Zoe and Zand have been buddies since laying on their backs staring at fans when they were just a few weeks old. Now 15-month-old toddlers, the big world exploring has begun.
Please check back soon for recent work for Conde Naste Traveler and the Wall Street Journal, as well as more personal work.
May 18, 2013I hung out with the guys from Pawn Stars documenting a day and a night a few months ago for a feature story in the February 2013 issue of Maxim. I have to say, this is the first story I have ever worked on where the reporter ends up getting his first tattoo on the inside of his lip at the end of the night. The issue is out now and I just got a look at how the piece came together:
January 17, 2013The last five years I have always looked forward to covering the Great Santa Run the first weekend in December. Last year I was a bit too pregnant to sprint or bike around the event course to make photos of the awesome spectacle of upwards of 10k running and walking Santas, all to raise money for Opportunity Village.
This year, my life and work has changed dramatically with my son Zand’s arrival in February. I have had to make more choices about how I use my time. When not working I’ve wanted to spend it sharing my boy’s first year with him. So yesterday I participated in the Santa Run with a great crew of women, other mamas, and their babes who I work-out with through Stroller Strides – also in the spirit of silly fun! It was a blast and reminded me how much I love Las Vegas for the fun and ridiculous that it brings out, which has been the life blood of my work since moving here in 2006.
This is all to say that yesterday’s blend of shooting and personal experience with Zand seemed like a good opportunity to return to the blog and attempt to begin to catch-up on personal and client work sharing. Happy holidays to all and more soon! (that’s Zand, center right, my lil’ Santa in his babiators)
December 2, 2012I 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:
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…
November 1, 2011I 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.
October 20, 2011I 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.
August 2, 2011Last 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.
July 13, 2011Ah yes, a boy and his birthday Nerf. Following a birthday party at Laser Quest for James’ eighth birthday, it was home for father/son Nerf action last night. Great times for them, and me and my camera.
The night ended with James asking for a portrait in his room in his new Iron Man pajamas with his birthday Nerf crossbow. Too. Darn. Good.
PS…Do you love the wallpaper?! It was his choice to keep it. I praise the decision continuously.
December 12, 2010People always ask what it’s like to live in Vegas. For most people Vegas is the place you come and live big for a hot minute and then beat feet back to where you came from. However, for those of us staying in Vegas not just Friday-Saturday-Sunday, but Monday through Thursday too, it turns out that being a local puts you in a wildly diverse nucleus of people that are as talented as the strip is glitzy.
Case in point number one: Meet Anja.
Five nights a week, two shows a night, Anja balances on her head while swinging through the air on a washington trapeze, 30+ feet high over a pool of water. That among other acrobatics, aerially suspended feats and unicycling. No, she’s not a stripper. She’s a world class athlete, artist and performer. To see her perform is to see magic. She also speaks five languages, has great style and is interested in world news as much as art.
Extraordinary friends like Anja are part of what makes Las Vegas such an amazing place to call home. That, and the fact that my neighborhood gym is the size of Costco and the workout rooms are covered in neon. Oh, and whatever the craziest, most world record breaking event and celebrity dramas unfold just down the street.
Anja is from Switzerland, the daughter of a composer and a classical pianist and at 14-years-old she went to circus school. She has been performing as an acrobat in shows around the world ever since and has been the lead female character in Cirque Du Soleil’s “O” at the Bellagio since it opened in 1998.
Anja and my other Cirque friends inspire me to no end. We have dreamed up some fabulous photo ideas together over wine and T&Ts the last few years but have not had the chance to act on many of them, yet. One of my biggest excitements about making the transition to freelance is the ability to make time to experiment and play more creatively – in addition to working on other more structured personal projects.
I’m looking forward to sharing these photographic play sessions along the way. For now, meet Anja. If you visit Las Vegas it’s worth every cent to go see her and the incredible cast of “O” at the Bellagio.
December 2, 2010
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