A few weeks ago, I photographed the Houston metal band Venomous Maximus. I was encouraged when I arrived at lushly overgrown yard deep in the Montrose, just a few blocks from where I live. From the outside, it looks like the Boo Radley house. Inside, however, is a fully fledged tattoo parlor called Secret Tattoo. What more perfect place could one ask for a metal band portrait. As corny as it sounds, I thought earlier in the day about getting a smoke machine just to pump up some of the texture. I later vetoed the idea, but remembered that a buddy had given me a small bounty of cigars at a house warming party. They were pretty dried out, almost yard-gar status. After working for a bit, getting them used to the strobes going off, I pulled out the cigars. The next thing you know, the lead singer goes off to his room and comes back with a sword. It was pure metal overload![gallery link="file"]

There's nothing like the smell of 815 promotional booklets in the morning! This weekend will be spent stuffing and stamping a 16-page CD booklet format that premieres work I did over the summer for indie band Arcade Fire.

It was designed by Greece-based designer Michael Karakostas and coordinated by photo consultant extraordinaire Jasmine DeFoore. It took about 10-12 weeks or so to complete from beginning to end. The printing was done by Jakprints and they did a phenomenal job.

It will be sent to 815 art buyers, ad agencies and photo editors across the nation.

What do you think?