It's A Wrap.

YESTERDAY

These past few days have been quite bittersweet.  I feel that much has happened in a short span of time, but it has flied by so quickly that i've barely been able to process each unique experience.  Instead, it has become a bit of a blur that I must dissect thoroughly to hold on to each memory.  I was lucky enough to still be around for Monday's Autumn Cashmere look-book shoot that Jodi was photographing (with Shawn running tech).  I was given the 2nd shift due to my hungover tardiness at the last shoot that I was present on.  Initially I was disappointed because I wanted to spend as much time with the group as possible.  I knew that there was a high probability that it would be the last time I would see these people before I went back; judging by the time on the clock, that truth is become more and more realized.  

THE AUTUMN CASHMERE PHOTOSHOOT

Jodi freaking Jones.

Tricia at Q Models.

The shoot itself went relatively smoothly.  Jodi was tethering the images straight to her computer so that the client would be able to make their selects immediately.  The background was of a beautiful texture, but I felt that pictures may have not done it complete justice due to the tone of the look-book (more commercial) in comparison to the rough and edgy texture of the backdrop.  Still, the images were awesome, the models were lovely and cooperative, and everything was running absolutely smoothly until... the curse of the Stefano struck again!  Out of nowhere, the battery pack that was powering Jodi's lights stopped working.  After a few failed attempts to turn it on, Jodi resorted to shooting the remainder of the shots using natural light.  Fortunately, there were only a handful of outfits left and the pictures still turned out quite pleasantly.  After an hour so of Jodi and the client making final choices, we were ready to pack the stuff up!  The greatest difficulty we had (the 2nd shift trio of Elias, Bryan, and Jacqueline) was taking down the texturized vogue-tastic background.  We didn't want to crinkle it and we were afraid that it'd kill us if it fell off the poles suspending it in the air.  After a few different techniques and patience testing procedures, we were able to take that bad boy down and roll it the hell up!

At this point, Jodi and Shawn only needed to interns to come back with them to Brooklyn to unload the equipment.  Since Bryan worked the entire photo-shoot on his first official day with Jodi, we all agreed that he needed to take himself home to get some damn sleep!  I can imagine that the ride back was head-ache inducing for Shawn and Jodi because they were entrapped in a car with Wackie Jackie and yours truly who happen to be the Guinness World Record Holders for Loudest Talker (Jackie) and Greatest Rambler of Useless Information (Me!).    

After a rainy, yet peaceful car ride, we arrived at Jodi's and unloaded everything inside the apartment.  I gave the videos that i took of the shoot to Jodi, showed her a few graphics, and said my inevitable goodbyes.  Jodi tried giving me a movie-moment farewell, but the elevator took to long to arrive so she just slowly walked in to her apartment (backwards, or it doesn't count). and shut the door.  That night I waited five long hours for the elevator to come, but it never showed up.  Sounds like my father.  Just kidding, my dad loves me.   Anyway, I took the train back to the apartment and spotted the Walter Look-book model on the train.  

I Am A Stalkerazzi.  Deal with it.

Like the creepo that I am, I took a picture to send to Jodi so she could confirm my sighting.   All this spy work and sneaky behavior made me hungry, so I did what I normally do when I crave something of great nutritional value: I called up Dominos Pizza!  

Needless to say, I was satisfied and my day ended cheerfully with a bloated stomach and leftovers in the fridge. 

TODAY 

GAHH!!!

Today was my final day at Ray Brown Productions, my other internship that I picked up here in NYC.  It was a weird last day that felt a bit uneventful.  I didn't do much other than labeling portfolio packets for one photographers.  I also had another mishap when shredding documents for one of the employees named Shannon.  The shredder states that it can shred up to 25 pages, but I freaking beg to differ; the number is more like 5-10.  After using pliers to get out the jammed paper, I finished my task and moved on-to-the-next-one.  In addition to this being my last day at Ray Brown, it was Chris White's first day!  He's taking over my responsibilities there and hopefully he'll seize more opportunities there than I did.  I originally planned to begin the training process for him, but my boss, (for lack of better terms), preferred that Chris eased into the internship and studied Artist Portfolios instead. 

 All in all, it was an unproductive last day, but I am grateful for the administrative skills that I picked up while there, as well as the pizza party they threw me.  I gave everyone a hug and went off to meet my friends from Chicago who were in town for a few days.  Meeting up with my old friends was a great experience that allowed us to reflect upon our childhood and experiences we shared together in Chicago.  At this point in the day, I feel that I'm ready to go back home.  This desire is not for a permanent stay, but simply to re-identify myself with my normal surroundings and revert myself back to the core individual that I normally am.  This way, I'll be regenerated and more in tune with myself when I ship myself back to The Big Apple for another Go.  It's been a fun experience and I've learned a lot of lessons while here.  Though I haven't met many people, I have had great experiences with the ones I have and learned a lot from them as well.  I wish I could've done more with my time here, but despite my reservations, I still feel that I've accomplished a lot and set an example for friends and family back home who are too afraid to leave the nest and do something different with their lives.  New York, you were lovely.  Don't ever change.  Well.. I take that back, be more inviting to me next time and stop ruining/stealing/hiding my technology.  Plus, where are all the NICE, shorter, hot girls at?  Not anywhere near me, damn it.  

-Elias.

Autumn Cashmere...And Then Some.

With both eyes closed, a shrieking noise in the air, I feel a sudden stillness erupt.  At that very moment my sleeping body awoke and the train conductor yelled, “Last stop New York Penn Station!  Last stop!”  And here I was drowning in my own restlessness ready to start my adventurous day with the one and only, The Bitchin Interns. 

I met the new intern, Bryan, street side by the freight elevator near the side of Autumn Cashmere.  We waited a few until we saw Shawn’s black SUV drive up with Jodi smiling in the front seat.  Once we all met again and made conversation, the four us began setting up for the day’s events.  Today’s agenda was to shoot around 70 shots for Autumn Cashmere’s new Winter 2011 look book.  My highlights of the shoot were tethering, the backdrop, and our vintage prop, the bicycle.  The backdrop was very special since it was handcrafted, black, and textured with asphalt/paint.  Bryan ran into a problem with the Bike since they told Leriam it was ready to be picked up and upon Bryan’s arrival they told him it would take 3 hours to assemble.  After a worried call Leriam did her magic and the bike was found assembled and ready in the store.  Clutch.  The models chosen today blew me away, I was really into their style and I thought one in particular was outstanding. 

Autumn Cashmere’s line is very classy and comforting with a hidden badass at some points.  My eyes always get stuck viewing their clothing when I step foot in their showroom.  The whole staff at Autumn Cashmere is compiled with great people.  I always love their company.  Since it was a tight space we had a shift change of interns around 2 o’clock, Elias and Jacqueline took over for me and Leriam and I think Bryan stayed the whole time.  For the first time I surfed the subway down to Canal St. to pick up some light bulbs for the strobes.  Dying of heat exhaustion, I arrived back at the showroom to a quesadilla wrap and air-conditioning (It was like arriving to a vacation). 

Once I got back in the Dirty Jersey, a few friends and myself went into a town near by called Somerville to check out my best friends new pad.  The apartment is dope.  Now were at my friends recording studio messing around, hanging, drawing and chillen.  Tomorrow I’ll be back in the city to feel out my new internship at Ray Brown Pro, but I will also still be at Jodi’s full time since I am addicted to it.

“Hello moon.  How are you?  Nice night, right?”  

-Christopher P. White

2ND SHIFT

Jodi had to split up shifts today between the interns, and me and Elias got 2nd shift. 
Today was a pretty decent day.  We had encountered a problem with the power pack towards the end.  I do want to give a special thanks to Jack Rinehart a photographer in St. Louis Missouri, and one hell of a photo teacher.  I called him up. I was able to get a hold of him, and he helped figure out the problem.  Jack I want to thank you for being there for your students and knowing what it takes to be a photographer that's a badass.  Thank you for your help it was, without a doubt, appreciated.  :) 

I have a headache right now and I'm ready to scream because it's 85 degrees in my apartment and the ac isn't working. fml.

Thanks for reading this. I'm out!

Ciao!

-Jack

Rooftop Renegades

Yesterday was quite an eventful day!  There was a tethering workshop at the studio yesterday.  We learned how to use a tethering cord and the necessary steps that must be taken to reduce any technical problems that may arise.  This was an exceptionally important workshop to me because I had always wondered (until recently) how photographers I see on television sync their images directly to the computer for easy-viewing.  Now that I have this information, I'm taking my short self to the nearest camera store in Chicago and 5 finger discounting one of those cords.

After the workshop, the snitchin' interns and Leriam's sQuEeZe Daniel went to the local corner store to grab some drinks for the BBQ.  When we came back, the roof was our destination!  Unfortunately, the whether was less than favorable, but we stuck it through for a round of drinks, a few pictures, and just long enough for Shawn to grill up some of his famous burgers.  We brought the party downsturrz where we ate, listened to hipster theme songs, and discussed some important aspects of the Autumn Cashmere shoot.  We missed Jacqueline Wacqueline today and Stefano de' Italy as well.  As I am writing this, the A.C. Photoshoot is going on and I'm about to put my shoes on and take over the next shift.  With this, I bid you farewell!

 This is what 5 minute photoshop looks like.  moo-haha.

-ELIAS, THE GREAT

Kick Back a Day.

My day today was pretty legit and kicked back, which a day like that to me is pretty awesome.  We had a mini workshop on Tethering photos today and for Tethering 101 it was a little bit more difficult than I imagined, but I defiantly got the basics down.  Its a really good way of working since your clients can see on a larger monitor the shots you take which then speeds up the shoot.  Shawn did an excellent job teaching us how to do it and it was funny because it seemed like a classroom at one point haha. 

However, afterwards we packed up some burgers and other shit and went roof bound.  It was so gnarly to kick back, drink some Corona’s, eat delicious kettle cooked chips, and watch Shawn prepare us some true cheeseburgers.  Poor guy had to teach and cook for us today haha.  It started to rain a little but that didn’t faze us since we were overlooking an epic skyline with the clouds rolling through it.  Our fun did have to end since the rain got steady which forced us to go back down to the studio to eat.  Everyone I think had a good laid back time today.  We all connect pretty well, (at least I hope they think that too or else it looks like I’m fucked).  But I’d give it two thumbs up for a Sunday and Ill be back in action in Manhattan tomorrow at the Autumn Cashmere shoot.  Stay classy fellow readers and friends as I sit here in Penn Station waiting to go homeee.

.:Live it Up, Christopher P. White:.

Earth, Wind and Fire

Had a wild and crazy night last night...I suppose the entire bitchin crew got a little more than chocolate wasted, lol but that didn't stop us from coming together on this awesome Sunday and learning how to tether!!!! After the session we went up to the roof(earth), the weather was cloudy, rainy, and windy, and we had a bbq(fire) lol....

The view was amazing

 Well, off to bed to meet the rooster before he makes that horrible noise to awaken me...Shooting with Autumn Cashmere for their Spring 2011 Collection in the early a.m. :-)

-The New Guy, Bryan

bitchin' interns having a bbq on jodi's roof in brooklyn

had a bbq today on Jodi's roof... jack flaked on us. lol.  (we missed u jack)... but it was fun... even though it rained!!  yikes!!

(below is a photo from the bbq... i think this pose was Leriam's idea... hey, why is chris not helping here?  haha.)

in photo - from left to right holding: Leriam, Chris, Bryan, Elias.  Jodi lounging. photo by Daniel.

here's a quick video clip made on the iphone...

Sunday.

Sooo, today is Sunday.  Usually I don't come to Brooklyn on Sunday, but today is a different day.  Were about to start a tethering workshop to learn how to shoot with the photos directly transferring onto the i-Mac.  I'm pretty tired this morning since I was at a friends graduation party and had a few (or more)...beverages.  But you can't let that get in your way, I know its hard.

Last Friday, a bunch of us bitchin interns were at the studio doing some different projects.  I made a concept project for blogger guru, celebrity, model and creator of Fashion Toast, Rumi Neely.  Jodi is trying to get her to come to the studio and shoot a fashion video in the style of a Bohemian/ Hippie thing.  If she gets it will be straight righteous.  Then Shawn, Elias, the new guy Bryan and I went to Autumn Cashmere to drop off the equipment and crazy backdrop for tomorrows look book shoot.

But were about to start today and then afterwards were gonna go grill on the roof, (I'm stoked!).  Talk in a tad.

.:Live it Up, Christopher P. White:.

Taking the Bull by the Horns

"Don't mess with the bull young man, you'll get the horns." lol     
Tomorrow I will ATTEMPT, with possibly resetting my alarm 5 times to do it, to go see that badass wall street bull.  I will be getting up at 5 to get on that glorious subway and I will take the bull by the horns, and there better NOT BE one fucking tourist riding that bull or I will punch them in their face and then they will fall off.  I will hurry up take my picture and get back on the subway before any assault charges can be filed.  Do not take the 4 or 5 train uptown if your downtown by wall, nor should you take the L train to Brooklyn.  If you do, I'm sorry if the cops will be looking for me and they pass your stop up.  All I wanted was to take a picture. :(

On the upside, Jodi's having a workshop tomorrow WOOWOO! I'm excited! :) So people I will inform on more tomorrow about how things go.  When it comes to photographing this bull without a person in the shot....well all i can say is that I'm going to be all over that ice cream beat like sprinkles.  That's something i've picked up from a friend on facebook.

 


Ciao!

- Jack

K I C K S T A R T

Yes, that's me.

Hello readers from around the world,
I am back from hibernating in a cave upstate with my fellow grizzly bears. This past Thursday I was supposed to meet with Jodi on some project, but it was delayed until to Friday. However, upon my arrival to her apartment, the meeting never quite took place. Instead, I went to JUNK to look for potential props for Jodi's AUTUMN CASHMERE shoot that will be taking place this Monday.
 I'm really excited that we're finally going to be working together on another shoot. I was worried that I was going to leave on Wednesday without doing anything significant in my final week here. However, it was just my luck that Jodi decided to schedule one of her Power Weeks (I coined that term) the week before I leave.

At JUNK, there were a lot of interesting Vintage items there, however, these fools were frontin' like they were selling new furniture items that they hand-crafted themselves - or at least that's what they're outlandish prices suggested. They're lucky I didn't burn the place down or kick some holes in the furniture; however, knowing them, that would give their furniture more credibly and they'll probably sell it for more freaking money.

After I came back to Jodi's apartment, I ran into Shawn, Wackie Jackie, and Bryan, Jodi's newest intern! He's a really cool guy and down to earth which is awesome and will make working alongside him a fun experience. - BACK ON TRACK -
After showing Jodi the furniture available at JUNK, the guys gathered Jodi's equipment and packed it into Shawn's truck. We drove into the city to collect a super cool background that cost an ARM AND A LEG to rent, but in the end it should be worth it since it's the kind they use when shooting VOGUE. Upon retrieving the backdrop, we headed down to AUTUMN CASHMERE to drop everything off for Monday's shoot. When we got there we were welcomed with their Rihanna loving employees who had just came back from her concert the day before. It was nice to meet them and I look forward to seeing them again on Monday where I told them they must blast the new Rihanna and Eminem song as I walk - through - tha - door!

All in all, I'm excited for Monday's shoot, as well as Shawn's tethering class he'll be teaching tomorrow at Jodi's apartment. It's gonna be coolllllllllllllllll. With that said, I'm OUTTIE. It's time to go to SoHo and pretend I can afford the clothes over there.

-E

F MY EYEBALL

MY god damn eye needs to stop hurting! My tear ducks apparently wanted to go on vacation and not work because their lazy! That's what went on today.

So anyway, we're getting ready for a shoot next week, and fashion week people is coming up! WOO WOO!!!!!! Fashion week apparently = Nutty people, no worries photographers document some of them.

I've been trying to get my project started but I unfortunately can't seem to start with sam. :( But that's okay it will be started. Basically I'm typing this right now so that i get in the habit of blogging and that's flipping hard.

I'm really tired so I think I might go to bed right now. Tomorrow will be a new day for my beautiful photography career ahead of me. ;) I have to go rest these money making eyes.

Ciao!

- Jack

stefano back to italy

stefano left yesterday to go back to italy for a month to return right at the tail end of fashion week on the 15th of sept. we'll miss him.

The New Guy!!!!!

Hello blog world, I'm the "New Guy!"~ Bryan Hicklin

Self: So tell them a little about myself yourself.

Bryan: Well, I'm a senior in school studying Business and Marketing, I like long walks anywhere, chocolate and Italian Dining.

Hahahahahaha, I can be quite the character. "You're not living unless you're having a good time" is my motto.

To be completely honest, I was quite anxious to meet with Jodi and the team today. I got there and it was a laid back work environment, everyone was cool and full of life and energy. I'm eager to work along side each member of "The Crew" :-) and learn the ins and outs of the world we call Photography [FYI, its bigger than earth :-)]

(((((((Picture coming soon))))))))

I’m Backkk.

So after a few days of not being at the studio due to Jodi’s vacation, were back in full swing with a packed schedule.

Yesterday, (I was very tired and it was late last night so that’s why I didn’t blog) Jodi, Jacqueline, Sean and I went for a meeting with Fashion Spot’s Managing Editor Andrea Grant to talk about Fashion Week 2011. Due to this is the biggest week of the year; we started covering the basics of what was going to go down. Finally, Mercedes-Benz released the schedule for this year, which sounds amazing as it is. This year Jodi is going to shoot for Fashion Spot as well as Associated Press and I think Zuma Press too. The Fashion Spot people are totally awesome. Andrea is a beautiful young woman who is extremely talented and knows what she wants. When we arrived we met Andrea, her marketing manager, and a fellow photographer named Patrick. Right as we got into her sheek NYC apartment we were asked if we would like to par take in a Margarita, (I was already in heaven with The Fashion Spot after those words left Andrea’s mouth ☺). We then got right into business and went rooftop to discuss the low down for Fashion Week.

As of right now Jodi is trying to get me a pass so I can get into Fashion Week to work my ass off. People look at this event as a glamorous over the top party/beauty event. And hey, don’t get me wrong it probably is. But for those who are behind the lens, yeah it blows. Photographers will work 14 to 16 hour days, edit their photos after the events, then send them to their reps. After all of that…. its morning! And then we start it all over again. But I keep my head high and am dying to be a part of this grueling task.

Today, its 10:58 am, and I am on my way to Brooklyn to plan out Mondays shoot which is with Autumn Cashmere. I’m pumped for this since the last time we met with Autumn Cashmere, everyone got along and chemistry is key in this business. As well as planning today, there is a new intern named Bryan who is starting and I’m excited to meet him as well.

So for right now, goodbye to all my readers and I will post up later of what happened today. Let’s hope its good one because hey, when isn’t it not.

.:Live it Up, Christopher P. White:.

Trial Run!

Check out what Stefano is doing

go see some of his latest work - a personal project...

http://tiny.cc/t3w5z

I've Been Busy

Sorry I had some friends come into town to visit this weekend and I've been doing my homework so I haven't posted anything even though I have a lot of photos to show you.
Here's a video that was put together by Shawn, who by the way is back from texas, of the CD GREENE photoshoot. I'm pretty sure the footage was shot by Elias, and Leriam, but don't hold me to that. I want to compliment all on a job well done! :) jack

Behind the scenes fashion shoot with jodi jones from jodi jones on Vimeo.

jodi recently shot the collection for her fashion client, fashion designer CD Greene. CD Greene's clothing can be seen throughout the movie "Sex and the City" and is a favorite among many red carpet movie stars.

we shot this behind the scenes movie to show the process of the shoot.... included are a few stills jodi took from the shoot at the end of the movie.

footage shot by jodi's bitchin' interns. edited by s.r. hayes (aka shawn)

Casting Call Virgin

I just got really excited on the train ride home since I sporadically had Internet access.  Very perplexed by this, I started surfing the web.  And then it was gone within in 30 seconds.  Good-bye excitement.

Today, Jodi, Jacqueline and I went up to the garment district right on 39^th and 8^th for a casting call for Autumn Cashmere.  Being a virgin at casting calls I expected it to be a room full of beautiful models and a lot of craziness.  Yeah, not at all.  A casting call to all of you who do not know is when a designer contacts as many agency’s they want and then they send the same style of model for potential in their new look book.  We went from around 11am to 6pm today and had around 16 models show up.  We expected more to show but we defiantly found our two keepers from excellent modeling agencies.  Personally, I liked all the girls today since they were all gorgeous.  Pays off to be basically the only guy on a female casting call J.  Casting calls can be tedious since you’re sitting and waiting for models to show up

However, due to once again awesome clients we all got along very well and I’m excited to see them once again for the shoot.  Kathreen and Alfonzo are two talented designers who create and are the core of Autumn Cashmere.  My highlights of the day were the people and the food.  I had a spectacular Santa Fe Wrap with grilled chicken, avocado, Mexican salsa and lettuce (Thank you Autumn Cashmere).  As well as the bangin’ lunch it was also Alfonzo’s birthday!  The girls in the office surprised him with his favorite Latino cake, which was made from 3 different kinds of milk.  Of course, I would be lactose and tolerant, fml.  So I had to pass on that, but I heard it was mad good. 

Were now off for a few days since Jodi went out of town for a little get away.  I’m now stuck n Jersey working at my toy store job.  Big difference from casting calls, once again, fml.  Later.

.:Live it Up, Christopher P. White:.

Completely Obligatory

That is All.
-E

We've got more important things to discuss

         In a time where we worry about injustice, global warming, economics, nuclear weapons, oil spills, and rising gas prices, I plead you to turn your head away from such trivial problems and focus your energy on something a bit more relevant to society and of utmost importance: The movie Inception.

         This movie was so awesome.  Dare I say it, I enjoyed it more than The Dark Knight (but that can probably be attributed to my post-movie theater high that i'm riding on).  I loved everything about it and I need a bootleg copy soon, because lord knows ticket prices are too expensive and waking up before noon is about as common as a miracle in my book.  Interns and fellow readers of this blog, I beg of you to skip past the bum in need, the organizations you donate to, and take yourself to the nearest movie theatre to watch this film.  It will hands down be the best decision you have made in your life.  Go, NOW!!
-Elias Rios