The Gunfighters - Photo Research and Licensing

One of the things I love about freelance photo editing is the variety of projects that come my way.

This year I've worked on live TV shows, website builds, tourism content, big events, and most recently, photo research for a book about Old West gunfighters by Bryan Burrough (Random House).

The research took me through archives I hadn't worked with before - the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Oklahoma Historical Society, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, and others.

It's always interesting to dig through historical photographs and piece together the visual story. Here are a few of my favorite images from the project.

Visit Detroit - Custom Content Hub

Behind the Scenes: Bringing Detroit to Life Through Local Eyes

When AFAR asked me to photo edit their "Travel to Be Moved" custom content program for Visit Detroit, I was excited to dive in. Instead of a typical destination guide, we were showcasing Detroit through the eyes of three locals who actually live and work there.

The Vision

The project featured three Detroit personalities:

  • Tiff Massey, an artist with a solo exhibition at the Detroit Institute of Arts

  • Javier Bardauil, a James Beard Award-nominated chef who moved from Buenos Aires to open his restaurants in Detroit

  • Ty Farris, a rapper and record label owner who's been part of Detroit's music scene for nearly 30 years

We created six articles total: three profiles and three itinerary pieces that would help travelers experience Detroit like locals do.

The Photography Challenge

As photo editor, I coordinated shoots with photographer Sylvia Jarrus across Detroit, covering locations like Tiff's studio and the Detroit Institute of Arts, Javier's restaurants Barda and Puma, and music venues like El Club and Mom's Spaghetti where Ty's story comes to life.

The Technical Side

Working within AFAR's and Visit Detroit’s brand guidelines meant every image needed to be bright and experiential, showing people actually engaging with Detroit's culture rather than empty tourist shots. Hero images had to work in panoramic crops for social media, while supporting photos needed to show diverse locations: restaurants, cultural sites, hotels, and architecture.

I created detailed shot recommendations for Sylvia to make sure we captured authentic moments that would inspire people to visit, from the flaming saganaki at Pegasus Taverna to the art installations at The Shepherd gallery.

The Result

We delivered 58 edited photos covering 24 different Detroit locations that Visit Detroit licensed for their channels, plus a dedicated hub on AFAR.com. The final selection included everything from intimate restaurant shots at places like Cannelle and Lady of the House to cultural destinations like the Belle Isle Conservatory and vibrant venues like Spot Lite.

Check it out at: https://www.afar.com/magazine/the-afar-insiders-guide-to-detroit

Explore Charleston - Tourism Board Art Direction and Shoot Production

Photos by Peter Frank Edwards for Explore Charleston’s website, advertising and social media.

Looking for visual content production for tourism and destination marketing? I help tourism boards, DMOs, and travel brands create compelling visual stories through:

  • Tourism board image research & licensing

  • Visual strategy for destinations

  • Multi-platform content production

  • Large-scale photo research

Buff Strickland Zine - How We Live Volume II

One of my favorite things is working with photographers over the course of many years. Buff and I first did a print promo together in 2015. This fall, we worked on a Volume II of her How We Live zine. The zine is designed by https://beckyplante.com/ and beautifully printed by Paper Chase Press.

buff strickland magazine style promo featuring lifestyle, food and travel photography
buff strickland magazine style promo featuring lifestyle, food and travel photography
buff strickland magazine style promo featuring lifestyle, food and travel photography
buff strickland magazine style promo featuring lifestyle, food and travel photography
buff strickland magazine style promo featuring lifestyle, food and travel photography

Tourism Board Photo Research & Visual Content Production | Visit California Case Study

Tourism Board Visual Content Production: Visit California

When AFAR partnered with Visit California to create their luxury travel guide, they needed expert visual content production and photo research across 500+ destinations. Here's how we delivered.

Challenge

  • Source premium imagery showcasing unexpected luxury experiences

  • Cover 500+ points of interest statewide

  • Secure rights and releases for multi-platform usage

  • Meet tight production timeline for print and digital deliverables

Strategy: a comprehensive visual research approach

  • Curated network of California photographers, featuring Amanda Friedman's iconic poppy field cover

  • Direct partnerships with regional tourism boards including Visit Palm Springs, Visit Anaheim

  • Luxury hotel and restaurant image libraries

  • Destination marketing organizations' content hubs

Process

  • Created detailed shot list targeting unique luxury moments

  • Established streamlined licensing workflow across multiple stakeholders

  • Managed complex rights acquisition for print/digital usage

Results

  • Delivered premium wire-bound sourcebook

  • Created immersive digital experience

  • Exceeded client visual quality expectations

  • Established efficient process for large-scale tourism projects

The bonus:

Appreciating the beauty of the images alongside the playful and fun illustrations of the amazing Libby VanderPloeg!

Looking for visual content production for tourism and destination marketing? I help tourism boards, DMOs, and travel brands create compelling visual stories through:

  • Tourism board image research & licensing

  • Visual strategy for destinations

  • Multi-platform content production

  • Large-scale photo research

Gary Sinise Foundation's Snowball Express

The 2023 Snowball Express was 8 days of photography, laughs, hugs, and some tears. Put on by the Gary Sinise Foundation, Snowball Express brings thousands of military and first responder families together at Disney World to honor their fallen heroes.

The media team not only captures all of the events that take place, but they also work closely with families to document the stories of their lost loved ones. It’s one of the most rewarding photo editing jobs I could ask for. Thanks to Julia Robinson for bringing me on to the team.

Photos by:

Julia Robinson
Sol Neelman
Octavio Jones
Matthew Busch
Justin L. Stewart

Texas Tribune Festival

I’ve had the pleasure of working with the Texas Tribune Festival since 2016. Of course, Covid really put a damper on large scale events like TribFest, so I appreciate the event even more now that it’s back in full force.

For the 2022 festival, I focused on producing all of the sponsorship and marketing-related photography coverage, managing the budget, scheduling and photo assignments for the team of photographers and photo editors.

See more of the photos, including those produced by the editorial team.


FHI 360 and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

DC-based photographer Rebecca Drobis was awarded a contract by FHI 360 to create a custom image library for the CDC to use for its diabetes prevention campaigns. CDC realized that traditional stock photography just wasn’t connecting with their users, and wanted to focus on real people talent and situations that would resonate.

I served as the project’s creative director. My priority was ensuring that the CDC’s missions and goals were furthered through Rebecca’s photography.

I reviewed CDC focus group findings, brand guidelines, and other marketing documentation in order to arrive at a list of key themes the photos should touch on.

We approached the project in phases over the course of 14 months, collaborating on what locations, talent, and situations would help the CDC achieve its goals. I created mood boards to help hone the creative direction, and once that was finalized, I created shot lists with location, art and talent direction.

Rebecca and her rock star producer Nancy Swenton took the months of prep and turned into shoot day magic, creating relatable, authentic imagery.

Texas Book Festival, 2022

I got to work with the rock star photo crew for the Texas Book Festival again. Everyone was so happy to be IN PERSON and enjoying the beautiful, fall weather. Thanks to Bob and Janis Daemmrich for having me be their photo editor and to the amazing photographers: Laura Skelding, Stephen Spillman, and Bob Daemmrich.

Here are a few of my favorite photos from the weekend.

Attendees pose on Congress Ave / Laura Skelding
Xelena González / Stephen Spillman
Volunteers / Stephen Spillman
Sandra Cisneros / Bob Daemmrich
Jacques Pépin / Laura Skelding

Texas Writer Award boots / Bob Daemmrich
Beautiful weather and good eats / Bob Daemmrich
Chef Chris Scott / Laura Skelding
Rabia Chaudry poses with a fan / Laura Skelding
Capitol rotunda / Bob Daemmrich
Omar Epps / Laura Skelding
Capitol / Stephen Spillman

Big Weekend Calendar, 2023

Hard to believe it’s been over 10 years since I joined the Big Weekend Calendar team as their photo editor. The 2023 edition was a joy to produce. From vintage clothes shopping in Austin’s North Loop neighborhood to hot rods and chihuahuas, this year’s calendar had something for everyone.

Here are a few of my favorite photos.

WWE

It’s never a dull day at the office when you’re working for WWE. I’ve had the privilege of doing onsite photo editing for their live TV shows, Smackdown and RAW, as well as the marquee annual event, WRESTLEMANIA.

The photo team at WWE is top notch, and produce amazing work every week. Photographers include Craig Ambrosio, Eric Johnson, Cooper Neill, Heather McLaughlin, Richard Freeda, Mike Marques and Preston Mack. Photo editors include Melissa Halladay, Jamie Nelson, and Julia Robinson.

The team is led by Vice President of Photography Bradley Smith, longtime photo industry leader and former DOP of Sports Illustrated.

Dell Technologies, Fall 2020

Photo production and editing for the most recent issue of Dell’s magazine, Realize.

We produced these shoots in March, right the country started to lock down due to Covid-19. Seems like so long ago!

A Robot to Fix Us All
Photographer: Jeff Wilson
Location: University of Texas

Chief Digital Officer Jen Felch

Photographer: Bryan Kuntz
Shot on location at Dell Headquarters in Round Rock, Texas

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Photo Research and Licensing

Photo by Maggie Steber/VII/Redux

Photo by Maggie Steber/VII/Redux


Endangered Wildlife Trust

Endangered Wildlife Trust

DUSTIN CHAMBERS/The New York Times/Redux

DUSTIN CHAMBERS/The New York Times/Redux

Dell Technologies, Winter 2019

New work for Dell Technologies’ magazine, “Realize”. The theme of the issue was optimism, which is something I need a daily dose of. Sometimes when you look at the headlines and all the terrible things happening around the world, it’s hard to remember that there are really smart, creative people solving big problems.

A few highlights:

For a story on how emerging technologies are helping solve the planet’s plastic problem, we chose this intense image of people rowing through a river of plastic by Dimitar Dilkoff of @AFP / @theblindkolcho. Lettering by @joelholland_studio

Tony Luong made a beautiful portrait of Dell’s Chief Responsibility Office, Christine Fraser, in Boston.

Photo by @_tonyluong
Lettering by @joelholland_studio
Art direction by @alison_wilkes

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Environmental Portrait Production for Dell

Dell Technologies Magazine

New work for Dell and their executive journal, Realize. We commissioned Noah Berger to document work being by @draperlab, @chicostate, and @calfire to use satellite imagery and data to help predict wildfire behavior.

We also got to use some of Noah’s excellent work from the #paradisefire. @noah3929 .

I also commissioned Bob O’Connor to photograph Dell Technologies CTO John Roese.

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Texas Book Festival

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Last fall, I had the pleasure of being an on-site photo editor for the Texas Book Festival. The photography team, led by Bob Daemmrich, included Deborah Cannon, Laura Skelding and Marjorie Kamys Cotera.

Lots of great photography events including talks and book signings with Pete Souza, Kenny Braun, Wyatt McSpadden, Pete Beste, Jay B Sauceda, and Casey Dunn.

Highlights from the 2018 Texas Book Festival can be viewed here. Check out some of my favorite photos below!

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Texas Tribune Festival

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This fall, I had the pleasure of working with the media team for one of my favorite events, the Texas Tribune Festival. Working this event is a fun whirlwind of scheduling, editing, captioning, funneling images to social media teams, and of course, breakfast tacos and coffee. Lots, and lots of coffee.

Austin is lucky to have some incredibly talented, hard-working photojournalists covering this event. The Tribune Festival photography team included Bob Daemmrich, Callie Richmond, Chris Carrasquillo, Erich Schlegel, Erika Rich, Marjorie Kamys Cotera, Rachel Zein, Rudolfo Gonzalez, Stephen Spillman, Steve Moakley, Thomas Meredith and fellow photo editor Leslie Baldwin.

Thanks to Tribune Creative Director Jacob Villanueva for putting together a rock-star team! If you are in need of solid event or editorial coverage, these photographers should be on your list!!

If you're in need of an editor to produce photo and video coverage, give me a shout!

You can see more photos from the event here, and read more about the Texas Tribune Festival here.