when the SIRENs sing

Here are two preliminary images from my photo shoot with Siren Salon. What a great group to work with. Chris, Vasa, and team are all really cool and I felt like I was a part of the family. This is the dynamic that I base my business on.

The project: To provide stunning fresh imagery for in store display, on the web, and other print related materials that identifies Siren's brand.

The challenge: To make sure it doesn't look like your run-of-the-mill hair book photos.

I'll keep you all posted on the progress of the project as well as share additional images. We spent a full day shooting and the contact sheets are nearly complete. It is this point where I will be working very closely with the Siren team with image selection, processing methods, print process, etc. to ensure everything coincides with their branding.

I need to work side by side with their brand management and visual communication team and even suggest if any seats need to be filled. I'm willing to take a hands on approach with my clients to ensure all of the pieces click into place.

Siren Salon is located at 3143 N Lincoln Ave, just south of Belmont Ave in Chicago. They can be reached at 773.549.0800 or visit: http://sirensalon.com

Stay tuned for more updates.

Passion, Perseverance, and maybe just being stubborn

It does take quite a bit of energy. I work from the time I get up, until the time I go to bed. I even dream about shoots. Even when I'm out to have a good time, I'm working. Talking to people passing out cards.... it takes a lot of energy. But if I stopped now, it wouldn't have been worth it. This makes my hungrier to work even smarter and harder.

Now I couldn't see doing anything else. There is no plan b. Just plan "A" with different angles and light.

This is where my passion is.

[Appropriate] Image is EVERYTHING

I began the day listening to a pod cast from Skaaren Design.

Cory Michael Skaaren was one of my instructors in art school that I connected with and gained the most knowledge from. I knew he had an impact on the way I think, but it wasn't until listening to his podcast that I realized just how much.

Over this past week, I've spent quite a bit of time thinking about branding. PDN is filled with articles on the subject and ADBASE has a few podcasts as well.

Cory's podcast made a light come on. He speaks on the subject of helping his clients create their identity early on. He solves problems with what is meaningful and appropriate. To describe appropriate visual communication, Cory uses the analogy "You don't go into a fancy restaurant in shorts and flip flops."

What does this have to do with photography? Photography is an element of visual communication. An image, like a logo or trademark, should communicate the message of the ad in a way that is cohesive with the brand for whom it's made. An example, the image above doesn't fit Ralph Lauren's branding, however may fit Diesel or Chrome Hearts or a grunge couture brand.

When I meet with a new client to discuss a photoshoot. I spend time learning who they are and what their brand represents so I can ensure that the photos fit within their image. Brand consistency is imperative to a successful advertising campaign. I recently had a meeting with a hair salon in Chicago. I outlined this very well. There are many photographers that would have just taken the check and shot what they felt was cool. I spent time explaining that what we have is a blank canvas. From wardrobe, to color palettes, to angle and lighting, We must ensure that everything in this process appropriately represents the client.

It's easy to take a good photograph, but it takes planning and careful execution to capture an appropriate photograph that communicates a specific message to a predetermined audience while maintaining brand consistency. Photography is just one element of visual communication.

I learned so much from his class. We just connected, and he somehow knew what I was capable of. Because of this, he expected more from me. If I had to list only one thing that I learned from Cory Michael Skaaren, it was the definition of visual communication.

Digital Railroad Derailed, Elite Slashes 60 Models, Time Reorganized

Hard economic times is in the news everywhere and it's affecting us all. Before we all jump, perhaps there's an upside to this. Perhaps a little clean up is needed in the market place in order to make room for something better.

I learned a valuable lesson about insurance last year that forced me to be more resourceful and to push my limits, therefore on a much smaller scale, this is a "been there done that" for me.

Now more than ever we must be more creative with what we have. Excess is no longer feasible. Everyone has to make their money stretch further which is the cloud's silver lining. 

This increases competition. Each outlet is competing for our money. They know we are going to spend it, now they have to find creative solutions to get us to spend our money with them. This means that ads must be more effective, contain imagery that grabs more attention for products and services that are more affordable, last longer and are better for the environment.

Isn't that what going green is about... Reduce, Reuse, Recycle? So before we worry ourselves sick maybe we should embrace change.

K I S S

Yesterday, I photographed Chantel Allyce along Lake Michigan in Chicago, IL. It was after a meeting with a new client and we scoped out the potential location, she changed into wardrobe, and it was perfect. Camera, laptop, and available light. All that was needed.

This reminds me as commercial photographers with tons of gear available, we must remind ourselves to keep it simple. If I would have unloaded all of the gear, we would have missed the perfect light.

Welcome

Just wanted to drop a quick note and welcome everyone here. I'm currently sifting through my content to determine what gets published and what doesn't. Please excuse the dust. Things will start looking better as I make adjustments on the look and feel.

What I've been up to... Well you all know that I'm always traveling somewhere and I'm never really home for very long. East coast, west coast, and everything in between. I guess perhaps I'm searching for something inside of me, but more importantly, professionally, I am following opportunity. I'm constantly pushing myself to break the limits of my creativity and ability. I push myself hard, it feels that I am working around the clock on something that is productive to my career.

I find myself back in the Chicago area at the moment. Just attended my sister's wedding over the weekend in Beloit, WI. It was great to see everyone, it's been too long. I've been working the area for new and exciting opportunity. Planning to meet up with George Zaharoff soon.

My photoshoot with Chantel Allyce turned out amazing and we can't wait for the next one. Did you see the photos from that? They are in the viewbook feed just below this blog. You may check out full screen size at http://danieljenkinsphoto.com

I'm testing with some hair/mua talent in the area to build my team here. Models I plan to use is of course Chantel Allyce, Holly Ridings (she's on L.A. Direct's newest bilboard), and a few other candidates.

That is what I'm up to, at least the short version. It's time to grab the gear and go make some photos. I started following Chase Jarvis's blog http://chasejarvis.com/blog/ and he reminded me of the importance of shooting personal work.