Big Sweetie

Big Sweetie is the senior member of a dog farm of dachsund’s at the Steege house, and he has now unofficially passed the century mark, if you like the 7/1 year calculation technique.  But we weren’t sure if he would make it.  A couple of months ago Sweetie was down and out, and after some hard decisions and a few tears, Julie and I made the call.  I needed a final portrait session before our last goodbyes, a way to make a grand portrait  of a revered friend, wanderlust adventurer,  and sage.  So, we spent a bit of time together and made several, solo and with his mates.  However, the next day, Sweetie, reflective of his constitution and no small amount of prayers, made a miraculous recovery, and has been going strong ever since.  I’ve always imagined him as the canine Elijah, never passing, just being swept up into heaven in dramatic fashion, and he proved my theory.  I know he won’t be around forever, but I just thought I should share this wonderful portrait of him while he is still around.  As always, thanks for looking.

Introducing Dudley.

As you can see, Dudley is an absolutely adorable dachsund pup who has quickly taken over heart and home at the Steege’s, as well as teaching Hans, Sweetie, and Tiger a thing or two about how to have fun. Having lived here for just a few months, we have discovered that he, despite his stature, looms large in everything at our home, as well as in the ‘hood. Snoopy-like happy, with atomic all day long energy, he loves the constant play and attention that comes with every puppy. Continuing with the philosophy that photography should be practiced as long as your eyes are open, these are just a few portraits made in the last few months of the soon to be boss of everyone. Stop by for a visit, he’s sure to love you, if only with just a little bit of barking on the side. And make sure you bring him a treat. Thanks for looking.

“it could be my lucky day” or “overdone perfection, again”

Meet the Browns.

1 day, 1 family, 1 camera, 1 idea. To photograph a family from start to finish, capturing specific and universal moments that are real, without pretense, that anyone can relate to, identify with, feel.
The Brown’s let me into their home from dawn ’til dusk, and just lived their lives in front of the camera. They had places to go, so I went. Things to do, so I watched. Work to be done, games to be played, naps to be taken, food to be eaten. Staged? No. Controlled. A bit. Planned. Yes. And then off we went.
As this relates to advertising, we put a bit of thought into a few details, to give us the best chances for photos. I think my ability to capture real-time moments in real-time settings could be a valuable insight into what families are really like, behind all the freshly scrubbed countertops and brand new wardrobes of many ad campaigns, to give the viewer an easier time processing photos, and relating to images they have already lived in their own lives, in their own places. To something which we can all relate.
To see all the photos, check them out at briansteegephotography.com. Clink on the “families” link. Many thanks to the Brown’s for letting me be in their lives to make a bunch of photos in just 12 short hours. And as always, thanks for looking.

Good morning everyone.

further exploration…

Mrs. Gilmore and The Bumblebees

http://player.vimeo.com/video/18645189?portrait=0

Mrs. Gilmore and The Bumblebees from Brian Steege on Vimeo.

This piece was recorded in one day for Mason City Schools and edited some time later. Trying to convey the feeling of a day in the classroom with an elementary school teacher, Mason schools PIO, Tracey Carson, suggested I spend time with Mandy Gilmore, a first grade teacher at Mason Early Childhood Center. By combining stills and motion to capture the the teaching, learning and activities throughout the day, moments were able to be focused on enhanced by combining both disciplines. DP and stills, Brian Steege, edited by Matthew O’Pry, sound by Kurt Strecker. Many thanks to Mandy, a true inspiration and very cooperative subject. And, of course, thanks to the Bumblebees.

Hello, Monday…

An outtake that should have been included a couple of years ago…teenager personified.

it’s friday…

“Still Rattlin’ the Devil’s Cage”

Okay, I’ll admit it.  I love Nashville.  Sure, I have only been there a few times, and I’m sure there are some parts that I don’t want to go to, but hey, I went to Third Man Records and came away with a t-shirt and a couple of laughs, so what’s not to love?  I know I had a blast on days 3 and 4 of the project “Still Rattlin’ the Devil’s Cage,” the now named documentary I am DP’ing for Neltner Creative and Judd Films.  Telling the story of Charlie Louvin, a now 84 year old country legend that is still performing on stage admist the 50th anniversary year of his “Satan is Real” LP is proving to be more insightful, uplifting, challenging, and just plain fun than I imagined.  Sure, everyone is giving extra time to help produce this piece, which is being done to help pay for Charlie’s medical expenses as he battles pancreatic cancer.  But the amount of time and effort, creative spark, and miles driven make me anxious for the final product to get here as soon as Milk Products Media can edit it.  But for now, here are a few stills from Nashville and beyond that I managed between takes and prep time.  You can see more at briansteegephotgraphy.com, or you can get more info at Neltner Creative or Judd Films.  In the meantime, you can check on my website or here on the blog for a few visual updates.  And while you are waiting to see the final product, slated for the Spring of 2011, get out there and rattle some cages yourself.