DARREN CARROLL + HAKEEM OLAJUWON

March 13, 2023
Darren Carroll has a rich history with Sports Illustrated and Hakeem Olajuwon and we asked him to share his take on this recent shoot...

"I owe a great deal of my career to Sports Illustrated. For my first 15 years in the business, the weekly Time, Inc. powerhouse magazine was my primary client—first as a lighting technician for some of the best basketball and hockey photographers in the world, and later as a regular contributing photographer covering just about anything and everything, from baseball to basketball to football to hockey and golf and tennis, from action to portraits to documentary work and yes, even the occasional still life."

"The magazine is now a monthly, and with the decline of the editorial print industry, assignments from it (and magazines in general) are few and far between, so it’s always a privilege to get the call for one these days and a change of pace from commercial work. Late last year, the folks at the magazine contacted me about a story they were working on. It had to do with the lost art of playing the low post in basketball. The sport has become dependent on speed, moving the ball around the perimeter, and three-point shooting. Getting the ball to a big guy in the middle has all but become a thing of the past. Or has it? It turns out one of its finest practitioners, former Houston Rockets center Hakeem Olajuwon, was still teaching players about it on an individual level on his ranch outside of Houston, where he’s converted a barn into a full-sized basketball court; players come from far and wide to seek his counsel. A writer was being dispatched to witness a coaching session; would I be interested in documenting it and having Olajuwon sit for a portrait session afterward?
 

It was great to work with a legend, and it brought things full circle for me, career-wise. In 1995, I worked the first of many NBA Finals for Sports Illustrated, dangling out over the railings of the catwalks high above the court at the old Summit in Houston to hang studio strobes, and running the triggering system for the 32 remote cameras that SI’s three photographers used to cover the finals. The Rockets defeated the Orlando Magic that year. The series MVP? You guessed it. Hakeem Olajuwon."

see more of Darren's work here!

ROLLING LOUD + LINCOLN DURHAM

April 1, 2025
✨ Lincoln Durham - 3D Character Design + Animation - Rolling Loud Music Festival ✨ Lincoln Durham created this dynamic sizzle reel showcasing some of the 2D and 3D animations he developed for the Rolling Loud Music Festival across various cities, in collaboration with Zellus. These animations were primarily used for social media promotions and as NFTs to further engage festival fans. The original artwork, provided by an undisclosed artist, served as still illustrations that Lincoln brought to life by adding motion and sound. For the 3D scenes, he sculpted and rigged characters inspired by the 2D illustrations, using them as a foundation to build out a story line based on direction from Zellus. Lincoln’s ability to seamlessly blend 2D and 3D animation, along with his expertise in motion and sound design, brings energy and depth to every project. His work for Rolling Loud is just one example of how he transforms static illustrations into immersive, high-impact visuals. Looking to elevate your next project with dynamic animation? Consider Lincoln for your upcoming creative needs!

ERICKSON SENIOR LIVING + AMY MIKLER

March 25, 2025
Capturing Life’s Best Moments with Amy Mikler For lifestyle photographer Amy Mikler , people will always be her favorite subjects. Among them, children and seniors hold a special place in her heart. “People will always be my favorite subjects, and kids and seniors are perhaps my two favorite people groups to work with. Possibly because they share some similar characteristics,” she shares. “I never know what they will say, they know how to enjoy life's simple pleasures, and often have a quirky fashion sense. They are also unapologetically honest and learn how to laugh at themselves, which keeps the set fresh and endlessly interesting.” Having grown up surrounded by vibrant, full-of-life relatives, Amy understands that aging doesn’t mean slowing down. A few years ago, she put this belief into action with a “golden years” test shoot, built around the idea that laughter is a lifelong necessity. The result? A high-energy, joy-filled session where seniors enthusiastically took on cannonballs, dancing, and even water fights. “I’m not sure who laughed more—me or them,” Amy recalls.

BEATLES SUNDAY NIGHT + ERIC CASH

March 18, 2025
Weaving History and Storytelling into Every Brushstroke Eric Cash’s work is defined by meticulous attention to detail, a deep understanding of history and culture, and an ability to weave personal narratives into each piece. His art invites viewers to explore rich stories and unique visual experiences, blending technical expertise with a genuine passion for storytelling. With this approach, Eric brings a distinctive and thoughtful style to every project, making him a fantastic resource for original commercial work. The painting Sunday Night (60” x 48 1/2”) captures a typical American family watching the Beatles' first appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show on February 9, 1964. The scene includes a mother, father, two girls (one visiting), and a younger brother, each with distinct characteristics that hint at their roles and reactions to the historic event. The visiting girl is holding a Meet the Beatles album and a Life magazine spread, while the brother is trying to filter out the girls' excitement with his hand over his ear. The father, uninterested, waits for "real talent" to appear, and the mother seems unsure, reflecting the general adult sentiment at the time. The artist draws from personal experience and memories, incorporating items like his mother's sewing basket and grandmother's tension lamp as personal Easter eggs within the painting. The TV guide and props, like Anacin and Kent cigarettes, help tell the dad’s story, with subtle nods to the 1964 cultural context. A Mercury mission headline is included in the background to tie in real-world events from that day.