Music I Love -- Amy Winehouse

I think it's really unfortunate that Amy Winehouse is known more for her tabloid exploits than for her really terrific music. I always try to consider the art separate from the artist. Yeah, she seems to be quite a mess, but take a listen to this excellent track from her current CD "Back To Black". This is music that is alive and vibrant, current while still undeniably having one foot in the soul music of the 60's.

This song is "Tears Dry On Their Own".

Music I Love -- Carbon / Silicon

My frequent concert mate Curt Littlecott texted last week to inform me that musical legend Mick Jones (formerly of the Clash) was performing with his new band Carbon/Silicon at the Social in downtown Orlando, which happens to be my favorite concert venue. It was a great night, and we were both a bit awestruck seeing one of our heroes up close.

Dig one of their newer songs, "The News". Are the lyrics optimistic or cynical? Maybe neither. Probably both. Either way I bet you're tapping your toes within 20 seconds.

"Impress - Indulge - Inspire" at the Ritz Carlton Wedding Show

The Ritz Carlton Orlando Grande Lakes hosted a characteristically flawless wedding show recently and I was honored (and humbled and flattered and privileged and grateful) to produce this promotional piece for them. Jennifer Sharpe had the idea to interview past clients about their wedding experience, and I ended up with easily an hour's worth of incredible testimonials. Cutting it down to this 8 minute piece was painstaking!

The video also features photographs by John Unrue and Damon Tucci. Thanks dudes, couldn't have done it without your help!

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Music I Love -- The Kills

"The Kills" are a way cool band from the UK. Well, they're a "band" in the loosest sense of the word, because it's really just 2 people -- male guitarist and female vocalist. Clearly there's a drum machine in there as well. Their music is minimalist, dark, and sexy and I highly recommend their new CD, "Midnight Boom".

This is a track called "Sour Cherry".

From The Archives - "Il Bel Matrimonio Di Italiano"

Please, please feel free to correct my Italian.

Found this fun clip in the archives today and thought it was worth showing! I had the incredible opportunity to shoot this destination wedding in Southern Italy along with fotografo insano John Unrue. After the ceremony, Mary and Sean (bride and groom) walked across the street to the magistrate's office to sign the wedding register, and were presented with an honorary plate bearing their names. I thought this montage would look great shot in an 8mm film style. An unforgettable experience!

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Mark Pennington and Joi Perkins

Mark Pennington is a picture-taker in the Jacksonville area. I'm not particularly fond of him, but I do really like his girlfriend Joi (I'm kidding -- Mark is a great friend and a heckuva' photographer). Recently shot a wedding with them in Ponte Vedre, and while shooting some fun stuff on the beach with the bride and groom, Joi took a tumble over a sand dune. I gallantly grabbed her by the arm, and, let's just admit it, I probably saved her life. Mark snapped these photos to commemorate Joi's balletic grace as well as my chivalrous gesture.

By the way, Mark and Joi are responsible for my head shots on my website too. Thanks!

Arf arf arf

Anyone who knows me knows that I really love dogs. What is a blog for if not to immortalize your dog? No? Well, it's my blog. Anyway, my Shetland Sheepdog, Sally, is the best dog ever (runner-up: Lisa Konecny's dog Lola). I can't believe she's 14 years old and still going strong. Ok, she's almost entirely deaf and takes an extra few seconds to stand up, but she's doing remarkably well for her age.

She's always in my office. If I have produced any video work for you in the last 14 years, you can be certain that Sally was in the room when I produced it. Recently she was having one of those "dog dreams" where her feet and eyeballs twitch so I shot a few minutes of this footage.

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