Rick Chou Shooting Moody Lifestyle

Not many know that previous to becoming the extraordinary Product and Auto Photographer he is today, Rick Chou shot fashion in Europe and people...back to his beginnings, sort of.   Milwaukee Tools came to us recently asking Rick to shoot "a different look" of construction workers on site using their tools.

Rick and his Digi-Tech

Milwaukee Tools secured a real construction site at UCLA where a building was being demolished to be replaced by dorms.  It was floors of dripping water, dark empty cavernous spaces with beams and exposed metal.  Milwaukee Tools got permission from UCLA to work with the construction company and destroy sections of the building. 

 The Crew

Before Rick and his entire crew were allowed to even step on site, they had to attend an intensive two hour safety training session.  Then, with the  Construction Supervisor close by at all times, for 3 days they maneuvered their way through the building, between floors, walkways and narrow shafts.   As Rick said, "It was like creeping through a dungeon."  It was loud, it was wet, it was dark, and extremely dangerous, but exciting. 

Rick and his crew pre-lit the scenarios.  With his crew acting as stand-ins, they emulated the construction workers jobs and movements.  Finally the real construction workers, who were "on the clock", came in for less then 10 minutes.  Rick made them feel comfortable and relaxed in front the camera, lights and crew.  Action!  The tools were fired up, noise bounced off the walls, floors vibrated, dust flew, as Rick shot fast and furiously to get the most out of his 10 minutes!

And, of course, a few of the final shots:

Click on any image to see it bigger, or view Rick's other work @ www.RickChou.com