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Spring 2012
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.............................................“I'm better with
show than tell.”
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“The goal is not to do business with everybody who needs what you have. The goal is to do business with people who believe what you believe.” — Simon Sinek
Table of C
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COPPA 38-43
contact44 All rights reserved. Copyright debora smail 2012.
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32-37
Q&A
with debora
SAMBA GRILLE
16-19 THE MONARCH
20-23 of my craft
24-31 The Grove
8-9 10-11 some tools
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Contents
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TRINITI IN GOODE COMPANY
Where did you learn your craft? Self-taught mainly, but studied photography at Eastern New Mexico University. After leaving Eastern, I worked as a studio manager for a commercial photographer in Austin, Texas where I learned that photography isn't as glamorous as Andy Warhol's Interview Magazine portrayed it to be. It takes a lot of work, both mental and physical. Describe a typical day at work. Every day is different. Different location, different personalities, different subject matter. The only consistent thing is downloading and editing selections, crops & minor edits. I'm not a big fan of Photoshop, as I like to stay true to the subject. Having learned my craft with film, I always shoot to get the shot, but Photoshop is an essential part of the work flow. What motivates you most about working with your clients? The relationship / the end result / the collaboration / the success / delivering to the client the visual communication they need to reach their audience / client is passionate about their product, service, message /collaboration of ideas and new ways to present product, service and or message. How do you measure success for a project? Did i exceed their expectations? Did i deliver something they couldn't even imagine? The client is excited about the imagery and rehires me. The client refers other like-minded people to me. First thing in the morning, last thing before bed? Morning: Dogs, coffee, visualization, emails, edits. Evening: Edits, emails, blog posts, social media, music, Adult Swim and dogs. Why do you identify with entrepreneurs so well? Raised in a Mercantile with a family of entrepreneurs, being an entrepreneur is the only way I know how to be. I realize all too well the struggle and passion you have to have and have to go through to be successful.
Q&A
with debora
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Where did you grow up? Chicago > New Mexico > Houston I learned my survival skills living in a run-down boys and girls summer ranch camp in Cloudcroft that my folks bought to escape Chicago and start a new life. No plumbing, heating (besides a wood stove) in a mountain village of 700 residents. I fell in love with the idea of photography when my step father's best friend Jack Long, a photographer for The Houston Chronicle, came for a visit. Christmas of 1980, my family gave me a Pentax K1000. I had that camera until just recently when my car was broken into and just replaced the camera with an Ebay find. I use the manual film cameras when mentoring young kids in the art of composition & getting the shot.
What is your style/brand? Organic. Emotional. Realistic. Simple. Honest. Tells a story. Impactful. Use of existing light whenever possible. It lasts. What is your work ethic? Always on time. I overshoot and deliver more than promised to the client. I work around the clients schedule. I shoot at multiple times to give the client variety. Open 24 hours. When people wrap up a project with you - what are they normally surprised by? How easy it was to work with me. My humor. The value they receive.That the finished product shows that I listened to their needs and that I understood how they wanted to be seen.
Why do you get up in the morning? A new day to be better than I was yesterday. (corny but true) For the opportunity to be creative & to learn something new. Let my dogs out so they don't mess in the house... What are you obsessive about? Making a difference. Having silence when editing. Myself & people I deal with following through with what they promise. Being productive every day. Being honest. Music. Keeping current with the publishing trends. Being original. Pushing myself to learn new technology. Promoting myself.
What could you care less about? I'd rather buy a new camera equipment than new clothes. I'd rather go to an antique store or flea market than attend a fancy function. I'm more of a worker bee than a social butterfly. Why Houston? It is one of the most thriving cities. Unlimited room for growth. Culturally diverse. How do you know when you've nailed a project? Gut feeling and of course feedback from my client. How do you know when you have the perfect shot? It's intuitive. Capturing something I haven't seen before. Describe your toolkit. Everywhere I go, I always have my Nikon d700 & Canon 5d Mark II & a variety of prime lenses. One of my all time favorites being a 30 yr. old 50mm 1.2 manual. Mid-Century Polaroid Land camera with instant film, preferably black and white, Rolleiflex medium format film camera. Hasselblad X-Pan Film Panoramic & Hasselblad 500cm. I’ll stop there, because it’s kinda crazy otherwise. I do like to present editors with some analog options on the higher profile pieces I am assigned. It’s funny that they almost always choose film over digital.
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What is the ideal client? “The goal is not to do business with everybody who needs what you have. The goal is to do business with people who believe what you believe.” — Simon Sinek
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What do you look for in a client with whom you may collaborate? One word. Passion. Oh, and mutual respect.
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Goode Company BAR-B-Q has been a family-owned business for 35 years and has expanded its main Kirby location to include 2 other locations as well as catering services. Jim Goode started the business and Levi Goode is currently running the business. The catering service is well-equipped to handle upwards of 800+ people and provides not only the food, but the catering servers as well. Prepared daily using fresh ingredients, the restaurant offers authentic, traditional Texas cuisine cooked with its signature ‘mesquite’.
IN GOODE COMPANY
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http://goodecompany.com 5109 Kirby Dr, Houston, TX 77098-5011 (713) 522-2530
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cancer surgery. He was diagnosed at a young, 27 years of age, underwent surgery and sustained a stroke during the process. Most notably, the stroke left his taste buds compromised and half of his body needing rehabilitation. One would think his career would have ended, but the tenacious, native South American, guided his career to huge success with his Peruvian infused dishes that he added to the menu of Samba Grille.
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SAMBA GRILLE
Chef David Guerrero of Samba Grille received his new ‘Executive’ Chef title not long after surviving brain
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Left to right:: Ceviche Mixto market fish, shrimp, calamari, aji, lime juice, shot of leche de tigre, sweet potato puree Lobster Corn Bisque “Sango” butter poached lobster, cilantro oil, white corn “choclo” Prime bone-in Ribeye
Samba Grille owner :: Nathan Ketchum 530 Texas St. Houston, TX 77002 713-343-1180 http://sambagrillehouston.com
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THE MONARCH
The thousand dollar drink at Hotel Zaza. “The Monarch� - this indulgence blends Louis Xlll Black Pearl (Remy Martin Cognac - bottle shown runs $42,000.00 1.75L) & Grand Marnier Cent Cinquantenaire.
http://www.hotelzaza.com/#houston
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The Grove
The Grove
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The Grove, owned by the Schiller Del Grande Restaurant Group, is an architectural wonder built in the middle of downtown Houston on the twelve acres of Discovery Green. Along with being a huge tourist attraction, the restaurant has gained Houstonian loyalty by all walks of life, from socialites to the everyday Joe. Any seat in the restaurant provides a great view of the outside in from its expansive glass windows. Designed by architect Larry Speck, the eco-friendly building houses an herb and tomato garden on the second level along with an expansive deck that has a gorgeous view of the Houston cityscape. The contemporary urban feel is warm and aesthetically pleasing as is the
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American cuisine.
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http://thegrovehouston.com
The Grove owner :: The Schiller Del Grande Restaurant Group Cuisine: American 1611 Lamar Houston, Texas 77010 713.337.7321
Triniti is a new California-style restaurant custom designed and furnished by famous architects, designers and landscapers such as MC2, Tom Dixon (British designer from London) and the Offices of James Burnett. It lives and breathes balance and harmony both inside and out. The attention to detail is ever apparent from the moment you see their signage on Shepherd until the moment you exit though their modern frosted glass door. The visual appeal, the wall of windows, the exposed kitchen topped with a crown of copper, and the beautiful artwork by Todd Murphy all lend to the vast yet intimat and interactive feel of the restaurant. Triniti specializes in artistically-presented American cuisine focusing on the quality of the ingredients and the seasonal menu changes. It delivers a high-end dining experience in a casual, integrated setting.
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http://trinitirestaurant.com
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Triniti Restaurant & Bar owner :: Chef Ryan Hildebrand Cuisine: American 2815 South Shepherd Houston, TX 77098 713-527-9090
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Coppa has been open less than a year and has realized great success due to its ‘key’ compo-
COPPA
nent, Chef Brandi Key. The owners, Charles and Grant sought out Chef Key for her knowledge, experience, talents and drive. Chef Key is no stranger to the local farming and meat community as she was raised in a small town in Texas, so it comes as no surprise that she has infused that mentality into her restaurant. Her menu is a reinvention of Italian classics, using fresh, local ingredients and prepares items from scratch. She is an artist in her craft of cooking as well as film photography. Chef Key, like me, is a firm believer in collaborative efforts and was pleasant, cooperative and informative as we worked side by side with PR, Jennifer Gilliam and Primer Grey to 39
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conceive the imagery for Coppa’s new website.
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http://copparistorante.com
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Coppa Ristorante Italiano Owners :: Charles Clark & Grant Cooper http://clarkcooperconcepts.com Cuisine: Italian 5555 Washington Ave Houston, TX 77007 (713) 426-4260
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.......................................................................... site :: www.RealityPhotography.net blog :: http://realityphotography.tumblr.com
email :: debora@realityphotography.net contact :: 832-495-8284