14 February 2012

Better late than never

In the eleven months since my last post, life has been busy and fruitful.   My commercial client base is filling in, my spin-off portrait photography business is gaining some traction, and my personal life is great.

Thanks in part to NY based design firm - RocketDog NYC, and Baltimore based design firm - Orange Element, some of my professional highlights from 2011 include: a booking for iHome's national print advertising campaign, assignments for OneMain financial (formerly CitiFinancial), and a new jewelry client (with jewelry inspired by runway fashion).

a behind-the-scenes shot of me at work during the 2011 iHome ad shoot.  Featured product:  iP4 Boom Box


2012 has already started off well...   A Tron-inspired project from iHome (which incorporated still photography, video, and stop motion animation), got me started.   A few shoots with my jewelry client Paire, and a couple of days for NowWhat Reasearch helped brighten my gray winter days.   Looking forward to spring, warmth, and sunshine, my newest client Parasol (which specializes in clothing to protect skin from the harmful effects of the sun) has me thinking about spending time on the beach ;)

Between all of these shoots, traveling, spending time with my lady friend (and Dottie B.), I finally found time to create a new website for Scott Clinton Photography!   With the help of Charlotte Designer - Ty Duncan and NY/NJ Web Developer - John Fontana, I now have a site that is much more current.   It accurately displays my rather diverse skill set, highlighting my Portrait Photography, Band Photography, Product Photography, and even Personal Work.   This new site also announces to the world that I am officially splitting time between Charlotte, NC and New York City...  A move which some could be considered risky, but one I consider to be worthwhile.  Check out the new site and let me know what you think!   More updates soon (to both the blog and the site).

The new www.ScottClinton.com - Commercial photography in Charlotte, NC and New York City, NY

12 March 2011

New facebook page and the forgotten child...

For the past year-and-a-half or so, I have neglected my commercial photography business while concentrating on my spin-off portrait and wedding photography company, Simulacra.   Scott Clinton Photography has become a bit of a forgotten child.

That's not to say that I haven't been working...   Quite the contrary...   Commercial jobs from clients like Coach, RocketDog NYC, Orange Element, iHome, and Warwick Basses, have actually kept me fairly busy.   But, it is now time to raise the stakes and get in the game.

Portrait and Live Performance Photography of 311's Aaron Wills (aka P-Nut).
Photography © Scott S. Clinton / www.ScottClinton.com 

Now that Simulacra Photography is pretty much set up as a destination for fine portrait and wedding photography in Charlotte, New York City, and Omaha, I can focus my attention on relaunching Scott Clinton Photography as a power in commercial photography for Charlotte, New York City, and Omaha.

Step one is complete...  This week I launched a new commercial photography facebook page (www.Facebook.com/ScottClintonPhotography).   This page is a work in progress, but in its infancy will display images of musicians and bands, behind the scene shots, and printed pieces.   In time, I will add commercial portraits, still life, and personal work.

Step two was actually begun before step one and consists of the redesign of ScottClinton.com.   This is a work in progress and will likely take a couple months.  The new website will feature my personal work in addition to tabletop still life and commercial portraits (including musicians).

Step three will be to market myself as a photographer in New York City, Charlotte, and Omaha.

08 March 2011

Progress...

In the month since my last post I have been busily working with Tylor Duncan on the concepts for the new Scott Clinton Photography website.   Much like the Simulacra Photography website, my commercial site will not be held to any one market.   Instead, Scott Clinton Photography will be focus on being a destination for Commercial Photography in New York City and Charlotte, NC.

In time, I will add additional markets as well.

February wasn't just about design and planning...   Additionally, I was fortunate enough to to bid on and receive a job for iHome.   My client, NYC based design firm Rocket Dog, brought me in to photography various iHome products both on location (at the Gansevoort Hotel, Park Ave (NYC)) and in studio for use in trade publications.




On top of the booking with RocketDog NYC and iHome, I was also given the opportunity to bid on commercial jobs in New York City, Baltimore, MD and Omaha, NE.   Plus, weddings in New York and Knoxville, TN.

With any luck, a few of these other jobs will come through...  Making 2011 the best year yet!



08 February 2011

Momentum... Forward momentum!

The past few months have been a blur... Road trips, the holidays, and assignments have kept me pretty busy.

In the calm moments of this whirlwind, together with my friend and web developer John Fontana, I was able to finally complete work on my new portrait website.   Today is the official relaunch of Simulacra.com.  At this point, I am thrilled with the results!

http://www.Simulacra.com
develped by Scott S. Clinton and John Fontana / SiteandSound.com

Now is not time to rest on my laurels, however.   Instead, I am working with the talented designers of the Baltimore based design firm Orange Element to create new collateral materials to help drive more business to Simulacra.   In the coming weeks, we will produce new business cards, an over-sized post card, and a tri-fold brochure (specifically geared towards weddings).

While working on these materials, I will simultaneously be working with Charlotte based designer Tylor Duncan and  web developer John Fontana on a new website for Scott Clinton Photography...  A project that is long overdue!   The new ScottClinton.com will feature additional galleries with updated work, client lists, and links.   Also in the works...   A Scott Clinton Photography Facebook page.

As if that were not enough, there are pending travels to NYC and Baltimore for some paid assignments.   More on that later.

In my personal life, I have been trying to enjoy my time in Charlotte... A task that gets easier as the weather improves.  I am sure it will be no surprise, but I am still on the prowl for a significant other and am rather sick of the single life AND dating.  For the most part I have been making myself busy by spending time with friends, going to/watching movies, and seeing the occasional live band.  Recently, to my surprise, I discovered that a couple of my Charlotte friends like to trap shoot...   So, I have been out breaking clays a little more often :)


Trap shooting with the boys...   Ty and Sam

Stay tuned for more updates!

25 December 2010

09 December 2010

Lots of miles and a disappointing college football game

Since I last checked in I have logged a lot of miles on the ole' VW.

After completing my marathon road trip across the MidWest with my buddy Brent, I made my back to Charlotte for a few days....   Only to load up Dottie B. and travel to SW Florida to see my father and his wife for Thanksgiving.

Dottie B. on the beach in FL


I returned to Charlotte for all of 5 days before returning to my true home, my 2003 VW GTi.   This time, I made my way to Dallas, TX and the Big XII Championship football game.   This game marked the last conference meeting between the University of Nebraska and the University of Oklahoma.   Both rivals are steeped in tradition and have laid claim to a staggering number of conference championships.



The game was definitely an exciting one.  But, Nebraska managed to blow a 17 point lead and eventually lose by a score of 23-20.

Jerry World, Dallas, TX



The trip was definitely worth it though.   My only hope is that Nebraska manages to make it to the inaugural Big 10 championship game next December in Indianapolis.

In addition to my boys blowing the game, I also failed to book any shoots while I was in Dallas.   This is unfortunate given the large number of people I know in the DFW area.  But, perhaps another time.  I did get to see a lot of old friends (and a few newer ones), which is always nice.



Ryan and Aaron...  A couple NC Huskers

The Fowler family from Omaha + San Antonio

Brad, Rani, and Mark, now living in Dallas

Jason and Stephanie, Houston


I was also able to meet Cornhusker legend "Touchdown" Tommie Frasier.




Special thanks to Frank, Justin, and Max Samland for their generosity!

Justin, Frank, and Max Samland...  Omaha


After Dallas, I made my way to nYc to work for a week or so photographing Coach...   No rest for the wicked.   Next up is another trip back down to Charlotte and then off to Nebraska for Christmas.

12 November 2010

Recap - Two weeks on the road...

A few weeks ago I began a multi-purpose journey.
Near Asheville, NC
Much like a road trip I made four years ago, my old friend, fraternity brother, and software developer, Brent, was my co-pilot.  Our mission was clear...   Make it to Omaha, NE, by October 30th for the Mizzou vs NEBRASKA football game.   In addition, book as many portrait shoots as possible to underwrite the journey and see as many friends as possible.

For me, this trip would also provide a welcomed distraction from my troubles.

I began this journey in Charlotte, NC.  I made my way to Indianapolis, IN where I met up with Brent.   I spent a couple of days in Indy, checking out the city and neighboring towns, meeting up for lunch with our pal Jagger, and becoming acquainted with Brent's baby boy, William.
Downtown Indy

Me, Brent, Jagger...  Indy
Hoosier's Gym...  Knightstown, IN

Since I have been photographing a lot of children and families, I offered to do Henry's 6 month portrait.   We made our way over to a small town in Indiana where some scenes from the motion picture Hoosiers were filmed.   I photographed the boy and his parents in and around an old gymnasium.  Not an ideal location (because of the light), but something different and fun.




Henry - © Scott S. Clinton / Simulacra.com



FAITH

After a couple of days, Brent and I began making our way to his parent's home in Terre Haute, IN.  While en route, our paths crossed with a truly amazing individual...  Tom W.    Tom is a former teacher and coach.  He holds several advanced degrees (including a masters in astrophysics).  Now retired, Tom was looking for a project...  and boy did he find one.   It seems that this former tennis coach was having a difficult time finding people to play tennis with him on his home court.  That combined with a desire to travel freely and economically with his wife, led him to him to begin a truly spectacular project...  Tom is building a 55' sailboat, from scratch...  Out of steel.


He converted his tennis court into his dry dock, purchased the plans off of the internet, created all of the necessary hardware to construct the vessel, and began.   From the keel up, he has constructed this marvel...   All told, 13 tons of steel have gone into her construction.   She is aptly named FAITH and is set to be completed sometime this spring, 2011.



Money and subject willing, I hope to revisit Tom this spring and photograph him with a completed FAITH.

Our encounter with Tom and his wife proved to be our only "project" worthy encounter during our travels.





Tom W. and his little project, FAITH.© Scott S. Clinton, ScottClinton.com



After spending the evening with Brent's parents in Terre Haute, we made our way over to St. Louis, MO, home of our alma mater, Washington University.   While there, I made a portrait of the Clarke family.  After the shoot, we made our way over to our friends' the Khazen's for a great meal.  Brent's brother Dan was good enough to allow us to couch surf that night.

The Khazen's
The next day we made our way to Omaha, NE...   Stopping in Kansas City, MO to see our friend Nilesh and to dine on some world famous Arthur Bryant's BBQ.  We also stopped at the Chase candy company (home of Cherry Mash) and the Stetson hat outlet...  Both in St. Joseph, MO.





We made it to Omaha late in the day, Friday, October 29th...

We spend some time hanging out with my mother that night, grabbed a drink with my friend Kelly, and prepared for Saturday's battle.

For those who do not know, Brent and I vowed in November 1997 (while watching the Mizzou v. NEBRASKA game) that we, for the rest of our lives would view that game, together, in person.   We both held true to our word and hit every match up...  12 years straight.   Unfortunately, this was the last year...  Nebraska has joined a new athletic conference and will no longer be playing Mizzou.  In the end, the Husker's were victorious and completed a record of 9 wins 3 losses during our 12 year run.

Traditional Pre-Game shot

Ever confident Brent

Scared Mizzou Tiger

Nebraska Victory!


After the game, we had some dinner with my mother and made our way out to celebrate Halloween.





Sunday (Halloween day) marked my 35th year on this earth.  We celebrated with a nice brunch and steak dinner...  And some sinful birthday cake.





We hung around Omaha for another couple of days, had lunch with my old friend Lisa and even found time to hit the SAC Museum in Ashland, NE.
SR-71 Blackbird
© Scott S. Clinton

Wednesday came and it was time to once again hit the road.   We made our way across Iowa, en route to Chicago, IL.   While traveling through Iowa, we stopped off in Winterset, IA....  Birth Place of John Wayne

and location for the movie The Bridges of Madison County.  We had a nice lunch at the Northside Cafe









and made our way over to Van Meter, IA and the Bob Fellar museum (Brent's choice).










In Chicago, we met up some more old friends, Goofy, P-Do, and Jenni.

Jenni was not only good enough to allow Brent and I to crash as her place, but was also good enough to hire me to photograph her family.  To thank her, I took us all to lunch at Kuma's Corner, home of the greatest burger ever...  The CLUTCH burger.


From Chi-town, we made our way down to Lincoln, IL to see our old pal Don Cicci.  He showed us around town and introduced us to the Horseshoe Sandwich.


After a screening of Almost Famous (which is one of my favorite films) and an all too short night of sleep, we made tracks back to Terre Haute, IN and the completion of Brent's portion of the trip.



Running behind as always, I made my way to Nashville, TN where I had a booking with our old friend Rachel.   While there, I was also able to catch up with Sarah.   So, after another all too short night of sleep (after honky tonkin w/ Sarah and her friends),


a successful shoot with Rachel's family, and meals at the Waffle House and Carl's Perfect Pig, I made my way over to Knoxville.

Once again, I was running late.   I met up with Casey, Crystal, Ricky, and Kary and proceeded to stay out entirely too late...  Again.





Sunday came and so did another booking...  Casey and Crystal's engagement portrait at the University of Tennessee's football facility.   The shoot turned into a long one, but a good one.   Well worth the time and effort.















From there, it was time to head back to Charlotte.   Two weeks on the road had taken their toll on me.   I was exhausted and ready to sleep in my own bed.

After a couple days of recovery, I made myself busy...   Editing the 65+ Gigabytes of images captured on the trip.  Like clockwork, my return to Charlotte also marked the return of my troubles.   I keep trying to forget and they keep resurfacing.  Time does not heal all wounds.   Perhaps it will, however, deaden the pain.

Until then, next up...  Houston, TX and the Texas A&M v. NEBRASKA game!

Lincoln, NE's historic Haymarket (at dusk)
© Scott S. Clinton