The June issue of Verve Magazine hit the news racks a couple of days ago. I had the pleasure of photographing the cover as well as many of the inside portraits. Here is a sampling.
May Verve Cover
I had a blast shooting LEAF Festival founder Jennifer Pickering for the cover of Verve Magazine. We met Jennifer at a LEAF sponsored after-school jazz music program for youngsters and found a great spot nearby next to some colorful shipping containers to do the shoot. LEAF stands for Lake Eden Arts Festival and features music, poetry, visual art, culinary art and more. It takes place May 12-15th in Black Mountain, NC
King of the Mountain
I photographed Nicholas Figel, Owner and Chef of Cyprus International Cuisine in Highlands, NC. for Our State Magazine for a preview story on the King of the Mountain Chef’s Challenge. He is a true master at his profession. His winning dish from last year’s competition was an African Gumbo.
I Miss Mardi Gras!
The great New Orleans Mardi Gras was yesterday. A few years back I photographed this young woman catching beads from an apartment above the parade route. I forgot her first name but she happened to be the daughter of famed New Orleans drummer Johnny Vidocovitch. Mardi Gras is a great time for photos and I’ve photographed it roughly 25 times!
Home Free Bagels
Here is an example of a photo that I really liked but was a little too weird for publication. Verve wound up using a more traditional photo but I can’t blame them as in this photo you can just barely see the main subject through the bagel hole. Still, I would have used it for the sake of variety. It was all for a good cause as the subject, Chris Sullivan heads up Home Free Bagels, a social enterprise aimed at ending homelessness by giving people jobs making bagels.
March VERVE Cover
Photographing the Verve Magazine March cover was a group effort. I enjoyed working with Verve editor-in-chief Jess McCuan and the Verve cover “model” Gwynne Rukenbrod, Director of non-profit Handmade in America. Thanks to Jess’ location scouting and valuable input during the shoot. Gwynne, who when first photographed was a little camera shy, came through with a winning look.
Tressa’s Gig
Thanks to local art photographer Frank Zipperer for photographing the jazz quartet I play in called Quadruplicity. We played at Tressa’s Blues and Jazz club in downtown Asheville recently and have some upcoming gigs at Barley’s. I started playing guitar at around age 12 at about the same time I became interested in photography. So I’m still doing just about the same things I started doing as a teenager. I guess after all that time practicing the two disciplines I must be getting something right!
Precious Pets
While working on a portrait for an upcoming story I took a few moments to photograph my subjects’ pets. I was thinking how precious pets are to us pet lovers. I like small dogs but no matter the size, our pets take a up a big place in our hearts.
Carolina Home+Garden artist profile.
I was able to take advantage of the cool natural light coming into the studio of artist Jessica Stoddart who I photographed for an artist profile in Carolina Home+Garden Magazine. I took several poses of her sitting on a stool and thought I was finished when she suggested she sit in a small chair. That shot turned out to be the best of the take. I’m glad I listened to this artist’s ideas as a collaboration can often work out to make a better photograph.
Eliza and Tony at the Crest Center.
Here are a selection of “couple” photos I took at Eliza and Tony’s wedding last Fall at the Crest Center in Asheville. The Crest Center has some of the most wonderful mountain views, great Fall color and beautiful sunsets. I enjoyed photographing this interesting and beautiful couple.
by matt
no comments
add a comment link to this post email a friend