FLYMO – David Trent from Jason Wallis Director on Vimeo.

FLYMO – Joey Jones from Jason Wallis Director on Vimeo.

Sidewalk Film Festival Spot from Jason Wallis Director on Vimeo.

The Sidewalk Film Festival spot, my first TV commercial!  I guess I can add director to my card now.  The whole idea of the campaign is showing the passion with which people pursue their art.  I just read that the majority of films made today are made for under $30K, by directors who will do anything to see their art on the screen.  We took one of our local directors to an old gas station which we felt was the perfect backdrop to the story of his filmmaking experience.  Cinematic lighting is something that I have been curiously pursuing for a while. It seems that there aren’t nearly the resources for that as there are for still photography.  So, I am taking as much of what I know with stills and applying it the best I can.  This shot was actually done in full sun with a 12×12′ 1 stop scrim in between the subject and the sun.  It’s probably some of the prettiest light there is.

First off, it’s my goal that if anyone sees anything good that I have done, that it will bring glory to Jesus, not in an awards ceremony, “I thank God” kind of way, but I hope that my life accurately represents who Christ is and the incredible change he can bring to ANY life.

Paul Crawford,is one incredible talented dude. He gave me a shot to work in the advertising field, and for that I will always be grateful and loyal. Paul won art director of the year Saturday night, so it was a great privilege to share the platform with him. There are also several incredibly talented art directors that gave me a chance last year, Jason Bickle, Rob Hardison, Ashley Bactad, Ryan Gernenz, and Amy Bickle. These names may not be recognizable to you, but they mean a great deal to me, and if nothing else, here it is a public thanks to them.

My team that I work with regularly is the best there could be. The greatest gift I have is to be able to share every day with my biggest fan. Heather Wallis, my incredible wife of more than 10 years, is the most amazing mom, wife and friend. I am so blessed to have her in my life.
Many of you know Rashel Ross and her story of cancer and how it has affected her life. What I don’t say often enough is how incredibly essential she is to my business. I absolutely could not work at the level and pace that I do without her attention to detail. She is amazing in all that she does with grace and elegance.
Many of you don’t know my assistant’s name. I have failed to introduce him through my blog. His name is Alan Barton, and is probably one of the most consistently upbeat positive people I have met. I don’t think we have ever had a job, or shoot where we had to carry tons of gear, that he has ever complained about it. I am sure the complaining always comes from me! He makes my every day, easier.
You have heard of Celine Chenoweth, Kerri Bunn, Tabitha Boyd, and Missie Crawford. These ladies are incredible stylists that make my pictures look like they are supposed to look. All of the details that really make a shot sing are credited to these ladies.

So, all in all I am so honored to receive this award, but I wish there was enough room on the trophy to put all of these names. It’s our team that makes things happen, I am just glad to be along for the ride with them all.

Here’s our trophy as shot by Alan Barton.

The first magazine that I found the ad in today was in OK Weekly, and then TV Guide. It is on the back page of OK, and page 45 of TV guide. Alan provided us with the first in store photo of the one in TV Guide, seen below the other pics.

I have added these images to my site, as well I have added alot of published work to Gallery 4. I am changing things up a bit and trying to align the elements to help me attain my goal of national editorial and advertising work. So, please send this around, I would love for tons of people to know about it!

As I think about how cool that is, I am reminded to keep perspective. Within the last month I have had the complete privilege to photograph 2 warriors. They are women that I am completely in awe of. Women battling cancer while carrying a new life in the womb. Laura Black, and Lorrie Johnson, each came into my life within 2 weeks of each other. Both were in similar situations, diagnosed with breast cancer early in their pregnancy, significant surgeries to start the battle, and 4 round of chemo endured by their own bodies as well as the tiny ones inside. After Rashel was diagnosed and went through her treatment, I thought I would not encounter women this young going through the same thing. Unfortunately more and more, it is common for young women to battle this. I say again, these women are warriors, brave and strong. Their stories bring perspective to my life, that no matter what kind of cool job I get to do, or what success is brought my way, that nothing compares to the beauty and simplicity of the blessing that life and people are. They are what matter, those that we know, those that our lives intersect with in some way, people matter.

I will share a couple of pictures and slideshows. I was able to photograph each of these women days before delivery. I haven’t yet been able to follow up with Lorrie, and baby Zachary, but will soon.

This is a shot from my time with Laura’s family in the hospital after baby Caroline was born. She was born a few weeks early, but has pulled through like a champ. Even though she has gone through 4 rounds of therapy with her mom, the awesome blue glow is not from the chemo! She had jaundice, but that has cleared up and they are safe and sound at home. Here is a slideshow.

The next image is one of my favorites I have taken in quite a while. I think mostly because it has absolutely nothing to do with me. This photo is completely made by the strength and confidence Lorrie brought into my studio. The juxtaposition of the effects of treatment and disease that has ravaged a body, against the beautiful moment of a new life being brought into this world, is mind blowing. My words can’t express what I really think of this, maybe this photo will be worth more than a thousand words. Here’s the slideshow.

Most importantly, I thank you for reading this as far as you have, but here’s the best part of the story. Both of these women after giving birth to their babies, were able to have a full body scan to determine if and where the cancer had spread. And both were completely FREE OF CANCER! I don’t care what you think, or believe, but I and many others know that this is an act of God. These women have been healed by the hand of God, as a result of His people praying and interceding for these ladies. I hope that my work draws people that don’t necessarily believe the same way that I do. I enjoy the relationships and conversations that different belief systems bring. But, I will stand on the top of any roof and shout as loud as I can, that I believe that Jesus Christ has intervened completely to show people that He is good, and He is God. I hope that this encourages you wherever you are in your journey, soli deo gloria.