I always love working with entertainers, especially drag queens. Especially the wildly inventive and truly unique queens of New Orleans. We shot them one at a time, in the empty Allways Lounge, with a bandanna around my face- observing all social distancing, 6’ regulations.
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Cyber Distancing - sizzle from John Lavin on Vimeo.
When my friend Dan handed me a thumb drive with some old footage from the 90’s that his friend had shot and asked if I could recut it to be a video for his band (Early Day Miners), I wasn’t quite sure what to do with it. Then he suggested I take a look at the R.E.M. video for Fall On Me, a band that is deeply ingrained in our formative years and over whom we’ve bonded. That was the key, and once I dove into the footage a narrative began to naturally present itself and that formed a loose story arc that resonated pretty emotionally with me.
The English translation performed for the first time in the US
Joan of Arc - promo from John Lavin on Vimeo.
Le Petit Theatre here in New Orleans has a hilarious production on the boards until Feb 9th. Always nice to help with marketing for local arts organizations.
Something Rotten - promo from John Lavin on Vimeo.
A few selects from the Communify (a local creative marketing firm) Team shoot
Here’s a look at some of the final images from the New Orleans Athletic Club shoot once their graphics went on and they were released into the wild.
A recent promo shoot for the 147 year old club in the French Quarter
One of the must popular operas in the world for nearly 150 years, New Orleans Opera’s production of Bizet’s Carmen at the Mahalia Jackson Theater in Louis Armstrong Park
Bizet's Carmen - promo from John Lavin on Vimeo.
The classic door slamming, mistaken identity farce Noises Off at Le Petit Theatre in the French Quarter
Noises Off - promo from John Lavin on Vimeo.
Shooting musicians and bands is something I’d like to do more of. Here are some selects from a shoot this week with Early Day Miners as they are about to embark on a 19 city European tour.
The second spooooooky promo for HNO
Some fun recent portrait sessions
Of course having a budget is always welcome, but it’s also fun to push creatively when there are zero dollars, a crew of one and about three hours with the band before their concert that night. Here’s New Orleans based queer gothic folk outfit The Wanting with their song Autumn’s Daughter.
Just a month and a half away from one of the best parties in a city known for great parties. Here’s the first of two short promos we made for HNO
I love when clients bring in shots that inspire them. Gives me a good idea of the look they are wanting and a target to aim for. Whether we stick closely to recreating the look or just use them as a springboard to discover something new, inspo images are always a great place to start. Here’s Julie Couret killing it, as usual.
Been expanding the photography side of business, especially into portraits. I guess the best way to categorize them is creative business headshots. Not stuffy and stiff, but something that captures the personality of the subject during the session.
The incredible kids of St. Michael School in New Orleans
St. Michael School from Bloodrush Films on Vimeo.
My job has allowed me to go to some incredible places and meet some wild people. Here I am shooting on the unfinished 65th floor of a tower on 42nd Street in Manhattan, with Bob Sapp in Tokyo, in Jingdezhen China and in Key West.
This fun little promo combines two of my favorite things: Halloween and drag. Shot in Storyland in New Orleans’ City Park.
HNO 2018 promo 1 from Bloodrush Films on Vimeo.
Shot on location in New Orleans, this moody music video for the band Early Day Miners features the talents of @tarah_cards and @bobbybonsey
Work has taken me all over the country, even the world, and some of the most fun shoots are at the huge sporting and music events I’d never have access to otherwise like College Football Playoff and NHL All Stars, Essence Festival and Voodoo Festival. I try to grab a selfie at each of them.
