Aug 15

Stop Trying To Get Everyone To Like Your Work

When I talk to creators and survey the industry landscape, I see a zillion creators trying to have all their work liked by all the people. This comes from our social animal DNA, but it's the completely wrong approach to success - whether that be measured by your work being licensed, sold, etc, or by getting hired, shown, talked about, displayed, whatever. Simply said, by trying to please everyone, you end up pleasing no one,... read more ›
Jul 18

The Dirtiest Secret in Photography

I'm often asked: where I get my inspiration from, how to stand out? AND why I'm sharing less BTS videos of my photo shoots? Well....glad you asked. Because in today's episode of #cjRAW, I answer those questions specifically....but wanted to do something a little bit different. A little stripped down. Straight talk. Heart to heart -- just you and me. In fact, in this episode, I reveal the dirtiest secret in photography. Truth is: the... read more ›
Oct 04

Habits For Ultra-Productivity w/ Jessica Hische

Jessica Hische is a lettering artist, entrepreneur, designer, speaker and author who’s worked with clients like Penguin Books and Wes Anderson and recently published a book called “In Progress” which is an incredibly detailed look at her process from sketch to final deliverables - definitely a must-read for any of you lettering fanatics out there. She’s also got this amazing library of side projects like Daily Drop Cap (exactly what it sounds like), a site... read more ›
Feb 15

The Hit List: 13 Things Crucial For Your Success [In Any Field]

Success is each to his or her own, but let's call it like we see it: when you survey the landscape of your creative world, your industry, your career or hobby--whatever field you're in-- there are several fundamentals to achieving success, regardless of the measure. There are commonalities that are undeniable. So here's a list of thirteen such things that you should be doing right now - let's call it your hit list: 1. Get... read more ›
Feb 08

What I’ve Learned in The Trenches– MY 5 Step Guide to Street + Snapshot Photography

A couple years ago, you may recall, during a month-long artist-in-residency at the Ace Hotel in NYC I took the opportunity to celebrate the snapshot -- quintessential street photography -- and I called the exhibit Dasein: Invitation to Hang. ['Dasein' is a German word used by philosophers to refer to raw human experience or the fundamental mode of "being there." I found that when applied to photography, the snapshot was the ultimate photographic expression of... read more ›
Feb 02

Elle Luna: Should vs Must

If you’ve ever asked yourself - as almost all of us have - “how can I find and follow my calling and my passion,” then you’re going to get a lot out of this conversation. Elle has a book describing her own search for an answer to this question which is called “The Crossroads of Should And Must” which explores the tension between the expectations that parents, friends, and culture put on us (what she calls... read more ›
Jan 10
Oct 08

The Impossible Cool: Stunning Portraits of Bad-ass Tastemakers from the Past 100 Years

What do Tom Waits, David Lynch, Debbie Harry, and Mark Twain all have in common? They're all...ahem...impossibly cool. And they've all been featured on The Impossible Cool, a must-follow Tumblr account that offers gorgeous, mostly black-and-white, amazing portraits of some of the most bad-ass tastemakers of the last couple centuries. Ranging from politicians to celebs to writers to musicians, The... read more ›
Aug 27

Aerial Landscape Photography Porn – Iceland Style

Over the years I've kicked out a bunch of vids shooting from the skies on commercial gigs, like here, here, here and here for starters. But occasionally, on the heels of a commercial assignment based out of a particularly stunning location, I'll treat myself to some heli time shooting my ongoing aerial fine art project (personal work with dose of adventure). In fact, I've documented these adventures before — like here in New... read more ›
Mar 25

The KEY Characteristic Shared by All The Most Creative People I Know — And It Can Be Yours Too

I'm a huge believer in making art for art's sake. Taking photos that no one is going to pay you for. Shooting films that aren't commissioned or funded. Writing words that the world may never read. I've said before that doing and making always trumps talking about it, but there's also a difference between the doing and making that pays the bills and the doing and making that brings joy, that hones craft, lights creative... read more ›