Firefly Imageworks | 2010 February

by DJ Glisson II | posted on February 27, 2010 at 1:10 pm | Filed under: Life,Photography |

So, brace yourself: Firefly Imageworks will be all but unavailable from March 15 through April 19. While, email communication will still be very welcome, I’ll be in Kenya for thirty days, helping to film a documentary, take photos, and develop fundraising collateral for an orphanage called One Home Many Hopes (OHMH).

So, do email. Do call. Feel free to touch base with me however you normally would for whatever you may need. I’ll still be here for two more weeks as of this writing after all. This is just to give fair warning of the impending trip, and to give some context to clients that come calling while I’m out of touch.

As for some elaboration into what I’ll be doing: OHMH, or Mudzini Kwetu as it’s known abroad, is a home for orphaned or abandoned girls in the Mtwapa, Kenya. It finds, rescues, houses, and educates former street children and develops them into future agents of change in their community; the overarching philosophy being that investing in education and family support of children is the most effective way of ending cyclical poverty.

So that’s where I’ll be and what I’ll be doing. I know this probably puts a few clients behind, or potentially poses a problem for potential new clientele. But I promise, I’ll be back in full effect, starting April 19 (which will give me a few days to get re-acclimated to the normal working routine). Thanks for your patience and understanding as I take this once in a lifetime opportunity to not only see an entirely different world, but hopefully contribute positively to a greater story as well.

In the meantime, for more information on OHMH or to make a donation to the cause, visit: http://www.onehomemanyhopes.org/

Additionally, there are two weeks left before I leave, and admittedly, there a few equipment needs that have yet to be filled. If you feel like donating to the cause of the documentary work itself (monetarily or otherwise), get in touch with me soon as I’d love to partner on this effort with as many folks that are willing/able to help as possible.

Thanks in advance for everyone’s patience, contributions, and prayers. This should be pretty great.

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More Than This | Album Design + Release

by DJ Glisson II | posted on February 22, 2010 at 5:01 pm | Filed under: Design,Photography |

Offering's newest album, More Than This

Recently I had the privilege of working with Jeanine Guidry and Offering on developing album artwork for their latest release, More Than This. Not only is the title of the album a track in and of itself, but it’s also an expression of the band’s overarching philosophy of music becoming more than just an end in and of itself. Offering uses their talent as a melodic vehicle to spur social action against the hunger and degradation of the human condition here at home in Richmond as well as abroad. You may recall that they’re the same band I accompanied to China for our work in the migrant communities there, for instance.

To express this idea, I had the thought of a record that had something more growing out of it. I settled on vines so as to keep the feel as organic as possible to accompany their acoustic style as well as communicate a feeling of ‘new life’. Thus you have imagery of a record that spins and as it spins these vines grow outward and spin wildly about into their own tales and stories.

Last night, I was able to attend the album release party, and was able to take a few shots while on hand. The lighting wasn’t the best thing ever, but I think I made do pretty well. Additionally, the band honored me with a commemorative plaque for my work on the album – something that’s pretty humbling because at the end of the day, I’m just doing my job. Feels great to know it means that much to people though.

Below is a gallery of photos from the show as well as some images of the album art that was developed. Additionally, if you’re interested in picking up the album itself, it’s not only a great creative compilation of various covers the band plays live – containing some wonderful reinterpretations of the classic tunes – but also will go to aid the bands ongoing efforts in the local community and around the world. So it’s new music AND you can feel like you’re giving to a bigger story! Do it.

To purchase a physical copy of the album (and this get your hands on my own work via the full album art design), contact the band directly via their website, offeringband.com, or buy one at any of their upcoming shows around Richmond, VA. To purchase it digitally, click here.

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