Boston Product Photography- Matt McKee - Studio Photographer

The last post... here anyway...

2010-05-21T14:30:00.001-04:00

We've Moved!

Yep, we were here, now we are there. No matter where you go, there you are!

Check out our new blog and web site at http://www.mckeephotography.com.

Anatomy of a Product Photo Shoot - Part A - Begin at the End.

2009-04-29T07:29:00.001-04:00

I believe that a photoshoot, whether for a product illustration, corporate portrait, or annual report cover, starts with the vision of the final image. Begin at the end, as it were. Ansel Adams called it "previsualization" and it is what makes the difference between a great image and hours of fumbling around in a dark studio.

The first thing I ask my clients, when they come to me with a shoot idea is, "where is the picture going to be used?" Almost always, they have a specific plan as to why they want this image. It could be a brochure or sell sheet, web page or direct mail card. Or a combination of many uses.

How they plan to use it is very important to how we create the image. If the image is solely going to be used in a product catalog, then the image needs to be designed so that it can share attention on a page with other products.

However, if it is for a press release or publicity release about the product or company, or if it is for an ad or trade show sell sheet, then the final photo illustration has to practically jump off the page to get a potential buyer's attention.

The plan and rational for each decision about why we are making the image directly impacts how we produce the image.

More about the Anatomy of Product Photography next time!

How to Photograph your Artwork for the Web

2009-03-16T11:04:00.001-04:00

In this age of digital submissions, an artist needs to know more than just how to paint, draw, sculpt or otherwise create. More and more shows and contests are running their jurying process via the web.

This seminar, which takes place at the Eliot School, in Jamaica Plain, is designed to help take the sting out of learning how to take good digital photos of your artwork (without spending a ton of money on gear), how to get the image ready for uploading to the web (without photoshop) and how to make sure your digital image is around when you need it in the future!

If you are an artist in the Boston area, this is the seminar to see. It takes place on April 22nd at 6:30pm.

Sign up for the workshop at eliotschool.org and check out their other marketing workshops as well.

Some of the topics covered in this workshop:
- What is a pixel and what is resolution and why should I even care?
- How can I make my camera do what I want?
- What should I do with the pictures?
- Is there a simple way to do this? (the answer is yes!)

I love the photograph but what do I do with it?

2009-03-09T07:50:00.001-04:00

I get this question sometimes, when I am talking about my photography to owners of companies who are, understandably, more concerned about making payroll than discussing where art and commerce intersect (that's marketing at its finest, folks!). I also get it from graphic designers who are used to responding to orders from their clients.

Yes, I get that not every photograph has to be a museum piece. Sometimes, a product is just a product. But, shouldn't the photoshoot be the best value that you can get?

I don't mean "spend as much as you can." That would be silly, self serving, and, ultimately, deadly for my business.

The value, as any entrepeneur can tell you, is not just in the final object (photo, product, whatever). It is in the process, in the plan, and in the execution.

Many times, the story I have been told runs like this: "We did it ourselves. Twice. And, it was okay but...[retouching fees, didn't look quite like x...] "

Or: "We found this picture online. It was short money. We put it on the cover of our brochure. [So did our competition, it was too generic, it wasn't our product/people/service]."

Even worse: "We downloaded this picture from someone's photo sharing site. And, now we have a cease and desist letter, plus a court date."

So, you love the portfolio, but it isn't quite your product type/looks real artsy/looks expensive. That's okay.

What you do with it is use it as a conversation starter. Find a photo that is nice and ask the photographer the key question: "If you were going to photograph my product, how would you approach it?"

If the photographer asks about the goal of the photograph, the value of the image to you, your company and your potential customers, you have someone who will collaborate with you and work the intersection of art and commerce to your advantage!

--

The picture of the custom built motorcycle above was created in an iron fabrication company down in Rhode Island a few years ago. We used a combination of light sources to get the nice highlights, including a 12' by 12' silk on two high boy stands on the camera left. On camera right was the biggest softbox I had in my collection. Various white and silver cards were distributed around to keep the highlights clean. A smoke machine gave us the atmosphere in the background and the light streaming in through the windows was courtesy of Mother Nature.

It's just a simple Product Photograph!

2009-02-24T07:52:00.001-05:00

Well, yes... and no!

A product photograph, from our little photo studio, just outside of Boston, is almost always a combination of collaborative thinking, careful interviewing and preplanning.

This beautiful, art deco style lamp would look good on almost any background. However, looking around the show room during our initial conversation with the client, we quickly decided that the image needed to carefully reflect an old world warmth and quality.

Back at the studio, we pulled out a canvas background we had created a while back. It consisted of an application of a material called Instant Rust. I had remembered that the application had turned out with a nice, painterly quality that reminded me of the old masters' paintings of bowls of fruit and other still life compositions.

The lamp itself, with its round top, projected a warm glow that we needed to imitate in the shot. Also, with all that chrome, we needed to figure out how to create smooth, uninterrupted highlights.

The set was built in a small room, with the 4'x8' canvas swept out across the floor. A strobe head with a grid and warming gel was targeted on the background and adjusted so that the light looked like it was coming from the lamp. A second strobe, shot through a 3'x6' sheet, became our main light to the right of the camera. And, a large white card was added on the left to give us the highlight on the left side of the shaft. Some time was spent balancing the exposure for the incandescent bulb in the lamp and the strobes.

There was a conversation about the light switch. Do we show it or not? Since it was, ultimately, part of the design and usability of the product, we included it.

Digital Illustration in Product Photography

2009-02-09T08:21:00.001-05:00

Pre planning a product photograph is the best way to get the maximum impact for your buck.

Many of the conversations I have with potential clients start out with them calling me up and asking, "How much?"

And, I always feel a little bad when I have to ask "For what?"

I am not being a wise guy. I am not making fun of them. I am simply trying to identify what their goal is for the product shot.

For example, the digital illustration above was created to be used with a press release that would go out to all of the automotive trade magazines. Our goal, therefore, was to create an image that would appeal to the magazine editors.

It had to:

be more than a simple documentary photo of the product on white.

illustrate what the product looks like.

illustrate what problem the product solves.

be shown in a way that the target audience would understand.

The shot would also be used for their catalog and other sales collateral. But, since the editorial use came first, that was what we designed and optimized the photograph for.

We started with a "napkin" plan, a sketch of the elements of the shot jotted down on a piece of paper. This was our blueprints for the rest of the production. Without this step, we could have spent hours or even days, going back and forth, trying to come to a meeting of the minds, wasting time and money.

Instead, we knew what angle the client liked best angle, we knew where the "sweep" should be. And, we knew what kind of a stock shot in the background would appeal to our target audience.

The setup, in my small photo studio, just outside of Boston, was fairly simple. We only had one wiper, since this was a prototype. We shot it twice, using a nice broad light to give us smooth highlights. In post production, we set up the stock background and knocked out the background on the two wiper shots.

The whole shoot and post production was around three hours. But, we couldn't have done it that quickly, or efficiently, if we hadn't started with a plan.

Boston Product Photography Blog restart

2009-02-06T07:57:00.001-05:00

Okay, so I really haven't been slacking here, despite what you may think. My studio is a multifaceted beast that takes on all kinds of photography and photo illustration projects. For the last however many months, I have been redeveloping the mckeephotography.com site to more fully reflect one particular side of my commercial photography.

And, while we were at it, we started another blog at blog.mckeephotography.com to show off some of our more digitally manipulated and conceptual images, many of which are also available as stock photos from photoshelter.

So, why are we resurrecting the blogspot photography blog? One thing we do a lot of here in my little photo studio in Dedham, is capture the functionality of a product.

I like to think of it as table top photography that is designed to illustrate the soul of an engineer's or entrepreneur's design. The product shot needs to show the audience why the widget was thought up and what problem it solves.

Not always an easy task and even the simplest looking photo goes through a lot of thought and back and forth before we start setting up.

Stay tuned, gentle readers, and we will talk about product photography in the future posts!

Swimming in a Fish Tank

2008-10-06T08:12:00.001-04:00

So, how do you get a picture of Cardiofocus's latest Laser Ablation tool?

Start with a 30 gallon fish tank. Add a background. Add about 30 cc's of 2% milk. And then start playing with light!

Just remember, electricity and water make for a very, erm, shocking combination.

Pink Cadillac

2008-09-18T12:08:00.001-04:00

This summer, as I may have mentioned, I had the pleasure of joining my good buddy Greg, from Controlinteraction.com, on a trip out west to Moab.

On the way out from his apartment in Dallas, we passed a place that I had always read about but never visited: Cadillac Ranch, in Amarillo, Texas.

We didn't get to stop at that moment, as we were trying to catch up to the rest of the Texas Rovers and the sculpture was on the other side of the road. But, on the way back, we arrived just as the light was starting to get interesting.

High tech toys

2008-09-08T07:37:00.001-04:00

High tech labs are always interesting to walk into. This one was for Cambridge Nanotech. They are developing ADL technologies for other industries. What, exactly, this means, I am not too sure. (Hey, I said they were cool. I didn't say I knew what the machines were doing! ;-))

However, the machines are shiny and the clients are proud of their accomplishments. Between the marketing director and myself, we came up with a set of images that will help to convey this pride and passion for their products.

Meet NESSC

2008-08-25T09:19:00.001-04:00

Meet Gabe. Meet Dr. Raynhem.

Soon, there will be a new web site for Dr. Raynhem's practice, along with new collateral pieces featuring images like this one, showing the staff as real people, interacting with each other and with the patients.

This was a fun project, made all the better for the fact that we had worked together on Dr. Raynhem's first marketing projects two years ago, when we turned her kitchen into a medical office for the day!

This project also gave me an opportunity to work with Margina Dennis again. She is a very talented hair and makeup artist and an asset to any shoot.

Sunshine

2008-08-04T10:11:00.001-04:00

This image of Stephanie was created a little while back. We were shooting on a porch deck and she moved closer to the house. The roof line just cut the sun off part of her face. And, she closed her eyes against the glare. Click!

An EMC Server

2008-07-31T18:13:00.001-04:00

There is something about a server room. Row after row of large masses of data. Lights blinking. Wires streaming.

I always want to talk in a hushed tone around these objects, as if I would interrupt some critical calculation by asking where the light switch was.

Of course, you can't whisper, or even talk softly, because of the cooling fans, air conditioning units and occasional tech engineer trying to figure out why the marketing director wants to show him working on the new unit instead of the older one that needs to be repaired.

The third Monkey

2008-06-17T15:20:00.001-04:00

This here is Alison Beach, military, law student and actor at the Footlight Club.

She and the two previous portraits are for the Footlight Club's All in the Timing.

The Monkeys #2

2008-06-02T07:33:00.001-04:00

All in the Timing, Poster Shoot OutTake. Brad Reed, an actor to watch.

One of my guilty pleasures is working with actors. They make it so easy to create fun and interesting images to market their productions!

Brad Reed, who is making his debut on the Footlight Club stage, had us rolling behind the camera.

Stay tuned! I have one more before I reveal Christine Conrad Lane's poster design!

More fun than a barrel of...

2008-05-27T12:40:00.001-04:00

Monkeys.

Just finished up another poster for the Footlight Club for their production of All in the Timing. The idea for the poster came from Kristin MacDougall, who loaned me the script for a quick read before the shoot.

I shot ice coffee out of my nose inside of 2 pages.

Christine Conrad Lane did the design work on the poster, which I will show you next time. She did awesome work, as always.

It looks like All in the Timing is going to be a fantastic show so go get tickets now, if you are planning to be in the Jamaica Plain area in the next few weeks.

Rob Guptill is the actor featured above.

Real People Portraits

2008-05-12T09:45:00.001-04:00

This is another portrait from the Reflections at the Footlight project I did a while back.

Tonee was the stage manager during that project, so we found an interesting piece of the backstage area to set up her portrait.

We lit her with a large octabank in the front and an umbrella from behind.

She walked onto our set and we had our image in no time. On to the next set up!

Power Lunch- Redefined

2008-05-05T11:27:00.001-04:00

Ah, kids.

Brian Heil, over at Hue Brand Group, creative directed this project, for a non-profit reading program. We had a lot of fun playing with the kids and they, I think, had a lot of fun with us.

The challenge, as always, is to keep their attention span. Or, at least, direct their attention to what we need to accomplish.

I learned a lot from this shoot. One of the kids taught me some of the worst knock knock jokes ever!

Create Magazine's Editor's Choice --Correction

2008-04-30T09:59:00.001-04:00

Whoops! I guess people really do read my blog. I was just informed that the picture I posted in the first press release was one of the nominees but not one of the winners.

And, not to brag, but I got two Advertiser Awards!

Both of the ads were put together from images created to promote the Footlight Club, America's Oldest Community Theater.

This one was for their production of Charles Busch's classic spoof of Vampire Lesbians of Sodom and Sleeping Beauty or Coma.

In a rather bizarre turn of events, right before we concepted this poster, A&E ran a show about Mr. Busch and introduced me to his creatively spoofy world.

I had had an opportunity to come up with a poster for the Club's earlier Busch production of Psycho Beach Party.

The best part of these productions is working with comedic character actors. Rodney Raftery and Eric Greimann were a blast to work with and the difficult part was narrowing down which images to use.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MATTHEW MCKEE PHOTOGRAPHY WON THE AD MOST LIKELY TO GRAB YOUR ATTENTION AWARD AND THE BEST SHOT AWARD IN CREATE MAGAZINE’S EDITOR’S CHOICE AWARDS

Orlando, FL, April 16, 2008 – Matthew McKee Photography won the A Most Likely to Grab Your Attention and Best Shot crowns in Create Magazine’s Editor’s Choice Awards. Engel conquered tens of other candidates to earn the title and was selected based on their originality and unstoppable design. The award-winning works dazzled the world in the Sep+Oct 2007 Northeast issue and the May+June 2007 Northeast issues respectively.

“Matthew McKee Photography produces consistently stimulating and innovative ads that never cease to impress,” said Create Magazine Editor Dana R. DeLapi. “Their work is always impressive and perfectly complements the message of Create Magazine.”

Create Magazine has seen some fantastic creativity grace its pages in the last year. From advertising to design, writing to gadgets, the Create Team has singled out the best of the best in a showcase for the May+June 2008 issue. With fun quirky categories like “Most Likely to Make you LOL,” the Editor’s Choice Awards provide recognition based on a different set of criteria.

The May+June issue of Create Magazine will be on newsstands on May 12, 2008. Create is also available online at www.createmagazine.com for Create Magazine subscribers and Create Network members.

Create Magazine's Editor's Choice Award

2008-04-22T10:39:00.001-04:00

Hey, Wow! Thanks!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MATTHEW MCKEE PHOTOGRAPHY WON THE AD MOST LIKELY TO GRAB YOUR ATTENTION AWARD AND THE BEST SHOT AWARD IN CREATE MAGAZINE’S EDITOR’S CHOICE AWARDS

Orlando, FL, April 16, 2008 – Matthew McKee Photography won the A Most Likely to Grab Your Attention and Best Shot crowns in Create Magazine’s Editor’s Choice Awards. Engel conquered tens of other candidates to earn the title and was selected based on their originality and unstoppable design. The award-winning works dazzled the world in the Sep+Oct 2007 Northeast issue and the May+June 2007 Northeast issues respectively.

“Matthew McKee Photography produces consistently stimulating and innovative ads that never cease to impress,” said Create Magazine Editor Dana R. DeLapi. “Their work is always impressive and perfectly complements the message of Create Magazine.”

Create Magazine has seen some fantastic creativity grace its pages in the last year. From advertising to design, writing to gadgets, the Create Team has singled out the best of the best in a showcase for the May+June 2008 issue. With fun quirky categories like “Most Likely to Make you LOL,” the Editor’s Choice Awards provide recognition based on a different set of criteria.

The May+June issue of Create Magazine will be on newsstands on May 12, 2008. Create is also available online at www.createmagazine.com for Create Magazine subscribers and Create Network members.

This was one of the ads. The image was from one of the poster campaigns for the Footlight Club, during their production of Charles Buch's Psycho Beach Party.

Izzi's in the House!

2008-04-21T09:35:00.001-04:00

It is amazing to me to watch kids work at things that excite them.

They bring so much passion to a project. Sometimes they bring a little chaos as well, but not so here.

Izzi, who's parents are involved in productions at the Footlight Club, came to the shoot fully prepared. In fact, she asked Joy, my stylist and make up person on set, about where paint should be placed on her shirt to make it more effective and authentic.

She was fully engaged in her portrait and a great collaborator!

Industrial Lighting and Adapting Photography

2008-04-14T09:29:00.001-04:00

So, there we were, in a dark room, with a gazillion volts of electricity stored in huge banks of batteries. High voltage signage everywhere. A deep hum, charged with menace, replaces the whir of ventilation fans from the data center we were just shooting in.

We went from brilliant flat lighting to almost no lighting at all. And, the concept called for shooting into a dark cabinet, while the technician does... well, whatever they do in there. (When I asked him, he said, "Mostly, we try not to get zapped!")

I looked up and saw three different tubes of flourescent lighting, two tungsten cans and something that may have been a mercury vapor.

I looked at my assistant, who shrugged back at me, and I said, "Get the secret weapon!"

Under the technician's careful supervision, we tucked it back in the cabinet and plugged it in. Added a couple of gelled lights and reflectors around the outside and started shooting.

So, what is the secret weapon? An LED worklight from the hardware store.

Perfect for those hard to reach, tucked in spaces, to add dimensionality to any photoshoot!

The Knightly Arts

2008-04-04T18:02:00.001-04:00

Well, this was an exciting shoot! This guy is a practicing swordsman and has won awards around the world. He showed up with two suits of armor and lots of stories.

If you are interested, he runs a school for sword play and other martial arts involving edged weapons. Check it out at http://www.knightlyarts.com.

We are having a conversation about a series of marketing images for the school. Could be really interesting.

The rabbits have invaded my home!

2008-03-21T17:43:00.001-04:00

Omg, it's rabbit season again!

Every spring, they show up on a certain Sunday morning and leave little chocolate droppings around the house for the kiddies to find.

Jacked up on said chocolate, the kids spend the rest of the day climbing the pews at church and then fighting amongst themselves for the last morsel to stave off the inevitable sugar crash.

And, of course, there is always that one little foil covered confection that comes out, covered in dust bunnies and cobwebs, wearing last years (or the year before?) colors.

It was hiding behind the remote that was lost two tvs ago.

A Stock Conversation

2008-03-19T07:49:00.001-04:00

Last week, I was in a meeting with a medium sized ad agency art buyer, showing her samples of my black and white work. She got enthusiastic about the work and started rattling off projects where this work would be appropriate.

As I watched, her face fell a bit when she tagged the conversation with, "But, we are having a hard time getting them away from royalty free stock images. Despite the fact that the images they choose keep showing up in [their competition's] collateral and ads."

I had another conversation over the phone with a head of a small design agency. She said that they used royalty free stock all the time. Yes, the images would show up in other companies' marketing materials. But, none of her clients were national, so it didn't really matter.

During a coffee conversation with an art director, he lamented that he was spending hours retouching and repurposing stock images to fit marketing concepts. By the time he was finished, he was billing as much in retouching fees as a custom shoot would have cost. And, the image still looked enough like the original that 5000 brochures were recycled when it showed up as the back wall of the competition's booth at a trade show.

I am not one to jump up and down and try to convince you that stock is bad and evil. It isn't. And, in some places, it is very appropriate. Even the royalty free stuff. Sometimes.

However, if you are working hard, spending lots of money and energy, trying to differentiate yourself - your company - from everyone else within your market, what is going to happen when the big national financial firm across the street is using the same image for their brochures that you have for yours?

Original marketing photography, like every other element of a company, is an investment. There is no get rich quick scheme. There is no short cut. There is no silver bullet.

And, in marketing, the payoff is directly related to your investment.

Great, original work will get you recognized. Great, copycat work... will get the other folks recognized...

The original image above was created to promote a production of "Anything Cole".

Sitting in Traffic

2008-03-02T08:05:00.001-05:00

Have you ever stopped at a stop light and looked at the people in the cars around you?

Each one is the center of their own world. Each one is the ruler of all they survey from within their mobile glass and steel microcosm. They can exert total control over this little world, directing where it goes and even how warm or cold it is inside.

And, within that bubble, anything they do is justified. After all, they are the center of that little universe, with God-like powers.

Or, maybe I am projecting a bit...

Have you ever sat at a stop light and realized that someone was watching you from the next car?

The image above was created a few years ago, based on an actual event. I was the little boy in the window in the background...

Marketing Concepts Over Breakfast or My Favorite Morning Reads

2008-02-22T09:23:00.001-05:00

Each morning, my boys and I sit at the breakfast table and talk about the coming day (if I have had enough coffee) or listen to the latest tunes my eight year old had found on iTunes (if I have had enough coffee). My wife leaves earlier than we do so we have the house to our selves.

While waiting for the school bus, I surf through a variety of blogs to help spark my brain and maybe give me inspiration for the day.

Here are a few favorites of mine:

www.sinfest.net No, it isn't dirty. It is Tatsuya Ishida's cartoon about pop culture. It is an easy read and helps me get started.

http://www.pvponline.com/ Another web cartoon that features characters about my age (or so I imagine). One of them is a mac-lovin', slacker type. Another is a troll.

http://sethgodin.typepad.com/ If you don't know who Seth Godin is, then you probably don't do much marketing. Love or hate his ideas, they certainly can make you think. And, he is not shy about sharing ideas.

http://blog.guykawasaki.com/ As a mac guy, how could I not like Guy. As a student of marketing, he is a must read. Think different, Dude.

Advertising/Design Goodness Sort of a Lurzner's Archive for the internet. Inspiration and clever advertising.

Heartstorming Ian Summer's blog about creativity. What Seth and Guy do for (to) me with marketing, Ian does with creativity.

The image above is a sandwich of two images I captured in New Hampshire. The poster was created for a software company working on a virtual racing simulator. The marketing director really liked the image but the powers that be went in a different direction, orphaning the project.

Ah, well.

Happy Valentine's Day!

2008-02-13T08:36:00.001-05:00

To a certain extent, I feel like Linus, in the Charlie Brown Christmas, except for Valentine's Day. It's all a big racket set up by a conglomerate, back east.

Valentine's day is so commercial that it, more than occasionally, borders on the ridiculous.

Until you drill down to the heart (no pun intended) of the celebration and remember what it is all about. Then, it can become sublime.

This morning, I was sitting at the breakfast table, reading my morning blogs with the boys and came across Scott Kelby's wonderful web comic, pvpoline.com. (Who me? Read comics? Nah! Never! Childish pap!... er...)

His blog entry about his father explaining to a young Kelby that he was no longer in love with his mother, that it had actually moved beyond love to something so much more, really resonated with me. I can remember a similar situation with my father.

The image above was created a few years ago as a Valentine's Day card for my wife.

Reception this Saturday

2008-02-06T08:58:00.001-05:00

If you happen to be in the Boston area this Saturday evening and are looking for something to do, stop by the Footlight Club in Jamaica Plain between 6 and 8pm and say "Hi!"

The Found on the Beach series has found a home for the month of February at Eliot Hall in the Footlight Club, 7A Eliot Street.

I created The Found on the Beach limited edition photography portfolio after being inspired by a lifetime of exploring that magical transition zone where water meets land.

"Inspired by shape and texture and informed by delicate light, these images will bring you back to that first moment when you held a shell up to your ear."

Sounds like a lot of art-speak to me, but people seem to like these pieces enough to use them as the cover of a couple of jazz cds and to take them home.

So, stop on by and share some grog, maybe some tasty snacks. I will also have a some Found on the Beach books for signing. There are also a few Reflections at the Footlights books available (that was my portrait series at the club).

Hope to see you there!

Back to the Tongues

2008-02-05T08:07:00.001-05:00

Yes, we're back to the tongues.

I was looking through the archive for some other images and came across this little gem of a portrait of a good friend of mine who was just starting out his business and wanted a unique portrait instead of the industry standard, driver's license/passport photo headshot.

Of course, this was not the one he chose for his publicity campaign!

We started out with a very serious looking image and gradually broke it down until we were just laughing out loud about bad jokes (mostly mine).

Eventually, we came around to more casual expressions and captured some real expressions.

He said something interesting about the process and the goal of the shoot. He said that, while the photo was of him and looked like him, its reason to exist wasn't about him. As a personal photo, he didn't really like the portrait because, well, he wasn't 18 years old, etc. I can relate.

The important measure of success for the photo was how it would appeal to his target audience. Would they like it? Would they feel comfortable with this image? Would it help them to feel comfortable hiring him? Did it have the elements (props, wardrobe, expression, background, lighting, pose, etc) that would help the audience identify with him?

That would be the true measure of a successful marketing portrait.

But, I still like the tongue shot!

Executive Portraits are marketing tools, too.

2008-01-27T16:58:00.001-05:00

A graphic designer/marketing guru friend of mine invited me in to her office to talk about creating some portraits that would work for a marketing/branding project.

She had observed that press releases had a higher percentage of success when an image was included. And, that the type of image presented had an almost direct influence on how big the article was presented on the page.

She was quick to point out that there were a lot of other influences and variables that play a significant roll in the success rate as well. In no particular order: how well the press release was written, how much the release was aimed at the publication's target audience, how unique the article was, what other news, happenings or releases were competing for the same space, how much the editor had on his/her plate when the release came in, how much work they had to do to make the article work, etc...

We talked about the pros and cons of different types of headshots. The most common type are the studio shots, on neutral backgrounds, sometimes on a painted background. They are literally head and shoulder images. The pros are that they can be done fairly quickly and inexpensively. Several people can get theirs done if the photographer comes out to the office and can set up in a convenient conference room. Everyone's image looks pretty much the same, which works well for proposal documents, web bios etc.

The cons start with everyone looking the same. Not only do they look the same for the office, they often look the same as everyone else's in the world. Some nicknames for these images are school photos, passports and drivers license photos. Also, because speed is an issue, sometimes people don't look their best ie: unwrinkled cloths, matching cloths, hair, shiny faces, etc.

The next level up was studio style but with the addition of a stylist/groomer. The sessions for each person go a little longer but they end up looking much better.

In an image that relies totally on the person's personality to shine through (remember: generic, neutral backgrounds, no props etc) every little bit helps to make the shot more effective.

Another con that came up was that these images, if published, will only get postage stamp size space in the publication. If you are looking for a cover story or a full page section opener or even a half page article, these images probably won't impress an editor.

So, the other option is the custom portrait. The pros for this type of image is that you can get away from looking like everyone else and can collaborate to create an image that is an effective story telling tool for your marketing (which should be the goal of these images, right?).

The cons? Well, it is more expensive, in the short run. There are things to consider like grooming, wardrobe, location, etc. The production time can be longer and take up more of your time. And, a big one is that the photographer will ask you to share some information that you may not have thought of. Such as, who is your audience? How do you want them to feel when they look at this image? and, how do you see your self?

I brought these cons up to my marketing friend, having heard them from customers and potential customers for years. She said, "Yes, but they are only cons if you are afraid of success. Won't a better image be more effective and then, directly or indirectly, make you more money? Be more effective with your marketing?"

What could I say to that?

The big picture above is a direct result of that conversation. I can't reveal who it is for yet, but... The smaller pictures were done for Cambridge Healthtech Advisors. They opted to do both types of images to give them more marketing flexibility.

Restaurant Symetry

2008-01-15T07:14:00.001-05:00

A while back, I had the privilege of creating image for the Fireplace Restaurant in Brookline.

This was one of my favorite images from that project.

Cat Poster in Layers Magazine

2008-01-09T07:23:00.001-05:00

Yes, you have seen this one before. In fact, it was part of an August 07 blog.

However, I just had to brag a bit about getting it into Layers - The How-To Magazine for Everything Adobe.

Of course, as a commercial photographer, you get to see your work in print all the time. However, there is something special about having your work chosen to be published, rather than specifically commissioned. It is like winning a contest.

My bank account would much rather be commissioned, but I still get a warm, fuzzy feeling from the contests. Plus, as I said, bragging rights!

If you have the January/February 08 issue, it is on page 28, in the Digital Canvas section.

Happy New Year!

2008-01-02T07:43:00.001-05:00

Okay, so this is the last time we procrastinate our holiday card! Still, you get a whole year to do thank you cards after a wedding. So...?

Big doings in the works for this year. New Years Resolutions include things like updated goals, better planning, less procrastinating, new personal photography projects to keep me fresh for the all important client shoots.

Also, contacting old clients that I might have lost touch with and suggesting projects to my favorite collaborators.

Plus, finish building the new office, look for bigger photo studio space and spend time with the family.

Gonna be a fun year for commercial photography. Hope you can join me!

The picture above was done in the studio. The background was added after.

Winter is here... Wish I was there...

2007-12-17T09:58:00.001-05:00

As the winter days get shorter and shorter, I find myself working on a new portfolio of images from my various hospitality projects. And, I really want to be there now.

So, the new portfolio is tentatively titled, "Being Here..."

More as it happens.

Create Magazine's 2007 Photographer Showcase

2007-12-10T10:26:00.001-05:00

If you are surfing the net, looking at commercial photographers, be sure to check out Create Magazine's 2007 Photographer Showcase.

In the print edition, I am on page 90 & 91. In the online version, downloadable from their web site here, check out page 8 and 9.

Yeah, you can look at the other pages, too.

What is cheap photography?

2007-12-10T09:22:00.001-05:00

This is from another client conversation. We were talking about stock photography versus assignment photography.

One of his in-house designers kept wanting to use images from a royalty free disk. The boss kept adamantly saying no.

Here was his reasoning, as he said it to me.

1. The people always look like models, not our customers, or even an idealized version of our customers.

2. The concept always has to be warped to fit the royalty free image the designer found, which means compromises.

3. Our product is never in the shot. Or if there is something similar, it is still not OUR product. Or, we have to spend time and money retouching.

4. The selection is so big that you end up spending a day looking for the image, a day re-concepting and a day trying to make it all fit together. Again, with compromises.

5. If the designer happens to find an image that fits our marketing goal, it also certainly fits our competition's goal. And, the marketing plan of everyone else who bought the disk. Which means that the image is not unique to us and our customers.

6. If the customer sees that image on our competition's site after ours, who is he going to associate the image with? Not us!

7. Our brand, our marketing, and our company is worth more than a $10 investment. And, we will get a better return, more sales, with a good, custom image.

8. If that $10 image loses us just one potential customer, it has cost us a heck of a lot more than $10 dollars!

The ASMP have a great article about Royalty Free photography available to the public here.

Holidays, Charity, Thanks, Etc

2007-12-05T10:36:00.001-05:00

This year, in honor of my good friend, Alec Boudreau, my client gift was a donation to the American Society for Suicide Prevention (www.asfp.org)

Alec, it has taken me a long time to get to the point where I am not as angry any more. You are missed.

As my son reminded me a few nights ago: "Remember to be thankful for what we have."

House Style?

2007-11-09T18:55:00.001-05:00

Branding is always an interesting exercise and something that every company should take a look at. Because, no matter what, you are a brand to your customers/audience.

The really interesting part is when you discover that what you think your brand stands for is not what they think your brand stands for.

For example, an excellent graphic designer and branding expert, Christine Conrad Lane, commented that one of my selling features was "No specific house style."

That freaked me for a moment. And, then she continued with "That is important to me." She needs someone who is flexible and skilled enough that they can tell the story that meet her clients' goals.. with whatever tools, props, looks or style that is appropriate.

She finished her branding statement of my photography with "Matt McKee Photography captures reflections of the reality you desire."

Which, come to think of it, is how I see my photography as well!

The image above was originally created for the Spring House on Block Island, art directed by the Hue Brand Group. The original file, as shot, was a nice porch image. But, to get the "reflection of reality that [a potential hotel guest would] desire," I needed to take it further.

Hope you enjoy it!

People or Product?

2007-11-07T07:45:00.001-05:00

Oh, the tough questions!

"I see you do people and products... and locations. So, what do you really like to do?"

This question supposes that I am approaching photography strictly from a subject stand point. That is, I am specializing in studio work or location work or whatever.

Actually, I approach it from a story telling stand point.

For example, the product photography that you may have seen on this blog and on my site is quite a bit different than what you might see in a catalog or Sunday newspaper. Those images, which require as much skill and finesse, are about commodities. The objects are there to be sold based on the description or at face value.

The images I create go one step further. They include a story about what the object is or does. More specifically, what problem does it solve for the potential buyer.

This goes around the buyer's question of which product is cheaper and goes to "I have this problem that is driving me crazy and this will fix it!"

So, what does this have to do with the gentleman in the image above?

His job is to install cabling for commercial network applications. He needed to look appealing to his target market, which were C level people. He needed to look like he knew what he was doing, was tough enough to get the job done and was a highly trained, highly paid professional who would make these C level people feel and look good.

I was told that the image was submitted with a press release to a major magazine for a business profile. It got picked up. The magazine's normal profile has a headshot that is reproduced about the size of a postage stamp, with a short paragraph to go with it. This image got them a half page space with two columns of editorial copy.

An effective marketing tool? You bet!

A Good Marketing Quote and Hair

2007-11-05T15:00:00.001-05:00

I was sitting in a client's office the other day, talking about an upcoming project for a concept based still life. The conversation rolled around to the effectiveness of cutting back on marketing to save a buck.

He pulled out a piece of paper with one of the most apropos quotes I have seen in a long time.

"He who stops advertising to try and save money could just as easily stop his watch to try and save time."

Neither of us know who said it. He got it from one of his clients. If you know who to credit for it, let me know!

The poster above is another in the series I have been creating for the Footlight Club, America's Oldest Community Theater.

As always, a lot of fun and creativity went into the preplanning for the shoot. In retrospect, the shoot itself was kind of quiet, as Jason, the stylist on set and our model, wrestled with the wigs to get strategic coverage.

Speaking of good marketing quotes, I found a very interesting article on the Freelanceswitch.com site that talked about marketing and publicity design. It was specifically about designing for publicity, but, like most marketing, the principles can apply anywhere!

Where to Photograph 11 People?

2007-11-05T07:05:00.001-05:00

"Oh, the group portrait? We needed to add a few people. We have 11 now."

Frustrating? Actually, exhilarating!

How do you create a group portrait for marketing purposes, anyway?

For me and my team, unless there is an extremely compelling reason, we try to stay off the plain, vanilla hung background and find something interesting in the environment. Something that will talk about the team we are photographing.

In this case, the end client ran a restaurant style dining hall. It was a well designed and lit space, with interesting colors and graphic elements. It also allowed us to build layers into the composition.

We balance the daylight, ambient and added a couple of strobes to punch up the dark areas and then started adding the people in one by one. All in all, it was about a two hour set up to complete.

Was it worth the time it took? The best answer I can think of to that is to think like a magazine editor. If you were laying out an article about these folks and wanted to get the readers' attention, what would you put on the cover: a couple of plain headshots or an image with rich colors that tells the story? What would you want to see if you were reading the story?

Looking for Bug Props

2007-11-02T10:51:00.001-04:00

I am on a search for bugs to be used as scale for product photography.

I have done some looking around and found lots of ready made framed and mounted pieces that are beautiful but the bugs don't come out easily. And they are often in the wrong position.

I know, I could take the time to learn to pose them myself, but, like everything I do with photography, I prefer to surround myself with people who are great at what they do. It means that the final result is so much better.

This specimen above has been used in a number of shoots but is starting to get pretty ragged. He doesn't have any legs left and there is only a half an antenna left. Poor guy needs to be retired.

If you have access to someone who can pose a butterfly, bumble bee, dragonfly or lady bug, get in touch with me.

Thanks!

Happy Halloween Everyone!

2007-10-30T17:49:00.003-04:00

I had to get a few more in before Halloween hits.

This series has been complete for a while now. Or, atleast as complete as I can make it until my kids are old enough to not want to go trick or treating or want to go with me to NYC.

But, I still love Halloween and want to do something photographic for it. Now the question is, what should I do next?

Blondie in the Village

2007-10-30T17:49:00.001-04:00

Can't believe I am running out things to say about this event. Well, not so much running out as having other things going on.

Between clients, the Jamaica Plain Arts Council, which I am a co-president and web dude, and now Jury Duty, it is hard to keep on track on the blog.

So here is just a couple more cool pics from that series.

A Night in the Village Remembering

2007-10-30T07:21:00.001-04:00

This image was created on Halloween 2001. We followed this couple for about 7 blocks.

There was plenty of cheering and not a few tears from passers by and fellow costumed characters.

Night in the Village

2007-10-29T07:24:00.001-04:00

The RED SOX WON!

Yay, Sox!

Halloween In Greenwich Village

2007-10-26T11:22:00.001-04:00

People are amazing. As a photographer who is called upon to create portraits for marketing and the occasional editorial project, I often come across subjects who are reluctant and hesitant.

And, that's okay. That is part of the challenge. To help them understand that their 15 minutes is here and that they can trust me to create an image that they will be proud to be associated with.

In stark contrast, everyone at these events in the Village have almost no reluctance. Only two people, out of the thousands we saw over 5 years, were not into strutting in front of the camera.

It is like their inner child has come to play and wants, or even craves, our attention.

I always wonder how many of these people were CEOs and engineers in their "day" persona.

A Night in the Village Lives...

2007-10-25T08:36:00.001-04:00

After the first year, I was hooked. As a social anthropologist (voyeur), it was a fascinating experience.

As a photographer (voyeur), I was stuck with the problem of what to do with all of these images. In those days, print on demand was still in its infancy. The idea of putting together a book was beyond my meager skills.

A Night in the Village, The Story Continues 5

2007-10-24T08:24:00.001-04:00

For a suburban kid who moved to Boston, because he wanted to be in a big city (Boston is more like a big town to me), this place was nuts.

Over the top and totally out there.

For a photographer, a person who is basically a voyeur anyway, it was heaven.

Outrageous behavior and outfits, visual puns and Clinton masks were the flavor of the night.

A Night in the Village, The Story Continues 4

2007-10-23T11:11:00.001-04:00

So, totally in the moment, Greg and I started a dance. He watched me and where I was aiming and moved to position himself behind and to one side of my intended subject.

I would approach a person, a character, and make suitable noises. 99% of the time, the people would pose or laugh and say "sure". A couple of times, I got a suspicious look or a head shake. But, almost everyone was out with their best work, ready, willing and wanting to be seen.

And, I was happy to oblige.

That year, we shot 10 rolls of black and white film.

Editing was exciting.

A Night in the Village, The Story Continues 3

2007-10-19T07:24:00.001-04:00

We skipped a year due to a scheduling issue but were right back at it, better prepared and totally jazzed.

Armed this time with my new Nikon F5 and a wide angle lens, we hit the streets, looking for adventure and new images.

This time we had a better idea of what we were looking for. But, I still had a nagging problem. I had no idea what I was creating this body of work for. In a way, it was a handicap, mentally.

In another way, it was supremely liberating.

As I have said before, I love the challenge of getting into a client's head to see what exactly they are looking for... even when they can't describe it fully themselves. That, to me, is fun and has been lucrative for me, so I guess I have been successful at it.

This time, there was no limits, just create what I felt at the moment.

A Night in the Village, The Story Continues 2

2007-10-17T19:59:00.001-04:00

In the days of film, the moment of truth was opening that envelop from the lab and shaking out the contact sheets.

Sometimes, you are reaching for the loupe. Sometimes, you are reaching for the malox.

Of course, as a professional, we endeavor to have more loupe moments than panic moments. That is one reason why we always shot so much film on each shoot. Our mantra of "Just one more roll" was for the sanity of ourselves and our clients, who would rather we didn't say "The film was ruined at the lab."

[A little known trade secret is that some photographers used that excuse even if they, themselves, caused the film to be toasted. Not that I ever used that excuse. But, in 14 years of shooting film, the lab did munch 2 rolls. Really! They did! But, they were very nice about it and, luckily, I had backup rolls. Besides, 14 years, thousands of rolls and only 2 ever got et? Not bad!]

The first sheet came out and, as dramatic as I would like to make this, I can't. The film was a little thin, but otherwise perfect.

I was hooked and would be for the next 6 years.

A Night in the Village, The Story Continues

2007-10-16T09:17:00.001-04:00

That first year was one of those personal challenges that was more mental that physical.

However, it also took its toll on our bodies.We walked over all over those 12 blocks, carrying a bag of film, spare batteries, and a charger for the second flash. Occasionally, we had to stop for a breather and a refresher.

By the end of the night, we had exposed 12 rolls of 120 film and imbibed a fair number of beers.

By two am, we were wiped out and ready to recover the vehical.

But, this wasn't the end of our adventures...

A Night in the Village, the Production Part 3

2007-10-15T09:03:00.001-04:00

Now, I am standing on a street corner, with a rental camera around my neck.

Greg is waiting, with various degrees of patience, for my direction.

And, out of the gloom and flash of taxi lights, Golden Boy comes walking toward me.

"Dude, great costume! Can I snap your picture?"

And, so it began..

Stay tuned!

A Night in the Village, the Production Part 2

2007-10-12T07:30:00.001-04:00

So, I panicked.

Just so you understand my problem, up until this point, I had been strictly an assignment photographer. In other words, you give me an assignment and we will set up the production. Location scouting, casting, makeup, stylists, assistants, equipment rentals and research all go into the mix.

Lots of prep, pre planning, thinking, consulting, so that we can create the perfect image for our clients.

That evening, I was staring at a completely spontaneous shoot. I didn't know anyone. And, no one knew me. And, we didn't have a location. Or, rather, we had 12 blocks of locations.

Plus, mixed light sources, moving subjects, moving vehicles, cops, a few roving gangs, partyers, players and, of course, a bunch of people dressed in every way you can imagine.

Chaos!

To be continued...

A Night in the Village, the Production Part 1

2007-10-08T21:42:00.001-04:00

The first Halloween, I went down to my buddy Greg's place, in NJ. We met up there and packed up a rental autofocus medium format camera. This was a few years before I made the digital switch.

I threw a flash on top and Greg ran around with a second flash radio slaved to my camera for an accent light. It was my standard lighting setup of the time, only made mobil.

We hopped in his rag top Jeep and made the 5 mile run to the Big Apple in just under 45 minutes. We parked, got out and walked to a street corner and Greg turned around and looked at me.

"Well? Now, what do we do?"

To be continued...

A Night in the Village, the Beginning, cont

2007-10-05T07:15:00.001-04:00

A case of Labatts, some great movies, long conversations and laments about creation.

Sitting on the porch steps, watching the local skunk make his rounds, the photographer's friend, who lived in New Jersey, said, "Have you ever seen the Halloween Parade through Greenwich Village?"

"Why, no,"" said the photographer innocently. "What is that?"

In a nut shell, the parade carries on a 30 plus year tradition of celebrating the unique culture of Greenwich Village, in New York City. Which means that it is artistic and grassroots based. And, a half a million people show up to see it and party.

It is also where people go to get their freak on and they are accepted for the individuals they are. Drag queens get to strut their stuff next to kids dressed as Sponge Bob. And, it all works together.

It is the perfect place for a voyeuristic photographer, who has a hard time approaching people on the street to take a picture.

Heck, these people want to be photographed!

A Night in the Village, the Beginning

2007-10-04T09:55:00.001-04:00

Once upon a time, a photographer was told that he should always have a personal project going. This would help him to stay fresh and creative.

He heard the advice but didn't know what to do. There are so many ideas in the volumes of sketch books. Any one of which could make for an interesting (at least to him) series of images. But, most required a lot of preproduction and cash to put together. It also meant a lot of work. That, along with satisfying the current client roster, meant that the personal project languished in the pre- pre- pre- production stage: "Wouldn't it be neat if..."

One fateful night, over a few liquid libations, his friend, who lived in New Jersey, said, "Have you ever seen the Halloween Parade through Greenwich Village?"

to be continued tomorrow!

a b October, Happy Birthday to Me!

2007-10-02T07:05:00.001-04:00

Fall has always been my favorite time of year. I don't know. Maybe its the weather, maybe it is still the childish glee that I feel as my birthday approaches (which has mitigated a bit as I have gotten older. Now it is more of a bitter sweet glee).

That first day of school. The first splash of color in the leaves. The first time you see the twinkle of crystals in the morning frost.

And, after a hot summer like this one, the first breath of relief where I really get motivated to do things without feeling like passing out from heat exhaustion!.

This image represents another part of my favorite season. Halloween approaches! It is from a series of images that I will talk about more as October proceeds.

JP Open Studios is over... for now!

2007-10-01T07:37:00.001-04:00

Welcome to Fall!

JP Open Studios, a two day art event in Jamaica Plain, a suburb of Boston, is over and today we are cleaning up, putting away framed pieces that didn't sell and generally complaining about tired backs and sore feet.

The event went very well. I personally saw over 4000 people from all over the Greater Boston area pass by and through my little tent on Eliot Street. It was a lot of fun and we got to meet a lot of really nice people.

A few clients stopped by to see the new personal works and I met few people interested in talking about upcoming marketing projects.

Another great feeling comes from being on the board of the organization that put on the event. There was an amazing amount of work that goes into putting on a city-wide event with 200+ artists, numerous locations and individual studios, volunteers, and various entertainments. Plus, signage, map booklets, websites and fundraising events.

Luckily, we have an amazing group of people working with us. And, now that this year's event is over, we just need to do a little house keeping and tally up the successes and document the areas that need some shoring up.

If you are interested in getting involved in the arts community, and would like to volunteer some time, donate some skills or materials, we would welcome you with open arms.

Check out the JPOpenStudios.com web site for more information.

The image above was created at Reed State Park, near Wiscassett, Maine.

Autumn in New England

2007-09-27T07:29:00.001-04:00

The seasons keep on turning. This image was created on an orchard near Damariscotta, Maine. It was a perfect, fall day for picking apples and going on a photo safari.

So far, it has been used in a series of direct mail pieces and greeting cards as a stock image.

This is another from the Way I See It folder. It will be on display and for sale this weekend at the Jamaica Plain Open Studios.

In the mean time, I am off to create a series of product images today. It will be a nice day to play in the studio!

Way I See It...

2007-09-16T09:30:00.001-04:00

A few years ago, I started a folder of images that I had created that didn't really fit with my other portfolios.

They were images that hit me as soon as I clicked the shutter. They appealed to me on an iconic level, rather than on a more literal one.

The images are created during client projects and personal photo safaris. They are those moments when I feel I have reached the very spirit of the photograph. They are the moments when I realize that the only audience I am creating for is myself.

Most of the images I create have a different audience in my mind. To be sure, I am creating images that I think are appealing or attractive. However, I am creating them for a client, or more specifically, a client's projected audience. I love that challenge of figuring out what they might be thinking, how they might be thinking it and anticipating how they would react to the project we are working on.

But the images in this folder, many of which were created on commercial projects, go beyond this audience.

They are my personal collection of the golden moment. And, like any perfectionist, my collection grows only very slowly.

Of course, not all of the images in the folder appeal to everyone. Perception is personal and individual. And, it is everything.

The name of the folder is "Way I See It".

This image was created at Mt Washington's Cog Railroad, in New Hampshire.

Oops! Or, how to justify a new lens.

2007-09-14T11:06:00.001-04:00

The shoot brief was simple and dramatic: set up the product and shoot sparks over it for dramatic.

I have commented before about "simple" and photoshoot and how they generally do not exist in the same sentence. But, here is an example where things really got out of hand.

It took a little thought about how to get the sparks to fly in the right direction. Because of the direction of the spinning disk on the tool, we had to rethink the layout of the shot and actually flip it. Otherwise, the sparks shot into the background and were lost to the camera. Ah, reality vs scribbled layouts.

Once we got that part figured and adjusted the shutter to get the maximum sparks, it was just a matter of doing it over and over until the sparks looked just right.

This was one of those attempts where the machine slipped and shot a shower of sparks straight back at the lens... and photographer!

After the shot was done, we carefully cleaned the camera and lens and realized that the UV filter we put on the lens had actually melted. There were pinpoint black marks all over it where the sparks had hit the filter and melted into it.

Thank goodness we had the filter! $50 to replace it vs. $600+ for a new lens!

Gone Fishin'

2007-08-24T10:26:00.001-04:00

Yeah, the weather was a bit rough. Our tiny craft was tossed. If not for the courage of the fearless crew, our lunch would have been tossed.

It rained, it snowed, it was June in Canada.

But, the walleye tasted sweet!

One of the interesting challenges, for me, is travel assignments. We go out to a location that we have only seen in pictures that someone else has snapped, with a shot list in hand, cell phone in the other hand and camera around our neck.

This is where the shot list is just the sheet music and we are the musicians and conductors about to create the performance. Follow the plan but be ready for the happy accidents/fate/karma/opportunities that come up.

And, don't tuck your head so far into your rain coat that you miss the beauty around you.

This image was created as we came back from a 20 mile jaunt into the Dozios Resevoir in Canada. It had rained all morning, cleared up for the shore lunch and then threatened the whole way back.

And, yes, it snowed that night!

Cat on a Hot Tin Roof

2007-08-07T16:38:00.001-04:00

Ugh! August in Boston. 90 degrees and sweat pouring down.

It's a little like the scene we recently created above.

This was part of a poster and marketing project for The Footlight Club, and another opportunity for me to work with the wonderful and passionate people there.

We started out studying the classic posters and dvd covers from the Paul Newman movie and reading over the synopsis of Tenessee William's play. And, then we distilled it down until we answered the questions, what is the ultimate theme and what is the audience going to be looking for?

In the beginning of the process, the layout was very busy and full of people. By the end, when we showed up to shoot, it was just Brick and Maggie, played by Peyton Pugmire and Elissa Jordan. Both put on their characters and played the moment to perfection. Susanna Crampton, the producer, and Artie Leger, the director, were both on hand to approve the final shot.

If you want to see great community theater, check out the play at the Footlight Club.

Where's the fun in that?

2007-07-11T15:30:00.001-04:00

Okay, just so you don't think we are too serious about our jobs here.

This image was created during a real people shoot in Rhode Island. The project was for a training program and the client was using their own sales reps as models.

This is always a lot of fun, even when we have some reluctant "models".

One of subjects stated to me at the beginning of the shoot, "I don't know why I agreed to this. I really don't like getting my picture taken."

I nodded and said "Don't worry, we are going to have fun today."

And, we did!

Well, my crew and I worked our buns off, setting up and tearing down lighting, running to the next set, harassing my make up artist, Margina (who is great to work with, by the way!), and generally getting the shot list accomplished without blowing up my friend's house.

The point is that, with some good planning, the challenge is fun!

And, every once in a while, you need to stop and ask your models what they really think of the day!

Sunsets

2007-06-11T15:38:00.001-04:00

What is it about sunsets? The photographer side of me says, "Seen it before. Everyone has shot it already. Why bother? Find something new already!"

But, my inner child says "Ooooo, look at the pretty colors! With fish hooks, too!"

The interesting part about this image is that you could imagine a cold evening, or a hot humid one. You can hear the loons making their last calls before night fall or you can hear the sound of black flies, pummeling your bug nets, looking for a way to bleed you out right there on the boat. Or, as my wife says, you can think of a romantic evening some place else where the sky looked just like that before a warm, melty kiss.

Your sky, your message, your story.

Beware of Camera Recoil While Shooting Clouds

2007-06-11T14:45:00.001-04:00

Oh, what can I say about this one?

I got on the second smallest plane in my life, to go on a fishing vacation. The sky was brilliant blue and the clouds, once we got above them, were fluffy like cotton. Of course, I almost missed that part when the plane suddenly dropped about 20 ft down and another 20 to the left.

The copilot turned back to the 7 of us (yeah, did I mention it was a small plane?) and grinned, as if to say, "No worries, mate!"

Obviously, there were "no worries", as I am alive to write this. And, in fact, it wasn't that bad a flight. But, just to be safe, I pulled out my camera and watched the clouds beyond the engine until they looked satisfactorily dramatic and squeezed the trigger.

Suddenly, the camera slammed back into my forehead, like the recoil from a rifle when you place your face to close to the scope. The damned turbulance had bounced us again and slammed the camera, with my face following, into the wall of the plane.

I reviewed the image I had captured and promptly deleted it. Who wants a shot of my knee?

Looking back out of the window, I rubbed my sore forehead and resolved to give myself a little more room between window, camera lens and aching head. A few minutes later, the clouds cooperated again, but the turbulance had vanished.

During a quite moment on the vacation, I pulled out my laptop and spent some time tweaking my favorite from that session.

More images from the Canada Trip coming soon!

Posters and Composites

2007-05-14T15:40:00.000-04:00

One of my constant inspirations is the art of the movie poster. Where else does the art of compositing come together to express the idea of a two hour span of time? It makes heros and villans larger than life. It conveys the central theme and drama (or comedy or whatever) to an audience through the common visual language. It is a dialog that happens in one composition.

For a while now, I have been exploring this art with a local community theater. (Yes, the same one that I just completed a 31 portrait series of its members. You can still order the book by clicking the link to the right.)

Once again, I was able to team up with Kristin MacDougall, on of the fine producers at the Footlight Club, and we brainstormed a poster design for Vampire Lesbians of Sodom and Sleeping Beauty or Coma, two Charles Busch plays.

Principle photography took place over a few short hours, photographing the available actors, in costume, on a white background. Compositing and final design, however, took around 6 hours to put together the poster and banner to advertise the show.

This makes my sixth poster series for the club and I look forward to our next project together!

Real People - Education Ad

2007-05-07T10:48:00.000-04:00

What can you do with "real people"? Well, anything you can with models, of course!

But, both the photographer and the creative who concepts the marketing piece need to keep in mind some limitations. Models and actors are used to being the center of attention and understand that what they are doing is part of a "greater whole".

"Real People" or non-models, often do not understand what we are working to create and may feel uncomfortable on center stage.

This means that the photographer and producers need to be very careful on how to handle and coach the non-model to get the best results. A photographer must be sensitive and empathetic to the person who gets put on the spot.

Of course, this is true for any subject in front of my lens! Models, non-models, C-level people or even products all have needs and desires that play into the dynamics of the production.

This, to me, is what makes this kind of shooting fun!

Real People

2007-04-17T18:33:00.000-04:00

I was looking at some older images, reflecting on where my work has taken me and came across this tear sheet from a few years ago.

What caught my eye was that this was another example of "real people" photography for marketing, something I seem to be doing a lot of lately. And, having a lot of fun with it.

Don't get me wrong, models are great and can give you great results because of their experience.

But, sometimes, the honesty of a "real person", someone who actually does the job that we are photographing, can be very refreshing.

Found on the Beach Photography Show

2007-03-29T13:21:00.000-04:00

Found on the Beach, my series of images of objects found during beach walks, has a new home for the month of April.

Thomas Durand, the curator at JP Lick's in Jamaica Plain, and the creator of the MonkeySox photographic series, had a cancellation in his schedule and needed an emergency show to put up.

Luckily, my work was still in its frames from the last exhibit in September.

It goes up on Tuesday and will be up for the month.

Stop by and see it!

Matt

Capturing, no wait, Creating the Moment

2007-02-23T15:21:00.000-05:00

I have been doing some speaking engagements with local camera clubs, mostly because they asked me to come in and talk about my work. And there was a discussion in one about the difference between capturing the moment and creating it.

I guess you could make an argument that any image that did not have a set up or physical production is a capture. And, any time there is production involved it is a created moment.

Maybe it is vanity on my part, but I believe that I create the moments in my images, whether there is external production or if it is only internalized.

For example, the image above was created during a walk through at a conference center in Ohio. We were moving between sets and stopped for lunch. I saw the wall sconces and grabbed the camera and tripod. Fifteen minutes later, I was sitting down with the art director to a splendid turkey sandwich.

It was an unplanned stop but everything else about the image was thought out. I was even considering how the image would look as a banner or printed piece. I captured several frames from different angles to see how the camera was "seeing" the light. But, I created the moment through my on the spot planning and thinking through the composition and lighting.

Maybe it is all just semantics. And, I mean no offense to the wedding shooters who "capture the moment" all the time. If they are doing it right (and those I know who do it, do do it well), I still think they are "creating the moment".

Moments of Surreal

2007-02-11T17:54:00.000-05:00

Sometimes, an image just appears in front of me. It becomes one of those moments that I may use as a visual guide for a later image or a reminder of an image I may have created years ago and still like.

In this particular instance, my family and I took a trip to the New England Aquarium. Just another family adventure. On a lower floor somewhere, one of the tank exhibits was being changed. There were no signs, no notices or anything. Just two sets of legs standing in an empty tank.

Whoever the legs belonged to, they must have been having an indepth conversation. They stood completely still for long enough for me to take several exposures, including this one with my oldest checking out the "behind the scenes" view.

Several people walked by with one of two reactions. They either noticed me with my camera aimed at the empty tank and hurried through or they stopped at the tank and looked at the card over the top of the exhibit, as if trying to find which fish silouette the legs represented.

Ironically, a sketch book of mine from a couple of years back has several similar ideas that I have never produced. Maybe it is time to dust off those ideas and bring them to life!

It's Official!

2007-01-30T09:27:00.000-05:00

Found at the Beach has officially been launched at lulu.com.

During the spring of 2006, we took a family vacation to visit some of our relatives whom we haven't seen in a long while. We traveled down to North Carolina and toured back up through Maryland and finally back up to Boston.

Every time we take one of these trips, I am fascinated by my children's reaction to the new input of ideas, scenes and situations. And, I reflect back to my own memories of my parents taking me and my brother on similar excursions.

Every time we take one of these trips (both when I was a child and now), we invariably end up at the shore at some point.

And pockets get filled with sand, shells and other little treasures.

This book was inspired by all of those trips. The work is an exploration of all of the wonderful bits and pieces that I collected.

It is also a journey back to my roots in photography. I started out doing table top sets in my living room and garage, following instructions I found in the old Peterson's Photographic Magazines, when I was a teenager. During my formal education at the Rochester Institute of Technology, I also spent most of my time playing the roll of a small god in a dark room, setting up still lifes and table top sets. It wasn't until my senior year that I realized the lessons I was learning with these images would apply to any other story telling image: light, composition, subject matter.

My boys and I took another trip recently, up to my parents' place on the coast of Maine. For some reason, we decided to do a winter trip to the beach at Reed State Park. And, once again, we came out with cool bits that are inspiring me to continue the series.

In any case, I hope the images tempt you and that you enjoy the book!

Matt

A New Year Begins....

2007-01-12T11:36:00.000-05:00

A New Year has begun.

Have you made your resolutions? Have you broke any yet?

As you know, last year was very busy for us. Between the book project for the Footlight Club, another book project called "Found on the Beach" and working with our regular clients, we have barely had time to turn around!

My resolutions for this year are to continue to create image, interesting and distinctive images that help my clients meet their marketing goals.

Won't you help me meet my goals?

Today's image is from the "Reflections at the Footlight" Book project. Yes it is my son. How can I resist when he is so photogenic? Of course, I am not biased at all.... much!

He is so intrigued by the backstage workings at the theater that we needed to figure out how to illustrate it

We found the perfect wall and he discovered the gel holders.

After that, it was just a matter of letting him go and have fun!

The book is nearing its completion. I have enlisted the aid of a good friend of mine, and an excellent designer as well, to the layouts. Erich's work can be seen here.

The book should be ready for preview later this month or early next month. Keep your eyes peeled for a Show Opening displaying the work in Jamaica Plain, MA at the Footlight Club! It should be a blast!

Reflections at the Footlight Club

2006-12-19T09:16:00.000-05:00

The book project is almost done!

Last Saturday, we completed the final photography and started laying out the actual book.

The people in the photographs are getting their stories in to me and we hope to have it all completed and ready for the printer by the end of January.

For those not familiar with the project, I set out to document the current members of the Footlight Club, America's Oldest Community Theater, in Jamaica Plain, MA. I wanted to capture them in their self assigned roles, and learn about how and why they became involved in this institution.

The book, due to be published through Lulu.com, is going to be used as a fund raising tool and marketing tool for the group.

Stay tuned to find out about the actual publish date and the kick off party at the theater in April.

The photo above is Tonee, one of the stage managers at the club.

My Memories of Christmas

2006-12-14T09:18:00.000-05:00

(as posted on the Ad Club Blog)

My favorite memories of Christmas... Well, it would have to be the mysterious and wonderful adventures at Grandma's house before I was 10 years old.

We would get up at our house and open our presents, rush through breakfast and get on the road. After an hour drive over the berkshires, we would arrive at bedlam.

My grandmother must have been cooking for days preparing for the day. Walking into the kitchen, the senses were assaulted by smells of delicious food, cries of joy and welcome, and warmth from the stove that was putting out still more delectables.

Moving into the parlor, my younger brother and I would spy on the tree and see how many presents were stacked there. Because Grandma's was the central meeting point for 5 or 6 generations, plus various neighbors, it would seem to our eyes to be an ocean of wrapping paper and bows.

And then there would be the den. If the kitchen was the gossip point for the mothers, grandmothers, aunts and older neices, the dark, cave-like den was for the men. The tv constantly buzzing with bowling, wrestling and then football. The smell of smoke and whiskey, the feel of stubbly hugs and talk of arcane sporting terms and who was doing what at Sprague Electric.

It seemed to be two worlds, the den and the kitchen, with constant traffic in food and drink moving between, through the kids world: the Parlor.

It was a strange and magical time. The kids, my cousins, brother and I, would make forts, eat chicken and rice, steal cookies, ogle the presents, eat some more of whatever we could sneak, rest and spy on the adults, all the while, anticipating tearing into the huge pile of presents.

Looking back now, I can hardly remember the presents or the unwrapping. My memories center around the warm feeling of belonging, surrounded by famly, the friendly chaos, of being sated and happy with the promise of more good things to come.

As a father of two boys, I watch them each Christmas and wonder what they see now and will remember of our times together.

The snaps here are from last year's celebration. Hunter got a snowman kit and wasted no time in putting it to use at my parents' place in Maine.

Season's Greetings!

2006-12-12T10:53:00.000-05:00

Imagine the excitement.

Imagine the anticipation.

Imagine the plans, late at night, under the sheets with a flash light and the dog-eared catalog.

Forget the hype and the pressure, that's an adult thing.

Imagine the conversations you might have, if you came downstairs and there was a big guy with a red and white suit standing in the living room.

Ah, ah! 911 is an adult thing!

Imagine two brothers waiting... on Santa Patrol!

Happy Holidays, to every one of us!

The Portrait Project Continues!

2006-12-01T11:52:00.000-05:00

For the first time, in a very long time, I placed myself in front of the camera. And learned a bit of empathy for my own subjects.

In the middle of our tight schedule, we found a hole where we could fit me in. After all, I had been hanging around the club for years and made my own contributions by creating photographs for posters and brochures.

Setting up the lights and the position was easy. But, sitting there was not. Nor was the makeup or the direction from Joy, my make up artist, and Jessica, my assistant.

Not that they were difficult. In fact, they were quite supportive. It was my own anticipation of the light and the pose and my own ego in the way. Surely, I don't look like that! Where did that grey in my beard come from? Gosh, no more donuts between setups!

No, my crew was, as always, supportive and creative. Despite having to work with a prima dona like me!

My thanks to Joy for putting up with my complaining about makeup under my eyes. You were right, of course. And, thank you to Jessica for, ahem, pulling the trigger on this one.

Shay's Tongue

2006-11-30T16:14:00.000-05:00

Every so often, one of my sons will walk past the studio while I am working. If I am just setting up, they might even stop in and hang for a couple of minutes. At least until they get bored with Daddy playing with his lights again.

This time, Shay stopped in and hung for a while.

I had a client coming in for a shot for a postcard. Since he wasn't there yet, I asked Shay to stand in for a lighting test.

He sat on the stool and grabbed the mic stand and, I swear, let out a shriek that Gene Simons would approve of.

I hear he is organizing a band in his preschool. His older brother, Hunter, will be running the sound board and managing.

New Portrait Project- A Personal Exploration

2006-11-15T12:03:00.000-05:00

This image of Joy Cochran, titled "The Curator", is from a new personal project that I have begun, with the assistance of Amy Stahl, a wonderful producer. Joy has also been doing fantastic work as my makeup artist on the rest of the portraits.

Our goal is to create 30 portraits of people who are involved with the Footlight Club, the oldest community theater in America. Located in Jamaica Plain, the theater is celebrating its 130th season.

What attracted me to this place was the passion these people exhibit. Every time I walked into the space, for every performance, rehersal or other event, the energy just blew me away.

So, we set out to celebrate their passion, skills, and dedication.

We are about half way through the production, with plans for a show in April at the club and a book of the collection with insights from each of the subjects.

Stay tuned for more images and news from this project and others!

Richard Repetta, as "The Crooner"

Moody Motorcycles

2006-11-09T15:16:00.000-05:00

Another image from the archives.

What I love about my job is that every day is something different. One day, we are working with a biotech start up to illustrate their product to prospective investors. The next day, we are creating an image of an industry leader for a marketing report.

And, on another day, we are in an iron fabrication facility with two of the loudest custom bikes I have ever been near.

This was created as part of a campaign to promote the gentleman who customized the bikes.

I wish I still had the posters from this one.

The Cut Ups

2006-10-24T11:25:00.000-04:00

I got looking back through some of my old images this morning, while procrastinating calling clients.

I came across a series I did for a local magazine. There were eight or ten products in all, photographed in pieces, printed out and taped together.

It got me thinking about where I had started in this business and where I was going. Like so many photographers who have been weaned off film for digital, I thought about techniques that we had used in the past but were no big thing now.

It will be very interesting to look back in ten years at what we think of as cool now.

What will be out? What will be in? What defines retro then?

Somedays, I miss film. But, most of the time I don't.

Does that mean I spend most of my time looking ahead? What about today?

Images ©Matthew McKee
Model: Julie Gilmartin
Makeup: Cynthia Murphy
Jacket by Harley Davidson

Happy Halloween everyone!

2006-10-15T18:16:00.000-04:00

Darker than a Backbay back alley, the night comes
swiftly across the road to greet you.

There is a low, almost subliminal, atonal
vibration that begins behind your spleen.


There it is again!

What is going on?

A fog appears, as if pushed from behind a grave
stone, wrapping around an eerie yellow light.

Something flutters from above!

A scream cuts through the cold air!

Ah, no, wait. That was me. I just
realized we are out of peanut butter cups.

Happy Halloween!

(hey, we did a movie of that night...
and the production leading up to it.
Check it out here

The Most Fabulous Story

2006-10-13T14:40:00.000-04:00

I do pro bono projects from time to time. Generally, these are conceptual based projects that are interesting and give me a chance to explore work or a subject that I have not had a chance to tackle before.

This particular project was for a friend of mine, who was producing a production of "The Most Fabulous Story."

As I understand it, it is a funny story about an alternative Adam and Eve scenario in the Garden of Eden. Unfortunately, I never did manage to get to the show.

I did get to work with some marvelously talented people, who work in "ordinary" day jobs.

But, at night, they have an incredible passion that they exercise every chance they get.

That is reward enough.

Matt

September Image

2006-09-15T17:36:00.000-04:00

Spiral #3, Limited Edition, Archival Pigment Print, 10x14

This is part of a new, personal series I am working on, called "Found on the Beach."

For years, I have wandered parts of the coast line along the eastern seaboard, collecting bits of this and that. Unfortunately, the earlier items were lost as my parents edited my collection or disappeared during the several moves that we all go through. But a significant portion still remains, hiding in boxes or under the dust on my shelves.

And, during this past summer's vacation, my two boys have started creating their own collections.

So, it was time to do something with these fossils and rocks.

Shell #3, Limited Edition Archival Pigment Print, 10x17

These images are a few of the collection, and I hope to continue the series over the winter.

Stay tuned for more!

June Image

2006-06-15T17:55:00.000-04:00

Seems to be the season to see how many bugs you can catch with your teeth!


What more can I say? I love the look of a motorcycle. I love the way the chrome gleams and the highlights glisten. The contrast of the hightlights
to shadows. The pure mechanical symbol of power and force that cuts through the air, taking its rider to
freedom.

But, I have to admit that, as I have gotten older, I have less and less interest in riding on one.
Probably a combination of too many crashes on bikes when I was a teen and more concern about my own safety.

The image and the series that came out of it, were created for the creator of the custom cycle, as part
of a campaign. The final images ended up on posters and direct mail pieces, as well as on the web site.