Sports Illustrated Cover Shoot with Andrew Luck of the Indianapolis Colts

Yesterday marked a career milestone for me.  I had my first cover for Sports Illustrated.  And, even better, the subject I got to photograph was Andrew Luck of the Indianapolis Colts.   He was a class act, just as I suspected, and he was great to work with.  These type of shoots can be stressful because you are only given 10 minutes with him, so you have to be set up and ready to go as soon as he walks in the door.  I had done lighting tests back in the studio a few days prior to get the lighting just the way I wanted.   I did make one last-minute change to the lighting and it ended up being the version that was chosen for the cover. This is one of the single most proud moments of my photographic career.  I've had cover shoots before, but none quite this big.   Below is the cover shot and some production stills.  To see the online article click here. 

 

  

Please keep me in mind for any upcoming projects you have that require photography for advertising, magazine, corporate or personal use.  I would be happy to put together an estimate.

Whether it's a product shot, a portrait, an architectural assignment, a video, or any other thing you can dream up, I can make it look great.  If you need to see samples of my work that are not on my website please send me an email and I will get those to you. 

Cheers,

John

John Bragg Photography 

317-972-8171 Studio
317-679-5646 Mobile 

john@johnbragg.com
 
www.johnbragg.com

www.europeanfinephotos.com 

 

Snoop Dogg (Lion) is in the house

I love the variety of experiences I get as a photographer.  This particular evening I had the opportunity to be on stage with Snoop Dogg.  He wasn't in normal performance mode, but instead was acting as the DJ for the evening.  This was an event put on by Adidas and I was hired to document the event.  Snoop creates an energized party atmosphere and plays a range of music that spans different genres.  While most of his music was hip-hop, rap, and R&B he also snuck in some more mainstream pop music to round it out.  He's got a pretty good sense of humor too and got me laughing pretty hard at some of his unexpected choices like Cindi Lauper's "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun".   The opening act was DJ Baby Chino who is dubbed as the world's youngest DJ because he's been DJ'ing since he was 5 years old. Most of what HE was playing was hip-hop from the 80's.  I should go now so I can find my shell-toe Adidas shoes and my Run DMC cassette tape.  

 

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 

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

SuperBowl rental for Superbowl XLVI (46) in Indianapolis, Indiana

I'm renting out my studio in downtown Indianapolis for the week of Superbowl XLVI .  The Super bowl is on February 5, 2012.  This studio space is unique, comfortable and has a New York or Chicago loft feel to it.   It would be perfect for a corporate, business, entertaining, broadcasting, or television use.  Since my space is a photography studio it is already set up as a production facility and has 2 full bathrooms, full kitchen, make-up mirror, 14 foot ceilings, DirecTV, wireless internet, large garage door and a stereo with iPod hookup . The space could also be set up to be a "living room" or lounge area for clients who want to get out of the cold and relax.  Best of all it is in the heart of Stadium Village and is only 4 blocks from Lucas Oil Stadium, home of Superbowl XLVI.  There is easy access to interstate I-70 as well as I-65.  Parking is also available at the studio. The space should accommodate up to 70 people as a party venue.

The studio is available during the entire week of SuperBowl 2012.

To see photos of the studio click on this link http://www.johnbragg.com/studio

If you are interested in a great place to rent for Superbowl XLVI in Indianapolis please send me an email at john@johnbragg.com or call 317-972-8171

Looking forward to a great Superbowl week in Indy!

John Bragg
john@johnbragg.com
317-972-8171

Holiday Prints

Looking for unique ideas for holiday gifts?  Want to find something different without having to set foot in a shopping mall?   I have an extensive library of images from all over Europe as well as downtown Indianapolis landmarks that would make great gifts this holiday season.  I can do small 8"x10" prints that are easy to frame or create beautiful canvas gallery wraps as large as 40"x60".   

For an even more personal approach, we offer printing and stretching services of your own images.  Surprise someone with their photos stretched on canvas!  Price lists for original artwork or printing and stretching services can be found here.  Please contact me for any print orders.  Links to Indianapolis and Europe images are below. 

Original wall art makes the perfect gift!       

Mercedes-Benz Centre, Munich, Germany

This is an extremely cool building right off of the highway in Munich, Germany.  It serves as a museum and showroom for Mercedes-Benz.  It's a great way to display the cars to drivers passing by.  The structure looks more like a vending machine for cars or a glass house for massive Matchbox cars.  A smart move to effectively turn the building into a billboard.  Another great example of bold European design.

Most of my blog posts are personal photos that give you some insight to my travels.  I make my living by being an advertising, magazine, architectural, and corporate photographer in Indianapolis, IN.

Ochsenbraterei tent at Oktoberfest, Munich, Germany

The annual Oktoberfest is going on in Munich, Germany as I type this and I'm really wanting to jump on a plane and take in the festivities.  This year marks the 200th anniversary of the event so you know there will be a big turnout.  If you ever have a chance to experience this event I highly recommend it.  It's the world's largest fair with upwards of 6 million people attending over a 16 day period.  This video is from the Ochsenbraterei tent where they serve Spaten beer.

Old Town Square, Prague, Czech Republic

I've been hearing for years how interesting the city of Prague is and how I need to visit.  Well, just a few weeks ago I had my first opportunity to visit Prague and I understand what everyone was talking about.  One of the big draws for me when traveling to Europe is to see and photograph all of the striking architecture.  It's architecture that has been standing for hundreds of years and has a sense of style, character, ornateness and history that you can only find in the older cities in Europe.  I went to the top of the Old Town Hall Tower to get this perspective on the square.  I rode the glass elevator to the top of the tower and once I was outside and looking down on the city I couldn't help but think that the inspiration for the scene from Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory when Willy and Charlie go flying around the city in the Wonkavator came from experiencing this very thing.  The scene in the movie was actually filmed in Nördlingen, Germany but you would think you were in the movie when looking out from the top of the tower.

I make my living by doing advertising, commercial, magazine and fine art photography work while living in Indianapolis.

Spaten Tent at Oktoberfest, Munich, Germany

This was day one at Oktoberfest and it was fun to see how decorative they made each "tent".  We spent the majority of our time at this tent (Spaten).  There were no available seats inside (at 11 a.m.) so we found some seats outside.  The weather was perfect and so was the beer.  The rotisserie that you see on the outside above the entrance was even animatronic.  The Germans don't mess around when it comes to throwing a party.  I don't speak any other languages, but I always learn to say "Cheers" in whatever country I am in.  Prost!!!

Indianapolis Star article on my live/work space

View this gallery at The Indianapolis Star: HomeFinder: - John Bragg's warehouse home

Stein am Rhein, Switzerland

Just going through some of my images today and came across these photos from my time in Stein am Rhein, Switzerland.  I'm always impressed with the attention to detail in Europe when it comes to design, style, color and form.  They make almost everything with equal attention to both function and form.  Check out these shutters and the garage door.  Not just a simple paint job for this house.  The stripes add a really interesting design pattern to the facade.  And if you look really close you see a heart shape cut out of the shutter.  And you can see the hardware on the wall by the shutter designed to hold them in place.  Yes, these are actually functioning shutters.  Most of what we have in the states are screwed to the side of the house and don't serve a function.  I think I'll go eat some Gruyere cheese now.

Mürren, Switzerland

People often ask me what is my favorite country in Europe? I would have to say Switzerland. It's the most beautiful, quaint, clean, and friendly country I've visited. I enjoy the food and love the architecture for it's sense of style and warmth. It's an easy country to relax and take in the surroundings. To me it is heaven on earth. This is the hotel I stayed in recently. And the other photo is taken from our balcony on the 3rd floor. It was a huge wrap around balcony that works very nicely when you want to sit back and drink a beer and be awed. You can find some of my European photography for sale on both Etsy and Discovered Artists

Indianapolis, Indiana

I had the good fortune of landing a job last year that had me exploring my own city of Indianapolis. The project was one that required me to photograph lots of different landmarks downtown. What was most fun was the fact that I got to really explore my city more than I normally do. There's a common reality among lots of people who take for granted what they have in their own city or town; they don't explore or visit the things that exist in their own backyard. I scoured downtown like a curious visitor from out of town and actually discovered things about downtown that I didn't know. This photo was a part of that project. I ultimately ended up printing very large B&W prints for display as wall art. Thanks to my Canon EOS 1DS Mark II and my Epson Stylus Pro 9800 printer we produced beautiful prints that will last as artwork for a long time to come.

London, England

This photo was done in "The Tube", otherwise know as the Underground. I saw this billboard and just had to laugh at the British humor. The ad was for shaving cream for a woman's underarms. Directly behind the guy is the woman's armpit. The humor all over Europe is a lot less conservative than what we have in the States. That's probably a surprise to no one. I wanted to get a photo of someone staring at the photo so I sat on the bench and waited for about ten minutes and along came this guy. He had no idea I took this photo.

Stockholm, Sweden

As an Indianapolis photographer my exposure to historic and artistic architectural buildings in my hometown is a bit limited. So, I really appreciate the amazing examples of architectural design and form that you get to experience in Europe. This photo is taken on Gamla Stan, one of Stockholm's Islands. This is Stockholm's oldest town square called Stortorget. A funny thing about this photo: about two weeks after I returned home from this trip I was watching TV and I saw an HP ad that showcased one of their photo printers. It was an extremely cool ad that was filmed from the exact same perspective where I took this photo. That was a very funny experience for me and a chill ran down my spine. Check out this link to see it http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TOnif6BC0kc

Rothenburg (ob der Tauber), Germany

Rothenburg is a classic medieval walled town located in Bavaria along the Romantic Road. The city is full of small town charm and quaint shops and hotels. I love the striped awnings you see on lots of the storefronts. The town inspired me to paint my studio to mimic the buildings, specifically this bakery I saw there. I also decided to continue with the European theme by painting my address on the garage door to look like the speed limit signs in Europe.