and they decided they would let us show the video, if we blacked out the parts they deemed inappropriate. This amounted to 45 seconds of the 7.5 min video. Luckily, Drew, the band's drummer had a laptop only 20min away he could edit on, and he ran home to throw in the black. They were literally arguing over whether to play it, up till the time the screen rolled down. The crowd laughed and Boo'ed over the sections that suddenly cut to black and read "HOB EDIT". So other than suffering mild heart palpitations, the night ended on a high note, and we still came out on top.

Watch the final video here for Le Retour, in all of it's uncensored glory.

^Click Full Screen for Full HD

PHOTOSHOOT: 3 Paul's Howling at the Moon

2010-06-06T10:43:00.000-07:00

I recently did a headshot shoot for our buddy Paul Steward (Director of Photography on Doomsday County, and Owner of 316 Productions) and during the conversations it dawned on us, that this man seriously needed an image of himself spoofing the infamous 3 Wolves shirt.

^Click for full photo

Tech Specs:
Model: Paul Steward
Shot in Studio
Canon 5D Mark II, 55mm f/1.4 Canon Lens
Flashes: Alien Bee 1600 & 800

R.I.P. - Steve Perry

2010-06-04T11:54:00.000-07:00

It was brought to my attention today that Comic Book writer Steve Perry was recently found murdered in Zephyrhills, FL, only an hour and a half from my house. This was after he was missing for two weeks. We had the pleasure of meeting Steve while doing some video interviews with our friend Brian Pulido for the Hero Initiative at the 2010 Megacon Convention. Steve has been in the comic book industry for many years, known best for writing Thundercats, Silver Hawks and Time Spirits. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends.

More info on his death here.

Here is the video we were able to shoot with him about his struggles, only three months before his death...

^Double Click video for full size

PHOTOSHOOT: Totally Awesome Tasha

2010-05-31T07:19:00.000-07:00

I had the pleasure of recently getting to shoot with local Orlando Actress/Model, Tasha Wise. I had promised her new headshots in exchange for a concept shot. While prop shopping for Doomsday County, I came across a retro pair of 1980s Back To The Future Pizza Hut Meal style glasses, and inspiration struck. We did this shoot in the studio, luckily dodging the intergalactic war going on.

*click for full photo

Tech Specs:
Model: Tasha Wise
Makeup by: CS Studios (www.csstudiosfx.com)
Shot in Studio
Canon 5D Mark II, 17-40mm f/4L Canon Lens
Flashes: Alien Bee 800 & Ring Flash

Florida Music Festival 2010

2010-04-26T05:53:00.000-07:00

*click for full photo

For the past three years, we have assisted with the multi-media of the Florida Music Festival. A huge event in Orlando, that takes 250 bands in 15 venues over the course of 4 days. Quite a party! This year was no exception. With my boys, Birch, Z, and Johnny Clash, we ravaged the festival, and grabbed photography and video of all of our leading acts.

I also helped create the guide cover, Introductory video for the Keynote speakers (Monte and Avery Lipman, heads of Universal Republic Records) and was brought in by Miller Lite to design their poster campaign. Some of the bands we had the pleasure of shooting was Less Than Jake, Anberlin, Rusted Root, Parachute, American Bang, Murder By Death, Thomas Ian Nicholas, Big 10-4, Atom Smash, Cady Groves, Union Made, Sugarfree Music, Empyrean and A Brilliant Lie (among a couple other hundred)

I assisted our good buddy Tim Springer in organizing the Indie Film Jam (in which we showed our music video "2:22 (It's Time To Die)" by Cryptidz, and our short film "Guitar God")

Overall it was (and always is) an amazing experience. I look forward to recovering, and getting through all of the gigs of media that we obtained. Rock on!

www.floridamusicfestival.com

Le Retour de Mere-Terre

2010-04-16T01:09:00.000-07:00

I have just returned from a six day journey with the Orlando based Heavy Metal group, Empyrean. I was asked by my friends Mike and Adam of the band to helm their music video for the song "Le Retour de Mere-Terre" off of their latest album Resurrection Engine. I agreed, and Directed, Shot, and will Edit the video. The concepts that the band had in mind were most epic, and took us on an adventure to the mountains of Northern Georgia, to the expansive ocean backdrop of the Florida Keys. We shot in a Victorian Manor in Gainesville, as well as the thick Florida backwoods in Geneva. We drove over 40 hours, and the amount of Taurine intake is most likely above numbers that my general practitioner would be comfortable with. The 70 gigs of HD footage was shot with the Canon 5D Mark II. Editing will begin immediately, to prepare the promotion for their summer tour.

See more about the band on their websites:
Official
MySpace
Facebook

Special thanks to Mike, Adam, Ian, Ricardo, Drew, Jenn, Darryl, Rick, Keenan, John, Luandra, Ashley, Kurt, Jason, Lindsay, Nikita, Miche, Jeff, JJ, Nellie, Kelli, Josh, Jennifer, E.J., Ricky, Kirsten, Robin, and my Mother for helping and being awesome in the video.

Also Rockstar Energy and Combos, for keeping us alive on the road.

PHOTOSHOOT: Pink Label Fashion

2010-04-01T03:39:00.000-07:00

I recently did a shoot with Lily Le Roi for Pink Label Fashion, an alternative clothing company from Manistee, Michigan. We shot naturally in the Greenwood Cemetery, located in Downtown Orlando. Special thanks to my good friend Owl Goingback. Purchase from Pink Label here.

Tech Specs:
Shot on Location
Canon 5D Mark II, 55mm f/1.4 Canon Lens
Flashes: None

PHOTOSHOOT: Nicki

2010-03-18T16:21:00.000-07:00

I had always promised Nicki, one of our aXis girls that I would do a portfolio shoot for her, and we were finally able to do that a few weeks back. But I made her promise to do a composite shot with me. I decided I wanted to do a robot rampage on Downtown Orlando, using old school wind-ups. I shot her in my driveway, the robots in Studio, and Downtown, obviously on location.

*click for full photo

Tech Specs:
Shot in Studio & Location
Canon 5D Mark II, 17-40mm f/4L & 55mm f/1.4 Canon Lenses
Flashes: Alien Bee 1600
Composite, 5 Images (Model, 2 Robots, Jet, City)

aXis Magazine March 2010

2010-03-12T21:28:00.000-08:00

Here is the cover for the March issue of aXis Magazine that I shot and laid out. We had the pleasure of shooting the St Patrick's Day cover at Paddy Murphy's in Baldwin Park, with the lovely models Summer & Tasha. Makeup was done by Ashli and Lindsay of CS Studios.

*Click for Full Image

Here is the Behind The Scenes video, shot by Eric "Z" Zaragoza, and edited by Myself.

Fore more photos from this shoot, visit the aXis Magazine site here.

PHOTOSHOOT: CS Studios

2010-03-12T05:19:00.000-08:00

I did some promotional shots for our friends Ashli, Kurt, Lindsay and Jess at CS Studios, a new professional Makeup Studio in town. We got a little crazy and creative, as every artist that paints on faces instead of canvas should be.

*Click for Full Image

Tech Specs:
Shot on Location at CS Studios
Canon 5D Mark II, 17-40mm f/4L Canon Lens
Flashes: Alien Bee 800, 1600, and Ring Flash

PHOTOSHOOT: Amber

2010-02-20T12:11:00.000-08:00

This is from a recent photoshoot with model, Amber. I asked her what she was into, and Dragons was near the top of the list. Luckily Dragons are awesome, and we decided to do this composite shoot. Unfortunately the Military are not as big a fans of these mythical beasts.

*click for full photo

Tech Specs:
Shot in Studio
Canon 5D Mark II, 17-40mm f/4L Canon Lens
Flashes: Alien Bee 800, 1600, and Ring Flash
Composite, 7 Images (Model, 2 Helicopters, Dragon Tail, Wings, Landscape, Pendant)

PHOTOSHOOT: Evelyn

2010-02-12T04:34:00.000-08:00

Here is another shot that was created with model Evelyn Danford. She was shot against a black screen, and the boards were shot separately, designs added in the back. Kiyahh!

*click for full photo

Birthdaysploitation 2010!

2010-02-09T05:28:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I was able to celebrate my 29th year on this universe also known as existence. A breakdown of the weeks events are as follows: Saturday was the real celebration (since Monday is a school night). We started the evening with Dinner at the T-Rex Cafe at Downtown Disney, a most jurassic dining establishment that mimics the successful Rainforest Cafe, but overrun with dinosaurs, killer squids and meteor showers. My sisters Aimee and Caitlin met us, and presented me with an awesome Knife holder, made to look like a body, being stabbed by the blades. Aimee also cooked a most delicious Cookie Cake, that they had preset up with the restaurant to bring out.

From there we traveled down to meet the rest of the 30 odd crew at Old Town amusement center in Kissimmee. For the rest of the evening it was a blitz of Lazer Tag, Go Karts, Alcohol, Haunted Houses and Karaoke. Video evidence will be revealed shortly of the 10 car pile up, caused by my lovely wife. Luckily there were no major injuries. I never did get the cotton candy that I was after. Alcohol provided giftwrapped by Ashley and Lindsay. Tim brought me the most excellent new Eerie Von photobook on the Misfits. 138! The evening was meant to end with a road trip to the coast for the last night launch of the Space Shuttle ever, but it was cut short when Weather moved the date till the next day.

Sunday was spent in preparations for the big game. We woke up to have lunch with Aimee and Caitlin at Tiajuana Flats (the most delicious cookie dough flautas!) Then enjoyed the rest of the night with the huge (first time ever in the Super Bowl) win for the New Orleans Saints! It was a proud day for those of us who were born on a bayou. Who Dat? Tara also brought me some awesome one of a kind Ghostbuster Coasters! (because I do have a serious constant need for coasters!)

Yesterday (the official day of my birth) was spent writing. I finally finished the full timeline for my latest feature length script, which let me tell you, is going to be my "Armageddon". It's coming along swimmingly, and I should be releasing information on it soon. Once Melanie got home from work, we had a nice meal at CheeburgerCheeburger, and watched Cabin Fever 2: Spring Fever. The film definitely had some extremely strange choices, and was pretty chopped up. All in all a pretty badass birthday experience!

We'll wrap up the nonstop excitement with a screening and party at Universal tonight for their latest horror potential, The Wolfman. I feel a bad moon rising...

Patient Zero

2010-02-03T21:35:00.000-08:00

This past week (for 7 days total) I was pretty much bedridden with a fantastic Strep Throat. Anyone who knows me, knows that I can't stand sitting in a place for long periods of time, especially chained to the couch, with fluish symptoms, and raging headaches. So over the course of my recovery, I watched a few films, stuff that was on TV, or flicks I had missed over time, and wanted to visit... namely:

The Goods, Pearl Harbor, Transformers II, Whip It, Hot Rod, Fame (remake), Surrogates, High School Musical 1,2 & 3, Halloween II (remake), Short Circuit 2, Hard Candy, Return of the Ghostbusters (feature length fan film), The Craft, Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs, Big Fish, Funny People, The Grudge 3, and Juno.

Yeah, that sick. Now if I can just get this annoying cough to exit. Tubular.

Cryptidz Music Video "2:22"

2010-01-23T14:57:00.000-08:00

Just uploaded the new music video I just Directed, Shot & Edited for the local Orlando Horror Punk Band Cryptidz. They were kind enough to make a song based on our short film 2:22, called "2:22 (It's Time To Die)" Check out the music video starring Cryptidz and Tara Lightfoot!

aXis Magazine January 2010

2010-01-18T18:59:00.001-08:00

I shot and laid out the cover for aXis Magazine's January 2010 edition. The cover featured Leslie Nelson, the Orlando finalist for Maxim's Hometown Hottie competition in 2009. This image is a composite of three different photos (Leslie was shot in my living room). This issue features the 20 Coolest People in Orlando (I am an alumni of this from 2 years ago), including Tara Lightfoot, most talented model & star of our short film 2:22!

Here is the behind the scenes video shot by Shawn Haran, and edited by myself. Also a shoutout to Luandra Whitehurst for the awesome makeup!

Here is a link to some other shots from this shoot.

Behind the Scenes of 2:22

2010-01-13T05:48:00.000-08:00

This is our week of lifting the curtain and showcasing the behind the scenes of our most kick-ass projects. Check out the newly uploaded video (first time online!) of the making of our latest Award Winning short film 2:22.

Check it out!

See more Abyssmal Videos on our Abyssmal Entertainment Channel on Vimeo!

Behind The Scenes of Hoodoo For Voodoo!

2010-01-12T06:15:00.000-08:00

Here is another update to the new Abyssmal Vimeo Channel, "Bad Mojo: The Making Of Hoodoo For Voodoo". Check out our zany trek to Louisiana to shoot our zany feature length Horror Comedy film. Buy the DVD here!!

See more Abyssmal Videos on our Abyssmal Entertainment Channel on Vimeo!

PHOTOSHOOT: Kam Lee for Rue Morgue

2010-01-09T09:57:00.000-08:00

Last month, I had gotten a buzz from my friend Kam Lee (Lead singer of Cryptidz, Bone Gnawer, The Grotesquery, ect) about needing to do a photoshoot for an upcoming article that Rue Morgue Magazine (2nd largest horror magazine in the world) was doing on him and The Grotesquery. We had a fun evening of doing some different shots against a black screen, and then composited in a large stone wall being smashed around Kam. In the end a pretty BA image. They photoshopped out the background for the magazine, but still looks killer. Here is the final shot in the Rue Morgue article just released this week (January 2010 Issue). Grab it now!

The Abyssmal Channel

2010-01-06T04:44:00.000-08:00

I've finally created our Abyssmal Channel on Vimeo. So now you can watch our short films and trailers in high quality! We will have some new projects popping up on here soon as well.

CLICK HERE TO EXPERIENCE!

*Also note this marks the first appearance of our short film "Clarks" online! An award winning spoof on Kevin Smith's Viewaskewniverse, that we created back in 2002.

Be there or be square!

PHOTOSHOOT: Spencer

2010-01-03T19:35:00.000-08:00

While shooting on set photos for our my friend Kevin O'Neil's short film titled "Captain Fin", I was able to get some nice fashionable candids of Actress Spencer Locke. Spencer has starred in movies such as Resident Evil: Extinction, and Monster House. She was a joy to work with on set, and I look forward to seeing her in more projects in the future.

*Click photo to see full image

PHOTOSHOOT: Marliese & Eddie

2010-01-03T19:30:00.000-08:00

I was recently asked by my friend, and model (whom I abuse to no end, and have killed in 2 movies now) Marliese, if I would be available to shoot some photos of her Husband Eddie and herself. Eddie is in the military, and had just come back from his final deployment overseas, so it was a joyous occasion. We shot on Lake Harney in Geneva, FL. How great it was having two subjects with such an intense chemistry.

*Click photo to see full image

PHOTOSHOOT: Evelyn

2010-01-03T19:26:00.001-08:00

Also on my recent trip to Los Angeles, I was able to reconnect with Actress/Model Evelyn that I had gone to high school with in the Keys. We shot around L.A., and then also back in Orlando during Christmas break, when she was on my coast. Here is a shot from an in studio shoot in Orlando.

Shot on a Black background, with the stone composited in.
*Click photo to see full image

PHOTOSHOOT: Priscilla

2010-01-03T19:20:00.000-08:00

At the end of 2009, I upgraded all of my photography equipment, and have started lining up new photoshoots. I finally got some time to catch up during this Holiday weekend, and I'll start posting new photos as the shoots roll in.

While I was in Los Angeles in December, I had the pleasure of doing a quick shoot with my actress friend, Priscilla. Here is a fun shot on the roof of her apartment in Beverly Hills.

*Click photo to see full image

Why hello 2010, fancy meeting you here.

2010-01-02T20:08:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year! A holiday built on rebirth, allowing you to forget the mistakes and shortcomings of the previous year, and plan for what can only be a brighter future. 2009 was probably the Best and Worst year of my life. We made some huge steps in the right direction, and took some major hits along the way.

Melanie and I spent our evening at the Enzian Theater's James Bond themed New Years party. I dressed in a white suit with a Golden Gun as Francisco Scaramanga (from The Man With The Golden Gun) and Melanie wore silver and blue as Miranda Frost (from Die Another Day). It was quite enjoyable, ringing in the New Year with the theater transformed into a dance club, ballon drop, and the couple hundred other party-goers, some dressed in their favorite Bond attire (My award would go to the Moonraker couple, which would have been my costume, if I had a spacesuit handy). All in all a blast.

I welcome the upcoming year with open arms, and look forward to build further upon all of the accomplishments we made in 2009. Now where is my flying car dammit!?

Walking the Plank with Captain Fin

2009-12-30T12:43:00.000-08:00

This week I had the pleasure of shooting some on set production stills for a short film titled "Captain Fin", a beautiful little 35mm fable, written and directed by my friend Kevin O'Neill. We had a 2 day shoot between the windy shores of New Smyrna Beach, to the 35mm Soundstages of FullSail University. We had a blast on set, and also got to work with the most talented Spencer Locke (From movies such as Resident Evil: Extinction & Monster House). I'm definitely looking forward to seeing how this one turns out!

Twas the night before Christmas...

2009-12-24T23:45:00.000-08:00

Whilst in a late night frenzy before Christmas morning, and the sleep fairy ironically on break for the evening, I wanted to update on a few items that have been happening lately.

I recently took a return trip to Los Angeles, to conquer some meetings and see some friends, and continue what I set out to do in the cut-short October trip. Overall went very well, and definitely opened some new doors and some new friendships. I have decided to line up 3 feature length screenplays to be finalized in the first quarter of 2010, and also go into production of a new Zombie web serial... details coming soon. I can guarantee you, it's going to be a helluva year!

For now, I had better attempt this whole sleep deal, before my 13 year old half sister wakes up at 4am, demanding to see what Santa was brought...

Director's Reel

2009-12-09T04:06:00.000-08:00

Here is a new updated Director's Reel for 2009.

Examiner.com Write Up!

2009-12-05T10:45:00.000-08:00

Here is another article about 2:22 that just went up on Examiner.com. I want to thank Tim Springer for the interview! CLICK HERE to check it out!

Orlando Sentinel Write Up!

2009-12-04T00:09:00.001-08:00

In today's print issue of the Orlando Sentinel, we were given quite a bit of ink to talk about myself, and 2:22. Read it online here! (WARNING: SPOILERS FOR 2:22!!!)

If you didn't get to see the original review they did, click HERE to check it out.

Driving Miss Cryptidz

2009-12-02T10:19:00.000-08:00

After filling myself with as much food as I could handle, Melanie and I drove back to Orlando to prepare for a long evening with the local Horror Punk band Cryptidz. Led by Metal legacy Kam Lee, and our score composer extraordinaire (and Green Hell Bassist) Rob Reider, we had made plans to shoot some new band photos, and a music video for their song "2:22 - It's Time To Die", based off of our short film. The shoot went well, prepare to see some crazy composite shots of the guys "dealing" with some of their favorite cryptid creatures. The music video was shot all around Downtown Orlando at night, using the new Canon 5D. The video also stars Tara Lightfoot (the lead in 2:22), as she spends another horrific evening trying to dodge the gnarly seemingly-undead band members. Luckily no one was injured (too badly) and everyone successfully escapred any police interference. Editing has commenced, so check back for new photos and the music video! Hear the song HERE on the Cryptidz MySpace page.

Turkey Day Recap

2009-12-02T10:14:00.000-08:00

For Thanksgiving this year, we ended up spending a couple days with my Inlaws, in their lovely lakeside home in Inverness, FL (the same lakeside home we shot The Night Owl in so many years ago). A relaxing time eating large amounts of food and learning to play Mexican Train Dominoes and Golf (card game). I spent the rest of the weekend lining our house with about 1,200 Christmas lights (of which we had to take some back twice, due to incorrect color labels on the boxes) and shooting new material for the punk band Cryptidz...

Upgrade!

2009-11-23T12:04:00.000-08:00

Recently I upgraded my photography equipment, with a new camera (Canon 5D Mark II), lenses, and flashes. I look forward to shooting everything I can with this camera, stills and HD video. For the first shoot I out together was for the infamous Kam Lee (metal/punk frontman for many popular musical acts since the early 80s). This was to be used for Kam's promotion, as well as for an article in the Jan 2010 issue of Rue Morgue magazine. See more of Kam at his Facebook Page here.

Turtle Power!

2009-11-23T03:59:00.001-08:00

One of the biggest impacts on my adolescent life, was the discovery of Kevin Eastman & Peter Laird's most bodacious creations, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. I was completely obsessed as a child, and the elements from that program have stuck with me through today.

This year is the 25th anniversary of TMNT, and at the San Diego Comic Con in June, I had the pleasure of meeting Kevin Eastman for the first time. He drew me a Donatello in the limited collectors edition hardback of the 25th Anniversary Comic Collection. Completely Excellent!

For our wedding anniversary this year, my amazing wife Melanie, bought me the Blu-ray collection of the 4 TMNT movies. Upon receiving this, the immediate thought in my mind was, MARATHON! Our buddy (and fellow TMNT enthusiast) Keenan readily agreed. So yesterday, we watched 7 straight hours of the green team, on our 11' projector wall. Starting out with the original animated pilot, then the 3 live action movies, then the CG animated movie, and ending everything with the first episode of the live action TV series. In the middle was ordered some Dominos pizza (who sponsored the first film) and covered it with toppings from candy corn to gummi bears to chocolate chips and marshmallows. (I do not recommend gummi bears in the future!) The day was radical, and I can't wait to do something like this again! Cowabunga!