TOM HUSSEY Photography: A Perspective on the Possibilities of AI

AI has become an all-consuming topic in advertising lately, with discussions revolving around how to utilize it and/or how to address its implications. Personally, I’m treating AI as a new tool with fresh possibilities for my work.

Recently, I decided to experiment with a new bit of AI software that generates an entirely new face, matching the look and feel of the original photograph. 

Within 10 minutes, I successfully crafted a completely "new person" using AI. I selected the ethnicity, age, hairstyle, hair color, eye color, expression, and more, creating a new face that doesn't exist in reality, yet matches the mood of my original image impeccably. 

In my opinion, the AI used here introduces two advancements. First, the face I created is not that of an actual living person, and second, the speed and accuracy at which this transformation occurred is truly astounding. Traditional methods would have entailed photographing a different person (ensuring a close match in terms of pose and lighting), and then meticulously retouching the new head onto the existing image to achieve a seamless and believable result. As many of you can likely relate, this conventional approach would have consumed far more than the ten minutes I spent crafting the "after" image in the examples below. 

As I delve deeper into the realm of AI, my experience in its applications continues to grow. This newfound expertise enables me to harness AI as a valuable tool in my image making. By immersing myself in its intricacies and pushing the boundaries of what is achievable, I have developed a profound understanding of how AI can augment and elevate various aspects of my work. 

The transition from film to digital photography had a profound impact on my creative process, as images showed almost immediately allowing for creative changes in almost real time. The swift emergence of images empowered me with newfound efficiency and inspiration, transforming the way I approached my craft.

 Similarly, embracing AI is again expanding my horizons, igniting a fresh wave of inspiration utilizing these new tools to create images. I’m truly inspired and am now approaching my work with renewed passion and innovation. See more of Tom’s stories and client work at his site. And follow Tom for his latest updates @tomhusseyphotography.

Face forward original.

A mistake that maybe matches the mood ?

My original portrait.

Now the AI image.

Jared Leeds Is a 2023 APA Photo Awards Winner

We are very proud and congratulate award-winning photographer and director Jared Leeds on winning 3rd place in the Corporate category of the 2023 APA Photo Awards. Jared won honors for his portraiture of workers he shot for UniFirst Corporation late last year. “I’m thrilled to be included among a bunch talented folks and great images.” We ditto that. See more of Jared’s work at his site and follow him @jleedsphoto for his latest updates.
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2023 APA Photo Award winner in the Corporate category.

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.

Tom Hussey Photography Captures the Heart and Soul of Frost Bank in New Campaign

Award-winning commercial and advertising photography studio Tom Hussey Photography recently completed a new multifaceted campaign with Frost Bank. Shot on location, Tom features Frost Bank employees and their commitment to the bank’s customer service and community involvement. Tom and his team spent several days on location in the offices, capturing candid moments of the bank employees working and supporting clients and one another. The resulting images capture the heart and soul of Frost Bank, its employees and how they care for customers. "We wanted to create a campaign that really showcased the personal touch that Frost Bank brings to its customers," says Tom. "By photographing real employees in real-life situations, we were able to capture the authentic moments that make Frost Bank special."

The campaign is out now in print, digital materials, billboards, online ads and social media content. Each image is accompanied by a tagline that reinforces Frost Bank's core values of integrity, people first, talent, grit and gumption. See more of Tom’s latest work @tomhusseyphotography and at his site.

Jared Leeds Is Always In Motion

Jared Leeds did an inspiring interview with @KellyMcMurray, founder of  2communiqué, about his addition of directing into the creative workflow. Now with the rapid onset of AI, we all must grapple with new challenges and think about how to move forward, explore and build on the power of imagination without fear.

Read the article here. See more new work @jleedspjhoto.

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.

Tom Hussey Shoots Library of Lifestyle Imagery for Teladoc Health

Teladoc Health, the leading virtual healthcare company, teamed up with award-winning photographer and director Tom Hussey to create a library of lifestyle imagery that captures the spirit of virtual healthcare.

The photo and video shoot took place over several days in various locations throughout Texas, featuring diverse individuals of different ages and backgrounds. Tom’s unique ability to capture human emotion and authenticity was a perfect match for Teladoc Health's commitment to providing personalized and compassionate care to patients worldwide.

"Working with Teladoc Health was a fantastic opportunity to capture the human experience and showcase the power of virtual healthcare," says Tom . "It was a pleasure to work with such a talented and dedicated team, and I am proud of the final product."

The resulting library of images and videos is authentic storytelling with real moments showing how virtual healthcare can transform lives. From a young mother consulting with a doctor from the comfort of her home to an elderly man receiving care from across the country, these images and videos showcase the convenience, accessibility, and assurance of quality care Teladoc Health provides. The project is now being featured on AdChat DFW.

See more stories at Tom’ site  and follow him @tomhusseyphotography.

We're on Our Way to LE BOOK CONNECTIONS Los Angeles 2023

Invest in Doug Truppe Represents to build your brands. Stop by and see us at  at LE BOOK CONNECTIONS in Los Angeles, March 16th, 2023, 10:30AM - 7:00 PM at NeueHouse Hollywood, 6121 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028.
We will be showcasing work from our award-winning photographers and directors with other leading brands, creative agencies and high-end decision makers. And please join us for Happy Hour at 5PM for more chat and creative mingling.
Save the date and don't forget to register now!  Hope to see you at this great networking event.
https://lnkd.in/dTr6mdzg

Photo by Jared Leeds

Tom Hussey Celebrates New Life Full Gospel Community Church

The sounds of energetic religious music can be heard as TOM HUSSEY walks from the parking lot towards the entrance of the New Life Full Gospel Community Church in Dallas, Texas. This church is a pillar of the community, serving as a place of worship and a symbol of hope for its congregants. 

As the doors open, you are greeted by the members, dressed in their finest, swaying and swinging with all their hearts. The pews are filled with people of all ages, from young children to the elderly, all come together to worship and be uplifted.

The service begins with a passionate rendition of “Amazing Grace.” At this point, the pastor takes the pulpit, his voice rising as he delivers a message of hope, resilience and faith. His words are powerful, drawing the congregation into a deep sense of connection with each other.   

Throughout the service, there is music, clapping and the sound of tambourines and the shaking of keys in celebration of their religious morning.  As the service comes to a close, music again fills the church and spills into the parking lot. Members of the congregation slowly begin to leave, but the spirit of community and belonging stay with them.   

For the people of the New Life Full Gospel Community Church, this is not just a Sunday morning ritual, it is a way of life. They are proud of their heritage, proud of their faith and proud of their church. See more of their story in pictures here. Follow @tomhusseyphotography for more new work. And follow us @dougtruppe for more news and updates. 

Welcome to the Truppe: Jared Leeds

We live in difficult times, but we believe challenges heighten our resilience and our work. Strength as a photographer and director lies in the ability to create trust, to put people at ease so the true self can come through. Whether working with one person or a large commercial production with a crew of 30 people or more, Jared Leeds connects to people on the most basic level and they respond in kind with emotionally charged moments. Jared tells stories with empathy, intimacy and compassion— the art of living is real, propelled forward in robust imagery and motion.

Based in Boston, Jared and his team have produced campaigns with creatives all over the world. Clients as CVS, Fidelity, UPS, Vanguard, Sunovion, Stearns and Foster and many more reach out to him because he is a versatile creator, motivator and collaborator. 

We are proud to welcome and present Jared’s observations, clarity and vision to you and your clients. Check out his website and follow him @jleedsphoto. See more news and updates for us @dougtruppe.

Peter Rodger Gets Mega Results with Cool Mega Pans

 Photographer/director Peter Rodger is not afraid to go big. Mega Pan technology is the perfect complement to Peter’s award-winning, cinematic approach. Mega Pans are extremely high-resolution images that can be printed any size. Ranging from 500 – 1500 megapixels, there is no limit to what you can do with such high resolution to maximize brand content.

Mega Pans offer endless social and shareable applications and opportunities—a dream for all kinds of commissions and brands as a part of a more engaging social/web engagement strategy for entertainment venues, concerts, public gatherings, sporting events, festivals, trade shows—anything you can think of. High-resolution, printed to any size for online, websites, SM, building exteriors and interiors and retail outlets are just some of the ways to build and thrill audiences. Zoom into the imagery and Mega Pans reveal the sharpest, most intricate details, down to words, people in buildings, background and topography you might not notice.

It's epic storytelling in a very cool, natural execution for events, products and commissions. Click on Peter’s signature Mega Pans and see all of Peter’s latest work here. Follow @dougtruppe for more news and stories.

Click and Zoom into the image to go big and get spectacular detail.

We're on the Road with Tom Hussey: Texas Brewery Tour

Texas Brewery Tour is a promotional piece featuring images of local craft breweries in six Texas cities that complemented Tom’ Hussey’s hosting of the “I Love Texas Photo” Instagram account.  “I Love Texas Photo” asked Tom to post content showcasing his favorite people, places and things across the Lone Star State. 

 Being a big fan of craft beer, he just naturally thought it would be a lot of fun photographing as many local Texas breweries as possible.  Over the course of three days, Tom drove approximately 1,230 miles and visited 15 breweries around Texas.  “I met some of the nicest people brewing some of the finest craft beer I’ve ever had, hands down,” says Tom.  See more images from Texas Brewery here and follow @tomhusseyphotography  for more stories and updates. Follow us here.

Tom Hussey Shoots Visionary Work for the New Drug XIPERE

Tom Hussey always captures eye-popping imagery, which works especially well for the branded promotion he recently shot for the new drug XIPERE. XIPERE treats Macular Edema associated with uveitis, a form of eye inflammation that affects the middle layer of tissue in the eye wall (uvea) when the immune system is fighting an infection.

To present the drug in a more entertaining light, Tom went over the top and did a nationwide casting call to find contortionists who could advertise the drug. In vibrant, colorful imagery, Tom captures bodies in action—bending, twisting and contorting themselves in shapes to mimic the structure of the ocular wall. It’s a visually elegant presentation targeting the efficacy of the drug in a natural and holistic way—easy on the eye you might say. The promotion is appearing now online at the XIPERE site and their Social Media. See more and follow Tom’s work @tomhusseyphotography.

We're on the Road with Tom Hussey: City on Ice at the Ice Fishing Extravaganza Tournament

(Note: Shot prior to the pandemic.)

A few years ago, Tom decided he was going to travel to shoot personal work once a month—ambitious but doable. One January, he  decided to go to the world’s largest Ice Fishing Tournament — The ICE FISHING EXTRAVAGANZA at Hole in the Day Bay, on Gull Lake, just north of Brainerd, Minnesota. 

He hired a local assistant, also an ice fisherman, who was a great help since he was driving a two-ton pickup truck out on to a completely frozen lake with 20,000 holes drilled into the ice. Think Swiss cheese—a nerve-racking experience.  Once he  reached the “City on Ice” he was amazed at the over 18,000 fishermen on the ice, ready for the minus 10-degree weather—a warmer year he was told. “Photographing the fishermen and the ice-fishing lifestyle made me truly appreciate the sport and the camaraderie of the participants,” he says. The ICE FISHING EXTRAVAGANZA is a charitable event awarding over $150,000.00 in prizes to the contestants while raising over $1 million to the area and local charities. Next tournament is January 22, 2022. See more of Tom’s Ice Fishing Imagery here and find more updates @tomhusseyphotography.

Peter Rodger Presents a Winning Style in the 16th Annual Spider Awards

Peter Rodger won six prizes and was nominated for four more in the 16th Annual Spider Awards, featuring some of the world’s best Black and White photography. In the Advertising Professional category, he won first place for Outstanding Achievement with one of his recently completed HCA Healthcare campaign images. The campaign has also been selected for a special “In Focus” profile by AtEdge. Peter also won in the People Professional and Nudes categories for work from his personal series “Cheeky.”  The honored images show how he interprets life in a unique, realistic, visually alluring style.

 See the complete winning gallery here.  View Peter’s latest work, and follow him for more updates @peterrodger. 

First Place, Outstanding Achievement, Advertising Professional. Ad for HCA Healthcare Campaign: Young man helping his friend.

Honorable Mention, Advertising Professional.  Ad for HCA Healthcare Campaign: Portrait of frontline nurse.

Honorable Mention, People Professional.  “Cheeky” Crosswalk Only in Cannes.

Tom Hussey Captures Baby Love for Pampers

 LOVE is in the air and on the set of P&G’s Pampers. Working his magic and reaping the rewards as he hams it up for his talent, Tom is a pro at getting babies to give up those smiles and expressions of cherubic joy and comfort. Diapers are everywhere, but Tom captures the moment and makes it easy for the client cast and crew—like the brand. See more stories and follow Tom @tomhusseyphotography.

Photographer/Director Peter Rodger Documents The Race of a Lifetime for HCA Healthcare Spot

It’s a race against time and a race to get answers in the fight against illness and a better quality of life. No one shows that kind of drama better than award-winning photographer/director Peter Rodger working with BPD Advertising in their latest collaboration for HCA Healthcare. In his classic style of cinema verité and unique branding for the client, Peter documents moments of resolve, pulsing physical performance and individual human effort as HCA Healthcare teams show up, put patients first and tackle the hard work.

Days may be difficult or triumphant, but HCA Healthcare frontline workers step up to meet the challenges with compassion, fairness and respect. Every scene is a portrait of courage and commitment to show up, suit up and begin again. Peter gives us a front-row seat to the great race to cheer and support the HCA heroes in his latest 30-second spot airing now. See more of Peter’s latest work including his commercials, film, fine art and still galleries. And be sure to follow him @peterrodger as well.

Tom Hussey Creates a Lasting Vision for Visionworks

Visionworks  essential eye-care for glasses, contact lenses and exams has been a fan of Tom’s work for years. They keep coming back because they love what they see. Great team work,  expert coordination of large casts with dozens of wardrobe changes and hundreds of pairs of glasses to choose from, Tom rolls with the spontaneous to capture real personalities.  It’s always a fun-filled project with a whirlwind of activity built on Tom’s  enthusiasm and creative collaboration.

The images seen here are from  a variety of campaigns shot recently and over the past few years  in studio and on location. They appear as in-store graphics, on the Visionworks website and throughout their Social Media channels. Follow Tom on Instagram  to see more updates and personal work.

Peter Rodger Directs Medicare: Be Next Commercial Encouraging Covid-19 Vaccination

Recently  Peter collaborated on a 30-second broadcast commercial through production company Untitled  with Weber Shandwick  of Chicago  and clients  CMS (Centers for Medicare) and Medicaid Services of Baltimore on the  “Medicare: Be Next” campaign.  

Peter’s award-winning  cinematic and humanistic approach  is spot on as he presents  urgent yet sensitive messaging  for full vaccination to protect yourself and loved ones against Covid-19.  Trusted healthcare workers on the front lines connect viewers to the human experience with respect and compassion, encouraging everyone to get vaccinated at no cost.  Peter’s authentic moments  show we  can be safe, get  back to family, friends  and  do the things we love  when we step up  and “Be Next.”

 Check out Peter’s latest work including commercials, film, still galleries, fine art, and see regular updates with personal work  on his Instagram as well.

Director/Photographer Peter Rodger Steps Up to the Challenge with HCA Healthcare Campaign

Peter Rodger thrives at being able to tell a compelling story. In a pandemic world, it has never been more important to show reality with authenticity and emotion‑‑especially for healthcare‑‑at the forefront of this global battle.

Recently, Peter was asked to collaborate on a multi-platform campaign by BPD Advertising for client HCA Healthcare. BPD wanted imagery that not only dealt with the deadly virus on the clinical side but also showed the human aspect.  Peter’s award-winning cinematic style, sensitivity to his subjects and emotional impact on audiences have made him a director of choice for many BPD projects. He wanted to present the humanity and dedication of caregivers behind the HCA Healthcare mission during these challenging times—their promise of inclusion, fairness, compassion, respect for individuals and communities.

Exploring all walks of life in a thorough casting process, Peter found talent who could tell a story with their eyes and body language.  Shooting in Miami, he dressed a studio in four different hospital environments as well as used several domestic locations for families and volunteer workers. Working in black and white‑‑all elements in place and scenes lit for powerful drama‑‑Peter started shooting as a photojournalist.  Real moments, a glimpse of the soul behind each person’s eyes, even while wearing masks, bring the HCA Healthcare values to life:  teams stepping up, the impulse always to help and never giving up.

HCA healthcare workers in action. below. Be sure to check out Peter’s latest work including commercials, film and still galleries. Regular updates appear on Peter’s Instagram as well.