ESPN The Magazine, Court McGee

I wanted to tell this story right away, but out of respect for the magazines surprise factor, I had to wait for the issues release. Jim Surber called from ESPN the Magazine looking for a morgue to shoot a mixed martial arts fighter in. A shocking story deserves and equally shocking image. After many phone calls, it come to light that there are only 2 morgue's in the State of Utah, the State Examiner's office (answer NO) and the University of Utah's pathology lab morgue (also, no, not capitalized because at least they tried to accommodate us) Next option was a Mortuary, also hard to find one willing to help us. But Leavitt's Mortuary in Ogden, UT was more than happy to help, they have an 80 year old building in the middle of a cemetery. I run up there Friday afternoon for a Monday shoot, first reaction is the smell, second is the uncovered dead guy alone in a room, wasn't prepared for that. When asked if I could shoot the embalming room and tables, they first had to move a body that just arrived from the hospital autopsy. Upon picking up the bag it breaks open and a perfectly white floor and wall is now covered in blood. Both employees are unaffected by this, me affected. I think the Darren Braun image turned out really well and now you know the back story behind the room he's in.

Instyle - Katherine Heigl

Shot back in May at High Star Ranch in Kamas, UT, Katherine Heigl is featured in the current (October 2010) issue of Instyle Magazine. Captured by the tandem of Jenny Gage and Tom Betterton, the images show Katherine's "other side," family, a love of animals and living in Utah. If the magazines keep this up our little secret here in Utah won't last long.

Bridgestone TV

Early bird get's the worm! 3:30 call time and hour from my house, ouch! But to keep the snow from melting we had to get done by Noon. Thanks to UDOT for allowing us to put snow back on the road after they spent the month of May clearing the highway. The first time they have allowed such a permit. The footage will be tied together with Youtube footage of cars losing control. Watch for the commercial in snowy markets starting in November.

Snow? In June?

It's almost Memorial Day, the ceremonial start of summer fun and inevitably every year it's the time when I get the call. "We need snow ... on the road ... in June." Aéro Film in Los Angeles working with the Richards Group in Dallas are producing a TV spot for Bridgestone tires and need snow on the road to show off the performance of their tires on slippery surfaces. When you live in a state where roads travel up over 10,000 feet, the answer is always "no problem"

Another great thing about Utah is the ease of permitting, one online permit and an insurance certificate and we are approved to start right away. Which is important when the snow melts a bunch everyday.