New client work: Vineyard & Winery Management Magazine

Next time you're at the newsstand, pick up the November issue of Vineyard & Winery Management Magazine. They're a new client!

Not only did I shoot the cover and insert photos of Judd Finekestein of Judd's Hill Winery, I also had the pleasure of meeting and working with Tina Caputo, editor-in-chief of the mag. It's so refreshing to meet and work with such down to earth, cool wine industry folks. We had a bunch to chat about while things were set up. She has pups and a connection to a mid-west barbershop that I'd love to visit someday.

The shoot was an interesting one... We arrived in the late in the afternoon to photograph Judd and his band, the Maikai Gents, as they put on a mid-summer's evening concert in the vineyard for the Samantha Brown, host of Travel Channel's "Samantha Brown's Great Weekends". The crowd sipped on Judd's Napa Valley wine as the band strummed some Hawaiian tunes. While the film crew took in the sights and the sound, so did I. Except I forgot camera flash and video aren't a good combo. A friendly tap on my shoulder by the producer was a good reminder. Sorry guys :)

Anywho, check out Tina's article on VWM's website: http://vwm-online.com/

Thanks again, Tina!

The Making of a Portfolio

Putting together a portfolio is a bit of a daunting, yet exciting task for me. In essence, I’m showing would-be clients a snapshot (pun intended) of my best photographs to illustrate my skill, aesthetic, genre, message, and personality.

The ladder is very important to me since I’m a firm believer that a big part of what makes a good photographer in their genre is their personality. Of course it depends what type of photo work you do. I’m just gonna throw this out there, but when hiring a forensic photographer, you may be looking at a slightly different personality profile than for, say, a wedding photographer. I’d bet too, that some wedding photogs may feel like they’re working with a bunch of stiffs sometimes! :P

But seriously, my body of work represents who I am as an individual – my ideals, sensitivities, humor, aesthetics, etc - all in an effort for someone to judge me – someone that doesn’t know anything about me. That’s how the game goes. Enter the daunting task of editing my photos such that it: a. tells the viewer something about me, b. that my photographic vision has direction and promise, c. that I can hold a camera and take pictures, and d. I’m likeable enough to work with!

So how do I start???

First, I pour over nearly every photo I’ve taken over the last 4 years… close to 15,000. I have a three star rating system in place that allows me to rate photos based on their goodness, and makes the photo selection process easier.

Three stars means a photo is an instant favorite for me and worthy of placement in my portfolio. Two stars means there’s great promise in a given photo, it possesses some nice elements, and nearly worthy of portfolio placement. One star tells me this photo doesn’t suck. It’s a good photo, but maybe isn’t strong enough on its own. Pair it with another image and it could speak many more volumes. A one-star photo could also be an outtake – a photo that’s just “off” from its two or 3 star sibling, yet worth revisiting for such a time as this.

After selecting nearly 300 of my rated photos, I print them, turn up some music, clear the living room furniture, and spread all the photos on the floor. It’s actually quite a fun process. Nestle looks at me like I’m some kind of loon, and periodically helps rearrange them when she traverses the room in search of another sleeping spot.

From their 5-foot 10-inch perch, my eyes scan the rows and columns of photos below and the pairing begins…

My portfolio (or book) currently consists of a series of diptychs and triptychs - two and three photos juxtaposed together. This format works well for me as a way to give the viewer vignettes and short narratives through my photos. It’s also a great way to show more photos per page without (hopefully) boring your viewer.

Take a look-see at my online portfolio at http://www.tinacciphoto.com/.

But how do I know which photos go together??? Well, I don’t always, and herein lies the most fun part of the process.
I start with those 3 star images since I’d really like them in my book, and begin matching them with related photos – perhaps ones from the same shoot or series. Other matches are formed by similar basic elements like color, shape, and composition or some less obvious elements like concept and mood. Since I like humor in my work, pairing a feisty 9 year old girl in braces with an alligator just makes sense. Sometimes the photos find their way together on their own. Just by chance a photo of green and yellow string beans could meet a photo of swamp grass and fall in love! You really never know…

Once matched, the photos get stuck to the wall with Fun Tack. Having them on the wall is a great way to visualize all the pairings and portfolio as a whole - the big picture, if you will. Over the next couple of weeks, I’ll stare at the wall filled with over 50 groupings and begin to edit again. I move photos around, add new pairings, and remove others that aren’t compelling enough. My goal is to end up with roughly 25 to 30 diptychs and triptychs or about 60 to 90 new portfolio images.

Here are some fun visuals of the editing process. Yes, sometimes beer and wine are involved :)

Spreading out nearly 300 photos across the floor.

The matching game begins as I create series of 2 and 3 images together for the pages of my portfolio book and website.

A change in venue since I moved... I spread out my photos again and now begin to tack the series to the wall of my office.

The floor is bare. That means I'm done for the evening.

Here’s a sneak peek at some possible new portfolio images in the works...

http://www.tinacciphoto.com/portfolio/pages_40-76.htm

Next up: Designing a portfolio with a little help from my creative and crafty friends.

I’m a lousy blogger.

But I can change… Really, I can! C'mon... Gimme another chance!

It’s been a while since my last post and much has happened. Many photos were taken. Fun was had. Interesting people were met. New lands were visited. And I didn’t share any of it! Sorry about that. Allow me to fill you in – photographically speaking…

Let’s start with some recent work and work backwards, shall we?

Client work: Laura Chenel Chevre Blossom - I love working with the wonderful staff at Laura Chenel’s Chevre. They’re a fantastic group to work with and not because they send me home with delicious goat cheese products.

Recently, we worked on their latest product called Blossom. It’s a wonderful hockey puck-sized ring of creamy chevre with a center filled with one of three fillings – sun dried tomato and roasted red peppers, fig and olives, or my favorite, basil and olive oil. I’m actually noshing on some as I write this. Jealous? Yeah, I bet you are ;)

Look for Blossom and other delicious goat cheesy goodness from Laura Chenel’s Chevre at a fine food store near you.

To view more food photography, visit the newly redesigned, TrellisCreative.com.

Next week... the editing of a portfolio. I'm revising my portfolio and letting you in on what's normally a pretty personal process for me. In a nutshell, I look over all my photos, select a group of a few hundred, spread 'em all over the floor, paste them to a wall, and whittle them down to a batch of 40 something images to be put into a printed portfolio and website.

And yes, Nestle helps pick the photos.

Let the Auction Festivities Begin... and the Photos!

I so excited I can hardly contain myself!
2009 marks the third consecutive year that I'm photographing Auction Napa Valley festivities for the Napa Valley Vintners. Sweet, I know!

But it’s not all fun and games; it’s serious business with many facets – much planning and high expectations for my results. After all, these photos will be used throughout the following year and beyond to promote the auction in publications around the globe – from the Wine Spectator and other wine publications, to the LA Times, NY Times and other cities with Times newspapers, and other US, Danish or Japanese glossy magazines. Heck, this year, my previous year’s photos were made into a video and played in NYC cabs for weeks!

Shooting the Auction is a multi-day affair, which entails visiting some of the most spectacular private and winery properties in Napa Valley for elaborate parties, fetes and shindigs. It’s grueling work mingling with fine folks from around the world and valley whilst practicing the craft I love. Occasionally, I even have to sample delectable treats and fine wine! It’s really quite hard.

Okay, okay… you got me… I LOVE IT!!! And I can’t wait to see what’s in store for this year’s Auction Napa Valley.

I’ll post my fave photos as the festivities unfold.

Enjoy!

The Half-Bottle Party
So Auction Napa Valley week begins as it does every year - unofficially - with the annual Half-Bottle Party held at Taylor's Refresher in St. Helena. What happens at a Half-Bottle Party? Well... wine tasting, of course. It IS Napa Valley! Who can attend? Anyone with a half-bottle of wine to share.

Only have a big bottle to share? Drink half at home and bring the rest to the party! That's what the rules state.

The Half-Bottle Party tradition started as a snub to the exclusive Wine Spectator Magnum Party that takes place later that day at Tra Vigne Restaurant in St. Helena. It's setting is a tad more posh and only the biggest whosie whos attend by invite only. As the name suggests, they drink from magnums.

Guess size does matter to some...

View the slideshow below or view them at WineCountryPictures.com

Auction Napa Valley: E-Auction

The buzz in Napa Valley has started—it's almost time for the granddaddy of charity wine auctions, Auction Napa Valley 2009, The American Wine Classic. You can get in on the bidding excitement before you arrive or without even attending the event!

Starting on May 22, wine lovers everywhere around the globe will be able to bid on and win lots via the Internet at Auction Napa Valley's E-Auction.

I invite you to join in the fun by checking out and bidding on these 110 incredible auction lots. Lots include rare and one-of-a-kind bottles and collections of wine; private events and weekend stays hosted by Napa Valley Vintners; luxury items; and more.

What's more, proceeds support healthcare, youth development and housing non-profit charities. Over the past 28 years, Auction Napa Valley has given $85 million.

The online lot preview is now open. Start viewing the offerings. I can guarantee the most difficult task will be trying to decide which lots to bid on!

Friday, May 22: E-Auction opens at www.napavintners.com/auction at 8:00 a.m. PDT
Friday, June 5: E-Auction closes in two waves, 2:00, 2:30 p.m. PDT

The E-Auction: it's fun, it's easy, it's a great way to experience the best Napa Valley has to offer with items that often can't be purchased anywhere else — all while raising money for charity

Now for the shamless plugs...

E-Auction Photography:
Have a gander at the lot photos for the E-Auction. I photographed many of them over a 4-day session in Napa Valley. It's always a challenge and a blast to work with the wineries donating these fine wines to come up with something fun and visually interesting to help promote these lots. Here are just a few...

View more at www.napavintners.com/anv/anv_2_eauction.asp

Your Help = Free Fine Art Print

I need your help! So how about a little contest?

Hey gang - So I'm in the midst of beginning a new venture... No, it's not Amway :)

It's called WineCountryPictures.com and it's an online art gallery featuring fine art images. As the name suggests, many of the images are wine country inspired - beautiful landscapes of rolling hills, vineyards swathed in misty morning fog, close-ups and abstracts of delicate vines, and photojournalistic photos of harvest and wine making.

And in the vain of those late night infomercials..."Wait there's more!!!"

There is also a gallery of "Beyond Wine Country" photos. I do get out of town once and a while, and always take a camera to bring home some of the wonder found in this great big world of ours.

OK, here's where you come in...

I'm having a logo made for the website and other collateral and am having a hard time choosing a design. I only get to pick one, and whomever helps me pick the final version will get a print of their choosing. Each person who picks the same design as me will get a free fine art print**.

Here's how it works:

Check out the designs on my Facebook page and pick your one favorite design. You only get one shot at this, so choose wisely. Click the word "Like" or the "thumbs up" icon to indicate you like that design or leave a comment saying you like it. Remember, only vote on one design.

In a week, I'll make my final decision and you'll receive a print in the mail shortly after you pick a print you'd like. Good deal, huh?

Here's a preview of some designs (in no particular order of importance):

See all the designs here:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=66581&id=633537179&l=47c4f

Thanks for reading and for your help!

Jason

** The fine print (no pun intended)

- If your choice is the winning design, I'll send you a free 11"x14" fine art print of your choosing. Visit www.WineCountryPictures.com to view the images and let me know which one you'd like.
- Multiple votes will be disqualify you. Only pick one design.
- Recipient is responsible for matting, framing and enjoying their print.
- This is a totally free contest. I don't want any money, unless you want to buy a print for someone you love. (They will love you more if you do!)
- This little contest is sponsored by me and none of your information will be shared with anyone. It'll be our little secret!
- You are welcome to send this to a friend.

###

Too Cool...

Make that two cool – things to tell you about, that is. Sorry for the silliness, I’m just very excited to share a couple of new things with all of you.

First, I’m very excited about the opportunity to work with an organization called Flashes of Hope this October in San Francisco.

What is Flashes of Hope? Their website (http://www.flashesofhope.org/) says it best…

“Flashes of Hope is a non-profit organization dedicated to creating powerful, uplifting portraits of children fighting cancer and other life-threatening illnesses. The portraits, taken by award-winning photographers, help children feel better about their changing appearance by celebrating it. For families of terminally ill children, it's especially important to have a portrait that preserves forever the beauty, grace and dignity of their child.

For a few moments, it doesn't seem like a hospital. Children who haven't wanted to get out of bed are suddenly laughing and smiling. And, nurses take a break from administering medicine to join in the fun.

Each month our volunteers transform hospital playrooms, waiting areas and even hallways into photography studios. Talented make-up artists help the children and their moms look and feel their best. Then each child is photographed individually and with their closest supporters - siblings, parents and often a favorite nurse.

Each family is presented with framed enlargements, proofs and a CD of all the images so they can make additional prints. Thanks to the efforts of hundreds of volunteers, all services are provided free of charge.

A Flashes of Hope portrait is much more than a picture on the wall. It's an indescribable treasure that forever preserves the grace, dignity and beauty of each child.”

I’m extremely excited to volunteer for this project. October won’t come soon enough! Check out some of the great portraits on the website – http://www.flashesofhope.org/ – they’re sure to warm your heart.

PS – If you are, or know of a makeup artist that feels like volunteering, please let me know.

Now for a completely unrelated item…

I’m in the Backseat of nearly every NYC Taxi!

That’s right I’m back in NY or at least my photography is. If you’ve been in a New York City cab lately, chances are you’ve seen some of my work! No, I’m not graffiting the backseat. The Napa Valley Vintners will be touring the Big Apple and tri-state area pouring world-renown Napa Valley wines. One promotion has been the following clip playing in taxis featuring my Napa Valley photographs.

Take a look:

Interested in attending one or more of the wine tasting events? Visit http://www.napavintners.com/ and follow the links to New York. You can also check out more of my work in their photo galleries.

Thanks for reading!

Jason