Prevention - Metabolism Fix

At the beginning of this year, we photographed a Metabolism feature for Prevention. We spent three afternoons with a few individuals over 50 who have worked tirelessly for years to keep their metabolism at top speed. Their main workout focus? Strength training. Both based in Chicago, we shot Andrea (59) and Michael (52) at their gym -- On Your Mark. For Nancy (70), who is now a personal trainer, we flew to her hometown of Atlanta. Before strength training on the regular, each person faced some rather serious health issues -- and once they incorporated strength training and eating whole foods into their weekly routines, the majority of their health issues were almost completely under control. 

Here are some outtakes we love:

Threadless HQ

What's a day in the life at one of the world's coolest companies? It's hard work developing and maintaining new products for an e-commerce website centered on the work generated by individual artists. Based in Chicago, Threadless opened it's doors in 2000, founded with a focus on supporting the artist community in every way possible. Each one of their products carries the name of the artist that produced it, whether it be t-shirts and apparel, home decor, or accessories.  

The new Threadless HQ in Chicago's West Loop features floor to ceiling windows, city views, beautiful artwork, a photography studio, and a skateboard-friendly concrete floor.  With over 15 years of e-commerce and product development experience, Threadless knows what kind of space and office mentality keeps them most productive. Take a peek inside with us.

Renown Health

This past January, we traveled to "The Biggest Little City in the World" to photograph a series of lifestyle scenes following patients through different health journeys at Renown Health, a non-profit hospital in Reno, Nevada. We spent three days bringing their stories to life, utilizing both real hospital staff and professional talent. We photographed a number of scenarios where talent were acting as patients receiving in-hospital care, as well as life at home with family and friends after successful treatment. Check out some images from the campaign below.

Producer: Trevor Power
Production Assistant: Flavio Garcia
Assistants: Leah Fithian, Nick Higman, Casey Howell
DIT: Mike Okimoto
Prop + Wardrobe Stylists: Eveen + Darrell Chan
Hair/Makeup: Laura Garcia

Mikva Challenge

Personal Project | Mikva Challenge

Mikva Challenge was founded in 1997 as a tribute to former White House Counsel, Judge, and U.S. Congressman Abner Mikva and his wife Zoe, a teacher and lifelong education activist. Based on the premise that youth voice and participation matter, Mikva Challenge believes that our civic and political life will be stronger when youth participate and help shape their own destinies.

We visited with some of the Mikva Challenge students during the summer to document their participation within the program. The students were active members of a number of Mikva's Citywide Youth Councils, who's main goals include speaking out about issues affecting them, their schools and communities, taking action on those issues, advising city and school officials on issues affecting young Chicagoans, and advocating for change within their schools and communities. 

Not only did we see these students as active members of the classroom, but we also saw them as active members of the community participating in a pop-up soapbox. The soapbox took place in Daley Plaza where the youth were publicly speaking out about issues affecting them in today's world. It's always inspiring having the opportunity to document individuals and organizations who are passionate about making real change.  

Dad Time Shanghai - Video

In 1994, during a study abroad in Hangzhou, China, a city just outside of Shanghai, I fell in love with photography. Whether it was a response to the culture shock or a synergy of my equally left and right brain tendencies — the medium had gotten to me. I spent a year working out my transition from engineering to the arts and then never looked back. I had a growing itch to return to this fascinating, at times confusing, and incredibly beautiful country to continue my current personal project about fatherhood. I am especially proud of the video we produced to accompany the stills:

 

The changes that China has undergone between 1994 and now cannot be understated. During our visit in 2016, Hangzhou was busy hosting the world’s leaders for a G20 Summit. Shanghai and its surrounding area had factories shut down for weeks in advance of the conference so we could all be greeted with clearer skies. So much about Chinese culture is fascinating, confusing, and incredibly beautiful. It was a dream to be able to explore a glimpse of this culture through the dads who each welcomed me into their lives for a day.

Stills: Callie Lipkin
Motion Camera: Leah Fithian
GoPro: Trevor Power
Editor: Traci Weingardt