Foundation Photos For Indiana Based Sign Company

Ok, so these photographs might not change your life, unless you're a sign building company based out of Indiana that contracted me to photograph distance foundation shots of Red Lobster to get their part of the job finished right.

It really was a strait forward shoot, not really any surprises.

The only things I knew that were going to be huge problems on this shoot were:

A.)  The weather, the weather, the weather
B.)  Getting there early enough that the parking lot would be nearly empty.
C.)  Getting there early enough that the sun was up, but not above the tree line (cause it would have made for a nasty back lighting effect on the foundation itself.
D.)  A "1ft. X 1ft" piece object, for the company to judge size relation and scale with for reference later.
E.)  (The only thing I forgot)  My hat and gloves.  ...It was absolutely freezing out.

Here's a few from that morning a couple weeks ago:

The Will To Death

"The Will to Death." 

That's such a strange concept...
It truly is one thing we're all entitled to.

It's also a fantastic album written by John Frusciante that I used to listen to years ago while logging my notes into a crappy beat up note book.

But the reason I'm showcasing a series of images from the graveyard is cause, I simply never did it before and the only way a ten year old professional gets any better is by experimenting.  Throw yourself in the pool and swim...

This project wasn't about catering to someone's needs.  I just treated it like an assignment about setting the mood for a location.  Visualizing the vibes given off by the place itself.

Definitely went on rainy days and had to wrap my gear up with the weather proof zip up sleeves.

All in all, it was just get'n bored and say'n "To hell with it.  I'm going to go spend a couple Sundays in the cemetery and let people look at me like a creeper."  Maybe I'll take a photo from a project like this and create a contrast piece between two images for a gallery?  Hang a cool one up on the wall?  Sell one!  Imagine that?!?! haha.

No matter what I'm shooing, in the end, every photo I take is based around my one adapted saying that I seriously live by:  "Every perfect photo is one that speaks loudly on a spiritual level and never lets the technical aspects overwhelm the concept / message."

And clearly if you're able to walk up to anything you're suppose to shoot in this universe with that one liner in the back of your pocket, you're legit.

Well, check out these photos and let me know what ya think, kittens...

"Hang in there, you'll make it."

The simplest titles weigh in with such impact.

Wanted to find an inspiring way to photograph troop graves.

This door handle means business!

These doors really got my attention.

This was the most difficult shot to compose.  This was actually the only angle to make it all work out.

I absolutely love the group photo loosely attached to the door.  It made the shot.

Wanted to create a "dizzy" feeling, like being chased through the graveyard.

Interior/Product Shoot For Print Advertisement

Advertisement from Marketplace Gazette: 
Photography:  Obviously Joe Cottrell Photography  ...It's my blog, duh.

Impromptu
Erie's "Unique Boutique"

Owners:  Debbie & Dave Bliley
Located inside the Avalon Hotel
12 West 10th Street
Erie, PA
(814) 455-2518

Visit Erie's Unique Boutique for:
-Heidi Draus Jewelry Collection
-Sweet Romance Jewelry
-Crystal Jewelry by RJ Graziano
-Vintage Purses

-Swarovski Reading Sunglasses
-Beautiful Silk Shawls
-Stunning Home Decor
-Katherine's Collectibles

ONE OF A KIND GIFTS!!!

My intentions with this shoot were to bring readers the Impromptu experience before stepping foot in the door.  I started with the place setting of the interior, then ran around pumping out close crops of products that spoke to me the most.  ...It was hard, because the shop is completely filled with interesting items!  If you're trying to find great holiday gifts, definitely stop in.

 Here's some layouts I threw together for this blog real quick:

Feel free to leave your thoughts, questions, concerns, and love confessions!

Later cuties.

Make'n Erie Landmarks Look Legit For Ads

Here's the November advertisement I shot for Volvo Erie printed in Lake Erie Lifestyle full page color!

This time I set up shop in front of the Erie Zoo to identify with a local landmark for this particular on going ad campaign.  Had to wait for a nice break in the weather.  Get's harder and harder to lock blue skies with these winter months approaching.  As usual my outdoor advertising shots are most likely going to chill out for a bit again. 

...Which is the majority of the reason as to why I wish to ultimately relocate in the future.  Not nearly enough nice days to keep this guy happy year round.

haha
Later cuties...

Musician Head Shots

So Zack Knight's doing some incredible things with his music and knows exactly how important it is to maintain a legit visual web presence experience for his audience, before they even begin to connect with him.

I told him to bring some sample ideas of what he was looking to walk away with from this session and what backdrop color he preferred.  I set up shop, looked over a couple of the samples he brought, pounded a Rockstar, and cranked out some awesome lighting to convey the mood.

Honestly, I'm jealous of how his head shots turned out.

...I want head shots like these of myself so bad.  haha

Take a look 'n see for yourself, cuties.

BTW:  Here's a link to his facebook music fan page:
https://www.facebook.com/zackknightmusic

Cars, Kettle Corn, PONIES, and much, much more! HORRAY!!!

Two Fridays ago I received a phone call, while shooting a wedding, from my contact at Nick Scott Enterprise about seeing if I was available to shoot their annual Fall Fest at Peak n Peak Spa and Resort.  It was really last minute, but they only needed me to attend either that Saturday or Sunday and Sunday had the car show going on, so that offered me more opportunities.

So I went Sunday...

They weren't demanding a ton of photographs, but definitely photographs of the event that tied in the Peak's foundation as well as individual shots of the golf course.  Basically I put my efforts into generating a warm identity with people, good times, while keeping the peak in frame.  When I arrived the ground work was already laid out for me, it just needed to be visualized.

And I've gotta be honest.  I haven't been to the Peak since I was a kid and I had so much fun walking around outside and CONSTANTLY bumping into people I knew form the surrounding areas.  I had no idea what the scale of their festivals were like, but to give you an idea I was there for a good portion of the day and I never saw all the vendors.  It seemed endless.

Here's an abridged version of my whole edit: