Can Design Save Newspapers?

Can great design save newspapers? Yes. Magazines too. This brilliant designer transformed many European newspapers through design...readership is exploding.

My favorite quote from his speech is "Remember, to be good is not enough."

This video is well worth 6 minutes of your time...the ideas presented apply to many industries...not just media.

My New Web Site is LIVE!!!

What does 2 months of a lot of photo editing, some very late nights and a lot of tweaking get you? I'm proud to announce that my new portfolio web site (briankellyphoto.net) is now live!

This new site is certainly media rich...with large photos (try the site on Fullscreen!)...and a large integrated video player. This is a huge change from my old Flash based site.

The iPad, Kindle and other portable media devices are rapidly changing how we view newspapers, magazines and television shows...this revolution is just starting...and it's a content rich world.

I believe photography and visual storytelling (short films, photo essays, videos, etc.) are going to more important than ever in a high bandwidth, multi-media world...it's a VERY exciting time to be both a photographer and videographer!

I welcome your feedback on the new portfolio. Oh, you can also view a nice mobile version of my site on your iPhone or other SmartPhone device!

Brian

moving soon...

It's been a bit quiet here lately, but for good reason.

In the next week or so, I'll be launching an entirely new www.briankellyphoto.net portfolio site as well as moving this blog over to a new blogging platform supported by the new web site.

I can't wait to share it with you...one of my big goals for early 2010 was to totally rethink how I show my photography and film work online. I'm very happy so far and will roll it out soon!

Fun at Haworth

I was out at Haworth yesterday in Holland to shoot a portrait for a feature coming up this week in Rapid Growth.

I had a some time to kill and was inspired to throw on a tilt/shift lens and play around re-interpreting some of the lines, colors and patterns.

I was absolutely blown away by the design and architecture of Haworth's headquarters.

Gothic Rapid Growth?

As some of you already know, I've been Rapid Growth Media's managing photographer since its inception 4 years ago. I love shooting for this thoroughly positive weekly web magazine that focuses on entrepreneurship, innovation, lifestyle and "green" initiatives around West Michigan.

This week's issue has some particularly interesting photographs. I invite you to take a look at the kayak feature as well as the a nice profile about an eco-couple.

These two stories exemplify why this publication is so much fun to shoot for...one moment I'm photographing someone out on an icy river...and the next I'm inspired to ask a couple to emulate Grant Wood's "American Gothic" painting...but with a twist.

New Aquinas Video - Academics

I've been producing, directing and shooting a series of videos this year for Aquinas College. This latest video touts the high academic standards of the school using several voices faculty members as well as the Provost.

Wondergem Staff Photos

Grand Rapids based Wondergem Consulting undertook one of the longer term photography projects I've ever worked on...and it was a total blast. We shot over the course of 4 months starting in June of last year.

The project consisted of creating unique portraiture of each their staff as well as a selection of their blue chip client list for their brand new web site. We shot on helipads, pedi-cabs and everywhere in between!

Above are some of the staff photographs...and I'll post some of their client portraits later in the week!

UICA-Behind the Scenes

I proudly serve as a member of the board of UICA...the Urban Institute for Contemporary Art...one of the most unique art organizations in the entire country. We're building an amazing new facility.

Take a quick video tour with me and UICA's Executive Director Jeffrey Meeuwsen.

If you'd like to donate and support this amazing place...as well as have your hard earned dollars generously matched by the Dick and Betsy DeVos Family Foundation you may do so here.

Fashion Shoot Post #2 - Paper Dresses

This was one memorable shoot...and the photos/wardrobe featured in this post were only a part of it...so many talented people worked very hard to mutually pull off something (hopefully) special. Many of you have asked me who the shoot was for and why it took place. Interesting story:

Julie Strating and I started casually chatting at a Christmas Party for our friends at StoryTelling Pictures...and the next thing you know we agreed to collaborate on a major fashion shoot to benefit our mutual portfolios. I'll give you the whole back story of how (and why) this came to be with my next post.

These amazing paper dresses were designed and created by fashion designer/artist Claudia Petrelli. Claudia is from Grand Rapids...by way of Bucharest, Romania. Thank you, Claudia!

Here's the rest of the hard working crew...amazing job by everyone.

Julie Strating: Make-up Artist
Erin Brown: Hair Stylist
Natasha Ohlman: Fashion and Set Stylist

Models:
Jon "JC" Cunningham: Male Model
Alexandra Rush: Female Model (of Ford Models in New York City)
Christine Praniewicz: Female Model (of Matthew Agency of Grand Rapids)

Brian Kelly: Photographer

Josh Tyron: Lead Assistant

Elizabeth Mikrut: Producer/2nd Assistant

Location: Wealthy Theater - Grand Rapids, Michigan (thank you, Erin for all your help!)

A big thanks to my crew of Josh and Liz...you always have my back...and the sandwiches.

One more blog post about this shoot coming later...more photos too!

Fashion Shoot Sneak Preview

I'll be blogging in detail about this major fashion shoot very soon...and putting up lots of images on my portfolio site.

I had a blast and was fortunate to work with extremely talented and hard working people.

In the meantime I couldn't resist sharing a sneak peek!

more weddings in 2010?

I know I mentioned Adrienne and Kyle's wedding earlier this year here on the blog. I feel truly honored that I was allowed to document such a cool couple's big day. They were just simply awesome to work with!

I was amazed at their final wedding books. The printer I used delivered the finest quality books I have ever seen.

I typically have very limited availability given my normal workflow of commercial work, but I enjoyed shooting Adrienne and Kyle's wedding so much that I'd love to collaborate on 2 or 3 weddings in 2010.

If you know of someone who might be interested in having me shoot their wedding, just send an email to my project manager Elizabeth and she'll gather some initial information and set up an appointment.

Red Wall - Spencer Mulder

Here's another shot of musician Spencer Mulder. I love this newly painted red wall in Heartside that was part of local artist AJ Paschka's ArtPrize entry. It was created to be used as a photo wall...and I'm sure I'll use it again.

Even though it was broad daylight when we shot this, I lit it so it looked like the evening. You can see more of this same effect w/Spencer's photos on my web site. Just check out the "Music & Fashion" section.

Lux Land Photos

Okay...I've been sitting on pins and needles to show you these photos for quite some time.

Lux Land is an incredible singer/songwriter, gifted party thrower, awesome mom and a good friend.

Lux has a new album coming out early next year. It's super great...can't wait!

Want to see more photos of Lux? Take a look at the "music and fashion" section of my web site.

Meeting Ad Agencies-Creatives

Hey out there...a big part of 2010 for me, Elizabeth and Josh is getting outside Grand Rapids to meet more of you cool creative professionals that influence and decide who gets to shoot what for your clients. It doesn't matter if you're a big or small agency, but if you initiate photography or video campaigns, we'd love to say hello.

So I'll extend this offer to anyone that might have a genuine interest in learning more about my work and discussing potential photography or video based projects sometime in 2010:

We'll come to you to show you our portfolio...and we'll go virtually anywhere (within reason) to put a face with a name.

Just shoot Elizabeth an email and she'll gather some information about your agency and get the ball rolling.

In the meantime you can always look at some of my portfolio here!

Sarah Palin - Photo Essay

A couple of weeks ago I got a call from Getty's London office to shoot for one of the largest national newspapers in the United Kingdom. The Observer Magazine (of The Guardian Newspaper conglomerate) is the equivalent of the New York Times Sunday Magazine.

I was honored to get the call.

My assignment was to create a photo essay of various people waiting in line to meet Sarah Palin at the first book signing of her tour here in Grand Rapids at a mall. A writer from The Observer flew in from New York and interviewed the people I photographed for a story.

It was quite a cast of characters waiting in line...as you might imagine.

Acton Institute - Annual Reports

This year I was fortunate to shoot 4 different annual reports for various clients. I really love shooting A/R's because they offer an opportunity to work intensely with one client.

This is a portrait of Fr. Robert A. Sirico from the Acton Institute for The Study of Religion and Liberty. This particular composition is weighted strongly to the right to allow for potential text or a letter from Fr. Sirico on the left.

Fr. Sirico is an internationally known speaker. His writings on religious, political, economic, and social matters are published in a variety of journals, including: the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, Forbes, the London Financial Times, the Washington Times, the Detroit News, and National Review. Fr. Sirico is often called upon by members of the broadcast media for statements regarding economics, civil rights, and issues of religious concern, and has provided commentary for CNN, ABC, the BBC, NPR, and CBS' 60 Minutes, among others.

Spencer Mulder - Leaves

Another series of photos of Spencer Mulder...look for more of these to drop on his web site very soon.

I've been steadily updating www.briankellyphoto.net with fresh images...stop by if you haven't checked it out in a while!

Aquinas College Video - President Balog

In a video I was very pleased to produce, direct and shoot, President Balog discusses the strengths and heritage of Aquinas College as well as highlights some exciting developments that are on tap in the upcoming year. You can also view the video in full HD.

Aquinas Student Spotlight Video - Lauren Smith

I'm very excited about the video series that we've been shooting, producing and directing for Aquinas College this fall. We've finished 3 videos already. Here is the first one.

Aquinas College sophomore Lauren Smith is a very busy Pre-Med student and an exceptional track athlete. Find out why she feels Aquinas College is the perfect fit for her.

Aquinas videos coming!!

I'm excited to say I just got the go ahead to release the first few videos that we've been shooting for Aquinas College this fall. I'll post them up here on the blog tomorrow. I can't wait to share what we've been working on for the last few months.

But for now I'm off on assignment for the London Daily Mirror to cover Sarah Palin's book signing visit to Grand Rapids...these photos will appear in the U.K edition of the newspaper as well as their online edition...I'll post a link when it's available.