ChatterArtists June 2010
Continuing on with the theme of “twins” and “pairs” I thought it would be fun this month to feature photographers who work together as a duo. It was interesting just how many couples I do know that work together, some purely as a business partnership, while others are life partners and/or married as well. And to further demonstrate the duality, the mutability and the indecision of Gemini, we are showing 2 image selections per couple this month!
Katvan Studios
First up we have Moshe & Rivka Katvan, known collectively as Katvan Studios. These two met whilst attending the School of Visual Arts in New York City and have been partners in both life and photography ever since. On their website they describe themselves as the “Yin & Yang” of the studio, with each one’s unique skills combining to create a whole greater than the sum of its parts. Moshe is a Virgo, and as a natural “perfectionist” shoots all of the still life, and Rivka, a Taurus, is drawn to shoot beautiful fine art, and both being “earth” signs they also demonstrate their harmony when collaborating on the people shoots.. I will also be writing my next ChatterCorner article for the Surveillance section of PhotoServe on these two, so watch out for that next month.
As soon as I saw this image from Rivka called “The French Sisters” I simply fell in love with it, and even better, it perfectly suited our theme for this month!
© Katvan Studios
http://www.rivkakatvan.artspan.com
In contrast here’s a precise example of Moshe’s studio still life work. Another perfect fit for this month as Gemini’s color is yellow and they use pencils to write with!
© Katvan Studios
http://www.rivkakatvan.artspan.com
Montalbetti + Campbell
And then we have Montalbetti & Campbell, comprised of Denis Montalbetti & Gay Campbell. Originally from Vancouver, Canada, this couple has also spent several years based in Australia until recently returning once more to New York. Their work is incredibly distinctive, daring and detailed, often looking more like an elaborate painting and pure “works of art” rather than just a straightforward photograph. These two are indeed well matched, as evidenced not only by their professional collaboration, but also with Denis being a Gemini and Gay a Leo they have excellent chemistry. His “air” feeds her “fire” and together they make magic! They are represented by Michael Ginsburg Associates.
As soon as I saw this series, I was instantly transported back to my childhood and the much-loved “Flower Fairies” books, created by illustrator Cicely Mary Barker.
© Montalbetti + Campbell
http://www.montalbetticampbell.com
http://www.michaelginsburg.com
From “nice” and innocent we move to “naughty” and check out those heels, with a darker fantasy portrait of Australian pop duo “The Veronicas.” And yes, you guessed it – they are twin sisters as well!
© Montalbetti + Campbell
http://www.montalbetticampbell.com
http://www.michaelginsburg.com
Bailey Photography
Bailey Photography is another husband and wife team comprised of Robert & Robbie Bailey. From the website: “She’s Southern. He’s a Yankee. They collided in New York City. He rocks to the Clash. She whistles to John Denver. Thank God for Johnny Cash. He craves wilderness. She thrives in cities. Been to Burning Man five times. She prefers the Flatlands. He needs mountains. Together, they climbed the Himalayas…. He shoots like a poet. She’s a techie. Together, you get the best of both worlds.” I love the boldness of this couple and their sense of humor. With these two, we have Robert, an Aquarius and Robbie, a Taurus. His “air” has him craving those wide, open spaces, while her “earth” will make her the more practical and sensitive of the two.
This pair have also spent some time documenting the infamous “Polar Bear Club” and this was hands down one of my favorite portraits from that series.
© Bailey Photography
This pair of portraits is from a hilarious new “poultry” series and also shows us their ability to shoot people both on location as well as with a blank backdrop.
© Bailey Photography
Zann and Pinkerton Photography
Zann and Pinkerton Photography is a fabulous duo comprised of Arnie Zann and Margo Pinkerton and I adore them both! Arnie started his illustrious career some 40 years ago photographing for Time and Life and has been published in almost every major magazine in the world. Margo meanwhile picked up her 1st camera at the age of 8 and began her professional career as a location and stock photographer for both advertising and corporate clients. Margo and I have also worked together on a couple of events for ASMP|NC and the Miami Ad School. Based in Hillsborough, North Carolina, they are rarely home these days because if they’re not shooting for a client, then they are most likely traveling to some wonderful location and leading one of their fabulous “Barefoot Contessa” photography workshops. As they say themselves, “Photography is our life and our passion” and with Arnie a Libra and Margo an Aquarius (both “air” signs) they are in perfect harmony with one another.
Switching it up a little, the images we chose for these two demonstrate how they often shoot the same subject, but from different viewpoints.
© Arnie Zann of Zann and Pinkerton Photography
http://www.zannpinkertonphotography.com
http://www.BCphotoadventures.com
© Margo Pinkerton of Zann and Pinkerton Photography
http://www.zannpinkertonphotography.com
http://www.BCphotoadventures.com
Studio Chambers
Next up we have Don & Parlee Chambers, a husband and wife team whose “family business” also includes their son Dustin, and collectively they are known as Studio Chambers based in Atlanta, Georgia. Don, a Leo and creative “King” of the castle, shoots more of the people and lifestyle work, whilst Parlee, a Pisces, shoots the food & still life, and Dustin, a Taurus, is their in-house editor and videographer. The “fiery” Leo wants to have fun and is connected with inspiration and the creative arts, whilst the “water” of Pisces is associated with fantasy and the imagination, – so together these two are going to be uber-creative while Dustin’s “earth” will keep them grounded!
Absolutely love Don’s portrait of Alton Brown from the Food Network with his fish, and you know what they say about owners looking like their dogs…
© Don Chambers of Studio Chambers
Couldn’t resist using this beautiful food image of “French Fries” from Parlee, so now this partnership has given us “fish and chips!”
© Parlee Chambers of Studio Chambers
Johnson Sarkissian
And last but by no means least we have Johnson Sarkissian, comprised of Robert Johnson & Katherine Sarkissian, who were amongst some of Chatterbox’ first clients. We had a lot of fun working together back then and have remained close since. With some clients, it is not only about working together professionally, sometimes there is also the recognition of a kindred spirit between us and a mutual love that comes straight from the heart. Robert is a Leo (like me) and Leo is the sign that rules over the “heart” as well as the creative arts, while Katherine is the resourceful Capricorn who keeps them on course!
© Johnson Sarkissian
http://www.johnsonsarkissian.com
© Johnson Sarkissian
http://www.johnsonsarkissian.com