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  It’s the sort of a place that used to be a common sight in most small towns and now has been replaced by big-box, home-improvement stores or online shopping.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.

Yukon Overland is a series of images created for Woods, a Canadian outdoor brand that specializes in camping supplies and travel gear.

Coors Light campaign created for ARC Worldwide in Chicago for MillerCoors International.

From Tombstone Image Collection. A fine art print collection of aerial images shot in Canada’s far north. 

Andy Goodwin Wins Creative Quarterly 67 Best in Show and More

We are proud to announce that Andy Goodwin is the winner of Creative Quarterly 67 Best of Show in the photography category for his “Nightmare at the Museum.” Andy put a personal twist in this composite series with little Violet, a precocious young scamp with spunk, who strays from her field trip and wreaks havoc in the Hall of Mammals. See all the CQ 67 winners here. Also, all winners will be published in Creative Quarterly available summer 2022 on an Online Gallery. The series has also been featured in Communications Arts.

Enjoy more of Violet’s antics and Andy’s Composite/CGI projects here. Follow him @agoodwinphoto for more updates and stories.

Retoucher: @jeffsatterthwaite_creative

Model: Violet Koch⁠
Inspiration: Fearless Girl Statue, Eloise at the Plaza⁠

Creative Quarterly 67 Best in Show winner.

We're on the Road with Tom Hussey: Northern Lights

Northern Lights was a five-day project conceived with a love for all things handcrafted. Vermont has a great number of artisans working a craft that long ago was outsourced or taken over by machinery.  When  Tom started planning the trip it was referred to as a “Cheese Tour.”

Tom wanted to get to know and photograph the people raising the animals, making the cheese and taking it to the world market. As he was researching the cheese process, he discovered there were numerous other handcrafts produced in Vermont—thus the scope of the project expanded a bit.  He photographed six different cheese producers—loving every one for different reasons. He met other craftspeople as Calley Hastings, a wonderful woman using goat’s milk creatively to make  craft caramel in a rapidly growing business. He also discovered Timothy Clark Furniture—handcrafted incredible Windsor-style chairs and benches. White Room Custom Skis, owned by Vin Faraci, are custom fit to each person with gorgeous hardwood-laminated designs on the ski tops. Inspired by the journey, the people, their passion and the goods they create, Tom found hardy New Englanders are keeping the tradition of hand creation alive and well—even thriving. 

See more of Tom’s images for Northern Lights here and follow Tom @tomhusseyphotography for his latest stories and updates.

Andy Goodwin Returns to Driftless for More Artisan Portraiture

As part of Andy’s ongoing project of taking portraits of some of the many wonderful artists in Wisconsin’s Driftless region, he made a special trip to photograph John Walte and his wife Pam Callahan who  he had heard so much about. Like  Andy, they are originally from Chicago but now live in one of those lush rolling valleys that he has come to love up here. Besides their beautiful art work (Pam - Painter, John - Photographer), they have also become stewards of their 150-acre farm and have taken on the responsibility of a "post-agriculture eco-transformation.” Making friends has become as important as taking pictures on this pro bono project, and  Andy can’t wait to get back in the spring to spend more time exploring this magical place. See more of the Driftless community here. Follow Andy @agoodwinphoto for more updates and stories.

John Walte - Photographer

Pam Callahan - Painter

Laura Annis - Multidimensional Painter, Woodworker and Welder

Andy Goodwin Creates Fearless Fantasy in Nightmare at the Museum Series

Andy puts a personal twist in his new composite series, Nightmare at the Museum. The tables are turned when Andy features little Violet, a precocious young scamp with spunk, who strays from her field trip and wreaks havoc in the Hall of Mammals. It’s a frightmare the animals won’t ever forget. Enjoy the whimsy of Violet’s antics and more of Andy’s Composite/CGI projects here. Follow him @agoodwinphoto for more updates and stories.

Retoucher: @jeffsatterthwaite_creative

Model: Violet Koch⁠
Inspiration: Fearless Girl Statue, Eloise at the Plaza⁠

We're on the Road with Tom Hussey: Magic at The Candlelight Lounge

 “New Orleans life is such a night life. The thing that comes up very often is that our day doesn’t start until midnight or two in the morning.” Robert Asprin, American Author

 It’s late and we were looking for a Second Line Band to photograph with no luck. We are deep in the heart of New Orleans’ Treme district. We stop and ask a man, who introduces himself as Oswald, if there’s anywhere close by that has live music? He points across the street to a faded yellow building. His son’s band is playing later.

 The lounge is one big room, a bar, pool table and a large painted dance floor. The bartender says they got the best live music in NOLA. Around 10:30PM the bass line kicks in and the room begins to move. The band is the Treme Funktet— no playlist just old-school New Orleans music mixed with brass band, funk and some mainstream jazz. The group leader, Corey Henry, is royalty here and known for a Treme-born style of funk based in the New Orleans Second Line tradition.

Sound bounces off the plywood ceiling as the whole room seems to move to the bass line groove.  It’s getting late, but there’s no set time for the band to quit. We pay our tab and head back to the hotel as more people are pouring in. The Candlelight Lounge is the beating heart of the last live music in the Treme.

See Tom’s full gallery of images from the Candlelight Lounge here, and be sure to follow @tomhusseyphotography for more updates and stories.

Peter Rodger Presents a Winning Style in the 16th Annual Spider Awards

Peter Rodger won six prizes and was nominated for four more in the 16th Annual Spider Awards, featuring some of the world’s best Black and White photography. In the Advertising Professional category, he won first place for Outstanding Achievement with one of his recently completed HCA Healthcare campaign images. The campaign has also been selected for a special “In Focus” profile by AtEdge. Peter also won in the People Professional and Nudes categories for work from his personal series “Cheeky.”  The honored images show how he interprets life in a unique, realistic, visually alluring style.

 See the complete winning gallery here.  View Peter’s latest work, and follow him for more updates @peterrodger. 

First Place, Outstanding Achievement, Advertising Professional. Ad for HCA Healthcare Campaign: Young man helping his friend.

Honorable Mention, Advertising Professional.  Ad for HCA Healthcare Campaign: Portrait of frontline nurse.

Honorable Mention, People Professional.  “Cheeky” Crosswalk Only in Cannes.

Scott Montgomery Gets Personal with "Keep It for Her”

Parenting is universal: We aspire to do everything we can right… and carry it heavy when it doesn’t work out that way.” This 22-second short is everything I love in working with kids and inspired by my daughters,” says Scott.

Production:  Dad and daughter are talent, not related and just met, though you wouldn’t know it. “It helps for me working with kids to be in dad mode as much as director — to play with and surprise her. Kids on set don’t need to act, just the opportunity to be themselves through a reaction.”  Scott wrote the script  and recorded separately. Camera Talent: Ian Randolph and Irelynn Joy. Voice Talent: Thomas Copeland. “Keep It for Her” has also been featured on the Workbook Weekly News. See more work and follow Scott @scott_mont.

Click on the image below to see “Keep It for Her.”

Andy Goodwin Showcases the Artisans of Wisconsin’s Driftless Region

Once upon a real time, an adventurous photographer named Andy Goodwin visited an area  of SW Wisconsin known as the Driftless Area. It was called Driftless because it was untouched by glaciers, allowing the landscape to stay lush, rolling and a bit magical. The natural beauty of the region attracted a wide range of artists who live and practice their crafts to this day in rustic cottages, barns and old schools in towns with names like Spring Green, Baraboo and Mineral Point. The community creates everything from furniture and sculptures to beautiful pottery and paintings, opening its doors to the public for the Annual Art Tour where visitors can watch the creations being made.

Andy started documenting the artists at their crafts and became known to the community for his goodwill and pro-bono work which helped to promote their passions. In exchange, he received a creative shot in the arm, gratitude, new friendships, some wonderful art and the opportunity to show personal work at a local  gallery.

 Andy’s portraiture is like a kiss, and we all get to share in the moment and enjoy the community’s spirit.. The Moral: Great work is timeless. It reflects expert skills, a universal feel, trust in ourselves and the kindness of others to let it happen. “Driftless” is an ongoing project. Andy will be back and plans to promote the series in a gallery show, a book presentation and more multi-platform venues to spread the story across the land. See more portraits from “Driftless” here. And follow Andy @goodwinphoto.

Featured Artisans: Top Row (l to r): Edward Wohl-Woodworking; Audrey Christie-Woodcut Prints

Middle Row (l to r) Diana Johnston-Ceramics & Paintings; Winthrop Byers-Ceramics

Bottom Row (l to r) Katie & Joelle White-Ceramics; Tom Johnston-Ceramics

Agent Doug Truppe Presents The Creative Corner: Andy Goodwin Talks with Robert Frolich of Filtre Studio

Andy and Robert Frolich of Filtre Studio have worked on dozens of projects together. In this conversation they talk about their creative process and show samples of their award-winning collaborations using photography, compositing and CGI with a focus on the popular “Queen for a Day” series.

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

Click on the Image below to Start the Conversation.

Robert Frolich of Filtre Studio (left) talks with Andy Goodwin (right).

Agent Doug Truppe Presents The Creative Corner: Photographer/Director Dennis Welsh Talks with Creative Director Mark Bappe of CTP, Boston

We bring a new series of candid chats between our award-winning photographers/directors and a creative of their choice from the industry.

Photographer/director Dennis Welsh, based in New England, talks with long-time friend and Creative Director Mark Bappe of CTP, Boston. Informal, informative and always honest, we look forward to doing more of these brief creative get-togethers. See witty and urbane stories and motion work from Dennis  here.

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.

Click on the image below for the talk.

Creative Director Marke Bappe (left) with Dennis Welsh (right).

Kevin Steele Is a Winner in APA LA 2021 Off the Clock Competition

Congratulations to  Kevin Steele, an APA LA 2021 Off the Clock Competition winner,  for his black-and-white  image of a woman and her dogs from the series “Life on Pause.”   (See  earlier post on the project.)  “Life on Pause” is a personal project documenting life in quarantine in an unprecedented time.  Shot through the front door, being safe, into the space of self-isolation, the project reveals life apart and together. “As a commercial location photographer my work is full of color and emotion.  This brings me back to my roots documenting life. One camera, one prime lens, black and white. No assistants, simple,” Kevin says.

 The image  will also appear in color with text as part of an ad spread in Luerzer’s Archive  coming out mid-July. See more updates and personal work at Kevin’s Instagram.

APA LA 2021 Off the Clock winning image.

Andy Goodwin Gets Personal and Wins Awards

Despite all the hardships of the past year, we can note some bright spots. Andy Goodwin had quite a rewarding and award-winning year. He was honored by Luerzer’s Archive for his “Queen for a Day” photography/CGI series created in collaboration with Filtre Studio featuring his image of the "Queen in the Kitchen."  AI-AP honored him for a movie poster shot for a horror B-movie featured at SXSW. And to top it off, Creative Quarterly recognized his personal work from the series “Isolated.” Shot during the pandemic, “Isolated” captured friends and neighbors removed from their environments and living in isolation. 

Award-winning images pre-pandemic and during the crisis.

Water Portraits below is another ongoing personal project.   Andy  spent a lot of time constructing a setup to explore the idea of shooting underwater portraits. It was a wet process where caution was needed. “One of the biggest hurdles is giving direction to the models whose heads are usually submerged, so I landed on the idea of giving the subject control of the camera with a long cable release and letting them take the picture whenever they determined to be the decisive moment,” says Andy.  A lot of fun and very cool, the portraits turned out so well that both the prestigious Communication Arts and Creative Quarterly  featured  the series.

Andy Goodwin Shows the Faces of Isolation and More

Andy Goodwin has posted  new  personal work from a series  called “Isolated.”  The first  8 portraits in the  gallery  are  of friends and neighbors  removed from their environments and living in isolation. “Isolated” is a good name for both the technique used and for the sense of isolation a lot of us are feeling these days. 

Andy  photographed everyone on his own, pushing a cart full of gear to the subjects’ homes and setting up a portrait in their backyards. The slight sense of background was added later in post using images from his stock library. Along with these striking portraits, there is more award-winning work from multiple projects shot pre-pandemic at his Personal Gallery and @goodwinphoto.    

From the series Isolated.

From the series Isolated.

Water Portraits- Shot prior to the pandemic, this award-winning series has been featured in Communication Arts and Creative Quarterly.

Water Portraits- Shot prior to the pandemic, this award-winning series has been featured in Communication Arts and Creative Quarterly.