Flashback - John Edwards

(Click image for full size.) © William Anthony

Funny how sometimes, images look different through the prism of time. I photographed the former Senator John Edwards for SEIU back in August 2005. The shot above was always my favorite because of the intensity on Mr. Edwards' face and his piercing blue eyes. In the photo below, there was something so innately populist about the podium in the public square, the attentive crowd, the can-do rolled-up sleeves, the inexpensive, utilitarian wristwatch, and—of course—the gold wedding band. Symbols, all of them.

In retrospect, the recent events with Sen. Edwards sadly reminds me of something Thomas Jefferson once said:

"Whenever a man has cast a longing eye on offices, a rottenness begins in his conduct."


(Click image for full size.) © William Anthony

On the Road - Encinitas, CA

Jeff and Christian. (Click image for full size.) © William Anthony

On the way back from a four day personal trip to San Diego, a stop at Pannikin Coffee, Tea and Spice in coastal Encinitas, California for some coffee beans was in order. While there, I saw a huge mountain of a man in swim trunks and surfer blonde hair standing in line who had a calendar date and time of day tattooed large on his sun-burnt back. At first I wasn't sure what the date could signify. Then, stepping out from in front of him, was the answer—a little boy. A little boy born on that date.

After a brief introduction to the father and son, I asked if I could take a portrait of them, on the spot. Dad agreed with a wide, proud smile.

Turns out Jeff runs a surf school. If you're in North San Diego County and want to learn how to get tubed or go toes-to-the-nose, drop him a line.

UNICEF - Believe in Zero- Lucy Liu

Lucy Liu © William Anthony

This past weekend I shot another installment in UNICEF's "Believe in Zero" celebrity public service campaign. This time with Lucy Liu.

Credits
Art Director: Brad Roberts
Asst. Coordinator: Ari Schneiderman
Production Manager: Pamela Sunnarborg
Agency: Matale Line

Personal Work - Pop

Pop. (Click image for full size.) © William Anthony

While on assignment for Architect Magazine earlier this year, we met "Pop" in Baltimore. Pops ran the construction elevator at the Silo Point project. All Pop does, all day, is run the elevator. Up. Down. Up. Down. Need to know which floor has a porta-potty? Pop simply points to the dry erase board to his left while he leans forward and looks downward to make sure the floor of the elevator car lines up with the poured concrete floor of each level. Need help loading three cases of camera gear onto the elevator? Pop knows just the right (younger) construction workers to help you with that. Pop never leaves the elevator. And his job description is pretty simple. Open door. Close door. Up. Down.

Interestingly, Pop doesn't take a lunch break. He takes his lunch with him. Hanging from the metal grating sides of the elevator is a thermos full of hot coffee—it was in the mid-30s when we were there, a little colder on the upper floors in the wind—and his lunch pail. He eats on the fly, literally.


Pop's Office. (Click image for full size.) © William Anthony

Everyone on the job site seemed to love Pop. Or at least respect him. After the official portrait shoot of the architect on the 23rd floor, on our way down, I asked Pops if I could take his picture. He smiled from ear-to-ear and the cold, rickety, mud-covered elevator car warmed up a few degrees.

I was glad to break his routine if even for just a few minutes. But as soon as I finished, he turned back around, hand on the lever.

Up. Down. Up. Down.

DDB Seattle Agency Video

All images © William Anthony

During my years in Seattle, I worked on many jobs with the ad agency DDB. One such project that just came back on my radar was this agency video. Not only does it contain my black and white stills but also a few ads I shot for clients such as The North Face.

It's a great short that was directed by friend and fave documentary director, Doug Pray. (See also: HYPE!, Scratch, Infamy and Big Rig.) If you have not seen any of his films—do.

See the video in its entirety here:

Quicktime
Windows Media

Staying at the Animal House

Catherine and Iris. © William Anthony

I need to give a long overdue "thank you" to my good friend and photographic inspiration, Catherine Ledner. Catherine and her husband Kyle were kind enough to let Pamela and me stay in their guest house during our first month in Los Angeles while we looked for a place of our own.

I've known Catherine seven years now. We met in 2001 when, as an Art Director, I hired her for a job after serendipitously falling in love with her work while doing an image search on Getty Images. And from the moment we met, I knew I'd be stuck with her forever. And I mean that as the highest of compliments.

When the time came to make the move South from Seattle, she opened her home to us. And for the better part of May and June we felt at home with her and Kyle and their menagerie of dogs, cats, rabbits and lizards.

If you are not familiar with her photography, have a look here at her commercial portfolio. From the inception of my photography career, she's been an inspiration, motivator, sounding board and most consistent fan. She's the reason I am a professional photographer.


My favorite photo from Animal House. © Catherine Ledner

She recently published her first book of animal portraits, Animal House. And there could be no more fitting subject matter for someone I jokingly refer to as "St. Catherine of Assisi." Catherine loves animals. And animals totally dig Catherine. It's freaky how much they do. Not long ago, she launched a web site to sell limited edition prints of her animal portraits. They're wonderful. And there's no better visual description of her than the playfulness of those images. She's currently working on a new book, and let's just say after seeing a sneak preview, it got my tail wagging.

Now that we're all settled in here in Los Angeles, I wanted to take a moment to say thank you Catherine. Thank you for everything.

PEMCO Insurance

Marymoor Off-Leash Dog Lady outtake. © William Anthony

Just got back from a three day trip to Seattle to shoot another installation in PEMCO Insurance's "Northwest Profiles" advertising campaign. We shot a total of three ads in one day. Locations included Green Lake Park and the moss-filled alley beside my assistant's apartment.

There was no shortage of irony having to pause our shoot of the "Green Lake Power Walkers" every so often to let ACTUAL Green Lake Power Walkers pass through.


Our Power Walkers pausing for the real thing. © William Anthony

These ads will run as transit boards later this summer.

Credits
Photo Assistant: Ryan Schierling
Props/Wardrobe: Alvin Stillwell & Nikoma
Hair/Makeup: Jennifer Verador
Production Manager: Pamela Sunnarborg
Art Director: Lonnie Weis
Agency: DNA Brand Mechanics