My name is Joe and I am an addict.

The baked, cheesy goodness stares at me from the grocery store shelf. It’s big, puppy dog eyes. It says, “you love cheese, right?”

Yes, Cheez-It box, I do.

“You love baked stuff, right?”

It’s one of my favorite cooking methods, yes.

“I am both.”

Gasp.

And so, without much hesitation (and to the dismay at the other snacks), I reach for the bright red box, more than willing to pay the recently discounted, everyday low price. And upon getting home and launching Hulu, the box is carefully popped open, one glued flap at a time, preserving the integrity of the tab slot so that I might maintain the freshness, should I not finish the entire box in one sitting.

I suppose admitting it is the first step.

+Joe+

The first shoot is in the books. Admittedly it was a rough weekend for timing. Halloween, daylight savings time, and good ole fashioned “my ride is sick” circumstances contributed to one cancelation and one rescheduling. Luckily, I was able to fit a shoot in with Crysta on Sunday afternoon.

Truth be told, this was a good thing, all the postponing and rescheduling. To be honest, my nerves were going a little bananas for some reason. All last week was like getting ready for the first game of the season. Anticipation followed by anxiety followed by excitement. Thinking of all the looks I wanted to capture, trying to figure out how to “direct” during a photo shoot. If you’re about to do your first shoot with someone you do not know and you have yet to think about these things, you definitely should. And not just because I want to you get inside your own head about it like I had to, but because once I got started shooting, I didn’t have to think about that stuff. And that’s important for the creative process.

It was definitely a good thing to get the heavy mental lifting out the way beforehand. Once we got started, everything had a very natural flow to it. Interestingly, as we reviewed our photos after the shoot, we saw a very noticeable progression of our comfort level with each other. I talked about how I look through the camera, what I try and find in expressions, and my experiences capturing moments in film and photography.

As we moved around our location, we kept focusing on the story being told and how Crysta was telling it to the camera. (Hint: it’s all in the eyes.) Her connection with the camera was more evident as her confidence and our connection grew. As it turns out, most of the shots I will be using for the magazine came from the latter part of our shoot.

So that got me thinking. At least for me, it’s better to shoot with someone you know. Or at least someone you’ve gotten to know over the last hour. I have met a couple of the other models that I will be shooting over the next couple weeks, so it will be interesting to see how those shoots go (compared to meeting just before shooting).

With the nerves out of the way and the game face on, it looks like this project is well on its way to being pretty great. If you want to see some of the photographs as I finish them, check out (and subscribe to) Criminal Minima, my photo blog. If you’re a model, photographer, creative director, or any other amazing person looking to make something cool and you would like to work together, send me a note.

Much more to come, so stay tuned…

+Joe+

There is a chance that you know where I am going with this post. If you know me. So, many of you may know that I recently got the coolest puppy on the planet, Rocket. He’s a mini wire hair Dachshund (a fuzzy wiener dog). And he weighs about three pounds. That’s what you need to know going forward (picture to follow).

The Story

This tale begins at a lovely farmer’s market in SE Portland. My good friend Molly and I were perusing the delectable deliciousness, finding ingredients to make Molly’s famous pita treats (yet to be named). Once we had picked out all the items we would need, we had to head to New Seasons to grab a few outstanding necessities. The thing is, when you walk around with a puppy like Rocket, you’re bound to get stopped and have many many comments about cuteness, which I have come to accept and somewhat enjoy.

What I do not expect, nor somewhat enjoy is harassing comments by passersby. Honestly, it has never happened. So, much to my surprise, as Molly, Rocket, and I were meandering down the SE sidewalk, it happened. Two joggers were heading our way, so we politely made space for them to sneak by (I shortened Rocket’s leash). A nice gesture from us I would think.

On this occasion, however, it was met with a different response. As they passed one of them in the most snarky, smug voice imaginable (to his friend but loud enough that we could hear it) says, “Nice cat. Heh.”

Nice.

Cat.

Heh.

In honor of one of my very best friends, Nate Smith, let me give you the Top Five Responses I Should Have Given That Guy, But Didn’t Because I Am A Nice Guy. All these responses are said with a matching smugness:

5. “Nice Hair Piece. Heh.”

4. “Nice running form. Heh.”

3. “Nice choice in running outfits. Heh.”

2. “Running won’t get rid of that beer gut. Heh.”

and the one I actually used (because I’m a nice guy):

1. “It’s a dog.” (under my breath, “Douche bag.”)

All in all, poor form by that guy. But, I suppose when you look like him, you have to project whenever you can. And that’s okay. Rocket took it in stride. I had a mild reaction and Molly just cracked up. So, all is well. And now, to cheer everyone (that isn’t like that guy) up, it’s Rocket:

Stay classy!

+Joe+

That’s right. After launching into the world of magazine development, my first three issues have hit the presses. I got the Issue One (Bank Run Behind the Scenes Photos) proof in the mail on Friday and the quality (via MagCloud) is excellent. Needless to say, that got me hooked.

So, for Issue Four (Two is behind the scenes photos from Exterior Films and Three is a portfolio book) I am designing a concept, shooting some fantastic Portland-based models, and doing a lot of design work (possibly even farming out some). The concept started this weekend with a simple ad on Craigslist, but the response was so great that it has since ballooned to its current, “big idea”, state. It’s a new role for me too, as I have become less the “do everything guy” and more of a Creative Director (a role I would love to fill some day).

I plan to keep this process blogged throughout, so check back often to see where this project is going. Right now, I have about twenty models that have expressed interest in this project, so over the course of this week I will be narrowing down who I will shoot and the looks I want to have. I’ll also be scouting locations all over town for a basic slant of “pretty faces in grungy places”—though the final ‘zine will be more edgy and much darker.

For you locals, if you have any suggestions of locations you think would be cool, do let me know!

Stay tuned!

+Joe+

So as I was watching the Virginia Tech Hokies attempt to come back from a 4th quarter deficit against Georgia Tech (the game has not ended as I write this), a commercial graced the broadcast and basically made me fall out of my chair.

A man is walking down a pleasant street when he turns the corner and hears a voice. His own voice in fact. Because his reflection has begun to talk to him. About erectile dysfunction. And away we go into the benefits of Viagra.

Okay. First of all, this guy has about the worst situation a dude can have. Second, if that wasn’t bad enough, his reflection has something to say about it? This is a major issue. Think of all the places you see your reflection throughout the course of your day. And apparently this guy’s reflection is only concerned with getting it on. Personally I like the other ads for similar products that show the couple in matching claw-foot bathtubs on a beach or that weirdly plastic guy with a Joker-esque smile bouncing around.

I guess the lesson here is that if it’s an issue for you, avoid shiny objects and surfaces.

Go Hokies!

+Joe+

Today was that day in Portland. That day when you realize that there will be no more of those other days. Namely, sunny days. Not to say we won’t see any sun, but it won’t be a sunny day. No, we’re in it for the long haul now. Winter is here. Sure, we might have a slight Fall relapse. Maybe for a day or two. But the leaves are nearly all changed and most have started falling. The temperature this morning was made that much more bitter by the numbing wind and chilly rain. My teeth started chattering the second I stepped outside. Oh yes, it’s that time of year.

So now that we know the weather report for the next six months (52 degrees, mostly cloudy, chance of rain), what do we have to speculate on and talk about? I for one have no idea. What I do know, though, is that this kind of weather makes a great setting for collaboration.

It’s time to gather ‘round the fire place and start coming up how you’re going to do all those great ideas that have been floating around in your head all summer. I for one will be examining a lot of photography-based projects for myself and focusing on website production and teaching for my clients.

My last post mentioned issue one of my photography magazine which features behind-the-scenes stills from Bank Run. Today I finished issue two, a behind-the-scenes look at an untitled feature film from Portland-based Exterior Films. Pending approval from the producers, I may be able to get this one out to the public sooner (since I shot the photos for free).

And, because I felt like I was on a roll today, I started production on issue three. Issue Three will be available immediately upon completion (and most likely be the first in the series available). It will be a portfolio of sorts of shots throughout the last year and a half or so. I’m pretty excited about the content and the shape the issue is taking. Everything from landscapes to objects to portraits. Anyhow, keep an eye on the blog, Facebook, Twitter, or whatever you follow closest. I’ll announce it on all of them!

Stay warm, kiddos.

+Joe+

I started from scratch today on a project. That parts happens a lot. Today though, I hit a nice stride. So nice, in fact, that I completed the project, start to finish, before five o’clock this evening. I might also mention that this was no small project either.

I spent my day today constructing a 28-page photo magazine of behind-the-scenes stills from the iPhone game/film, Bank Run. The only part of this I had ready before today was about 880 photographs and the idea.

I built the entire project in Pages ‘09, which as far as desktop publishing software goes is much more powerful than I had thought. After determining a layout and getting everything organized, I exported to PDF and uploaded the finished product to my new favorite (pending reception of the proofs, but it looks like it’ll be amazing) site, MagCloud.

I should have the proofs in a week. Fun, fun, fun. I will have the published issue available for cast and crew immediately (pending the producer’s approval) followed by a public release after Bank Run premieres. In the meantime, there is an Animoto video of Bank Run photographs available here. You can also find some pictures on my Facebook page.

On a separate note, but related to the coolness of my productive day, I spent about thirty minutes talking to a 75-year-old woman about how she thought that it was crap that she had survived as long as she had and couldn’t smoke within ten feet of the entrance to Peet’s Coffee. She also said that young people have lost the ability to love and have meaningful, thoughtful relationships because it’s all about the “nasty, dirty sex” that they have.

Not awkward. She did a great high-pitched voice when Rocket woke up (he was taking a nap in my backpack) and came out to say hi. By the end of our chat she said that I had made her day because I was so pleasant. She actually hugged me as she left.

And that made my day.

+Joe+

It is always great to reconnect with old friends.

Nearly six years after Nate, a.k.a., Rasputin, and I last saw each other in college, he dropped a line on Facebook letting me know he was in Portland. First. Facebook allowed that. Sure, he could have called, but what if he didn’t have my number (he didn’t)? Or, how would he have known I was in Portland in the first place? Facebook. Bam.

Hanging out with old friends like this is always a great time. Nothing but lunch, coffee, and catching up. Not a beat was skipped. And that’s really the best part about it, right? All the cool things that lent to you being friends in the first place is there. Add in a little “real world” experience (and maybe a gray hair or two) and it’s “just like old times”.

The bigger thrust of the conversation, outside of just catching up, was the need to create. It was interesting to hear his take on it. He is a great bass player but doesn’t see himself as artistic. He has a well-paying job in Boston (hence the post title) and to most people around us he would be called successful, yet he still feels the need to make things. I, on the other hand, make things a lot and do enough to survive, and yet I share that same “there’s something bigger” itch.

So what now? Well, it’s time to make something big. How many of us, when we look around at our friends and our family - all those close to us - can be genuinely impressed at the level of talent we possess. Art, music, business, whatever it may be. And yet, when we look around at those same people, how many of them (including ourselves) are working for a big company doing a job that, yes, pays the bills, but no, is not fulfilling? Many of the same I would suspect.

What is it that stops us from uniting and making something for ourselves? We fear that it might not, sure. But guess what, those corporate jobs will be there. Yes, the economy is bad - but if you think you’re good enough to make something yourself, you’re definitely good enough to get back into the corporate workforce. Do we really want a boss? Are we okay knowing the many of the people above us in the corporate world are not there based on merit, expertise, or anything readily noticeable? And if we are not okay with all that, why aren’t we doing something about it?

We see art and say, “I could do that.” We see a photograph and say, “I could take that picture.” “I could write those lyrics, sculpt that statue, create that website, have that idea, develop that product.” Could you? What would happen if you tried?

And that’s the point. The only thing, as Raspy and I concluded, that keeps people from being independent and self-sustained is DOING IT. Yep, like Nike. Just. Do. It. Any “reason” you can put up as to why not is just an excuse (even if it’s a good one). The real issue is, ultimately, that we’re scared.

It’s time for all of us - anyone that walks home listening to their favorite band, shaking their head, knowing that something better is out there for them - to get to it. Do you want to be a legend? Do you want to have an impact on something? Until you make it, it doesn’t exist. So what good, then, is your idea? Make art! Make music! Make business! The crime is if you don’t. If you have this talent and waste it. If you have the passion and let it be tamed. My efforts are turned there now. And if you want me to help you make something, just let me know. I will do anything I can to help.

+Joe+

What do you want to make?

That’s right kiddies. With a few straight days of sub-70 degree weather it looks like the favorite garb of the Portland grungys can now come out in full force.

Jeans, preferably distressed to a point where one wonders how much longer the “knee-down” portion of the leg will remain attached.

Hoodie, usually a combination of dark colors and dark graphics. Think, black skulls on dark gray.

Now, mix in a twelve year-old pair of Converse low-top Chucks, shaggy hair, a Freitag messenger bag, and a skateboard and you’ve got three-fifths of the Portland population today. Dudes and chicks.

For what it’s worth, I’m all for it. The liberal blood that courses through this town loves nothing more than a little uniformity in dress. How else can we tell who the rebels are? Besides that, it gives anyone that has just moved here (or anyone visiting) a reminder on every corner just how weird Portland actually is.

At any rate, it’s a great signal that a rain-filled winter is about to descend upon us. Here’s hoping we all have a bright spot in our lives to look to in the next nine months as the sun recovers from blessing us with such a beautiful summer.

+Joe+

What is your winter “stay happy” trick of choice?