Mark Covert's Last Run

I had the pleasure of interviewing Mark Covert, the man who has maintained the longest running streak in the U.S. to date. After 45 years, 16,437 consecutive days, and 151,000 streak miles, Mark has decided to take Wednesday off. ‪#‎markcovert‬ ‪#‎streakrunner‬ ‪#‎midfootcollapse‬ ‪#‎amazinghumanbeing‬ ‪

©Mary Beth Koeth

Art Deco Inspired Exhibit: August 1st - 31st

Preparing for the Art Deco Inspired exhibit at the Art Deco Welcome Center. One of six 36 x 44 prints. 

An Interview with ZenFolio: Photo Assisting: Getting Schooled at the Ground Level

ZenFolio Blog 
An Interview with Mary Beth Koeth 

How did you get started as a photo assistant? 

When I started the photography program at Miami Ad School, I remember telling myself, “You need to start assisting as soon as possible.” But how do you assist without knowing the equipment? I was eager to learn but intimidated by the whole process. Everything was so new to me. I would ask the second year students if I could go to their shoots to sit in and observe. I’m pretty sure this is how I learned to use a reflector. Eventually, I started interning for a local photographer. I’d help him with his website, blogging, and social media, and even wax the floors in the studio on occasion. A few months in, he began hiring me on as a second assistant. Two years later, I still feel like an amateur. 

Why do you enjoy being an assistant? 

I enjoy assisting on jobs that don’t require octabank assembly and/or disassembly. One day I’ll hire someone to give me private lessons. Until then, I’ll leave it to the strong, man-handed folk. In all seriousness, even if you’re working with a photographer who shoots something completely different than what you shoot, there’s always something valuable to take away from the experience. The key is to be observant: watch, listen, and learn. See how the photographer interacts with the clients and how he or she communicates with the subjects. Pay attention to the light setup, the equipment being used, etc. If you’re open and observant, you’ll come out learning way more than any school or course can teach you.

Is there an upside to working as an assistant or is it all drudgery? 

There’s an upside to everything. If you go into something thinking it’s going to suck, it’s going to suck. I love that I’m able to be on set with photographers that I admire, observe how they do what they do, and apply all of those lessons learned to my own work, in whatever capacity that might be. 

Do you have any horror stories you can share with us as cautionary tales? 

For some reason, I’m highly susceptible to accidents. I think it’s a tall girl thing. Put a cord in front of me, I’m going to trip over it. A near accident occurred a few months back that was totally unrelated to my tallness. I was lowering a light on a boom and it almost fell on a major film studio exec’s head. All eyes went straight to me. I don’t even know what happened after that -- I’ve been trying hard to forget that moment. Fortunately, I was in a room full of men and passed off any future lifting/lowering to them. That was a low point in my interning career. 

Have you worked with any noteworthy photographers who really impressed you? 

Ginny Dixon, my photo teacher at the Ad School, would always bring up names of different photographers during class. I’d jot them down in my notebook, go home straight away and look at their work. Joe Pugliese was one of the names that she threw out there. When I looked at his website, the first thing I thought was, wow, I need to learn from this man. I was fortunate to get to spend three months interning for him in LA. I think it’s important to work with people who are producing the quality of work that you aspire to. It’s both humbling and inspiring at the same time. 

Can you share any dirt with us on working with celebrity clients? 

It is very interesting being in the same room, observing everything that’s taking place. Every celebrity has his or her own groomer, hair & makeup artist, publicist, agent, BlackBerry-it’s a strange world. My Nokia and I just got a little glimpse of it from the sidelines. It's also pretty amazing how fast these photographers have to work. A lot of time is spent pre-lighting the set, but when the talent actually arrives, they might have a half an hour to shoot, if that. 

If you have one piece of advice you can give photographers on how to best work with their assistants, what would it be? 

Everyone has a different way of communicating. I’ve always worked well with photographers, and people in general, who are relatively calm and easygoing. When a photographer displays high standards as far as work ethic goes, the people who work alongside them will most likely be inspired to live up to that. 

Is there anything specific you have learned by assisting that you otherwise would not have? 

One of the things they don’t teach you in art school is the business side of photography. The majority of creatives I know are not business minded. We just want to create and not have to deal with self-promotion, invoicing, marketing, bidding, etc. At one point or another, this is something that you have to face if you want to pay the rent and eat. The people that I’ve worked with would always tell me, “It’s something you just pick up. You learn it because you have to learn it.” Between interning, assisting, and reading the ASMP Professional Business Practices in Photography, you really do just figure things out as you go along. 

Have you ever saved the day? 

Back in high school, I went on a few jobs with an editorial photographer in Dallas. I knew absolutely nothing about strobes/equipment, but I’d meet him at his studio and help him pack up and get ready for whatever he was shooting on a given day. He’d point to things and tell me whether to pack it or leave it. On one occasion, he told me to leave something, but I packed it anyway thinking, he’s going to want this. Sure enough, we got to the location, started setting up and he panicked and was thinking we left the soft box, or whatever it was. It was nice to be able to say, “No worries, we got it.” Never question your instincts. They’re usually right. 

Do you have any advice for people who want to start assisting? 

Well, first off, start lifting weights. Seriously. Second, always be aware of everything that’s going on around you. A lot of times, I’ll watch the photographer and try to think ahead of them. Pay attention to what he/she is doing and try to anticipate what they're going to need. Then when they make eye contact, you’ll already have whatever is needed in your hands ready to go. Thirdly, drink a lot of coffee and always be on. 

What resources are available to new assistants? 

There isn’t really any formal process to follow to become a photo assistant but there are a few resources out there to get you pointed in the right direction. The ASMP/American Society for Media Photographers has a Photo Assistant roster that they maintain for ASMP members. You can also check out A Photo Assistant, which is an informational blog on how to find assistant work and become registered with organizations in your area. No matter which course you take, good luck!

My Photos on Design Sponge: Best of White

Sneak Peek Best of: White http://www.designsponge.com/2013/07/sneak-peek-best-of-white.html

Shannon + Peete's Kansas City Wedding, May 11th, 2013

Shannon + Peete's Kansas City Wedding, May 11th, 2013 from Mary Beth Koeth on Vimeo.

Chuey's Mini Bar

Chuey's Mini Bar from Mary Beth Koeth on Vimeo.

Photography: Mary Beth Koeth 
Hair/Makeup: Heather Wilson

Giligin's Bar, Scottsdale, Arizona 4251 North Winfield Scott, 85251

Happy Father's Day to My Favorite Man on Earth

Urban Beach Weekend 2013, South Beach

©Mary Beth Koeth

Calevoso Law Shoot

©Mary Beth Koeth

Photography: Mary Beth Koeth
Hair/Makeup: Pamela Sanderson-Garcia
Styling: Giovana E. Espinoza

New York Festivals, Bronze World Metal, Student: Craft

http://advertising.newyorkfestivals.com/winners/16094/

BRONZE WORLD MEDAL

THE COLLECTOR

• TALENT CREDITS
• Mary Beth Koeth - Photographer
• Liesbeth Allaerts - Photography Assistant
• Daniel Paredes - Writer

Running with Raven Project Video Outtakes

Outtakes that didn't make it into our latest Running with Raven update. These are always my favs.

Running with Raven Project Video Outtakes from Mary Beth Koeth on Vimeo.

Kickstarter Running with Raven Page

Miami Beach Gay Pride Parade 2013

©Mary Beth Koeth

See the full set here

Miss Ruby C. Williams

Miss Ruby C. Williams from Mary Beth Koeth on Vimeo.

Meet Ruby C. Williams, an amazing woman who is moving the world in her own special way.

Miss Ruby is a folk artist known for her cheerful spirit and brightly colored paintings. Her artwork is sold alongside a stand full of fruits and vegetables that she grows on her property in Bealsville, Florida.

"Her work is in private collections and galleries all over the world. But even today, she seems as interested in selling produce as she does in selling art." -folkvine.umbc.edu/ruby/home.html

Running with Raven Update: Imagination & Golden Ray

Golden Ray (age 8) and Imagination (age 10) receive the "Event of the Year" certificate at the Raven Run Banquet for being the youngest to complete the eight mile run and swim. Not only are these boys stellar athletes, they give some pretty amazing life advice.

Imagination & Golden Ray from Mary Beth Koeth on Vimeo.

Southwest Airlines Spirit Magazine Shoot, April 2013

When George Orr—aka “Hot Rod”—croons, South Florida swoons. The Life & Wild Times of a Rod Steward Impersonator. Southwest Airlines Spirit Magazine, April 2013. http://spiritmag.com/features/article/almost_famous/

The Ground We've Covered...

After writing some 79,000 words for the manuscript and after sifting through two years' worth of video footage, Laura Lee and Mary Beth have covered some ground with Raven in the New Year. Check out our update for the play-by-play (kind of).

The Ground We've Covered... from Mary Beth Koeth on Vimeo.

CURRENTLY SEEKING REPLACEMENT

We are currently seeking a replacement for our best friend, Mike, who is moving to the Midwest because he is either geographically or climate-challenged and doesn’t realize that it’s March, and it’s cold everywhere else. We are hoping for a guy’s guy, someone who has never spent more than $7 for a pair of sunglasses yet occasionally says things like, “I’m just going to put this out there. I like to sew.” Or, “I can’t believe I lost in Battleship again. I’m pretty sure I had one less ship than my competitors. I have to stop drinking when I play board games.”

You must be available for biweekly “family dinners” and regularly offer to pay for McDonald’s ice cream. (For family dinners, you are usually expected to supply the cheese or garlic bread. When complimented on the aforementioned garlic bread, you will feign humility and deflect with a statement like, “Oh you like it? I just put that shit in the oven.” It’s spoken better than written, trust.) You should be on a first-name basis with Frandler at McDonalds and notice when the soft serve machine is creamier than usual. You will also usually drive to McDonalds and must be willing to risk your relationship with the corporation and order a milkshake for Laura Lee—half-chocolate and half-vanilla—if that is what she wants. (Disclaimer: Since discovering that the medium milkshake is 700+ calories, she has been ordering more of the cones.)

You must—must—laugh at our jokes. If laughing is impossible, a lip curl is acceptable, but your expression must reveal delight at being within earshot of our wit. Everything that Mary Beth says should be followed with an adoring look and a short but honey-sweet, “Oh, Mary.” When we cry that Mike has left us, you must put on Mickey Mouse ears and say something comforting, like, “We’ll always have Disney World.” Then you will put on a romantic comedy, call Mike on speakerphone, and spoon feed us ice cream.

If you are interested in filling this opening, please submit a cover letter stating your experience and the reasons you’d like to be considered. Please address why you think you need friends. Include four references, one joke, a list of current local friends in Miami (if this number exceeds five, you will automatically be disqualified) and three suggestions for movie nights. If anyone has ever described you as “creepy” or “clingy,” please close the window and move on to the next post.

We look forward to hearing from you and reviewing your submission. Thank you for your interest,

“Us” (Three tall, intelligent, creative women who all enjoy Mike’s company in different ways)

 — with Mike Czabatorand 2 others at South Beach, Miami.

http://miami.craigslist.org/mdc/stp/3664181216.html

Running With Raven Update Eight: Right Reverend Robert Running Raven

Running With Raven Update Eight: Right Reverend Robert Running Raven from Mary Beth Koeth on Vimeo.

“We wanted an intimate ceremony and someone who knew us, not just a stranger with authority,” explained Extra. “We thought Raven would be perfect. He’s someone we know and love and trust.”

“He’s a friend,” added Molder. “We wanted a friend to marry us.”

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/mbk/running-with-raven/posts/390483
www.RunningWithRaven.com

Found Objects in Raven's Nest

"Decayed Condom"

"The Watch Graveyard"

"Note from 40 years ago"

"Arthritis Creme"

"Modern American Dictionary"

"Whistle"

"Lists"

"Song lyrics on scraps of paper"

"Raven Buttons"

©Mary Beth Koeth

www.RunningWithRaven.com