CATCHING UP/2009 LACONIA NOW POSTED

Post by Steve Temple

So you may have noticed that we've been absent for the last couple days weeks months. We have really good reasons though. After a loooong Sturgis, both Michael and I needed to take breaks. I took off with my wife to Europe for a 12-day cruise through the Mediterranean visiting Venice (Italy), Dubrovnic (Croatia), Athens (Greece), Santorini (Greece), Naples (Italy), Rome (Italy), Florence (Italy), Cannes (France) and Barcelona (Spain). It was an incredible trip and cruising was a great way to see so many places without ever needing to unpack and repack over and over. There are pics from the trip at the bottom of this post.

Michael hit the east coast with double duty, a vacation with family from abroad and shooting The Gypsy Run that wound it's way through Vermont, New York and New Jersey. With 2 weeks of time off, we were both ready to dive back into work. We had a few non-motorcycle commercial shoots in Sept. and Michael ended the month with a trip to wine country in CA for a Charity dinner and Doobie Bros. concert.

October came and went in a flash. We had a few commercial shoots for a manufacturer of stainless steel and copper hot tubs, but we also went out to CA for Custom Chrome and shot their 40th anniversary party and two new bikes commemorating the occasion. Included as part of the shoot, we took a group of CCI employees and friends on a ride down Highway 1 along the Pacific Ocean to get some shots for their catalog. The day wrapped at Johnny's Bar in Hollister for a post shoot beer and group shot against the mural alongside the bar. Check out the pics at the bottom of this post.

As for November, I cannot believe one week from today is Thanksgiving! The older you get and faster time flies by. Anyway, as we entered November Michael had just returned from shooting the Lone Star Rally in Texas. The attendance and vibe were off the charts this year! Back at the studio I was prepping for a shoot with Sucker Punch Sallys. They finished Flos Flyer and another bike for Progressive Insurance and wanted them shot before hitting the shows.

I know I mentioned Laconia in the title of this blog post, so here it is. Laconia 2009 has been posted to our website here. Check out all the pics Michael took at this years rally in the Weirs.

Custom Chrome 40th Anniversary:

My photos from our cruise in the Mediterranean:

Gondolas in Venice.

Walkways or streets that wind through Venice.

The Acropolis in Athens.

Nice view in Oía, a small village in Santorini, Greece.

Oía

Wall painting inside Pompeii's bath house.

The Coliseum in Rome.

Inside St. Peter's Basilica. Vatican City, Rome.

Dress in a window. Eza, France.

La Sagrada Familia by Gaudí.

Passion facade. La Sagrada Familia.

2009 STURGIS, POST 2

Post by Steve Temple

We're in full shoot mode and hitting our stride in Sturgis now. Sunday was our first full day of editorial shooting, and the day to get kinks out of the system. Sturgis is an animal in and of itself with regard to photography, there are rides, bikes and the all around event to shoot. It means a lot of equipment and a lot in general to keep track of. It's gotten back enough that I've had to start sportin' the photo vest just to keep up. Need all those pockets for press passes, lens cleaner, Chapstick, notepad and pen, the occasional lens, batteries, phone, lens caps, video camera I need to start using more, umbrella, model releases and keys to everything.

Back to Sunday, we had a great ride organized by none other than Jay Allen of the Broken Spoke at County Line. We headed out 79 to a functioning ranch for some good eats paired with barrel racing and roping. Thanks to everyone who joined us, hope you had a great time.

On Monday, Michael started the day with the Legends Ride from Deadwood to the Buffalo Chip. The ride included some celebs such as Steven Tyler of Aerosmith and Lorenzo Lamas from the show Renegade. Despite some wrong turns, Michael got some great shots seated backwards on the bike with Bob 'the rock' in the driver's seat. Special thanks to Danny Gray who hooked us up with a great parking spot. After the ride we regrouped at the studio to shoot bikes, but stayed too late as we hit all the traffic coming out of the Chip. We won't make that mistake again!

Today Michael's been on Main St. shooting all the action at the hub of Bike Week. Tonight is our reception and industry party for Rebel Rousers. I'll have some pix up soon, should be a great party!!

One last note, be sure to look for the December issue of Easyriders and V-Twin for all of Michael's Sturgis coverage.

2009 STURGIS, POST 1

Post by Steve Temple

I got my earliest start to Sturgis this year heading out of the house at 8 am and had a great trip up. My arrival, however, was saddened by news that Bruce Rossmeyer had passed from a motorcycle accident on his way to Sturgis. My heart felt condolences go out to his family.

After getting in and unloading all the artwork and photo equipment out of the trailer, I started building the studio for shooting bikes. A couple problems had to first be overcome, an a-frame was running right where with light was to go and the floor was sprinkled with hydraulic fluid from a forklift. The first problem we tackled was the light and the a-frame. Rerouting electrical conduit, the construction crew from the Buffalo Chip did a great and quick job 'notching' one of the trusses enough for me to raise our light the necessary amount and enable me to do something I thought was very cool, suspend our light from the adjacent trusses using tie-downs. As for the floor, it was decided the next day a roll of linoleum would be purchased to serve as a liner to keep the oil from seeping into our paper background and causing what Michael called, "major problems." At the same time, Rebel Rousers was taking shape next door. Many of the bikes and most of the wall art had arrived and Michael was directing traffic made up of eight and ten foot platforms that the bikes would sit on. It's a daunting task laying out a gallery, but Michael makes it look easy as though he is simply drawing from a vision securely in his mind. With the light in place running like a charm, and the gallery starting to look like a gallery, Michael and I headed to our temporary home at the Chip. Sleep was had under the green glow of mercury vapor lights through semi-transparent shades.

Woke up Friday morning full of vigor, the origin of which being a great mystery to me. Quietly I got ready, although it probably would have taken a small freight train to wake Michael through his ear plugs, blinders and sleep aid pills. Picked some wonderfully prepared pastries (donuts at the General Store) and went straight to work getting the studio a ready as possible for the linoleum to arrive. This iPod was hummin' and I was groovin' along as though the light stands were an extension of my hands putting themselves up in swift strokes. A few hours later Michael made his way to the gallery after a long deserved late morning. With coffee in hand, he quickly took command and the gallery was once again taking shape. At this point I'd like to send a big thanks to all those who have helped us the past 2 days, Michael and I both thank you for all the help. By the end of the day the gallery had been transformed, beautifully lit iconic bikes surrounded by movie posters and memorabilia hanging on the walls. All the hours, days and weeks of research, phone calls and emails has come to fruition in the form of Rebel Rousers. As for the studio, Jesse James' first Camel bike now sits in a beautifully lit stage awaiting Michael's creative vision.

Sunday we are off to Broken Spoke County Line for the Sugarbear/Lichter ride. Come on out and join us!

STURGIS PREP... ALMOST DONE

Post by Steve Temple

Gettin' down to the wire around here. As of now the trailer is loaded with 2 bikes (Mickey Rourke's bike from Harley-Davidson and the Marlboro Man and Michael's SuckerPunch Panhead), studio lighting, background, stands and some other small stuff. Still a lot to do though, get cameras ready for Michael to pack on his Road King, pick up some movie posters from Vinny at Rocky Mountain H-D, grocery shopping and some other small stuff. Glad I started the pack last week, it's a hectic year with our exhibit and studio moving to the Buffalo Chip, Michael on the phone 24/7, new light and my computer in the studio is taking a dump. Good times!

2009 LACONIA, PART 3 OF 3

Post by Michael Lichter

Chica checking out the competition as Paul Cox puts the finishing touches on his Build-Off bike at the Broken Spoke.

Good times at the Broken Spoke.

"Mary, what's in there?" At the Broken Spoke

No wonder Jeff Clark is telling the crowd he can't here them at the Broken Spoke. Do you know how loud that Budweiser Burn-Out bike is?

Something about this hits me like "Classic Chica?" The gooseneck, the slicked back hair, the overall style...

Jen at Whisky Girls is awesome. She runs a great booth raising money for good causes as she sells some cool stuff. (like the shirt!)

Jody Perewitz carrying on the family tradition with her great smile, great bikes, and "The Look" from Perewitz!

Paul took me out for a quick tour of the lake on his sleep-aboard boat. Watch out when these weekend lake warriors start telling their party stories!

Shayla and Jeff getting familiar to the surprise of the neighbors!