I like shooting different things. Personal, intimate portraits. Or specialized conceptual images with lots and lots of layers. Either way, CDP can take you where you want to go. New splash page coming soon!

Last week I once again had the pleasure of working with Mobile-based ad agency Red Square. This time the assignment was to create four eye-stopping pictures for a casino in Biloxi. It was truly a southeastern production with two of the crew from Georgia, a clothes stylist from Alabama, a makeup artist from Mississippi, another assistant from Louisiana, one of the models from Florida, and me from North Carolina. The 12+ hour day flew by and we got some great shots. Here’s a behind-the-scenes peak and my favorite image from the first set-up. Many thanks to all who made this shoot a success!

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In November there was a little known surf contest held down at Wrightsville Beach. Ben Bourgeious, pro surfer and WB local came home for a 30th birthday bash and decided to have a surf contest. The prize – his 1995 Chevy Blazer. Needless to say the groms were out in force. The waves were small, but the energy that day was amazing. Here is a handful of my favorite photos. Enjoy!

     

My friend Matt hired me to shoot the cover art and band photo for his new release – Broken and Redeemed. I was honored to be a part of his latest musical effort. Please support this very gifted artist.

I’ll be able to say I knew him when.  Producer: Lee Hester /  Concept + Art Direction: Evan Vetter.

 

 

These are some recent images I created for Rachel’s modeling portfolio…..

            

 

On a recent video shoot, I was asked to capture some stills of a lonely bowler. The trick was you didn’t know he was alone until the end of the spot. For one of the scenes he was supposed to act really excited about getting a strike. I knew this would make the most interesting visual. It’s not often you get this level of intensity from paid professional talent, much less an amateur. He really got into it. Great job Brett!               I’m passionate about taking great pictures. What are you passionate about?

 

 

It’s a surfing term. As in, “throwing buckets of water.” That’s exactly what these guys were up to at the Reef/Sweetwater surf contest held right here in Wrightsville Beach last month. Hurricane Bertha, perfectly positioned a few hundred miles offshore, created the best swells this area has seen all year. So what do I do since I love to surf (not as good as these guys) and take pictures? Easy. You surf in the morning when the waves are cleaner and shoot in the afternoon when the light is better. Nice!

Mobile, Alabama—Ad agency Red Square hired CDP to capture some of the action at one of the country’s busiest ports. For me, it was an assignment from heaven. Sure, it was hot with 1000% humidity, but there were compelling images around every corner. Although we only had a couple days to shoot, the layouts called for photo collages, so the agency told us, “Just go out and shoot what you see.” This involved riding in a monster crane, climbing aboard a 700-foot cargo ship, and cruising in a working locomotive. Can you say kid in the proverbial candy store?

 

 

In response to calls for more people pictures, I’m announcing a new website called FACES. The site will feature some of my most recent portraiture work (though I’m not wild about the word “portrait” which sounds so stiff and formal!) Photographing people is more like directing than simply aiming a camera. The challenge is drawing out what makes the person interesting, and allowing it to be revealed on his or her face. They may be 8 years old or 80, but one thing is for sure – no two are ever alike. http://www.cdphoto.com/FACES  

A few days ago I got an opportunity to photograph one of the contenders for America’s highest office. Barack Obama came to Wilmington’s UNCW campus for what was billed as his largest-ever town hall meeting. Over 6,000 people turned out to see the man and hear his plan for our country. The room was electric. CNN just projected him to win this state in the hotly contested race against Mrs. Clinton. And while I’m not officially endorsing anyone here, it certainly would be nice for some change.