Portrait of a Banker
I had a recent assignment to photograph Dean Bennion, an executive at the Wells Fargo Bank. I love the low intensity of the light over Puget Sound. The bay can be seen out his office window with the Olympic Mountains off hidden in the clouds. In Fact there was rain over most of the horizon. The sky was a mass of clouds. Except for off in the souther end of the Olympics, the sun was trying to get through under the clouds. What a great view from above 40 floors over Elliot Bay.
Election Night 2011 – Tim Burgess Wins 2nd Term in Seattle City Council
Above is Seattle City Councilman Tim Burgess being interviewed by a local TV station on Yesler Way Tuesday night, outside City Councilwoman Sally Clark‘s election party at Merchant’s Cafe. Burgess was commenting on his re- election victory and the passing with a strong margin of the Families and Education Levy which he supported. I had an excellent time yesterday on election night, following around Seattle City councilman Tim Burgess who cruised to victory in his re-election to another 4 year term. The first results were announced around 8:15PM. They indicated he had the lead with 81% of the votes over opponent David Schraer.
Earlier in the evening, Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn, Tim Burgess and other Seattle officials supporting the Families and Education Levy, gathered at Elysian Fields. Since there was not a dedicated TV broadcast concerning the election results the had to and search on their smartphones for the first word on the first results of the election being announced which was supposed to be at 8:15PM. Members of the media were assembled in the restaurant waiting to hear their reaction to the results.
Wessell “Warm Daddy” Anderson
At Tula’s on Monday Earshot Jazz Festival 2011 presented a special jazz lesson from soulful, searing alto saxophonist Wessell “Warm Daddy” Anderson, with Phill Sparks on bass, Bill Anschell, piano and D’Vonne Lewis, drums.
Check out the Earshot Jazz Festival Schedule to see what’s next in the 2011 Festival lineup.
A former member of the Wynton Marsalis Septet and charter member of the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, alto saxophonist Wessell “Warmdaddy” Anderson blends traditional jazz, some bebop and swinging sounds in a blues-inflected style that has drawn flattering comparisons to Cannonball Adderley. For over a decade and a half, he was part of Marsalis’ efforts at Jazz at Lincoln Center, but he left in 2006 to join the jazz faculty at Michigan State University.
“Always one of the most popular members of Jazz at Lincoln Center, many fans of the venerable institution were saddened to hear about Anderson’s stroke in 2007. Following the stroke, much of the left side of his body was numb, and many speculated as to whether he would play again. Musicians who knew Anderson well, however, were not surprised when he returned triumphantly to the bandstand after just a few months.”
“is 2010 return to a New York stage at Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola was applauded by fans and critics alike. Nate Chinen, reviewing the outing in the New York Times, wrote: “And how did he sound? Excellent, unchanged. His mellow, sweet-tart tone was a physical presence, and he gave it plenty of air, often holding a note for a long stretch, then taking a breath and modulating to another one … In his alto style, there’s no chasm between the chivalrous croon of Johnny Hodges and the roguish charisma of Charlie Parker.”
“Born into a musical family in Brooklyn, Anderson played piano from an early age, starting to study classical music when he was 12. However, two years later he switched genres and instruments. His father, a drummer, had worked with Cecil Payne and directed his son towards jazz. Hearing records by Charlie Parker prompted the shift from piano to alto saxophone. Anderson studied with various teachers, including several he met through the Jazzmobile workshops.
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“In 1983, he was heard by Branford Marsalis, who urged him to pursue his studies, this time under Alvin Batiste. Five years later, Anderson joined Wynton Marsalis’ band, touring internationally, with the corresponding gain in reputation and audience awareness that this brought about. Anderson, who also plays soprano and sopranino saxophones, has also worked with Betty Carter, Ted Nash, Marc Cary, Victor Goines and many others. For this concert, he is joined by Seattle’s top sidemen.”
by Danielle Bias from the Earshot Jazz Festival Schedule program
2011 Earshot Jazz Festival Underway | The Campbell Brothers
Once again I have been covering the annual Earshot Jazz Festival which presented The Campbell Brothers at the Triple Door last night. Pedal-steel guitar ace Chuck Campbell, his lap-steel playing brother Darick, and their sizzling band deliver devoutly rocking Holiness-Pentecostal repertoire with growling, wailing, swinging steel. The group includes another Campbell brother, Phil (electric guitar) and his son Carlton (drums), as well as Katie Jackson’s soul-curing vocals. Phil mentioned that the band that played late into the Saturday night at a honky tonk downtown, had the same musicians showing up in church Sunday morning to play the gospel music with the service. Its all sacred music to them. See who will be playing this week in upcoming concerts in the Earshot Jazz Festival Schedule.
The Campbell Brothers’ Sacred Steel is African-American gospel music with electric steel guitar and vocal. This tradition emerged from the House of God Keith Dominion Church, headquartered in Nashville, where for over sixty years it has been an integral part of worship and a vital, if little known, American tradition. As the music moves from sanctuary to concert hall – including the Hollywood Bowl, the Kennedy Center, Brooklyn Academy of Music and Symphony Space – secular audiences are now able to appreciate a performance both devout and rocking. Pedal steel guitarist Chuck Campbell and his lap steel-playing brother Darick are two of the finest in this tradition. Rounding out the band, which has been playing together for nearly two decades, is a high-energy rhythm section featuring brother Phil Campbell on electric guitar and his son Carlton on drums. Katie Jackson’s classic, gutsy gospel vocals bring the ensemble to a level of energy and expression that defies description. The Campbell Brothers present a compelling, rich variety of material from the African-American Pentecostal repertoire with a new twist: the g
rowling, wailing, shouting, singing and swinging voice of the steel guitar, played as you have never heard it played before.
Chuck Campbell began playing the lap steel guitar at the age of 12. At the age of 17, he became one of the first players to utilize the pedal steel guitar in the House of God Church, Keith Dominion. Campbell is renowned for his innovative approach to the instrument both technically and musically. His use of effects such as distortion and wah pedal and his picking techniques enable him to emulate the human voice in an uncanny fashion, which evokes images of gospel moaning and field singing. His inventive blending of many styles, along with his groundbreaking use of complex chords and fast picking, formed the musical style which is the most emulated among young sacred steel players today.
Darick Campbell first made his mark in music as a drummer. For several years, he was the premier drummer of the General Assembly, the National Convocation of the House of God Church, in Nashville, Tennessee. His choice of the lap steel is a reflection of the influences he has blended to become the most emotional player of the Campbell Brothers’ musical tour d’ force.
Phillip Campbell began life as a drummer but quickly proceeded to the instrument which is arguably his most accomplished, the bass guitar. It was on the bass that he began to explore the many genres which form his eclectic musical personality. Phil combines the rhythmic attributes of the guitar with MIDI guitar synthesis to bring a unique stylistic blend.
Drummer Carl Campbell is the heartbeat of the Campbell Brothers. Carl and dad, Phil, form the rhythmic foundation upon which the Campbell Brothers soulful gospel is built. Formally trained in jazz percussion, Carl has been able to assimilate the classic rudiments of drumming with his improvisational upbringing in church to formulate a style which always finds itself in the groove.
The fact that Katie Jackson is a part of the Campbell Brothers is the result of unbelievably good fortune. She just happened to be “available” when the Campbell Brothers asked her to be the vocalist on their critically acclaimed Pass Me Not disc. Indeed Katie Jackson has shared the stage with some of gospel’s most famous singers, including Mahalia Jackson (no relation) and is well renowned throughout the eastern United States for performances she has given in numerous venues.
– Danielle Bias from the Earshot Jazz Festival Schedule.
Luke Bryan goes Fishing
This month the third album by the country singer Luke Bryan, “Tailgates and Tanlines” made its debut on August 9th as number 1 on Billboard’s country charts and as of today is still stuck there. His single “Country Girl” is at number 5.
Luke Bryan was in Washington State on tour and playing at the Gorge recently but took some time out to go fly fishing with his writing buddy, Jay Clementi, on Puget Sound at Seahurst Park in Burien. I was asked to come along and take some pictures for him. He and Jay were a lot of fun to hang out with. Lets just say it was not the most successful day for hauling in the steelheads but it was still a great time fishing in the Puget Sound.
Here are a few of my favorite pictures from the day.
Luke was working with expert local fly fishing guide Dave McCoy from Emerald Water Anglers above in red jacket with Jay in the background.
Luke, Jay and Dave.
To watch the Luke Bryan episode of RAM Country TV, Click to watch Luke’s fly fishing video!
End of the Space Shuttle Era
The final launch of the Space Shuttle Atlantis marks the end of an era. I remember the first launch of the Space Shuttle Columbia in 1981. I was still in graduate school at Ohio University. Shortly afterwards I got my first newspaper job at The Tampa Tribune. It was while working there that I began to be assigned to cover Space Shuttle launches. I continued to photograph launches when I moved a couple of years later to the Florida Times-Union in Jacksonville, Florida and then even after moving to New York at Newsday I was sent down for a few launches.
I covered the first launch of the Space Shuttle Challenger STS-7, and was scheduled to photographer it again on the day it blew up. I was pulled at the last minute, but then after watching it blow up from the newsroom my AME sent me to catch the first flight down to Florida to cover the aftermath. My old negatives are filed away and I will have to try and find them.
The picture above was made by my old friend AP photographer Dave Martin, who has probably covered as many launches as any photographer. The Boston Globes blog The Big Picture has this and 40 more pictures about this historic event. Check it out to see the rest of the pictures. I only wish I could have been down there to see the last launch.
Salmon Bay Graduation Class of 2011
Last night, the 8th grade class of Salmon Bay School had their graduating ceremonies at Ballard High School Auditorium. What an event. Very few parents and teachers in the audience did not need a kleenex. My daughter Ema was one of the students who gave a speech with her friend Amelia.
Here are a few highlights of the evening. There is also a web gallery with a more extensive set of pictures. Click on Salmon Bay 2011 Graduation to view the remaining 480 (or so) images.
And, again – to see a lot more pictures here is a link to view the entire web gallery.
Special Olympics Washington
Saturday was a beautiful day with sun all day and warm temperatures making it the warmest day of the year so far. It was also the day that the King County Regional Special Olympics Track & Field tournament was held and I was honored to be their photographer. More than 300 Special Olympians and their coaches and families turned out and had a great time. Seattle Seahawk defensive back and special teams captain Roy Lewis made an appearance to help hand out the medals. He was one of a number of local stars that came to help out. It was the first time anyone could remember that it did not rain on the Shoreline Stadium grounds on the day of the tournament. Here are some of my favorite images from the event. If you would like to see all of the photos and order prints go to Photo Bucket by clicking here.
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Seattle photographer Daniel Sheehan does corporate events and portrait photography for national corporations and publications and is a Seattle Wedding Photographer with an artistic photojournalist style.
Going to the Dogs
Here is an picture from the weekend of Luna flying through the air to catch a ball. She is pretty devoted to retrieving it and loves to jump up to catch it on the fly. Share on Facebook
Pictures of the Japan Earthquake and Tsunami Aftermath
A wave approaches Miyako City from the Heigawa estuary in Iwate Prefecture after the magnitude 9.0 earthquake struck the area March 11, 2011. Picture taken March 11, 2011. (REUTERS/Mainichi Shimbun)
I am amazed by many of the news picture coverage of the earthquake and tsunami in Japan the past couple of days. I lived in Japan for 1 1/2 yrs many years ago, and experienced a few earthquakes there but this is entirely different. My heart goes out to the victims of this disaster. We can all be so vulnerable at times and unaware. It brings to mind how we too in the Pacific NW are living close to the same type of fault lines and scenes like these could be happening on our coast someday. Share on Facebook
If interested see some more of these pictures on the Boston Globe’s site The Big Picture and also on the Alantic Monthly’s site In Focus
Minamisanriku is submerged after Friday’s strong earthquake-triggered tsunami in Miyagi prefecture, northern Japan, March 12. (Kyodo News))
Officials in protective gear check for signs of radiation on children who are from the evacuation area near the Fukushima Daini nuclear plant in Koriyama. (Kim Kyung-Hoon/Reuters)
A man holding a dog walks on a street in Kesennuma city, Miyagi prefecture on March 12. (AFP/Getty Images)
Photography blog by Daniel Sheehan who creates photography for editorial publications and corporations and is available for commercial photography assignments.
Charlotte Graham | Seattle Photographers Corporate Portrait
Here is another in a series of corporate executive portraits from recent assignments. As always it is a challenge to try and get something different that works and is satisfying as a creative portrait. Charlotte heads a group of five executives in the Real Estate business and I photographed her and all the members of her team in a beautiful home facing Lake Washington. It had wonderful light and great details. She was really great to work with. this was my favorite shot of her.
Photography by Daniel Sheehan creates photography for editorial publications and corporations and available for commercial photography assignments.
Executive Portrait of Dean Bennion | Seattle Corporate Photographers
Recently I have been shooting a lot of corporate executive portraits and it is always a challenge to try and get something different that works for the corporation but is satisfying as a creative portrait. When I had to photograph Dean Bennion a VP at Wells Fargo Bank in Seattle, The weather was dark and rainy kind of a typical winter day around here. But I really liked how the sky and water looked from high up over downtown Seattle in the Wells Fargo office Dean works in.
Photography by Daniel Sheehan creates photography for editorial publications and corporations and available for commercial photography assignments.
Seattle Photographer at Pike Place Market
I was downtown recently on a typical rainy evening and made this shot of the light traffic on Pike looking west to the Market from the Washington Convention Center.
Photography by Daniel Sheehan creates photography for editorial publications and corporations and available for commercial photography assignments.
Boeing 777 | Boeing Commercial Airplane Assembly
On an assignment for the magazine Businessweek, prior to it being acquired by Bloomberg, I got to go to Everett, WA and photograph the Boeing 777 as it was being assembled. The Boeing 777 is a long-range, wide-body twin-engine jet airliner manufactured by Boeing Commercial Airplanes. It is the world’s largest twinjet and is commonly referred to as the “Triple Seven”. The aircraft has seating for over 300 passengers and has a range from 5,235 to 9,380 nautical miles, depending on model. Its distinguishing features include the largest-diameter turbofan engines of any aircraft, six wheels on each main landing gear, a circular fuselage cross-section, and blade-shaped tail cone. Developed in consultation with eight major airlines, the 777 was designed to replace older wide-body airliners and bridge the capacity difference between the 767 and 747. As Boeing’s first fly-by-wire airliner, it has computer mediated controls; it is also the first entirely computer-designed commercial aircraft.
Although the plant is illuminated partly by florescent lighting which gives everything a green cast, I corrected for that. The green cast on the body of the 777 is a protective coat and is removed before it completed and painted. Boeing doubled the size of the Everett factory which is one of the largest buildings in the world, to accommodate production of the 777.
Every time I fly on a Boeing 777, I remember how they look as I saw them on my tour to watch them come together here in Washington State.
OLYMPIC ATHLETIC CLUB
For some time I have had an interest in photographing neon signs. In New York’s Times Square and in Las Vegas on the various casinos, neon lighting has been raised to a high art form. So I was happy to be asked on a recent assignment from the Olympic Athletic Club to photograph the exterior of their building and capture the neon sign of a diver extending high up above the top of their roof above the entrance to their parking garage. Note the red light from the clock merge with the blue light to form shades of magenta on the wall of the Club.
Photography by Daniel Sheehan available for corporate and commercial photography assignments.
Mother and Daughter
It has been a while since I also made a portrait of Ema and Jana, so while we were out on the cruise on Lake Union last weekend, I made this one of the two of them. Ema is now at 13, taller than her mom.
Portrait Photography by Seattle photographer Daniel Sheehan creating portraits for publications and a Seattle Wedding Photographer with an artistic photojournalist style.
Portrait of Ema
It has been a while since I made a portrait of Ema and she looks quite different from the last time. We were out on a boat in Lake Union and I made some like the one below, of Ema with her sister Claire and friend Yasmina visiting from Europe. Then Ema went down below to the cabin and I shot this one of her in the shade.
They grow up so fast. I should be shooting them more often.
Portrait Photography by Seattle photographer Daniel Sheehan creating portraits for publications and a Seattle Wedding Photographer with an artistic photojournalist style.
Zombies Set to Invade Seattle Again on Saturday
Last year around this time, I was out at a bar in Seattle having a beer at the High Dive in Fremont, watching “The Buckets”, a local band my friend Michael plays guitar in. When the show was done I headed towards the door and saw these Zombies at a table and photographed them and wondered why they had been let in to the bar dressed like that. Then I hit the streets and it looked like the Zombies had taken over the city. I started taking photos as they walked by. There were thousands of them around. I did make it out of Fremont ok. It turned out that more than 3 thousand people participated that Friday night in Fremont in an attempt to break the Guinness World Record for most people in a zombie walk.
After the walk the zombies went for a viewing of some outdoor movies, Shaun of the Dead, and playing of Michael Jackson’s Thriller for zombies to dance to. More than a thousand zombies danced to Michael Jackson’s Thriller. The event was scheduled before his death, and so it turned into a tribute to him.
As it turned out, Fremont broke the world’s record for the most zombies in one place with the new official record of 3,894 zombies. Then England stepped in and took away the record. So this Saturday is the second annual Red, White & Dead event. Seattle can then lay claim to the “Zombie Capital of the World” once and for all in the “Dead” Center of the Universe. The goal is to outdo the Brits, who hold the zombie walk Guinness World Record through the Big Chill Music Festival in England. From noon to midnight Saturday at Fremont Outdoor Movies (3501 Phinney Ave. N.), there will be an attempt to beat Guinness Book of Records with most “zombies” in one location. 3,575 are expected. From 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., zombies will dance and walk on sidewalks in Fremont, with North 35th Street closed from Phinney Avenue North to First Avenue NW. his year also marks the “Year of the Zombie” and Seattle seems to be the center of attention, as 2010 marks another first for Seattle with ZomBcon, the world’s first Zombie Culture Convention infecting Seattle on Halloween weekend at the Seattle Center and Experience Music Project with over 100 Exhibitors, 10 interactive fan workshops, panels, a SIFF-curated film series, and Halloween Masquerade , Zombie Prom party. We plan to have a collection of experts, authors, filmmakers, historians, celebrities and all the gear and fan fare for the Quintessential Zombie fan. Here are some pictures from last years zombie walk.
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Editorial photography by Seattle photographer Daniel Sheehan, who shoots corporate and editorial photography and portraits for publications and Seattle Wedding Photography with an artistic photojournalist style.
Madrona Modern – Seattle Homes & Lifestyles
I just found out that the July/August issue of Seattle Homes & Lifestyles Magazine is running my architectural photography of the Madrona Modern home I photographed for Seattle interior designer Robin Chell of Robin Chell Design and architects David Bennett and Kim Lavacot of Bennett Lavacot Architecture. In fact they have chosen the above picture for the cover of the magazine. It was a beautiful and sophisticated house to photograph with a quiet, simple elegance. Read the story here: Seattle Homes & Lifestyles
Architectural photography by Seattle photographer Daniel Sheehan, who creates architectural photography and portrait photography for publications and Seattle Wedding Photography with an artistic photojournalist style.
Bellevue Jazz Festival Underway
Once again the Bellevue Jazz Festival is here and Kicking it off at the Meydenbauer Theater was The Seattle Repertory Jazz Orchestra (SRJO), the Northwest’s premier big band jazz ensemble. Founded in 1995, the 17-piece big band is made up of the most prominent jazz soloists and band leaders in the greater Seattle area. SRJO played a concert of highlights from their 2009-2010 concert season, including hits from their November 2009 “Tribute to Ray Charles” concert (“One Mint Julep,” “Moanin”), their March 2010 “Big Band Monk and Mingus” concert (“Haitian Fight Song” by Mingus, “Misterioso” by Monk), their April 2010 “Birth of the Cool” concert (Boplicity, Rocker), and a new Michael Brockman composition for the SRJO titled “Passage Noir.” Featured soloists included trumpeter Jay Thomas, baritone saxophonist Bill Ramsay, pianist Randy Halberstadt, tenor saxophonist Hadely Caliman and Travis Ranney, trombonists Dan Marcus and David Marriott, plus alto saxophonists Mark Taylor and Michael Brockman. Here are some highlights from the concert.
For tickets and more information go to the Festival website; Bellevue Jazz Festival
Jazz Photography by Seattle photographer Daniel Sheehan, who photographs jazz performances, and creates portrait photography for publications and Seattle Wedding Photography with an artistic photojournalist style. See more work from this Seattle Photographer.
Editorial Portrait for The Chronicle of Higher Education
Seattle Photographer Daniel Sheehan specializing in photojournalism, portraits and photography for publications and corporations.
Corporate Portrait Photography | Board of Directors Photograph
In December I was called in by the Seattle Aquarium to photograph their board of directors for the annual report. After my initial scouting trip I re-discovered how much I like the overhead approach to making a large group photograph. Sometimes the backgrounds do not seem to look good or maybe it is hard to arrange such a big group in the time and space required and this approach is a real good solution. Photograph by Seattle Photographer Daniel Sheehan specializing in photojournalism, portraits and photography for publications and corporations.
Teenagers
Here is another shot of Ema and her friends hanging out at the beach at Carkeek Park celebrating her 13th birthday. It was a really fun afternoon and evening with hot dogs chilli and marshmallows and stuff around a bon fire.
Sunset Over the Olympic Mountains From Newcastle
The Golf Club at Newcastle is the place that was named the “Best Sunset Wedding Spot” in the Seattle area. I photographed a wedding there on one of those perfect Seattle summer days in the first week in July and as promised with the view extending out over Lake Washington, the City of Seattle, the Puget Sound to the Olympic Mountains to the west, the sunset was indeed stunning.
After the sun set into the Pacific Ocean behind the Olympic Mountains, there was still some twilight with which to see the sprinklers watering the greens catching highlights off the afterglow on the golf course. Photograph by Seattle Photographer Daniel Sheehan specializing in photojournalism, portraits and photography for publications, corporations, and photojournalistic Seattle wedding photography. Visit his newest website eyeshotphotos.com to see samples of all of his work as a Seattle Photographer.