“How do I make a connection? Well, results do speak louder than ferns.” - Phillipp Scott (Dance Gene)
The Crew - after our last shot of the day.
I love film. Since I was a kid I have always loved it. I can still remember walking along the rectangle filled walls at the first video store in Arlington, TX. Since my parents owned the place it gave me free reign to stare at each cover and memorize the details of every package of every film. This led me to become a pre-internet, living IMDB. Even if I haven’t seen the movie I can tell you who stars in it and even select crew members. My eternal love of film might also entwined with my love of M&M’s and popcorn mixture. The only place you could do that without people (especially your mom) looking at you like you have a screw loose is in a darkened theater.
Now don’t get me wrong. I know this blog is about photography and so I will say that still images capture me because it is a split second moment where composition, lighting, and content all meet to solidify into one single frame. No words… just visual emotion.
But I feel like film is a medium where I get to take all the different disciplines that I have learned and combine them into one moving piece of art. Not only the obvious invocations of learning photography but the years I spent in the band Rhythm writing music and lyrics, conveying thoughts and ideas through song. The time put into graphic design, often hammering away at creating one image that has to sum up a band, event or entire company often with little or no direction from the client. Taking all I have learned, gleamed, and developed over my limited time on this planet; mixing it with other artists shared and differing experiences; and producing a piece for others to experience. To me that is humbling.
Giving a bit of direction. "Become one with the fern."
So after all that emotive wordplay I just spouted… here is a goofy mockumentary a group of like-minded cinephiles put together with limited time and no budget during the 48 Hour Film Project. I wrote, co-directed, and put together the graphics. I think we all are still in the process of recovery from this sleep deprived undertaking… but we loved every minute of it. Look for more in the future but for now… enjoy Dance Gene!!
“I have so much strength in me, you have no idea.
I have a love in my life that makes me stronger than anything you can imagine.” - Adam Sandler (Punch Drunk Love)
You know that couple. The one consisting of equal parts: guy that can pull off wearing a fedora and girl who makes you want to comb Goodwill to find the same pair of vintage gold heels she is presently rocking. The couple that always has a good time and then in turn, everyone has a good time. The cool kids who seem to not know they are cool. Then you have met the Fazal Din’s.
Recently, Mati and I were asked by Tim Scott of TJ Scott Photography to help capture the union of Maggie Reza to Anique Fazal Din. The ceremony was held in Downtown Fort Worth, TX at the historic YWCA Great Room with the reception upstairs in the Grand Ballroom. We were blessed to be a small part of a very big day for two very cool people.
PS. After viewing the images below you can also see another beautiful shot that Mati took here.
After finding out that Maggie is a huge comic book fan we couldn’t resist turning their day into a page torn from a graphic novel. Here is Chapter 25 of the Fazal Din Chronicles entitled, “It’s Just You And Me, Baby.”
“That’s cool baby, you know how it is, rockin’ and rollin’ and whatnot.” - John Travolta (Grease)
For those looking to find the greatest rock band on earth I submit to you: Muse. Not only is every song written from the epic viewpoint that this will be the last song you will ever hear, but also live – they bring it – hard. The pounding the Ft. Worth Convention Center took March 17 was no exception. Music, meet your past, present, and future. Strap in and enjoy the ride.
“Our little baby’s all growns up, all growns up.” - Vince Vaughn (Swingers)
I’ve known Noemit since she was in junior high, so when I heard she was engaged to this “nice guy” Jacob, my big brother instincts took over. To marry Noemit he would have to pass a series of tests I had been waiting to subject her suitor to. Upon meeting him I had to agree that he was not only an incredibly “nice guy” but also a perfect fit for Noemit. I was then excited to learn that they wanted Mati and I to capture their special day, which it definitely was. Despite the always volatile Texas weather which put a wrench in our outdoor photo session and caused part of the wedding party to run a few minutes late, the rest of the day went without a hitch. Noemit and Jacob are a perfect example of a couple that won’t let a little rain or anything else keep them from celebrating life, love, and moments in between.
I found out that Jacob is a pretty big gamer so I knew he would appreciate the treatment I gave to him and his groomsmen. Mati called it the Ghostbusters look. I call it the “Don’t meet me in an abandoned alley at 3am” look.
Ok… this one they can show mom.
The reception was held at La Calle Doce in Oak Cliff, TX. Tejano dancing and sizzling Fajitas… what else do you need?
It was such a fun night. The dancing didn’t stop until the only people left were the DJ, a handful of the wedding party, and of course the two stars of the night… Jacob and Noemit.
I have learned thing or three about family in my years on this here Earth. One I put into practice recently is: When your father-in-law asks you to help him concept the packaging for his new collection of Christian tejano tunes – you say “yes”. I alluded to Enrique Martinez’s upcoming release Cielos Abiertos, which translates to Open Heaven, a few months ago (view post) and now I present to you the finished product. If you would like to purchase a copy of this recording email me at bob@illinoisandback.com.
Front Cover
Back Cover
Here is a quick selection of the other looks from the shoot.
“The atmosphere takes frame around it’s masterpiece, captivating eyes for miles to see” - excerpt from “Sea Glass and Shooting Stars” by kindlewood
Over the past year I’ve had the pleasure to get to know the husband and wife duo know as kindlewood. Hailing from Washington, D.C. (with an all too brief stop over in Dallas), Galen and Kelci Smith have renewed my faith in music. Combining the beauty of both nature and melody they capture the moment and release it as a breath of fresh air. Plus they are cool people.
Here is a video that I directed to their song “Sea Glass and Shooting Stars” which was produced and engineered by Tim Scott. Also you might notice a very cool backdrop created by my wife Mati. The whole project is a testament to what you can do in a short window with no money and a healthy dose of creativity.
Had a hard time picking only one image to put up as the “first look” of the Macias’s wedding last Saturday. This was taken during the reception in the courtyard of La Calle Doce in Oak Cliff. A taste of things to come.
What can I say about Brad and Stephanie that couldn’t be summed up by the fact that they commissioned me to create the worst Christmas photos ever… a challenge that I took seriously. As you can see by the images below we definitely achieved our goal.
During one of the many breaks Stephanie and my wife Mati (the shoot stylist) had to take to tend to the gravity defying bangs, Brad and I created the greatest Christmas movie poster ever. “If your on the naughty list this Christmas… get ready for a holiday helping of Frozen Justice!”
Then we just had some fun.
Thanks again to The Polenz for not only being really easy to work with and fun to be around but also willing to use their imaginations to create a bit of holiday magic.
Check out a few more pics from the shoot in the slideshow below… enjoy!
When I look at these pictures of my niece Piper – I see my brother Rick. Not just in physical appearance because, of course, all children are a genetic mashup of their parents visual characteristics – it’s more than that. Piper is a curious, spirited carbon copy of her father. She is full of energy and desires to be apart of the action at all times. Every toy must be out and at the ready to be played with at a moments notice. And there are no sidelines in her mind. You probably never realized bathtime was a team sport until she grabs your hand and marches you along with everyone else in the house to the tub.
If you are ever over at my parents house, ask them to show you the photo albums full of pictures of Rick that look oh-so-similar to the ones below. Who knows – Piper might be there visiting grandma and grandpa – with her fist extended waiting for you to “blow it up”.
There are only a few days a year that we get fog in the Dallas area. Usually it only lasts a couple hours in the morning so I knew I had to jump on the opportunity to get a few shots in.
