Andrew Chapman Photography

Fall Weddings at Pastures of Plenty

2011-10-21T22:37:00.001-06:00

Last weekend I had the pleasure of shooting Joss and Pete's wedding at Pastures of Plenty, an organic farm, just north of Boulder. It couldn't have been a more beautiful fall day. This is one of my favorite wedding locations to work. My friend Jessika Lawyer came as a second photographer and took stellar images. Big Bang Catering sources the food and flowers for the wedding day from the farm. The food and views are hard to beat. Pete and Joss, you guys put on a great show! Here are a few shots. Final Cut to follow :)

Table 6 brunch

2011-10-17T22:54:00.000-06:00

Besides having the hippest Sunday brunch spot in Denver, Table 6 consistently delivers creative and delicious dishes. Here some shots I took for Chef Scott Parker. Fun times! See you guys next Sunday.

Bahamas Wedding Album

2011-09-30T11:57:00.003-06:00

An album is the best way to tell the story of your wedding day. Over the years I've used Vision Art Book to print my wedding albums. There are a lot of printers to choose from but what I love about Vision Art Book is the gutterless double page spreads and quality of the ink / paper. The layout and editing of images is a big part of the creative process when designing an album. The flow and mood of the images give the viewer a sense of place, emotions, and moments that characterized the day. My albums are pieces of art in and of themselves. Of course, to have a strong album you need to start with strong images. The photojournalistic approach to weddings is nothing new but by combining it with an artistic eye wedding photography can become magical.

I just printed this album for a couple I shot at The Cloisters in the Bahamas a few years ago. Great way to celebrate the past three years of marriage you guys!

Boulder Train Yard

2011-09-07T13:58:00.001-06:00

Duncan and Sarah's Wedding

2011-09-02T08:30:00.002-06:00

Last Friday my friend Duncan got married in Chautauqua Park to a beautiful girl named Sarah. Duncan and I go back to college but since I moved to Boulder in 2003 he has been an amazing friend. There's been endless presses of coffee, climbing days, creative collaborations, and good wine. From their deck is a picturesque view of the First Flat Iron where Duncan and I have spent many a day scrambling. We have always marveled at the beauty of Boulder from up there so it was fitting that they get married in the Park. It felt like a backyard wedding which is how they wanted it: simple, authentic, walking distance from the house. That was a perfect wedding guys. Congratulations!

Aspen polo

2011-08-09T10:17:00.000-06:00

It has been two summers since I've seen my friends Anita and Santi who come to Old Snowmass in the summers for polo. They're from Argentina where Santi plays professionally and his wife Anita is a veterinarian. It was so good to see them and meet their new baby girl! This is just about one of my favorite places in the world. Beautiful rolling horse country, family, and friends.

Trailer Weld

2011-08-07T18:00:00.000-06:00

Tandem Bike

2011-07-29T13:52:00.000-06:00

My friend Hilary and her friend bought one of the more original wedding gifts I've seen in a while. She found this cool, old, tandem bike and wanted a few images to go along with it. I gave the images a vintage feel to match the personality of the bike.

Cheflove

2011-07-23T14:21:00.000-06:00

Met Chicago based chef, Gary Walker, in Aspen this weekend. His food is amazing! I got him out of the kitchen for a few minutes to grab these profile pics.

Eagle, CO

2011-07-14T13:13:00.000-06:00

After staring at the moto in pieces all summer I finally got some playtime with friends last weekend. I've been addicted to iPhone camera apps. - Hipstamatic, Instagram... Seems like my images go straight to Facebook these days. Time to revive the blog.

Home

2011-07-04T15:35:00.000-06:00

Niece and nephew.

Cyclocross

2011-06-24T15:26:00.000-06:00

The cyclocross riding in Boulder is phenomenal. It blows my mind that just out of town you can be on these quiet, beautiful, back roads. I've often discovered cool locations to shoot this way. Here some snapshots off the iPhone.

Will & Amanda

2011-06-18T19:25:00.011-06:00

Thanks for being such a rad couple!!!! Had a ton of fun shooting with you guys. Here's a few pics.

Amanda & Will

2011-04-30T09:50:00.016-06:00

Spring is in the air. At least this week. After a couple weeks of cold, wind, and rain what better way to enjoy some good weather than a Flat Iron social. A couple days ago I had the pleasure of shooting Will and Amanda's engagement photos. Being avid climbers they wanted to incorporate a climb into the shoot so off we went. Could not have worked out better. Super beautiful setting and fun to be on the rock. We will use these photos for a guest sign in book at their wedding next month. Can't wait guys! Have a save trip home.

2010-09-28T11:04:00.004-06:00

I had a super fun day shooting for stylist Liz Finkelstein. We went to one of my favorite locations just north of Boulder for a quick portrait session and ended up finding this neat old hanger. I love making these dark moody shots. I'm always amazed what you can accomplished with just a couple SB800's and a little natural light.

Morgan & Kelly

2010-06-28T22:26:00.010-06:00

Beautiful day guys! Here's your sneak peek.

Christian & Katerina

2010-06-22T13:29:00.010-06:00

Hey guys! Got a few pics up. So stoked we've reconnected. You guys have a beautiful family together!

Dargie & Justin

2010-05-23T17:00:00.007-06:00

Hey guys! Here's a sneak peak. More to come!

Danielle & Henry

2010-03-08T21:30:00.007-07:00

Hey guys! Awesome times. Beautiful wedding. You two are gorgeous. Stoked to see you in NYC!

Winter collaborative

2010-01-18T09:50:00.010-07:00

Artist Brad Borthwick contacted me to make a series of images embodying his ongoing art project called "Not All Borthwicks Were Nobleman." Brad's project encompasses both sculpture and performance art. "My practice as an artist contextualizes past human circumstance within contemporary place, through attempts to partially re-create and reference methodologies in cultural production."

Earlier this fall, I found a location that fit really well with Brad's project. We spent three hours shooting there but I could have spent a week. Super fun working with Brad. He's a really talented artist. The production felt much like a commercial shoot. Working with an art director, scouting, lighting, costume, etc... Brad's calling this photographic series "Flodden: Prelude to 'Not All Borthwicks Were Noblemen'". There still are many more phases to this project. We're talking about a performance piece I would film and turn into an installation as part of his final works.

Here's what Brad had to say about our shoot. " The backdrop chosen for "Flodden..." remains photographic in its simulation of a built environment that crumbles away each day, unremittingly over the many cycles of social progress and decline. This space stages the attempt to sever the chord that binds me to a nostalgia for past qualities of place. I step into the non-descript – this canvas that is most basic in shrouding one’s exposure - and realize that only one option has been laid out before me. Upon tying the canvas around the waistline the chord at length is made tight and fully horizontal, and the longbow assumes its position within my posture. The inference made is that I must take aim upon the chord’s boundary and question the source of longing most prevalent in my direction with the sculptural."

Weisz Wedding

2009-10-12T17:42:00.007-06:00

Shot my buddy Tyler's wedding this weekend in Denver. We met at the Main Photographic Workshops and have since worked on film projects together. Being the creative type, he picked some cool locations for us to shoot at. Although, it was 20 degrees with snow, we had lots of fun running around and made great images! You guys are troopers! Awesome job planning and thanks for giving me creative freedom!

Rachel & Lars

2009-10-01T22:19:00.001-06:00

Thanks for a great time guys! You two are beautiful!

Beatrice Holiday

2009-09-11T23:53:00.003-06:00

Couple days ago I raced around Boulder with my friend Ali to shoot some of her sweeeeet handlebar bags / seat covers she is making for cruiser bikes. Check her stuff out at www.beatriceholiday.com. She'll be at The Sunnyside Music Festival this Saturday in Denver selling her stuff!

Providence

2009-09-11T23:36:00.005-06:00

On my east coast trip I got to visit with one of my best childhood friends who I hadn't seen in years. Yes, another reconnection via Facebook. Got to love it. Christian is getting married next summer so we ran into Providence for a little engagement shoot with his fiancee Katerina. Awesome catching up guys! Stoked for next summer!

Chatham

2009-09-11T21:25:00.009-06:00

Alysh & Timmy!

Can't wait for you guys to come back this winter. Here's your sneak peek.

Al

Boulder

2009-08-22T21:51:00.003-06:00

Beautiful day Christina and Matt! More pics on the way. Lets catch up over margs.

Mark & Emily

2009-06-30T09:34:00.007-06:00

You guys rock! Fun times. Here's a quick peek.

Arctic Man

2009-04-17T12:54:00.010-06:00

Arctic Man = One part snowmobile, one part downhill skier (who is trying not to think about blowing out their knees, back, maybe a dislocated shoulder), two quarts two stroke oil, and a 4 mile racetrack through Alaska’s Hoodoo Mt. Range. Blend at speeds up to 90 mph.

Over the last 24 years skiers, slednecks, and RV's, have made their way to the middle of nowhere Alaska to partake in a week of racing, partying, and sledding. The ski race involves a skier ripping over a 4 mile course, at times being pulled behind a sled. About half the field make it to the finish line. Besides the carnage, noise, and smell from two-stroke oil, the event has become way bigger than the ski race. Imagine 7,000 RV’s heading 175 miles North of Valdez and setting up shop for a week to barbecue, sled and party.

After dialing in my RV and making the six hour drive to the event, Bruce Friend from Polaris graciously hosted me in their RV camp and set me up with a sled. That generous, positive vibe, set the tone for the rest of the event. Everyone I met from racers to sled heads could not have been more helpful and stoked. Howie, the event organizer, insisted I fore-run the course. Before I knew it, one of the racers, Jimmy Scott, had me on a pair of his DH boards on getting pulled behind his driver at 85mph,"just to get the feel". I was a little gripped. My actual fore-run day was super, super, mellow in comparison. I got a helmet cam vid. of it below. I'm definitely hooked and looking to race next year and already got a posse on board. Look for the Arctic Man story in next winters Skiing Magazine.

Welcome to AK

2009-04-06T18:06:00.001-06:00

First few days in Alaska have been a blast. I'm up here for the next 10 days to shoot a story for Skiing Magazine at this event called Arctic Man. Got a few days to play before hand. My friend Mark Fisher invited me to come hangout with his crew in Girdwood. It has given me a couple days to work out the kinks in this RV I had to rent. So far, I've basically been winter camping in my 50 degree bag and a handful of blankets. Bad battery... At least I sleep warm. Telepalooza was going on in Alyeska and as it turns out, an old NOLS student of mine organizes the event. So random. Total Deepak moment. Hit Hatcher Pass. Snow still lame but couldn't be more content hanging with good friends. Check out the ash in the snow from the volcano.

2009-03-11T12:39:00.005-06:00

As much as I want to pretend it's still winter, it's so NOT here in Boulder. Been on my cross bike a ton and wrenching on the moto. Always ride past this old house and have wanted to shoot there. Not sure what I want to do photography wise but I made this image as a test shot. Diggin' it.

Obama in the Hoooooouse

2009-03-04T22:44:00.000-07:00

A while back one of my "Ali Underwater" images got used for a banner at Obama's inauguration. I thought that was pretty cool. Just got a snap shot from the event.

The Simplicity of Winter

2009-02-21T12:01:00.002-07:00

Dory & Timber

2009-02-12T16:22:00.000-07:00

Beautiful day here in Boulder. Thought I'd go check out where those fires swept through earlier in the winter with my friend Dory and her dog Timber. She's got a great old Ford truck so we played with some shots.

House Wife

2009-02-05T21:43:00.002-07:00

I've wanted to do a shoot in this house for a while. The place is cool and has a retro feel but depressed. Not sure really what inspired it but I've been picturing it for a while.

X Games

2009-01-29T15:14:00.001-07:00

Just got back from shooting a story for Ski Magazine during the X Games in Aspen. Here are some outtakes.

Winter is officially here

2008-12-15T17:23:00.002-07:00

And just when I thought winter would never arrive. Hope to be back on my boards a lot this winter. It has been a while since I've felt like a skier. Been hitting up contacts to shoot this winter. We'll see what the next few months bring.

Cover Shot for Mt. Gazette

2008-12-05T16:12:00.000-07:00

WPPI 8x10 Print Competition

2008-11-29T15:49:00.001-07:00

Goodbye Fall

2008-11-24T17:08:00.001-07:00

Took a quick trip out to Moab before Turkey Day to get a last moto in before winter arrives. Nice to be out here solo for a few days. Had a few random run ins though. Killer moto with Brents from the old Jackson climbing gym. Took me on the enduro loop which is probably my favorite ride to date. Buddy Duncan came out for the weekend and dragged me up a climb called Infra Red. Feeling a little beat up, little sore, but couldn't be happier. Cooooold nights, my winter bag, and morning coffee. The snow will be upon us soon. Can't wait to get a real ski season in this year. Been way too long. Feels good to be feeding the soul.

Circle of Life

2008-11-04T20:04:00.042-07:00

Just got home from a 10 day east coast blitz. A little work and hanging with friends and family. It started with a trip to Chicago to shoot a friends wedding. Super fun time. Loved being back on home turf and racing around the city. Visited with my 100 year old grandfather. He blows me away. Still sharp as a tack. Hung with the p's, sister, and cousins. Too fun but then it was off to nyc.

Stayed with my cousin who just had a baby. She and her husband are living that classic Manhattan life style. Small apartment in Manhattan, totally comfortable and proficient getting around the city with their newborn. The highlight was when I rocked the baby Bjorn at a wine bar down the street from their apartment.

Amtrak raced me down to D.C. on time to take my niece trick or treating. First of all, Amtrak is rad. To be able to roll my bag down 8th Ave. to Penn. Station and arrive at Union Station 3.5 hrs later all the while working at a table on my laptop is too easy. Halloween was basically a swarming masses of children running up and down my sisters neighborhood. My brother-in-law showed me the art of pumpkin carving. I had no idea... No baby Bjorn this around but I did get to take my nephew around the block in this bad ass plastic push car. I told my sister all night that his costume made him look like a burglar.

My dearest friend Dan and his wife happened to have their baby just as I got to D.C. Crazy, right? Such a special experience to be there at the hospital as my best friend is having his baby.

The day before I headed back to Boulder I walked through Arlington Cemetery, sort of off a whim. It's such a peaceful and beautiful place. I reflected on the past 10 days: my family, babies, marriages, engagements, the new, the old, how fast time flies, and how short our time here on this planet is. Sort of a surreal trip. Not sure what it all means. Maybe I'll be sporting that baby Bjorn sooner then later...

Off the grid

2008-10-20T08:57:00.013-06:00

Been off the grid this fall which feels nice but this blog has been super neglected. Been shooting more video recently which came as a surprise since I don't really push it anymore. It all started in late August when the DNC came to town. A last minute slot came up working a studio camera for one of the news networks. Loved being in the mix of the convention and got a kick out of shooting live tv which I'd never done. Oddly, my media pass couldn't get me a seat inside the convention but some friends graciously hooked me with an extra pass each day. Amazing, amazing experience and yes, I should have taken more snapshots. A highlight for me was seeing my cousin Jim Leach speak.

My friends Jesse and Tyler, who I shot with at the DNC, just made a homemade fly cam. Got to help them out with it out on a Red Bull Event a couple weekends ago. Super fun. The system is really light weight which makes it easy to transport and rig. Hope to work some ski events with them this winter.

Speaking of skiing, I'm stoked to tee up this winter. Shot with Glen Plake a few weeks ago on his Reel Thrills show. They're in town for the Go Fast Games which was at the Royal River Gorge. Most of the day I shot climbers on a route under the bridge. Love being around the whole action sport scene. Saw some old faces and always have a blast hanging around Glen. You'd think we'd talk more skiing but I've been hounding him on connecting me with folks for the Baja 1000 coming up in November. Fingers crossed that I can get down there this year to shoot.

Got some good east coast city stops coming up next week. Little work, little family, little hanging out.

more moto please

2008-08-17T23:07:00.012-06:00

Who would have guest I would have welcomed the 50 degree days, rain, and snow here in Colorado this weekend. Perfect time to shoot some moto and play with my strobes. It didn't take much arm twisting to get my buddy Brian out on my exc 300. I have been pestering him to buy another dirt bike since he got rid of his two years ago. Figured this could be part photo shoot, part tempting him into another bike. The first thing Brian says to me is,"Dude, I'll try my best not to lay down your bike". Of course I fully expect him to lay the bike down. "No worries, I eat shit all the time", I tell him. After a couple runs up this cool, puddly, jeep road, I tell Brian I wasn't really getting what I wanted and to get after it. To make a long story short, after wheelying past me in the shot above he ended up in the trees. His body and my bike called it a day quickly thereafter.

Aspen part II

2008-08-10T12:04:00.001-06:00

I've been going up to Aspen a bit this summer. My aunt and uncle have a place on a ranch down valley and it has become my Jackson away from Jackson. Not that Aspen is anything like Jackson Hole but I do find myself really content and at peace up here. I think a lot of the serenity comes from being around my aunt. She reminds me so much of my mom and being at home. The countryside and mountains that surround the valley are beautiful and offer a lot of play.

A couple from Argentina, Santi and Anita, come to the ranch every summer to play polo. They're staying with my aunt and uncle this year so I've gotten to know them better. They get up every morning at 6am to care for their horses and train so I thought I'd tag along. The early morning light is so beautiful. I don't know what I'm thinking not getting up that early anymore. Actually, I'm thinking of sleeping... So psyched once I'm up though.

Titus tearsheet

2008-08-10T11:46:00.001-06:00

Since we're on the two wheel theme, here's a tear-sheet from that Titus Cycle campaign I worked on last Spring.

Aspen Moto

2008-08-04T16:01:00.000-06:00

After being deep sixed in Boulder for most of July I split to Aspen last week to escape the heat and ride with friends. Over the last few years, I've been riding moto here and in Taylor Park but have never connect the two. With a predictably late start and addressing numerous mechanical issues (even more predictable), I, Norm, Deanna, and Tony rallied up Aspen Mountain and over Taylor Pass and into Taylor Park. Super fun ride, bone dry, perfect weather. My friend Norm was the one who helped convince me to sell my street bike four years ago and pick up a dirt bike. My mom and dad where relieved when I told them the street bike was no longer, but I neglected to tell them I traded it for a dirt bike. I'm assuming your reading this mom. Sorry, I promise, it's a totally different deal.... I typically ride alone and don't like packing my SLR but this was a great trip to shoot. D, I don't think your bike is tall enough. Lets rally next weekend guys!

Textures

2008-07-22T12:47:00.000-06:00

The last couple weeks I have found myself editing shoots so I took some time to play around with textures. I have never tried it but decided to experiment with a recent wedding I shot. What do you think? The cracks make it look a little too morbid for wedding photography maybe.

Tara & Nate's Wedding

2008-06-27T12:52:00.001-06:00

Tara & Nate! Your wedding was so much fun. Here's a first look. More to come!

Tara & Nate portraits

2008-06-10T02:39:00.000-06:00

For the past year, I have wanted to shoot at this neat old farm I ride my bike past. Every time I have gone there for a portrait session, mosquitos have driven everyone back to the cars. This time I think we just beat the big hatch for the summer. Not a single bit : ).

Molten

2008-06-04T23:17:00.000-06:00

My friend Georgina Kolber invited me to hang in an exhibition that she is curating at The Space Gallery in Denver. Her exhibition Molten explores erotica in painting, photography, blown glass, hand-crafted pillow-books and sculpture. Not having shot any photography in that medium I took it as an opportunity to make some art this past weekend. I had a bunch of ideas but the most fun ended up shooting some underwater stuff in my pool with a friend. Piecing together some backdrops, reflectors, and a gingus underwater bag for my camera the shoot somehow came together. The part of my vision for the imagery came about after seeing the movie 300 and that underwater scene with the Oracle. Whatever the case, it worked out better than I expected. My series is called Sirens which blends the elements of what I perceive together is molten and erotic. A Siren underwater represents love, passion, seduction, and desire. My goal was to change ones feeling of erotica depending on the colors used in the palette.

Really looking forward to doing a shoot like this again with some quality equipment. Zena Holloway's underwater fashion photography takes it to another level.

Amy & Joe

2008-05-29T15:56:00.001-06:00

You two are beautiful and amazing souls. It was a pleasure and privilege to shoot your wedding and hang with your family and friends. Here is a first look!

CoreNet Global

2008-05-13T13:17:00.000-06:00

Not more than two days off the Grand Canyon, I find myself in San Diego shooting a corporate event for CoreNet Global. It's crazy how fast we can get around these days.

This is the third time I have shot for them. I always look forward to the neat photography opportunities I find during these events like this shot below.

Grand Canyon Trip

2008-05-09T12:10:00.000-06:00

Mid April I hit the road to deep six for a couple weeks on the Grand Canyon with Jackson Hole friends. After a long winter and spending too much time on phones, computers, and sitting inside this was a much needed reality check. Having spent so many years living on the road and playing outside, it was nice to revisit my past lifestyle. Trips like this remind me how important it is to balance work and play and why the outdoors and my Jackson Hole community has played such an important part in my life. I could go on endlessly about the trip: Navajo lands, the red robin, open roads, old friends and new, parties, super heros, pinned boats, helicopters, whitewater, hiking, good food, quiet time, bivying, stars, morning coffee, books, history, geology, sumo, laughter.

Thanks everyone for everything! Especially to A.J. and Steve for pulling us all together. Glad to hear Gustav made it out! Ahhhhhhh! See you guys in Jackson soon enough. More pics to share.

Thurin Spring Line '08

2008-04-15T23:39:00.000-06:00

Just got home from my way too quick east coast trip. Beat... Was shooting the 2008 line of wedding gowns for designer Ralph Thurin who I blogged about in the fall. Ralph is truly an amazing designer and inspiring to be around. It blows me away the designs he comes up with off his sketches. Here some of the behind the scenes at one of the shows on the Jersey Shore on Saturday. Sunday we hunkered down at the atelier and shot the gowns for his look books. Every time I have shot with Ralph a lot of his family comes out to support and help out. Shilo, one of the models we shot with in the fall also came back to shoot. It's just a great group of folks. Big dinners at Ralph's, interesting conversation, cranking R&B during the shoots. Can't wait to go back.

DJ Audrey

2008-04-08T16:32:00.001-06:00

Sunday I had a portrait session with DJ Audrey. I have been looking forward to shooting with her since last fall. The goal was to create images for her promotions that gave more of a street edge, maybe some grainy, darker imagery. She suggested meeting at the skate park off I25. After a quick scout around the area, I noticed the moving train and cool lights under a viaduct.

You can catch DJ Audrey spinning House May 2end at Bar Standard in Denver.

Titus Scout

2008-04-04T23:49:00.000-06:00

Here are some shots from a scout last week for an upcoming shoot I have for Titus Cycles. It's for a really funny ad campaign that TDA Advertising has been doing for a while. I need a depressing office, front door, and an art classroom. Coming out of one office building I noticed this little nook under a stairwell that looked sweet. I tucked a gelled SB800 under the stairs and ran a little post. The location ended up not being a fit the campaign but I'm definitely going back to shoot something on my own.

Kids

2008-03-27T22:37:00.000-06:00

The other day I shot my friend and her kids. It was really fun. The inner child in me always come out. I need that to happen more often in fact! Thought I would experiment a little with animating stills in Final Cut. I've done some timelapse stuff using stills in the past but someone passed me onto George Lange's work recently. Go to his site. He's amazing. Anyhoo, I played around a little with the technique. Got some kinks to work out. Used a lens baby with too large an aperture so never got a lot of critical focus and I think I'll mix up the speed much more. I have a promotional video that I'm going to shoot all in stills and animate in FCP. It's going to be dope. If anyone has ideas on cool stop animation techniques, please pass them on. Got a couple more months to play and brainstorm before I shoot.

While we are on the subject. Here are some shots from family portrait sessions.

WPPI

2008-03-20T18:40:00.000-06:00

This week, I was in Los Vegas for the annual Wedding & Portrait Photographers International where I received an Accolade of Excellence for a print I entered in the 16x20 competition. For those who don't know, the WPPI is a professional organization for wedding and portrait photographers. The trade magazine is called Rangefinder and every year there is a big convention that brings together some of the best photographers, equipment manufactures, and resources in the portrait/wedding industry. People laugh when I tell them I'm headed to a "wedding convention" and to be honest, I laugh to. It's sounds pretty dorky but I really do love shooting weddings.

People ask me all the time why I shoot weddings so I figured I'd talk about it. I jumped into the wedding photography sort of randomly. I used to swear I'd never shoot a wedding and be "that" guy until a friend pointed me to John Michael Coopers wedding work. I was blow away. He was making art. It was hip, stylish, cool, and different. Next thing I knew someone asked if I shot weddings and I said no but would be open to doing it. They gave me free rein to shoot it however I saw fit. The wedding went well, I had fun, and the bride and groom had tears when they saw their images. Wow, I had an emotional impact on a group of people by perserving a special experience in their lives and it fed my creative juices at the same time. This is awesome I though. By combining my background in travel photography with a lifestyle/fashion twist I started attracting creative types that wanted something different for their wedding photography. Art directors, designers, tv & film producers, started to book me for weddings which have taken me to Italy, Saint Martin, L.A, NYC... I got a lot to learn and want to keep pushing my work. To be creative, capture moments, and make art in a 7 hour period where you have little control of the light, location, and are working in a fluid environment with minimal tools is really hard. It has definitely made me a better photographer. I shoot only about 10 weddings a year. Maybe I'll decide to shoot more but ten keep it fun and fresh and allows me to focus on my other work. My first wedding is coming up in May in the Bahamas. It's a couple from NYC who work for ad agencies. I'm really excited to shoot it after getting inspired from all the amazing photography I saw at the WPPI. If you've not been to my wedding site, here it is www.acimagery.net

Here are links of some wedding photographers who's work inspires me.
John Michael Cooper
Joe Buissink
Yervant
Jerry Ghionis

Can't wait to use this new wedding book maker I met at the convention.
Couture Book

For the Love of Snow

2008-02-15T17:19:00.000-07:00

I've been really lame about blogging. Think it's in part due to the fact I finally succumbed to signing up for Facebook - the ultimate procrastination tool. It all started with a two week ski trip to Jackson Hole this New Years. Outside of skiing back-country all day, we all would end up back at my friend Justin's cabin, on our laptops, Facebooking each other, and cracking up at the silly videos we were taking with a little point and shoot camera. My Facebook addiction has subsided. Thank God. But why I didn't stay in Jackson for one of the most epic winters in close to 20 years, I'm not sure. I've been lucky to get up there for a couple good stints this winter, both work and play. Reconnecting with friends and skiing back in Jackson has really feed the soul this winter.

I'm the one in yellow by the way.

Press Release

2008-01-08T13:03:00.000-07:00

Andrew Chapman Wins a 2nd Place Award & Five Accolades
of Excellence in the 2007 8x10 Second Half Print Competition

Andrew Chapman of Boulder, CO, has received special honors in the WEDDING & PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHERS INTERNATIONAL 2007 8x10 Second Half Print Competition. Designed to recognize outstanding professional photographers, the event was held in Santa Monica, CA on November 7-8, 2007.

Andrew competed against photographers from all over the world to win such honors. Last year Andrew won a 1st and 2nd place for his corporate portrait and wedding photography including an accolade of excellence in WPPI's 8x10 Print Competition.

The WEDDING & PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHERS INTERNATIONAL 8x10 Print Competitions are advancing the art of professional photography. The International Prints of the Year awards are presented each year at the largest trade show, educational platform and convention in the U.S. for professional photographers. The 2007 8x10 print competitions included 2,700 print entries in 20 different categories by photographers from all over the world.

Tequila Producers - 2nd place in
Editorial Category

Old School Love - Accolade of Excellence
Engagement Category

Acustic Sun - Accolade of Excellence
High School Senior Category

Corner Office - Accolade of Excellence
Individual Category

Forbidden & The Plague of Purchase - Accolade of Excellence
Fashion Category

Last Years Winners

Hello? - 1st place winner
Individual Category

Running - 2nd place winner
Bridal Party Category

Proven Film Festival

2007-11-13T13:13:00.000-07:00

A couple winters ago I shot a short film about a friend of mine who was building wooden surf boards up on the coast of Maine. The name of their company is Grain Surf Boards and it has grown from a two man operation in Mikes basement to 11 shapers and a 4,000ft warehouse. The short, which aired on Current TV, just won first place at the Proven in the North East Surf/Skate/Snow Film Festival a couple weekends ago. Mikes boards are not only beautiful but they surf really well. If you've ever dreamed of building / shaping your own board, Grain sells build your own kits. They're whole story is just really great. Super soulful, roots, down to earth, all around great guys.

Here is the cut that aired on Current.
Also, check out Mike's brother Nick Lavecchia's awesome surf photography.

Ralph Thurin Atelier

2007-11-06T20:14:00.001-07:00

I find myself back in NYC after an amazing five days in Princeton N.J. where I was shooting for designer Ralph Thurin. I meet Ralph a couple years ago after shooting a couple weddings that he had designed bridal gowns for. His work is beyond beautiful and he is a joy to work with. This weekend he unveiled his new bridal salon in Princeton N.J. and a line of gowns of which I had the pleasure of shooting. I'm still pouring over images and it's like being a kid in the candy store right now. Everything came together really well for the shoot. Using Princeton University as our backdrop and three beautiful models how could you go wrong. As the day shifted from overcast to late day sun I was able to mix up the mood of the photography.

My First Blog

2007-10-26T20:41:00.000-06:00

Where to start? I can tell you I have been in a dark room on this computer NON STOP over the last two weeks putting up these new websites, re-cutting my reel, printing new images for my book, editing photos. It was inevitable. For the last two and a half months work has kept me on the road and I'm just now catching my breath. I like it like that to tell you the truth.

For my first blog I figured I'd look back on the last couple months of travel and work. Bear with me. This is my first stab at this. For organizational sake I will arange those post below My First Blog.

You can touch but don't eat...

2007-10-26T19:40:00.001-06:00

I am starting to really like NYC. This is my third trip back to the city for work this summer, this time shoot to shoot for Primizie Fine Foods. This new food purveyor needed product photography shot of their inventory as well as a few dishes of food. I had the pleasure of working with Jonathan Benno again who prepped the dishes at Per Se. It was really hard not to eat the dishes after I shot them. Really hard. Everything came out fresh from the kitchen. No gimmicks, glues, sprays, etc. Just as I was ready to take a little taste test another dish would be whisked out and back to work I'd go.

BASE Shoot

2007-10-26T19:35:00.001-06:00

Chris Pope of Triax Productions invited me to shoot a BASE jump for a corporate client of theirs in Arizona. Triax Productions is made up of a team of skydive and BASE jumpers who specialize in aerial camera work. This crew of very respected jumpers live along the front range of Colorado and have been producing BASE films over the last couple years.

The shoot was on Navajo land just north of Flagstaff in the Little Colorado River gorge. Splitter skies made for really hot days but the location couldn't have been more spectacular. The little Colorado Gorge winds for 315 miles and is adorned

with 1000-2000ft walls. The Triax crew scouted a section of the gorge for a decent jump site which ended up being a slightly overhanging 1200ft wall. Steph Davis was brought in to rig and shot these great production stills. With Brad Lynch and I shooting from ropes and helicopter we were able to get some really cool shooting angles. Dave, our helicopter pilot was amazing. It was like shooting on a giant dolly or a crane which made for exciting camera moves. Evidence of past productions included massive steel cables, cement slabs sunk as anchors, and wooden beams, all of which help solve Steph's rigging questions. Word was that this was left over from either someone who had set up a tight rope walk and or from when Travis Pastrana hucked a backfip off his bike into the gorge.

Super fun trip. Can't wait to posse up with this crew to shoot some BASE down the road. Maybe in your neck of the desert Steph!

Steph has a great story and images of the trip on her blog - High Places.

Island Creek Oysters

2007-10-26T19:00:00.000-06:00

In July I went East for a friend's wedding and had it in mind to try and find a story I could produce for Current TV while I was out there. Earlier in the Spring I shot Jonathan Benno's wedding in NYC and thought it would be fun to shoot a story on his famous restaurant Per Se. As I tossed around story ideas a friend called and told me about these amazing oyster farmers just south of Boston. It turn out that Per Se used the oysters in one of their signature dishes "Oysters & Pearls" and my story was born!

The show was shot over a four day period starting at Per Se with Jonathan Benno. Having an admiration for top chefs like Jonathan and true respect for their craft, I felt incredibly privileged to be invited into his kitchen to film and ask questions. As you might imagine, the kitchen was immaculate with everything running like clockwork. With Jonathan at the helm, everyone moved harmoniously around him executing their individual jobs to perfection. Although I was a bit intimidated, Jonathan made me feel as though I had carte blanche. He and the staff could not have been more accommodating and welcoming. After six hours of shooting and filling up during family meal I headed out into the bright lights of NYC to catch up with old friends.

The next three days I spent in Duxbury Harbor with the Island Creek Oyster Company. What I wanted to do with this show was to follow these "Per Se" oysters from sea to plate. Shooting at both Per Se and on the bay with the oyster farmers gave this story an interesting juxtaposition.

Duxbury is a charming little fishing town about 35 minutes south of Boston and happens to produce some of the best oysters in the country. Island Creek Oyster Company was started by Skip Bennett and includes 10 other farmers, all of whom he grew up with in Duxbury. I'd never met any of these guys before I showed up but by the time I left I felt like I'd known them forever. I can't begin to tell you what a great group of guys this was. One of the original farmers, Don Merry, put me up at his place and before long I was heading out for guys night. I shot a ridiculous amount of footage in three days. I knew better but I couldn't help it. There are so many facets to this company to look at: the way Skip started and grew a successful co-op, the farming techniques he's figured out to produce these sought after oysters, and the science behind it. Growing oysters is like growing grapes. It's like making wine. Skip would refer to "merroir" when explaining how the sea shapes the taste these oysters. The salinity of the water, temperature, oxygen, type of plankton, circulation of the harbor all are important factors in determining their taste.

The best thing about doing these stories is getting to know the people. Four days felt like a summer and I can't wait to get back. Of course the shooting opportunities were terrific.

The show should be airing on Current TV sometime in November but here is a rough cut you can check out!

Next stop is a visit and some surfing with my friends at Grain Surf Boards in York Maine. Mike's company has really taken off since I profiled them a couple years ago when they were still shaping boards in their basement.