Lydia George and husband Jake George founded Greenlink Collective in Issaquah in 2010. They worked with the city to create a medical marijuana ordinance after an initial dispute that resulted a citywide moratorium on access points. The Georges hold containers of medical marijuana inside Greenlink. Photo by Daniel Berman/www.bermanphotos.com

A lot of amazing coincidences all had to line up for the scheduling that enabled these shoots for Cityvision Magazine to happen. They landed in my lap right in the middle of a bunch of other gigs right before New Year’s Eve — and, as you can imagine, getting ahold of people around this time can be a challenge. In the end though, Lydia and Jake George, founders of the Greenlink Collective in Issaquah, and State Sen. Jeanne Kohl-Welles, made time for me from their busy schedules. 

One important lesson I got out of my shoot with the Georges is that sometimes, you go set up all your lighting and then realize the best shot could happen if you turn them back off. That’s what lead to the huge lead image on the first spread! I liked the fluorescent lighting fixture above the small marijuana plants, and with my lighting, they weren’t coming out the way I wanted. So I turned off my umbrella and softbox, and shot natural light — exposing for the highlights near the bottom of the fixture. The result is very dramatic and a more interesting approach I think. 

Senator Jeanne Kohl-Welles (D-Seattle) poses for a portrait at her Legislative office in downtown Seattle Thursday Dec. 22, 2011. Kohl-Welles introduced medical marijuana legislation that has attracted attention and controversy in the last year. Photo by Daniel Berman/www.bermanphotos.com

Lydia George and husband Jake George founded Greenlink Collective in Issaquah in 2010. They worked with the city to create a medical marijuana ordinance after an initial dispute that resulted a citywide moratorium on access points. The Georges hold containers of medical marijuana inside Greenlink. Photo by Daniel Berman/www.bermanphotos.com

Another important lesson? Always arrive with plenty of time to scout and pre-light and figure out the game plan — this was critical at the Kohl-Welles shoot. When I got there, I really had to have everything ready to go quicker than I would have liked. Never again. Always give yourself an hour and change if you’re lighting, and only a bit less if shooting with natural light. When the subject walks in, everything must be set and ready — so that you can focus wholly on them. But like they say, if you’re not learning, something’s wrong. 

OK, now go learn some more and check out Ted Katauskas’ excellent story.

Thanks for looking,

-Daniel

Snow-covered trees are reflected in the waters of Echo Lake in Shoreline 1/18/12. Photo by Daniel Berman/www.bermanphotos.com

Stacy Morgan, 20, from Bremerton, dances while waiting for a bus at the Aurora Village Transit Center with friend Taylor Daly, 20, from Kent, to take them back towards South Seattle. "I've been waiting for about an hour for one bus," said Morgan, a self-described exotic dancer. "I've been killing time watching people drive badly." Photo by Daniel Berman/www.bermanphotos.com

Stacy Morgan, 20, from Bremerton, dances while waiting for a bus at the Aurora Village Transit Center with friend Taylor Daly, 20, from Kent, to take them back towards South Seattle. "I've been waiting for about an hour for one bus," said Morgan, a self-described exotic dancer. "I've been killing time watching people drive badly." Photo by Daniel Berman/www.bermanphotos.com

Two people out for a walk near Highway 99 in Shoreline brave windy and snowy conditions Wednesday, January 18, 2012. Photo by Daniel Berman/www.bermanphotos.com

A woman jogs in Shoreline while braving windy and snowy conditions Wednesday, January 18, 2012. Photo by Daniel Berman/www.bermanphotos.com

A woman walks near the waters of Echo Lake in Shoreline Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2012. Photo by Daniel Berman/www.bermanphotos.com

Sledding off a homemade snow ramp on the hilly edge of Echo Lake School in Shoreline Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2012. Photo by Daniel Berman/www.bermanphotos.com

Sledding off a homemade snow ramp on the hilly edge of Echo Lake School in Shoreline Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2012. Photo by Daniel Berman/www.bermanphotos.com

A tree slants while being covered in snow in a Shoreline neighborhood Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2012. Photo by Daniel Berman/www.bermanphotos.com

Children threw snowballs at the exterior of Echo Lake School in Shoreline Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2012. Photo by Daniel Berman/www.bermanphotos.com

A view of a backyard in North Seattle after snowy conditions left more than five inches of the powder on roads that had iced over in 30 degree weather the previous day, Thursday, Jan. 19, 2012. Photo by Daniel Berman/www.bermanphotos.com

Thanks for looking,

Daniel

I know it’s more than a few days into the new year but I still wanted to highlight some of my favorite frames of 2011. Most of this was shot on assignment for one client or another, but many remain unpublished — that’s half the reason I want them here My goal on every assignment, whether it’s for a newspaper, magazine, website or university, is to make a unique picture. I try not to shoot from the pack. I try and make something different, and unexpected — a pictorial moment within a news situation. Of course, I will get the safe shot, but when time allows, I am looking for a me photo. A different vantage point, a unique angle, better access — anything to find something unique, and apart from the pack. Sometimes that works out in my favor. The risk pays off. Every shoot is a teachable moment, and it’s only a mistake if you cannot learn from it. This was a successful year but every year is a learning experience and this one taught me that in a lot of ways. You have to hustle. You have to really want it. Onward and upward in 2012, my friends.

Daniel

I know it is a few days into 2012 but I wanted to share some of my favorite portraits from the past 12 months. Portraiture is something I really enjoy because it can be such an intimate experience — or, in contrast, something very fleeting. It’s a total dance photographers do with their subjects. We are trying to elucidate a story visually, and make a connection with people. We want that glimpse at soul. Sometimes it is a delicate thing to do — but I love it.
It’s always a thrill to set up my lights (or recognize great natural light and rock that instead!). You’re trying to turn an unknown environment into something storytelling.

I have been fortunate enough this year to work with some fantastic new clients, such as DataSphere, the New York Post, Cityvision Magazine, Financial Advisor Magazine, The U.S. Department of Energy and Northwest Leaf and Seattleite. My assignments represent a huge gamut of subject matter, but I love thinking on my feet and bringing my own photography style to whatever I shoot — that’s part of the wonderful challenge of working with clients.

And to that end, I wanted to share a little bit of the back story behind my favorite portraits this year:

DataSphere

DataSphere, a Bellevue-based internet advertising firm, hired me to make portraits for their website. The client wanted to showcase their fun, unique corporate culture, for recruiting and marketing purposes. Along with my faithful assistant Mark Malijan, I photographed more than a dozen setups in a day all across their expansive three-floor office. It was a rush but a lot of fun to take my style and apply it to the client’s needs. I don’t think I will ever get the chance to set up an employee shot like the guys at the arcade one again. It was such a blast and definitely stands out as a very memorable assignment, this year and in my career as well.

the New York Post

One of my most high-profile shoots of the year came completely out of nowhere: photographing Gennette Cordova for the cover of the New York Post, back in June.

The cover image – I guess I am okay with all the text all over it

My friend Stephen Brashear referred the job to me and over the course of a week, I managed to make contact with Gennette and make her picture. This was my first shoot for the Post and I was totally blown away to see it on the cover. I got an email from the picture editor at midnight the day it was to come out. “Berman cover” was the subject line, and I just about screamed. It was my first national cover.

Cordova, you’ll recall, was sent a lewd photo by former Congressman Anthony Weiner (D-NY), in a scandal that became known as Weinergate. Ugh. Name aside, this was a really exciting shoot and to see the cover floating around national media sites like Gawker was another experience altogether. The Post hired me a few months later to cover Amanda Knox’s arrival in the U.S. — but more on that in my news photo of the year post coming up.

Cityvision Magazine

I have completed eight or nine assignments for Cityvision and it is just so rewarding to be working with them regularly. They run really interesting, informative pieces, that shine line on complicated issues in a relevant way. They do a great job, and my assignments have involved photographing politicians, mayors, and state senators, for stories discussing their governance work. It’s neat to meet people with power and try and make the same kind of connection I would with anyone else, to make a compelling portrait.

This was an interesting shoot because it all hinged on access to water — visually it would be tough to photograph a water story without it — but when I arrived, the fountain was turned off! A quick call from the Mayor’s PR staff to the control room staff for the arena helped get it turned on just in time. Remaining calm was key, and the mayor was a good sport about waiting for a bit to begin the shoot.

I also photographed more stories on water and on cities being inundated with public record’s requests.

Financial Advisor Magazine

My assignment was to photograph Saturna Capital’s Nick Kaiser for Financial Advisor Magazine. Saturna Capital has become renowned for their Amana Mutual Funds, which invests according to Islamamic law — and has done very well from their unassuming offices.

Nick Kaiser of Saturna Capital poses for a portrait at their downtown Bellingham offices October 24, 2011. Photo by Daniel Berman/www.bermanphotos.com for Financial Advisor Magazine

I worked with two Alien Bee 800s firing into a simple 40 inch umbrella and a bare 7″ reflector, plus some nice afternoon sunlight fill, to make most of the pictures.

Nick was really generous with his time and worked with me to make some pictures the client and I were happy with. More from this shoot in my recent post: Nick Kaiser for Financial Advisor Magazine.

I also did a shoot this year for Seattleite, an online cultura and lifestyle magazine that started in 2011. The assignment came courtesy a friend of mine, Erik Simkins, working as their photo editor at the time. My task was to photograph Jay Friedman for a story about his food lecture series, Sexy Food. He uses humor to make the connection between the things we eat and the stuff we enjoy. I wanted to make a portrait that captured that same fun quality. We shot inside of a beautiful old classroom on the University of Washington campus. No assistant for this one, like on most of my shoots, but atleast I got a workout dragging my lighting cases up three flights of stairs. No elevator. The new client was happy and I made some pictures I am happy with too, and that’s all you can ask for right?

I had an SB-800 firing into Photek Softlighter II up high and above him, with a bare sb800 firing for the rim-light in rear.

This is the one the mag ran online.

Personal Work

Sometimes the best assignments are the ones we take on for ourselves. It’s important to try out new ideas, test new techniques, and cover the events we want to cover — even if no one is footing the bill. Sometimes we are fortunate for a client to license personal work after the fact; but that’s not the goal. I do self-assignments to keep me sharp for when the phone rings. It keeps my portfolio current and lets me push new work out more than waiting for assignment work. It’s fulfilling and a big part of my personal goals for 2012.

The Emerald City Comicon was a self-assignment that ended up being licensed for SeattlePI.com. But before that happened, I bought my own ticket, rolled all my lighting gear through the concourses and hoped to heck nobody was going to ask me to leave. I set up in an empty corner of a well-trafficked area of the main room, and looked around for interesting people to photograph. There was no shortage. In contrast to most portrait shoots where I have between 5 and 50 minutes to photograph someone, I spent only a minute or two with most of these Comiconners. I think it kept them authentic. The hours I put into the shoot paid off because it was a great day.

I also went down to Occupy Seattle and made some simple portraits of some of the protestors. I wish I would have been able to go back down, but other assignments and work kept me away. Even so, the windy, blustery evening I spent down there was informative and useful. I made some pictures I am happy with and can at least say I photographed a little bit of a very important movement, in my own backyard.

Northwest Leaf

I also did a lot of assignments for a Seattle-based publication called Northwest Leaf that deals with medical marijuana patients and the industry. It has been so eye-opening to have the access I do on these shoots, and it pays off, because I am making images that are not being made anywhere else. I am getting a grounds-eye view of this burgeoning movement, and I am excited to see where it takes me next year.

This was such a simple lighting setup. Just a single 45″ Photek Softlighter II off to my left, in close to the subject, on about 1/4 power. No fuss, no muss, just nice soft light that let more attention go to the stuff in his hands…

2011 has been a great learning experience. I really pushed myself, fell some times and grew stronger from those mistakes. It’s only a mistake if you can’t learn from it, I feel. I just want to keep driving towards my goals and keep learning and growing with my photo family, as my buddy Pittsburgh photographer Jared Wickerham said so aptly. 2011 has been a great year, a fulfilling year and probably one of my strongest years. You have to really want it in this business, and I think about that everyday. I am so blessed to be doing what I love and know the amazing people I do these days in Seattle and across the country. The kinship and community in photography is like none other!

Thanks for looking, and if you made it this far, thanks for joining me on this journey.

Daniel

Nick Kaiser of Saturna Capital poses for a portrait at their downtown Bellingham offices October 24, 2011. Photo by Daniel Berman/www.bermanphotos.com for Financial Advisor Magazine

The chance to work a few blocks from my home is a pretty rare opportunity. For the most part, I am schlepping my lights and lenses across the Northwest — so to have an assignment so close in downtown Bellingham was a real treat.

My assignment was to photograph Saturna Capital’s Nick Kaiser for Financial Advisor Magazine. Saturna Capital has become renowned for their Amana Mutual Funds, which invests according to Islamamic law — and has done very well from their unassuming offices.

Nick Kaiser of Saturna Capital poses for a portrait at their downtown Bellingham offices October 24, 2011. Photo by Daniel Berman/www.bermanphotos.com for Financial Advisor Magazine

As the founder, director and chairman of Saturna, Nick Kaiser is a powerful force in the community and I sought to make portraits that showed that influential touch. It was a bright and beautiful day in Bellingham conducive to outdoor portraits, something my editor requested, and something I love to do whenever possible.

I set up two Alien Bee strobes, using a large Photek Softlighter II as my mainlight and a bare reflector for a rimlight. I used the rimlight as a fill on the black background image. I wanted to make the portraits as simple as possible, so I used an 80-200 2.8 lens to compress and clean-up the background in several.

Nick Kaiser of Saturna Capital poses for a portrait at their downtown Bellingham offices October 24, 2011. Photo by Daniel Berman/www.bermanphotos.com for Financial Advisor Magazine

While I moved around and tried various vantage points and lenses, Nick and I chatted about his affinity for sailing and how Bellingham has changed over the years. He was a good subject and giving with his time. What more can an editorial photographer asked for?

Nick Kaiser - Bellingham - Saturna Capital

Thanks for looking!

Daniel

Kent Mayor Suzette Cooke has used past experiences as a recreational mountaineer to guide her decision making after two terms at the city's helm. Photo by Daniel Berman for Cityvision Magazine.

I am happy to share this recently published shoot!

Back in late October, I photographed Kent Mayor Suzette Cooke for one of my favorite clients, Cityvision Magazine. It’s a beautiful, smartly designed publication covering local governance and the decisionmakers in our community.

I was assigned to photograph Mayor Cooke, a former recreational mountaineer, for a story connecting her past experiences with recent success guiding the city. She was a great sport, and anytime I can make a business portrait either outside or in a unique environment, is a success in my book. I photographed her in the courtyard outside of Kent City Hall. The mayor’s boots, crampons and hiking axe were an interesting contrast to her purple suit — and made for some neat pictures.

Kent Mayor Suzette Cooke has used past experiences as a recreational mountaineer to guide her decision making after two terms at the city's helm. Photo by Daniel Berman for Cityvision Magazine. www.bermanphotos.com

Here is another tearsheet from the December issue.

Kent Mayor Suzette Cooke has used past experiences as a recreational mountaineer to guide her decision making after two terms at the city's helm. Photo by Daniel Berman for Cityvision Magazine. www.bermanphotos.com

Thanks for looking!

Daniel

I made portraits of some of the protestors down at Occupy Wall Street in Westlake Park. The weather was awful and discouraged heavier traffic in the park, which has seen a few thousand people at times in the last week and a half. Props to my friend Isa Farnik for his help keeping the light stand stable as wind blew us every which way. I will be returning soon to photograph again. I’m drawn to how many different people are getting their voices heard.

Occupy Seattle portraits of protestors at Westlake Park Friday, October 21, 2011 before a general assembly meeting of the group. Photo by Daniel Berman/www.bermanphotos.com

Occupy Seattle portraits of protestors at Westlake Park Friday, October 21, 2011 before a general assembly meeting of the group. Photo by Daniel Berman/www.bermanphotos.com

Dan Aldano | Occupy Seattle portraits of protestors at Westlake Park Friday, October 21, 2011 before a general assembly meeting of the group. Photo by Daniel Berman/www.bermanphotos.com

Dan Aldano | Occupy Seattle portraits of protestors at Westlake Park Friday, October 21, 2011 before a general assembly meeting of the group. Photo by Daniel Berman/www.bermanphotos.com

Brock Plaender & Ian Finkenbinder volunteer to work the livestream video feed at the plaza. Ian has been coming down to the plaza every day since the Seattle protests began. Photo by Daniel Berman/www.bermanphotos.com

Click the link to view

Occupy Seattle portraits of protestors at Westlake Park Friday, October 21, 2011 before a general assembly meeting of the group. Photo by Daniel Berman/www.bermanphotos.com

Messages scrawled on the plaza | Occupy Seattle portraits of protestors at Westlake Park Friday, October 21, 2011 before a general assembly meeting of the group. Photo by Daniel Berman/www.bermanphotos.com

Mary Ellen Anderson, 76, from Seattle | Occupy Seattle portraits of protestors at Westlake Park Friday, October 21, 2011 before a general assembly meeting of the group. Photo by Daniel Berman/www.bermanphotos.com

A Seattle Parks Department staffer returns to his truck after removing banners and personal items left on the plaza floor in violation of recent park policy changes.

A protestor, at center, who declined to provide his name, speaks with Seattle Police after a Parks Department staffer removed a bag of his personal items from the floor, after it was left there in violation of a new park policy. Police allowed the protestor to retrieve his bag. Photo by Daniel Berman/www.bermanphotos.com

I'm a serf in a feudalistic society," explained Wes Nielsen, a Safeway clerk, as he made a sign longtime coming. He participates in the protests when he can. "It's obvious to me what capitalism really cares about," Nielsen said. Photo by Daniel Berman/www.bermanphotos.com

Thanks for looking,

Daniel

Occupy Bellingham protestors, an off-shoot of the worldwide Occupy Wall Street movement, march down Indian Street towards downtown Bellingham Friday, October 14. Photo by Bellingham photographer Daniel Berman/www.bermanphotos.com

Daniel

Stay Hungry. Stay Foolish.

Candles lit in Red Square at Western last night in tribute to Steve Job are seen Thursday, Oct. 6, 2011. Photo by Daniel Berman/www.bermanphotos.com

Daniel

“Thank you for everyone who believed in me, who defended me, who supported my family,” Amanda Knox said in a brief media address. “My family is the most important thing to me, and I just want to go be with them.”

Amanda Knox is overcome with emotion as she acknowledges the waiting crowd and enormous media presence upon her arrival in the United States at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport in Seattle Tuesday, October 4. Knox's murder conviction was overturned by an Italian appellate court after spending four years in prison in Italy. Photo by Daniel Berman/For the New York Post

These photos available in my archive: Amanda Knox Photos Seattle

Amanda Knox arrived back in the United States after more than four years in prison in Italy.

She was met at Seattle-International Airport by hundreds of cameras from around the world. I was there for the New York Post. But we were all here in Seattle to document this woman coming to the airport. It was silly journalism, as Danny Gawlowski pointed out.

Click the link to read

I got there about 2 hours before she landed which was actually later than I ought to have. A lot of people had been there for the better part of 8 hours. I found a position about two people back from the main metal barrier set up. Camera crews were in front of me on all sides, but I was able to sandwich my way in and have a clear line of sight at Amanda’s entry, speech and exit. It was incredibly stressful to be in the media scrum as time ticked closer to her entering the media pen. The photojournalists that I happened to be standing by respected each other’s one-foot-by-one-foot spaces; I heard that elbows were thrown and people got shoved out of position by those arriving late just as Amanda was about to enter. It is not something we are accustomed to in polite Seattle.

We were not even sure if Amanda would meet the press and if she did, if she would speak. It seemed to me to be incredibly brave, and gracious, after all she has endured, to face the media maelstrom she did. It made me think a lot though about what Meredith Kercher’s family is going through right now. They aren’t having a joyous reunion tonight.

What a bizarre experience for all involved.

With an hour to go, Port of Seattle Sea-Tac spokesman Perry Cooper. center-left, in suit, prepares for the possible arrival of Amanda Knox at the press conference. Photo by Daniel Berman/for the New York Post.

Amanda Knox and her criminal defense attorney Theodore Simon enter to speak with the media upon her arrival at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport in Seattle Tuesday, October 4. Knox's murder conviction was overturned by an Italian appellate court after spending four years in prison in Italy. Photo by Daniel Berman/For the New York Post

Amanda Knox is overcome with emotion as she acknowledges the waiting crowd and enormous media presence upon her arrival in the United States at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport in Seattle Tuesday, October 4. Knox's murder conviction was overturned by an Italian appellate court after spending four years in prison in Italy. Photo by Daniel Berman/For the New York Post

Knox family spokesman Bill Marriott gestures in celebration as Amanda Knox enters to speak to the press upon her arrival at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport in Seattle Tuesday, October 4. Knox'ss murder conviction was overturned by an Italian appellate court after spending four years in prison in Italy. Photo by Daniel Berman/For the New York Post

Amanda Knox is comforted by her father, Curt Knox, and mother, Edda Mellas, as she is overcome with emotion after acknowledging the waiting crowd and enormous media presence upon her arrival in the United States at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport in Seattle Tuesday, October 4. Knox's murder conviction was overturned by an Italian appellate court after spending four years in prison in Italy. Photo by Daniel Berman/For the New York Post

Amanda Knox is overcome with emotion as she begins her address to the media upon her arrival in the United States at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport in Seattle Tuesday, October 4. Knox's murder conviction was overturned by an Italian appellate court after spending four years in prison in Italy. Photo by Daniel Berman/For the New York Post

Amanda Knox is comforted by her sister Deanna Knox, right, during her press conference after her arrival in the United States at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport in Seattle Tuesday, October 4. Knox's murder conviction was overturned by an Italian appellate court after spending four years in prison in Italy. Photo by Daniel Berman/For the New York Post

Amanda Knox is comforted by her sister, Deanna Knox, right, after speaking to the media at a press conference upon her arrival in the United States at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport in Seattle Tuesday, October 4. Knox

Amanda Knox, right, in gray, is comforted by family members following her brief press conference upon her arrival in the United States in Seattle, Tuesday, Oct. 4. Photo by Daniel Berman/for the New York Post.

Thank you for looking,

Daniel