Zach Sutton Photography

Engagement Photoshoot — Kellen and Nicola

Zach Sutton — Sun, 18 Jul 2010 01:31:56 +0000

A week or so ago, I had the pleasure of working with Kellen Macklin and Nicola McMaster for their engagement photos. I’ve known them both for years, and actually Kellen has been a good friend of mine for nearly 10 years now, and we’ve played in a few different bands together over the years. Well, they have been dating for what seems like, forever, and it was only a matter of time before they got hitched. It was a pleasure to work with them, and we were able to get some awesome shots from the day. They asked me to not have your traditional engagement photos, so I did what I could to make them more interesting and against the grain from your typical engagement photos.

You can see how happy and completely in love these two are in the photos. I couldn’t think of a better couple to get married, and I’m excited to see their lives grow together. If you’d like to see more photos from the shoot, just click ‘Read More’ below.

Share on Facebook

Event Photography — Birches

Zach Sutton — Sun, 18 Jul 2010 01:18:13 +0000

Birches is a pop folk rock band out from Kalamazoo, though all the members of the band are originally from Traverse City. I’ve been pretty good friends with these guys for a while now, so when they asked me to take some pictures for their show in Traverse City, I was happy to help. They are, by far, my favorite local band in Kalamazoo, and have an awesome and unique sound to each and every one of their songs. I’d highly recommend you check them out if you get the opportunity. Anyway, here are some quick shots from their show on July 4th at the Sound it Out Record Shop –

Birches on Facebook | Birches on Myspace Music

Share on Facebook

Featured Photographer – Peter “Petey” Place

Zach Sutton — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 18:01:25 +0000

Well, anyone hip to the music and band photography world, should probably be at least familiar with Petey Place, and if not, you’re simply not paying attention. Petey has been shooting bands for a few years now, and has developed quite a name in the process. I’m pretty sure that there are not any more bands in the New England area that haven’t worked with Petey, or at least talked to him about it. He is one of the hardest working men in music photography, and another member of 40/60 Photography. Considered a young gun by many, 23 year old Petey lives in Punham, CT but is often on the road to shoot with an assortment of bands residing anywhere from Boston to New York. I’ve known Petey for a while now, and been a huge fan of his work. It was only a matter of time before I named him Photographer of the Month for the month of July.

I was able to get ahold of Petey and sit down and talk with him. Petey and I have known each other for a while now, so it wasn’t long before we started joking around and making a mockery of the interview. Regardless though, I was able to ask a few pretty good questions, and get some great responses from Petey.

Q :Thanks again for doing this Petey, I’ve been watching your work for some time now, but care to tell us all how you got into photography and got you to the level you are today?

A: I’ve been into photography since I was younger. I’ve always enjoyed looking at the photos in Daily Bread skate magazine back in 1998-2000 and so whenever i’d go skate with my friends we’d take pictures with the wal-mart film camera I had. Sadly, I never developed any rolls of film from those days. Since then, I was really intrigued with light and creating photos with lighting that I can control and direct. I would constantly lurk other photog’s work and see what kind of photos that they’re putting out and see if I could re-create that.

Q: Are you intentionally holding on to those rolls of film, to create a retirement fund for yourself in case you become the Annie Leibovitz of band photography?

A: Every one’s gotta have a back up plan. Those rolls of film, those are my plan. Circa 1998.

Q: hahah. Now you do do mostly band photography. With your growing success, especially across the East Coast, do you have trouble finding more bands to shoot? I know in my city, which is well sized, we have about a dozen serious bands or so.

A: In my area, we have a good number of local bands who are putting their heart and souls into the music that they create. I’ve gotten a good deal of repeat business with a few bands that I’ve developed a good..photog – band relationship with. We’re all comfortable shooting together, they know how I work, and we all know how to get work done, while having a great time. I haven’t had one boring photoshoot. I do a good amount of traveling between Connecticut, Rhode Island & Massachusetts…and those three states house a good amount of bands around here.

Q: Have you ever considered moving to LA or somewhere with more potential clients, or do you like the East Coast, and plan to stay there?

A: Moving somewhere else always crosses my mind. I’m always wondering where else could be a bit more benefitial in terms of steady, constant work. I don’t think I’m anywhere close to the level of photog’s on the West Coast. I really dig the area of the northeast. My town is a bit on the small side but it’s an awesome area to come home to when I need to relax from a long day of shooting and traveling. We’ll see what happens in the future!

Q: When lighting subjects, we all have our comfort lighting setups, care to explain your comfort lighting diagram to us?

A: Yes, I definitely do…I get my safe shots first, then once I feel good about those, I’ll be more creative. My safe set up definitely would be the Beauty dish for key, then 2 lights as rims, as you guys have seen many, many, many, many times done over. Perhaps I’ve gotten too comfortable with it. This year is about pushing myself and doing new set-up’s that I haven’t done before. Must stop being safe all the time!

Q: When you think of a new setup, do you find friends to be test subjects with it, or do you just go into a commercial shoot blindly and pray for the best?

A: I’ve definitely gone into it blindly, messing around with the lights, trying out new things and finding out what works. I haven’t shot with my friends in ages. Last time I did, I think it was when I just had speedlights. Good part is the new set-up’s I’ve done, have worked out pretty well! +1 for working under pressure.

Q: Now you’re yet another member of 40/60 Photography, and the second member of the group I’ve highlighted. Care you explain your thoughts on being in a group of photographers, and how its helped/hurt your business?

A: It has definitely helped me a lot, that is for sure. It has helped with exposure, I <3 (no homo) the dudes of 40/60, they’re all awesome people, hilarious, creative…and we all bring something new/different to the table. The work they do, encourages me to get my work done and to do it with professionalism. Jose’s work…inspires me on the daily..his post processing still blows my mind. I can’t seem to figure it out. I wish I had Conor’s design skills. Sean’s composition and light hearted-ness is something everyone needs. Dabe…..Dabe is a constant reminder of how vertically challenged I am, plus I’m envious of his video and lighting skills. If I shoot a band and I’m able to pass them along to Conor for a layout, then that’s great! It’s all about helping each other out.

Q: How’d you feel if I created 41/61 Photo? A group that’s numerically one better than 40/60. Would you sick Dabe on me?

A: We’d call up dispatch and have the matter taken care of. LOL I can only speak for myself hah. In all reality, we’d probably throw down, then shake hand’s at the end of it and get some bubble tea.

41/61 is adamantly against bubble tea, and fair fights.

Q: Thanks again for taking the time from your busy schedule to chat with me. I look forward to seeing you constantly put out better and better work.

A: Thank you sir! I appreciate the opportunity

A Highlight of Petey Photo’s Work (Click to Enlarge)-

All images copyright Petey Photography

More of Petey’s work can be viewed at the following links

Website | Flickr | MySpace | Facebook

(10:55:53 AM) MonsoonTheM0vie: Thanks again for doing this Petey, I’ve been watching your work for some time now, but care to tell us all how you got into photography and got you to the level you are today?
(11:00:33 AM) Genuine Rolla: I’ve been into photography since I was younger. I’ve always enjoyed looking at the photos in Daily Bread skate magazine back in 1998-2000 and so whenever i’d go skate with my friends we’d take pictures with the wal-mart film camera i had. Sadly, I never developed any rolls of film from those days. Since then, I was really intrigued with light and creating photos with lighting that I can control and direct.
(11:01:36 AM) Genuine Rolla: So, I would constantly lurk other photog’s work and see what kind of photos that they’re putting out and see if I could re-create that.
(11:02:22 AM) MonsoonTheM0vie: Are you intentionally holding on to those rolls of film, to create a retirement fund for yourself incase you become the Annie Leibovitz of band photography?
(11:02:57 AM) Genuine Rolla: everyone’s gotta have a back up plan. Those rolls of film, those are my plan. Circa 1998.
(11:04:06 AM) MonsoonTheM0vie: hahah. Now you do do mostly band photography. With your growing success, especially across the East Coast, do you have trouble finding more bands to shoot? I know in my city, which is well sized, he have about a dozen serious bands or so.
(11:07:14 AM) Genuine Rolla: In my area, we have a good number of local bands who are putting their heart and souls into the music that they create. I’ve gotten a good deal of repeat business with a few bands that I’ve developed a good..photog – band relationship with. We’re all comfortable shooting together, they know how I work, and we all know how to get work done, while having a great time. I haven’t had one boring photoshoot. I do a good amount of traveling between Connecticut, Rhode Island & Massachusettes…and those three states house a good amount of bands around here.
(11:08:30 AM) MonsoonTheM0vie: Have you ever considered moving to LA or somewhere with more potential clients, or do you like the East Coast, and plan to stay there?
(11:11:08 AM) Genuine Rolla: Moving somewhere else always crosses my mind. I’m always wondering where else could be a bit more benefitial in terms of steady, constant work. I don’t think I’m anywhere close to the level of photog’s on the WestCoast. I really dig the area of the northeast. My town is a bit on the small side but it’s an awesome area to come home to when I need to relax from a long day of shooting and traveling. We’ll see what happens in the future!
(11:12:13 AM) MonsoonTheM0vie: When lighting subjects, we all have our comfort lighting setups, care yo explain your comfort lighting diagram to us?
(11:16:39 AM) Genuine Rolla: yes, I definitely do…I get my safe shots first, then once I feel good about those, i’ll be more creative. My safe set up definitely would be the Beauty dish for key, then 2 lights as rims, as you guys have seen many, many, many, many times done over. Perhaps i’ve gotten too comfortable with it. This year is about pushing myself and doing new set-up’s that I haven’t done before. Must stop being safe all the time!
(11:17:37 AM) MonsoonTheM0vie: When you think of a new setup, do you find friends to be test subjects with it, or do you just go into a commercial shoot blindly and pray for the best?
(11:18:55 AM) Genuine Rolla: I’ve definitely gone into it blindly, messing around with the lights, trying out new things and finding out what works. I haven’t shot with my friends in ages. Last time I did, I think it was when I just had speedlights. Good part is the new set-up’s i’ve done, have worked out pretty well! +1 for working under pressure.
(11:20:13 AM) MonsoonTheM0vie: Now you’re yet another member of 40/60 Photography, and the second member of the group I’ve highlighted. Care you explain your thoughts on being in a group of photographers, and how its helped/hurt your business?
(11:25:54 AM) Genuine Rolla: It has definitely helped me a lot, that is for sure. It has helped with exposure, I <3 (no homo) the dudes of 40/60, they’re all awesome people, hilarious, creative…and we all bring something new/different to the table. The work they do, encourages me to get my work done and to do it with professionalism. Jose’s work…inspire’s me on the daily..his post processing still blows my mind. I can’t seem to figure it out. I wish I had Conor’s design skills. Sean’s composition and light heartedness is something everyone needs. Dabe…..dabe is a constant reminder of how veritically challenged I am, plus I’m envious of his video and lighting skills. If I shoot a band and I’m able to pass them along to conor for a layout, then that’s great! It’s all about helping each other out.
(11:27:49 AM) MonsoonTheM0vie: How’d you feel if I created 41/61 Photo? A group thats numerically one better than 40/60. Would you sick Dabe on me?
(11:29:48 AM) Genuine Rolla: We’d call up dispatch and have the matter taken care of. LOL I can only speak for myself hah. In all reality, we’d probably throw down, then shake hand’s at the end of it and get some bubble tea.
(11:30:26 AM) MonsoonTheM0vie: 41/61 is adamantly against bubble tea, and fair fights.
(11:31:03 AM) MonsoonTheM0vie: Side note- I think I’m getting lunch with Dabe on Friday, should I greet him with a hug, or a sucker punch to the side of the face?
(11:31:19 AM) Genuine Rolla: Your arms are too short to box with Dabe.
(11:31:33 AM) MonsoonTheM0vie: Dude, I’m 6’3″, I’m a pretty big guy
(11:31:37 AM) Genuine Rolla: are you serious!!!
(11:31:49 AM) Genuine Rolla: you’re that freaking tall!?! I thought you were like…5’6″ or 5’9″ the tallest
(11:31:58 AM) MonsoonTheM0vie: Nah, I’m a big dude
(11:32:14 AM) Genuine Rolla: holy cow dude….what is up with everone being so effing tall. Conor and I are the shortest of the group
(11:33:04 AM) MonsoonTheM0vie: Dabe and I would have a pretty solid fight. We’re I lack in the technique and arm length, I make up for heart and the lack of moral fiber to fight fair
(11:33:46 AM) Genuine Rolla: Moral Fiber sounds like an elderly cereal
(11:34:05 AM) MonsoonTheM0vie: haha, if it was, I sure as hell wouldnt eat it
(11:34:41 AM) MonsoonTheM0vie: I dont think this part will be in the interview….but I dont think I need any more
(11:35:17 AM) Genuine Rolla: word! hahah
(11:35:38 AM) MonsoonTheM0vie: So as an final thought.
(11:36:17 AM) MonsoonTheM0vie: Thanks again for taking the time from your busy schedule to chat with me. I look forward to seeing you constantly put out better and better work.
(11:36:40 AM) Genuine Rolla: thank you sir! I appreciate the opportunity

Share on Facebook

Portage Senior Center 5th Annual Talent Show

Zach Sutton — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 15:00:10 +0000

I was recently contacted by the City of Portage Senior Center about possibly doing some event photography for their upcoming talent show. Though event photography isn’t exactly my forte, I was interested to at least see what the city of Portage had to offer in terms of all the talent out there, so I quickly accepted the offer. Unfortunately, I was unable to make it to the finals show, but I did get to check out every act in the first two nights. Talk about impressive! I had no idea there was so many amazing and interesting talents in the area. Anything from song and dance, to a man playing ‘Somewhere Over The Rainbow’ on a saw, talent showed up from all over the Portage and Kalamazoo area, in an attempt to show off there unique abilities and hopefully win a cash prize.

Click here to continue reading

Here are some of my favorites from the event-

I was asked to do this show from Jason Horan, the man in charge at the Portage Senior Center, but him and I both quickly found out how many people loved having a professional photographer shooting for the show. I got asked, on many occasions, aswell as Jason about possibly being able to purchase the shots I was able to take. The original idea was to take these pictures, so Jason could use them in his upcoming monthly newsletter, but because him and I both were so happy with how they turned out, we agreed to share them online publically, allowing people to purchase prints if they’d like. There is a link below, please read all the info prior to emailing me for prints. Thank you-

Prints Instructions

If you’d like prints of any of these pictures, please send me an email or use the form below. All emails must be received prior to July 15th. Prints should be available for pickup at the Portage Senior Center by July 25th.

Prints will come in three sizes for your choosing. The Sizes/Prices are -
- 4″x6″ for $4 per print
- 5″x7″ for $5 per print
- 8″x10″ for $6 per print
All prints will be printed on professional quality paper (Kodak Endura Lustre) in a photo lab.
Please use the form below to let me know. I will then send you an email with an invoice and payment options.
Please feel free to email me any more questions you may have.

To review the shots, please click the day below. Note, all photos in the gallery are low quality and for review only. Prints will be of much higher quality

Order Form for Prints

[contact-form]

Share on Facebook

Photo Beach Bash Photoshoot

Zach Sutton — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 05:43:11 +0000

Recently, Laura Alexander and I teamed up and setup an group shoot with a bunch of local models around Michigan at the Holland, MI public beach. After weeks of planning, the day came last Friday, on the 25th, and turned out to be a huge success. The stress was surprisingly low, sky surprisingly clear, and the beach surprisingly full. We were able to work with some of the best modeling talent in the state of MI, and were able to create some amazing images in the process. I still have a bunch of editing to do, but I do have some of my pictures available now, and I wanted to show you some of my more recent work.

Here are some of my favorites from the day-

And check out some of the awesome work Laura was able to produce!

Share on Facebook

Photo Beach Bash w/ Laura Alexander Photography

Zach Sutton — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 18:11:00 +0000

More Info After the Jump

If interested, please email me or Laura Wixson

And check out some of Laura’s work

Facebook | Model Mayhem | Website

Share on Facebook

Recent Shoot with Ashley | Apocalypse Series

Zach Sutton — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 17:59:56 +0000

I recently had the pleasure of meeting a local model named Ashley Williamson. We originally had set up to do a rain shoot, and naturally, just seconds after planning that shoot in the morning, it stopped raining. So calls were made, and we waited it out. The weather channel said it’d rain by 3pm, then rain by 5pm, and eventually decided that it wasn’t going to rain at all. I had already gotten the desire to shoot, and didn’t have anything else planned for the rest of the day, so we decided last minute to contribute to the Apocalypse series I’ve been working on.

I was able to find a location of an abandoned paper mill from my friend and part time assistant Adam. We arrived, found an abandoned bank, and started shooting. I wanted to go a different direction with this shoot, and think I did a pretty good job with it. Instead of inspiring intensity, I wanted something a little more dramatic. So I got her to cry, with the help of some eyedrops ofcourse.

Pictures of the finals and alternative edits after the jump after the jump.

Share on Facebook

June Portrait Promotion

Zach Sutton — Sun, 06 Jun 2010 20:44:12 +0000

Click Read More below for more info

Share on Facebook

Recent Shoot with Christina | Apocalypse Series

Zach Sutton — Sun, 06 Jun 2010 16:26:37 +0000

I was recently able to shoot with local model Christina Andres for my apocalypse series that I’ve been working on. The first shoot, as you may recall, was with the wonderful Noel, and was setup with an AR15 in studio and a background composted into the image from a 50% gray background. Well this shoot was shot on location, and then was a composite into a new background after wards. This was among the most tedious work I’ve ever had to do in photoshop for an image. I ended up with 8 different edits of the image, and finally could put it to rest after 6 hours of photoshop time. Final images after the jump.

Shooting on location for a composite was not my intentions. The original idea for this shoot was to just have fireballs falling from the sky. I could already tell upon arriving to the location, that I didnt like what the sky was doing. It was grey, plan and ugly (as you’ll see in the original photo below). I was hoping to save it in photo shop, but shortly after the shoot, I decided it was best to just cut her out, and start with a fresh canvas. Not to mention that I had no idea how to make fireballs fall from the sky. Anyway, here are the final results, as well as the original image, for those who are interested. -

View the Image on Flickr

Share on Facebook

Featured Photographer – Alejandro Sandoval

Zach Sutton — Sat, 29 May 2010 19:37:53 +0000

I’ve been following this next featured photographer for sometime, an essentially drooling over his ability to produce so many clean, and breathtaking photos. And Alejandro is no new name to the game, with over 4 years of professional experience, Alejandro has been able to tactfully master the art of fashion photography. His ability to create such stellar images with minimal equipment is what first focused my eyes on him, and as I saw more and more of his work, I knew he was one to go on and do big things. Alejandro currently resides in Toronto, Canada, and works for such agencies as EliteModel, Next Models, and Elmer Olsen Models. I’m both proud and honored to be naming Alejandro Photographer of the Month on my website.

I was able to have a chat with Alejandro and talk about some of the work he’s done, as well as some advice on how to produce images at the caliber of his.

Q.) Thank you first, for taking the time to do this, I know your schedule is busy. Your photography style quickly shows your talent and attention to detail, care to give us a brief time line on when you began taking photography seriously

Around 2006. Photography was always a hobby, I was taught by my grand father, he was always taking pictures and when I was 8 yrs old he got me a 35mm Vivitar, the ones with the meter in form of a needle, and I was always traveling around with that camera. In 2000, I emigrated from Mexico to Canada and I got one of the very first Digital cameras, a 2 Pm HP. In 2006 I got a Canon Rebel and I started to take pictures more seriously,

most urban stuff. I used to walk around the Toronto streets and snap here and there and then one day I got a call from a local Newspaper asking me to use some of my pictures. Since then, I started to get more calls from other media and a some point a friend invited me to a Photoshoot. I didn’t have lights or anything else, so I went there and “piggy backed” other photographers lights. The images turned out very nice but I didn’t have studio, any strobes or anything related to studio, so I would said 2006 was the starting point.

Q.) Have you ever considered playing with film again, or do you shoot strictly digital now?

I’m still shooting film,I use film (120) for Black and White. I think there is magic on film that cant be replicated. I use a Mamiya RZ67, lomo and Holga. I develop the film in my washroom.

Q.) Very cool, I’m jealous. You’ve been known by many to be among the masters of using on light for photos. If you could choose only one light modifier to use, what would it be?

It would be the deep octabox. I find it very versatile can act as a regular octabox or like a beauty dish and one reflector. 80% of my work is with just this one light.

Q.) Alot of people know that you work for a few different modeling agencies; care to explain briefly how you became in contact with these agencies and how they started contacting you for work, rather than vise versa?

All started when I came across with a very talented Make Up Artist; Wendy Rorong and she started to raised the bar and we found that we needed to work with agency models, we approach them they reviewed our portfolios and we got green light. We usually have to chase them though.

Q.) When you refer to portfolio, do you mean an online based portfolio, or a print one. Many photographers feel that the print portfolio is on the way out, do you agree with this statement or disagree?

I disagree on the same way that people thinks that film is out, the printing is part of the photography process, when you print your images you can see the real flaws that you don’t see in screen, agencies still requesting printed portfolios, I know it look very cool to have your portfolio on an iPad but the final product is the printed one…

A special thanks to Alejandro for taking the time to talk to me. Check out below for some of his work, as well as links to see more.

A Highlight of Alejandro Sandoval’s Work (Click to Enlarge)

All images below are copyright Alejandro Sandoval

More of Alejandro’s work can be viewed at the following links

Website | Flickr | DripBook | Facebook

Share on Facebook