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

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...

I recently got back from a trip to Alaska with Seattle branding firm Urban Influence.  We went up for a four day trip to shoot The Hotel Captain Cook in Anchorage.  I would love to say I spent most of the time snowmobiling and hunting moose out in the tundra, but that just wasn’t the case.  The hotel is huge and we put in some very long days without stepping outside.  The view from the restaurants 17th floor windows were amazing and I want to head back to shoot in the wilderness as soon as I can.  Besides being impressed with the beautiful mountains surrounding Anchorage, I was also wowed with the level of service and hospitality by the staff and the overall warmth of the people we talked to.  They say people either love it up there or absolutely hate it and these folks truly seemed to love it.  As for me… I’m not sure I’d live there full time but, I definitely felt like I was standing at natures door step and perhaps I did hear a faint call from the wild.  And then it was time to fly home.

Iphone East View

Iphone West View

Winter is flying by thanks in part to Lucky Strike Lanes.  I had previously shot for them when they opened a new bowling lounge in Bellevue, Wa.  This time they asked if I would shoot in their new Los Angeles location where they are based, LA Live.  It’s next to the Staples Center and like all their venues it lives up to the belief that one can feel very stylish while smashing wooden pins using a brightly colored epoxy ball.  They wanted photos depicting a variety of private parties they cater to.  We had a blast arraigning around 20 different models in various poses of merriment, or drunken debauchery, depending on the event.  The bachelorette party was particularly interesting to shoot as I believe some of the ladies forgot they were on a photo shoot and continued to party while we were looking over the photos on the laptop.  Finally the girls settled down and as feathers from a shredded pink boa began to drift away we noticed what looked to be the remnants of the male model we were using as the “entertainment”.  Poor guy, he never even knew what hit him.

Innocent Enough...

Heating up a bit...

Run for your life man!

January can be a brutal time up here in the North West, but this year I was fortunate to start out the month (and new year) with a shoot for one of the best bakeries in Seattle if not the world!  I had photographed William Leaman and his esteemed Bakery Nouveau a couple times for various magazines and from those visits we developed a mutual appreciation for each others work.  I believe it was the “twice baked almond croissants” that sealed the deal for me.

William hired Seattle design firm Rocket Dog Communications to build him a new website and he asked if I would work with them to shoot new image content.  It’s always a wonderful experience working with William and this shoot was no different.  It can be a challenge to portray someone’s pride and joy in a manor that feel’s authentic to the creator.  I have to thank William for communicating a clear vision of what he was looking for and then putting complete trust in my ability to capture that vision.  It made for a very smooth, productive and of course delicious shoot.

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Photos from the shoot:

William Leaman

Glazing Raspberry Mousse - Deconstructing Chocolate