Top of the Bear #granfondony
I can’t begin to tell you how much fun I had on the Chillin’ the Most Cruise 2013 with Kid Rock and some 2000 of his nearest and dearest fans. There were good times a plenty aboard the SS Kid Rock between the wide variety of musical acts, the non stop entertainment (both organized and spontaneous), the people watching (everyone was super chill and just out to have a fun time), the plentiful supply of food and booze, the fine Caribbean weather and on and on and on…
Never having had Spring Break growing up in Ireland I kinda imagine that this was what it was like only this time for a 40 something crowd. So we fit right in.
Big ups to writer Drew Magary for joining in the fun and games while exposing his Cucci Galore to all and sunder. A big thanks to Michael, Dora & everyone at GQ, to the Sixthman crew who took such great care of us at sea and finally to Bob and his people for letting the good times roll.
Promise promise to share more pics on here over the coming week….
Back in March I set sail on the Chillin’ the Most Cruise with Kid Rock and 2000 of his nearest and dearest for GQ. Out now in the June issue. Good times…
Excited to be making my debut at the SPD Awards Gala tonight. Even more excited to be going with the Trunk magazine crew. The Fall/Winter 2012 issue I contributed is up against some of the big boys in the Photo:Entire Issue Award. List of all the nominees here.
In preparation I have a long day of pampering ahead between a facial, manicure, pedicure, hair cut, beard cut. And all before my stylist arrives with a multitude of wardrobe choices for the nights proceedings. Who will I wear ? Prada, Gucci, Versace, Men’s Wearhouse?
He may not have won a James Beard this year but Chef Sean Brock gets himself a full page in the 2013 PDN Photo Annual as our ‘Southern Food Rises Again’ story for Men’s Health picks up an award in the Magazine/Editorial category.
So not one but two stories in the May issue of Travel + Leisure. This time we were dispatched to the island of Ibiza last September to discover the secret side away from the infamous nightlife, clubs, foam raves and sunburnt package tourists.
Being my first time I had no idea what to expect and to be honest I was totally shocked by what I found. Turns out it’s really really beautiful and the whole club scene is only a small part of what the island has to offer. Away from the BPM’s there is a treasure trove of delights to be discovered.
The island, small and easy to get around, is surrounded by fab beaches, each one very different from the next, all with a restaurant or little shack just serving the one type of cold beer and maybe a choice of 2 or 3 different sandwiches if you are lucky. But it was always the best beer and the best sandwich ever. Away from the beaches there is some stunning countryside dotted with towns and villages that all have something special to offer.
I have to say I fell hard for Ibiza and can’t wait to get back. But hang on I am going back, in 3 weeks no less. Turns out that when I was there shooting my brother and his girlfriend were there too totally by chance and they just happened to get engaged on the trip and guess what they are getting married there as well, hence the return journey. Can’t make this stuff up.
Anyways I shot a ton of shizzle that didn’t make it into the mag which I will share in the coming weeks here on WTJ?
Muchas gracias to Alex, Scott and all the T+L crew…
I went on my first cruise back in December for Travel + Leisure magazine. Not your regular travel story neither. The assignment was to shadow writer Bruno Maddox for a couple of days as he learned how to be a cruise ship bartender. Read story here.
The ship, the brand spanking Celebrity Reflection was rather grand and this sailing was graced with a pretty mature clientele. I would like to think that we helped bring the median age down some what. As we checked in port side we had to fill out various forms vouching for our health and well being. They were especially interested to know if we were suffering from any gastrointestinal issues or had experienced any diarrhea recently. Taking one look at this motley crew one couldn’t help think that there were a few white lies being told at sign in.
The Reflection reminded me of a Vegas hotel/casino as it had all the trimmings; buffets, a high end mall, gambling, swimming pools, hot tubs, shows etc etc. The only caveat being a cruise virgin is that one realizes after a day or so on the high seas that there is no escape, no getting off, no exiting through the exit door so there were certainly feelings of claustrophobia at times even though the vessel was massive.
I was only on board for a couple of days as we sailed from Miami to San Juan, Puerto Rico. I had the romantic notion that we would be able reach out and touch land as we sailed by; Cuba, Haiti, the Dominican Republic all looked with in sight on Google Maps. But not a sausage to be seen at all in reality and I can only imagine how isolating it must be in the middle of a proper Ocean, say on a raft, on your own…
Anyways it was quite a hoot nonetheless as we went about our business with Bruno being something of a magnet for the divorcee set a board as he showed off his flair. That’s bartending speak for the dazzling tricks employed to entertain patrons ala Tom Cruise in Cocktail in case you’ve never had the often flame inducing experience.
Oh and I am excited to announce I am a bit of a cruise veteran already having just added a second last month to my repertoire. This time around it was an all together different experience with a whole other motley crew and vibe. Can’t wait to share. Stay tuned…
Big ups to Bruno and Scott at T+L…
It’s James Beard award time. If you don’t know the James Beard awards are like the Oscars of the culinary industry. Super excited that Matt Goulding won in the Journalism section this past Friday in the Cooking, Recipes or Instruction category for our ‘Southern Food Rises Again’ story for Mens Health mag.
The other member of our Southern Supersonic wrecking crew Sean Brock is nominated for the premier prize Outstanding Chef in the Restaurant and Chef Awards that take place tonight. Fingers crossed he gets a bronze medallion too.
I have to say that this gig is one of my all time favorite photo/life adventures. We started our 5 day road trip in Charleston before taking in Athens, Atlanta, Birmingham and New Orleans, eating high end and low end all along the way. See a portfolio of the project here.
Thats Matt on the left and Sean on the right above enjoying a low calorie lunch at our final stop Cochon in New Orleans. Without a doubt one of the tastiest meals ever. Great times …
And finally for the week a proper photo. This one was taken in Florianopolis, Brazil back in March while on assignment for ESPN the Magazine when southern hemisphere summer was in full effect. Have been meaning to post more pics, outtakes etc from my adventures on here. I promised Mr Minty Fresh himself that I would get on it months ago. Here’s a start what with beach weather looming…
I think I got the call about 1.00pm on a Friday. Could I be at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre off Times Square at 5.00pm to shoot the photographers friend Alec Baldwin for The Hollywood Reporter’s New York issue.
Alec could not be photographed inside the theatre so I would have to shoot him on the street. The mag were unsure of how long Alec would give me, to be prepared for the worst and to try and get at least two different options.
I managed to get home, get my gear and made it to the theatre with no time to scout about 4.45pm. At 5.00pm on the dot Alec walked out the stage door, said he had an idea for the photo and just like that we were off for a quick tour of Times Square, where he posed with some bemused tourists before we walked once around the block. Alec was being interviewed by the writer as we went and broke free of the tape recorder only this once en route.
There was no set up time so it was all seat of the pants stuff and had to practically beg for the second option (above) when we finished our lap. All in all about 5 minutes of rat tat tat, with about 40 usable frames. Alec was a bit of a blinker so anything else decent was lost to shut eye.
Worked out well in the end. Sometimes having no time to think isn’t a bad thing at all. All you need is one or two in the end…
Big thanks to Carrie Smith and The Hollywood Reporter crew.
Finally have time to play catch up on some recent tear sheets here on WTJ? This one of the under the spotlight Today Show cast; Matt Lauer, Savannah Guthrie and Willie Geist was for The Hollywood Reporter’s New York issue. It was a frigidly cold morning, although you would never know from the pic. Savannah was a real trooper braving the elements as she did and I have to say they were all SUPER NICE, courteous and very professional. Matt said I did a good Papa Smurf impersonation what with that days outfit, my bearded looks, joie de vivre etc etc….
American Photography 29 launched a slideshow of all the Selected and Chosen images here. Thrilled to have 2 sporty images Selected for the book this year. Be sure to mark November 7 in your calendar for The Party. Always my favorite photo bash….
