I think one of the hardest things for a photographer to do is organize a portfolio.  There are so many ways to go, and so many things to consider.  I mean, you can’t just throw a bunch of images together, right?

Should the pictures flow visually in some sort of complimentary fashion?  Should they be organized in contrast to each other so as to draw more attention to individual photos and concepts?  Will the viewer see a photographer who understands and can coordinate and present his own consistent style while telling a visual story with his otherwise unrelated work?  Or, will the viewer see an artist who is bold and rejects the notion of predictability, even in the presentation of his own pictures?

Basically, the question every photographer asks is, “Will they GET it?”  And depending on the purpose of the portfolio, “Will I get the job with this?”  This is a very valid question for some, especially when sending out a book to a specific buyer, for a specific job consideration.  But, online is often where decisions are made these days.  And, of course, reputation counts for something.

I change my online portfolio up quite regularly–I get bored.  And in general, I don’t worry if the next magazine editor “gets it” or not.  I figure I’d rather work with someone with an open mind, and someone who appreciates my vision.  Most of the people who hire me for editorial work have learned to expect the unusual.  That’s what my portfolio is all about.  It’s a little off-center, often dark, quirky, often sexy, usually sensual.  And these things are not contrived.  They just come.

Private commissions are straight-forward and people usually decide to hire me before they contact me.

Whatever it is, my portfolio is me.  Not what I put together to convince someone of something.  The people who get it, really get it.  That’s what I think works best for me at this point.

My latest grouping was posted today with the introduction of “Portfolio #2” on my site.  Putting it together was fun.

The other day David Garza and I did a quick series of pictures for an upcoming issue of INsite Magazine.  This is one of David’s favorites from the set.  I found it an interesting choice.  This was not really shot on film, of course.  After watching the videos from my previous post, I thought it would be fun to pay homage to Richard Avedon.  The influence seems to be very obvious at times.

From F/1.0 (thanks Ed Z).  Reproduced here for your convenience.  Rankin reproducing 7 of the most iconic images by some of the masters of fashion photography.  This was so interesting to watch, and I’m sure other photographers will agree.  After reading the previous post, many will find part 3 enlightening.

part 1:

part 2:

part 3:

part 4:

part 5:

part 6:

part 7:

part 8:

Eldridge Goins is an Austin-based music producer with several high-profile projects to his credit.  When he’s not running the board at his studio, Mix-O-Rama, he can be found playing drums for respected Austin artists like Suzanna Choffel.

Eldridge recently had surgery and got a rather large scar out of the deal.  We did a photo today.

More and more local websites and blogs are popping up promising to deliver relevant content.  But are they really delivering?  Is the low cost of entry and apparent sustainability of these websites bringing out publishers who are less committed to quality than their printed counterparts?  After all, if you’re not spending much in the way of time, money and energy on your content, you don’t have much to lose.  But, you also gain nothing.

I’m writing this post because I’m really disappointed in seeing the gap between the potential of many local web start-ups, and their actual product.  Don’t get me started on some of the printed media–that’s  a whole other rant.  This post is for you, the local big-talking web portal, blog or “destination.”

Think about it.  A website is defined by its content.  And generic content makes for a pointless website.  With so many niche destinations on the web for your potential audience, why would they care about yours?  No, really.  Why?

Because you do?

I don’t think so.

So, if you’ve got one of those pointless sites or blogs on your hands, it’s time to make some real changes, or kill it now.  No, don’t just let it die.  Pull it off the damn server.

Here are 10 ideas to get your started, with an ever-so-slight photographer bias:
Read the rest of this entry »

Political reporter and morning news anchor at KXAN, Jenny Hoff, dropped by for some pictures on Saturday.  We just came up with a few ideas on the spot and had fun with it.  Jenny also brought along her new dog, Rosco.  Little Rosco is a rescue with an adorable personality.

Jenny is one of the hardest working people in local news, especially during this year’s Texas Legislative Session.  She often spends long days gathering news at the Capitol, doing interviews with the state’s top political figures, and even hosts KXAN’s Session ‘09 on Austin News In-Depth on Sunday.

Jenny & Rosco

Interested in a boudoir photo shoot?  More info at AustinBoudoir.com

From a recent shoot.  For more information about our boudoir photography visit AustinBoudoir.com

I received two antique cameras to add to my collection this Christmas.  One is a Kodak Brownie Starflex (manufactured in the late 50’s thru mid-60’s).  This camera is mostly plastic in construction and took 127 roll film.

The other is the Foth Derby, which also took 127 roll film, and was manufactured in Germany in the early 1930’s.

Also pictured here is another “point-and-shoot” film camera I picked up at Randall’s over the Holidays.  I grew up shooting film, and sometimes I just like to have a paper-and-plastic film camera in my pocket for fun.  When you go this low-tech, it all comes back down to the basics of what you can do with a camera.  Interestingly, I looked up what other people were doing with a Fujifilm Quicksnap and found out Ken Rockwell (you Nikon users love him, I know) had the same idea!