Page 28 - Allisons Magazine Issue #95

How did you get started of my most creative and high-profile the Wild Things Are for the same reason.
photographing toys? Was projects to date. And I'm thrilled to Besides nostalgia, another reason I buy
it challenging? have recently picked up Warner Bros. and photograph certain toys is for “ ONE OF MY MOST
I photographed my last wedding in Entertainment as a client. Regardless their storytelling. PHOTOGRAPHED
November of 2015. My daughter was of the product and brand, one constant PROPERTIES IS PIXAR’S
in high school, and I was really starting always remains—creating images with Do you enjoy storytelling as
to feel the sting of missing so many emotion that bridges the gap between much as the photography and TOY STORY, AND THAT’S
weekends with her and my wife because the toy and the stories in one's head. scene creating? BECAUSE IT WAS ONE
of weddings. I knew that my daughter I love the storytelling aspect. It’s been OF MY DAUGHTER’S
would be off to college in the blink of an Who are your creative influences? the one constant throughout my FAVORITE MOVIES AS SHE
eye, which was a big determining factor It’s not really who so much as what. creative career, and it helped draw me
in my decision. I like to stay open to all types of to toy photography; it’s integral to WAS GROWING UP.
influences, as I never know where ideas my images. There are three primary
Coincidentally, I saw some toy photos or inspiration will come from. I enjoy components that I try to focus on with
on social media around the same capturing the comical, the ridiculous, my toy photography: story, emotion,
time that I was transitioning out of and the unexpected in my images and practical effects—in that order.
weddings. The idea struck me as really and often find that simply observing
odd but also really cool. Once I took my people and the absurdities of life (in What's your process for creating
first toy photo, I was hooked and never my life, mostly) can lead to a lot of fun movement in your photos?
looked back. With toy photography, ideas. My wife and I also enjoy hitting Most of the effects seen in my images
you’re limited only by your own galleries and museums as much as are real, often captured in real time
creativity, and I immediately saw the possible, something that’s not difficult after I’ve staged the scene; so, for the
potential to make it into a career. to do living in Los Angeles. And, being most part, my visual effects have actual
constantly bombarded by the media and movement when I take the shot. Real
My journey to toy photography was pop culture on a daily basis, it's hard not milk is splashing around Ant-Man,
the complete opposite of most toy to have some of that influence seep into real smoke and fire are emanating from
photographers: I came into it with one's images. Woody’s and Jessie’s matches, and real
absolutely no toys but with a strong dirt is flying around Scooby-Doo. I find
foundation in photography, so I was What are some of your favorite toys that the best way to infuse reality into
able to jump right in and start creating. to shoot, and why? my images is to capture something real.
In fact, many of the techniques I I tend to work with toys that I have I use Photoshop, but it’s rarely to add
learned while photographing weddings an emotional connection with, and anything to my imagery—usually only
are applicable to this field, especially that connection is often created by to remove things.
lighting and photographing details (like memories and nostalgia. One of my
wedding rings, table decor, etc.) in a most photographed properties is Pixar’s What has social media meant to you
beautiful, artful manner. Toy Story, and that’s because it was one during this venture? Do you like
of my daughter’s favorite movies as connecting with people?
You also do client work. What does she was growing up. I’ve watched that Social media has been a game changer
this entail? movie dozens of times with her. I know for me and for others who understand
I’ve created hundreds of images for the story and the characters extremely how to utilize it. There’s a vibrant
Mattel for their toy and game brands, well, and it always brings me back to a worldwide community of passionate
including UNO and Scrabble. I was different chapter of my family’s life. I toy photographers and collectors on
also commissioned to create images also photograph toys based on the Instagram, and it’s been incredible
for Hot Wheels’s 50th anniversary, one Maurice Sendak children’s book Where connecting with others and building

26 | AMERICAN LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE americanlifestylemag.com | 27