What I Shot Today :: New Headshots with Dana Patrick

Without a doubt, Dana Patrick {not to be confused with Danica Patrick, who is a different kind of bad ass woman} can position a woman better than any one on the planet. She knows what makes a lady look good and the optimal pose for each actress she shoots.

Her and I have known each other for a few years now, and we jive really well off of each other. That’s important when taking great photos. Plus, she is one of the only {if not the only one to my knowledge} that still shoots on film.

Which is a big deal to a purist like me {I still shoot on film and I love bringing it in to get developed}.

{all i need was one great shot}

{i am holding my hand like this because i didn’t have a bra on and you can totally see my nipple}

Weeks leading up to the shoot, I worked out every day, drank a ton of water {to ensure that my skin was glowing}, wore my braces every night {Invisalign}, and made sure I had some good rest. A few days before, I followed Dallas Travers’ tips for getting great headshots. The tips help create character thoughts and give your picture the extra layer of pizzazz.

{sneak preview :: i haven’t cleaned these up yet}

{i do have to say that the shoot made me rethink my hair color…meh, it is summer, a few highlights never hurt}

While Dana isn’t cheap {when it is all said and done, less than a $1000}, she knows her lighting, she specializes in women, and, lastly, she takes chances on morphing her artistic style {and the way she sees someone} with the business of acting.

A fan,

What I Shot Today :: Hipster Music Video

It is the beginning of the 4th of July weekend and I figured I would post something fun and ridiculously silly.

I love a good hipster.

A few years back in Austin, a friend of mine’s band, Canoe, was making a music video inspired by the hilarity of the 80s.  With my wicked funky robot skills and crafty choreography, this was the result of when a bunch of hipsters get a hold of a Panasonic HVX.

{go into the holiday weekend with a smile}

{and}

{twist and shake at your own risk}

What I Shot Today :: Swimsuit Calendar

A little while back I shot a calendar for charity.  My friend, Catherine, put it together with a Hollywood theme.  Each month featured a different actress in an iconic film scene ranging from Lolita to Fast Times at Ridgemont High to Charlie’s Angels : Full Throttle.

If you ask me, some of the pictures were even better than the originals.  I am so proud to have been apart of this calendar.

Catherine was rad enough to give us the choice of who we wanted to portray.  I have always wanted to do an alluring pin-up style shoot and Betty Grable, the original pin-up gal, came to mind.

{over 5 million copies of this pin-up were sent out to troops during ww II}

{me in the iconic shot}

For those of you who don’t know Grable’s work, she did it all: acting, singing, dancing.  She had a quintessential pin-up gal body: perfect legs, tiny waist, and curves.  And let’s not forget, a smile that could break a thousand hearts.

{i was february}

{a preview of all of the ladies}

If you have any interest in getting a calendar for your wall {if the pages get stuck together, we are having a talk} hit Catherine up on FB.  Since the year is half over, the price has been reduced to $5.

Why go to Subway to get a $5 sub when you can get a rad calendar and help out a charity?

What I Shot Today :: My Reel

For those of you who don’t know, a reel for an actor is one of the essential keys of success.  It showcases your talent and allows people to have an idea of what you look like on camera and, more importantly, what you can do as an actor.

Here are a couple of clips from a few projects I recently shot, a film called, In the City, and a Funny or Die short (PSA) that I produced.

It is the reel deal.

What I Shot Today :: Between Two Friends :: One

One of my best friends and I have THE best conversations that not only move and inspire me, they make me contemplate some heavy duty questions: which mascara to use? How to be true to oneself and honor the relationship one has with someone? Does this dress make my butt look fat? See: pretty esoteric subjects.

We decided to start our own sort of “gab” show, if you will, that will showcase philosophies, fashion, and, most importantly, friendship. Enjoy.

P.S.  To answer the existential question posed in the video, I have come to this conclusion: it is a constantly evolving process to balance being an exceptional friend, actor, girlfriend, and daughter.  All I can do is my best every day and try to remain present in the moments that I have and really enjoy and savor the process.  To the world, I say: “thank you.”

What I Shot Today :: PSA

I have been tinkering around with the idea of producing for awhile.  It is a really difficult hat to wear but I find it fascinating and challenging.

My dear friend, Kelley Robins Hicks, came to me with her script about an important message.  This video is the result of that meeting.

This was my first forage as a producer and I realized one of the best things about producing: hiring yourself to co-star in it and hiring your friends.

In addition to Kelley, my other dear friends, Brea Grant and Susie Castillo, make an appearance.

Man, my friends are the best.  Talented, smart, funny, gorgeous souls that are full of conviviality.

What I Shot Today :: Fisheye

I love to peruse the sale section at Urban Outfitters, especially the section with books and gifts. I had a white, plain ol’ Lomography Fisheye Camera in my possession when I was distracted by…what’s this…something shiny, glittery in fact. On the sale rack, for $15, was this magic. Same rad camera but with a party on the outside. Sold.

I am mildly obsessed with film cameras and especially those made by Lomography.  For those of you who don’t know what Lomo is all about, let me tell you why they rock.

1. Their motto is: “Don’t think. Just shoot!” Um…yes, please!

2. They put a huge emphasis on casual, snapshot-esque type of photography.

3. Many of their shots, whether it is on 35mm or 120 film, come out with a signature “Lomo Look” that range from “over-saturated colors, off-kilter exposure, blurring, and ‘happy accidents.’ ”

4. Lomo photographers are urged to take a fun, light approach to shooting everyday life.  Look for life in life!

5. The luminosity alone that is omnipresent in Lomo shots is priceless.

This was my favorite photo of the bunch that I did a “cross-processing” look in Photo Shop.  Say cheese!