I saw Memphis Coy at Nordstom's yesterday.

Dallas has a little know secret. The Prophet Bar located in Deep Ellum. This is a hot little spot on Wednesday nights. The set starts late 10pm, but if you want to be with the Neo Soul , Hip Hop in crowd, this is the place. R.C. Williams (RCEEEZY) and The Gritz Band killed it the entire night, moving from Erykah Badu's jazzy cuts to Snoop Doggs Gin and Juice seamlessly.
DJ Jay Clipp spun some east coast flavor between sets too. The Vibe was incredible.

Summer is here and Tee-Shirts are everywhere. The Vibe Refinery is launching into T-shirt design mode. We have created memorable T-shirts for large and small clients alike. Watch for a new set of designs coming soon.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2Pac

Regardless of your politics the brand builders of America have spoken. Advertising Ad magazine has selected the Obama campaign as the savviest marketers of the year. If you look back at the last 20 months of campaigning, one thing is clear symbolism played a huge part in this election.

From the "O" logo to the "change" messaging the Obama campaign used the visual landscape to it's advantage. We give Illustrator Shepard Fairey high praise for his Hope and Progress posters that captured the essence of the campaign as well as created a visual face of a movement.

As brand builders we are often charged with re branding a product that has lost it's shine, or introducing a service to an industry that is cluttered with claims and promises. Where do you start with an unknown candidate with a funny name and little brand equity? The power of symbolism can never be underestimated.


Political campaigns will never be run the same. From the use of visual cues to graphically designed posters. This will serve as a new political niche for brand builders, putting the importance of what we do at the beginning of the process.

http://adage.com/moy2008/

Temp 60 degrees and windy.

A brisk October morning over looking Dallas as the city starts to whirl.

The last day of shooting and the photo team is early, ready to get after the last 14 shots. The shot list includes top model talent from NY, Miami,
LasVegas, Wyoming and Dallas. Drew Waters of Mad Money

arrives for two shots

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0951216/

Chance and Priscilla in chocolate and white tees...in a word....stunning. Great casting Amy Mintz.

we previewed the composite of the cover design via wireless network. Mitch and imaging dept really pushed the color to another level. What will the client think? Guess we will find out by lunch.

4:00

Martini shot

Jenson an John Coulter in Iris and Lime tees. In order to get the shot, Marlon makes a quick change of clothes to shoot this shot from inside the cold waters of the roof top pool. This what we like about Marlon, anything for the right shot.

The prevailing winds shifted and in a blink of an eye the conditions changed.

At twelve stories high and winds of 30+ mph. caught the Umbrella Scrim lifting a 148lbs man; a 50lbs stand; and three 25 lb sandbags into the air! Super Assistant Shane Boughton sprung into action grabbing David and stand as Jay jumped over the pool rail grabbing and anchoring Shane. We avoided what the National Weather Service said about Hurricane Ike hitting Galveston evacuate or face "Certain Death". We composed our selves steadied the scrim and continued to put the finishing touches on the last shot. This is going to be an award winng piece of work.

They say "Imitation is the best form of flattery"
Apple App TV ad uses The Vibe Refinery Logo for it's application store. See for yourself.

"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.