CHEYENNE ELLIS PHOTOGRAPHY

THE WHITE BUFFALO

2009-11-19T20:07:00.000-08:00

A few years ago I was introduced to a very talented musician whose voice put the entire room in awe. A rugged, grass roots type of guy, that resonates beyond belief. A little bit of outlaw country.. a little bit of current day rock n roll... The White Buffalo's music feels like a legend in the making. I may be slightly biased, as I now call him a friend.. a neighbor.. and have a crush on his 2yr old little boy. But regardless, this is an artist who makes a unique imprint on the crowd each time he plays.

The White Buffalo just got back from an East Coast tour and is making his way north to San Jose and Santa Cruz this coming weekend. If you haven't heard it already, you're in for a treat. Check the website for upcoming shows, a taste of the music, and some pretty cool beer coosie's...

http://thewhitebuffalo.com

I AM SNOWBOARDING

2009-11-14T09:07:00.000-08:00

I'm thrilled to be a part of an incredibly special collaborative art show this weekend, honoring my dear friend Jeff Anderson, in Mammoth Lakes, Ca. Below is a description of the project and people involved from the shows website www.iamjla.org . Please take a look...

I AM SNOWBOARDING started as a simple idea. This year would have marked Jeff’s 30^thbirthday – and what better way to celebrate than to do it in the way Jeff would have – art, party, family, friends.

But Jeff wasn’t a simple man. He was a snowboarder, skateboarder, creative, loud mouth, drag you along, stand by your side, call-you-out on your bullshit, make you want to scream, make you want to catch your dreams kind of friend – who we now miss desperately and treasure as visionary, leader, inspiration. He was something special and unique to every person his life touched, and his reach of friendship spanned many different layers.

So the simple idea of an art show got a little more complicated. How to include everyone? How to do something new and fresh they way Jeff would have done it? What kind of art? How to curate? The idea came. Pair up one photographer with one artist. Double the power of a moment captured in time by throwing a little raw emotion right on top.

Why? Step back in art history just a little to one of Jeff’s favorite artists Jean-Michel Basquiat who spent several of his last years collaborating with Andy Warhol. Warhol and Basquiat merged their disparate approaches to painting into a dynamic group of collaborative works on canvas. The resulting paintings underscored each artist’s unique style and production method while at the same time giving rise to a vibrant and original body of work.

So it was decided to invite photographers who had captured Jeff on film – those who knew him intimately – to submit a photo of Jeff. A photo of their choice – Action, portrait, snapshot. Then enlarge it onto a medium sized canvas and send it off to a partnered artist to create in turn however they choose directly over the photograph. We made a list of people to invite, the list grew and then grew again and again, and with a click of the email send button it was out there. I knew we had something by the tail when almost immediately emails and phone calls of affirmation started coming back and partnerships just fell into place. No strategy, no cajoling, no questioning, just pure excitement to be doing something for Jeff. And from that point on, everything seemed to happen as if it was a sleeping machine suddenly set into motion – Like this was and is happening for a reason.

The I am snowboarding art project is an embodiment of the love we feel for Jeff, a celebration of his life, and our way of continuing his ability to reach people through art, integrity, and friendship. Jeff was able to touch people by wearing his heart on his sleeve and by putting his emotions down on paper for the world to see. He opened doors for us in snowboarding and in art. He gave us a place to create by opening his own home and walls to our paint and pen, and he continues to give us positive energy and encouragement to keep on going and follow our dreams.

Please come and share this experience with us at the I AM SNOWBOARDING opening in Mammoth Saturday November 14^th, 2009 six to nine in the evening.

BIG SUR

2009-11-09T22:26:00.001-08:00

The perfect Halloween weekend involved, escaping the masses, gathering good friends, and heading up the coast for Big Sur. Sleeping in a glass rimmed tree house of sorts, waking up to yoga and eggs benedict, followed by outdoor showers, time in the water, and myself.. mercilessly following everyone around with my lens, proved to be, how I wish to spend this holiday every year. Love and thanks to the Topanga gypsies (and the New York and San Luis additions)

BEAUTIFUL BELLY

2009-10-27T21:14:00.000-07:00

this entry will rely on the images themselves.. a beautiful morning with my little sister...her 7 month belly and a sunrise that inspired. enjoy

Rest in peace Mr. Penn

2009-10-07T16:34:00.001-07:00

I don't even know where to begin. This man was so much more to me than just a photographer that everyone admires and respects. He was a model of integrity, a warm and open heart, and a teacher that I will never forget. Irving Penn passed away this morning at his home in New York City, and all I keep thinking is, no one I know lived a more full and prosperous life than him. He saw things that many of us will never be able to touch, traveled the entire world and back, shared in a part of history, and accomplished so much as an artist. His work is the last of a breed that has passed before him, from Henry Cartier-Bresson, Richard Avedon, to Helmut Newton. A friend mentioned today... I bet they are all raising a glass together in heaven right now, and this couldn't be anymore true. Along with his wife Lisa Fonsagrives-Penn, whom he lost many years ago, Penn is in good company. Today was a huge loss for the art world and in photography the end of an era in my mind. He never adapted to the modern technology of the industry. When the digital revolution put most of our film camera's on the shelf to collect dust, Irving Penn kept his craft alive, spotting old black and white prints, and continuing to capture with his 8x10 camera on color transparency film. He was my mentor, a hero, and a friend. He taught me how to see light, how to appreciate color, and the importance of a moment within a portrait. Irving Penn will be missed by many. Sending so much love to his family and close friends. Thank you for everything.

NEW MUSE

2009-10-01T20:14:00.001-07:00

my god-daughter has proven quite the inspiration lately. a little one running around innocently, is always such a fun subject. i visited Spencer on her 1st birthday party last weekend and we did the camera dance. next birthday, she gets her own!

WEBSITE UPDATED

2009-09-29T12:21:00.001-07:00

I added some new imagery to the website last night, mostly in the Clients section. Have a gander...

DIANE'S BEACHWEAR

2009-09-21T16:51:00.001-07:00

Melanie Michaud just sent me some great behind the scenes shots from our shoot for Diane's Beachwear in Malibu last week. We had perfect weather and a fun crew. Shooting in my front yard is always a bonus. Thanks to everyone for their hard work!

You can see the whole day at their website below:

http://www.dianesbeachwear.com/#/life_style/tv/29/Holiday_2009_Photoshoot/

Keep an eye out for our Holiday shoot that should be coming soon.

BABY NALEIGH

2009-09-20T15:28:00.001-07:00

I had a pretty special opportunity last week. I photographed Katherine Heigl and Josh Kelley's new baby Naleigh that they adopted from Korea. They are huge proponents of adoption, both for children and with animals. I have so much respect for them in their efforts to give abandoned hearts a new home and hope you'll take a second to read about their foundation...

Katherine and her mom Nancy have started a charity organization for stray or abandoned dogs called The Jason Debus Heigl Foundation. The Foundation was founded by Nancy and Katherine Heigl in memory of a wonderful son and brother. Jason was killed in a car accident in 1986 when he was fifteen years old. Jason loved all animals, especially dogs, cats and monkeys and lived his short life extending compassion and kindness to all creatures great and small. The Foundation is his legacy built upon the boy we knew for fifteen short years.

The focus of the Foundation is to increase awareness of inhumane treatment of animals, support non-proﬁt rescue efforts, assist homeless shelter animals with rescue and medical treatment, fund and encourage free spay/neuter clinics, place rescue dogs and cats in loving homes, and educate the public about the horrors of puppy mills and dog ﬁghting.

One of the major programs, The Heigl Hounds of Hope, focuses on rescuing medium to large dogs from high-kill shelters throughout Southern California. Many have experienced abandonment, cruelty and neglect. To prepare the dogs for a new home and family they have hired a trainer to work with them on basic obedience training. At the training ranch the dogs learn all the basics needed to adjust and prepare for a new good life with a loving family.

All of their dogs are either-spayed or neutered, have been vetted, vaccinated, groomed and micro-chipped. Our adoption process requires an application, home-check and two week trial period. We are always available for questions, concerns and training needs. The adoption fee for our dogs is between $200 - $250, which is tax deductible.

Please take a look at this wonderful cause:

http://www.jasonheiglfoundation.org/news.html

PETRA

2009-09-09T20:20:00.001-07:00

I'm working on a new promotional piece and thought I would post some of the process. These two images really captured Petra's sincerity and playfulness throughout the day.
I'll post the finished product soon.

IRVING PENN: SMALL TRADES

2009-09-09T19:12:00.000-07:00

Last night I had the great honor to attend Irving Penn's reception at the Getty Museum in Los Angeles, for his current exhibition Small Trades. The display of work was beyond impressive. Working in Paris, London and New York in the early 1950's, Penn created masterful representations of skilled tradespeople dressed in work clothes and carrying the tools of their trade. The intricacies of these portraits are amazing, and the subject matter, something that would be replicated for decades. It was a breath of fresh air to see the craftsmanship of Penn's platinum printing up for display, a technique that has long been out of use. I could have spent hours perusing each photograph, but for the first time in awhile.. this art reception was actually full of people looking at the art. I'm looking forward to going back at a later date to spend some more time with his work. I suggest you do as well, if you're in the neighborhood.

The show runs from September 9 - January 10, 2010

http://www.getty.edu/

The beautiful Marlana

2009-08-31T23:52:00.001-07:00

Its amazing how much a little cloud cover can do. As I was prepping a bedroom for an intimate shoot with Marlana, hoping to get some great window lit, moody images.. the clouds rolled in and filled the sky. Too dark to shoot indoors naturally, we took the bed out, and utilized my favorite light source. "Bad weather" can be such a blessing sometimes. I welcome the clouds, even sometimes the rain, a little atmosphere never hurt a picture.. I really think it can only help.

A day with Mark Wystrach

2009-08-31T12:43:00.000-07:00

I spent the afternoon taking some portraits of a friend last week before he set off for his vacation in Bali. I thought I would post a few here before the next update of the website happens. Enjoy

FINAL PROMO

2009-08-19T13:00:00.001-07:00

NEW PROMO

2009-08-18T21:26:00.001-07:00

A day at the beach

2009-08-11T11:04:00.001-07:00

I've officially started leaving my holga, diana, and every other plastic toy camera at home since the inception of Camera Bag for the iPhone. Although I miss them dearly, I've solved the problem of sand intruding on my film at the beach, and they are turning into great decorative fixtures on my mantel. The thing I do love about using my phone for these purposes.. is how inconspicuous one can be. I am a traditionalist at heart, so my use of film will never die... (until the day Kodak goes out of buisness) but there is a time and a place for everything... and the everyday snapshots you can get with Camera Bag are a simple pleasure.

PETIE

2009-07-14T13:40:00.001-07:00

a fresh new face at FORD and a joy to work with last week....
new images will be up on the site soon.

ZARA

2009-06-29T13:04:00.000-07:00

an afternoon in my backyard with the lovely little Zara, eating ice cream, swinging in the hammock, and picking flowers, this is what i love calling work.

COSMOPOLITAN Magazine

2009-06-16T16:42:00.001-07:00

I have images in both the June and July issues of COSMO from my trip to Miami. I'll be adding out takes to my website soon. Enjoy!

ATLANTA, GA.

2009-06-04T14:18:00.001-07:00

moments from my day outside of the city this past weekend... the botanical gardens and Piedmont park are a breath of fresh of air in Atlanta.

INTERIOR SPACE OPENS

2009-05-21T20:48:00.001-07:00

Interior Space opened today at Reynolds Gallery in Montecito, California and will be running until June 26.

10am-4pm Weekdays and 11-5 Saturdays.

www.reynoldsgallery.org

www.tidepoolreps.com/blog

WEBSITE UPDATED

2009-05-05T08:23:00.000-07:00

www.cheyenneellis.com

TIDEPOOL WEBSITE

2009-04-30T07:59:00.001-07:00

Tidepool has just launched it's new website and blog, and I'm thrilled with the outcome. Sleek, clean, easy to navigate, and beautiful imagery make this re-design a great addition to the Tidepool force. When you have some time, take a look at the work of the photographers I'm amongst and the updated news posted on the blog. Thanks to Kathryn and Brooke for their hard work on this, and Command and Create for the new look!
www.tidepoolreps.com

Still Life with Snow

2009-04-22T22:24:00.001-07:00

Two of my portraits will be a part of the Still Life with Snow Exhibit next weekend in Mammoth Lakes, California. I'm in good company and looking forward to showing in my hometown. If you happen to be grabbing the last bits of snow this winter, go take a look.. I know it will be an incredible gathering of images.

GYPSY GIRLS GUIDE

2009-04-06T15:21:00.001-07:00

i find it so sweet that people take the time to write, blog, and post about my work. especially when the sites, i discover, are ones that i would be fans of as well. take a look at www.gypsygirlsguide.com for an array of writing and photography inspired by a gypsy style of life. thanks alex!