I’ve added several designs to my portfolio, specifically in the areas of print and identity. I am still working on their presentation and arrangement, so bear with me while things fall into place.

If you are looking for my web portfolio, it is on its way. In the interim, you can follow links to some of my recent work:

www.PhotoshopKid.com
www.CarsonCity.k12.mi.us
www.itsMYboard.com
www.MandelVideo.com
www.CruiseFlix.com
www.NAVportfolio.com
www.PewabicIsland.com

I took some time this afternoon to add 8 of my panoramic images. These photos are from the series “First Impressions” and are intended to evoke several introspective questions. Follow the link below to view the images, or click through to my Photography section above.
Panoramic Photographs

Inspect each images carefully as every one says something different. What do they speak to you?

Next semester I am looking to produce a series of dramatic and powerful portraits. I’m looking for anyone who is willing to be present in front of a camera and have their likeness captured.

These photos won’t take place in the traditional studio, we’ll be going on-location throughout various parts of Grand Rapids and its neighboring communities. Since I hate being cold (and I’m sure you do too) a majority of the images won’t be made until March or so. Until then I’ll be doing a lot of pre-production and figuring out the logistics.

If you know any models, theater students, music majors, makeup artists, bands, people with personality, character, your friends, foes, brothers, sisters, etc. Send them my way!

Sound off in the comments, I’m looking for ANYONE.

Each shoot will take place during the weekend (Fri-Sun), and generally last a few hours (usually 2). Since most of the time is wrapped up in setup/tear down I’m going to try and schedule it so that people only need arrive when I’m ready to start photographing.

It’s hard to believe it, but I’m already half-way through my senior year of college.

This semester was quite possibly one of my most grueling ones yet – I couldn’t be happier to be done. With classes out of the way for the next 3 weeks I’ll finally be able to tie up all the loose ends of my current projects. Once those are finished I’ll be able to complete the transformation of this site and start up a little side project, PhotoshopKid.

Keep your eyes open, there is much on the horizon.

I stayed up until 4:00AM tweaking the design to no end.

I have to get up at 6:30.

What was I thinking?

As you may have noticed, the site has gone through a drastic transition. I’m sorry to report that it is still not finished as of yet. I have a lot of photography available, and little else. Please bear with me as I work on updating the remainder of the content (not to mention ALL of the designs).

Thanks for your patience! Come back soon!

I have recently finished reading a book centered around making ideas “sticky”. This has provided a lot of insight as to why certain ideas were successful and others weren’t. It is for far simpler reasons than you may think.

Every successful idea follows the same type of structure - Simple, Unexpected, Concrete, Credible, Emotional, Stories. Every idea that fails does so for it’s own unique reason.

Simple -You need to get to the core of your message. Reduce it to the point where it is memorable and powerful, not to the point of uselessness. Simple ideas are short and profound.

Put that down! Grab people’s attention by an unexpected means.

Concrete elements allow for the reader to conceptualize your message. Use terms they can understand.

Credibility makes your message more believable, more trustworthy. Citing facts, authorities, anti-authorities (someone you wouldn’t expect, like a former smoker talking about the dangers of smoking), etc. will help gain support.

Making the message emotional gives people a reason to act, a reason to care.

Stories make the message memorable.

Every successful idea in history has worked because it took advantage of one, or all six of these guidelines. Remember them.

For anyone not in the know, I am presently being featured in a photography exhibition at GVSU. The exhibit is titled “Our Visual Revolution” and will remain open until Saturday, Dec 8th. The Gallery hours are 9-5 M-F and 10-7 on Thurs. There is a special showing Saturday, Dec 8th from 12-3.

I hope you all can make it!