One of the joys of being freelance is not being bound to an office or, gag, a cubicle. This August, I have the opportunity of traveling to and working in Germany once again. Wifi is ubiquitous and I don’t need much more to do my job at times. On the high-speed ICE train from Hamburg to Berlin, I made the cafe train car my mobile office and watched the lush green rolling hills, Holstein cows, bales of hay & my favorite modern windmills race by over the top of my laptop screen.
Life is good. Now back to that estimate.

-A

Join me this Monday for my very first Apple Talk!

Jon Singer & I will be taking you behind the scenes of advertising photography and breaking down the whole production process. We’ll also be giving out some door prizes and exciting discounts.

Hope to see you there!

During my second round of working on a Norwegian reality tv show, my lovely & indispendable assistant, Emily (seen above) and I spent the day at O’Hare, flagging down the final contestants, organzing their upcoming travel and first on-camera interviews and statements. The contestants have no idea what they are about to encounter on their Great Norway Adventure.

Who doesn’t want to spend the day at the airport right after a swine flu pandemic is announced?! Emily and I had too much fun waving around our flags to worry about wearing any of those silly yellow masks.

Although the tv show will not air in the States, I am looking forward to dropping in to see how it turns out when I’m in Scandinavia at the end of the summer.

Skal!

Monday, I had the joy of working on a combined video/still shoot with photographer Mark Wiens and DraftFCB for that steak sauce we all grew up with, A1. It was a fun day filled with stacks of raw steaks and an amazing piece of equipment that I predict will soon be taking over the market – the Red One camera.

Keep your eyes peeled for the tv commercial – I hear there’s a guest appearance!

It’s a networking event, not a jobfair!

Meet with Columbia College’s graduating photography and illustration students. Check out the new, up-coming talent.

It’s a great way to give feedback and industry insight to the students, all the while mingling with other industry professionals, networking and enjoying the various receptions, artwork & nibbles.

I hear there will be at least one or two fun afterparties as well!

See you there!

Join me on April 29th for another great APA Midwest event!

A panel of reps will be discussing everything from what representation can do for you, how to get a rep & what it is exactly that they do. You’ll even have a chance to submit your own questions. Linda Levy of The Workbook will be moderating the event and you’ll even catch me at the beginning, plugging the APA’s other upcoming events and the AFTERPARTY, hosted by Saverio Truglia at his studio.

Hope to see you there!

Here’s to a healthy and prosperous 2009!

The holidays have wound down and the work is ramping up.

I truly love working in Hamburg, especially when I have some free time left over to play in one of my favorite cities. Hamburg is the advertising capital of Germany, and I’m known to spend a few weeks by-passing the blustery Chicago winter weeks for the maritime temperate climate. But I’m certain there will be plenty of it leftover to greet me upon my return!

Hope you are all enjoying the New Year and see you all soon!

By the time Christmas finally rolls around in December, we in the photo world have already had our fill of countless holiday advertisements, sometimes starting as early as July. Stylists must be thrilled that retailers begin putting out the holiday goods earlier and earlier every year. I’ve had the pleasure of working with stylist Rebekah Wiest on a number of holiday projects and she always comes up with the perfect humorous touches that set her work apart – Mexican wrestling hats with antlers, anyone?! We had a fantastic time working with Andrew Martin on a McDonald’s project this fall.

Now whip out those matching holiday sweaters, make your Sears portrait appointments, drink some eggnog and enjoy the season!

Growing up with a unique first name meant not having that fancy custom plastic license plate on your bike (those were reserved for the Pauls, Matts, Lisas and Anns of this world). Imagine my delight at having a 10-year old Annika as our hero talent during a recent Walgreen’s shoot! Downtown Partners, photographer Jeff Bowen Ross, the crew &  I had a great time creating a children’s outdoor party. We left the sugar rush for the very end, during which the 2 Annikas had a mini food fight and smashed some cupcakes.  Thanks to Jeff and digital tech Steven Metzer for all the great production stills!

Thanks to my terrific web designer, Zach Burdick, for my fancy new site. Check back soon for more news!