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Welcome to Zand

I made the comment in my last post that I was going to catch up on personal updates soon, if my baby boy didn’t arrive early. I guess I jinx’d myself! My water broke that very Sunday night and I delivered my first child, Zand Asher Anderson, in a birthing bath tub at home on Friday afternoon, February 17, 2012. Don’t worry, I wasn’t in labor that whole time!

Zand is now two months old and life has been a bit busy since then. My husband, Kirk, and I savored a week and half with our  new boy before Zand suddenly stopped eating and became lethargic over a 24 hour period when he was 10 days old. We landed in the emergency room late at night and Zand under-went a battery of tests. He had an infection that required 10 days of IV antibiotics. Zand, Kirk and I spent the next 12 days in the hospital together around the clock. It was a horrific way to spend the second and third weeks of Zand’s life, and mine as a new mama, but we survived together and Zand is now  healthy, gaining weight like a champ and amazing me morning, noon and *all*-night.

My perspective on much shifts with each new day I spend with Zand. I am consciously savoring every minute of him as this tiny precious new born. I feel blessed to get to experience all of it. There is nothing I have ever known that compares to how wonderful it feels to snuggle my boy close, smell his irresistible newborn scent and to experience his contentment when I reach for him.

As in awe of my new boy as I am, my adoration and commitment to my work remains.  I am slowly resuming taking assignments here and there, and will more so in the coming months. I can’t hardly wait to work with some new clients that have gotten in touch. For now though, here are a few from my latest and most greatest personal project I’ve ever known.

Bookmark and Share April 20, 2012
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Two Years Later, RIP Papa

On February 12, 2010, just after my father took his last breath, a Hopsice nurse slipped a purple flower into his still hand, put a candle on the bedside table and left me to absorb the moment and say good-bye, as the sun slowly went down outside the Sarasota Hospice House. Two years later today and the moment still feels raw.

After the experience of being by my Dad’s side through his battle with lung cancer, so many of the decisions and choices in business and daily life are much easier compared to the life depending calls I made for my father’s care at the end of his life.

The last two years have been jam packed with big life changes for me, personally and professionally. I’m hoping to get a few personal updates from the last year posted in the coming days, before giving birth to my first child.

I love and miss you always, Dad.

Bookmark and Share February 12, 2012
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PDN Feature

In November Photo District News published a feature on my rebrand and 2011 marketing campaign for their “Right Stuff,” column. I didn’t know quite what to expect following the phone interview with Jacqueline Tobin, so I was completely floored when the print edition showcased a four-page spread on my work!

The story of how I went about the rebrand and transition from staff photographer to freelancer was fairly lengthy and detail laden and Jacqueline did a great job getting all the details straight. I’m super appreciative of the attention and recognition from PDN on my initial transition and marketing! Now, to keep moving full speed ahead!

The print edition tearsheets:

Bookmark and Share December 15, 2011
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Las Vegas Arts District for Sunset Magazine

I was psyched to hit a handful of the great arts district spots in downtown Vegas for a feature in the current, November 2011 issue of Sunset magazine, on stands now.  The online edition is not posted yet but I’ll update this post with a link as soon as it is. Here’s a look at the print edition layout:

Bookmark and Share November 1, 2011
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Toastmasters World Finals for The New York Times Magazine

On a Saturday morning last month my alarm went off at 4:30am. Groggy, I collected myself and cameras and rolled into Bally’s on the Las Vegas Strip for a 6am assignment shooting the World Championship of Public Speaking, sponsored by Toastmasters International, for the October 2 edition feature, You Are Here in The New York Times Magazine.

I covered Toastmasters years ago for another story but really had no idea what to expect from this event, it’s participants and audience. It was pretty clear upon my arrival that this event would be taken with seriousness by all involved as it was explained to me that this is the Olympics of public speaking, with finalists and supporters from the world over in attendance. Hefty security, hushed voices and repeated reminders to me that if any of the participants were uncomfortable with my presence (and shooting) at any time that access would be withdrawn.

Reporter John Bowe shares the full story best, so I’ll leave it to him. The morning was a fun one. The finalists were each interesting in their own right, and no one minded me documenting their preparations leading up to their world championship public speaking performance. It was another great reminder of how fascinating all of our unique stories, passions and sub-cultures are.

The tear sheet and a few out-takes from backstage…

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Chef Carla Pellegrino for Vegas Magazine

I had the pleasure of photographing Chef Carla Pellegrino for the second time in a month when Vegas Magazine called for a feature on the  Brazilian/Italian chef for their Chef Talk feature for the September issue. Chef has opened her second restaurant, Bacio by Carla Pellegrino, here in Las Vegas in less than a year and that’s just a piece of all this talented, smart and sexy lady has going on! Here are a few out-takes, and the tear sheet.

 

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Zappos.com’s Tony Hsieh for American Airlines

I have photographed Tony Hsieh, the 30-something mastermind CEO of Zappos.com, quite a few times over the years working in Vegas. Still, being hired to visit the Zappos.com offices for a client makes me cheer. Tony and company are just so. much. FUN! These are definitely the cool kids.

This round American Airlines’ in-flight magazine, American Way, asked me to make portraits of Tony and shoot environmentals of the headquarter offices for a feature story for their August issue. My pleasure!

The story is a great read and fascinating tale of how doing things your own way and putting people over profits can work.  If you are ever in Las Vegas, Zappos does tours! You should go check-out this company and experience the unique culture of the place. Visiting always makes me reflect on how the majority of American businesses operate. And if you’re flying American Airlines or American Eagle this month, send me a cell phone snap of my pictures in the magazine via Twitter (@tiffanybrown) and I’ll send you a surprise!

Here’s the magazine spread and a few outtakes of Tony portraits.

 

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Promo Campaign featured on No Plastic Sleeves

After a fantastic 10 day vacation (belated honeymoon with Kirk!) I returned to work this morning to an email from Danielle Currier of No Plastic Sleeves indicating she just posted a feature on my 2011 self-promotion campaign on the NPS website.

I really appreciate Danielle’s comments. I did a great deal of research on marketing and self-promotion before beginning the creative design process for this current campaign, however, it’s really all an experiment to see how what we created sticks once it starts sending. Feedback like Danielle’s and response and work from new clients are the greatest pay-off.

Thanks again, Danielle!

 

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The New Trop for Bloomberg Businessweek

Last month Businessweek via Redux called asking if I could go shoot the “bejesus” out of the new Tropicana. Um, yes!

Though I live my life pretty *off Strip* for the most part, I love hitting the Las Vegas Strip hotels and casinos with my camera most anytime.

The story is about the fact that most new properties built or renovated in Vegas in recent history are aiming to be the most expensive, most luxurious, most new dazzling sensation,  except the Trop. Instead, the new owners of the Tropicana  have spent tens of millions on a remodel geared to be nice, but not too nice, and it’s working.

The reality is that middle America and the middle-brow market is a massive one. Instead of Celine Dion the Tropicana features Gladys Knight and Brad Garrett’s Comedy Club. Garrett, ya know, that guy from Everybody Loves Raymond.

The only piece of the remodel/rebrand that reaches above that middle market is the Nikki Beach pool and nightclub. The story says, “this is because nightclubs—particularly daytime poolside ones—”are Vegas’s only growth industry, and everyone is trying to lure the chest-waxing set with more swim-up tables and strippers.”

The 10 hour day exploring the renovations did not fail to disappoint. The place looks great and is definitely revitalized. However, many of the staff boast decades of employment at the property, which helps to keep some of the (priceless) old character as well. The Trop has been added to my list of recommendations to people looking for an affordable place ($70/night!) to stay on the Strip.

Here’s the tear sheet and a few of my favorite selects.

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Family Vacations

The family I married into rocks. When it comes to spending time together for summer vacation my in-laws opt to hit the beach with tents and campers, grills and tarps. It’s all about doing fun things outside, together, and big family meals. This year my mom added to the fun and traveled from Kentucky to join us at San Onofre in California for the week. We had a new addition too, our new three-month-old nephew, Wesley. So stinkin’ cute.

These are a few casual snaps from moments in between, at the beach in San Onofre, California with the family last month.

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