Friday I was shooting in Central Virginia for a Fortune 100 annual report. The shot, outside of a home was centered on an energy-saving concept. The temp was 18 degrees and everyone in the crew was prepped and ready. It was a tight shot with a home in the background with late afternoon sunlight at a 45 degree angle to the camera. It was windy and there were lots of Boa bags holding the scrims and heads in place. I needed a glow in the lamp post near the talent and the six foot scrim provided that softening of sunlight. A strip light gave just the right amount of believable light to the subject.

The model was dressed in a tee shirt with pullover. The shot could not be season specific. I love it when you have talent that are professional and work through any situation. This guy was a pro all the way. He ever complained once. Of course, we kept sending him inside to warm up and get something to drink.

Every year, clients say that the annual report photography will take place in the fall. Good intentions and all. The Chairman’s message for the book is usually not ready and it is just the reality of annual report shoots. I enjoy the challenge of making the image sing in adverse conditions.

I remember a project we shot a few years ago in Manhattan. Portraits on the street in February, batteries for the strobes needing recharging every few minutes, but it was fun and everyone came together and worked as a team. We kept everyone warm between takes and the images worked

It’s funny how that goes: early in my career, my assistant and I drove over ninety-miles in a Kentucky blizzard to get to a location for a portrait shoot for a financial annual report. We did not really think much about it, we had to be there and the client was expecting us.

It was a road trip to remember: stopping in Henderson along the Ohio River and finding one diner open. My assistant and I ordered the chili!. The total bill for two heaping bowls of chili with drinks and bread – six bucks!