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About
I'm a photographer and shoot director, specializing in product photography.
I am technically creative, obsessed with quality and focused on client design goals. I always work until both the client and me are happy with the results. I have solid skills in lighting and in infrared, UV, alternate-spectrum, time-lapse, high-speed and motion-control photography.
The more complex the project, the better. My favorite kind of client call begins with the words "Would it be possible to...?". I often build equipment to solve project challenges. If I have plenty of time to dream about a project, I can usually not only address its problems but also come up with a smooth, painless approach.
When I am working as part of a group, people often peg me as "smart and confident." Maybe it's the gray hair, or maybe people get this impression just because I can focus on a few connected subjects for a very long time without getting bored.
I take great pride in my work, but I don't waste time admiring myself for it. I'm more a craftsman than an artist. -
Education
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Bachelor of Science Illustration PhotographyBrooks Institute of Photography
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Experience
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PhotographerOakland, CAJan 2005 - Apr 2019 (14 years 3 months)Work with both large & small companies to visually bring their product to market
Create truthful and hyper-real visuals of products which convey a memorable experience before touching
Notable Clients: Ariat, Athleta, Banana Republic, Eone Time, Gap, Google, Ideo, In Fiore, Jawbone, Nvidia,
Old Navy, Texaco, Timbuk2, Transcriptic and Walmart -
Photographer and Motion Control OperatorSan Francisco, CAJun 2012 - Feb 2013 (8 months)(As a freelancer Feb / 2013 - July / 2016)
Designed flight paths and operated Kuka robots for use in cinematic automation
Photographed 20 plus launch items for Google Nexus Marketing and Google Playstore, mostly as a freelancer
Built a 36 camera array for the box art for the Adobe CS 6 Creative suite and promotional video
Provided numerous videos and stills for the Jawbone Jambox account
Retouched my work and that of other contributors
Photographed and video-graphed pitches, demos and explorations -
PhotographerSan Francisco, CASep 2010 - May 2012 (1 year 8 months)(as freelancer Dec / 2012 - Nov /2018 )
Engaged continuously with assistants, stylists, photographers, producers, art directors and account managers
Managed contingent workforce when in manager's absence
Trained or updated contingent workforce with changing procedures and software upgrades
Introduced new lighting and color correction techniques
Provided Macintosh IT support to creatives in a largely Windows-based company
Became a cross-brand asset resulting in an Exceeds review rating and award -
1st AssistantSan Francisco, CA2006 - 2008 (2 years)Lead assistant to a global automotive photographer who creates images, Toyota, Lexus, Jeep, etc
Managed logistics of equipment, set building, photo-shoots, data and freelancers
Helped maintain operations at Leftspace Studios -
Photographer and 3d DesignerBerkeley, CAOct 2000 - Jan 2005 (4 years 3 months)Provided photography from concept to capture
Provided color correction and retouching for all publications, web sites and brochures
U.S. Government Printing Office, Leadership award for implementing color management technologies
Started a 3D visualization lab aiding researchers to convey research goals or findings to the public
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Affiliations
APA
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Industries
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Skills
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Elsewhere on the Web
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On Coroflot@robertcouto, member since 2013
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Following 41
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Followers 8
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