View From The Top

One thing that I love about revisiting Italy time and again is getting the opportunity to learn more about Italian culture and landmarks with each trip while gaining a sense of familiarity.  I recently returned from a 16 day Italian trip and had the pleasure of spending the first day in Milan.  I had spent some time in Milan before and knew that I wanted to go up on the roof of the famous Duomo di Milano.  The roof is not only a great place to take dramatic photos, but also another incredibly cool Italian hang out.  View my images below to see how I spent my afternoon... 

  My views from atop the Duomo di Milano.

Italians and tourists alike visit the Duomo roof on a daily basis. It can be the perfect place for a scenic lunch or a quick nap.

While shooting, I noticed an interesting rooftop bar just over the  Duomo's spires.  It was just about happy hour, so you can guess what happened next...

Needless to say, Il bar at La Rinascente did not disappoint.  I noticed almost everyone drinking this orange-colored cocktail and thought "When in Rome" (or this case, Milan). It was an Aperol Spritz, a new favorite cocktail.  Cheers to new discoveries!!

How I Spent My Summer Vacation

If you have flown out of Indianapolis lately, you may have noticed the newly constructed field of solar panels adjacent to the Indianapolis International Airport.  The IND Solar Farm project, when completed, will boast 74 acres of more than 41,000 solar panels and will be the largest solar farm on airport real state in North America.

I had the pleasure of documenting this exciting development during the summer.  Over a period of two months, I shot over 12,000 photos of the solar farm construction with the help of two strategically placed time-lapse cameras and multiple visits to the site.  The fun part was piecing these images together to create a three minute time-lapse video that demonstrates the work and time that went into building this vast energy generation facility.   Click on the link below to take a peek at my 90 second "director's cut."


Director's Cut of time-lapse video of IND Solar Farm construction and installation
from John Bragg on Vimeo.

P.S.  See if you can spot the shooting stars during the sunset.  I was fortunate to be in the right place at the right time to capture them. 

Colts Season Parking 2013

Are you tired of driving around before a Colts game trying to find parking?  Well, for a select few, I'm offering parking at my studio for the Colts regular season.  You would have reserved parking right in front of my building which is easily accessible to I-65 and I-70.  And you would only be 3 1/2  blocks from Lucas Oil Stadium and the parking would be illuminated during night games.  I've got 5 spots available and I'm selling season parking for $ 120.  Also, if interested in parking for preseason games your total would be $140 ($10 per preseason game). Please reserve your spot today before the spaces are gone. Email me at john@johnbragg.com

Thank you.

Go Colts!!!!!!!!!!

Beautiful girls

A big part of why I love photography is that I am constantly presented with opportunities to stretch my creative muscle by shooting new subjects in different ways.  I recently had the pleasure of teaming up with makeup artist Kiralee Hubbard for a beauty shoot to showcase her upcoming makeup line.

I conceptualized the lighting style to accentuate both the models' features and their makeup.  The result is dramatic and glamorous, yet simple.  

Downtown Office Space for Lease

If you are looking for downtown office space (or know of someone that is), I have some available for lease.  The specs are below and if you want to see it in person I'd be happy to give you a tour.  It is on the east side of my building and does not include the garage/studio portion of my building.   

720 sq/ft of ground floor office space.  3 blocks from Lilly corporate center and Lucas Oil Stadium.  Across the street from Iozzo's Garden of Italy and 1 block from Shapiro's Deli and Greek Islands restaurant.  Great interstate access.  Two individual offices, kitchenette/break area and private restroom.  Private/separate entrance. Utilities and security system included in the lease price as well as 2 parking spots.  Perfect for two or three person operation.  No garage access available.  $ 850/ month.  

Pass this info along to anyone you might know who is looking for office space, or contact me if you are interested!  Thank!

John 

john@johnbragg.com
johnbragg.com
317-972-8171 Studio 
317-679-5646 Mobile 

Happy hour at John Bragg Photography

A finely crafted cocktail is only as good as its ingredients.  A distinctive pre-Prohibition era cocktail mixed with a hand-made, naturally-infused elixir?  You had me at distinctive.

That's the idea behind the Wilks & Wilson line of natural, small batch simple syrups.  Inspired by the fine cocktails of yesteryear, co-creators Zach Wilks and Greg Wilson developed these flavored elixirs to enhance the nuances of such cocktails as the Sazerac and the Old Fashioned.  Not only does each elixir have a distinct flavor, each has its own unique story.

I got the opportunity to shoot the Wilks & Wilson products in my studio recently; as you can probably guess, it was a fun project.  Not only did I photograph the elixirs themselves, Zach Wilks was on hand to mix up his historic-yet-modern cocktails for the shoot.  The photos you see below, which depict each cocktail's transition from shaker to glass, are my favorites from that day.

What happened to all of those cocktails when the shoot was over, you ask?  Let's just say Wilks & Wilson now has a faithful following at John Bragg Photography.

Simple Mai Tai Get the recipe here.  El Diablo Get the recipe here. Sazerac Get the recipe here.

SUPER SIZE ME

A fun and exciting aspect of my advertising photography work is seeing my photos in use, especially in prominent places like magazine covers or billboards.  Billboards are especially impactful because of their sheer size and placement.  Years ago, I saw this phrase advertising space on a billboard: "Outdoor:  It's not a medium, it's a large."  I would say the same thing about photography and its ability to inspire and enlighten people in a big way. 

On your next drive around town, see if you can spot the billboards below, each representing some of my most recent advertising work.

Community Hospital Oncologists

   Indianapolis Power & Light Lineman

Indianapolis Power & Light Volunteer Program

Indianapolis Power & Light "Recliner Man"

 

My interview on Farming Stars

I had the pleasure of being interviewed by Aaron Douglas of Farming Stars about my passion for European Travel.

You can click on this link to hear it http://farmingstars.com/john-bragg-is-passionate-about-european-travel-20130405

John Bragg is Passionate about European Travel

John Bragg makes a living as a commercial photographer in Indianapolis, but his not-so-secret passion is traveling throughout Europe. Whether its meeting the people, consuming the food, or enjoying the fine art photography, John’s thirst for the European experience draws him back year after year. He is not terrified of Eastern Europe.

Reason #327 Why I Am Anxious For Summer: Indy Crit Race & Festival

Indianapolis cycling enthusiasts are gearing up for the 4th Annual Indy Criterium, the city's premier cycling race and festival set to take place on Saturday, July 13, 2013.   Participants compete on a .95 mile closed course that starts at University Park and winds around downtown Indianapolis.  A festival rich with food and games provides the perfect backdrop for the daylong schedule of races. 

Proceeds from the Indy Criterium (also known as "Indy Crit") help support FreeWheelin' Community Bikes, an organization committed to providing the community with reliable and affordable re-conditioned bikes.  The core of the program is Earn-a-Bike, in which youth earn their own bike by learning basic bicycle mechanic skills - and important life and leadership skills - with the help of a mentor.  In 2012, the Indy Crit raised over $14,000 to benefit this fantastic cause!

Over the past several years, I have had the pleasure of contributing to Indy Crit by creating images to help market the event.  As you can see, I had some fun employing different techniques to make each year unique.  Scroll down to take a look.   

2013 2012  2011 2010

My photos of Nick Walker's graffiti art at The Alexander made the Huffington Post

 Check it out here --->   http://huff.to/11IIt1D  via @HuffPostArts

SNEAK PEEK: An artfully curated hotel puts Indianapolis on the cultural map

I recently had the opportunity to photograph the new CityWay development in downtown Indianapolis. Located on the near southeast side and right across the street from Lilly's corporate campus, CityWay will offer dining, apartment living, a boutique hotel and retail locations upon completion. 

The Alexander, Cityway's boutique hotel, has partnered with the Indianapolis Museum of Art to place contemporary works of more than twenty artists around the property.  I was commissioned to document the installation and creation of some of the artists' work.

Scroll down through the images to get a sneak peek at this amazing contemporary collection, and then check it out in person when The Alexander opens on January 21st.   

The artists at work...

Artist Paul Villinksi, a New York artist whose work frequently re-purposes discarded materials, has created a bird-themed sculpture from cut-up vinyl LPs.        Pittsburgh artist Kim Beck creates her art using architectural and landscape images.  Her inspiration for this installment comes from indigenous plants. New York City painter Adam Cvijanovic is known for his large-scale views of city suburbs and landscapes.  His commissioned piece is expansive and realistic.   Brazilian-born Artur Silva, is a digital media artist who lives and works in Indianapolis.  His dynamic mural is inspired by the Indiana State Fair.  Portland, Oregon artist Damien Gilley is an interdisciplinary artist working in installation, sculpture, and drawing.  His piece at The Alexander was inspired by architectural elements he discovered while exploring downtown Indianapolis. Nick Walker is one of the world's best known street artists and a forerunner of the British graffiti phenomenon.  His work is displayed throughout the parking garage for The Alexander and CityWay.       Acclaimed artist Jorge Pardo, a 2010 recipient of a MacArthur Genius Grant, designed the Platt 99 cocktail mixology lounge including 99 unique handcrafted light fixtures.