BACK AGAIN AT . . . STREETMEET DC!

November 09, 2024 / William Burrell Philpot IV

A MORE THAN SUBTLE EXPERIENCE FOR SURE.

Picking up pretty much where we left off, yesterday’s StreetMeet DC at Rock Creek Park was an interesting yet surprisingly an unfulfilling one. With a grey sky and cool temperatures, the even seemed somewhat muted. High potential because of the people in attendance, overall the weather and nature seemed to…bring things down a notch…but we guess that’s okay because it’s nature.

While Photography is an area of work that we operate within, it is not by any means the “be all” or “end all”. In our efforts to position for more impactful endeavors, Photography is not a weight or anchor for us but more a destination and direction to other things and opportunities. With that said, StreetMeet DC is a great social environment with many individuals and characters to engage. There are many positive personalities, demeanors and dispositions that help to make it an experience…and so we enjoy the opportunities to shoot, network and collaborate. Our effort is to be the kind of photographers and creators we are while striving to adapt and change upon the many people we meet while still adhering to the standards of trying to implement good business.

As Photography is a component of our creative and business structure, it overall is a vehicle and an option. Those who are shot are as well. Of course while we’re enthusiastic about editing and posting some, here—on this site—we’re editing or posting what we like and approve.

Dropbox Link for “STREETMEET DC - Rock Creek Park”

Image Library accessible until 12.9.2024.

*Images are generally made available via Dropbox.com after processing however this can and may change due to resource conditions. Post-edited Images may be available as well but there is no commitment made to make them available with the aforementioned Dropbox platform. We retain the rights to all images (JPEG & CR2 [RAW]) as captured and processed via LIAM IAN™ hardware and assets. For questions, comments, or concerns, please contact use HERE or email us at Liam.Ian.LLC@gmail.com. If you are a model, event manager or collaborator having worked with us, please contact us for special folders and partitions to be made for individual models, subjects and content as not all images may be made available for general public access and use.

How We Manage Relationships With Shoot-For-Free Models. (StreetMeet DC, PortraitMeet DC, Public Photography Events)

BACK AGAIN AT . . . STREETMEET DC!

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categories / Street Photography, Photography
tags / StreetMeet, StreetMeet DC, StreetMeetDC

PROJECT ANNOUNCEMENT: BROWN SKIN IN AUTUMN™!

October 25, 2024 / William Burrell Philpot IV

Black and Brown: Beauty, Transition and Complexity. We are Autumn!

Sample Concept Image developed via Midjourney Ai Art Generator.

Project Proposal:

This shoot is about celebrating Black and Brown identities in harmony with the beauty, transition, and complexity of autumn—a season of change and transformation. It reflects how identity is not static but ever-evolving, much like the seasons. Through this shoot, the aim is not only to highlight physical beauty but to convey the richness, diversity, and strength inherent within Black and Brown communities.

Creative Direction: The Black as Origin—Brown Skin in Autumn

"Within the Black, all things—good and bad, light and dark—exist. Creation begins where others see void."

Concept:

This project will explore the idea that just as autumn signifies transition, the concept of “The Black” represents both the unknown and the origin of all things. In this shoot, the changing landscape of autumn becomes a metaphor for the unseen depths within each person—layers of history, complexity, and identity that are both hidden and emerging. Through photography, we will showcase Black and Brown people as they exist not only in the world but within themselves, holding all possibilities: strength and vulnerability, tradition and innovation, presence and mystery.

This shoot is about reclamation. It’s about finding beauty in spaces of change and making visible the layers of identity that are often misunderstood or unseen.

Mood and Atmosphere:

The mood will balance both introspection and expression. The settings will reflect the layered nature of autumn—moments of stillness alongside movement, quiet reflection in shadowed spaces, and bold expression in bursts of light. The shoot should evoke feelings of calm, mystery, and transformation, capturing both who the subjects are now and who they are becoming.

Visual Tone:

Warm autumnal hues (rust, amber, ochre) combined with deeper tones (charcoal, mahogany, deep green). Contrast between light and shadow.

Vibe:

Thoughtful, layered, soulful. A blend of natural ease and intentional styling.

The Brown Skin in Autumn shoot is not just a celebration of seasonal beauty but a visual exploration of identity in transition. Inspired by the philosophy that within darkness reside all possibilities, the project embraces both the known and the unknown aspects of identity. It celebrates the beauty of Black and Brown people not just as they are today but as they are becoming—grounded in legacy, moving toward transformation, and empowered by the freedom to define their own stories.

Date: TBA - Location: TBA (Montgomery County, MD)

Project information and details (“TBA”) will be updated via this page accordingly. For questions, comments or concerns, please contact us here.

PROJECT ANNOUNCEMENT: BROWN SKIN IN AUTUMN™!

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categories / Creativity, Photography Series, Portrait Photography, Projects, 📕 - RED BOOK SERIES
tags / Brown Skin In Autumn!, Black and Brown, Brown Skin, Projects, Project Proposal

BETTER BEST NORTH BETHESDA™

September 14, 2024 / William Burrell Philpot IV

PREVIOUSLY BETTER BEST BETHESDA.

We’re playing around with the idea of returning to this project that had gotten started but didn’t receive the attention it required. Because North Bethesda is one of our local communities, we’re looking to just show our enthusiasm and appreciation. North Bethesda is such a lively, active, diverse and beautiful area that we just can’t let the opportunities to escape us to feature the great things that happen here.

BETTER BEST NORTH BETHESDA™

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categories / 2024 PHOTOGRAPHY Quarter, 2024 Photography Quarter, Projects, Better Best North Bethesd
tags / BETTER BEST NORTH BETHESDA, Better Best Bethesda, Bethesda MD, White Flint, Rockville MD, Rockville, North Bethesda, North Bethesda MD, Kensington MD, Kensington, Montgomery County, Montgomery County MD, Pike and Rose, Pike & Rose

THE DICHOTOMY OF...LIAM IAN BLACK!

August 18, 2024 / William Burrell Philpot IV

The most complex aspects of being a Modern Black Man and a Modern Black Family Man.

IT’S ABOUT ONE MAN . . . AND THEN NOT.

Today, July 11th, we appreciate and celebrate the efforts, talents, gifts and leadership of Liam Ian Black (aka William Burrell Philpot IV). Today marks 45 years upon this planet, this world and the existence within this reality.

As a business, we’re operating to develop products, services and platforms that not only communicate the Artistic Expressions and Interests of one Black Man but to also encourage and embolden the Spirit of Creativity within, of and for the Black and Brown and African American Communities as a whole.

What we offer are solutions, encouragement and enhancements to those that create and those audiences that appreciate the ideas and concepts African Americans and the African American Spirit. We’re still committed to exploring and developing new opportunities, avenues and platforms for the furthered encouragement and empowerment of Black and Brown People and we will be for the foreseeable future.

This Photography Quarter is to capture, illuminate and illustrate the hidden and quiet GREATNESS that is Black, Brown and African American People and People of Color, Ethnicity and Culture…the Dichotomies that make us who we are.

In better contextualizing, what Liam Ian Black and LIAM IAN™ and LIAM IAN LLC™ is all about is the Appreciation, Inspiration, Encouragement, Realignment and Re-empowerment of African Americans, Black, Brown and People of Color, Ethnicity and Culture (“Intelligence. Ethnicity. Innovation.”) while still actively engaging the creation and execution of Quality thru Purpose and Meaning.

THE DICHOTOMY OF...LIAM IAN BLACK!

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categories / THE DICHOTOMY OF...
tags / THE DICHOTOMY OF..., The Dichotomy of...

PHOTOGRAPHY THROWBACKS!

August 18, 2024 / William Burrell Philpot IV

LOOKING BACK TO LOOK AHEAD!

This PHOTOGRAPHY QUARTER gives us greater purpose and opportunity to look bak to plan ahead.

Constantly we’re engaged in not only capturing moments but bringing out the spirit of our models and subjects.

WORK WITH US TODAY!

PHOTOGRAPHY THROWBACKS!

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categories / 2024 PHOTOGRAPHY Quarter, 2024 Photography Quarter
tags / The Photography Quarter, Photography, Throwback, Throwbacks, Throwback Photography

PREPARING FOR A SEASON OF PHOTOGRAPHY!

July 12, 2024 / William Burrell Philpot IV

WHEN IT’S THE PRIME TIME FOR CAPTURING.

This Photography Quarter and Season is one where nothing but a passion for where we’re from must shine thru.

While we recognize that there are a lot of new considerations and perspectives on what is Art within Photography—because people can do themselves nowadays—and the use and place of a Photographer has equally changed, the effort here is to address the very personal ideas and contexts of the art in meaningful and impactful product development. With platforms like Instagram and TikTok giving ready made platforms to be seen and heard, we’re still committed to the idea of people and things being captured by, thru and for the sake of Artistic Expression. This is also for Portfolio and Product Development.

PROJECT & SERVICE PLATFORMS

Editorial - Commercial - Beauty & Fashion - Artists & Actors - Business - Promotional - Automotive

We will also be participating in Photojournalism and Videography Projects as well.

See our Photography Portfolios!

PREPARING FOR A SEASON OF PHOTOGRAPHY!

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categories / 2024 PHOTOGRAPHY Quarter, 2024 Photography Quarter, Photography
tags / The Photography Quarter, The 2024 Photography Quarter, Photography

WHAT TO DO WHEN EVERYONE ELSE CAN DO PRETTY MUCH WHAT YOU DO.

June 08, 2024 / William Burrell Philpot IV

ART - DESIGN - PHOTOGRAPHY - COACHING & CONSULTING - BUSINESS - Ai

The creating and cultivating of unique spaces that secure a dedicated audience and potential client base…beyond social media and corporate commercially driven socially-dividing algorithms.

In this age where just about everyone has access to information and amazing tech—especially thru the use of Ai platforms—creativity does not remain the domain of amazing traditional artists and creatives anymore. This competition is high and the visibility is much more contentious. Depending on the use-cases and purposes, there is a much tighter and smaller marketshare for people to standout and be seen for the uniqueness of their ideas, concepts and even styles. Where Ai and other creative platforms can now allow anyone to develop images, video and even film with a different scale and pace of ease, it’s now concerning that people—creatives—better chisel out their corner of space to earn their own specialized piece of the pie.

As Artists, we believe the opportunities exist in the creating and cultivating of unique spaces that secure a dedicated audience and potential client base. As creatives are now competing with not just other creatives but also corporate-backed and sponsored creators, social media platforms and their often biased and ever-changing algorithms, this is now the time to look back into grassroots communities and networks is a must. Especially for Black and African American communities, we believe there should be more promise, power and potential in creating works and products that communicate, inform and reinforce localized community values, ideals, concepts, paradigms and principles. We believe that there can be no true commercial progress gained nowadays without building real networks and relationships that go beyond the surface of our mobile devices, tablets, cameras and social media platforms.

Basically, what we’re saying is that relying on our personal spaces, relationships, networks and communities is a renewed must. We believe that a paradigm shift mixed with an understanding of new or renewed values pertaining community are the new demand. What it is to have a large audience thru social media is not enough anymore. Many people have gained tremendous followings that have now led to much more noise than what was previously acceptable or normal. Now with so many available to speak and share, it’s hard to determine who to listen to, who to trust, how long to trust and listen and even then what extensions of who or what we entertain should further more gain our interest. For that of the emerging Visual Artist, the task is to get beyond the barriers of “content creators” to sustain themselves within spaces that truly appreciate static art and environmental aesthetics. There must be space to entertain art and design in ways that truly serve to market as well.

Now while strategy and execution stand at the forefront of what should be done to successfully involve oneself within community, the effort nonetheless must be to secure a trusted place and space within the local or localized communities. Sometimes sitting at a Starbucks or the a local community courtyard or attending the right social gatherings will prove more useful than trying to compete on social media.

*While we are a creative team that also doubles as a creative one as well, we know and understand the importance—if not the urgency—of performing nowadays. As many are reliant on social media and other”hustles” just to make it by as prices rise and the value of resources decrease with an also dynamic scarcity issue fueled many societal factors, we know and further understand the value of individual identity and the integrity inherent to maintaining and adhering to those principles and values that establish the identity. Yes, being true to oneself is of the utmost importance. We believe now is the time however to use the identity to cause those dynamic shifts within and for community because the need is there. The day and way of the modern content creator is passing and with that are becoming more obvious the needs for strengthened community. The community must not just from being creators but consumers as well. The day of recycling and circulating our money, time, interest, attention, resources and spaces is returning in dynamic ways and so it is now the time to position for it. True and honest positioning and repositioning fueled and fueling the necessary paradigm shifts that might change our entire worlds.

We have no courses to teach because we have no reason to scam. The fact is that we’re spitting truths that make sense. Corporate commercial capitalism has taken over many of our lives when it comes to what we purchase to make our environments. When it comes to setting our aesthetics. Now more than before you have far away cultures that hijack other cultural identities to push them to targeted interested audiences just to take the money and resources out of those communities and generate revenue and potential wealth. It’s unacceptable and the revision to innovate is now a must.

See our Coaching and Consulting section for more information.

WHAT TO DO WHEN EVERYONE ELSE CAN DO PRETTY MUCH WHAT YOU DO.

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categories / Coaching, Consulting, Coaching & Consulting, COACHING & CONSULTING
tags / Coaching, Consulting, Coaching & Consulting, Artists, Creatives, Entrepreneurs, Entrepreneurship, Community, Future Forecasting