Illustrator Shane Johnson’s latest job was to draw something that doesn’t exist yet. “I was asked to create visual concepts for a music-focused venue being developed in San Francisco,” he explains, “and the interior is still just studs and nails.”

Called the Music City Hit Factory, the venue is slated to include a bar and casual dining, performance stage for live shows, hotel, recording studios, classrooms, and exhibits showcasing the San Francisco music scene and supporting local artists.

Dean Weldon Exhibits, the curation team involved in restoring the historic building where the venue will live, plans to use Shane’s drawings for fundraising purposes.

An avid music fan himself, Shane listened to a mix of artists from the Yeah Yeah Yeahs to Lord Huron for inspiration while working on the project. You can see more of Shane’s illustration and character design work here.

 

 

 

“I love ice cream,” says retoucher Rachel Kissel, “so looking at these shots all day was the most difficult part of the job.” Rachel recently wrapped a substantial composite for Häagen-Dazs’ new non-dairy flavors.

The packaging for their Trio product was shot in pieces: three different shots for the different layers of flavor, plus separate shots of the inclusions – that’s food industry speak for mix-ins like chocolate-covered peanuts or cookie chunks.

Rachel meticulously optimized each individual element, then united them into one tempting visual to clearly communicate what’s inside each flavor.

Other elements were developed for social media and marketing purposes, like in-store posters and clings for windows or dipping cabinets.

“I could never pick a favorite flavor,” laughs Rachel. “It’s whichever one I’m staring at.” In addition to food, Rachel is deeply experienced in composite and retouching work in categories including people, nature, sports apparel and more. You can see more of her highly-finessed work here.

 

 

 

“Car designers are artists,” says Photographer Eric Frazier.  “I like to find the little details and subtle shapes they spend time on that most people miss.”

Known primarily for his people and lifestyle work, Eric has also shot a number of car jobs over the last few years. “It’s a nice change of pace,” he says. “Cars never get tired in the middle of a shoot. And you don’t have to feed them,” he laughs.

Often called on to shoot prototypes and pre-production models no one has ever seen, his shoot prep begins with simple observation. “I like to just look at the car for awhile, get a feel for the shape and lines. There’s a personality to every car. And different personalities of the people that will buy them.”

While not a deeply obsessed ‘car guy,’ Eric appreciates them in his own way. “They can be the perfect marriage of form and function,” he says. “The way the designers work creatively within the constraints of the vehicle’s price and purpose is so interesting to me.”

Eric has partnered with brands including Toyota, Lexus, Chrysler, Hyundai and Acura. You can see more of his people, places and machines portfolio here.

 

 

 

When commercial photographer Michal Venera saw a ragtag collection of canvas tents pitched on the side of a Montana back road, he followed his instincts. Pulling over, he grabbed his camera and ambled in.

The men who emerged from the tents would have frightened a grizzly. And some of them have. These Mountain Men live off the grid, gathering once a year for a Rendezvous and then disappearing back into the hills.

As Michal soon learned, a Rendezvous is a reenactment of the mid-1800s when beaver hunters roamed the hills to supply the booming fur trade. The men gathered annually to sell their furs and stock up on supplies.

A few hardy souls still live the traditional way, emerging only for necessities and a little company, and to participate in the reenactments which require authentic period clothing and equipment.

At first, the men were suspicious of the stranger amongst them, but once Michal got them telling stories, they relaxed. Having mastered commercial portrait shoots for clients like Wells Fargo and Samuel Hubbard, among others, Michal is adept at putting people at ease in front of the camera.

A bit of a rural dweller himself, Michal works as both a commercial and fine art photographer from his studio barn in Northern California. You can see more of his product and lifestyle work here.

 

 

 

Wandering alone through a cold, stark industrial landscape – sounds like fun to photographer Brian Smale. “Maybe it’s weird – I just like doing industrial pics,” he laughs.

Whether for clients like Atlantic Power, or for creative exploration, Brian is repeatedly drawn to the sharp lines and dramatic silhouettes of factories and machinery.

And while he’s found himself in some down and very dirty locations during his personal pursuits, he doesn’t dwell on that. “Some of these facilities may not have a feel-good vibe,” he says. “But I’m just there for the lines.”

Based in Seattle, Brian is best known for his arresting portrait work, along with his corporate and location photography. He’s partnered with a diverse roster of clients including Fuji, GE, USAA and many more.

You can check out more of Brian’s dynamic photography here.

 

 

 

Globally recognized for high-impact brand and logo development, Designer Filip Yip tried a new media this week: skateboards. He brought his visual prowess to personal goods from t-shirts to pins to woodblock prints at last weekend’s Maker Faire near San Francisco.

“A client-turned-close friend of mine wanted to pursue his personal creative projects,” says Filip. “So I said I’d partner with him.” They made it through the intensely selective process and were chosen to present in the Maker Faire craft category.

“I had no idea how big the Bay Area Maker Faire is,” says Filip, who lives alternately in Paris and New York. Last year over 125,000 people attended the event dedicated to the maker movement in tech, education, craft and more.

To prepare, Filip sifted through his deep portfolio of personal projects and work he developed for clients but never presented. “This was a great outlet for work I really loved that never got commercially made,” he says.

“As a Maker, you get to see how people react to your work in real time,” he notes. “It’s nice meeting people, talking about art and life in general.” With the Faire behind him, Filip is back to creating visual communications for clients around the world. You can see his notable commercial work here.

 

 

 

No matter how busy they get, there’s always time for a quick post. Keep up with our photographers, illustrators and retouchers on instagram at @fredascottcreative.

Shane Johnson shows his styles Inspired by graphic novels, Shane Johnson may be best known for character development. But there are many more tricks up his sleeve, like his recent editorial, logo and licensed character work.

 

Will Strawser on set With his stylish set work for a textiles client, Will Strawser perfectly captures those last precious moments of rest in a comfy bed.

 

Michal Venera in Europe
Even when Michal Venera is on vacation, he can’t stop shooting. Lucky us – we get to enjoy this fun exploratory series from his travels through France.

 

Rachel Kissel for Reebok
Rachel Kissel’s credit should read ‘Photoshop Wizard’ for this amazing Reebox image. Collaborating with photographer Kevin Twomey, Rachel used extensive composite and retouching techniques. Check out before and after:

 

 

 

Photographer Andrew Maguire is accustomed to keeping up with extreme athletes and intense terrain. But with recent back-to-back projects for Merrell and Eddie Bauer, he reached all-new levels.

For Merrell’s #TrainSoICan campaign, Andrew tailed mountaineer Jason Antin, trainer Jennifer Tavernier and ultrarunner Anna Frost during their typical workouts. Which, of course, are anything but typical.

Soon after, he was off to document an attempt to summit Kilimanjaro by “This is Us” star Mandy Moore and her fiancé, Dawes lead singer Taylor Goldsmith for sponsor Eddie Bauer.

Charged with both motion photography and stills, Andrew covered much of the terrain twice, circling ahead and behind for the best angles and light.

Seven grueling days after they began, the group successfully completed the northern route despite ice storms, freezing temperatures and climbing in complete darkness. “We started as strangers, but ended as family,” says Andrew of the adventure.

You can see more of Andrew’s mountain sport and adventure photography here.

 

 

 

There’s a lot going on at Freda Scott Creative. Take a peek at the latest from our photographers:

Andrew Maguire for Eddie Bauer
Sports and mountain lifestyle photographer Andrew Maguire was tasked with documenting a Mt. Kilimanjaro attempt by “This Is Us” star Mandy Moore and her fiancé, Taylor Goldsmith, lead singer of Dawes.

“I was covering both photography and motion,” Andrew says, “so to get full coverage I was constantly running laps back and forth, looking for good angles. At 19,000 feet, it was intense.”

The group summited Gillman peak around sunrise, after enduring a 3am sleet storm. For Andrew, it wasn’t just another shoot. “All of us became a team out there,” he says. See more here.

 

Nader Khouri for Mixt
Nader Khouri has been getting plenty of healthy greens. Bay area fast-casual restaurant chain Mixt tapped the food and lifestyle photographer (and health food nut) for their Spring menu.

“I love sharing my passion for healthy eating,” says Nader, “so this assignment was a dream.”

Nader worked closely with Mixt’s art director, José Quinteros, to make sure the photos reflected the brand’s fresh, modern aesthetic. You can see more of this tasty work here.

 

Patrick Bennett for Essentia Water
Yes, Patrick Bennett is on the road again, hitting NYC, Port Lucie Florida, Seattle, Decatur, Texas and many more this year for long-time client, Essentia Water.

“I’m seeing a lot of America, and meeting a lot of amazing people out there,” Patrick says of his ongoing work for Essentia’s Overachiever campaign.

Used primarily for social media and web, Patrick provides enough content for the brand to put out up to three images per week. Explore more here.

 

 

 

“There were laughs, there were tears, there were giant cardboard popsicles…you know, the usual,” laughs Ashley Thompson of the shoot she and partner Ana Homonnay recently wrapped for Peek clothing. As veterans kid photographers, Thompson Homonnay knows how to keep shooting through the chaos.

“This shoot was a marathon, with 16 kids and four babies packed into a nine hour day,” says Homonnay. “You get on kind of a high from the energy of shooting, then at 6:15 we just collapsed.” Thompson and Homonnay work seamlessly together, with one behind the camera and the other at the monitor with the digital tech and art director.

“We keep a lot of cross talk going. So maybe I take the photo but Ana is calling out from the monitor to zoom in more, move the angle up or whatever. So we don’t have to waste time or stop shooting. With kids, you can’t stop the action or it’s all over,” says Thompson.

They also bring in backup. “We have a secret weapon: Tracie the Kid Wrangler,” laughs Homonnay, referring to Tracie Marquez. “She keeps them jumping, singing, looking for imaginary butterflies. We really want that spontaneity of kids being kids, not something posed.”

Thompson and Homonnay partnered for the Peek shoot with Beautiful Picture Productions. “Lacey Shaw and her team were just awesome,” says Thompson. You’d turn around they’d be carrying in a giant cardboard car or cassette tape they’d just made in the other room.”

The duo is currently in the planning stages of another commercial shoot with kids and teens. And in the meantime they’ll keep doing test shoots, looking for new angles and approaches. But not with their own kids. “Our own children absolutely refuse to take direction from us,” laughs Thompson. “They are 11 and they are so over it.”