Ken Burns Effect

When I got word of the assignment with Ken Burns, I was excited about working with his iconic bowl cut – so many possibilities! Then a friend told me that Burns had moved on from that hairstyle, and it was time to pivot.

Brainstorming prop-oriented concepts with the clients was the best part of the process, but getting him to actually partake would be a challenge. He agreed to pose with the red coat and patriot-era soldiers, but drew the line at wearing a tricorn hat (I didn’t even show him the powdered wigs that we’d brought!)

Burns’ obsessiveness is one of his strongest attributes, making his films repeat watching but it can also make him a prickly photo subject. There is nothing like unsolicited history correctives to bring an animated session to a crawl.

I photographed Burns twice in the promotion cycle for the “American Revolution,” first for Garden & Gun, and then AARP. Much appreciation to Maggie Brett Kennedy and Deja Nicole Ross for the opportunities.

Top Image: Our first set up was a winner, giving The Police’s “Wrapped Around Your Finger” vibes (video directed by Godley & Creme in 1983).

Second Image: Over the shoulder, in studio, and then in Soho NYC (holding a 1746 Amérique Septentrionale map!).

Third Image: The depth of field was so narrow that I had to re-shoot the soldiers later and Photoshop them back into the shot.

Bottom Image: BTS photo by Sophia Pallwein-Prettner.