McHugh, Ltd.

How do you feel about heights?

2011-11-02T10:34:00.000-07:00

You have to love it when the first question from a Creative Director is, “so how do you feel about heights?”

This is how my Goldwind adventure started. Climbing 500-foot towers (yes that’s as tall as a 50 story building) in Pipestone, MN, photographing the workers and windmills. Creating unique visuals is what I live for; I have the skill and experience to get your project done, in the sky or on the ground.

It’s really remarkable, when you standing 500 feet on top of a windmill, the wind is blowing 30 miles-per-hour, just how loud your heart beating is…..

Never pass up an opportunity....

2011-10-18T17:07:00.000-07:00

When ever traveling on location, I wake up early and try to explore my surroundings, you can never pass up a old building and early morning light.

New Images from MN Opera shoot 2011/12

2011-01-21T06:09:00.000-08:00

MN Opera, Amy Kirkpatrick - Designer and I came together to create the next season images for 2011/12. Images featured singing sensations Kelly Kaduce in Madame Butterfly and James Valenti in Werther. Other models included Alyssa Nyman in Lucia, Michael Vanske, Thomas Sellwood, Jane Samsal and Kady Wiggins in Cosi.

Been feeling kind of Black and White

2011-01-17T06:56:00.000-08:00

What a difference a couple of minutes will make

2011-01-03T15:26:00.000-08:00

Kuoth Wiel, model makes the change during shoot last week.

Portfolio shoot this past December

2011-01-02T08:17:00.001-08:00

Paul Crum is an actor and model in the Twin Cities and I could easily create a whole book from his faces and actions.

Chris Clawson of Lifefitness shoot - CBI interview

2010-11-29T12:03:00.000-08:00

New Images for Minnesota Opera Season 2010/11

2010-06-16T11:32:00.000-07:00

MN Opera added Wuthering Heights to their season. Once again, I was guided by designer Amy Kirkpatrick, Kirkpatrick Design.

Fun Food shoot

2010-05-05T11:25:00.001-07:00

Great day yesterday with JT Mega and Schwan Food's. AD was Patrick Dupont and Food Stylist was Cynthia Waltho.

Mn Opera 2010/11 Season images

2010-02-17T06:28:00.000-08:00

This season, Amy Kirkpatrick of Kirkpatrick Design of St Paul designed the seasons images with collages as an approach to solve the many challenges for the season. The challenges included: budget, not having access to the performers (except with David Daniels) and creating images that speak to the stories but not literally. We created these collages as if the elements were paper dolls, layering them and re-photographing the elements with drop shadows. We used miniature wall set, gold lockets to stock images of flower paints and leaves. We tried to maintain some of the white edge of the cut out elements to make them feel like cut outs and not just bad photoshop.

New graphic fitness images

2010-02-09T08:42:00.001-08:00

I've got to say that the inspiration for this new series has been the the snowy season we've had in Minneapolis. There's so much contrast between the colors and the snow.

New Images....

2010-01-28T07:13:00.001-08:00

Anger issue....

2010-01-19T11:08:00.000-08:00

Dustin Gray, model in Minneapolis, has a wonderful personality and has created a work of art on his body.

New Ad Agency model, sign me up....

2009-12-07T06:26:00.000-08:00

I’ve followed a blog of the much-respected photography marketing consultant, Carolyn Potts, for years. I recently read one of her posts that touches on what I have for years thought was missing in the present Ad Agency business model.

For past few years, ad agencies have been relying on Stock agency’s, Flickr, and Royalty Free images for their source of images and creative conception of ads. The idea of working with a professional image creator was considered too expensive and sending a stock shot as layout or concept became the norm.

She commented on recent articles posted on both The New York Times and ADWEEK sites about a couple of ad agencies that are turning to "crowd sourcing" for campaign strategies. By adding photographers into the Crowd, along with art directors, copywriters and creative directors, she suggested this could be a business model capable of generating a creative synergy– a synergy that actually that was quite common in the ad business in the 1960s and early-70s; with the right mix of creative participants, it could indeed become the next big idea in the agency world.

I’ve already had a bit of experience in this realm as I've been working with MN Opera on next year's marketing material since October; I was invited in to help with creating the feel and approach to this year's work. I’ve loved the process and I’ll be able to show the results next month when we finish producing the campaign.

I’d love to see if there are any agency guys out there that also might want add a photographer with 20-years of production experience, (and art and photography degrees), to their table during the conceptual phase of creating ads. If you want to read her blog post about this model, I'd love to know what you think. You can call/text me at 612-275-3186 or email me at steve@mchugh.com.

My first video...

2009-11-18T07:58:00.000-08:00

I had tons of help with this project:

Actress: Angela Dalton

Hair/Makeup + Wardrobe: Melina Kardell

Wardrobe Assistant: Janice Whittemore

Assistant Director of Photography / Editing : Ryan Brown

Grip + Lighting: Chuck Carver

Director of Photography + Creative Director: Steve McHugh

New image ....

2009-11-17T10:10:00.000-08:00

This is a shoot for one of my favorite charities, Wingspan ( http://www.wingspanlife.org ). They help people who are challenged by age, ability or health to realize their own unique gifts, talents and dreams. These two wonderful gentlemen are are part of an Adult day program for individuals from the Hmong community. They both served in the Vietnam war and were decorated by the US government for their service. They both became US citizens this past 4th of July.

Behind the scenes of studio shoot

2009-10-30T11:31:00.000-07:00

What happens before and during a shoot to make the product and the models' clothes look good..... We'd like to thank of all crew members and the folks that make a photographer look good....

Irving Penn - RIP

2009-10-12T08:26:00.000-07:00

As a People Photographer, Irving Penn has been one of the Photographers I've always studied and loved. His wealth of iconic imagery, from portraits of cultural leaders to simple obsessively exact still lifes. Check out his work at: http://photography-now.net/irving_penn/ He passed away Wednesday, October 7th, 2009, at the age of 92 in Manhattan.

New graphic approach to images....

2009-09-10T10:31:00.000-07:00

There is a constant effort by all artists and photographers to create a new or different look for an image that is the same subject matter day-in-day out. To try and catch your attention.... Here's my newest approach.

Octane Fitness Photo shoot...

2009-04-15T10:16:00.000-07:00

OK, it's always the same, it's always about the model... here we all are setting up the shot for Octane's new product shot, Ryan from Octane is taking care of Brooke's shoes, Tim Olsen is taking care of the lights, Kate Erickson is taking care of makeup and I'm trying to direct our model...

Another great day in the studio.

New fitness shot...

2009-04-15T10:06:00.000-07:00

New fitness model Tom Andrades from Lansing, MI is available for fitness modeling.

Had a great time shooting a new model, Tom. Even though this was only his second shoot, he acted like a seasoned pro and and was great to work with.

If your a fitness company and need a great model, even if your not shooting with me, email me and I'll connect you to Tom

Hair/Makeup by: Kate Erickson

New shot.... white on white...

2009-03-31T11:03:00.000-07:00

Shooting white on white is always fun and with the help of Hair/Makeup Stylist: Leilani Baker and wardrobe by Melina Kristoffersen.

New Quotes....

2009-03-31T05:08:00.000-07:00

You cannot perform in a manner inconsistent with the way you see yourself. -Zig Ziglar

Consistency is the last refuge of the unimaginative. - Oscar Wilde

Consistency is contrary to nature, contrary to life. The only completely consistent people are dead. - Aldous Huxley

Propaganda to follow, but please read on....

2009-03-30T03:51:00.000-07:00

I know that this is very self-serving and since I'm in Minnesota and it's not "right" to gloat or talk about yourself,but this is my blog and I have a story to go with this blatant plug....

I've been a shooter working out of Minneapolis for a long time, 28 years to tell you the truth. But I've experienced a sudden stop to my phone ringing and emails coming in (daa, it's a recession), and my calendar have large holes in it. I listen to the news, I know what's going on in the housing market and the banking mess, all of these have effected me on a personal level.

Anyway, I'm an eternal optimist and I just figure we'll ride out this storm, have to make adjustments like the recessions of the past. But seems like people are scarred, holding their breathes until September to see what's going to happen. I've made adjustments this past year to help clients out, make budgets go farther, worked harder to make sure they get added value to ever project I do. We have high unemployment and being self-employed I know what it's like to look for work every day of my working life. But I feel that as a creative professional, I have to do more, help my clients come out of these times and be the leaders of their industry segments, we have to work smarter, but not stop working and wait to see.... there's still 9 out of 10 people working, maybe not making as much as they used to, but they are still working. My home is worth less and somehow my taxes have gone up, but it's still my home.

Being from Minnesota, you figure that if a client comes back, that you've done a good job, you don't expect to receive "Thanks" for doing the job you've been paid for, getting paid is enough. So I was feeling a little down and decided to expand my networking (some feel this internet networking beats out the system of talking face-to-face) but I decided to contact some of my clients on this website linkedin.com and get some feed back on how I've been doing, I have to share what they have said here and you can review all them at my linkedin site.

"Steve is an extremely talented and hard working photographer. I have worked with him for over 15 years on dozens of projects with multiple clients. He is a master with lighting techniques whether it is lighting something as big as a semi-truck or as small as a cornflake. As an Art Director, I always know my project is in good hands with McHugh." Steve Siewert - Art Director

"Beyond the obvious ability to be able to create with the camera, added to the ability to manage a large national campaign is Steve's ability to solve creative problems and to extract the most out of any situation. The results are way beyond stunning... they are magic. Sensing how to sell a product, Steve is a Creative Director's eyes, ears nose and throat. I have shot with Steve on location and in the studio. Both experiences have contributed to my "fame & fortune" in many ways. I love to work with Steve on location because he has the ability to think on his feet, be flexible and above all listen while looking for the next shot. This is not something you learn. You either have it or you don't. Steve's creative approach is a part of his inner being. He has it. On top of all of this (and I could go on and on and on) Steve is really FUN to work with. What more could you ask for. I personally recommend Steve for your next photography project. Take a "Steve Pill" and call him in the morning..... it will relieve your stress instantly!!!" Charlie Brown - Art Director, Creative Director

"I have worked with Steve for close to 15 years on many projects and he has always exceeded expectations. He is the consummate professional who listens to the needs of his clients (even when they aren't sure what they want) and works it out until you get a phenomenal product. He has always been a fantastic person to work with, always driving toward what the client wants but no afraid to make a professional recommendation when he believes it is warranted. Steve has a wonderful ability to quickly grasp what you want a shot to convey and an uncanny talent to deliver it. I would unconditionally recommend working with Steve and McHugh, Ltd."

Pete Borchert - Client at corporation

So I guess what I'm saying here is that we don't always know how our clients feel about us as Creatives, that our clients are working as hard as we freelancers are to find that next project and business and keeping their clients happy. If the phone doesn't ring, you just have to get out there and talk with the people you've worked with in the past to get perspective. I thank all my clients that responded and I don't think you know how much you all mean to this photographer.

Copyright Registry Press Release

2009-03-23T06:37:00.000-07:00

Please read and contact your reps in government...

Photographer, Illustrators are being asked to register all images with outside company "to protect your copyright, " but there's far more questions to it and please copy this address below and read all about what this means....

http://e2ma.net/map/view=CampaignPublic/id=7850.1832365546/rid=ec6f7019d9c36dbb4e06c3dfb

Amy and Kate's directions...

2009-03-21T08:12:00.000-07:00

Amy Schweitzer and Kate Erickson giving direction for the portfolio shoot below....

http://www.amyschweitzer.com

http://www.kateerickson.com

Portfolio shoot Gap like ....

2009-03-21T07:58:00.000-07:00

If you have a day free as a photographer, you've got to shoot... It's what we do, whenever and where ever you are, you've got to shoot... It's like eating or breathing, you have

to create....

I had a chance to shoot with two great pros, Amy Schweitzer (former AD at Target and acted as AD and wardrobe stylist) and Kate Erickson (wonderful hair/makeup stylist). Surrounding yourself with great talent is the only way to be about to focus on what a photographer has to do, and these two are just a joy to work with.

MN Opera Shoot Jan09

2009-03-21T05:55:00.000-07:00

I was selected again this year to create the images for the MN Opera's brochures and posters. It's just fun to go around the Twin Cities and see huge posters of your work on bus stops and on buildings. As an artist, it's just grand....

This image was shot for the opera Bizet's "The Pearl Fishers," full of daytime TV drama, three people in love and one must die....

Hair/Makeup: Leilani Baker, Coordinator: Melina Kristoffersen

Brenda Harris is the Star in Donizetti's "Roberto Devereux" and our model for this image. She was a joy to work with and her sense of humor keep us all laughing (checkout the out-takes below). She's playing the part of Queen Elizabeth 1st and the tragic love affair with Robert Devereux, Earl of Essex. Again, a tragic ending to the Earl's life by a woman's scorn.

Hair/Makeup: Andrea Moriarity Dahlberg, Coordinator: Melina Kristoffersen

Strauss's "Salome" (lots of s's there) is the scandalously erotic Biblical story of obsession and vengeance, and a guy losses his head.

Hair/Makeup: Leilani Baker, Coordinator: Melina Kristoffersen

Out takes: Yes it was a long day and photo shoots aren't always exciting, life must go on...

Steve McHugh saves LifeFitness $12,000 on shoot...

2009-03-05T15:59:00.000-08:00

LifeFitness is as concerned as everyone is today with costs and expenses. During the pre-production meetings the models ages and demographics were discussed and I suggested that we do "street casting" of the models. LF normally hires elite models and athletes for their shoots, but the models for this product line were to be "real people". We negotiated with the models and by not paying Modeling Agencies fees and the added usage LifeFitness saved over $12,000 from what they normally pay for models.