TACOTINI’S, ONE HELLA BEARD, MULTIPLE LIGHTS AND LOTS OF LOVE.
This past weekend, Trevor and I traveled to Atlanta to hang out with my longtime friend Zack Arias and his beautiful family sharing hernia-inducing laughs and more New Castle than I ever imagine existed. Aside from spending time at the UsedFilm studio, hitting the Star Bar with Erik Dixon on Friday night listening to some incredible music and hanging out with the kids, Zack and Meghan had me shoot their family portrait. I was eager to show Zack the ropes (**har har**), challenging myself to create some impressive non-traditional family photographs. To my surprise, Zack took us to a “mystery” location for the shoot late Saturday afternoon. A man after my own heart, we arrived at an abandoned prison just outside of Atlanta.
Although I was utterly tempted to shoot a whole new SIMPLE+DIRTY series, I took on the task at hand as we were losing light fast. With little direction, the entire Arias family hands-down owned the shoot. Even little Hawke had more style than most white-belt-wielding emo bands. Since we brought the kids into an abandoned location, I first scouted the location ensuring the structure was stable and was clear of squatters or any shifty inhabitants. No worries. Safety was a priority. Afterward, we returned to their house to shoot a more conceptual series showcasing a true working photographer’s lifestyle, often times unseen by most people. See below..
Zack is by no means a “rockstar” photographer. He is a real dude that is faced with daily challenges, paying the bills and keeping food on the table. But more importantly he’s a devoted husband, an incredible father and a true friend. This trip wasn’t about gear, lighting set-ups, business plans or magic bullets. It was about friendship. It was about laughter, love and being a part of a solid family lifestyle. I love these guys to no end and look forward to visiting them soon!
Zack and Hawke sharing some Starbucks.
Erik at work.
We invented the Tacotini. Trademarked…
The aftermath..
And I never thought I’d say this, but I made Zack my bitc… err… assistant.
Happy Thanksgiving!
~dave
PHOTOGRAPHERS: Free Nugget… Zack told me he shoots everything F/8, 1/250th shutter and uses Canon when he’s in a creative rut. There you go..
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Just kidding.
119 Comments to TACOTINI’S, ONE HELLA BEARD, MULTIPLE LIGHTS AND LOTS OF LOVE.
by Jeremy Cowart
On November 25, 2009 at 11:19 pm
Classic guys! Love them all! And that dinner table scene sure looks a lot like ours! Nice work all the way around!!
by Zack Arias
On November 25, 2009 at 11:19 pm
Wow! We loooooooove them!!!!!
Cheers,
Zack
by kk+
On November 25, 2009 at 11:20 pm
fuckin hilarious.
by heaven
On November 25, 2009 at 11:22 pm
My nostrils quiver with laughter and my eyes squint in happy smiles. enjoyed every morsel.
by Aurora
On November 25, 2009 at 11:22 pm
AWESOME, I feel very at home with these images lol!!
by Meghan
On November 25, 2009 at 11:28 pm
These are so effin’ fantastic, Dave. Thank you so much. Truly. I knew you were the man for the job. We had a blast with you and Trevor.
by Boone
On November 25, 2009 at 11:28 pm
Yep, those are the Arias’ I know. Great shots all around. I like that shot of Zack eating his way out of a creative rut, sippin on a taco sewer dragger martini.
by GT
On November 25, 2009 at 11:29 pm
LOL! this is AWESOME! love the pictures and the sets are great. Creepy look Zack in that black trench coat! Also, really love the video about this shoot.
Cheers,
GT
by Lucky Red Hen
On November 25, 2009 at 11:31 pm
So funny and stylish! Meg looks awesome and Zack is a stud. Rockin’ portraits!
by Kim
On November 25, 2009 at 11:31 pm
Im digging the dining room shots. The colors are super vibrant yet the living room is so moody and mocha like. Pretty sweet shots and the family looks great. Dig the vest too.
by Marissa Rodriguez
On November 25, 2009 at 11:37 pm
I’m lovin’ the ones at the table! So real!
by sean
On November 25, 2009 at 11:43 pm
Very great portraits!
Thanks for sharing.
I bet it is nerve-racking to shoot a photographer+family, but you did well!
by Eugene
On November 25, 2009 at 11:49 pm
These are awesome David!
I particularly love the shots at the dinner table – so much is going on there, it’s cool to discover what everyone is doing! My favourite is the one where the dog is climbing on Zack and the chips are flying in the air!
by Cindy Lee
On November 25, 2009 at 11:51 pm
Haha .. brilliant!!!!
by Martin
On November 25, 2009 at 11:52 pm
Awesome location for photos, with some great results. Great shots of Zack and family!
Certainly looks like you had a blast taking the photos
by Jordan Destree
On November 25, 2009 at 11:53 pm
Love
by Pardeep Singh
On November 26, 2009 at 12:02 am
Best family photos ever.
by Broderick @ Savory Exposure
On November 26, 2009 at 12:15 am
Amazing shots, I’d be pretty intimidated to shoot Zack — you were most definitely up to the task. nice work!
by One Shot Studios-Fiona Ogilvie Australia
On November 26, 2009 at 12:26 am
Zack these are fabulous…..i love the dinner shots….made me laugh…
Fee
by matt s
On November 26, 2009 at 12:30 am
Little Hawke’s concerned faces in the table photos turn the entire set from great to absolutely brilliant! How can you not smile while looking at these. Only a truly happy family can get on like this.
by Amanda Burgess
On November 26, 2009 at 12:47 am
These are the best family photos I’ve ever seen. So much better than the typical, stale photo. I’m in love.
by Jesse
On November 26, 2009 at 12:51 am
LOL! Those are beautiful, unique, and full of life. Poor Hawke got his year of lead exposure in that run-down prison. Lovin’ the old computers. Jealous and impressed! Respect.
by Adam
On November 26, 2009 at 1:04 am
Zack made a good pick choosing you to take his family portraits. Looks like a lot of fun was had and some really good pictures were made.
by Chris Lin
On November 26, 2009 at 1:29 am
This are hilarious, y’all!
by Mandie
On November 26, 2009 at 1:45 am
No words. No words… How much fun you guys must have!
by Maciek Lesniak
On November 26, 2009 at 1:45 am
Wonderful family shots! Nice to see Zack’s whole gang:) And your photoas are totally awesome!
by John Amunét
On November 26, 2009 at 2:31 am
Man those are some fantastic family shots!!! Exactly the kind I’d be wanting to take if I did have some kids
Sweet! Amazing light, concept, styling, direction. Boom bada boom IT’S PERFECT!!
by Igor Petrović
On November 26, 2009 at 2:36 am
Zack is a great photographer and he deserves family portraits like this.
by Suze
On November 26, 2009 at 2:57 am
Very cool, very fun, very FAMILY!
by @nomad358
On November 26, 2009 at 3:11 am
Amazing! It’s so great to see something that’s not your typical, boring, cliche family portrait! I love the shot with the tires!
by Amanda Keeys
On November 26, 2009 at 3:11 am
WOW. So original and fabulous.
by Alexandra
On November 26, 2009 at 3:23 am
These are awesome!
by Takki
On November 26, 2009 at 3:34 am
Great family shots – wild, crazy, edgy – love them
by jonathan canlas
On November 26, 2009 at 3:51 am
dude, good freaking job. i LOVE the portrait of zack with the p-coat. looks like he’s packing and about to pull it out on ya. hope all is well man!
by peter bang
On November 26, 2009 at 4:54 am
awesome! love these!
by Gemma
On November 26, 2009 at 5:27 am
Unreal. Love it.
by rhermans
On November 26, 2009 at 5:44 am
great work, love the shots and zack in his natural habitat (rofl)
by wn
On November 26, 2009 at 6:09 am
these were INCREDIBLE! LOVE the dinner shots
by FotoWala | Sephi Bergerson
On November 26, 2009 at 6:20 am
this is tooooo f****ing awesome!!!
)) simply amazoing images 
I need to get you over to India to do out own family’s portraits! damn these are funny as hell. I LOVE it 
by Sharon Eliasi
On November 26, 2009 at 6:28 am
LOVE them. absolutely beautiful!!!
by Seshu
On November 26, 2009 at 6:30 am
Straight up, funny and awesome. Brought a smile to my face this Thanksgiving Day. Great work!111111
by Philip
On November 26, 2009 at 6:48 am
Very nicely done.
by Stacy Hughes
On November 26, 2009 at 6:55 am
Effin’ Fantastic! These are the kind of family portraits I dream n’ droll over! I adore them and I am a ginormous fan of both Zack & David.
by Garrett Nudd
On November 26, 2009 at 7:00 am
These are fantastic! The last dinner table scene, with Zack looking right at us….freakin’ hilarious!!!!!! They’re all great! What a beautiful family. Congrats to everyone.
by syed
On November 26, 2009 at 7:07 am
super cool family portraits for a super family : ) Happy Thanksgiving !!!
by John Shim
On November 26, 2009 at 7:17 am
But we know he can’t shoot at 1/250th because he loves his Canon 5D Mark II and it’s limited to 1/200th.
I love how much personality comes through in these photos. Great great great!
by Jon Phillips
On November 26, 2009 at 7:29 am
These portraits are the best. You captured the Arias family in all their glory. Two of my fav photogs coming together.
by GLENSCOLAN
On November 26, 2009 at 7:36 am
AWESOME !!!!
by Chris (Brother of Genius) Arias
On November 26, 2009 at 7:39 am
Fantastic photos! Nice to see the cobbler’s family with nice new shoes
by Kelly Heck
On November 26, 2009 at 7:48 am
Coolest family photos!!!
by Frank T
On November 26, 2009 at 7:49 am
Amazing photos of a very creative family. Wonderfully done!
by Steven
On November 26, 2009 at 7:58 am
Awesome shots. Nice to see Zack on the other side of the lens.
by Edwina
On November 26, 2009 at 8:01 am
Just love these shots! Awesome lighting! Great family shots – only the Arias family could be this cool!!!
by KB
On November 26, 2009 at 8:19 am
Great stuff. Seemed to really capture a Zach and family. Very original
by sherri
On November 26, 2009 at 8:24 am
LOVE Love love!!!
by Michael Gowin
On November 26, 2009 at 8:37 am
Wicked cool.
by David Burke
On November 26, 2009 at 8:53 am
David these are flipping awesome! Perfect! Thanks for sharing! Happy Thanksgiving to u and yours!
by Daniel Woolf
On November 26, 2009 at 9:55 am
These are fantastic!!! Well done once again Mr. Jackson.
Cheers!!
by Clayton Bozard
On November 26, 2009 at 10:23 am
These are classic Dave!
by Peter Durk
On November 26, 2009 at 10:28 am
Novel and inspiring….and…..Newcastle Brown! Cheers……!
by Matt Morrissey
On November 26, 2009 at 11:01 am
Amazing! Truly inspiring!
by CJ
On November 26, 2009 at 12:11 pm
Great, great stuff Dave !
by Chrisdavid42
On November 26, 2009 at 12:16 pm
Awesome shots. You did an awesome job of capturing the mess of life in an ordered way!!!!
by Saravmit Singh
On November 26, 2009 at 1:46 pm
Absolutely Amazing… speechless….
by SqueekPhoto
On November 26, 2009 at 2:47 pm
I LOVE these! You are beyond AWESOME! I can see why Zack and Meg wanted you to do their family photos! So creative and just….. WOW! =)
by Chris Biele
On November 26, 2009 at 4:25 pm
These are soo great! Love the one with bunny ears and the one where Zack and Megan are looking at eachother… and the one with Hawke bawling his eyes out. Ha!
by Will
On November 26, 2009 at 5:55 pm
These are awesome! I followed the teaser shots on Twitter and I am glad to see the final product! Great stuff.
by Bryan Mitchell
On November 26, 2009 at 7:17 pm
Hands down he BEST family portraits I have ever seen!
I don’t shoot many family portraits except for special requests or friends. But if more people would be willing to do this I would. Now granted David and Zack are 2 of the kick ass photogs around which helps.
Happy Turkey Day.
Bryan
by shmileblik
On November 26, 2009 at 10:39 pm
haha shoots are so good! zack family is crazyyyyy and we love it!
by Jacy JoyPals
On November 27, 2009 at 1:36 pm
Absolutely priceless…love it all, great work and the inspiration is natural and so fun and reallllll! Truly prime time!
by Corey Ann
On November 27, 2009 at 1:51 pm
Love love love love this family session Dave! Zach has such a great family! Fabulouso job!
by Just Another Girl With a Camera
On November 27, 2009 at 5:09 pm
LOL!!!! Absolutely brill.
by David Sowers
On November 27, 2009 at 11:53 pm
Very Very nice, can only imagine how easy it was to work with Zack, but stressful it was to produce something he and his family would love. Well done!
by Sina
On November 28, 2009 at 12:45 am
LoL… fantastic… I really love the first and the ninth… super excellent family potrait concept.
by Mark
On November 28, 2009 at 2:55 am
Great set guys, nice to see teh bottle of dog there too. Howay the lads !!
by Antony Sastre
On November 28, 2009 at 5:42 am
Aaah… I love photography that makes me smile!! Great job
by Clint
On November 28, 2009 at 8:28 am
Great work. Very Todd Deutsch meets Martin Parr.
by Masden
On November 28, 2009 at 12:39 pm
So great Idea guys !!
by Eric W
On November 28, 2009 at 1:40 pm
Ha, this is great! I think this may be the coolest shoot (and results) I’ve ever seen!
by samaniego
On November 28, 2009 at 4:27 pm
is like my house.
by Jan Ruzgar
On November 28, 2009 at 4:30 pm
Great pics, looks like you had a lot of fun!!!! Love the lighting!!!
by Otto Rascon
On November 28, 2009 at 10:34 pm
These images are so much fun and freakin’ awesome. Great job and thanks for posting and inspiring. Rock on and much love from Chicago!
by jay.eads
On November 29, 2009 at 1:40 am
ha… the dining scenes are perfection. everyone was a pro
by Valerie
On November 29, 2009 at 8:23 am
Wow! Love it! Those pictures are amazing and priceless! Nice family!
by Azhar Ariff
On November 29, 2009 at 11:20 pm
Totally fantastic family portraits! I got this link thru Zack’s blog and I had to see it for myself. I’m blown away by the whimsical shots. Kudos!
by kristi
On November 30, 2009 at 6:22 pm
so very well done………truly impressive
by Darien Chin
On November 30, 2009 at 7:25 pm
Really like the one of Zack by himself in the black coat.
by photobby
On December 1, 2009 at 1:13 am
Holeycrap. Nice family session. No really. Nice. Zack’s cute and all but what I am jammin on is the Simple+Dirty book. You have inspired me. No really. Like really really.
by Lisa Love
On December 1, 2009 at 5:42 pm
*~*Love*~*Love*~*Love*~* the key lime pie pics are priceless! Happy December from Madison, Alabama!
by Theresa
On December 1, 2009 at 6:32 pm
Wow, great shots, what a wonderful family and great photographer friend!!! Thanks.
by irenie
On December 1, 2009 at 6:54 pm
awesome.
by Vicki
On December 1, 2009 at 10:28 pm
Fantastic!! smile.smile.smile I just love them all!
by John Wiley
On December 1, 2009 at 11:29 pm
Perfect. Just. Perfect!!!!
by Toni
On December 1, 2009 at 11:33 pm
These are dynamite FABULOUS! Actually “YABBA-DABBA-DOO” comes to mind. These are so fun! The kids really got into the session, what a dream made reality for everyone. LOVE them! Going to definitely be recharged next time I do a session.
by michele bowman
On December 2, 2009 at 6:45 am
i LOVE these photos!!!!
how awesome to take something as ordinary as a family portrait, and make it truly unique and wonderful. great job!
by Geoff Heith
On December 2, 2009 at 6:08 pm
Haha love these pictures so much…what a great idea! What an awesome looking family!
by pim van der maden
On December 3, 2009 at 1:04 am
Great pictures, nice light and composition, with lots of fun in it; really inspiring!
by Adam Cavanagh
On December 7, 2009 at 4:32 am
Seriously cool family images
by Tucker
On December 8, 2009 at 2:21 pm
Great freaking work, simply fabulous! Looks like it was major fun to shoot! Awesome!
by Mariah
On December 9, 2009 at 6:07 pm
CUTEST EVER!
by baltazar
On December 11, 2009 at 8:26 am
This is awesome and an inspiration for me.
by Danny Klimetz
On December 11, 2009 at 10:20 am
I absolutely dig the fam photos at the dinner table. True to life! -Danny
by paul mezzer
On December 16, 2009 at 4:22 am
amazing shot, really
you’re great
and subjects…. tooooo!!
by jet
On December 18, 2009 at 1:05 pm
love the table shots!!
by mike
On December 21, 2009 at 7:13 pm
that rocked
by Peter Finnie
On December 30, 2009 at 7:43 am
Absolutely BRILLIANT!
Love the twist on each photo. So much more interesting than the traditional lineup-and-smile shots.
Truly unique work!
Bravo!
by Sheri Johnson
On January 1, 2010 at 3:16 pm
these are awesome!
by Blake Murphy
On January 11, 2010 at 8:02 pm
so very well done
by josh g
On January 12, 2010 at 12:27 pm
These are really cool. They capture personality and people, not just faces.
by Antony Pratap
On March 8, 2010 at 5:14 am
LOL, thoroughly enjoyed the shoot, love the lil kid’s expressions
Brilliant work, David =)
by Dawn Camp
On April 3, 2010 at 1:57 pm
These are priceless!
by Pradeep
On July 5, 2010 at 8:06 pm
haha – cute pics!
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