Portrait session with writer Alexander Huls

Alex Huls is a freelance writer and social media strategist (not to mention sharp-shooter business card flicker), who has written for an impressive roster of publications including The New York Times, The Atlantic, and Esquire among others. And if you're a film buff, you're going to want to connect with him on Facebook and Twitter for tips, insights and general amusement.

Now based in Toronto, it turns out we have a lot in common having both lived in Germany for starters. It turns out he also likes to have fun and get ridiculous almost as much as I do!

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"I am of German heritage, so I’m fluent in Deutsch. But I’m also Canadian, so I’m fluent in saying 'sorry.' I have worn both lederhosen and a Mountie outfit. Not at the same time."

...challenge for 2014 Alex!

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Resin Art: the process from coffee to blowtorch to wall

I've been resin coating a lot of my own photography lately and had only ever done it for other people otherwise. I must say, the process, while a bit sloppy, is somewhat therapeutic. It's normally quiet time - tranquil, peaceful. There's also something very satisfying about creating something offline - something real in the physical world with your own two hands. I also love the finished look of resin. It's smooth, shiny, glassy and somehow so permanent.

I also wanted to video the process for a couple of reasons. For one it's easier to explain what it is and how to do it by showing someone. Also I'd love to make these short films for other people who create things with their hands. I think people are naturally just as curious about the process of anything as much as the final product. The craft itself is somehow intriguing and so is the art of film making - something I hope to explore more this year.

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It goes without saying, of course, that coffee is step one of just about every process. Unless of course it's past coffee time....

 

"Home alone with my scotch and a blowtorch - what could possibly go wrong¿?"

 

Thanks to friends for their curiosity on instagram & facebook last week with such cryptic messages. Now you know!

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Making of The "Red Dress Twirl" at Retouching Academy

The Amazing Frank Meschkuleit

Frank Meschkuleit is not only the nicest guy you'll ever meet, but also an extremely creative and talented performer. A skilled puppeteer having worked with Jim Henson, he's got an impressive resumé which includes work on Fraggle Rock, Alien vs. Predator 2, Scary Movie 3, Bride of Chucky and Sesame Street among others. I was also pleasantly surprised to find out later that Frank did some of the voices for a couple of eBooks I shot for TVOKids, although I don't think we had actually met yet.

We were lucky enough to have him in the studio to do some promo work to help promote "My Big Fat German Puppet Show" featuring ... well ... Frank, but also this amazing suit below crafted by him and the equally amazing Dina Meschkuleit. If there weren't any pictures below, I think I would only be able to describe it as a Tim Burton-esque caricature of a person...only in real life. But see for yourself - look at how amazing this is!

This much heart even goes into our test shots! This is around where the time lapse ends in the video above. 

Frank & Dina!

 Behind the scenes photos by Cristy

 ...and right after we finished up, I wound up with a 7 foot parabolic umbrella...as modelled by Cristy below:

Turns out this parabolic is pretty awesome. It hasn't seen much use so far, although we did pull it out for Nicole...coming soon....