TOM HUSSEY PHOTOGRAPHY Captures Irish Charm for J.J. Corry Whiskey

TOM HUSSEY PHOTOGRAPHY takes us to Ireland to document a legendary brand. Historically distilleries in Ireland did not make Irish whiskey. Instead, they sold their new make whiskey spirit to whiskey bonders who blended, aged, bottled, and sold the finished product. That was the method for centuries until the 1930s collapse of the whiskey industry in Ireland.

Enter Louise McGuane, a twenty-year veteran of the international liquor industry and the daughter of farmers who had worked the land in western Ireland for generations — literally from a time before records were kept. Louise didn’t want to be a farmer. She did, however, want to find a way to reimagine her family’s farm. Thus, because of her, whiskey bonding was to once again thrive in County Clare.

As to the name of her whiskey, McGuane discovered there had been a very successful whiskey bonder named J.J. Corry working during the 1800s not three miles from her ancestral farm. She really liked the local history aspect, so J.J. Corry whiskey was reborn in 2012.

Louise built a Bonded Rackhouse on her farm — the only one of its kind in Ireland. To this she added a blending room and repurposed the farm’s 17th century farmhouse creating a wonderful tasting barn. Then she began sourcing spirit from all over Ireland and turning it into the fantastic whiskeys of current day J.J. Corry. J.J. Corry is a beautiful place making beautiful Irish whiskey in the old way. If you have a chance, do make it a point to visit. Sláinte!

See more images on the J.J. Corry story here. Follow us for more news and updates @dougtruppe.

Walter Smith: An Unexpected Document of My Parents' Lives

Walter Smith has been photographing his mother and father in their later years. It is a story of changes, challenges and selfless love, even if coming a bit late in their lives. He shares his experiences below in thoughtful words and imagery everyone can relate to today.

I've stumbled into documenting my parents over the years. A simple portrait here and there has started adding up to something more like a story. I like having the images...seeing them change...seeing how I've changed. I've never been sure when a series is complete....maybe it never ends and just transitions to something else.

This is my mother. She has been the woman at the sink hand washing every dish because a dishwasher will not get them clean. She spent 80% of her day at that counter...at that window. She started to develop an issue with her heart, and I watched as my father anxiously and tenderly took care of her in the hospital. Their relationship changed after that. As my mother became a bit less like my mother, my father became someone kinder and more patient than the person I grew up with. It has been beautiful to watch.

My mother's mobility started to wane as did her thought process. They had to leave their larger home and downsize to something more manageable. She angrily walked around in a housecoat and swept every inch of their old home just before they left for a new place. She has not forgiven my father for "making them move." She has not forgiven the family that neglected to pay her 80 years ago when she babysat for them. She has large gaps in her memory, and as they grow so does my father's patience. It’s Alzheimer's or dementia. She shuffles now...she talks of bitterness regarding her loss of independence. She asks Rhea to fix the dropped stitches in the potholders she tries to knit. My father continues to find compassion and patience and loves her for who she was and who she now is. That's their marriage. See more of the story here.

Be sure to check out more of Walter’s work at his new site Follow him @waltersmithphoto. Find more news and updates for us @dougtruppe.

Mom in the hospital with a heart condition, and my father watching over her.

Mom sweeping her old home before moving into the new place.

Welcome to the Truppe: Jared Leeds

We live in difficult times, but we believe challenges heighten our resilience and our work. Strength as a photographer and director lies in the ability to create trust, to put people at ease so the true self can come through. Whether working with one person or a large commercial production with a crew of 30 people or more, Jared Leeds connects to people on the most basic level and they respond in kind with emotionally charged moments. Jared tells stories with empathy, intimacy and compassion— the art of living is real, propelled forward in robust imagery and motion.

Based in Boston, Jared and his team have produced campaigns with creatives all over the world. Clients as CVS, Fidelity, UPS, Vanguard, Sunovion, Stearns and Foster and many more reach out to him because he is a versatile creator, motivator and collaborator.

We are proud to welcome and present Jared’s observations, clarity and vision to you and your clients. Check out his website and follow him @jleedsphoto. See more news and updates for us @dougtruppe.

Walter Smith: New Year, New Work, New Site

Many photographers go through a website update every year or two. Add in a few...remove a few...add images from jobs...fight the good fight of client images vs personal images. For Walter, the line between his personal work and client work is often blurred. His curiosity and documentary style of creating work has allowed him to work with clients from the pharma world to industrial clients. His response when clients ask him to describe his process is always the same... it's about the conversation in the room...the relationship with the talent...the trust of clients. Have a look at the new site and see how he puts this into practice. For more new work follow @waltersmithphoto. Follow us for more updates @dougtruppe.

See Walter’s past year in review below.

Peter Rodger Honored in 17th Annual Black & White Spider Awards

We are thrilled to share that Peter Rodger has received 5X Honorable Mention in the Advertising Category of the 17th Black & White Spider Awards. Peter continues to gain worldwide recognition for his visceral cinematic imagery capturing the soul of subjects in a non-contrived, yet observational way that makes for epic storytelling. He also never tires of embracing new technologies as with his use of Mega Pans, extremely high-res images (from 500-2500 megapixels), offering endless possibilities for branded content across all industries. See more of Peter’s latest work at his site, www.rodgerpictures.com.

Honorable Mention in Black & White Spider Awards.

Claudio Napolitano Honored By 17th Annual Black & White Spider Awards

“Lurking,”Claudio Napolitano’s black-and-white portrait of a Cuban boxer has been nominated in the 17th Annual Spider Awards in the sports category. Claudio loves to push the envelope, striving to create images that tell unforeseen stories. His motto, “If there is no work, then you have to create it for yourself,” propels him to seek out opportunities in the U.S., Europe, and Latin America and the results are always visionary and award-winning. See more at his site claudionapolitano.com Follow us @DougTruppe for more new work and news.

“Lurking,” nominated in the Sports Category of the 17th annual Spider Awards.

We Are On the Road with LE BOOK Connections Atlanta 2022

We are on the road again. Please come by and see Talent Agent Doug Truppe at LE BOOK Connections in Atlanta, December 8th, 2022, 10:30 AM - 7:00 PM (your local time) at Renaissance Atlanta Midtown Hotel, 866 W. Peachtree St. W, GA, 30308.

Get to know our passion and curiosity from our award-winning photographers and directors. We put a face and name to creativity. Can’t wait to share new work and look forward to seeing everyone in person!

Scott Montgomery Strikes a Nerve with The Reader

We are proud to present Scott Montgomery’s personal project The Reader, recently featured in the Workbook Weekly, the place to see great work. It is beautifully crafted storytelling using motion and imagery,

Tired of scrolling and binging watching during the first Covid wave that gripped New York City during the winter of 2020, photographer/director Scott began reading to his wife one evening in bed. The sense of intimacy it created transformed them, and for Scott it was the inspiration for the story that he wanted to tell.

He began with a simple story line about a young woman living in Brooklyn. She and her boyfriend love books and read to each other as a way to decompress after work. She wants to share this experience with others and decides she can build a side hustle: a personal reading service. People respond.

Scott began casting in the spring of 2021 but complications due to Covid brought shooting to a halt. But in the Spring of 2022 he met Jenna, an ICU nurse who had worked throughout the pandemic in NYC. She embodied all the traits of the character he called The Reader. And coincidentally, in real life, her boyfriend would read to her to calm her down after a particularly difficult shift. Scott now had the full narrative.

Scott shot both stills and motion and the blending of the two plays to his strength as a storyteller. As he told us, “…For a long time I’ve lit still scenes with a gaffer using motion continuous light. It’s rounder and softer than strobe and I prefer the look. Only gear change is camera. Second, I’m my own DP for main camera. Seamless continuity from stills to motion. Third, narrative story is my natural voice. My stills have always resembled a moment pulled from a movie…. now they link together to make mini-movies.”

“Researching the subject, I expected to find a focus on kids or the elderly. I was wrong. Reader clubs exist! Better yet, as we’ve started to show the piece, person after person has messaged and shared a story. We struck a nerve – The gift of reading out loud,” says Scott. See the Workbook promotion here. Find more updates and follow Scott @scott_mont

Click on the Images below to view The Reader and accompanying images.

Comerica Banks on Equal Opportunity with Tom Hussey Print Ads and TV Spots

Equal opportunity with equal access. Photographer and director Tom Hussey adapts the theme of access and greater awareness to a series of :30 TV spots and accompanying print campaign he created with Occam Marketing for client Comerica Bank. Both client and agency wanted Tom because of his own strong feelings about ethical standards in the workplace. “We at TOM HUSSEY Photography feel strongly about people being treated fairly and as equals which made bringing this project to life even more rewarding,” he says.

A big theme with a lot to cover, Tom shot and coordinated 14 different talent in 14 different locations to create a seamless campaign in just three days. Each face is a story of pride, goals achieved and empowerment.

The Comerica Bank TV spots and print ads can be seen in the Dallas area and then head to national markets. See new work and follow Tom @tomhusseyphotography. Follow us for daily updates @dougtruppe.

Click on Comerica Bank TV Spot Below.

Comerica Bank TV spot. Click on the image above.

We're On the Road with Tom Hussey: At the Dog Show

Everyone thinks they have the best dog and none of them are wrong. Tom was driving back to the studio after purchasing a new camera. He passed a large convention center in Dallas and noticed the marquee said “Dog Show.” Being adventurous, he decided to give his new camera some exercise and see what was going on.

It was like walking onto the set of “Best in Show” but with the smells you don’t get watching a movie. Huge mounds of dog hair, some as much as three to four feet high filled the venue. He created a promo booklet from the images made that day. The book is on the site as it was printed with wonderfully designed quotes on the images befitting the grandeur of man’s best friend.

See more images from the Dog Show here and follow @tomhusseyphotography to see new work. Follow @dougtruppe for more news and stories.

Welcome to the Truppe: Rhea Anna Photos + Motion Storyteller

Where can we start to talk about Rhea Anna? Her work is that of a story teller, bringing moments within moments to life to give them attention and weight. She creates and documents these moments with the depth of a mother, a creator, a partner. Rhea is as comfortable on the Arctic Circle as she is in her hometowns of Buffalo and Brooklyn, New York. Her work is not about a camera type or set design, it’s about her comfort and ability to see and highlight what we all aspire to—to be human, to be seen, to be included. Rhea’s vision as a director and photographer has been appreciated by clients such as Bank of America, Johnson & Johnson, BlueCross BlueShield, Mazda and Apple among many others.

We welcome Rhea to Doug Truppe Represents and look forward to collaborating on new projects and new ideas. She truly has the ability to craft a moment that doesn’t feel like a moment we made. We look forward to creating together with you. See new work and follow Rhea @rheannapictures.

We're on the Road with Tom Hussey: 'Tis the Season for Six-Man Football

Tom documented the six-man football team of a small private high school near his home in Dallas, Texas. “I had never heard of the six-man game, as most people are familiar with the traditional 11-man game and came to it by a special connection,” he says. In six-man the scoring is high and the action is almost non-stop. The final score of the last game of this particular season was 85 to 86, with the Mighty Lakehill HS Warriors winning the contest. A lot of six-man football is played by small schools in small towns across Texas. The game helps schools with lower enrollments to enjoy the Friday night high school traditions common to Texas.

Tom photographed all of the home games and traveled to all the games away from home. He captured the entire experience, even riding on the school’s bus to and from the contest. “I will tell you riding back from a game over an hour away from home with sweaty teenage boys is quite the experience. It was really fun watching, talking and photographing them, the smell on that bus could peel the paint.” See more imagery from Tom’s Six-Man Football here and follow @tomhusseyphotography https://www.instagram.com/tomhusseyphotography/ for more updates and stories. Follow us here.

We’re on the Road with Tom Hussey: At the Dirt Racetrack Full Speed Friday Nights

Tom was on assignment for AAA. The job—travel by car within a defined territory to find “America” photographically. The images were to be used in decorating a new AAA headquarters.

On the first day, after getting his bags and rental vehicle, he headed north from Minneapolis and stumbled on an oval dirt racetrack going full speed. It was a Friday night. “You could picture this track back in the ‘20s and ‘30s. Drivers with home-built cars and guys handy with screwdrivers and wrenches would show up at a dirt oval to see who was fastest,” he says. No big sponsors, no glass suites, just skill, passion, friends, family and the hope of a checkered flag. The final checkered flag falls over the finish line. Trophies and cold beer get shared as trailers are loaded. Lights go out and the hopes and plans for next Friday night’s chase start revving up. See more of the Racetrack images here and follow @tomhusseyphotography for more updates . Follow @dougtruppe for latest news and stories.

Doug Truppe’s Platform of Values: Passion - The Human Elements for Life and Work

Doug Truppe is on the road again and presents a unique approach to outstanding production that brings your storytelling to life. “I live, work and make choices by these values with photographers, creatives, clients and everyone I meet.” Doug’s values of Curiosity, Passion, Kindness, Truth and Integrity are part of an ongoing series of presentations from our photographers and directors to the creative community. We present the value of Passion— an energy, a compelling desire for someone, something, some place, some idea. Our passion is our purpose. We show it in every image we make with: @KevinArnoldPhoto, @ClaudioNapolitano and @Scott_Mont here.

New collaborations and new relationships with values are the building blocks to great storytelling.

Click on Passion to see much more.

Agent Doug Truppe Presents The Creative Corner: Photographer/Director Kevin Steele Talks with Becky Winters, Senior Director, Creative Group at Norwegian Cruise Line

Kevin Steele chats with Becky Winters, Senior Director, Creative Group at Norwegian Cruise Line, about how he captured the essence and emotion of the Alaskan cruise lifestyle shoot that turned out to be a highlight of Becky’s career.

We hope you enjoy the sessions and would love to hear from you. If you are an industry creative and would like to participate, get your voice and ideas out there, feel free to contact us: hello@dougtruppe.com. Follow Kevin for more news and updates @kevsteele.

Kevin Steele talks with Becky Winters, Senior Director, Creative Group at NCL.

Jim Hughes Shoots Superstar Simone Biles for United Airlines

Jim Hughes photographed Gold Medalist Olympic champion Simone Biles for a United Airlines campaign as part of an ongoing partnership they have shared with the U.S. Olympic Athletes Team for the past 35 years. Jim captured superstar Biles taking selfies with the actual United employees.The images have been displayed on social media platforms in all United terminals, United magazines and digital billboards. Biles is also one of the latest civilian heroes to be the recipient of the Medal of Freedom. See more updates from jim @jimhughesphoto. Follow us for more news and stories @dougtruppe.

Gold Medalist Olympic Champion Simone Biles and United employees.

Simone Biles “Flies the Friendly Skies.”

Superstar Simon Biles and her United friends.

We're on the Road with Tom Hussey: Texas Brewery Tour

Texas Brewery Tour is a promotional piece featuring images of local craft breweries in six Texas cities that complemented Tom’ Hussey’s hosting of the “I Love Texas Photo” Instagram account. “I Love Texas Photo” asked Tom to post content showcasing his favorite people, places and things across the Lone Star State.

Being a big fan of craft beer, he just naturally thought it would be a lot of fun photographing as many local Texas breweries as possible. Over the course of three days, Tom drove approximately 1,230 miles and visited 15 breweries around Texas. “I met some of the nicest people brewing some of the finest craft beer I’ve ever had, hands down,” says Tom. See more images from Texas Brewery here and follow @tomhusseyphotography for more stories and updates. Follow us here.

The Art of the Personal Project Profiles Kevin Arnold

Take a look at this fascinating piece on Kevin Arnold by APE contributor Suzanne Sease for “The Art of the Personal Project.” Kevin’s fine art takes us to the stunning prehistoric landscapes of Tombstone Territorial Park in the Yukon Territory of Canada’s far north. Detailed aerial views present a vast, mysterious world that tells the story of how the land was and continues to form. Read the column and view more of the project here. Follow Kevin @kevinarnoldphoto for more updates and stories and follow us on Instagram here.

We’re on the Road with Tom Hussey: Kaffie-Frederick, Inc. General Mercantile

On a road trip through Louisiana Tom Hussey came upon The Kaffie-Frederick. Inc. General Mercantile in a small town called Natchitoches (pronounced Nacatish). Kaffie-Frederick General Mercantile is Louisiana's oldest general store, owned and operated by the same family since opening in 1863. It is run by two brothers who are the great grandsons of the founder. Walking through Kaffie-Frederick is like stepping into a time warp. It’s the sort of a place that used to be a common sight in most small towns and now has been replaced by big-box, home-improvement stores or online shopping.

The store features everything you remember from the "good old days"— hardware, housewares, cookware and kitchen supplies, classic toys (like Radio Flyer) and gifts. The original freight elevator still operates, and the 1910 cash register is not only in great condition but is used for every sale. Happy to say, shopping with old-world charm is out there if you look for it. See more of the Mercantile images here and follow @tomhusseyphotography for more updates and stories. Follow us here.

Welcome to the Truppe: Kevin Arnold Photography

The projects may vary, but Kevin Arnold’s focus remains the same: create alluring imagery that not only gets it right technically, but also hits you in the gut emotionally. Based in Vancouver, BC, he travels the world photographing and directing lifestyle, landscape and industrial advertising imagery for clients such as MillerCoors, Mercedes-Benz, Blue Cross Blue Shield and Arctic Cat Snowmobiles.

Before becoming a professional photographer, Kevin worked as an editor and travel writer for magazines such as Outside, Men’s Journal and Adbusters. Now living in a more visual world, he still relies on his journalistic instincts but creates the good stories with a camera.

Kevin’s toolkit—meticulous planning, attention to detail, the confidence to improvise and take risks—allows scenes to unfold naturally. Moments of discovery and spontaneity are captured in real-time action like a breath of fresh air. Inspired by his energy, we are thrilled to welcome Kevin Arnold Photography to the Truppe. Visit Kevin’s site to see more of his imagery and stories, and follow him @kevinarnoldphoto. Follow us on Instagram here.