the pristine visual blog.

Sounds Like a Movement Recap

Well I’m a little late on posting this, as the event was months ago, but check out the recap video I put together for the Sounds Like a Movement Beachside Roots event!

-joel.

Israelite Mockumentary

I’ve been MIA lately, working on one of our latest storytelling videos for Tru. This project has been a ton of work, but has been a lot of fun too. Above is a screen shot from the mockumentary we did about the Israelites wandering in the desert. We’ll be posting a trailer soon.

It was great to work with Kroh Media and a bunch of old friends on this project, and I’m super pumped on how it turned out.

More to come…

-joel.

One of my favorite parts of my job is being able to shoot in my studio so often. I am so thankful for the opportunity to have this much top of the line gear at my disposal, and that I have a place to call home. Now I just gotta silence that air conditioner…

Last night I had the privilege of actually attending (and not working) a wedding. In fact, this is probably the first wedding I’ve attended (besides my own) where I was not holding a camera for a majority of the time. 

I couldn’t help but notice how intrusive the photographers were. They had absolutely no regard for the guests and their enjoyment of the wedding. I was looking at one the photographer’s back for a good 30% of the ceremony (I was sitting in the fourth row) and then during the ceremonial dances, the two photographers were under no further than 5 to 10 feet away from the couple, holding LED lights and also using flashes. I couldn’t help but feeling like I was at a photoshoot, and not a wedding. 

I’m sure that as a result of the photographers’ proximity to the action, that their pictures will turn out great, but I would venture to say that there is more to wedding photography than great pictures.

This ultimately led me to thinking about the photographers I have been blessed to shoot with in the past, and what a great job they’ve done of staying incognito, and still getting that great shot. Of course, nobody using a flash and standing while everyone else is sitting is going to stay completely invisible, but they have done a great job of not interfering with the guests’ experience, that the couple has obviously worked so hard to create. 

I’d like to use this post to encourage anyone looking for a photographer for their wedding to consider more than what their portfolio looks like, but to also get a recommendation from a friend who has had that person shoot their wedding, or another (unbiased) vendor. I’m more than happy to recommend photographers who do a great job with getting the pretty pictures, and still stay out of the way.

-joel.

These are the session intros I did for the 2011 Tru Gathering. It was great to get the opportunity to be creative and really “dream” about what we wanted to do with these. I love how they turned out and tied in with the theme of the conference. Take a look!

-joel.

Tru Gathering 2011

As some of you know, last week was our second annual Tru Gathering. I put together around 7 different video pieces for the conference, as well as running the “Photo Op” section where people could come with their team and get their picture taken. It was such an amazing time, but I can’t say I’m not a little relieved to have all of the work off my chest. I’ll be posting videos soon. 

-joel.

Took this photo as a resource for Tru. Nothing too extreme, but I loved the shot.

-joel.

Last week Jonas and I schlepped this couch all around Orange County to shoot for the “Dream Book” that will be handed out at this year’s Tru Gathering. It was a bit of a pain taking the couch out to these unique locations, but it was well worth it in the end.

Video soon to come!

Last Sunday I had the opportunity to shoot for the OC Easter event, and I’d definitely say I had the best seat in the house. For the first half of the 11AM service I went up and shot from a helicopter. Huge thanks to Mark from Helistream for taking me up in their R22. It was a great/ terrifying experience, as I am partially afraid of heights and there was no door on the helicopter. 

Below is the video that ROCKHARBOR put together to recap the event. I was one of several people shooting that day, so some of these shots are mine. It was great to be a part of such an incredible event. 

Last weekend my wife and I shot graduation photos for her sister Cheyenne. I had a ton of fun shooting them, and am super happy with how they turned out. I want to shoot photos more often! Take a look…