Cheers Archives

Cheers: Eric Larson

I've been waiting several months since this fall's bourbon road trip to write an official "cheers" post about my friend Eric Larson, namely to give a plug for his sweet new site and branding that is still yet to be launched, but this week's big help on a quick job in Orlando for ESPN the Magazine is forcing my hand. Larson, seen above, was not only kind enough to assist me, but he also let me rent his gear, crash on the new office couch, pick me up AND drop me off at the airport, cook us breakfast, and even share some single malt scotch! Talk about a go-to guy!

Eric assisting me is pretty laughable because he's the first person I call when I have a question about just about anything. So cheers to you, Eric Larson! Thank you for your friendship, passion, dedication, undeniable talent, bitchin' taste in all things edible and liquid, very cool wife (Judyta says hi, Jen), and for truly being an inspiration for how to be a complete professional in this industry.

It was because of Eric's help that Tuesday was on its way to being an extremely good day at JLPFL, in what could have gone terribly wrong (two shoots in two cities, with a tight schedule). We got to Ilseworth Country Club right on time for the ESPN shoot early and had an easy set-up with the white seamless of golfer Charles Howell III, who was not only on time but also a really nice guy. We quickly got everything we needed and were out the door in amazing time, so much so that I was able to jump on an earlier flight back to Miami to gain a bit more time for an early afternoon shoot.

The lighting and background was already set up and ready to go for the corporate portrait shoot in the afternoon, and it was looking like a perfect day as I waited with my regular assistant Erica for the subject to arrive... and then the spell broke. The subject completely flaked out and cancelled the shoot on set moments before it was to start. What's more about 15 minutes later the sky literally opened up and it started to POUR. It was the first time that a shoot was killed on set for me, but the client is going to eat it to the tune of 100% of the estimated fees (plus earn the distinction of going on my "never again" list). Only time and the check's delivery will tell if the day actually did end perfectly (getting paid well to take a nap).

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Cheers: Travis Dove

An overall good week last week was made even better with the breaking news that my good buddy and former assistant Travis Dove won the College Photographer of the Year competition, taking home gold in the portfolio, documentary, and portrait categories!! Congrats T.D.! You are the man!

So cheers to you, Travis Dove! Not only are you an incredibly talented, passionate, and dedicated young photographer, but also, and more importantly, a great friend and extremely warm and generous person. Truly, Judyta and I could not be more excited or happier for your successes. Rock those bitches at Nat Geo, brother!

The pic above is probably from shortly after one of the last jobs that I had Travis' help on last year, and is significant also because that job, like tomorrow's will be, was shot completely on film (unfortunately getting more and more rare). New lens in hand, and Kodak 220 pro packs under each arm, I'm pumped to be at it again out in the Atlantic for a morning shoot for Men's Journal. Now its to bed for me after lots of fluids, vitamins, and a large hot tea, so that this scratchy throat doesn't turn into anything more.

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Cheers: Andrew Hetherington

The bonus of any trip to NYC is meeting up with old friends and connecting with a few new ones; this alone, along with good food and drink, is what keeps me sane from the mind-bending onslaught of editorial meetings. On this last round I got to bend my elbows on a couple different occasions with a fine fellow Redux photographer and all-around great (and talented) Irishman Andrew Hetherington.

Andrew wrote a little recap of the occasion a while back, but I wanted to start a new little feature at DwaDM, in celebration of this being the 101st post, that will honor some of my friends and sources of inspiration in the business... starting with Mr. Hetherington.

So cheers to you, Andrew! Thanks for your humor, personal vision, good taste in pubs, excellent photography, friendship, great stories, and all around good nature!

This morning while making a re-edit on the travel section of my website, I found this picture from years ago that immediately reminded me of your great work. Of course, this guy has a shirt on so its not as cool as many of your own portraits, but I hope you enjoy it nonetheless as a tribute. This portrait came from a small project that I did on the Cheap Seats (the upper deck) and the fans who inhabit that strange upper atmosphere of fandom at Bank One Ballpark, which I shot while an intern at the Arizona Republic in the summer of 2000.

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