Elmia - here I come!

Just too much stuff being a photographer. I will try a new idea developing my rock-n-roll way of shooting. This time I will try to do it without assistants. That means to strap on the equipment on myself.


-- Post From My iPhone

Location:Storgatan,Linköping,Sweden

Starting up the blog for real

So I am back on Facebook: new account—same Morre. :-)
I hope this time people will not be "offended" by my pictures and report me. I hope they get a lot of bad karma... Yikes! Probably gave me some bad to just wishing that.

This week has been hectic as usual. Black and white portrait in my "studio" (that is a room in our office), cover shoot for LKPG Magazine with the renowned football player Josephine Öqvist.

Oh! On Tuesday I had my last dual lesson for my dark pilot certificate. That meant a trip with my little sister and the instructor to Norrköping and Skavsta. We did not use my favorite airplane, the Mooney M20J, but a Piper PA28 - a very friendly airplane but slow. When entering Skavsta airspace: "Sierra Echo Kilo India India - please keep up speed. Inbound traffic."
Then I looked over my shoulder and saw some lights behind me. Gaaah!
It is impossible to go fast in a PA28! And seeing the lights of a Boing 737 behind you is... interesting. :-)
Then we heard them over the radio: "Ryanair 473 inbound...". Of course they where far away but you work up some sweat anyway.

So it was: fast approach, when airspeed below 100 kt - full flaps at once, and then we had to start the flare, quick touch-n-go, the right out after climbing above 500 ft. That was fun!
Later, while maintaining 2500 ft, we navigated from Skavsta to Stegeborg, with no navigational aid (the instructor turned them off). Pretty hard in the dark at that low altitude, but I made it.

I better stop this and start to take care of the back side of shooting - all these pictures to deliver.

Happy Easter!

Mr. Morow and the story of Facebooz

Mr. Morow was kind of a sad figure. He had a round funny-looking face, almost totally covered in long dark hair and an overgrown red beard. He even smelled funny.
But he had a gift - he was really good at taking pictures. Because of this he had become accepted in his small village. Famous people and good looking women came from near and far to have their pictures taken. He had learned that everyone was nice to him, at least until their pictures were taken. His was so gifted, he even got a business going and soon glossy magazines wanted to work with him.

But all was not well. The magazines had high demands, so he spent most of his time trying to get hold of models, make-up artists and hair stylists just to get his pictures as good as possible. He seldom left his office and did not have time to meet his friends as often as he wished.

One day when he was sitting in his office sending models to magazines, the phone rang.

-Hello, said Mr. Morow.
-Hi, my name is Everett and I am calling from Facebooz.
-Hi there, Everett. What are you selling?, said the grumpy Mr. Morow.
-What would you say if I invited you to move to a country where all your friends are near, where it's easy to find new friends and your business easily can communicate with new and old customers and colleagues ?
-Yeah right! And how much does that cost?
-Nothing! It is totally free. And you as a photographer will be able to save a lot of time and even have fans. You only pay if you would like to advertise.

Mr. Morow looked down on his desk on all the mails he was writing, glanced at his phone with the messages asking what he was doing and the long list of models he should update about the latest assignments.

-So it's free you say...?
-Yes! And it's global! This is a perfect way to have all your friends, customers and colleagues all over the world just around your house!
-Oh... That sounds amazing!, said Mr. Morow thinking it sounded fishy. What is the catch then?
-None! It is the most lovely country in the world! It's a place where there isn't any trouble. You can move there today and you are welcome to bring all your businesses as long as you get one Page-office per business. But that is also free. I can send you a ticket today!

Later that week, Mr. Morow was a happy citizen of Facebooz. He told all of his friends about the fantastic place, all three of them, and told all his colleagues and customers they could now find him in Facebooz. He was a good citizen bringing many new people to Facebooz.
Even though he had to show his face to everyone, he got new friends, found a lot of new colleagues, could give jobs to models far from his old country and he even almost got laid once!

One morning at the airport, after a business trip to his old country, Mr. Morow was walking up to the gate to board his private airplane. There was no one waiting in line so he quickly handed the gatekeeper his ticket and passport.
-Oh... Mr. Morow..., said the gatekeeper. We have found something offensive on your desk. Can you please sign this to confirm you got this message?
-What? OK, no problem, said Mr. Morow and signed the paper. What the heck did you found and where?
-I am sorry, but We cannot tell you that. But you have to promise never to put anything like that again on your desk.
-What? How can I promise that when I do not know what it was!?, said Mr. Morow loosing a bit of his temper.
-Do not use that tone to Us! I am sorry, now you are not allowed to enter Facebooz, said the gatekeeper and gave Mr. Morow's passport back. You must understand that we have to keep our country pure and decent.
-What!? But I have all my friends and all my companies there now!?
-Not that tone, I said! Now you will have to wait even longer!
-So I will be able to get back some day?
-I am sorry, but I am not allowed to answer that question, said the gatekeeper. You are holding up the line, Sir! Please move! This gate is only for citizens of Facebooz. Hi, Franz! Long time no see! Welcome!

Mr. Morow turned and saw a tall, gloomy gentleman with dark hair passing him. Without even showing his passport, the man passed the gate with the gatekeeper bowing.

-How come he was allowed in just like that?, said Mr. Morow.
-Oh! Didn't you recognize him? That was Mr. Kafka, Head of Comedy in Facebooz. He wrote this whole scene. I really have to ask you to leave! You are disturbing the friendly citizens of Facebooz behind you. If you have any complaint you have to put them in postbox over there.

The gatekeeper pointed to a yellow brick lane leading up to a postbox on the other side of the hall. It looked very worn and had a lot of papers lying around it.
-Feel free to address your problem though that and Mr. Oz might be able to get you back to Facebooz.
-But there is no opening in that box!, shouted Mr. Morow.
The gatekeeper just looked down at him and Mr. Morow's heart sunk.
I must be dreaming, though Mr. Morow. I really need a drink!

Slowly, dragging his feet behind him, Mr. Morow walked towards the bar.

But there at the bar was three of his friends sitting, Frodo, Mr. Freelord and Moby, looking just as gloomy as him.
-Hey dudes! What on earth are you doing here?, said Mr. Morow.
-Where are banned from Facebooz, said the three with one voice.
-What? All of you? Why? What have you done?
-I don't know. I just got an email from Facebooz about something offensive on some desk, but I was not allowed to know what. Then I got kicked out, said Frodo. I was not even allowed to get back to get my ring. I guess all hell will break loose if someone finds that one...
-I didn't even get a notice! How will I be able to brag about my lifestyle now, said Moby, downing a glass of vodka and a full bag of Maltesers into his big white belly.
-I have no idea, said Mr. Freelord sipping his favorite Czech beer. I was just not allowed to enter and I have been a member since the 5th of November.
Then Mr. Morow felt a shiver down his back. He suddenly connected the dots.
-Guys... We only have one thing in common: the keys to Morow Photography's Page-office!
-What!? Is this some kind of Vendetta? Just having a key cannot be the reason for all four of us getting banned! I have not even been to Morow Photography's office, much less putting any stuff there, said the Mr. Freelord.
-I have never even used the key!, shouted Frodo. What kind of a dark place is Facebooz anyway? I thought it was really precious!

A stern voice suddenly interrupted them:
-I am sorry Sirs, I kindly have to ask you to leave the airport.

The group of the four agitated men turned around and looked at a long faced gentleman, standing just a couple of feet away. Around him stood a large group of pig-like men in black suits.

-And who are YOU!?, Mr. Morow asked almost screaming.
-I am George, George Orwell, Head of Security of Facebooz and I know all four of you. I have to inform you that Facebooz has bought the whole airport and you have to leave.
-What? Can we finish our beer at least, said Mr. Freelord, who really liked beer, trying to buy some time.
-No, said Mr. Orwell, indicating to his pigs to gather around the four men. Our Customer Relationship Team will meet in the bar soon, and Idi, Kim and Joseph would not like to be around less equal men. They have to be really focused on getting drunk and writing our new Code of Conduct.

The four men understood that resistance was futile and decided to move back to their old country, Blog-n-Email, hoping that some of their friends would miss them and tell their story to other citizens of Facebooz. Maybe then things might change and birds would twitter again...

Your face/ass/makeup in my camera?

It is time to get out on the road again to get some great new shots to my portfolio and find some new good talents to work with.

Are you a model, make-up artist, hair stylist and/or fashion stylist and would like to get some great shots for your portfolio for free?

Do this:

1. Consider what type of shots you would like to have
2. If you can gather a good team: models, MUAs, stylists - Do it!
3. Sign up for an account in our internal, non-public database (just us will see your stuff)
4. Check your inbox and spambox for the activation email. Activate your account
5. Fill in you data, a mobile phone number, an adress and then add as many pictures as you wish

I will see when your profile got pictures and contact you soon if I find you interesting. Feel free to send me an email with your ideas of pictures. If they are good you are more likely to be chosen.

The tour will go on from the middle of February as long as I feel like it. The c0untries will be Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland, Poland and Malta. If you are really good, you might be one of two models and a make-up artist/hair stylist getting a trip to Tenerife! Yup, I need some vacation and cheap beer. :-)

/Morre

Do not trust Facebook!!

Just barely awake I logged in to Facebook. I then tried to go to Morre Photography's fan Page there; a page we are using to send out notifications about assignments to models, make-up artist, hair stylist and all other talents we are communicating with.

*poof*
I was returned to my personal profile and got a warning about a picture that apparently was not in line with their Terms of Use. The FAQ said they could not show me which one, but told me to check in my albums.
I had no idea if it was a picture in my personal albums or Morre Photography's albums. Just one click and
*poof*
I was out.
"Account Disabled
Your account has been disabled. If you have any questions or concerns, you can visit our FAQ page here."

WTF!!!

Apparently all administrators of Morre Photography's fan Page was thrown out. Some who had not upload any picture or text to our fan Page at all!
One of the administrators had got emails saying 5(!) pictures was deleted. Since the last time they review my account I have maximum uploaded 3 pictures that could be questionable if you are a right wing Christian in US.

So if you have any picture that is hotter than an Amish mum, you may be banned!

• No warnings!
• No explanations!
• The do not show you what content. "You uploaded some bad stuff, we can not show you what but never do it again!"
• They are not likely to answer any email
• According to their policy, you are not allowed to have multiple accounts so you are really banned for life.
• They may have auto-functions for disabling, i.e. someone who do not like you can report pictures and by that get you kicked out.
• A picture that has been reviewed before can make you banned today!
• You can be banned just being an administrator of a Group or Page. Guilty by association! You probably have no way to clear your name. If they think you are guilty-you are!
  

My advice:

1. Raise hell! Send them emails requesting clarifications of what you are allowed to have there. They are acting like a totalitarian state! You have no rights. Welcome to Kafka company. "Your process is going bad but we will not tell you why."
2. Check your pictures. Delete any hot picture.

So from now on, Morre Photography will not rely on Facebook for notifying talents of work, we will work harder to get every good one into our own, non-public database. By this will will more easily get you work and will always be able to contact you.

Yes, we are pretty irritated here...

The pictures on top of this post may have been the ones getting four people banned from Facebook. According to Facebook they are repulsive or pornographic...

/Morre

Malta shoot #2

The plan was to check for locations on Thursday and have the primary shoot, the test shoot for FHM Norway, on Friday with Saturday as a buffer day. Well, since no plan ever stays intact, I was not surprised when I got the call from the TV crew less then a week before the departure. That delayed me for two days. Then Iselin had to go home already, since she had got a new job.

So the main shoot had to be on Saturday, an extra day for Iselin on Sunday, sending out a proposal for a bikinishoot on Malta on Monday, shoot Heidi an extra day on Tuesday, having a fashion shoot for a luxury club, Club TwentyTwo, on Wednesday and then *poff* - the week was gone.

Most of the images are commercial from these shoots, so I just add some of the behind the scenes shots Martin took and some pictures we got, just having a training shoot with Heidi in the harbor below Martin's apartement. I had to show my Malta assistants how to handle a rock-n-roll shoot - when you carry all the equipment and shoot while moving. Perfect for crowded locations or locatons where you might not get permission to shoot...

I hope you notice one thing: if you joing us for a shoot on Malta - we will shoot a lot! Be prepare to work hard, but also to have a lot of pictures with you back home.

Why do we choose to go to Malta to shoot?

1. The light. Even during winter/rain season there is always a couple of days with sun
2. The temperature. We shot Heidi on the balcony only dressed in baby oil and a scarf. That would not been pleasant in Sweden right now.
3. The locations. There are plenty of locations, indoor and outdoor just around the corner. Ancient, modern, nature, luxury - all close. Martin and Chris are scouting them as we speak.
4. The people. There are a lot of nice, helpful, friendly people on Malta. That makes a job like mine a whole lot easier and a hell of a lot more fun!
5. The party. Well... There are a lot of nice clubs in Malta. Those moments off-duty can be a lot of fun there. :-)
   

Hope to see ya there on the next shoot!

Getting late to Malta

I went to the airport with the models, Heidi and Iselin, and the make-up artist/hair stylist Rebecka, to the Skavsta [NYO] on Wednesday and that was pretty smart of me. Of course they had to much luggage all except one. Rebecka even had to leave a plastic bag full of stuff just to get the weight down to 15 kilos on her check-in bag.

Why did I not join the Wednesday flight? I was part of a Swedish TV show and they would not be finished with shooting until Friday. When I was spending time in front of a camera (which I hate) them ladies were having a tour on Malta with our dear friend and local celebrity actor, Steffen, where giving un-healty cake and some nice wine. (Why do they always get the best part of a shoot?)

I finished shooting late on Thursday evening, arrived at Arlanda [ARN] on 2.30 in the morning on Friday after a really hectic week. You feel really glamourous sleeping in a noisy (they where doing construction works) departure hall on a marble bench, always with a hand on your EUR 40.000 camera bag.
Then you pay EUR 270 for the extra weight and get on the plane at 6.25. I fell asleep at once and woke up when they landed.

"Welcome to Arlanda!"

WTF!?
A window cracked in cockpit and they had to return. As being a pilot myself, I bonded with the crew and saw a picture of it. It happened while they where climbing through 28.400 feet. Thankfully it was just a middle layer of the multi-layer safty glass there.

After spending three (3!) hours in line to get a new ticket, 4 hours in Frankfurt and a nice time chatting with the crew of Malta Air - I finally arrived at MLA 22.30 on the Friday. Half dead...

I got a great welcome by the ladies and Martin in his apartment and a couple of drinks later I was perfectly OK. :-)