My friend and immensely gifted jazz musician Reginald Cyntje wrote a blog titled "Dreams" and I felt it was appropriate to syndicate his post here. To read the full blog, please visit http://cyntjemusic.wordpress.com.
At 12, I had a dream that I will one day become a great trombonist and share wealth with family and friends. I awoke surprised and energized by my dream. Each morning before school I would practice, again at lunch, after school then at home. Music was not a natural thing for me. It did not come easy so I worked hard. I was on a mission to learn and grow.
In the 11th grade I signed up for a Life Arts Class that talked about self love. In this class we talked about daily affirmations (a far fetch thought for a high school junior). The instructor of the class was also a jazz vocalist. My purpose was being presented without me grasping what was happening.
As I grew musically, I became more fascinated with jazz. While in high school my main focus of study was European Classical music but American Classical music caught my attention. I have discussed this in other writings. As I indulged in the jazz idiom along with reggae and calypso I met many enlightened beings that talked about something deeper than the technical aspect of creating music.
As a kid, I dreamed the impossible and in some ways made it happen. When I transitioned into adulthood and started seeing harsh realities of many I respected I did not invest in the dreams the same way I did as a kid. I second guessed myself and lost the confidence that I had regardless of opposition. Since that time I have seen growth and experienced hardship but I have not lost sight of my dream.
I discovered that when I focused all my energy and remained positive the dream became a reality. It was hard to do at times because I created a reality that contained distractions and less than inspiring circumstances.
One night I had a discovery. I was performing on stage and a musician and his wife approached me and said I inspired them. That evening I played from my heart and felt love and inspiration in the music. More importantly, the audience felt what I was feeling. I discovered that I can move people, not with tricks, but with sincerity.
The chatter of negativity in my mind quickly disappeared as more people approached me and spoke of similar experiences. The more I believed the more people I touched. When I had those moments of disbelief the result was not the same. The lesson…believe all the time.
Having this dream led to other dreams which include opening an Arts school on the island of St. Thomas (USVI), recording numerous works that inspire, creating wealth for future generations and building community.
Growing up, I was inspired by musicians and community activist. My destiny…to do both.
When you aspire to do great things you must DREAM BIG. My dreams remain constant even when others don’t believe or can’t see. I have FAITH and TRUST that I will reach all my goals.
Check out this video I put together. It's a compilation of work I've done through the years. Some of the grainier images were ones I shot on film. For a lot of my older stuff I only have low-to-medium-resolution files so if you're watching in HQ, you might notice a difference.
Anyhow, check it out. The slide show plays to Daft Punk's "Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger." (Check out another cool YouTube video called "Daft Hands"
In July 2006, accompanied by my friend Cliff who grew up in New Orleans, I embarked on a photographic expedition to cover the city a year after the devastating storms of 2005. Hurricane Katrina and the resulting catastrophic levee failures resulted in countless deaths and destruction totally more than $100,000,000,000 (that's $100 billion) in damage. Whole neighborhoods were wiped away as the city's poorest residents were left to fend for themselves.
A year later the devastation was still visible. At times I was overwhelmed by the scope. There wasn't a parish not touched by the storm. While my overall experience was positive, I am still struck by how much has yet to be done.
I put together a little video explaining a bit more about Guerrilla Photo Shoots and where my idea struck me. Check it out on Vimeo or YouTube!
Learn more about Guerrilla Photo Shoots on the GPS Blog, on the GPS Facebook Group or by following @GuerrillaPhoto on Twitter. Be sure to tell your friends! (The first Guerrilla Photo Shoot will take place in New York in May. Check the Facebook Group or the blog to learn more!)
Even though I am just getting over Swine Flu (just kidding—it's really just a horrible cold), I thought I would get on my web cam to vlog and tell you a bit more about my business and why you need to hire Justin Schuck Photography for your next portrait, special event, hotel, product catalog, real property or editorial assignment. The video features music by Yogstar.
We're coming up on the best time of Spring, and Summer's just around the corner. There are loads of reasons to hire a photographer, be that for an engagement portrait, an advertisement, a website, or for personal use.
Only a professional photographer can give your business the edge your it needs to effectively compete in this economy. Only Justin Schuck understands how
Give Justin Schuck Photography a call today: 301-300-1350
I've put together two graphics as part of my new spring marketing push. Check them out:
Christmas in April: Sen. Arlen Specter announces he will switch party affiliations
Having started my day feeling sick, tired and achy, the present I received in my inbox just a short time ago really made my day: "CNN Breaking News: Pennsylvania Sen. Arlen Specter will switch from the Republican to the Democratic Party, multiple sources tell CNN."
I have had a great deal of respect and admiration for the senior senator from Pennsylvania for quite some time. He has shown for years that principles count more than party loyalty. He is a shining example of public service and MANY democrats could learn more than a thing or two about the grace and dignity Sen. Specter has shown for his office. Like many people on both sides of the aisle, Sen. Specter understands the true meaning of patriotism—using it for unification, not obstruction.
I look forward to following where Sen. Specter and the White House lead this nation. He deserves not only our gratitude for making the right decision today, but more importantly, recognition for his nearly thirty years of honorable service to this nation in the U.S. Senate.
Justin's photography will be appearing in the latest issue of Washington Spaces magazine, a sleek and informative shelter publication without the pretense. Emily Lyons' article about The Erie, an 11-unit luxury condominium residential experience. Carl Becker of Premiere Properties is the principal broker.
The future of music has arrived: Yogstar (Matias Vellutini)
I've said this before, but it bears repeating: my friend Yogstar (Matias Vellutini) is one of the most brilliant musical minds in the world today. His proprietary console program for mixing sound by manipulating video is the most forward-looking and forward-sounding production I have ever witnessed. I am not usually struck in complete awe of someone, but the talent of Matias never ceases to astound me. His sound is fresh and the experience he creates is spectacular.
Since I am in DC for a couple of days working, I thought it would be fun to stop by and check in on his progress. Matias performed a portion of a set he was putting together for his first show at an event in DC on Saturday. It was sick, wicked sick. Here are some snapshots I captured of Matias working the Yogstar Show Controller (YSC) which he developed specifically for his music/video.
Yet again, I've uploaded the new JustinSchuck.com to the site, Version 6.3. What's appearing there now is just a holding page. I'm still working on the sub-pages and additional features, but I thought it made sense to get this out there. What had been up there since January contained no photos above the fold which is just silly and goes against my own advice. Also, once the new site is online, the blog you are reading now will be 100% integrated into the design of the main site.
I think you'll like the new design direction. I want the site to be clean, colorful, and easy to navigate. I really want to thank all my friends for the valuable free market research they've provided the last couple of weeks.
Beelzebub (pictured above) makes for a great alarm clock snooze button. Unlike conventional mechanical snooze buttons, Beelzebub stalks his prey and positions himself for maximum effect and to ensure proper waking.
Yes kids, that CREATURE (Scutigera coleoptrata) you see above is what was on my left eye this glorious Easter morning. I was a bit overtired from a night of reverie with old friends celebrating Scott reporting for duty in the United States Air Force — Lt. Scott, I'm very proud of you buddy — so I wasn't entirely aware of my surroundings. Beelzebub sat on my eye, waiting for me to hit the snooze button just one more time (Alarm Clock Pro for Mac is what i use - amazing!). Instead of my normal routine where I bargain with Satan for just a few more minutes of shut eye, I could feel the creature sitting on my eyelid. Somehow I managed to calmly brush it off. Not wearing my glasses, I couldn't see anything except for the large hind leg Beelzebub surrendered to my eye socket.
SIDEBAR: I promise to make this telling of my really-long-telling of a relatively-short-story actually short. When I was 14 I had a bug about the size of a cricket crawl up into my ear canal. It burrowed deep, fiercely bit me, and made a horrible sound that was amplified by its proximity to my ear drum. As a result of this incident I have partial hearing in my left ear almost 15 years later. This why I constantly ask "what?" Maybe I should get a little hearing aid.
Beelzebub resurfaced this evening when Kalli was doing her ablutions. Thankfully Chris was near to kill it! Now it's very late and I can't sleep because I can't seem to get images of this creature out of the front of my mind.
I think I'll watch some Jack Bauer online. Jack Bauer isn't afraid of centipedes.
You'll have to follow me on Twitter to catch a sneak peek of the new design direction for JustinSchuck.com, the refreshed logo, and and other elements. (Hint: you'll have to look a little deeper than just my profile page.)
That's right kids, through some witty back-and-forth with @IncMagazine on Twitter.com, @JustinSchuck came up with this answer to their question "What is the best thing about being your own boss?"
Here's the new ad I'm running for Headshots. Here's what the ad says:
Headshots for the people. Do you need headshots to help you jump-start your acting career? Are you looking for portraits that show your style with spontaneity? We are offering a $75 Headshot Special: 30 minute location portrait session, 3 high-res images on disk with retouching, and PDF for 8x10 headshot with your name. Call 301 300 1350 or email info@justinschuck.com today. Check out our images at Flickr.com/photos/JustinSchuck or follow us on your favorite social network.
These are just some selects from Tuesday and Wednesday's shooting for The Art Institutes' Passion for Fashion Competition. It's a really fun project, from the judging which happens in New York in January, to Fashion Week where the national winners in Fashion Design (Elizabeth Acosta) and Fashion Marketing and Merchandising (Ivy Holland) tour fashion shows, visit Seventeen Magazine for a tour of "The Closet" and have lunch with editors, and receive their award of a full tuition scholarship to the Art Institutes. Teen.com TV was also there for the awards ceremony on Wednesday.
More photos can be seen on my Flickr Photostream. Read more about The Art Institutes Passion for Fashion Competition and look at all my my work. I've done all the photos and video for The Art Institutes for the last 4 years. They're a great client and it's great working with them!
I just heard the sound of a car slowing down, a horn honk, followed by 3-6 gunshots and then the car speeding off. WTF. And this is where I'm moving?! That's my scared face, right there.
UPDATED 11:56 pm 2/18/2009: I haven't heard any police sirens. It's likely that I misheard or mistook another sound for a gunshot. There's a police station literally a block and a half away, so we would have heard something from the police. I hope.
I'm going to bed now.
UPDATED 12:20 pm 2/19/2009: Okay so it wasn't gun shots after all, rather it was a steam vent noise and the sound of speeding cars was just an unfortunate convenience. How do I know this? I heard the same noise this morning and being rested, I was able to identify its source: the steam pipe in my friend's bedroom. So, crisis averted.
New Ad: NY Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Event Special
Here's the new NYC Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Event Special ad. We're offering from now through February 22nd event photography coverage for just $150 for up to 3 Hours. In addition to photo coverage, we're including high resolution images on disk, and we can even FTP them to a server within hours of your event for press and web release. For an additional $50 we can place the images online through Collages.net for your guests to view and order prints. It’s time you see the high-quality images our clients have come to expect. Call or email us today to take advantage of this limited-time offer.
As you may have noticed, there have been some changes to JustinSchuck.com recently. Well, it's official, I'm focusing on my corporate and commercial business. Some people may not believe this, but I actually like doing those "boring" events on Capitol Hill or at some hotel. The clients are easy to please and require relatively little production compared to weddings and families.
2008 was an extremely difficult year for me and the business, making it difficult to meet all of our obligations. It was my decision to not seek new wedding or family portrait clients after some very difficult deliberations. If you're one of my favorite families and are wondering what this means for you, drop me a line and we'll see what we can do. :-)
I've updated the site with a few images and links to Justin Schuck Photography on various social networks. I've also introduced a new special for first-time clients.
New Client Special: Running now through May 1, 2009 first-time clients will pay just $150 for up to three hours of event photography in Washington DC or New York. In addition to photo coverage, you’ll receive high resolution images on disk. We can even FTP them to a server within hours of your event or place the images online through Collages.net. It’s time you see the high-quality images our clients have come to expect. Join the Schuck family. (Ask about our assignment and extended-day specials.)
Check it out:
There will be an official press release coming in the relatively near future.
I had a stroke of genius in the shower today, oddly one of the best places to find inspiration. I've only told one person, but it's big, really big. Right now I'm code-naming the project "Process Collaborative" or "Process Co-Lab" for short. ("Project Really-Good-Idea-To-Make-Lots-Of-Money" was the number two option.)
Stay tuned. I'm not kidding. Process Collaborative is going to be huge.
I don't put my heart out here much (if ever really). It's the one thing I like to keep private, but today I came across the blogposting of a Twitter friend, and I just had to share with you the simple comic. I lived it and my heart bled it. Every single detail. For eight !#%$ing years. That's over now. The conclusion was perhaps more dramatic than this comic shows. (And people wonder why I didn't date much for so many years.) It's hard to date or love anyone when someone else has held the key for so long. While I know too well the pain of death and heartbreak, for a brief moment this year I thought the sickening pain of unrequited would end forever. A brief moment's delicate kiss, halting and real, erased any memory of the pain. For that brief moment I lived the life of the person I've always wanted to be.
UPDATED: I just realized that I was removed even from his friends on Facebook! WTF!
