Multimedia Journalism

Photography — Video — Post Production — Writing — Website Design

Photo by Michael Yandle

Mainhouse Creative is a spin-off of a long career in corporate media. My work includes writing, photography, videography, and post-production editing for speciality audiences. I’m based in Orange County, California.

From college what began as a newsroom assistant’s job quickly turned into a staff writer position at the Orange Coast Daily Pilot newspaper in Costa Mesa, California.

After graduating with a degree in Communications my career took another turn with one of the nation’s largest specialty magazine publishers. I discovered that it was an exciting and energetic place to hang my hat.

Leaping into the glossy world of newsstand magazines with longer lead times and consumer oriented subjects became a calling card. Later, the roles shifted from editor-in-chief and Internet editorial director to producer of branded television and video projects. My portfolio revolves around working dogs, fast cars and overlanding type adventuring in a 1986 VW Vanagon camper.

Consider this Website a glance at what I enjoy. I always welcome freelance inquiries. But enough about me.

Here’s my tip to you. Consider Blogging if you have a Website. It’s fun, and offers something to your online supporters. By Blogging with a purpose you drive traffic, and engage readers.

I suggest this story about Blogging by music journalist Simon Reynolds. 

Popular Posts

Renowned photographer Ansel Adams once said, photographers should make photographs, not simply take them. It’s a great philosophy for any working photojournalist.

In my opinion what Adams is suggesting is that Photography is about composition, exposure, depth-of-field, and scene selection before pressing the shutter button. Adams was in essence a Pictorial artist. He chose beauty, tones, and composition over subject matter.

The intentional act of setting up a shot, whether it’s video or still photography, requires most of my time in the field. But even though my work is journalistic, not pictorial, I am at my best when I’m judging the ambient light, structuring the composition so that the subject falls where I want it on viewfinder, away from unwanted distractions shadows, etc. Visualization of the scene supersedes everything.

Visualization of a scene to me means to let whatever is surrounding the subject compliment the image, rather than fight it. An unwanted merger in an image distracts.

A Perspective

In a sense I do “document” things with my work. But I’m always prepared to add my own spin on the subject/scene in keeping with Adam’s philosophy.

I like natural settings best. Like the couple I photographed at Mammoth Lakes, California.

I couldn’t have asked for a more serene scene. I immediately thought, wow what a great advertisement for a kayak company. No unwanted anything, simply two people spending time on the calm water paddling away their worries.

I should have spent more time there, maybe even shot it at sunrise or sunset. But maybe the scene wouldn’t be better. Ideally though, putting in some time may have given me another opportunity to add drama to the scene. Or, maybe I would have missed the two kayakers altogether.

What it is not is a “snapshot,” I considered my options. But it’s not what Adams would have done either. But that’s me… I prefer not to over think. I’d rather run with it if that’s what nature is dishing out. What I look for is “does the scene tell a story?” It’s an easy as Yes or No answer.