"Creativity requires self assurance and the ability to take risks. Creativity involves not only a passionate interest but self-confidence too. A person needs a healthy self-respect to pursue novel ideas, and to make mistakes, despite criticism from others. Self-doubt there may be, but it cannot always win the day. Breaking accepted rules, or even stretching them, takes confidence. Continuing to do so, in the face of scepticism and scorn, takes even more"
- The Creative Mind by Margret Boden

This is Space is the name of a working loft studio of artist Hal Samples. He was very gracious in letting use his studio. Today we are photographing with infants and toddlers. Although working with children brings an air of levity to the set it also holds many unknowns. Some children are easy some need toys, props and plenty of coaxing.

The crew always enjoys watching the stylist and make up artist rolling on the floor, tossing rubber balls, jumping up and down just to get that one smile or giggle out of the toddlers.

We come across models on a daily bases in this business. Go sees, fittings, shows, bookings, portfolio reviews, at the gyms, clubs, bars, etc. When a true star comes on the set it is an event to see. Amy Cook is a super model that lives up to the billing. She brought sexy back with a mini dress and leg warmers. Laura T, the styling was sizzling. Lana the smoky eyes really set the tone. The client loved the finished product. Needless to say today was a good day.

http://dallas.citysearch.com/profile/46309335/dallas_tx/the_girls_room_yoga_belly_dance_pole_dance_studio.html
The location had the texture along the walls that I was searching for as well as exposed brick and velvet curtains. Check back for photos.

Monday morning are known to be rough. This Monday was no different! Late starts, forgotten equipment-wrong lunch orders-edgy crew. It all makes for an energy that can either pull you up or push you down. This is why you build a team of battle tested veterans that continue to perform at a high production level regardless of the elements.

Location: Deep Ellum

The exposed brick loft interior and the original worn wood floors is a perfect place to shoot brand name merchandise photography. Super producer Amy Mintz worked her magic booking nothing but very best model talent came up with two great ones. Bekka and Nicole really got what we wanted and gave it all to the camera. Spot on!



Laura Tostenson fashion stylist selected specific themed wardrobe to put together the look and feel that matched exactly to the project. Lana Adams make up artist to the stars was her usual flawless self.


Photog Marlon Taylor brought the heat...Thanks Marlon you make the impossible possible.
The assist. Photog Shane Boughton & Jason Stoehr created stunning lighting for all.

Without control systematic improvements are impossible.

We had a soap star on the set today. Passions own Charles Divens (Chad Harris). Charles is a rare talent in the entertainment industry. He continues to be very humble in his approach. We wish him nothing but the best. But I have to ask "What happen to the flat twist Charles?"

We arrive on set and the crew and talent are in high spirits.
Lets make something beautiful today.

Ike made U.S. landfall at Galveston, Texas, on September 13 at 2:10am CDT (07:10 UTC), as a Category 2 hurricane with winds of 110 mph (177 km/h) and a central pressure of 952 mbar (28.11 inHg). The 2:00 am NHC advisory cited tropical storm and hurricane force winds extending 275 miles (443 km) and 120 miles (190 km), respectively, from the center. The weather service warns "Certain Death" for those that do not evacuate.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hurricane_Ike

Seaons and Reasons, Purposes and times.
Lauren LH Jones

Is Brand Jordan an American Icon?

As I watched the USA Olympic boxing team get under pointed by the judges, I noticed that all the US boxing uniforms had the ubiquitous jump man logo. Of course the Jordan sneaker brand is one of the most sought after sneaker brand. The value actually appreciates with age. Go to ebay and do a search. As the world looks on do they view Brand Jordan as an American Icon?

http://www.nike.com/jumpman23/flightclub/

The Greening of marketing is pushing the industry to educate themselves and the client base we serve. Navigating through the many ways of environmental responsibility and doesn't happen overnight.

Trees saved; energy saved; Kilowatt hours saved; Greenhouse Gas emissions saved; Waste water reduction; solid waste reduction. Plant based inks vs Soy based inks. ___?Percentage of post consumer recovered fiber. Keeping up with the speed and sheer volume of green change can be taxing.

www.appletoncoated.com is leading in educating designers, printers, marketers and the end user, by establishing a Environmental Management System in strict compliant with The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). The FSC was established to provide standards for forest management globally. The FSC trademarked logo should be included in all printed marketing material that met it's standards.

We are in constant environmental learning mode. Sometime we must go back to the basics and plant a tree, so that's what we did. 3 Red Pine (The Red Pine (Pinus resinosa)trees given to us at a conference we attended in Baton Rogue, La. You can say the future is in the trees.

A successful professional fashion photo shoot depends on many elements. The location, which can pose many challenges. The quality level of the model talent that the producer(Amy Mintz) books. The hair and make up artist (Lana Adams) skill level. The photographer (Marlon Taylor) and his command of the technical aspects. Photo assistants(Shane Boughton & Jason Stoehr )that support the photographers every request. The wardrobe stylist (Barri Martin) that meticulously assembles the merchandise. The vision of the (J. Jerome Jones) Art director that can see the finish product before a single frame has been taken, and a client that has the trust in the crew. When all of these things come together you have a successful photo shoot.

Location: The Harbor Project
Temp: A sunny 95 degrees.
Project: Business to Business Catalog PhotoShoot.
Talent: Ford Models, NY

The goal: Create high impact covers for a catalog. The print run will be in the millions.

The crew was a capable one.

Reunited with one of the trail blazers of digital fashion photography, Marlon Taylor, highly sought after wardrobe stylist; Barri Martin, Make up artist to the stars; Lana Adams. The swiss army knife of photo assistants; Shane Boughton, Super producer; Amy Mintz, Digital processing photo assistant Jason Stoehr; and The Vibe Refinery own Creative Art Director J. Jerome Jones.

The location is very versatile. Our model Rhonda was stunning in a red tank top with the cool blue waters of an Italian water fountain. Look for the post of this cover. It is sure to please.

We have to go off topic for a second. Tiger Woods won the 2008 US Open today in spectacular fashion. Whether you are a golf fan or know nothing at all about the game of golf, one must appreciate this achievement.

We have witnessed a rare feat in sports history that will be talked about in sports lore for years and decades to come. Now, I know what your thinking 'but Tiger always wins.' Yes, he does but HOW he won is the amazing part. Set in California's Torrey Pines Golf course was special. Rocco Mediate was a true competitor he kept tiger at bay, playing a had fought round that kept Tiger from winning the championship in regulation. Tiger hobbled by pain in his knee from surgery months prior at times looked like he wouldn't even finish, could have folded and still keep his reputation intact. But unlike most he pressed on and on and on. Just when you thought he was out of it...he found a way to pull a tiger out of his hat.

Answering questions about the pain in his knee after every swing he replied "Its just pain"
The 2008 US open would be decided with by another round of 18 holes. The crowd learned something about two golfers today, even with Rocco playing his very best round he could not beat what we are coming to see is the best athlete in all sports. Class, grace and tremendous focus.

It would be interesting to see Nike ROI in Tiger. In the end, Tiger embodies what Nike has told us throughout the years. JUST DO IT.

The Jazz scence continues to be a source of inspiration. Jerome Jones looks to Graham Marsh the legendary Blue Note Records Art Director for inspiration when designing CD jackets for client Nichelson Entertainment. "Graham Marsh set an incredible design pace at times designing as many as 50 Album covers in a year. This is incredible because he often photographed the subjects in studio or were ever he could catch up with them. Marsh also didn't have the convenience of computers to help turn the product out!" _Jerome Jones.

Look for the latest release from Jazz drummer Sebastian Whittaker and the creators. "Moving on and upward" Read more about Sebastian Whittaker go to Record Company www.upfront-music.com


To see the design work of Graham Marsh http://lpcoverlover.com/category/blue-note/

The Vibe Refinery was invited by Kim Starr of Appleton coated (a premier paper mill) to judge the top printed sample in the region for The Utopia design award show titled "UB the Judge". Held at the very swank DALLAS DESIGN DISTRICT's "The Apartment." WWW.THEAPARTMENTDALLAS.COM
While munching on great food and sipping on sour green martini's and chatting up fellow design firm heads, other designers and CDs and we had the pleasure of reviewing impressive entries.

A few stood out immediately: The 50 year retrospect of the Hunt Oil company was extremely impressive. Not only did it have a blind embossed title and raised gold seal on the cover, but the black on shiney black printing technique has flawless. This should have been in unlimited budget catagory. However the one that really showed the best use of paper, high concept and design plus best printing practices , was the piece "The Magic of Ten" designed by Squire and Co. A slick capabilities piece for the Allen, Texas based printer Color Dynamics. "The Magic of Ten" revolved around the many uses of a 10 color press, The design theme focused on magic tricks, this may sound lame-however the execution was amazing. The use of dull varnish on a bright coated Utopia 1X green got our vote. And prevailed as the regional winner.

Happy Birthday to a visual artist Frank Frazier, a mentor, friend, business partner, a trail blazer.