fig blog

by Mike Hyzy, fig intern blog journalist

Robert Randolph opened for Passion Pit at the Taste of Chicago, and even if your not the biggest fan, it was something that anyone could enjoy. The music that is. The heat was intense and the sun was beating down for most of the show. The crowd was huge, but not large enough to make it uncomfortable. Robert Randolph knows how to light up a crowd. His music was upbeat and keep the crowd grooving throughout his set. He kind of lost the crowd at the end for a minute and then…bam! “Is that poker face?” says the guy next to next to me. Oh it was.

This guy:

Covering a song by this girl:

Was unexpected.

I didn’t know whether to laugh or start cheering, so I did a little bit of both. He got the crowd back and it was a cool way to close out his set. Now it was time to see what everyone was waiting for. Passion Pit was closing out their tour right here on the 4th of July. Ive been asking people what three songs they were in love with over the weekend. Half of them named Passion Pit. Their album has been out for more than a year now and it doesn’t look like they’re slowing down at all. They come on stage and play an insane set. I’ve seen them twice before and this was the best by far. The crowd was going nuts. Security keeps coming around because people are jumping up on the chairs. They came back on for the encore and played “Dream” by The Cranberries. They pull it off pretty well. To close out the show they played “Sleepyhead” and the crowd went insane and rushed up to the stage. The energy at the concert was ecstatic. Here’s a recap of the concert.

Fig clients Chad and Lorien gave up their 4th row tickets for game one- to get married. The wedding had already been planned. Not to fear, fig photogs (Brian Carey and James Gustin) had the bright idea to take the wedding party to United Center to take some photos. Even if they could not go to the game- why not take advantage of the timing?

What happened next was unexpected. The couple has been interviewed by several news stations and today a story ran on them in the Chicago Sun-Times. Quoted all over Chicago as the couple that just “wants the Blackhawks to win The Stanely cup, as a wedding gift.” And they got it! Congrats to the Hawks and to our couple.

Suntimes Article BY MONIFA THOMAS Staff Reporter

Diehard Blackhawks fans Chad and Lorien Yonker had to give up their fourth-row tickets to Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Finals because of a slightly more important commitment: The game fell on the same day as their wedding. But that didn’t stop the South Loop couple from showing up at the United Center right after the wedding to pose for pictures with amused fans.”All we want for a wedding present is the Stanley Cup,” said Lorien Yonker, whose lace strapless gown stood out among the red Blackhawks jerseys and caps.

Check out our priceless photos and read the full article here.

Images by figphoto.net

photographers: Brian Carey and James Gustin

©fig media 2010 all rights reserved.

Here is a taste of the new editorials shot in Miami from figphoto fashion photographer billy rood.

The stories have themes of nostalgia, dreams, luxury & of course Miami.  They were shot from sunrise to sunset, on South Beach, the Park Central Hotel, & the exclusive Fisher Island.  To view the rest of the stories make sure to check out http://www.figphoto.net.

If you haven’t already watched, make sure you check out the behind the scenes video from the 2 day editorial shoots!

figphoto’s fashion photographer billy rood was in Miami shooting some editorials for FACTIO magazine w/ his makeup & hair team of Jessica Mazik & Anthony Baltazar.  It was billy rood’s first time in Miami and working with agencies such as 301 Models, NEXT, & MC2 Models in Miami.  His models were selected based upon 3 stories that he developed, to show a side of Miami that Chicago hasn’t seen and also to show a new softer side of his photography.  From lighting, to using new filters and dealing w/ mother nature on his shoots, we are very excited to show the final images that will be appearing in FACTIO Online in less than 7 days!

Here are some exclusive behind the scenes photos and videos from his shoot!

Fashion Focus wrapped up on Sunday October 25^th and ended a long weekend beginning on Thursday night.  From exclusive backstage coverage, fashion shows featuring designers from students to up-and-coming – everything was about fashion.

figphoto photographers & videographers covered the shows and backstage during Fashion Focus Chicago! Check out photo galleries, & videos.  You can also view the coverage on factio magazine, chicago reader, chicago magazine, Style Admirer, & More.  Make sure you check out the videos done by billy rood on vimeo!

Macys Fashion Show- VIDEO -

Abigail Glaum Lathbury Fashion Show – VIDEO -

Dress Code Fashion Show – VIDEO -

Horacio Nieto Fashion Show – VIDEO -

Elise Bergman Fashion Presentation - VIDEO -

GenART Behind the Scenes & Fashion Focus Show – VIDEO -

Bringing back the art of coordinated dances at weddings, more elaborate then the electric slide, wedding video dances are hitting high on viral video social status.
Check out some of fig’s favorites:

Our client, Billy Dec was on CNN tonight 6pm CST, talking about bringing the 2016 Olympics to Chicago! fig has done video for him, as well as designed his blog, http://www.achicagothing.com

Coming Soon! The Blow out Event of the Summer.

Fig vs. Revel video battle.
In this video, fig ramps it up as the professionals who take out the Revel thugs. Saving the world from bad video everywhere.

The Event is taking place in Chicago soon.

Check out the fig vs. Revel fan page on facebook:

So, just what should you have your DJ play during your cocktail hour at your wedding… After all it is only an hour, which is 15-20 songs. Don’t frett because really you can play whatever the heck you would like. Here are some suggestions..

Start my considering your venue… If you are at a classic Chicago venue like Salvatore’s, Spiaggia, the Drake.. Looking over the Mag Mile then Frank just may be the way to go. Jazz can never do you no wrong in this city.

Or maybe you are at a more lounge modern loft or hotel space like Prairie Productions, Illuminating Company, or the W Hotel. I totally suggest more of a loungey feel, down tempo music, and maybe down tempo remixes. Also, some spaces totally have an artsy feel like the MCA, A New Leaf, and Catalyst Ranch… This is the perfect opportunity to kick in your Lolla fav’s and play some chill and upbeat Indie songs. Again the space of your party can totally set the backdrop for music you want to hear.

I also suggest thinking about the season that your event is in. Summer always makes me want to break out my reggae mixes if I am outside in the sun.. Perfect for an early outside wedding.. Winter events are often so romantic and cozy, and I think there are so many beautiful love songs that can work as a back drop.

These are just a few places to start… Bottom line you can do whatever ya like. I think as long as you are sensitive to people’s ears, songs are generally upbeat and fun, and have a good progression… Your mix will rock.

Here are some artist/albums I suggest:
Jazz- I love to play the Verve Remixed CD’s (Volume 1-3)
Downtempo/Lounge Music- Thievery Corporation, Hotel Costes, Bonobo, Flying Lotus, Zero 7, Morcheeba, Air
Indie Rock- Chromeo, Black Kids, MGMT, LCD System, Phoenix, Spoon, Shinjuku Zulu  

Feel free to email me to create your next playlist: megan@figgy.net