I had an assignment recently to photograph Marco Abbruzzese, an executive with Wells Fargo Bank. In spite of the fact that we were 40 stories high over Puget Sound, there was no view of Elliot Bay since we were completely fogged in. I had been hoping to use the view of the Bay but instead discovered that I actually like the intense studio quality of the  pure white light coming in through the fog.

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I love the low intensity light over Puget Sound outside the office window of Dean Bennion, an executive at the Wells Fargo Bank with the Olympic Mountains off hidden in the clouds. Rain was falling over most of the distant mountain skyline except for off in the southern end of the Olympics, the sun was trying to get through under the clouds. A grand vista from 40 floors over Elliot Bay.

Editorial writer Todd Shelton asked me to make a protrait of him for his publications website recently and the weather was great so we shot it outside his Seattle office.

 Seattle City Councilman Tim Burgess, above, being interviewed by a local TV station on Election night, outside City Councilwoman Sally Clark‘s election party at Merchant’s Cafe. Burgess was  commenting on his re- election victory and the passing with a strong margin of the Families and Education Levy which he supported. I had an excellent time yesterday on election night,  following around Seattle City councilman Tim Burgess who cruised to victory in his re-election to another 4 year term. The first results were announced around 8:15PM. They indicated he had the lead with 81% of the votes over opponent David Schraer.

At Tula’s on Monday Earshot Jazz Festival 2011 presented a special jazz lesson from soulful, searing alto saxophonist Wessell “Warm Daddy” Anderson, with Phill Sparks on bass, Bill Anschell, piano and D’Vonne Lewis, drums.

Check out the Earshot Jazz Festival Schedule to see what’s next in the 2011 Festival lineup.

A former member of the Wynton Marsalis Septet and charter member of the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, alto saxophonist Wessell “Warmdaddy” Anderson blends traditional jazz, some bebop and swinging sounds in a blues-inflected style that has drawn flattering comparisons to Cannonball Adderley. For over a decade and a half, he was part of Marsalis’ efforts at Jazz at Lincoln Center, but he left in 2006 to join the jazz faculty at Michigan State University.

“Always one of the most popular members of Jazz at Lincoln Center, many fans of the venerable institution were saddened to hear about Anderson’s stroke in 2007. Following the stroke, much of the left side of his body was numb, and many speculated as to whether he would play again. Musicians who knew Anderson well, however, were not surprised when he returned triumphantly to the bandstand after just a few months.”

“is 2010 return to a New York stage at Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola was applauded by fans and critics alike. Nate Chinen, reviewing the outing in the New York Times, wrote: “And how did he sound? Excellent, unchanged. His mellow, sweet-tart tone was a physical presence, and he gave it plenty of air, often holding a note for a long stretch, then taking a breath and modulating to another one … In his alto style, there’s no chasm between the chivalrous croon of Johnny Hodges and the roguish charisma of Charlie Parker.”

“Born into a musical family in Brooklyn, Anderson played piano from an early age, starting to study classical music when he was 12. However, two years later he switched genres and instruments. His father, a drummer, had worked with Cecil Payne and directed his son towards jazz. Hearing records by Charlie Parker prompted the shift from piano to alto saxophone. Anderson studied with various teachers, including several he met through the Jazzmobile workshops.

“In 1983, he was heard by Branford Marsalis, who urged him to pursue his studies, this time under Alvin Batiste. Five years later, Anderson joined Wynton Marsalis’ band, touring internationally, with the corresponding gain in reputation and audience awareness that this brought about. Anderson, who also plays soprano and sopranino saxophones, has also worked with Betty Carter, Ted Nash, Marc Cary, Victor Goines and many others. For this concert, he is joined by Seattle’s top sidemen.”

by Danielle Bias from the Earshot Jazz Festival Schedule program

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Tula’s Restaurant and Jazz Club owner Mack Waldron poses in front of the Club on the east side of Second Avenue, between Blanchard and Bell St. Tula’s presents the best of the local jazz scene 6 nights a week. Mack was a pleasure to photograph a few days ago. He has a constant twinkle in his eyes and was happy to tell the story of how he came to open Tula’s after his stint in the U.S.Navy. From an old piece from Earshot Jazz Magazine:  ”It should be immediately noted that the austere rock-of-a-man behind the sprawling, green bar is one Elliot “Mack” Waldron, Tula’s owner and chief bartender. A native Texan, Mack is a veteran jazzman with 26 years experience in Navy bands as a player and bandleader. In the service he was considered a players’ bandleader. Today he’s considered a players’ club owner” Continue reading here.

Here is a portrait of a performer at the Solstice Parade.
Still have a lot of images to sort through.
Photograph by Seattle photographer Daniel Sheehan, a Seattle photographer who specializes in people and portraits and travels to photograph weddings in an artistic and unobtrusive photojournalist style. Named best Seattle wedding photographer by the WPJA

Unexpectedly the weather was fine and the sun looked good so I called Casey and Cletus and we moved making some engagement pictures up by a day. They were getting ready to go to a friends wedding a little later in the evening but it worked out great. We met  at Kerry Park and made some pictures with the Seattle skyline in the background before we headed off to explore Queen Anne and headed west. The above image, one of my favorites, was taken at a little park under renovation but the bench was open and we had a lot of fun with it.

We finished up with the above setting and I think I like it the best. I look forward to photographing their wedding in October  on the Skansonia.

Seattle photographer Daniel Sheehan, specializes in photojournalism and portrait photography for publications, corporations and weddings.

Graphic artist and designer Michael Strassburger co-founder of Seattle Design Studio Modern Dog needed a new head shot and I was tapped for the task. How do you impress a modern dog designer? Not sure but he liked this look made 100% of natural light. It was a little intimidating since Strassburger is one of the powerhouse designers behind Seattle based Modern Dog. “Their heady mix of intuitive design, cheeky humor and punk rock aesthetics has made them unique among design firms, and a hell of a lot of fun. Their work is often seen in the rock poster arena, but they cover a much larger social terrain and their clients include K2 Snowboards, Blue Q, Coca-Cola, Swatch and Nordstrom.

Portrait Photography by Seattle photographer Daniel Sheehan creating portraits for publications and a Seattle Wedding Photographer with an artistic photojournalist style.