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I’m excited to share this new project that I photographed for The Caldwell Collection. This project will always hold an interesting place in my heart and career. Looking at the current state of the world with COVID-19, everything, as we know, has changed. Not just the photo industry but the economy as a whole is taking a hit.

I’m writing this wondering if this will be my last assignment for a while? How will productions be handled going forward as we learn more about COVID-19?

The Caldwell Collection is a clothing line created for the stylish fan. Lisa and Lauren, the mother daughter collegiate cheerleading duo behind the collection, believe in making stylish clothes in hard to find team colors.  

The assignment took place on March 14, 2020. I ran production on the project sourcing a local team and talent.

The original brief was:

• Travel to Chapel Hill North Carolina
• Photograph 4 models at Kenan Memorial Stadium 
  • On white for ecom
  • Lifestyle / editorial images around the stadium

Originally the shot list presented its own challenges. Some of these included photographing 42 items while leaving enough time to travel around the stadium for editorial shots. I also had to source a team local in a city I’ve never been to before. What would ultimately be thrown at us no one would have anticipated.

I flew into Chapel Hill a couple of days early to get settled and location scout. Even this felt weird as constant news updating the world on the COVID-19 situation played everywhere. The city felt like a ghost town. The college was out for spring break with an extension. 

The NBA just suspended their basketball season. University athletics shortly followed suit. Though the training centers were still open we felt uneasy. Gathers larger than 250 people were encouraged not to take place. After scouting the stadium with the Calwell team, Lisa received a call that we would no longer be able to use the space. We were crushed.

We thought about high school fields and other universities we could possibly use. No matter who we reached out to we were almost certain to get the same result. Fortunate enough Lisa’s house is amazing and served as a great last minute substitute. 

My great assistant Steve and I moved all the furniture out of the living room and set up white seamless paper making a makeshift studio. For the editorial images, we shot outside on the grounds of the property.  

Before the day started I thanked Lisa for not canceling the shoot and everyone for going through with the project. Following Lisa thanked everyone, and led the team in prayer. 

Once the day started it was business as usual. Everyone was happy to be doing what we love one last time. We were able to utilize the space to capture all the assets for The Caldwell Collection’s launch. The client loved the results! You can view the final website designed by my friends at Digital Retail Partners HERE.   

If this was my last project for a while, I’m glad I got to spend it with some amazing people photographing fashion. 

Photographer: Brandon Wyche

Hair and Makeup: Kyra Dorman and Janis Lozano

Wardrobe Stylist: Sophie Wilson

Photo Assistant: Steve Price

Website design: Digital Retail Partners

Models: Kathleen Holmes, Shannon Keens, Molly Mason, and Katarina Pavic with Directions USA