Light Chasers: An Artist to Artist Collaboration
Anna and I have made it clear in our future goals of Capturing Time Photography, that we want to capture better, more passionate people doing what they love. We want 'those moments', the epiphany screenshot in your mind, the thumbnail for a great memory. We want to work and collaborate with others that have this same motto and goal, to detox those who are about money, politics and drama and strip down all the obstacles. Real, true, art.
Within a month of this discussion, manifestation was already taking place. Graffiti artists, Salad Girl Dressings, families at the carnival, and artists coming out of the woodwork to collaborate. We reached out and though it was into the ether, a darkness we were unsure of, a bit fearful... the arms of other artists taking the same risk, found us. We found each other. The growth and creativity has been inspiring and non-stop but we're still trying to figure out how to make the profits just as exponential. We want more of the great and are unsure how to put a price-tag on our art; the difficult artists' struggle.
The Universe brought us Michael Merto. A successful, bold, introverted artist that sees the world in striking images he puts to beautiful video. His production value is unparalleled and when the opportunity came by to collaborate, CT Photos was over-the-moon! What would we learn? What would we discuss? What photos would emerge? The biggest part of Anna and I's art is trusting the Universe. So, it only started with the plans to have a snack at the local cafe up the road. For Michael, it was his first time in Minneapolis, so we wanted to walk him around a world of history and texture. A frame of Minneapolis that you see often but really should experience.
I took a seat at Alma and watched the busy Friday bustle pass by the windows. We had planned to shoot during the Golden Hour and the Sunshine was not disappointing. I was watching it dance through my water glass and over the other patrons as I waited. Michael and Anna soon joined and over a delicious cheese plate and hummus, we talked about our journey in life and through art. A quick, trusting immersion into the mind of another creative person trying to navigate the clusters of social media and technological demands. His advice, narrative, struggle, opportunities were all insights into his path and his perspective. I listened and watched. I watched how he smiled, how his energy changed when he talked about the highs and lows, and zoned in on his behaviors he made when most comfortable.
Soon we were out walking around the historic Marcy-Holmes, Stone Arch Area. We talked about the famous "MN Nice", the Juicy Loosy Burger, the places one must visit while in Minneapolis and what Anna and I loved most about our home canvas. A quick right turn down a long alley will put you in the weeds of the Soap Box Factory and in a quiet playground of light and brick. Anna and I laughed as we darted our lenses at each other, avoiding the snapshots, and snuck a few of our subject (who also shares the dislike for being in front of the camera lens). Michael laughed along with us and seemed to grow more comfortable at how Anna and I work - a strange telepathic improv routine of photos, dancing, movie quotes, interrogation, bursts of laughter and celebrations of photos snapped.
Stop. "Look, the light there..." Anna already walking in the direction I was pointing, without the need to even glance at my gesture; she saw it too. The sunset was bouncing off of the silos, the trees, the cobblestone, and so we directed Michael in our walk. He watched us work, talking to strangers and discussing our process of portraits and photo sessions on location. Michael Merto is an expert in artificial light, studio construction and giving clients the perfect product - no matter what it takes to build and create the vision. He explained that his process might take hours, tons of light, the right set-up to get perfection. An inward direction of skill and knowledge to outwardly project a vision. Anna and I were steering clients (herding cats) into the light that happened to be there, a chance moment, and movement is required on the fly with no plan. We have become more and more mobile, less and less equipment (reflectors, hot shoes, flash, strobes...) and just explore. It has become our niche.
He called us "Light Chasers". He grinned and positioned the mic on my lapel, "you are really chasing light and hoping... trusting." As it left his lips it sounded bold and mysterious, like the synopsis to a great documentary but on the inside, the true place of that creativity, feels LOST, UNDEFINED, CHAOTIC, OPEN and all those other things that create stress in the artistic process. It was a good metaphor for our life, for our creative process and also for the power of perspective. A reminder that our lack of plan and direction is what people have gravitated towards - our ability to thrive and find beauty where one might otherwise be flailing for a road map. It was a true compliment.
We continued to journey through the trails, over the parks and sidewalks of a busy Friday in the Stone Arch Area and ended up at the iconic Stone Arch Bridge. The skyline view that everyone wants and sure enough, as we approach the line in the concrete where sidewalk becomes bridge, the horizon is full of photographers, joggers, bikers, tourists and swarms of people. Michael walked right in.
A gypsy woman playing her fiddle, the sun reflecting over Nicollet Island and the Grainbelt Sign, horses and carriage passing as we talked Minneapolis sights. The evening ended with bullet points and advice, hopeful future collaborations and laughter. Michael finally letting me point my camera at him and he, finishing B-roll for his footage of us. The neon lights of Minneapolis were starting to glow and we pointed him towards the underbelly of 35w and said our good-byes. His last piece of advice was the reminder not to 'undersell yourself'. He felt as though he was well-trained with all the right equipment and was searching on how to put himself, the artist, into the frame. We, were just the opposite... loving our niche but trying to figure out how to make it work as a business. Michael Merto is just what we needed.
Thank you Universe.
FOR MORE PHOTOS - check out our INSTAGRAM
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| Dakota Lawrence, psychic and speaker. Haunted OSPH Hospital with 6 second shutter |
Within a month of this discussion, manifestation was already taking place. Graffiti artists, Salad Girl Dressings, families at the carnival, and artists coming out of the woodwork to collaborate. We reached out and though it was into the ether, a darkness we were unsure of, a bit fearful... the arms of other artists taking the same risk, found us. We found each other. The growth and creativity has been inspiring and non-stop but we're still trying to figure out how to make the profits just as exponential. We want more of the great and are unsure how to put a price-tag on our art; the difficult artists' struggle.
 |
| Now Daze (Kansas City, MO Rapper) City Lights Only, 2 second shutter |
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| Sunset couple session. The Sun can give you that back-light that IS sexy! |
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| Ifoema Mpls Fashion Blogger - sunset at the Stone Arch Bridge |
I took a seat at Alma and watched the busy Friday bustle pass by the windows. We had planned to shoot during the Golden Hour and the Sunshine was not disappointing. I was watching it dance through my water glass and over the other patrons as I waited. Michael and Anna soon joined and over a delicious cheese plate and hummus, we talked about our journey in life and through art. A quick, trusting immersion into the mind of another creative person trying to navigate the clusters of social media and technological demands. His advice, narrative, struggle, opportunities were all insights into his path and his perspective. I listened and watched. I watched how he smiled, how his energy changed when he talked about the highs and lows, and zoned in on his behaviors he made when most comfortable.
Soon we were out walking around the historic Marcy-Holmes, Stone Arch Area. We talked about the famous "MN Nice", the Juicy Loosy Burger, the places one must visit while in Minneapolis and what Anna and I loved most about our home canvas. A quick right turn down a long alley will put you in the weeds of the Soap Box Factory and in a quiet playground of light and brick. Anna and I laughed as we darted our lenses at each other, avoiding the snapshots, and snuck a few of our subject (who also shares the dislike for being in front of the camera lens). Michael laughed along with us and seemed to grow more comfortable at how Anna and I work - a strange telepathic improv routine of photos, dancing, movie quotes, interrogation, bursts of laughter and celebrations of photos snapped.
Stop. "Look, the light there..." Anna already walking in the direction I was pointing, without the need to even glance at my gesture; she saw it too. The sunset was bouncing off of the silos, the trees, the cobblestone, and so we directed Michael in our walk. He watched us work, talking to strangers and discussing our process of portraits and photo sessions on location. Michael Merto is an expert in artificial light, studio construction and giving clients the perfect product - no matter what it takes to build and create the vision. He explained that his process might take hours, tons of light, the right set-up to get perfection. An inward direction of skill and knowledge to outwardly project a vision. Anna and I were steering clients (herding cats) into the light that happened to be there, a chance moment, and movement is required on the fly with no plan. We have become more and more mobile, less and less equipment (reflectors, hot shoes, flash, strobes...) and just explore. It has become our niche.
He called us "Light Chasers". He grinned and positioned the mic on my lapel, "you are really chasing light and hoping... trusting." As it left his lips it sounded bold and mysterious, like the synopsis to a great documentary but on the inside, the true place of that creativity, feels LOST, UNDEFINED, CHAOTIC, OPEN and all those other things that create stress in the artistic process. It was a good metaphor for our life, for our creative process and also for the power of perspective. A reminder that our lack of plan and direction is what people have gravitated towards - our ability to thrive and find beauty where one might otherwise be flailing for a road map. It was a true compliment.
We continued to journey through the trails, over the parks and sidewalks of a busy Friday in the Stone Arch Area and ended up at the iconic Stone Arch Bridge. The skyline view that everyone wants and sure enough, as we approach the line in the concrete where sidewalk becomes bridge, the horizon is full of photographers, joggers, bikers, tourists and swarms of people. Michael walked right in.
A gypsy woman playing her fiddle, the sun reflecting over Nicollet Island and the Grainbelt Sign, horses and carriage passing as we talked Minneapolis sights. The evening ended with bullet points and advice, hopeful future collaborations and laughter. Michael finally letting me point my camera at him and he, finishing B-roll for his footage of us. The neon lights of Minneapolis were starting to glow and we pointed him towards the underbelly of 35w and said our good-byes. His last piece of advice was the reminder not to 'undersell yourself'. He felt as though he was well-trained with all the right equipment and was searching on how to put himself, the artist, into the frame. We, were just the opposite... loving our niche but trying to figure out how to make it work as a business. Michael Merto is just what we needed.
Thank you Universe.
FOR MORE PHOTOS - check out our INSTAGRAM
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