September 29, 2011
I never thought I could get so excited about hand bags…
We were commissioned by JayneMax and Brand Navigation to photograph the Fall ‘11 and Spring ‘12 designs for Jayne Dearborn, an inspiring entrepreneur who’s work has been seen on ABC’s “Ugly Betty,” as well as across the internet.
From Jayne’s website:
“Founder Jayne Dearborn started designing handbags for JayneMax since its inception in April 2006 (originally Designs by Jayne). She began creating handbags as a path to healing from the loss of her son, Max, at age 7 to leukemia. The blue butterfly is her symbol for Max and how she overcame tragedy to begin life again. Butterflies are the universal symbol of hope and blue is the color of healing. Launching Designs by Jayne, now JayneMax, allowed her to combine her love of art with her mission of helping others find their unique style and thrive.
In addition to designing and running her business, Jayne spends time volunteering at The Dougy Center in Portland, Oregon, as a facilitator helping other bereaved parents. She donates her handbags to fundraisers of organizations that help children fight cancer and that support grieving families. Jayne and her husband, Chris, have created a non-profit organization in Max’s memory to which a percentage of proceeds from all handbags sales are donated. Please visit www.bluebutterflycampaign.org for details.”
Jayne, beyond being an amazing designer, is a perfect example of how one can personally use their gifts and experiences to give back to their community. Jayne has also given us an example of how we can purchase with purpose, to put meaning into the dollars we spend. Please take a moment to visit Max’s Blue Butterfly Campaign…
Special thanks to Jayne, who will be launching her new website any day now (I’ll throw in a link here), Amara Bessa (stylist), Katie Tuma (hair and make-up), Kristin (our awesome model) and to my rockstar assistants Tiffany Lausen and Kari Swiridoff. As always, special thanks to Brand Navigation for their amazing art direction.
Here are a few of our favorite images from our time here in Bend and in Portland, Oregon.
September 29, 2011
I’m both ashamed and excited to say, I finally have my first pair of Toms Shoes.
Ashamed because I’ve waited so long, excited because my new kicks helped changed the world. How?
(Taken from the Toms website)
“In 2006, American traveler Blake Mycoskie befriended children in Argentina and found they had no shoes to protect their feet. Wanting to help, he created TOMS, a company that would match every pair of shoes purchased with a pair of new shoes given to a child in need. One for One. Blake returned to Argentina with a group of family, friends and staff later that year with 10,000 pairs of shoes made possible by TOMS customers.
Many children in developing countries grow up barefoot. Whether at play, doing chores or going to school, these children are at risk:
•A leading cause of disease in developing countries is soil-transmitted diseases, which can penetrate the skin through bare feet. Wearing shoes can help prevent these diseases, and the long-term physical and cognitive harm they cause.
•Wearing shoes also prevents feet from getting cuts and sores. Not only are these injuries painful, they also are dangerous when wounds become infected.
•Many times children can’t attend school barefoot because shoes are a required part of their uniform. If they don’t have shoes, they don’t go to school. If they don’t receive an education, they don’t have the opportunity to realize their potential.”
Look, if I’m going to be a walking billboard for some company, (and we all are) I want that company to stand for something I believe in. I love what Toms stands for, One for One. I buy a pair of shoes for me, and someone else in the world (far more deserving than I) gets a pair too, at no cost to them. That’s rad.
I love companies who give back, who see the importance of bettering the world around them. Companies who see that the bottom line isn’t just about happy stock holders, but asking, “have we all made a difference today?”
This upcoming holiday season (or any season for that matter), I encourage you to think about how you can purchase with purpose. Here are some helpful links:
Here are some pics of my new world changin’ kicks…
September 29, 2011
I’ve know Matt for a while. In fact, Matt and I have been through some difficult, hilarious and incredible times as we’ve traveled the world together.
Matthew is an amazingly gifted writer and creative and we’ve been blessed to work together on several projects.
I believe we were en route to the Congo, or perhaps in the Congo (maybe it was an airport?) when I said, “hey Matty, what about that Jenah girl?”
What about her indeed…
After a few solid games of ”across the world phone scrabble,” they were engaged… Pretty much like that.
To be completely non-linear, we’ll start with the “post wedding” shoot…
Jenah is a US National Team boxer and avid lover of photography. She’s tough, buff and hilarious. Jenah also has a cool coach who offered to set up the competition boxing ring, just about wherever we wanted to put it. Epic#1.
I also wanted to team up with my BFF and creative partner Kevin Kubota for this shoot for a potential (top secret) upcoming project… Epic#2.
With a crew of amazing friends and collaborators we set out Smith Rock State Park (thank you Alycia for helping secure the permit) to assemble the fighting ring…
A few of our favorite things…
(Note 1: The last image in this set was a “play” on a set-up Kevin had where he envisioned the “Knockout Bride” delivering a brutal blow to her groom, and loving it….)
(Note 2: A few of these images have an interesting crop, recognize it? 2.35:1 is the aspect ratio you’re used to seeing in the theater… Super easy to do in Lightroom)
Like cigars? Pipes? It wasn’t supposed to be the overall theme from Matt and Jenah’s Esession, but by the time we were finished the studio had a good deal of smoke in it, and we walked away with some fun images…
A few of our favorite…
And, the wedding… I can honestly say, I don’t think I’ve seen two people smile so much in one day. Beautiful people, hearts and details all in one place. Truly a celebration of family and friends.
A few of our favorite things…
The beginning…
September 29, 2011
I recently was blessed with another birthday.
Just before my birthday I found out I was turning 35, rather than 34. That’s a whole different story.
My incredible wife, together with my amazing friends chipped in and got me something I’ve never had before, in all of my 34, ah-35 years… A custom belt buckle, designed by local artist Stuart Breidenstein.
Stuart, with some direction from Lauren and friends, took an image of a tree from our website to use for inspiration. I love trees. Not just because they help us breath, make pretty noises in the Summer and give homes to little birdies, the meaning goes a bit deeper, down to the roots.
I look at the tree as as a symbol of inspiration, where each person is a branch attached to the collective trunk. When we use our God given gifts, it naturally inspires others to seek out their own gifts and use them, becoming their own branch on the tree. I call this the “Inspirations Effect.” The cool thing about the branches is that there really is no end to the growth that can take place and each branch has the ability to become as large as the trunk.
This buckle is my new daily reminder for me to remember to use my gifts to change the world and (hopefully) inspire others to do the same… So, if you see me around town and I’m looking down toward my, well, mid section…I’m just checkin’ out my new buckle.
Also, with the Christmas giving season approaching, hit up Stuart for some custom designed jewelry. His work is off the chart epical… Visit him on Facebook too…
Thanks to my better three quarters, Lauren and dear friends for this precious gift…
