Every year, my boys and I are tasked by my wife* to come up with a Christmas card to send out to family and friends. And, every year there are the usual challenges to produce something creative and that tops last years efforts.
This year, the original concept was to find a 1930s motorcycle with a side car and figure out how to get it up to the studio. Well, I found one 1934 BMW, in cherry red. But, it was about a foot too wide to fit in the elevator. And the owner was understandably reluctant to separate it for the low budget we had for prop rentals. I even offered to raise my price to 2 six-packs of beverage of his choice. But, we were turned down and had to table that idea. (still looking, if you know anyone).
Plan B was to place the boys some place like 1960s NASA or 1980s War Games (Matthew Broderick, 1983. Look it up.) or, perhaps, Hunt For Red October style of thing.
Which would require the creation of a prop radar screen station and a little photoshop work.
*Disclaimer: Yes, she wants a nice card every year. And, yes, I am the one who decides to turn it into a full pre- and post- production project requiring multiple props, costumes, special effects and a generally quirky sense of humor. But, she loves me anyway.
This year, the original concept was to find a 1930s motorcycle with a side car and figure out how to get it up to the studio. Well, I found one 1934 BMW, in cherry red. But, it was about a foot too wide to fit in the elevator. And the owner was understandably reluctant to separate it for the low budget we had for prop rentals. I even offered to raise my price to 2 six-packs of beverage of his choice. But, we were turned down and had to table that idea. (still looking, if you know anyone).
Plan B was to place the boys some place like 1960s NASA or 1980s War Games (Matthew Broderick, 1983. Look it up.) or, perhaps, Hunt For Red October style of thing.
Which would require the creation of a prop radar screen station and a little photoshop work.
*Disclaimer: Yes, she wants a nice card every year. And, yes, I am the one who decides to turn it into a full pre- and post- production project requiring multiple props, costumes, special effects and a generally quirky sense of humor. But, she loves me anyway.
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Signing UpStep 1: The Plan
Any good, concept based photoshoot starts with a plan. I needed to sketch up the basic idea, both to figure out the shopping list and to share and get approvals from the talent (my boys) and my client (my wife).
You can see that, at this point, the station was going to be Ice Station Blitzen.
You can see that, at this point, the station was going to be Ice Station Blitzen.
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Larry
When my daughter was 12 years old (same as your son!) she and my wife came to visit me during a one year assignment to Phoenix. I gave her a road map and explained how it worked. Pointing out where we were and where the Grand Canyon was, I asked her to tell me how to get there, including some side trips. We got in the car and she "navigated" making NO mistakes for 250 miles. It was so much fun that when we went back home, we set up a father-daughter "road rally" for her Girl Scout Troop. That was followed by a picnic. Great adventure!
Larry
I LOVE IT!!! GREAT Job! And what WONDERFUL creativity you have!!!
Thanks for sharing!!! =)
Happy Holidays to you, your family and all the readers and staff.
Always important to me is if I have successfully told the story! Thanks for your vote!
Matt
Jerry
As it happens, I have a few of our past Christmas experimental photos up at my blog.
Can't help but be proud of my boys who participate every year. It started with just some brain storming. Then, some set building.
Now, it is hard to say who is more enthusiastic for the project, them or me! And, big credit to my wife, who encourages us to come up with these crazy ideas.
If you're curious for past efforts, you can check them out here: http://mckeephotography.com/tag/christmas/
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