When I used to think of the name Astroturf I immediately  thought of the hard cement like playing field where sporting events would occur in such places as the legendary Kingdome, a local treasure that was torn down in hopes of giving Northwest sports fans a taste of sunlight.  Wether I was misinformed from the start or just poorly educated in synthetic fields, the mental imagery is now completely different.  Have you ever passed a soccer field that looks so perfect and green and wondered how many thousands of people work to maintain the golf course like quality?  Maybe?  Well, lawn care is another topic entirely and won’t be covered on this blog.  So, the point of the beautiful looking field is that very likely it’s perfectness is due to Astroturf’s synthetic grass that looks and feels like real grass.  It does not taste like real grass though…

Astroturf recently completed an instillation at Lewis & Clark College in Portland Oregon and asked me if I would take some beauty shots of the field and details of the type of turf they installed. The field is in their main stadium and used for football, track, lacrosse and soccer. Subtly built into a forested hillside on campus, the 78,000 square foot field feels very intimate and accessible.  We chose to shoot at night under the stadium lights to capture the feeling of a main event setting.  The job was a success as we were able to capture the quality of the product in both macro and micro points of view, telling a complete story of the service the company has to offer.  If you’ve never experienced running on synthetic grass, I highly recommend next time you pass by that type of field to kick off your shoes and give it a try.  Nothing replaces the original, but this comes awfully close, and the water bill is significantly less.

Lewis & Clark

The easiest trap to fall into as a photographer is complacency in one’s book.  This can happen for a number of reasons, but they are all excuses that will one day eventually come back to haunt an outdated, stale collection of work.  For this shoot Amos Morgan Photography pushed pause on the TiVo, made a couple calls and set out to create art.

For this occasion I contacted my friend Kat who I photographed for a fitness shoot a couple years ago.  She is working on some more lifestyle fashion work which was a perfect fit for what I wanted for this project.  And completing the shoot was another friend, Barbara, who did an amazing job pulling wardrobe and styling the concepts.

We had a great time wondering the neighborhood streets finding interesting back drops and random props to serve as inspiration.  I truly love the specific expectations of a commercial shoot and have never complained about input from an art director or client (well, almost never).  And this shoot was a nice reminder that it is equally rewarding to grab the camera and a rough game plan and go out and take some pictures just for the hell of it.  So everybody, keep shooting, even if you’ll never show anyone except your parents during a visit on some holiday.  And please remind me from time to time to do the same!

It hasn’t exactly been the “best Summer ever” when it comes to the weather which makes weather dependent shoots an interesting mission to accept.  These types of shoots are the reason I have been practicing all these years at remaining flexible by making and changing plans at the last minute.  Sure it’s cost me a few friends and strained relationships, but it’s all worth it when the client enthusiastically shakes my hand and boisterously shouts, “that’s one helluva shot Morgan!”

Thankfully, in this case we tentatively chose a couple prospective days a month in advance and when shoot day rolled around the positive weather reports were actually accurate.  Our location was the flagship restaurant of the Ivar’s dining family and it’s located next to the ferries and aquarium on the downtown Seattle waterfront.  The restaurant called Acres of Clams has a stunning view of Elliot Bay and the ferry docks.  It is the quintessential Seattle experience.  Although, if you visit please don’t feed the seagulls french fries outside because they’re getting huge and starting to prey on the majestic Bald Eagle and Blue Heron populations that reside in the area.

The water and sky was a perfect example of a calm late Summer evening.  The hustle and bustle of the season’s activity seemed to melt away from everyone on set as we couldn’t help but enjoy the amazing elements of the Northwest.  These photos help me remember why I love living here when I’m staring at a blanket of gray clouds and misty rain in the middle of January.

Dining Room View - Ivar's

Rabid Gulls

As the last days of this year’s summer became visible on the calendar, I remembered it was time to buy a new fall coat as well as schedule another Luxe Magazine artist portrait.  This time around the subject was Tacoma Art Museum director, Stephanie Stebich.  Moving beyond the common artist, the magazine is now featuring the royalty of the local art world.  And in Stephanie’s case, national royalty given her impressive background including the Cleveland Museum of Art, Brooklyn Museum, and Guggenheim Museum in New York.

The Tacoma Art Museum is a beautiful building filled with great places to shoot and there would be even more if they took down all those sculptures and paintings…   One part in particular stood out to me.  It’s a small courtyard in the middle of the museum that currently houses a long term Dale Chihuly glass installation.  The installation is a collection of 40 or so multi colored glass floats.  Getting into the actual courtyard requires opening a side window and balancing on the sill as you step over a gap and onto the concrete tiles.  Kinda like getting back into your room as a kid without waking your parents up cause it’s 2 AM and you weren’t supposed to be out.

The courtyard is surrounded by glass windows which are tinted and thus very mirrory (photo tech term).  Stephanie was very patient as we worked on finding an angle that hid myself and my lights in the thankfully large window paneling.  My methodology is still based on a time when digital imagery and photoshop wasn’t as available as it is now, meaning I shoot the best picture possible without relying on post production to fix it.  But, I still had to retouch my strobe out of the corner of one window as I feel it’s important to have balance, especially when the sun is moving into your shot and the subject doesn’t have much time until her next meeting.

Stephanie Stebich

Recently Amos Morgan Photography shed the cold cruel marketability influenced trigger finger of the  commercial shooting world and went wandering in search of inspirational beauty and love.  Why this sudden 180 degree transformation?  It was to promote and sell, I mean celebrate and commemorate the beautiful engagement of dear friends of mine, Joe and Starr.

All joking aside it was my pleasure to photograph this awesome couple who interacted with each other in a wonderfully compassionate and caring way.  Which of course made my job easy and enjoyable. We returned to the actual site of ring presenting at the picturesque Alki Beach in Seattle, ending up at sunset on the rocks by the water.  It’s very rewarding to take photos for people who have so much personal attachment to the outcome.  And it is my hope that these photos continue to represent an amazing time in their long lives together.  Uh-oh, heart is swelling… must find ad job before I float away…

Good times last weekend as the street where Amos Morgan Photography is housed had its 2nd annual block party.  It was a grand event with live music, beer and food lasting all afternoon and evening on a perfect 85 degree day.  I even stepped up to the mic with some friends and played a set.  Not that many people left during our music, so I considered it a grand success!  These days and nights represent nearly everything I love about calling this place my home and it seemed worthy enough to share.  If only to remind anyone reading this to get outside and enjoy a moment or two before the gray blanket is pulled back over the city and my posts become filled with haikus longing for Spring.

Dancing In The Street...

Last week Amos Morgan Photography caught a wave that has been forming for many years but officially crashed with massive mainstream interest this year (I never claimed this blog was about trend setting).  That wave is called Stand Up Paddle Surfing, or SUP. The shoot was for local clothing company Spacecraft.  The location was held at the burgeoning beach community staple Surf Ballard.

Surf Ballard has done an amazing job at creating a small California beach town feel in a large Seattle neighborhood.  Sure, 80% of the year it may not feel or look at all like California, but those 4-6 weeks a year (don’t tell anyone it’s really more like 12-14) you’d be hard pressed to tell the difference.  It’s easy to feel at home sitting outside in one of the Adirondack chairs watching customers bring in boards trailing seaweed and sand wearing huge smiles.  If one wasn’t so content to sit and watch the scene unfold it would be impossible to resist grabbing a board and paddle to head across the road where a small access beach hides.

If this sounds like a paid advertisement, I am flattered and my wallet wishes it were true, but it’s not.  It’s the authenticity of this place that strikes me as unique.  In a city where the active lifestyle and athletic betterment of one’s self could use a 12 step program, there is no ego or competition with this place.  People come to hang out or work out and it all fits into the same mold.  The unofficial motto of the shop which is said with a good portion of the tongue within the cheek is “Surf Ballard: Harvesters of Stoke”.  As humorous and cliche as that may sound, it’s freakin’ true bro-brah.  Surf it up with a paddle that is…

A few from the shoot:

Recently I had the fortunate opportunity to shoot local musicians The Pica Beats.  The shoot was held in a remote 70’s basement somewhere in Washington and will be used as promotion for the band’s upcoming shows and new record release.   The warm wood paneled walls coupled with the blazng fire felt like we had just stepped off the slopes and were slipping on our turtle necks about to pop a 12 year Cognac.  Unfortunately, it was only a 7 year and it was summer so we had to cut the sleeves off the turtle necks.  Despite the seasonal differences the basement proved a great location for an intimate setting.

The band was awesome and totally up for trying and suggesting ideas as the shoot progressed.  They were lighthearted with plenty of laughter to go around.  It was refreshing to see such great chemistry, especially considering they have had some recent changes in the group and haven’t been playing together in this line-up for very long.  In one humble photographer’s opinion it’s a winning combination and I’m really looking forward to seeing how it translates on stage.  Oh yeah, did I mention their music kicks ass?  Well my friend, it does.

More links:

Pica Beats on Myspace &  Pica Beats on Facebook (become a Fan now!)

Fireside with The Pica Beats

Outside with The Pica Beats

Family Portrait

A couple summers ago Seattle decided that because we don’t have any movie stars (besides Tom Skerritt) and our rock stars can now be seen on VH1’s “Where Are They Now?” we would elect to follow, gossip and generally worship other things in life.  On the top of that list seems to be Molly Moon and her famous ice cream.  I’m not going to go into her history or why the ice cream is worth waiting in a 45-60 minute line, or even attempt a social commentary about people who stand in line for an hour to eat ice cream.  After all this blog is about adventures in the world of photography.

So, moving forward I am pleased to introduce the beautifully designed brand new Molly Moon Ice Cream Truck. The folks at MM Inc chose well in collaborating with long time Amos Morgan Photography friend and design firm, Urban Influence.  Far removed from the grungy ice cream trucks of old (you know, the one’s that blared creepy music and may have sold more than ice cream to some of the older neighborhood kids) this truck is a beauty.  Best of all you can purchase ice cream sandwiches from the truck which the stores don’t offer.  Oh yeah, you can also keep with the stalker celebrity theme and follow the truck online as it makes it’s way through the city.  Oh my gwaaad!  It’s right around the corner!!!

Molly Moon Truck Left Side

Molly Moon Truck Right Side

Right Bumper Detail

Mike & Amos excited about ice cream

A couple months ago I got a call requesting a headshot for the CEO of the staffing agency Filter.  They specialize in the Creative industry working with graphic designers, web developers, animators, etc. pairing them with clients in need of their services.  As a freelance creative professional you definitely want to be Filter’s friend.  As we worked on a date that would match our schedules it looked as though a few more people needed portraits and by the time we locked in a date for early June the list had grown to the entire corporate office.

On the day of the shoot my assistant and I showed up ready to take portraits for industry/ trade magazines and publications.  We set up pretty standard lighting and background and were ready for the first subject.  After a couple portraits the CEO Kristen came in and we started shooting.  The photos were being shot to the laptop for easy view by everyone.  Immediately I could tell something was wrong and that she was unhappy with the photos.  A photographer’s worst nightmare!  After some discussion and beating around the bush (she was trying not to hurt my feelings) she finally said, “They look too much like a senior portrait.”  Basically, they’re not fun enough.  I was relieved because it was true and shooting corporate head shots is not high on my list of the most exciting photo shoots.

We ditched the 3 point lighting and ended up shooting everyone in different places around the extremely colorful office space using mostly natural light.  People seemed a lot more comfortable in their environment and the relaxed spontaneousness of the situation really showed as each subject opened up to the camera.  To me this was a wonderful example of how remaining flexible and openminded while meeting the objectives of the project can propel said project into more creative and inspiring places.  I have to thank Kirsten for her willingness to speak up and voice her thoughts on the photos.  And Lisa, Filter’s head of marketing, for maintaing the goals of the project as we abruptly changed directions stylistically.

Here’s a few shots from the day:

Drory

Lisa