Tag: Musician

Music, Portraits

In The Studio: Jacquelene Acevedo

A few images from my recent photo session with Grammy Award-winning percussionist Jacquelene Acevedo. These days she is busy performing on Broadway with David Byrne’s American Utopia so I was very happy to get back in the studio with her.

NYC Commercial Portrait Photographer
Music, Portraits

Alyson Murray : Australia Tour

Before there was COVID-19, there was a little Australian summer tour set to be headlined by the one and only, Alyson Murray.  #sad. These are the images we created one cold December night in my LIC studio. Having worked with Alyson on two prior occasions, I was excited to get back into the studio with her. In the end, the shoot came together just as I had expected; below are the images we walked away with.

Make sure to connect and follow Alyson. She’s a great singer and all around human.

http://alysonmurraymusic.com/
https://www.instagram.com/alysonmurraymusic

Projects

Cool Info

          

More images HERE.  And Here

“The Cool” is a portrait exploration being conducted in the year 2021 by Ronald Stewart, a Manhattan-based creative. Throughout the year, Ronald will be holding photo/video sessions where he invites young instrumentalists to come in for predetermined session lengths. During the sessions, instrumentalists will be photographed and a short video and/or audio recording will take place. During the recording, the instrumentalist will talk about why they play their instrument(s) and share whatever other thoughts they wish. Following the session edits, participants will get copies of the selected images for personal/professional use.

Updated:  1/19/2017:
Everyone will have to partake in the video portion. Also, prepare a tip or suggestions for young players of your specific instrument; this section of the video will be uploaded to Youtube. I will have your websites/social sites listed under the video, so make sure to state that you give lessons, are available for shows, etc. When submitting for this project, list the instrument you play, your age, and provide a link to video/audio of you playing. Also, tell me, based on the available slots, which you would like.
Updated: 2/15/2017:
There will now be a $50 booking deposit. This will be returned based on the guidelines outlined in #4 of the FAQ section below. When you contact me to secure the time, let me know how you would like to pay the deposit; I am fine with Venmo/CashApp/ Chase QuickPay/etc. I will send the deposit back, the same day/way it was given to me.
Updated: 4/2/2017:
The notification for the cancellation period has been extended to 48hr; up from 24hrs. All of the existing stipulations remain constant as they are addressed in #4 of the FAQ section below.
Updated: 12/26/2018:
The project returns in the new year, 1/2019. The basic concept remains the same but here are a few changes: New Location, so make sure to check that below. This project will be extremely limited, I’m only working with 5-7 instrumentalists. Your instrument must be present at the shoot. There is no longer a video element, though I may take video during the shoot. You will get a minimum of two images; one where the instrument is the focus, the other with the musician as the focus. Currently, I am not looking for vocalists; I understand the voice is an instrument, but I just don’t see it working for this concept. With that said, you’re free to change my mind, I’m open.
 Updated: 2/05/2019:
Vocal musicians and Poets are welcome.
 Updated: 2/10/2021:
1. The video/audio element is back.
2.Covid is real. You must have had a negative COVID-19 test within 5 days of the photoshoot.
3. Artists representing mediums beyond music are now eligable. (ex. Painters, Sculptors.. )
———————————————————-

-When/Where-

The Portrait sessions will take place at my studio located inside the Cigar Factory in LIC, with sessions being conducted from 10:00-8:30 pm. Session lengths will not exceed 1 hour and will be scheduled. Don’t use Apple Maps, it’s been known to send people to Harlem.

The LAST SESSIONS will take place TBD.

Available slots left: [Once slots are booked, the time will be crossed out). If you cannot make it, you must let me know at least 48hr in advance. New Slots will be added or subtracted as scheduling dictates.

 

03/10/21:

11:15 – 12:15 PM
1:00 – 2:00 PM
3:00 – 4:00 PM

03/11/21:

11:15 – 12:15 PM
1:00 – 2:00 PM
3:00 – 4:00 PM

02/13/21:

11:15 – 12:15 PM
1:00 – 2:00 PM
3:00 – 4:00 PM

FAQ

  1. Full Address: 9-20 35th Ave, Queens, NY 11106 [Studio 2i]
  2. Why this project:
    — I want to capture young professionals and understand why they have embraced their chosen art form.
  3. What do you consider young?
    — In short, under the age of 31.
  4. Why the holding fee?
    — The fee is to add some accountability to the participants that cancel last minute. Simply put, if you show up to the shoot, I hand you your money back. If you cancel, giving me more than 48hr to find a replacement, I will give you your money back. Anything else, and I keep it unless you find an acceptable replacement.
  5. How many images will I get?
    — Everyone gets at least two (2); you may get more, but they will be given over an extended period and based on my discretion.
  6. Can I get the unedited images?
    — No. Also, please do not run any additional filters over images I send 🙂
NYC Commercial Portrait Photographer
Portraits, Projects

“Sessions” : Project info

–Sessions–

“Sessions” is an ongoing portrait project started 10/2019, by photographer Ronald Stewart. The project aims to give a face to music’s unsung heroes, session musicians. Working behind the scene, their names are often buried deep in the credits. This project is my attempt to give a face to those that give music life.

“Although few people outside the music industry are aware of their vitally important role, session musicians are present in almost every hit pop song that uses real instruments rather than synthesized tracks. Boasting flawless technique, exceptional professionalism, and stylistic flexibility, they are the gold standard for polished studio playing. Whether it’s a slow ballad, a driving acoustic stomp, a funky soul jam, or a brooding film score, session musicians learn the parts speedily and make adjustments to fulfill the needs of the producer or recording artist.”  (words from the folks at Berklee**)

How to take part?

  1. While session musicians are largely unknown to those outside of the industry, they are very much known to those within. This project will proceed in an organic fashion, finding participants via recommendation. The first participants where recommended from past musician’s I have worked with.
  2. I’m taking the deep dive. When I come across a song/album I like, I’ll be scanning the credits to see who graced the track.

What the musicians get for participating?

  1. Images from the shoot will be provided to the artist after the session has been processed. The artist will be able to use the images as personal/professional use. Commercial display will be addressed on a case-by-case basis.
  2. Free copies of any independently published works (ie. Books, zines) that may result from this project.
  3. A friend for life 🙂

Additional info:

  1. Photo sessions will be held, either at my LIC, Queens studio or at the home of the musician.
  2. There isn’t a minimum age limit, though veteran (15+ years) musician get precedence.
  3. Studio sessions would require 30min- 1hr. Home sessions about 1-1.5 hrs.

If there are any additonal questions, feel free to reach out to me HERE.

** https://www.berklee.edu/careers/roles/session-instrumentalist