Livin My Dream

I was doing some post and watching Farm Aid, when I suddenly realized it was quiet enough for me to bust another one out for you....the people I love. How are you?? Exciting stuff has happened. Canon just announced their SUPER BAD 5d mark II that will shoot HD 1080p video. So those that know that I am big supporter of Nikon are probably scratching your heads wondering why I am so bloody excited to announce that currently Canon has the badest boy on the block...or just more decked out...wouldn't say it shoots the best shots. BECAUSE that means the genius's at Nikon just got the competitive flag called out straight in their face. I expect something to come out on a pro level with the quickness. NO you will not shoot a full movie with these, but it would definitely be nice to snag footage with.

Clients and experiences. Some great...some challenging. (often the best ones are both) All wonderful parts of life. Recently I have been greatly blessed by opportunities to shoot for a major client and also capture a great friend's most important day of her life (thus far). Every shoot offers news ways to learn...new people to meet.

Little over a week ago I was asked to go shoot in upstate New York for a major private/corporate aircraft company. I have never spent any time in that side of the country and I must admit....I am addicted!!!! Rolling hills, rivers, beautiful TALL trees...beautiful jets flying in and out of the location...my personal heaven. So when they told me they would be flying me out on their company jet...lets just say I was pretty excited. 35 hours (total gone from Dallas), 1500 shots, 2 subjects (big aircraft), 3.5 hours of sleep.....LOVE IT! (my focus doesn't start blurring til 96+ hours without sleep, haha!) 2 different locations....and a partridge in a pear tree. Though I lost in the friendly poker to the executives on the flight back (my policy to never beat the client) It was a great time and look forward to the next shoot. Many Thanks to Forrest and Gerhard for all your help during the shoot.....as well as Troy for letting me sit left seat on the way back.

Just to give you an idea how big this monster was I posted up beside it.

On the way there....HOW HIGH ARE WE??

I rarely shoot weddings. Some of the most talented and amazing photographers are wedding shooters...I'm just not really one of them. (on a full time basis) But when a good friend asked me to shoot her wedding I couldn't resist. Weddings are fast and furious. Much like an on location editorial approach, shooting as much as you can while maintaining quality.....you dare not miss any of those priceless moments. Its slightly different than my usual "set up the shot" (little) more organized/thought out approach... but really a great time! Changing up styles keep you sharp. Nice to do something that you know will benefit people that you are in direct contact with on a weekly basis. All of the best luck, wishes, success, and Love for you Mackenzie and Colby!

The Groom and His Ninja Merry Men


Don't Stop Believin!

Braun...and Patton

HERE WE GO!

Trememdous things are happening. Yes the world just celebrated possibly the greatest Olympics ever and yesss the US kicked off the Ultimate Historical RED VS BLUE Show Down between the republican and democratic champions. Yes indeedy things are interesting these day. HEADS UP...My new website will be up and in full effect next month as well as some realllly cool projects. I will keep you posted cherished people I love!

Ok I have to admit it. On occasion I spend some time in front of the camera as well as behind it. It's fun....nothing more or less. Spent some time with my good friends John Harris and Michael Hawkins for an advertising campaign. Well what happens when you leave a bunch of goofball photographers to their own devices...DEVIATION!! Consequences? Well we began a conceptual Presidential Campaign: "Kissin Hands and Shaking Babies....Finally For The Better" I will post more very soon.



Chase Jarvis, one of my personal hero's, just released a video on his secret testing that Nikon offered him with the new D90. LUCKY GUY.....Man the HD Video on this thing is SWEET. I'm not gonna lie....To be part of a team like his is my dream. Chase's Awesome Blog and Low Down on the camera.


How do you shoot a super Addidas ad for the little tiny country of China? There's Big and then there's CHINA Big. Here's HOW! Beautiful and seriously genius!

BREAKDOWN...To get THIS....You must do THIS......Good luck btw....



Want a good test of leadership and people skills?...Watch this video!

Where do you put such a great image? Where else! On the side of a huge building! Duh

I have never been much of a wedding shooter myself honestly. Can't say why really ....with shows like Bridezillas I can't figure out why I'm not dieing to photograph 2 people's most important day of their lives!!!! MADD respect to the talented people that have a passion for this. BUT what doesn't kill you makes you stronger and I'm always down to try something new. I came across this video and loved it's creativity (as well as how bold the couple/BRIDE was willing to go!)

Few Recent Shots



Keep the Faith you guys!!

Braun....and Patton

A MUST KNOW Person.....You

These past days (and for the continuing next ones) the world is without doubt uber fixated on every muscle movement of the world's greatest athletes representing their countries in The Olympics!! I am no exception. I know am not what you call a super sports fan....but the every four year super event bring cultures and life together....I can def get into that! Things I am picking up on..... Michael Phelps is a freak that might as well moon walk on the water considering how bad he spanks the competition.....but for all his respect he demands he stays extremely humble and focused. No doubt he is the greatest Olympian Athlete of all time....Go Michael!..... Also realized The Chinese KNOW How to throw a party....opening Olympic ceremony!


OK! Now that I have said my shout out....Lately I have been doing more soul searching. Yes I said it, Yes you can slap me when you see me for using such a cliche....little alone writing it down.

So why have I been digging? Why?? Probably for I am forced to after seeing people that have been forced to look at themselves. Who? Well besides the amazing young athletes representing their people ranging from as young as 14 (US Dive Team) but also from other areas from around me.

My father called me raving about this book (The Last Lecture) about professor, Randy Pausch, whom had gotten pancreatic cancer and gave his last speech at the college he taught at. I had seen the lecture (below) but Dad went ahead and got the book. Turned out to be a great short book that had far more things to take other than the wisdom from his lecture. Think of it.... The man KNEW he was leaving his Wife and 3 kids in a short amount of time....do you think he had to serious look at (and reprogram his mindset) of how every remaining month, week, day, hour, minute, SECOND of his life was going to happen....and then happen after he was gone? I double dog dare you to really have at that mentality for 72 hours. Not trying to be overly serious or dramatic...but it's a noteworthy challenge.

My favorite show is on tonite while I am writing you this, and of course it clicks as another reminder to focus up! The show is ICONOCLASTS...basically they throw successful people from very different careers together to see how they relate to each other's views and common grounds in what they have picked up in their life.....my lame description does not do it justice. MOVING ON.....Tonite has Sean Penn and Jon Krakauer (Author of Into the Wild)....I knew very little about either of these individuals but I deeply connected with the character of the Book....which is a true story btw.....def worth the read and watch....Sean Penn directed the movie.
Christopher McCandless purposely disappeared across the country (without any money ) to take a personal journey...eventually ending up in Alaska. Sometimes we want to risk death just to clear the train tracks that our life and mind seem to be forced to ride....sometimes we just need to stop and live.

You can be raw...but you have to try. -Sean Penn

I know this is a long one, and by no means close to anything photography which I am more commonly recognized for....but I have come to realize that people living life at the top of their goals or living when they know they don't have much left makes you focus up real quick about what are you going to do with your remaining moments...please tell me your exact number remaing....EXACTLY...This is what my old DI would say is a Priority Check!

Maybe you (or myself) are not at a time and place when we can take off and live as full as we want at the moment....but you can find your Alaska....If you look with the right eyes.

Where are you going? How are you living? What is your legacy? Where is your Alaska?

Be a blessing, be blessed.

UNTIL THE NEXT TIME all my best wishes!



Braun....and Patton

The LINE: COMMERCIAL VS FINE ART

I'm still half asleep and delirious from staying up all night cleaning my pad and organizing my office since a friend was arriving from out of town wicked early last night......only to find out the plane would be oversold. BLAST! Well at least everything is clean now. Amazing the mental clarity you have when things are organized. ANYWHO, I'm trying to work but can't seem to get my head in the game. So I will write.

There has been this huge debate in my mind that I have been researching everything under the sun to find where the line is between commercial photography and fine art. To say I have completely solved this riddle would be a little deceiving....but I'm getting close to describing it...HERE's what I found.

My work is by far mostly commercial....but a huge amount of comm work (not just mine) has become art for people. Fine-Art does not transfer over that gray quite so easy...though it has happened. Question....How would you categorize these images? All of these are mine but the Last one....Mr Warhols.




OK so what do you think?? Trick question...both! All of these have been displayed and used as commercial work and Fine-Art.....SEE THE CONFUSION! Ok so your probably saying....BRAUN we are back where we started. I don't claim to be an "artist" ...Creative?...yes....but I am rarely on that level of THIS IS ME AND THIS THE MESSAGE I AM SENDING TO THE WORLD.....though I am working on this view.

So after a lifetime of awesome conversations with REAL artists, reps, gallery owners...it seems that real "in your face, Legendary status" artists all have something in common....They all communicate their message and vision. This vision is not the same their entire life...that would be boring right? But it (like us....or atleast we should) mature and grow as life goes on. But the vision and message makes the difference between an Artists and a technically skilled individual.

Know that you don't have to be an artist, I'm still trying to weigh if I am one.....Just because you can sell your prints individually doesn't make you an "Artist"

So a couple of questions....How are you changing the world?

-If you are DIRT in the next 3 years....What is your legacy? (I just realized the danger of asking that questions for fearing the consequence of everybody throwing me under the magnifying glass for my message).....Lets just say I am starting at the bottom....probably most of you are ahead of me in this respect.

My Opinion.....don't kill yourself from putting so much pressure on yourself to BE an artist if that's what you want (or think you want) to do....it should come naturally right?.....isn't that what art is? Showing the world YOU....it's not your job to make sure everybody likes it....but don't misunderstand me...there is a business side to it.

"Art is what you can get away with" Andy Warhol

What do you think?

BRAUN....and Patton

Governors, Gun Wielders, and Granada Rock Stars

SALUTATIONS! Random fun times lately.....A good friend John Harris asked me if I wanted to have some fun and go shoot some photos downtown of the Governor (of Texas) Rick Perry while he was in town for the Glen Beck Show. Totally not my style of shooting...but it's good to get out and do something out of the ordinary....keeps you sharp. BUT can I just say something...I am oh so proud to know that we have a Governor that could have the option of a career after his time in office of being an actor....maybe a soap star! GEEZE! I throw out a challenge....anybody have a better looking governor I dare you to challenge this man's rugged Tom Berenger level good looks! wow! hahahaa



TEXAS RANGERS....and not the baseball team.....Like WALKER!!!! (but the real deal) These guys are bad! FYI there are only 133 Texas Rangers in the entire state....pretty elite...Photo by John Harris


2nd Latest Adventure.....My very good friend Austin Lewter plays drums for Kevin Deal.....A great Texas Country musician. They let me come and hang out during their gig at the Granada. Austin and I used to play together so the music scene means a lot to me...brought back memories. Definitely check these guys out! Good people.




NOTE: Shooting this concert I kept my D300 at ISO 1000 and tried to keep it at a shutter speed of 1/60ths of a second.

QUOTE of the week! Don't be afraid to see what you see. Ronald Reagan

Here are a few shots more shots lately....Don't stop believin!


Til Next Time...

BRAUN...and Patton

Exciting Days to Come

Well I know you guys are all out there sweating the moments until the new faster, lighter, smarter, CHEAPER.....IPhone comes out...(July 11....Hope you are watching the potatoe crates)...and I pray everybody still has all your fingers from the firework celebrations this past 4th (for those USA'ers) .......So I thought I would throw some interesting and fun things at ya'll (Texas slang) to keep you going through the week!

Included a variety of stuff that tickles my fancy from photography, green technology, architecture design.....I am pretty jazzed about saving the Earth after looking at some of these things. Let me know what you think!

TITLE'S ARE LINKS TO THE FULL LOW DOWN (more photos)....DOOOO ITTT, DOOO ITTTT!

The Green Megalopolis: An eco-savvy blueprint for tomorrow's megacity
(I have already begun shopping for my Bubble House at Ikea...SERIOUSLY CHECK IT...you'll see!)


The Sun-Powered Sailboat
Ordered mine in Lambo Yellow...call it The Streak

ICON A5
This is up on the top of the list....For REAL



Nike:Take It To The Next Level - Directors Cut
GREAT POV (Point of View) film...brings me back to my Manchester days (just kidding), if anybody would have showed me this I would never have quit the Silver Bullets when I was 6. DANGIT!


Clothes! Shoes! Synchronized Swimming! (cool interview)
Jill Greenberg simultaneously showcase clothes and shoes and the U.S. Olympic Synchronized Swimming Team......I was lifeguarding.....one of the best photographer's you will find!

King Abdulaziz Centre for Knowledge and Culture
That's a lot of chrome......We ask ourselves....What do those guys do with the money from rising gas prices?.........hmmm I wonder!

Eleven Women House
My dream house....as long as I remember the right way to the bathroom at night! (DEF Check this out!)


The Democratic Party in 8 minutes
(this is no endorsement or put down....but it makes me laugh pretty hard.)



OK, so that should keep you crazy kids busy and entertained like a bowl full of cheerio's and a good Disney movie. Here is some good tunes for the morning to jam out in the shower.....PEACE, LOVE, JOY

BRAUN....and Patton

Opportunities, Creativity, and Fast Toys

How are we? If you haven't heard I completely adore planes.... or any aircraft for that matter. I fly but not nearly the level of this machine but I Got the chance to shoot a few of these guys this past week. Moral of the story....you never know when or how you will find new opportunities...get out there and lend yourself to chance.




If you don't, you should absolutely start using MOZILLA's FIREFOX the web browser. I love it....specifically it's all about customization and some reallllllllly sweet tools. MY favorite is the Pic Lens for it's awesome image viewing capabilities

Sometimes we just plain suck at getting creative, (atleast I do) This video gave me some serious encouragement. Don't stop believin!



Braun...and Patton