moving to Tumblr

I'm going to be posting bloggy content much more frequently onto my Tumblr site. I'm not sure how long I'll keep this Blogger page going as well.

My Tumblr site is a nice mix of current shoots, portfolio/video work, behind the scenes stuff, as well as a photo diary of sorts. It's less formal and random. There's a lot of content up and running already.

Please visit that site, bookmark it, feed it, follow it, etc.

Behind the Scenes-Lux Land

Lux Land Shoot - Behind the Scenes from Brian Kelly Films on Vimeo.

A quick (and raw) video clip of part of my shoot with Lux Land last summer for her new album. If you haven’t ever heard her music, do yourself a favor and pick up her latest album “Sweet Suspension."

This portion of the shoot with Lux was located in a (mosquito infested) nature reserve at Calvin College. Just to the left of where we were shooting in this video was a small patch of trees where the cover shot to the album was taken.

Here's the photo we were working on in the video:

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.

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.

I'm hiring one brave soul

Hey everyone...I'm really busy with a wide range of projects and am looking for one talented (or perhaps brave) individual to come work with me in the following role. Send me an email if you live in Grand Rapids, are able to multi-task and would like to know more about this position:

About Brian Kelly, LLC

Brian Kelly, LLC is a full service commercial photography and video production company that services a very diverse range of West Michigan based clients.

Position

Brian Kelly, LLC seeks an individual to execute the roll of project manager/producer/client liaison/personal assistant. This person is the first point of contact a client may have with Brian Kelly, LLC and often the main point of contact for the client throughout a project. This person works very closely with Brian Kelly to assist in the efficient flow of communication between clients with projects in various points of production within the company.

Responsibilities may include scheduling meetings, photo and video shoots, controlling the flow email and phone communications, coordinating location scouting, delivering files to clients, running to the photo lab or to other vendors, shipping/mailing, obtaining shooting permits and/or other location and logistical permissions, shepherding projects from estimation phase to final billing, grabbing lunch or coffee on location as well as be a 2nd assistant on some larger photo or video sets...it's a little bit of everything and every day is different.

This person minds the gaps as well as does a fair share of babysitting Brian Kelly’s right brain. This person needs to be very detail oriented with strong communication skills and the ability to track multiple projects on various points of completion at any given time. This position requires a fast paced, intuition-minded, and highly professional individual with an understanding that attention to detail and the fast turnaround of a dynamic product is essential to the continued success of Brian Kelly, LLC.

Bonus points for fluency in Photoshop/Lightroom/InDesign and the nuances of ice cream.

This position requires a minimum of 20-30 hours a week with many weeks likely to exceed 30 hours. Pay rate is negotiable based on experience and other software skills.

Brian Kelly, LLC is an equal opportunity employer.

ArtPrize-Behind the Scenes-Interview with Young Kim

I had the pleasure of meeting and photographing Young Kim on Saturday for the official ArtPrize book that will be coming out later.

As you know, there was a HUGE buzz about Young's installation at 47 Commerce...(here's the first video Josh and I made about his work). It seemed to be the one piece everyone was talking about and most felt strongly that Young Kim deserved to be in the Top 10. Fortunately, he was recognized with a $5000 Curators Award by UICA at the ArtPrize awards ceremony on Thursday night.

I think you'll like Young Kim even more after listening to him talk about his work, his experiences in Grand Rapids and ArtPrize.

ArtPrize-Behind the Scenes-Rooftop Photo Shoot

On Monday we shot portraits of 5 of the Top 10 ArtPrize finalists. This video takes you behind the scenes on the shoot.

A big thank you to Suzette from The Ledyard Building for letting us crawl all over their historic building in the heart of Grand Rapids.

There's more shoots like this to come, not all the Top 10 artists are in town yet...but they will be soon.

I haven't voted yet, getting to know each artist a bit during these shoots has made it a harder decision for me...I have tremendous respect for all of them that I've met so far.

ArtPrize-Less Videos = More Photo Shoots!

I've been blown away by how many people have tuned into this blog and watched our videos over the last week and a half...literally thousands and thousands of people. Josh (my assistant) and I have been having a blast putting these together and we're very pleased that you are enjoying and sharing them with others.

Many people have come up to me on the street and said "you're the ArtPrize video guy," or "we love the videos you're doing for ArtPrize."

But just to clarify one logical assumption you may have; I am not being paid by ArtPrize to produce these videos, nor have I ever discussed with ArtPrize what the subject matter of my videos would or wouldn't be. I am doing these videos purely out of excitement for ArtPrize and my unabashed love of Grand Rapids.

The only reason I spend so much of my own time (and my own money) producing these videos is because I have 100% creative control of what I want to say and what I want to show you about ArtPrize.

We'll try to do a few more videos as time allows this week...but we may not be able to produce as many due to one major project that I actually am being paid by ArtPrize to produce.

ArtPrize has commissioned me to document the Top 25 pieces of art as well as take a unique portrait of each of the Top 25 artists. These photos will be used for an upcoming official ArtPrize book/catalogue that will be released later.

So this week will be a mad dash of scrambling to locate artists, see who's in town and hopefully make some incredible images that will honor the artists, their work and ArtPrize.

So stay tuned...keep checking back here for more behind the scenes content of some of my photo shoots for ArtPrize...still photography of some incredible artists and their art!

ArtPrize-Behind the Scenes - Get out the VOTE!

Today is the last day of voting and artists with the most UP votes will be launched into the coveted the Top 10...so get out there and make your votes count...there's a ton of prize money on the line!

So VOTE UP for the pieces you think are deserving of a shot at $449,000 in prize money!!

ArtPrize-Behind the Scenes - Tanglefoot

If you're here for ArtPrize, don't miss the amazing Tanglefoot Building. It's one of the off the beaten path places that will blow you away!

Behind the Scenes Photo Shoot

Behind the Scenes Photo Shoot at The Winchester from Brian Kelly Films on Vimeo.

This is kind of fun...tag along with me at The Winchester on a recent shoot for the Grand Rapids/Kent County Convention and Visitors Bureau. A lot of work/planning goes into getting just one photo option for the cover of the annual Visitors Guide.

This shoot was unusual because we wanted to shoot with the models at dusk...and The Winchester is ALWAYS packed at night. It's one of my favorite places to eat and hang out.

You can also watch it in full HD by clicking on the arrows by the "Vimeo" logo on the player.

Jim Rides His Bike - short film clip

Jim Rides His Bike from Brian Kelly Films on Vimeo.

I'm working with Square One (a great communications firm here in GR) to create an short film for Disability Network. This is a short clip from yesterday's shoot.