The Hat Trick
As many know, for me "The Hat" is much more than just a hat.
Recently, I was asked by Joe Mackin of 2 Paragraphs, an ultra-cool creative/social platform, to submit a story regarding one or another of my "celebrity" photos. I enjoy writing and it usually plays a part in my personal work. I had always been fascinated by the work of photographers like Duane Michaels and another Montauk resident, Peter Beard, where their handwritten, journal-like entries on and around their images seemed to expand the photographic possibilities. Spilling off my shelves can be found my handmade books that humbly follow in their huge footsteps.
Yet to actually sit down and write a cohesive story -- very brief and to the point, yet hopefully entertaining and engaging -- presented a new and unique set of challenges. First Question: "Which Celebrity?!" Second Question: "What's the story?" Then, the Realization: "In such a limited context EVERY SINGLE WORD CHOICE is going to need a rectal examination!!!" It would be a bald-faced lie for me to say I did not encounter major trepidation, much desktop finger tapping and long, long sessions of staring at the "blank" template of my word processor. . . . for TWO Paragraphs.
The block was broken when I remembered one particular, high-pressured photo assignment and . . . The Hat. It recalled the tricks it can sometime perform in my favor.
You can see and read the results at: "The Hat by Ric Kallaher"
The Creative Hall of Fame - 2013 Edition
In what is hopefully becoming a grand tradition, current and new members of the Creative Hall of Fame gathered on January 22, 2013 for the Second Edition of my Official Portrait as once again The One Club held its annual induction ceremony at New York’s Gotham Hall. Featured in the image above are (seated left to right) Cliff Freeman, Paula Green, Ed McCabe, and new inductee W+K's Jim Riswold. Standing LtoR are W+K's David Kennedy and Dan Wieden; this year inductee into the Educator Hall of Fame Richard Wilde; George Lois, new inductee Steve "1984" Hayden; 2012 inductee Joe Pytka; and Ralph Ammirati and with former partner in one of the industry's great '80's shops & new inductee Martin ("The Ultimate Driving Machine") Puris. It was an honor to be in the room with these Icons of Advertising, let alone photograph them.
A Big Deal
He ran with Hemingway at the bullfights in Spain & then adapted Big Papa's works for the screen back in the '50s. In one of these first efforts, the step-in replacement for a recently deceased James Dean was a young actor looking for a break. That's how this young actor became A.E. Hotchner's future best pal, Paul Newman. They would go on to become business partners as well on Newman's Own from which they were able to launch another great effort: The Hole In the Wall Camp -- a place for kids with extreme health conditions. So, yeah, he's a big deal and so, already having photographed the late Mr. Newman as well as having photographed the kids at Hole In the Wall, it was an especially big deal for me to be asked to photograph A. E.'s 95th birthday celebration at his home in Westport. And while one could be forgiven for thinking A. E. would be slowing down, his Nike sneakers are a clue to the hilarity of this notion. He still plays tennis three days a week and he's deep into writing his latest book, the biography of another best pal, Doris Day.
Happy Birthday, A.E.!
I•A•M• Graduating!
Pomp & Circumstance reigned at the Brooklyn Museum on 062612. Julius Dunn II of the 4A's asked me to photograph the FIRST EVER graduating class from the High School for Innovation in Advertising and Media and it was quite the celebration. With full backing from the 4A's and the NYC Board of Education in ongoing efforts to promote diversity and inclusion in the industry the students were treated to an emotional, heartfelt and encouraging greeting from President & CEO of the American Association of Advertising Agencies, Nancy Hill, as well as a rousing and RELEVANT keynote by CEO and Chairman of the Board for the Interpublic Group, Michael Roth. Gina Grillo, President and CEO of The Advertising Club was also on hand to award scholarships. Overall, it was a great day to be a part of.
And the students? Like most of us at that moment in our lives: they simply were jumping' with jubilation to have reached that happy day FINALLY!
Good luck to them all!
Changing Hands THREE
Row 1 Lto R: Rita Paul with Museum Director Holly Hotchner; Michael Bellmore, Maria Hupfield, Bonnie Devine, Courtney M. Leonard;
Row 2: Katsitsionni Fox, Tom Jones, Patricia Deadman, Kariwaiens Smoke;
Row 3: Skawennati; Kate Reid; Donald Hemlock; Samuel LaFountain; Summer Peters
Yes, Jet Blue DOES Have First Class
A MAD Ball
DJ's Andrew & Andrew were one of three crews who kept the bodies moving at the Museum of Arts & Design for the LED Ball on 051712. Part of Design Week, the event, co-sponsored by The Lighting Science Group and the Continental Mining and Metallurgical Corporation, saw the Museum transformed into a red carpet affair for fashion and design celebs with an all-star event committee of designer Dror Benshetrit, actor/director Shenae Grimes, and hockey star Sean Avery. Leading the way, as usual, was the irrepressible Director of the Museum, Holly Hotchner, pictured with her husband, Franklin Silverstone in his one-of-a-kind LED tie!
More photos can be seen in the feature at Interior Design Magazine.
s'ONEderfrul!
With the annual One Show being hosted by none other than Fabio and the One Show Interactive Awards "Vegas" theme, the 2012 One Fest was a ONEderfully HOT-HOT-HOT affair this year.
Kicking things off at a high level was rock celeb, Beaux Foy lead singer of the group Ariel Down, at the ever-energetic student awards held in the Chelsea Arts District.
And as always, celebrating the tops in creativity, the One Show Design, One Show and One Show Interactive events brought out the industry's top luminaries.
Host Fabio gave photo assistant Laurelei McLoof a lift - 
Fabio got stuck in traffic so a "Mystery Host" took his spot - 
Leo Burnett CCO Mark Tutssel & his "Entourage" -- 
BBDO's J D Michaels with Brian Collins -- 
Brian Collins with Pum Lefebure, Co-Founder of Design Army and Graham Clifford -- 
When the last awards were handed out, the floor of Terminal 5 was transformed into a "Gambling Casino" where everyone got to play with "Club" money --
And, afterwards, the fabulous One Club Gang posed for their "After Party Portrait " as well as their "After Party After Portrait"
I•A•M• Celebrating
Really Really Really Mad Men & Women
Paper or Plastic?! Window or Aisle?? Paper or plastic?! Aisle or Window?! Tuesday's Creative Week portrait features the great Hal Curtis of Wieden & Kennedy as he duels with the Inner Voices that haunt all creative minds . . .
It's Wednesday of Creative Week. We are right in the middle of it. Which way will the scales tip? Susan Credle, Chief Creative Officer of Leo Burnett USA plays the part of Creative Justice.
Arem Duplessis signifies the challenge of navigating through the seas of creativity
"A Death In the Line of Duty"
Marshall Sanford was a past Chief and had been 1st Lt and driver of Engine #1 for the Redding Ridge Fire and EMS Company #1, a truck he had helped design, when, at age 67, he passed away from a heart attack while on call. He was revered in the community for his long-standing service and un-flagging dedication to the fire department.
His funeral was befitting of his long and distinguished service and it was quite something to be a part of -- I had been asked by the Department to document the events of the day. It was an experience that truly brought home the sense of tight-knit community that exists between firemen. It also stood as a reminder of the debt we owe to those in uniform for the risks they assume every day in their dedication to serving the greater good for communities large and small.
The pomp and circumstance was especially touching in such a small setting. The state provided the color guard as well as the bagpipe band. Other CT fire departments sent representatives. Two ladder trucks hoisted a giant American flag over the entrance to the small cemetery that resides immediately adjacent to the firehouse. And the bagpipers led the old antique firetruck carrying the American-flag draped coffin of Mr. Sanford to his final resting place.
And, true to the words of a fireman I spoke to early on, as people were still gathering: "Everyone is fine and pleasant now, but when the bagpiper plays "Amazing Grace", there won't be a dry eye anywhere."
42 Years, 60 Minutes
His acceptance speech was true to form -- it was a great story. From recounting his time spent with his presenter, the internationally-acclaimed violin soloist, Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg, who he has TWICE been interviewed for the show ("He was incredibly fun and very relaxed," she reported. "Until the cameras started to roll and you saw that world-famous smirk -- that smirk! -- the one that tells you 'this is 60 Minutes so no bullshit!'"), to reminiscences of his "boss", the recently deceased Mike Wallace, to a very humorous "rant" about art critic, Roberta Smith, and his current feud with her, his is a voice that you could listen to ad infinitum.
Morley Safer's face is of course as familiar as his voice. It is now a face etched with the lines of experience and his are eyes deeply-visioned -- he has probably forgotten more than many of us will ever get the chance to learn. For our portrait session he was kind, cooperative, patient and giving. It was an honor to photograph him for not only have I long held him in the highest regard but he is a living legend and one of the last of his generation of great broadcast journalists. May we be treated to many more than 42 years of 60 Minutes.
"The End is Near!" -- So Rock the House
Hmm . . . lots of scaffolding . . . is this the Hudson Hotel? . . . oh, there's good friend & super uber creative guy, Gerry Graf, headed in the door ("Hi, Gerry!") so this must be the place for the awards show but . . . "go where?" . . . down these fire stairs? . . . now what!? . . . MORE fire stairs? . . . is this SPINAL TAP?! . . . you sure we're in the right place? . . . but wait!: what's that cool robotic voice saying? . . . "Welcome to the ANDY Awards" ?. . . OHhhh ! Alright! This is different!! This is COOL and EXCITING and FUN!!!
By now, EVERYONE has seen their share of awards shows -- from the Oscars, to the Emmy's to the Grammy's -- so everyone kind of knows the drill. And as one who has covered a lot of awards events, it was very stimulating to experience the formula getting a kick in the pants. Once, that is, I got over my preconceived notions. And that is what I realized was going on at the 2012 International ANDY Awards.
The One Show Interactive awards broke the mold a few years ago with theme-based events/awards presentations that serve as an electrifying culmination to Creative Week.
This year, the Advertising Club asked industry icon Bob Greenberg and digital agency R/GA how to breathe new life into one of the industry's most celebrated events: the International ANDY Awards. Themed around predictions of the end of things as we know them, the answer was a club scene-like creation at Hudson Hotels' Good Units. Attendees were shuttled thru graffiti'd winding hallways into a cocktail reception area with award winning works spotlighted on the walls that were otherwise decorated with moody low-lighting and art installations. Eventually, everyone was called upstairs to a loft-like area with streaming photo-booths that overlooked a foggy dry-iced, post-apocalyptic set with two giant overhead screens to show the winning work (which you can see a full list of on the ANDY Awards site). An all-star team of industry luminaries entertainingly steamrolled through presentations of four basic categories with quick video tributes but without the usually obligatory, finger-drumming parade of acceptances.
AND THE BAR STAYED OPEN!
Yes, Bob Greenberg and The Advertising Club rocked the house!
The Ultimate Art Director - Ralph Ammirati
Having the opportunity to photograph him for The One Club this year was a true honor. And it's all still true. He still even drives very hot cars! To find out more -- including which hot cars -- check out Yash Egami's interview with Ralph in ONE, The Magazine HERE.
Just B.E. -- A Tale of Being Effectively Efficient
My latest photo incarnation was a campaign for Ken Leonardo of Commotion and Rich Warren, VP of Business Development of BuyEfficient (B.E.). Just released this campaign is a perfect example of becoming acquainted with extraordinary (but unfamiliar) companies.
My assignment was to travel around the country and photograph a series of hotel executives. This was part of a testimonial campaign for Buy Efficient, the hospitality industry's premier online purchasing solution.
BuyEfficient works behind the scenes for over 1,200 hotels as their premier purchasing partner - a partner that unites various suppliers into an all-in-one purchasing platform. With Buy Efficient, hotels can purchase all those little (but important) commodities that they must have in order to operate: linens, stationery, food, soap -- you name it. (Yes, all the stuff that us guests take for granted when we check-in, but which someone must constantly manage.)
However, beyond a single hotel, this purchasing task can be an enormous challenge to synchronize, as many hotel management companies know. Someone very familiar with this task is Russ Cox, CEO, of Rim Hospitality in Newport Beach, CA. As I found out during the photo-shoot, Mr. Cox oversees various hotel brands set far and wide across the country, in which BuyEfficient's platform helps alleviate his stress and consolidate the purchasing process.
B.E. is the first centralized, online purchasing platform in which hotels can order various supplies via a dashboard-style process. Through B.E.'s efficiency and online tools, this operational hurdle is manageable for executives like Mr. Cox.
The power of internet purchasing possibilities can marvel you everywhere you travel!
Percolate-ing LikeMind
I first met Noah a few years back while photographing an EFFIES Award judging session, and then again at a " Big Business Breakfast" started by Benjamin Palmer of The Barbarian Group, where Noah was camped out at the time. LIKEMIND is another of Noah's co-iterations started awhile ago -- to get "online relationships offline" -- and he was instigating a re-boot. It had been somewhat withering on the vine even though it has an international set of followers. He explains it all on his interesting blog HERE.
Since so much of today's reality exists with us individually sitting in front of computer screens, it's good to get out and actually meet the people we're "talking" to; or maybe some of the people that those we're talking to are talking to. People who do things like online media publishing, or marketing 3D printers, or photographers . . .
At any rate, there were a considerable number of people there, especially given the early hour.
And the latte was VERY good.
M.A.D.ly Swept Away
Yet another example of inventive curating! Monday night was a Members Opening at the Museum of Arts & Design and, this time, BONUS: it’s a double bill. Two openings on separate floors: “Swept Away” and “Glasstress”. You can see photos from the event HERE.
One Original Mad Man: George Lois
Original Mad Man
Art Director,
Designer,
Raconteur,
Member of the One Club Hall of Fame --
He designed some of most (in)famous magazine covers ever for ESQUIRE Magazine.
He's the author of a great new book "DAMNED GOOD ADVICE" which you can hear him discuss on NPR
AND: He’s now employing my portrait of him as his promo shot for press & speaking engagements.
It's a privilege to know him and I am terrifically honored.
Jerry Chazen
