Doug Truppe Forum - The Green-Eyed Monster: Uncovering and Understanding Envy and Jealousy in Artistic Creative Industries

Welcome, my name is Doug Truppe, and I am an artist representative for commercial photographers and directors in the global market. Our mission is to empower, elevate and foster a sense of community for those employed in the advertising industry. Focusing on mental health, our hope is to provide a forum and backdrop to discuss and share the challenges our industry is facing in a fast paced ever changing global economy.  Concentrating on one’s well-being with the expertise of a mental health practitioner, Gabriel Most LCSW, RN, come join us as we explore and discuss managing mental health in the advertising industry. Ultimately, we are here to provide helpful resources and offer a friendly voice in challenging times.

The Green-Eyed Monster: Uncovering and Understanding Envy and Jealousy in Artistic Creative Industries

Please join us as we address various issues and mental health challenges on a weekly basis creating a forum for communication and solutions with experts in advertising and mental health. In this week’s topic, “The Green-Eyed Monster: Uncovering and Understanding Envy and Jealousy in Artistic Creative Industries.”

Doug Truppe and Gabriel Most, LCSW RN  explore The Green-eyed Monster, Jealousy and envy in the work force, what to do about it and how to manage it. 

Contrary to popular belief, envy and jealousy are normal, healthy emotions that can sometimes motivate us. Understanding how to handle and process these feelings ensures that we do not become consumed by them and act in a destructive manner. 

How are Jealousy and Envy Different and does it really matter? 

Envy arises when we desire something that someone else possesses. Inferiority, resentment, and a desire to possess what the other person has are feelings we experience around envy. 

Jealousy arises when we experience fear, insecurity, suspicion and possessiveness all rolled into a hot ball of emotion.

Jealousy tends to be a more complex, unmanageable emotion for many people because it involves the perceived threat of loss like a job or lover; unlike envy, which centers on longing for something we lack like a beautiful singing voice.

Envy and jealousy can feel different and so the approach to each will be different.  

So, what's sparking your envy? Is it something someone else has, a chance they got, or something they've accomplished? Stay honest with yourself.

Turn that envy into fuel. Use it to set goals that'll help you level up and grow as a person. What skills do you want to master? What do you want to achieve? 

Take a moment to appreciate the good stuff. Make a habit of thanking yourself for what you've got and what you've achieved. Focusing on self leaves less room for envy to fester.  

Managing your jealousy sometimes requires a more open dialogue approach. 

Just talk about it. Having an honest conversation can help you deal with jealous feelings. This can improve the quality of the relationship or clarify where you stand. 

If you think your partner's cheating, don't bottle it up. Speak up and get it out in the open—your relationship's survival depends on it.

Jealousy like envy, varies in degree and in relationship. Is it personal? Is it business? Is it both? 

Lift your confidence, reflect on the unique things you bring to the table at work. And instead of seeing your colleagues as the enemy, try to shift your mindset to  community.  Focus on collaborating, sharing ideas, and lifting each other up— it's way more productive (and less stressful) than trying to one-up each other. New thoughts ideas and bodies of work get generated in some collaborations. 

Gabriel Most LCSW, RN www.GMostTherapy.com

Contact me to share your stories: hello@dougtruppe.com 

Doug Truppe Forum: Romance and Money - Surviving Job Loss as a Couple

Welcome, my name is Doug Truppe, and I am an artist representative for commercial photographers and directors in the global market. Our mission is to empower, elevate and foster a sense of community for those employed in the advertising industry. Focusing on mental health, our hope is to provide a forum and backdrop to discuss and share the challenges our industry is facing in a fast paced ever changing global economy.  Concentrating on one’s well-being with the expertise of a mental health practitioner, Gabriel Most LCSW, RN, come join us as we explore and discuss managing mental health in the advertising industry. Ultimately, we are here to provide helpful resources and offer a friendly voice in challenging times.

Romance and Money - Surviving Job Loss as a Couple  

Please join us as we address various issues and mental health challenges on a weekly basis creating a forum for communication and solutions with experts in advertising and mental health. In this week’s topic, “Romance and Money- Surviving Job Loss as a Couple” Doug Truppe and Gabriel Most, LCSW RN  explore the dynamics and challenges unemployment can create in the context of romantic unions and how to address and manage job loss as a couple.

According to a recent study, individuals find it more challenging to discuss money issues and management than mental illness, addiction, sex, race and politics.  It’s no wonder losing a job in the context of a romantic relationship can have huge ramifications for both the unemployed partner and the partner who must now cover all or most of the bills while additional money streams are created.

Here is what we know.

Key Points for Couples Managing Job Loss:

It’s All a Train Reaction- The way couples manage and discuss a  job loss from day one, creates the tone of the experience. How unemployment gets managed as a couple.

Without the Foundation of Communication, Nothing Moves Forward- Resentments, anxieties, and fears can begin to take hold for both individuals in the romantic union because there is no formalized plan or goals.

Communication Strategies- Job loss can have a huge impact on self-esteem, purpose in life and self-identity. What techniques or behaviors are you using as a couple to promote open and honest dialogue?  If it’s not being talked about chances are it’s not being addressed.

Budget Strategies- Without honest communication a budget will be hard to put in place.

As a couple how will you manage expenses, identify essential costs?

Can your partner foot your bills financially while you search for new opportunities?

How do decisions like borrowing money, tapping into savings/investments, and paying other bills get ironed out without a budget strategy?  They don’t.

Emotional Support- Communication without a discussion on budgeting makes providing support to you partner challenging.

When you have “money” discussions, it becomes easier to feel supported and connected.  It helps to minimize resentments and prevent misunderstanding.

Show your partner that you are there to listen by checking in. Stay positive. Stay in the solutions. You are in this together.

Show your partner that you are grateful for the emotional and financial support by renegotiating chores and responsibilities around the house. You might not be able to contribute financially but picking up the extra slack around the home can minimize the work stress for your partner who is temporarily carrying much of financial weight in the family.

What are your thoughts around unemployment in a partnership?  We’d love to hear from you.

The following is a list of questions to facilitate further clarification and discussion:

1.What are your values around money- Do you live within or outside of your means? Do you like to save as much money as you can?

2. Are you aware of your partner’s financial situation? Do you know where you each stand financially?

3. Do you have joint accounts? Is this the best option for you as a couple? Why?

4. Are you aware of your partner’s financial goals and aspirations? Are you in agreement?

5. What specifically is your budget? What bills are essential, and which are expendable or can wait?

6. How are you doing as a couple? Is a couples therapist needed currently, or have you been able to manage the uncertainty of unemployment together as a couple?

Gabriel Most LCSW, RN www.GMostTherapy.com

Contact me to share your stories: hello@dougtruppe.com 

Scott Montgomery Is an American Photography 41 Chosen Winner for Threads

We are excited to share another marquee-award win in our roster of talent: Scott Montgomery in American Photography 41. An image from his “Threads” series, featuring Greenfield Clothiers in Brooklyn, NY, a continuously active garment factory for over 100 years, has been chosen to appear online as part of The ARCHIVE online collection at www.ai-ap.com.

We are grateful to the judges’ attention at American Photography, who along with Graphis and Communication Arts, is a premier industry benchmark. Please see the images submitted, the winner "Bench with Clock," the entire series and more work on Scott’s site, www.smontgomery.com. View the Threads series here.

The Clock

Doug Truppe Forum - What Is an Addiction? Do We All Have It? - Part 2 of 2

Welcome, my name is Doug Truppe, and I am an artist representative for commercial photographers and directors in the global market. Our mission is to empower, elevate and foster a sense of community for those employed in the advertising industry. Focusing on mental health, our hope is to provide a forum and backdrop to discuss and share the challenges our industry is facing in a fast paced ever changing global economy.  Concentrating on one’s well-being with the expertise of a mental health practitioner, Gabriel Most LCSW, RN, come join us as we explore and discuss managing mental health in the advertising industry. Ultimately, we are here to provide helpful resources and offer a friendly voice in challenging times. 

 What Is an Addiction? Do We All Have It?

-Part. 2 of 2- 

Please join us as we address various issues and mental health challenges on a weekly basis creating a forum for communication and solutions with experts in advertising and mental health. In this week’s special 2 Part Series, join Doug Truppe and Gabriel Most, LCSW, RN for Part 2 of What is an Addiction? Do we all have it? Together we’ll explore what is an addiction and what one can do to manage it.

Whether We ’re All Addicted to Something Because It’s Part of the Current Human Condition or Not; the Following Is True:

Confessing to an addiction requires self-disclosure only. What others think won’t get you to change your behaviors. Change is purely optional.

Once we recognize that we have a problem we can begin to focus on the solution(s).

Here Is Just a Short List of Things One Can Do to Manage an Addictive Behavior or Relationship:

Get Help – You cannot figure this out on your own, that’s why this is an addiction. You just can’t stop.

Do some research on your addictive behavior. Use Google and AI to access information on your specific addiction. Research helpful tools like books and types of treatment and speak to experts or person of faith and find out how others are getting help. Hotlines?

What has proven effective? What has not? What type of therapy? Out-Patient, Inpatient treatment, Drug Rehab? Psychologist, LCSW, MD or go unconventional like Music or Art Therapist? Individual, Couples or Groups?

Come up with some type of plan that predetermines how you want to behave or manage triggers, cravings or bouts when they rear their ugly head and taunt you to reengage in the addictive cycle. This prepares you for the unexpected because shit happens.

Socialize & Share- Use your discretion. What, how and who you share with is vital to your success. Socializing in all its variations combats loneliness and isolation which are key components and triggers for addictive behaviors and cycles.

Create a daily Self-Care routine. We are all busy, juggling the many directions our lives take us to; however, creating a daily ritual or tradition which we customize to our own liking and time constraints ensures we are staying connected to ourselves and our feelings.

The most important relationship we will ever have is the one we have with ourself. Be kind to yourself today. Give yourself a break today. Remind yourself that you do know what is best for your life. It is your purpose to listen.

Gabriel Most LCSW, RN www.GMostTherapy.com

Contact me to share your stories: hello@dougtruppe.com 

Come Shoot with Us- Hold on to Your Creative Freedom

Come Shoot with Us!

Hold tight to your Freedom of Creative Expression. Free to feel whatever you want when you want. There are all kinds of landscapes to be explored : the face, the mind, the body, the moods we experience. A great image can stop you in your tracks, slow you down and can be the beginning or the end of a story. Take a chance. Let us help you find the right moment to make a moment with our expert photographers and directors. www.dougtruppe.com

Our Experts: Francesco Bittichesu, Tom Hussey, Jason Knott, Jared Leeds, Scott Montgomery. Tadd Myers, Claudio Napolitano, Peter Rodger

Doug Truppe Creates Another Industry Event - Show and Tell with VML NYC

We are back again with another Show & Tell event. This time Doug Truppe, created a lively face-to-face presentation of his award-winning photographers  and directors to VML in New York City this week.

It was enjoyable to meet in person, to chat and pitch ideas. We thank the art production team of Kaia Hemming, Suzanna Shields, and Patty Widyn for this terrific opportunity and for taking time out from their busy schedules to meet with us for our fun “Show and Tell.”  Next stop?  Let us know when, where and we’ll be there. And bring your appetite! Follow us to see where we go next.
 
Our Show & Tell Roster:  Francesco Bittichesu, Andy Goodwin, Jim Hughes,  Tom Hussey, Jared Leeds, Scott Montgomery,  Tadd Myers, Claudio Napolitano, Peter Rodger.
 

VM Art Producers (l to r) Suzanna Shields, Doug Truppe, Patty Widyn and Kaia Hemming review portfolios

VML Art Producer Suzanna Shields reviews portfolios at Doug Truppe Show & Tell event.

Doug Truppe Creates Industry Event - Show & Tell with TBWA/Chiat/DAY NY

Doug Truppe created a lively face-to-face event to present his award-winning group of photographers to TBWA/Chiat/Day in New York City recently.

Our group’s greatest strength lies in their personalities.  Everyone is unique, but they all have several things in common: they know how to work cohesively, complement any project they work on with kindness, respect and thoughtfulness. Today more than ever we need to be thinking all the time, be flexible and go with the flow.  Our photographers do their homework, study their clients, listen to feedback so they can bring their ideas and options. A great story is about transformation, what we become and how we got there.  Our photographers take you somewhere.

 It was so much fun to meet in person, to chat and pitch ideas that we plan to take our show on the road. We thank the creatives at TBWA/Chiat/Day for this terrific opportunity and for taking time out from their busy schedules to meet for some fun and a relaxing “Show and Tell.”

Next stop?  Let us know when and where and we’ll be there!

TBWA/Chiat/Day presentation in NYC.

TBWA/Chiat/Day presentation in New York City.

TBWA/Chiat/Day presentation in New York City.

Doug Truppe - Come Shoot With Us

Doug Truppe Represents starts the year with the best in award-winning photographers and directors worldwide. Working on any platform with today’s latest emerging technologies, we transform ordinary everyday life, slow down a scene to capture those small, special moments—key to storytelling that makes a difference.

We are excited to collaborate, create and produce, always accommodating our clients’ perspectives and needs. With a nod to traditional values—Curiosity, Passion Integrity, Kindness and Truth—we work in the present as we look to the future. Build a message that intrigues and the audience will come.

Rhea Anna, Kevin Arnold, Andy Goodwin, Jim Hughes, Tom Hussey, Jared Leeds, Scott  Montgomery, Claudio Napolitano, Peter Rodger, Walter Smith

Click on Doug Truppe to View Our Work

Scott Montgomery Goes Back in Time

There is a feeling about walking into an old house or building. Scott Montgomery didn’t teleport or time travel this summer, but he did step back in time with a new series of stunning images where the lead character is a clothing factory over 100 years old.  

“The tactile density of items and stuff at first is unnerving. It’s a visual hurricane to stand in, and yet felt as welcome and safe as grandma’s house,” as Scott describes the busy industrial space he chose to capture. The initial challenge for him was to make solid compositions out of the chaos—wide angle, deeply layered complex compositions of the space. Next was to honor the highly skilled workers who treat each other like family. And last was to show the details, the intricate sculpture and design of the tools and machines that have served these artisans so well for a generation or more. We are drawn into this tough manufacturing landscape, and there is beauty in the resilience, dedication and precision of a job well done. 

See more work at Scott’s site and follow him @scott_mont for his latest updates on this project and others.

We Celebrate National Photography Month

It’s the lovely month of May, and we want to celebrate our photographers and all photographers who continue to create stunning imagery, make an impact and touch the intangible. Thank you to all for your remarkable work.

Scott Montgommery Gets Seriously Funny for CHG Healthcare Campaign

Scott Montgomery shot a super fun project for CHG Healthcare, a national medical-staffing agency. Scott’s campaign focused on high-end specialists as surgeons and hospital doctors. Shot in Minneapolis, he directed the motion spot and covered key scenes with stills. It was a fun and fast-paced two-day production lead by Producer Tanya Silver. Other creatives on the campaign included:  Kenton McRae, Jeremy Oviatt and Nate Anderson. See the images and watch how Scott makes health and wellness funny and the best medicine of all here. See more work at his site and follow Scott for new updates  @scott_mont.

Click on the images below to see CHG Healthcare in action.

Scott Montgomery Is Profiled by Workbook at The Damen Shipyard

We are proud to share a series of gorgeous images shot by photographer and director Scott Montgomery at The Damen Shipyard in Amsterdam and now profiled on the Workbook Weekly Community. A perfect balance of complementary warm and cool colors, the series captures industrial projects being built on a massive scale—everything from military vessels and tugboats to super yachts.

Scott told us that, “Walking underneath and around these massive ships, it’s still hard to imagine they float.” The portraits are Ukrainian workers who fled the Ukraine at the outbreak of war. Even with a language barrier, through body language and familiar gestures, everyone was able to work together. Scott brought to life the Damen work ethic of fellowship and to build a vessel for every purpose. See more of the Workbook promotion here. Follow @scott_mont for more updates.

Scott Montgomery Strikes a Nerve with The Reader

We are proud to present Scott Montgomery’s personal project The Reader, recently featured in the Workbook Weekly, the place to see great work. It is beautifully crafted storytelling using motion and imagery,

Tired of scrolling and binging watching during the first Covid wave that gripped New York City during the winter of 2020, photographer/director Scott began reading to his wife one evening in bed.  The sense of intimacy it created transformed them, and for Scott it was the inspiration for the story that he wanted to tell.

He began with a simple story line about a young woman living in Brooklyn.  She and her boyfriend love books and read to each other as a way to decompress after work.  She wants to share this experience with others and decides she can build a side hustle: a personal reading service. People respond.

Scott began casting in the spring of 2021 but complications due to Covid brought shooting to a halt. But in the Spring of 2022 he met Jenna, an ICU nurse who had worked throughout the pandemic in NYC. She embodied all the  traits of the character he called The Reader. And coincidentally, in real life, her boyfriend would read to her to calm her down after a particularly difficult shift. Scott now had the full narrative.

Scott shot both stills and motion and the blending of the two plays to his strength as a storyteller. As he told us, “…For a long time I’ve lit still scenes with a gaffer using motion continuous light. It’s rounder and softer than strobe and I prefer the look. Only gear change is camera. Second, I’m my own DP for main camera. Seamless continuity from stills to motion. Third, narrative story is my natural voice.  My stills have always resembled a moment pulled from a movie…. now they link together to make mini-movies.”

“Researching the subject, I expected to find a focus on kids or the elderly.  I was wrong. Reader clubs exist! Better yet, as we’ve started to show the piece, person after person has messaged and shared a story. We struck a nerve – The gift of reading out loud,” says Scott. See the Workbook promotion here. Find more updates and follow Scott @scott_mont

Click on the Images below to view The Reader and accompanying images.

The Reader motion and stills.

The Reader motion and stills.

Scott Montgomery Wins for Lifestyle in APA Awards

We are very proud and congratulate Scott Montgomery on winning the Lifestyle category, 3rd place, in the 2022 APA Awards.  In his latest personal projects, Scott creates and authors  characters, their stories and then produces using the elements of narrative motion and stills to fit. “The work has to hold relationship. Our lives are deeper because of the people and places in them,” he says.

With the help of producer Janet Henderson, @zincproductions,  Scott found some outstanding locations along coastal Maine, creating more ideas for his script. Next was searching for talent. Scott found his perfect fit in Taylor. She became his active mid-career novelist living on an island in a house over 100 years old without power.  “I wanted to bring her mind’s words to life by dropping in as she’s writing,” says Scott.”  Crew, gear, wardrobe—everything  was  skiffed to the location, adding an authentic feel to the character and surroundings.

“I guide real people and pro talent to share a story (some real, some not). When it’s emotionally true, you feel it. We connect, that’s the good stuff.”  We couldn’t agree more. Follow and see more work @scott_mont. See more updates and news  @dougtruppe.

APA winning image for Lifestyle Category, 3rd place.

Doug Truppe’s Platform of Values: Passion - The Human Elements for Life and Work

Doug Truppe is on the road again and presents a unique approach to outstanding production that brings your storytelling  to life. “I live, work and make choices by these values with photographers, creatives, clients and everyone I meet.”  Doug’s values of Curiosity, Passion, Kindness, Truth and Integrity are part of  an ongoing series of presentations from our photographers and directors to the creative community. We present  the value of Passion— an energy, a compelling desire for someone, something, some place, some idea. Our passion is our purpose. We show it in every image we make with: @KevinArnoldPhoto, @ClaudioNapolitano  and @Scott_Mont   here.

New collaborations and new relationships  with values are the building blocks to great storytelling.

Click on Passion to see much more.

Scott Montgomery Gets Personal with "Keep It for Her”

Parenting is universal: We aspire to do everything we can right… and carry it heavy when it doesn’t work out that way.” This 22-second short is everything I love in working with kids and inspired by my daughters,” says Scott.

Production:  Dad and daughter are talent, not related and just met, though you wouldn’t know it. “It helps for me working with kids to be in dad mode as much as director — to play with and surprise her. Kids on set don’t need to act, just the opportunity to be themselves through a reaction.”  Scott wrote the script  and recorded separately. Camera Talent: Ian Randolph and Irelynn Joy. Voice Talent: Thomas Copeland. “Keep It for Her” has also been featured on the Workbook Weekly News. See more work and follow Scott @scott_mont.

Click on the image below to see “Keep It for Her.”

Agent Doug Truppe Presents The Creative Corner: Photographer/Director Scott Montgomery Talks with Ari Wells, Founder and CCO of Hearth Agency

Scott Montgomery talks with client and friend Ari Wells, Founder and Chief Creative Officer of Hearth Agency in San Diego, about achieving “the moment” in the collaborative process on set and behind the scenes.

We hope you enjoy the sessions and would love to hear from you. If you are an industry creative and would like to participate, get your voice and ideas out there, feel free to contact us: hello@dougtruppe.com.  Follow Scott Montgomery @scott_mont.

Click on the Image Below to Start the Conversation.

Scott Montgomery (top) with Ari Wells, Founder of Hearth Agency (bottom).