March of Dimes Advertising Shoot | FEATURED in People Magazine, Real Simple, USA Today
As you can imagine I was stoked to be a part of the March of Dimes Mother’s and Father’s Day advertising campaign “I’m Born To”! We had an absolute blast on the shoot with Shaun and Lance of The Winn Group and Julia of Media Ventures Group hanging out for 3 days in the sweet studio, Jack Studios, in NYC.
The campaign ads have been featured in People Magazine, Real Simple and USA Today to name a few…
This campaign, “I’m Born To”, is to illustrate that every baby is born to do something great and that March of Dimes is helping them get there. We shot about 14 models, mostly babies, doing aspirational things that they may be “born to” do…
March of Dimes is an incredible organization that seeks to help moms and babies take charge of their health & improve birth outcomes in local communities and around the world. Don’t miss the opportunity to be a part of this life changing campaign and find out more at http://imbornto.com.
5 INSTAGRAM ETIQUETTE TIPS YOUR FOLLOWERS WILL APPRECIATE
I find that Instagram newbies may not exactly understand what’s OK and not ok to do as a regular practice and may annoy their followers. These tips are my opinions and ideas to create a more pleasant experience for your followers.
TENNESSEE SUNRISE 4.10.12 by David Molnar
1. DON’T CLOG THE FEED.
- This is the #1 complaint I have and hear from other Instagramers. If you want to post 10 photos from a party or social event do it on Facebook. Instagram is about simplicity. 1 photo at a time and I think 1-2 photos per day max is about the right number. (ex. 1 photo in the morning and 1 photo in the evening)
2. THINK PROFOUND.
- Instagram is not a status update (or a food blog). Think of your posts as more of an inspiring idea, a beautiful scene, an intriguing angle, a lovely portrait or interesting subject. Don’t post for posting sake. Add value! Also consider, by some strange chance,(of course I’m probably totally wrong here) that your followers may not think your kid’s every waking moment is quite as adorable as you may believe it to be
THINK PROFOUND.
3. KEEP IT CLASSY.
- Post photos that inspire and uplift not bring people down. Oh and enough of the cleavage shots. This isn’t myspace
4. GIVE BACK.
- Zombies are annoying online (as well as in movies. Give back. In case you missed it, Instagram is not merely a photo hosting hub but a SOCIAL NETWORK. If people comment on your photo… respond back DANG IT! If they ask you a question try your best to answer it in a timely manner. Don’t be a broadcaster. PARTICIPATE in the conversation. BE GENEROUS.
5. EASY ON THE DSLR PHOTOS… COWBOY.
- Let people know if you are posting photos that are not exactly #iphoneonly… I’m completely guilty of posting portfolio photos that I shot with my professional camera and editing in Photoshop from time to time. I used to get a lot of flack from people when I didn’t specify. Cough cough my friend Jeremy Cowart
… I think it’s ok to post those photos from time to time as long as you are not trying to mislead people. Give those photos a hashtag that lets people know you used a DSLR and or photoshop. You can use something like “#DSLR” or “#NOTIPHONE” etc.
Anything that I missed. Thoughts? Isn’t Instagram awesome?
10 intriguing people you should follow on Instagram
Instagram is currently my favorite social network. It’s giving, fun and a fantastic artistic outlet.
As of today it’s now available for Android as well as iPhone!
I think you will enjoy following these intriguing people as much as I do!
1. Matt Beacham @beach_in_the_am
Pro surfer and former TV show host. – Artistic look at the coastal community of NC.
2. Tammy Molnar @Tammymolnar
Photographer – My hot wife with an amazing eye!
3. Eugene Brown @eugenebrown
Videographer – Hilarious and inspiring to follow.
4. Katy Maki @katymaki
iPhonographer/ Marketing Specialist – Always inspiring photoss
5. Kenny Kim @kenny_kim
Destination Wedding Photogapher – Posts beautiful scenery from around the world.
6. Jeremy Cowart @Jeremycowart
Photographer/ founder of Help-Portrait – An ideas person.One of the most creative people I know.
7. Andrew McKellar @a_m_
Musician in Civil Twilight – Artistic take on road life.
8. Zach Gray @zachgray
Photographer/ Teacher – Posts photos from his travels and teaching always. (Zach made me join Instagram and I love him for it)
9. Kaimana Plemer @kaimanimal
Co-found of HE>I clothing company. Post photos from his home on the North Shore of Oahu and all his travels.
10. Mike Larson @mikelarson
Estate and Vineyard Wedding Photographer – Beautiful and inspring photos from his shoots and travels.
Feel free to follow me on Instagram as well @davidmolnar
Thousand Foot Krutch Official Photo Shoot | Welcome to the Masquerade
I never got a chance to blog about my shoot with Thousand Foot Krutch in NYC… so I’m finally doing it!
I was delayed flying into NYC and landed at the same time as my friend Tricia Baumhardt who was doing make-up for the shoot. It then took several more pointless hours to finally get our rental car at about 2:30am and of course my call time was early in the am at the studio. It was one of those nights where I just said to myself … “OK, tomorrow I will consume 4 gallons of coffee.”
After what seemed like a quick blink, I awoke and met my friend and assistant for the day Matt Harrington. We drove around to check out the locations that he scouted for me and then we went to the studio. I also had my cousin John Quense come from NJ and assist me. John had a very humorous moment when a restauranteer was egging his car for parking in front of the restaurant. We all watched as he just stooed there saying “THAT’S MY … CAR!” under is breath…
We spent most of the day in the studio. Because we were planning for composites we shot the guys mostly individually. That way we could piece together the perfect photos and mix and match expressions.
My friend Trevor “Tee” McNevan is the frontman and mastermind behind the rock band. He is also a brilliant writer and producer for tons of other bands. To find out more info about the band check out their website thousandfootkrutch.com. Trevor’s side project “FM Static” is slightly softer than TFK with a more pop-punk feel. I did a shoot for that project but, I’ll blog more about that later.
The other band members Steve, Joel are hilarious and we had a blast goofing off all day.
The shoot was for packaging and promotion for their current record “Welcome to the Masquerade”. The cover was designed by Ryan Clark of http://www.invisiblecreature.com/ for Tooth and Nail Records.
I shot all the band members individually and composited this shot on all white.
This is my favorite shot from the shoot. Ryan Clark did the composite work.
A location we found in Brooklyn.
Some behind the scenes shots that John Quense took.
Attempting to shoot the whole band together.
Shooting Trevor for some of his individual shots.
Pulled back view of the lighting set up.
Laura Story Official Photo Shoot for “Blessings” | Album Cover Shoot
I had the privilege of working with one of my favorite labels Fair Trade Services (formerly INO Records) & art directors Dana Salsedo on Laura Story’s “Blessings” album cover and packaging photo shoot. Laura was one the most relaxed and chill artists I’ve shot and made it easy to get awesome photos. It rocked having her hubby Martin there to support and encourage her throughout the day.
We found a vintage house and a cool yard as our location. The cover shot was all natural lighting with Laura’s “story” smiling through… (sorry had to do it.) I may have been making puns all day on the shoot!
One of the highlights of the shoot was telling Laura that we actually played one of her songs “Indescribable” at our wedding several years ago. Her music brings a message of inspiration and hope. Check out more of her tunes at http://laurastorymusic.com/.
Original Album Cover shot.
My 18 favorite photos from our New Years Eve Party
On New Years Eve Tammy, myself and great friends David and Samantha Bean threw one Kick A Party in our shared studio, West Light Studios. (“A” stands for AWESOME)
The four very serious hosts.
This photo of my hawt wife is one of my favorites for obvious reasons…
The girls getting crazy.
I think Jaz Boon is the lead role in this new drama on ABC. Season finale Spoiler alert, Katy Maki doesn’t die in the second episode and will return in season 3 (Abner does have a clue, and Amanda actually does like his hand on her shoulder.) David Bean gets killed in season 9 too many…
Hotties, Jeremy and Shannon Cowart, Brandi Maclaren and Myrick Cowart posing for mom in this one.
Too much talent and good looks to list in this photo. There’s like 11 “A-list” photographers in this one! (Hint Jeremy Cowart, Myrick Cowart, David Bean,Yours truly, Brandi Maclaren, Samantha Bean, Tammy Molnar and Shannon Cowart)
Here is a sweet photo of Will and Kristen. (Will wouldn’t let me post any of the other goofy ones) Male models are always conscientious. Sheesh!
Holy Dancers! Sam and Tink. Stephanie and Isaac! Literally got the Dance party started when they arrived.
Besties Nick and Tricia. Nick likes to pretend he’s preggo too.
No caption needed to describe this group. Hilarious!
We always want us some “Moore”. Tammy and I with amazing buds, Greg and Abbey Moore. Check out their Music!
Got to snag a goofy shot with the Baumhardts!
Two of our lovely hosts and rockstar photographers David and Samantha Bean!
One of my favorite people in the world. Nick Ray CEO of ModerNash. We started this little company over a cup of coffee in my kitchen and Nick has taken it and run with it! He needs to step up his chess game though
The best next door neighbors and friends anyone could ever ask for! Matt and Hilary Barnett! Hey can I borrow some milk?
Taylor and Lauren Jones! Taylor loves Lauren more than his bourbon. I promise!
GRACE CENTER Folks!!! Love these kids!
And of course I wanted to save the best for last. Jeremy and Shannon were initiated into our club. The Breast Cancer awareness club. Welcome folks!
Help-Portrait is so much more than “taking” portraits | Help-Portrait | Nashville, TN
The idea is simple.
1. Find someone in need
2. Take their portrait
3. Print their portrait
4. Give it to them.
But it’s so much more than that to me…
Saturday over 10,000 of us photographers around the world gave our time, our expertise and a bit of our hearts away to the people we met at Help-Portrait. We were one of over 1000 locations with volunteers giving hugs, loving on people and listening to their stories. All 50 states and 55 additional countries participated in this world changing 3rd annual event this past Saturday.
To me Help-Portrait is:
…the first portrait of a mother and daughter after regaining custody of her 4 year old.
… The humor that some characters live out!
… giving a mother pictures of each of her seven adorable kids.
… sending a portrait to a loved one they haven’t seen in years.
… an amazing SMILE.
… Capturing true friendship.
… Rekindling the twinkle in someone’s eye.
… Taking the time to stop and have fun. (Goofing off with my most hilarious subject)
… A funny test sh0t of Jeremy Cowart the founder himself.
… Serving alongside all these amazing volunteers.
Help-Portrait is a worldwide movement that was started by a good friend of mine, Jeremy Cowart. Jeremy is a celebrity photographer who had a simple idea to give back. I guess it’s working