Creative Spotlight: HJH Homes

Hank Haff, president of HJH Homes, Inc., is driven.  His homes are all distinctive masterpieces that cater to, and surpass, his clients' dreams.

Having worked with him for several years, I can say that his personality is reflected in his work.  Hank is a 'no compromise' type of guy - only the best, only the finest will do.  Browsing his vast portfolio of superlative estates, one can quickly surmise that if you are serious about building an upscale, high-end home HJH Builders should be at the top of your short list.

Creative Spotlight: Terri Weinstein Design

Today’s images come from a spectacular project by noted Chicago interior designer Terri Weinstein.  Her work is simply amazing!  

As soon as I met Terri on the day of the shoot, I knew that these images would be fantastic. Very often clients do not take into account the way a room looks from different angles.  Not Terri!  We made sure that each composition was free of obstruction, and that the arrangement of furniture and accents complimented the shots.

Since we had such a short time to photograph the beautiful condo, we had to work very quickly.  That was not a problem! Terri works fast, furious, and full of energy.  The efforts were worth it, though – the results were stunning. This ranks among my all-time favorite spaces I’ve photographed.  Terri, it was a pleasure working with you and I can’t wait to do it again!

View more of Terri's work here.

Creative Spotlight: Huber Homes

I began my working relationship with Dave Huber approximately eight years ago. I was walking through one of his beautiful homes listening to him describe the construction process to a writer, who was interviewing him for an architectural magazine. Something about Dave’s personality struck me that day. He was easy to listen to, had a very methodical description of his business, and the custom home building process. The manner in which he thought about everything that he was going to say...you knew without question that this man has a PASSION for his work.

Dave said something that day that I think about every time I pull up to one of his homes to photograph them. He smilingly said to the writer, “I hope I won’t have to say too much when it comes time to sell the home, but that the quality of the construction and the detail of the finish will say it all.” Having now photographed several projects for Dave, I can attest to this. He is a master custom home builder, and is as kind and courteous a professional as one could ever want to work with.

It is my pleasure to feature Dave Huber of Huber Homes as our Creative Spotlight this month. To see more of his work, please visit his website here.

Creative Spotlight: Interior Viewpoint

I met Paula a few years ago when we photographed some projects that she had completed in Chicago. I arrived on a crowded street and helped her unload her car so that she could complete staging the home. She greeted me with a wide smile and a huge burst of energy. Often times when I meet a designer, I find that their personality comes across in their designs…this was certainly the case with Paula.

When I walked into any of her projects, I felt like I could move right in. Spaces were beautifully furnished with extremely upscale quality pieces, many of which were antique. Peaceful, comfortable, serene, timeless were thoughts that came to mind as I toured the homes and began thinking of compositions. I listened as Paula described the families’ needs and how she achieved them.

The results were exquisite coordinations of color and functionality throughout. Paula more than met her clients’ expectations; her work, her glowing, positive personality left an indelible impression on me.

Here are just a few samples of Paula’s work. For more information please visit her website. Thank you Paula for being our February Creative Spotlight!

New Blog Feature: Creative Spotlight

This morning I am reflecting back on 2009 and looking forward to 2010. I feel different this year, can’t put my finger on ‘why’, but just different. Different in a good way, like everything is new again….

The recent years have been a struggle for many in the creative field. Last year nearly everyone we worked with updated their portfolios, and re-worked their websites. They changed their image, attitude and business, and to great effect.

For us it was a busy year to say the least, and a little unusual in the fact that we worked with more interior designers than architects, builders, artists etc, combined. We now know who has all the fun in our industry, or at least a good share of it!

This group of professionals as a whole impressed us. The consensus was apparent that everyone was working harder, more efficiently and turning out their best work. Some of which has been reflected in the images on our blog and website.

I have found that we in the creative field seem to do more networking than other professionals. Like, "We are all in this together let's make it work." A team effort sort of thing!

So, this year we are going to do something a little different on our blog. We are going to ‘spotlight’ those that we work with - architects, custom home builders, interior designers, artists, etc. along with a photo and a few words.

I know that personally, when I look at the work of other photographers in my field, I am almost always inspired. This is the objective, to be inspired. To look at others work objectively, creatively and positively. To sit back and say "Wow....well done!"

So stay tuned….our first Creative Spotlight begins February 1st! 

If You Keep Doing What You're Doing....

Someone once told me “If you keep doing what you’re doing, you’ll keep getting what you’re getting”.  How simple, yet how true. 

This year I have met many new clients… most of whom are tired of ‘getting what their getting’ so to speak and have taken aggressive steps to enhance, and reinvigorate their businesses.  Change can come in many forms....a fresh look, an updated website, professional photographs, pricing and policy reviews, etc..  Those that have taken these positive steps not only feel good about the changes but, are now beginning to see results from the fruits of their labors.

One client in particular really stands out in my mind.  Her new website and portfolio is consistently wowing those that take a peek.  I was in a meeting with her and a prominent magazine editor, who was visibly impressed by the beauty of her work.  The editor stood their stunned as she was handed image after image from the portfolio.  She remarked, “You should submit this for a feature editorial in our magazine." And so she did.

Custom home builders, architects, and even other designers are among those wanting to establish new relationships with this designer.  Why?  All because she was tired of getting what she was getting!  She changed what she was doing and is now enjoying the benefits.

So, if your business isn’t what you would like, keep in mind the simple truth above. Perhaps it's the perfect time to try something new.   

Moving Forward

Recently I was meeting with a client and we were discussing a few images that I had photographed. As we talked, I asked about her marketing, as these images were going to be used on her website. “Marketing, I really don’t do any marketing. All of my business is from referral”. I smiled and asked how things were going. "Slow right now.. truthfully, it’s a little scary" she said. I mentioned a few avenues of marketing but she seemed content to continue doing what she has always been doing. It was then that my mind went back to a conversation I’d had a couple of years ago......

I was helping a colleague move. His current location housed an elaborate studio as well as a complete, state-of-the-art film processing lab. His new facility was not going to contain a traditional photo lab. "Aren’t you going to process film again?" I asked, as this was this his forte’. "No", he said.  "Not me, I’m not living in the past.. the scene has changed and I am moving forward."

I can’t tell you what a profound effect that his statement had on me. As we talked later he told me how business was down because more and more professionals were turning to digital and he realized that the need for his expert service in film processing was becoming limited. He said, "I am embracing the digital technology and am diving into it by offering fully digital lab services… and as much as it hurts, I have to re-invent myself."  And so he did. Very successfully I might add.

And that is the point. So many of us are living in the past, and don’t even realize it. What once worked for us may have little effect today, because things have changed, markets have changed, demands have changed, and so on. In order for us to be successful, we need to adapt to the new landscapes that surround our field of expertise and embrace them to ‘re-invent ourselves’.

That might mean changing the way we contact new clients, using the internet marketing techniques instead of, or in addition to mailings. Updating our websites to show new projects or ideas that might inspire a potential client to give us a call, and to show that we are moving forward. Keeping energy levels high and attitudes positive. Networking with peers, submitting samples of our work to editors, finding new places to show images of our projects etc. Setting goals and staying BUSY to accomplish them will help us look forward being at work, it will remind of us the passion that we have for our creative field and reinvigorate our minds as we move forward!