Old Time Machine does it again...GBP Creative Photography and Video

Well, it's finally here! We've been waiting to release these shots as it's been one of our favorite projects to date!

So not only did we get to work with one of our favorite bands again (if you haven't checked them out yet, do yourselves a favour and head over to Old Time Machine's facebook page to see what they're up to lately), but we also got to collaborate with one of our favorite local artists, Joseph Tisiga as well...

So some of you may remember the press shots we did for OTM last year that went a little something like this:

Well, for that same album, Joseph did the cover art along with Eleanor Rosenberg which looked a little something like this:

Now, the OTM boys were stoked with both pieces, but for their newest releases, they really wanted to be able to have the photography and the artwork be more cohesive...SO, what happened? Collaboration magic exploded in our studio...

So for the latest shots, Joseph used cut outs, painted the background, and came up with the wooden log concept, while we then photographed each piece separately, did portraits of Ryan and Kyle, and then pieced it all together to fit one unique, scene...

Although it sounds like a fairly simple process, it actually took a lot of work.  The 'statues' are actually all small hand-cut out images that Joseph collected, which were then individually shot in the studio attached to tiny skewers to hold their shape.

The logs, borrowed from a friend's wood pile, were then all also photographed individually.  

And then there's the hand-painted background...this came about as we were trying to think of what the backdrop would be when suddenly, joseph pulled a paintbrush out of his pocket (because he just happened to have one there...unreal), dipped it into his cup of coffee, and started to paint on a piece of paper...so simple, yet it fit the final image perfectly.

Then there were the portraits themselves which were each shot and processed separately.

And finally, Gary then also created individual shadows for each statue in order to create the depth he was looking for in the final image. He then also added a light texture and color wash to the entire piece so that it had a cohesive feel.

And the result??

A GBP, Old Time Machine and Joseph Tisiga collaboration that looks a little something like this:

Hope you guys enjoy it...and be sure to stay tuned as their newest single, "All the While" is going to be release May 28th and it is gonna be DOPE! In fact, you can stream it early here!

Sarah Macdougall Music Photography

So, as you may have noticed with the release of our first music video for Headless Owl Records this week, we just so happen to be in quite the music mood lately....So, with that in mind, we figured it's about time we share some of the shots we did with the lovely and crazy talented Sarah Macdougall for her current tour!

Sarah is yet another incredible Yukon musician that's out touring the world and just so happens to have just won the "Roots Solo Recording of the Year" award at the 2012 WCMA's!  We were so stoked to get a chance to work with her, and often have her album playing on repeat as we edit here in our studio...

So hope you all enjoy, and if you are looking for some new music, head to her site at http://sarahmacdougall.com for more info!

This post isn't about that guy...

Sometimes when you come across someone with great talent, they can be...well, how can we put this..." challenging"to work with?  Come on, you know what we're talking about...that guy you know, who's really good at that thing but you don't really like to talk to him about it because then you have to deal with him yammering on about it for hours on end? THAT guy....the guy you can barely fit into a room with because his head is too big and there's just not enough space for the both of you.

Well, this post, my friends, is not about that guy. It's actually about the opposite guy.

The shots below are from one of our recent  sessions with local Actor Calvin Laveck, who has been going to school in Toronto, and is now based there to further his work in theatre.  He's the epitome of a super talented, yet humble artist and we're always left wondering "how is that guy so NICE?" every time he leaves the studio...

Over the years, we've come to realize that overall, the artists we've worked with here in the Yukon fit into this second category...even though we're super lucky to have an incredible arts scene, filled with crazy talented people, we find that the ones we've worked with haven't brought any egos along with them...they instead come with open minds, eagerness, and excitement to work together.  They are stoked to help teach us about their industry-to share their stories and experiences, and really help us get a better understanding of what it's like to be an actor, a dancer, a musician, etc...And it's from this understanding that we're better able to help them get images that really convey something authentic and unique to their art form.

You see, the point we are trying to make here, is that one of our favourite things about living here in the Yukon is the people. Whether it's an artist, a family, or a corporate team, the Yukon just seems to bring out the best in people...and we're stoked when we're reminded of that fact by our awesome clients like Calvin.

So well played on being so awesome Calvin-we're stoked to see where you go from here, because we're sure it's gonna be some pretty rad places!

Fact: GBP loves music...

We therefore, also love it when we get to work with musicians.

Not only are they talented, but they also just so happen to often come to shoots with a ton of creative ideas on what exactly they're looking for...this helps us work with them in order to plan a concept for a shoot that can really showcase the persona that they bring to the stage when they perform.

Whether it's head shots, album work, or promo packages, we work with artists to really make sure we understand the emotion/style that they want to portray through their images.  Taking an audio based form of art and attempting to convert that into a strictly visual form can be challenging...which is exactly why we like it!  Photography is actually a huge part of how a band markets themselves.  We love it when we get to be a part of developing a 'brand' for them that they can cary forward throughout the various aspects of marketing and promotion that they will need.

We also like working with musicians because they tend to be open to us taking them to strange locations for shoots (such as this land-o-old things), AND we get to listen to their albums early...not a bad deal!

So here's a few sample shots from a recent shoot we did with local artist Declan O'Donovan.

And on that note, keep your ears open for his first full-length album being released this August!  We got a little sneak peak and it's gonna be sweet!


https://www.facebook.com/events/495851860430861/ 

Bras for a Cause...

For the past few years we've been involved with a local event called Mardi Bra-a breast cancer fundraising event which raises money for 'Karen's Fund'.  This is a funding pot which is available to Yukon women undergoing breast cancer treatment.  The great thing about this fund is that it's no questions asked...it's there to help women and their families who are having to deal with, upon everything else, the financial pressures of having to leave the Territory for treatment. So whether its' childcare, travel costs, or even pet care, women have access to Karen's Fund to help them during this time.

SO needless to say, we're always more than happy to donate our services to the event. We've done a photo-booth at it for the past few years (photos of which will be available in a future post as it's always a fantastic time...you wouldn't BELIEVE the amazing costumes people rocked this year), however, this year we also did some product shots for one of the new pieces of the event: The 'Art Bras'.

This year, the committee teamed up with 7 local artists who donated their time and talent to creating "Art Bras" which were then modelled in a mini-fashion show during the event by lovely local ladies!

The diversity in the pieces were amazing as you'll see by the shots...everything from feathers, to paint, to body casts...all unique and incredibly crafted!

They were modelled at the event and then put on display for the silent auction-all of which were snapped up by some lucky bidders by the end of the night! (I totally got out-bid on a few of them...don't worry this is Brianne writing this not Gary)

So check em' out! HUGE thank you to the artists and the models who donated their time to this event...we're already looking forward to next year!

Artist: Rosemary Scanlon   http://www.rosemaryscanlon.com/  

Artist: Jessica Vellenga  http://jessicavellenga.com/

 Artist: Janelle Hardy

Artist: Amber Church  http://craftchick.wordpress.com/

Artist: Amber Walker

Artist: Claire Strauss

Artist: Shauna Jones http://www.angrysheepdesigns.com/