Ezekiel Fall 2012 Lookbook Video

Clearly I have not made any new year resolutions to write more blog posts or anything which would promote my business. I guess I'm busy enough as it is, so writing about recent shoots is a bit hard to make time for. But, when something like this comes along, I can hardly contain my excitement.

A couple of weeks ago, I was enlisted by the fine folks at Ezekiel USA to shoot a behind the scenes video for their Fall 2012 Lookbook. Our destination was not glamorous in the least, but provided the back drop for the look the folks at Ezekiel are going for with next fall's line.

Model was Grey Thornton, edited by Jay Diebel, additional filming by Jack Bazz.

Best viewed full screen at full, 1080 resolution.



For further information regarding high quality lookbook video and photo shoots, please contact me.

Craig
714-599-0179
craig@craignorrisphoto.com

Life Rolls On/Ezekiel/Venice Beach

June 25th @ Venice Skatepark

I was invited to shoot an event by the crew at Ezekiel that they were sponsoring on June 25th. It was unlike any event I had ever shot before. Life Rolls On is an amazing organization. Since I can't describe what they do better than they can, here is their mission statement:

"Life Rolls On, a subsidiary of the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, is dedicated to improving the quality of life for young people affected by spinal cord injury and utilizes action sports as a platform to inspire infinite possibilities despite paralysis."


They have a few different programs they run to help benefit those affected by these injuries. Their flagship is called "They Will Surf Again." It is a no cost program where individuals with spinal cord injuries get an opportunity to surf. No surfing experience is necessary and they always provide lifeguards, experienced water assistance, and emergency services.

The event I had the opportunity to shoot was a variation of "They Will Surf Again" called "They Will Skate Again." The folks at Life Rolls On teamed up with Shoe City, Ezekiel, and KROQ among others, to have the 1st annual Shoe City Open featuring individuals with disabilities such as spina bifida, amputations, and birth defects. The competition is dubbed an "Adaptive Skateboard Competition" since not all of the competitors can ride on a skateboard.

We began our trip to Venice by stopping to pick up a few of the Ezekiel pro riders so they could participate in a pro skate demo prior to the competition and also lend a hand to the participants in the "learn-to-ride" clinic in the morning. When we arrived in Venice I was amazed to see quite a crowd of adaptive skaters had already showed up and were ready to learn how to navigate the hips, quaterpipes, and even drop into the bowls.

I shot throughout the day, watching, thinking, and being blown away by these people.

In the face of what we able-bodied people call "disability," they have learned to push fear out of their minds and accomplish physical feats that none of us would attempt. And they smile from ear to ear the entire time.

Thanks to Ezekiel and Jayson Diebel for asking me to shoot this event. Thank you to Life Rolls On for having a vision for creating inspiration in people with disabilities to be active and enjoy aspects of their lives that most couldn't imagine.

Here are a couple of my favorite images from the event. To see the rest, click here.



Steven Reeves. If you don't go, he will.



Steven is from Portland, land of many concrete bowls and pools. As you can see he felt at home in Venice.

 


Cutest kid on earth.



Hitting the coping with a little assistance from Dad  (left) and dropping in the box for the first time (right).

Evan Strong. Evan still rock climbs, mountain bikes, and skates regardless of losing his leg at 17.

Aaron "Wheelz" Fotheringham, does backflips on the regular and has also front flipped a mega ramp. Nuts!

He says he "rides a wheelchair" instead of rides in a wheelchair. I get it. I agree.

Honestly, I can't say enough about this event.

Good vibes!

Craig

All images copyright Craig Norris, 2011. For further information about my photography or information regarding image usage, please contact me at craig@craignorrisphoto.com or 714-599-0179.

Some new work, some old

I've been so busy working on projects like editing all 1400 photos (whew!) The Full Monty Live, I have had no time to blog. Today, though I am taking some time to update because it has been so long. Nothing super exciting but still blog-worthy.

Here are a couple professional portrait shoots I've done in the last month or so.

Mindy Gulati is a Criminal Defense attorney located in Tustin, CA. She is a very ambitious, bright woman who has been practicing law for quite a few years. If you're ever in trouble with the law, contact Lauren first, and if she can't help you, contact Mindy second, and one way or another, you will be on the right track!

Sorry, Mindy. I am obliged to recommend Lauren first. ;)

Next, is new law school grad, Ingrid Arriaga. She contacted me 4 days before her graduation party saying she was dissatisfied with the graduation photos she had done at Whittier Law School and needed photos right away. So, I took the initiative and got her some graduation photos done the right way, in the studio!

The best part was delivering her photos to the party. She unwrapped a sleek 16x20 frame with a vibrant 11x14 print (of the second image here) and her mom, Olga, started crying! It was such a nice moment. Congratulations, Ingrid!

If you or anyone you know needs professional portraits for any occasion or use, please contact me at craig@craignorrisphoto.com or 714-599-0179.

Best Wishes!
Craig

Photography Show Opening Tonight!

The Cypress College 21st annual Student Photography Show and Awards Ceremony is tonight. I submitted 9 pieces of which 8 were accepted. They range from photojournalism to portraiture to travel photography. I am very excited for the festivities tonight. There is quite a buzz online in anticipation for the opening. Many former students say they are planning on being there along with most of the entrants. Here are the images I had accepted to the show and are on the wall in the gallery right now!

Peter, fellow photographer and light explorer. He has seen this on the wall already.

I titled this "Time Traveler." The top photo was taken in Austin's Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in Texas. I caught a brief moment where no one was walking by. That image was probably composed for 30 mins before I pressed the shutter. The lower image is from the airplane (duh!). Good thing airplanes are loud, the Keiv Salut C sounds like a gunshot!

This is titled "End Days." Captured on 9/11/2010 in New York City. This is by far one of the most meaningful photographs I've ever taken. Hey guys, I know it's a little late to get a flight, but just in case you're interested, there is a photo of you on the wall at Cypress College.

Reid at home. Reid, if you're reading this, you're on the wall at Cypress College.

This is titled "Jesus Men" for their mockery of walking on water. These dudes don't even know there is a photo of them. But if you're one of these guys, there's a photo on the wall at Cypress College of you doing your best Jesus impersonation.

This is "Scuba Chob." Chob is a wonderful scuba instructor. He travels all over the world teaching people how to scuba dive while taking some amazing underwater photos. Chob will be there tonight, and he has already seen the wall.

George Katz. George is a a huge fan of ice cream. He once told me a story (that seemed to last for days) about how he would eat a half pint of ice cream every night while he was in the Army during World War II. He then handed me ice cream and told me I couldn't turn it down. This photo is a part of the "Scowl" series. George, I doubt you use the Internet, but if you're reading this, you have made it on the wall at Cypress College.

Nate. Nate made an appearance in the blog post http://craignorrisphoto.blogspot.com/2011/01/new-year-new-ideas.html.
Nate is moving to San Fransisco in a couple of weeks. I'm glad I was able to capture this image before he is gone. Thanks, Nate! You're on the wall too!

Funny note, the only image I submitted that was shot with a digital camera was not accepted to the show.
I must be doing something right!

;)
Craig

Moved!

About once a year for the past few years, I've moved. This week has been really busy. Between moving, unpacking (it takes so much longer to unpack than pack!), school, editing shoots, printing and cutting mattes for two shows, there has been little time to do much aside from eating and sleeping. But, our new house is simply amazing. We have basically doubled our living space. There is so much room in this place! At least twice a day, I place my iPhone in a different spot and spend the next 30 minutes searching for it. I'm so thankful being here. It's very quiet. There is no describing what a difference a quiet house makes when focusing on work.

On moving day I made an exciting discovery: the previous tenant left 2 banks of fluorescent lights! Some of the best light sources a portrait photographer can ask for. Versatile, soft, cheap, and beautiful catch lights. But just to verify they worked as expected, I made a couple self portraits. ;)

For more information about my portrait photography, please contact me at craig@craignorrisphoto.com or 714-599-0179

Craig

Cypress College Presents: Romeo and Juliet

Mark Majarian directs this classic drama that opens April 8th, 2011 at Cypress College. Here are a few images I created with the help of Peter Flores (digital tech) and John Wear (first assistant) Monday night that they plan on using for their advertising material. Images shot with Phase P40+ and Canon 5D MK II.

For more information regarding my portrait photography, please contact me at 714-599-0179 or email craig@craignorrisphoto.com

Craig

All images copyright protected, Craig Norris 2011

All rights reserved

Santa Barbara

Lauren and I hopped in the car and headed to Santa Barbara on Saturday. It was such a beautiful day. We took Pacific Coast Highway as far as we could until it turned into Highway 101. It was about 68 in Santa Barbara when we arrived, sunny, beautiful, and teeming with tourists. We walked around for a bit, had a bite to eat at a small Mexican restaurant. They had three different green salsa, which I personally couldn't live without. One was an avocado style, another was tomatillo, and I don't know what the third was, but it was smoky and delicious. After we ate, we walked around a little more then went back to the Hotel Oceana. The room was cozy and quiet minus the guests in the jacuzzi, but nonetheless relaxing.

After recuperating we walked around Stearns Wharf. I brought my 35mm film camera with me. The light was wonderful, just after sunset, soft, beautiful evening light.

On the beach in Santa Barbara

A restaurant in Stearns Wharf named The Harbor

She is my favorite subject right now. ;)

Looking all lawyerish haha



The next morning we unfortunately woke up early to a knocking pipe in the wall. Roughly every 15-20 seconds, a pipe in the bathroom would say, "Hi! I'm awake, are you?!" I couldn't go back to sleep. I think these things happen for a reason. I rolled out of bed, grabbed the 35mm again and went for a nice, pre-sun walk. I walked to the south side of Stearns Wharf and found a cool little scene. I have never shot a panorama on film, but this situation begged for it and all I had was film. There is something about this photo that I absolutely cannot explain. It gives me one of those physical feelings in the gut of my stomach when I look at it. I swear it's like I was there in the 40's to make this photo, like I time travelled for 20 seconds or so to take 9 shots and make this.

Overall Santa Barbara is really beautiful. We didn't venture far off into anything that is not a tourist area, but that was OK with me. I was fortunate enough to capture a few images that will help me remember that day for the rest of my life.

Craig