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Creative Freedom!

I worked photographing food with Roy Breiman when he was Chef at the Salish lodge and Spa. We have worked on a couple of food photography projects together. I was impressed with Roy's creative spirit with an imaginative dish named Hot Rocks. It has remained in my mind for years so I was keen to work with him on his new labor of love the Copperleaf Restaurant. Keeping with our creative synergy we kept it loose using a mixture of hot lights (photogenic minispots), strobes (Canon 580EX flash heads with the pocketwizard Flex TTI and TT5 remote system that uses the cameras TTL metering, amazing.) and the best of all lighting, the sun. To make it exciting with had a time limit to give it that game show feel. We started out with the Heirloom tomatoes tight and with the dining room location a mixture of hot lights, strobe and ambient light. A shaft of light came in through the windows onto the table so we used a mixture of daylight and the strobe to break the contrast slightly with the incredible Kodiak Island Halibut. Last we photographed the Scallops on location by the pond and used only direct sunlight. A very refreshing shoot as we had no rules and let our creativity flow. I was very impressed with Chef Mark Bodinet's recipes. Chef Mark's artwork with the pea vines on the scallops is representative of the sophistication of his creations. I samples the tomatoes and scallops, both extremely fresh with a signature depth of flavors with a distinctive beginning, middle and finish much like a fine wine. The Cedarbrook is an amazing Oasis of Hospitlity near the Seatac airport. Check out more cuisine images on the ResortHotelPhotographer website

This one is Personal

What a great project this is. It's like coming home regarding all the great entities and people involved in the creation. First of all it was built for Angel Fire Resort who I have been involved with professionally and personally since the 80's, a cool jewel of a Resort in the Northern New Mexico. It was designed by LDG Architects in Taos, New Mexico. LDG is a dynamic team who were sustainable before sustainable was main stream. One of my favorite things is that it was built by Dov Sunbow Construction. I've known Dov since he was knee high to a Bullfrog and to hear all the Bosses in the project rain down accolades on the quality of his work has made my heart soar like an Eagle. Our websites Architectural-Interior-Photographer.com and ResortHotelPhotographer.com both will have a project pages relating to this project for more information and in depth facts and details of the project. For a direct link to the project page click here. A beautiful project created by excellent people!

Sustainable Hospitality

Reclaimed storm water El Monte Sagrado Living Resort


I recycle. I even did it when I lived in New Mexico and had to take it to the recycling center, five miles, uphill, both ways. It took some effort. I also remember I had single pane windows. Ouch. After this week at the Living Future conference here in Seattle I am now a believer and realize how lame my understanding was. I photographed the "What makes it Green" juried competition for the American Institute of Architects chapter here in Seattle. This was a tough jury. They asked hard questions. I was impressed with the answers they received. I'm glad they weren't asking me those questions. My loft has single pane windows but I do have very well insulating curtains. I've raised my consciousness. Attending the opening night at the "Living Futures" conference increased my awareness. While the keynote speaker James Howard Kunstler gave his doomsday speech about the environmental apocalypse that is only 36 months away. His points were valid. I think his job is analogous to that of the Baptist Minister, "If you don't change your sinning ways, you are going to burn in hell". His pessimism aside, his speech made me think. After attending both events I immediately edited the RHP website to recognize the efforts my clients make to be sustainable. I realize that being green isn't going to be just wishful thinking. As we see with areas of the public sector, Sustainability, not just a good idea, it's the Law! Unlike dear James Howard, I am optimistic about the future. I am excited about communicating sustainability through imagery. It's now a core of the Resort Hotel business model. I think it's getting better, I now just have to walk across the street with my recyclables. Cheers!

Pro Bono Pro Bono Photography

I just came back from New Mexico where the highlight was donating some professional time shooting the fabulous "Snowball" which is the primary fundraiser for the New Mexico Adaptive Ski Program. What impressed me most about the evening was the Adaptive Ski program Athletes. While we may go skiing and complain about ski boots or that the conditions are a little icy. The adaptive athletes, like our friend dancing in the above photograph, embrace this sport with more passion than anyone else I know, and I know some passionate skiers. They inspire me to pursue my passion for this business with the same vigor they pursue their learning and competition on the ski slopes so I can spend more time on Pro Bono Photography. It was a splendid evening and the director of the Adaptive Ski Program Katya Franzgen deserves a huge "Muchas Gracias" for a job well done on the Snowball. What a fun night!

As Resort Hotel rolls on to world domination in the world of Hospitality photography we will be giving away as much Pro Bono Photography as is possible. Check out : http://resorthotelphotographer.com/giving-back As contribution is the key to a successful life and adds a kind of perspective that can be gained by nothing else. This is an area of our business we are committing to thrive. This gentleman in the 2nd photo competing in the high jump inspires me every time I look at the image. He was very challenged in regards to his throat and just being able to breath. I watched him try this height over and over again until we all cried out "stop, stop". His perseverance was impressive. I shot this image years ago when I lived in New Mexico. The New Mexico Chapter of ASMP created a fund raiser for Special Olympics of New Mexico where our chapter used disposable cameras and photographed the athletes and sold the prints at auction and donated the proceeds to Special Olympics of New Mexico. If the picture seems less than sharp, remember the camera I was using was was made of cardboard! Stay tuned and leave comments so we know you are out there.

Cheers!

Jeff

NATIONAL CHAMPION MIXOLOGIST!

" And in this corner, out of Las Cruces, New Mexico, 5'10 , 190 pounds Daniel Gonzales!" and the crowd goes wild. Battling a field of 32 competitors at the 2010 Shake it up, the "battle of the mixologists" held this March in Las Vegas Nevada, Daniel stomped the competition. Wowing the judges with his combination of bartending skills, his special recipe the "Spicy Secreto" and his creativity making a unique drink spontaneously, he was awarded first place at this world series of Bartending. Now you might think it's great to have these accolades and so does his wife Jenise, she thinks the title is great but she likes the $10,000 in cash and prizes was even better.

Daniel is an example of the best part of my job, the personal relationships. I feel that I am part of the Heritage Hotels and Resorts Family. They have an array of unique hotels that celebrate the culture and art of New Mexico and Arizona. A team of individuals willing to go the extra mile. each hotel has a committed, professional and personable staff. Check out more images of their properties on my website. Make sure to stop by the Secreto bar at the Hotel St Francis in Santa Fe and have the national champion make his award winning concoction for you. Cheers!

Happy Birthday Saint Bernard!

Here I am writhing in Agony. The Green Eyed Monster has taken control of my being. I was to wax nostalgic about all my experiences at the Hotel Saint Bernard and tell you how great my friend Jean Mayer is. Why you may ask is jealousy the essence of my thoughts? It's that little El Nino guy. My friend Jean was skiing 2 feet of stupendously light powder as were all his students that have come to his Hotel in Taos Ski Valley New Mexico. It's everything a ski hotel should be. Food that is out of this world. You can spit and hit the lift from front door. The staff is like one huge family some who have worked there for 30 years. It's Classic, Comfortable and Cool filled with warm wood, shiny brass and skiing accoutrements and photography from the last 50 years. All those guests, staff and friends are all back slapping and smiling, sucking down Hot Toddy's, describing how deep it was, going over there heads. Arrrgghh. I'm writhing here! OK OK I'll just be happy for my friends, how's that?

I've been thinking about the Hotel Saint Bernard today because I spent the day writing all sorts of Keyword infested content for their page on http://resorthotelphotographer.com/hotel-saint-bernard. One of the challenges when you come up with a good idea is you have to follow through on it even when it's not in your comfort zone. Writing is not yet in my comfort zone but it soon will be. Sink or Swim baby. The Good Idea is the ResortHotelPhotographer.com website. It's project based photography that allows us to create more content. It has a page for each of the projects where we give ideas for potential editorial clients and access to license imagery of the project.

This is the Hotel Saint Bernard's 50th birthday and I love that place. Jean Mayer the proprietor is a hero to me. He truly embodies the Spirit of Skiing and shares his passion with his guests, his staff, friends and all the instructors that teach at the Taos Ski Valley Ski school where he is the technical director. While so many instructors discuss only technique Jean is developing his students Spirit of Skiing. It's about energy, fun and excitement not merely driving your hands forward. To him it's about the dance not just edging. Staying at the Hotel Saint Bernard should be on everyone's great things to do before I die list. It's genuine. Check out the link to the images. Have fun in all that powder my New Mexico friends and Happy Birthday World's Greatest Ski Hotel.