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.

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?

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  

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.

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.

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!

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

Portrait of Jeremy Cowart I took in Malibu, CA.

 
1. He is a ridiculously AMAZING Photographer.
He has photographed top celebrities and musicians all over the world and made them look way cooler than they should. Treat yourself to some eye candy and visit http://jeremycowart.com/

2. He is changing the world. 

Jeremy is the Founder of Help-Portrait which is a global movement of photographers using their time, gear and expertise to give back to those in need. Help-Portrait has given 101,596 portraits to people in need by 10,574 photographers at over a 1000 locations in 54 different countries. You can be a part of Help-Portrait as well on Dec. 10th.  More details here: http://help-portrait.com/

3. He is a visionary.

Jeremy fills his Evernote with new ideas about ways he can push the envelope in his personal career or give back to those in need through projects like Voices of Haiti and his Humanitarian work in Africa. Check out this incredible article written by Jeremy about forgiveness in Rwanda featured on CNN.com: http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2011/11/07/my-take-if-rwandans-can-forgive-killings-we-can-forgive-the-waitress/

4. He is one of the most inspiring people you will ever talk to.

Conversations with Jeremy are somehow spun so that you are inspired to intentionally live and create purposefully. He challenges me with stories and illustrations of people making a difference. He is a continuous stream of inspiration as he never stops looking for fresh inspiration from various places.

5. He is a goofball.

Every time we get together we bring out the cheesiest dad jokes in each other, or should I say the best! His presentations are bound to be laced with cheesy puns & amazing humor.

 
6. He is the real deal!
I first met Jeremy 5 or 6 years ago assisting him on his shoots. I then spent the next 1.5 years traveling all over with him, cracking cheesy jokes, setting up lights, downloading photos, eating Mexican food and watching him interact with his subjects from Carrie Underwood and Taylor Swift to Michael W. Smith. When people ask me about Jeremy Cowart, I tell them he is BRILLIANT. But, that it isn’t about his lighting, composition or technical skills in photoshop. Jeremy Cowart is an IDEAS GUY with a big heart. That is what makes him brilliant. I remember assisting on shoots thinking how the heck is he going to pull something cool off with this person, in this location. Yet, he would never cease to amaze me with his continual dose of awesomeness.
 

7. What can I say…he took this hotttt photo of me:

And guess what? You too can be personally inspired by Jeremy Cowart by attending one of his LifeFinder Tour dates! It’s only $179 and you get to bring a friend for FREE. You don’t want to miss this opportunity. Find out more info here: http://jeremycowart.com/2011/11/lifefinder-tour/

Upcoming dates:

12.02 - Seattle

12.05 - New York City

12.07 - Chicago

12.13 - Nashville

12.17 - Atlanta

below: Shot and edited on my iphone. 18 photos stitched together.

the birds were flying almost within reach of my camera… excuse the crappy quality.

Tammy Molnar

Below: View from our friend’s balcony. We had lunch on the table to the left.

Malibu Canyon vineyards

(These were all shot on my iPhone but some of the photos were not edited on my iphone.)