Seattle photographer Daniel Berman | Editorial & Corporate photography

Veni Vidi Ascendi at Western

bermanphotos — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 04:41:27 +0000

I shot a really cool climbing event Saturday called Veni Vidi Ascendi at the Wade King Rec Center at Western Washington University. I have only tried to wall climb once, and as a matter of fact I was on assignment covering the opening of another wall, this one at a local Ymca. I think I will be climbing in the future!

Daniel

Memorial photos win December SportsShooter Clip Contest

bermanphotos — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 19:22:51 +0000

My images of the Lakewood Tacoma police officer memorial from early December have won 1st and 3rd place in news category of the monthly member-voted SportsShooter.com Clip Contest. I also took first place in the site’s student contest with some of the same images. These were originally shot on assignment for SeattlePI.com

My friend Diego James Robles broke the news to me in a text message.

This is the first time I have ever won 1st place in the contest, or won the student contest,
so this recognition truly means a lot to me.

Thanks for voting everyone!

Daniel

Pickup Basketball Game

bermanphotos — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 06:38:17 +0000

I was at the gym today and saw this scene as I was heading to leave. The light hitting the gym floor from the bank of windows was awesome.

Caption: Students playing a pickup basketball game at the Wade King Rec Center at Western Washington University Saturday January 23, 2010.

Daniel

Bellingham Circus Performers

bermanphotos — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 08:47:20 +0000

I am working on a continuing story about some performers and Bellingham residents that meet once a week to practice their juggling, balancing, and aerial moves. They practice in a small warehouse not far from the heart of downtown Bellingham, and hold a regular performance entitled ‘Vaudevillingham’. It was a fun experience, and yes, I tried juggling, but not with any success. I will definitely be returning for another practice meetup.

Thanks for looking!

Daniel

Personal Work — My 2009 Pictures of the Year

bermanphotos — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 23:54:30 +0000

When I was first starting out in photography, the late Phil Webber, a photographer of nearly fifty years at The Seattle PI, imparted some invaluable advice to me. He told me to always shoot pictures for myself, even if they might never see the light of day in print. He thought this was critical to growing as a shooter, and I heartily agree more than five years later.

Personal assignments like the Seahawks fans portraits, Bellingham ComicCon portraits, The Seattle Elvis Invitational, Bhangra Bash UW, and my work photographing Seattle Tent City 3 have kept my shooting fresh and inspired. Even without an end client, shoots I have done just for me have been some of the most fulfilling and satisfying ones all year. As a freelance photographer, I am always working hard to meet the needs of my clients. But the photos I like to make, or try to make, might not fit for their needs — so, I shoot for me. With that said, here is some of my favorite personal work: images that I made on assignment for me, or while shooting for my portfolio.

Tent City 3 at Calvin Presbyterian Church Friday February 27, 2009 in Shoreline, WA.

A woman looks out at the Vancouver, British Columbia waterfront.

Vancouver, British Columbia Stanley Beach waterfront.

Bhangra Bash at the University of Washington Saturday March 28, 2009.

A view of the industrial Seattle skyline during the FACE fashion show in Seattle Thursday April 30, 2009 at Herban Feast to raise money for Sunflower Children's fund.

A girl sits reading a book during summer quarter at Western Washington University

A girl watches a pickup basketball game at Green Lake in Seattle January 19, 2009.

Fishermen at Marina Beach in Edmonds at sunset July 31, 2009.

A man waits for the elevator on the Red Level inside the Seattle Central Library. The 11-story building opened in 2004, and was designed by Rem Koolhaas.

A tourist poses for a picture in the entrance to an Ocean Shores, WA souvenier shop.

Riding horses on the beaches of the Pacific Ocean in Ocean Shores, WA

A field in Ellensburg, WA at dusk.

Two Western students walk past the AIC October 21, 2009. The rain was off and on all day during a soggy week.

Squalicum HS mascot hangs out on the sidelines

An overhead view of the Lynden HS cheerleaders, who wore ponchos when rainy conditions persisted in their game against Squalicum HS.

Lynden HS Lions defeats the Squalicum HS Wolves 14-7 to reach the quarterfinals of the WIAA playoffs November 14, 2009 at Bellingham Civic Field in Bellingham, WA.

A crowd gathers to watch members of the Strongman Club at WWU compete in a weightlifting competition Saturday November 21, 2009.

Struggling to deadlift in the final round of the WWU Strongman Club weightlifting competition Saturday November 21, 2009 at the Wade King Recreational Center.

A member of the WWU Strongman Club chalks his hands before competing in the weightlifting competition.

Thanks for looking!

Daniel

Portrait photography — My 2009 Pictures of the Year

bermanphotos — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 16:17:16 +0000

I love making portraits. What could be more exciting and challenging than to meet a person for the first time, and in a short while try and make a picture of them that encompasses both who they are and why they are. It’s a constant give and take between photographer and subject, and I love it. Sometimes people step in front of the camera and they just own it — they’ve done it before — and they enjoy doing it. Others require more coaxing, and those are the shoots that push you as a journalist and a portrait photographer. This past year I have shot a lot of portraits outside of the confines of a traditional assignment. I went to events and photographed complete strangers, like at a Seahawks game, and at the Seattle Tattoo Expo. On those kinds of shoots, I have to trust my instincts and highlight what drew me to photograph them in the first place, in lieu of a backstory to illustrate. Those shoots are almost the opposite of most of my magazine and newspaper portrait assignments where I have the luxury of time to research my subjects. This year I have made the greatest number of portraits, and I hope to continue that trend in the new year.

Troy Wolff, Shoreline Community College English Professor & Latin American Travel Writer. Add a caption Troy Wolff, Shoreline Community College English Professor & Latin American Travel Writer.

Johnny Stanley, Jr. explores the inside of St. Marks Cathedral in Seattle Wednesday March 18, 2009 at Tent City 3.

Kori explores the pillars at Richmond Beach in the Seattle suburb of Shoreline.

A shark attack victim zombie poses for a portrait during an attempt to set a new record for most zombies participating in a zombie walk in Fremont Friday July 3, 2009. They broke the record with over 3,000 participants.

Characters from The Big Lebowski pose for a portrait outside of Lebowski Fest at Acme Bowl in Tukwila Tuesday July 21, 2009.

Joel Smith, boy scout, poses for a portrait at Shoreview Park in Shoreline where he will revitalize park trails to earn Eagle Scout.

Amanda & Patrick Engagement Session -- Seattle, WA -- Pike Place Market, downtown Seattle waterfront.

Amanda & Patrick Engagement Session -- Seattle, WA -- Pike Place Market, downtown Seattle waterfront

Amanda & Patrick Engagement Session -- Seattle, WA. Locations: Pike Place Market, downtown Seattle waterfront.

Portrait during day 1 of the Seattle Tattoo Expo at Seattle Center Friday August 7, 2009.

Portraits of comic enthusiasts at the first annual Bellingham ComicCon October 24, 2009 in Bellingham, WA.

Portraits of Seattle Seahawks fans before their winning game against the Detroit Lions Sunday November 8, 2009 at Qwest Field in Seattle, WA.

Thanks for looking!

Daniel

News photography — My 2009 Pictures of the Year

bermanphotos — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 04:34:46 +0000

They say you don’t know where you are going unless you look at where you have been. In keeping with that theory, I am posting my year in review for several picture categories: news photography, portrait photography, and unpublished (personal) photography.

Tent City 3 at Calvin Presbyterian Church Friday February 27, 2009 in Shoreline, WA.

p>Tent City 3 at Calvin Presbyterian Church Friday February 27, 2009 in Shoreline, WA.

Wednesday March 18, 2009 at Tent City 3 at St. Mark's Cathedral in Seattle, WA.

Bhangra Bash at the University of Washington Saturday March 28, 2009.

FACE fashion show in Seattle Thursday April 30, 2009 at Herban Feast to raise money for Sunflower Children’s fund.

Monk (no last name), left, kisses Sam D while using bondage ropeto suspend her on the opening night of the Seattle Erotic Art Festival Friday May 1, 2009 at the Seattle Center Exhibition Hall.

Final try-outs for the Seahawks cheerleader team the Sea Gals at Qwest Field Sunday May 3, 2009. 12 of the 28 women selected for the team are new this season.”

Norwegian Constitution Day parade in Ballard Sunday May 17, 2009.

Members of the Lake City Emblem Club get some shade thanks to patriotic umbrellas before participating in a march at a Memorial Day ceremony at Washelli Cemetery in Seattle Monday May 25, 2009.

Parade participants make their way down 36th street during the Fremont Solstice Festival in Seattle June 20, 2009.

Paka Lanalani keeps cool under a colorful umbrella while walking.through the entrance of Myrtle Edwards Park on the final day of Hempfest 2009. Festival organizers called the event "the largest.cannabis policy reform event in the world." Tens of thousands attended the event over the weekend.

Motorcyclist CJ Mriscin touches the side of a truck carrying the traveling Vietnam Memorial exhibit, that will be set up at Acacia Memorial Park on August 16, during an arrival ceremony Sunday August 9, 2009. Mriscin has visited the original in Washington D.C., and said her brother was a Vietnam War veteran.

Royal Canadian Mounted Police officers sit together during a memorial service for four slain police officers in Tacoma, WA Tuesday December 8, 2009. The memorial brought an estimated 20,000 police officers and community members to the area.

Memorial service for four slain police officers in Tacoma, WA Tuesday December 8, 2009. The memorial brought an estimated 20,000 police officers and community members to the area.

Thanks for looking!

Daniel

Memorial for 4 slain Lakewood, WA police officers

bermanphotos — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 00:07:15 +0000

I was hired by SeattlePI.com to photograph the memorial service December 8th for the 4 slain Lakewood, WA police officers, gunned down in late November. The officers were starting their day in an area cafe, when a gunman entered and shot them. What an incredibly sad story. For a variety of reasons, this was one of the most challenging assignments I have taken in some time. Emotions were palpable, access was limited, security was heightened, and it was below freezing temperatures that morning in Tacoma.

20,000 police officers and members of the armed forces came from across the country to witness the ceremony. Nearly 2000 cars drove in the procession from McChord Airforce Base to Tacoma. Outside, and in the shadow of an enormous U.S. flag, the officers stood shoulder-to-shoulder for hundreds of feet, and saluted the passing hearses and police vehicles. It was a sight to behold. An hour later and the ceremony moved inside to a hushed Tacoma Dome.

The mood was somber and the tones silenced as the four caskets were rolled in, and I will never forget that feeling as 20,000 people also stood looking on. It was an assignment that I will not soon forget.

As a Seattle news photographer, I take the responsibility seriously to do these stories real justice, and to honor those involved. It was a privilege to be there.

Thanks for looking.

Daniel

Seattle Seahawks Fan Portraits

bermanphotos — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 05:29:37 +0000

Before the start of the Seattle Seahawks game against the Detroit Lions at Qwest Field, I made portraits of some of the Seahawks’ most dedicated and passionate fans. I have really been enjoying making portraits of people at different events recently (like the Seattle Tattoo Expo and the Bellingham ComicCon) and wanted to try a similar style with the Seahawks fans.

I want to return for another game; these superfans are as fun to meet as they are to photograph!

Lighting was accomplished with three Nikon Speedlights, with the mainlight a softbox, and connected using Pocket Wizard Plus II Transceivers.

Thanks for looking!

-Daniel

Stanley Park in Vancouver Canada

bermanphotos — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 05:47:08 +0000

You may recall seeing photos from my trip to Vancouver last July but I also shot a roll of film with a friend’s Hasselblad camera.

The film was a black-and-white Tri-X 400 film by Kodak.
I love the square format and hopefully I can shoot that camera again in the future.

Thanks for looking!

Daniel