Morgan Norman: Photographer Extraordinaire. He's Swedish, which by default makes him cool.

Catchup: So, you're kind of a popular guy these days. How long have you been in the biz?

Morgan: It's hard to say exactly how long-- I mean I have been an established Photographer with an agent for around 5-6 years. The first time I ever held a professional camera was like 10 years ago. I was working as a social worker in the suburbs of Stockholm. During that time I also quit my band, so I needed something creative to do to stay sane. I bought my first camera, went to an ABC -Photography class and from there on...

Catchup: Social worker huh? I guess you can say you have a similar job. You help people to see the beauty in things. What/Who inspired you to become a photographer?

Morgan: Movies, Dreams and tons of imaginary worlds. I suck at drawing so Photography was the only medium for me.

Catchup: I suck at drawing too. Unless you consider throwing on a gas mask at dark and painting walls. Oh, those were the days. When we were young. Give me one song from your playlist of life?

Morgan: 1959, By Sisters of Mercy

Catchup: I guess we are from different parts of the pond. ;) Maybe we have other similar interests. What is your favorite brand camera? What was the first camera you used?

Morgan: Most of all I shoot with Canon. Eos, 1Ds, Mark III and 5D Mark III. I love medium format but they can't handle light as good as smaller ones. I love shooting in daylight and most of the time it's quite dark, so a Phase One wouldn't stand a chance. First camera I ever bought was a Nikon F80 (if I remember correctly).

Catchup: Now we're talking. Stinky cheese or creamy cheese?

Morgan: Stinky FTW!!!

Catchup: (FTW) For those of you who aren't cool enough to speak Swedish. Hahaha...ok, then. What would you say is more important? Good Knowledge or Good Equipment?

Morgan: Most def good knowledge. Cameras today, even the cheap ones, are so good, you can make magic anyway. Of course it's easier with pro-equipment, but still--1-0 Knowledge vs Equipment.

Catchup: Instagram or Tumblr?

Morgan: I only use Instagram (morgannorman) don't have time for more then that. I like using it as a kind of photo-blog, both everyday life and shootings. 

Catchup: What was one of your favorite editorials you've seen recently? 

Morgan: Modern Weekly / China - Paolo Roversi

Catchup: That's a beauty. Love the mask. New Kids on the Block or Menudo?

MN: Ghost >;) Ha ha ha, Yeah or Satanic Pop as I label them.

Catchup: Lost me there. Since you're not a connoisseur of American boy bands. Who is your MUSE?

MN: My inner child

Catchup: Have to agree with that one. It's part of our slogan. Speaking of playing around. We do a lot of that these days. Maybe too much of the unimaginative kind. In the days of INSTA-photography (I just coined that word, don't steal it. I'm going to buy the copyright's when we finish) does it annoy you that every person thinks they know about the art of photography? 

MN: Nope, I think it's cool that photography is so big. You will never make it anyway if your not a pro. You need the skills to repeat great pictures and set. You need to be creative, on demand and you need to know the right people--Otherwise you will never get anywhere.

Catchup: So, skillz to pay the billz it is. Glad to see you're not the cynical type. ;) Where is one of your favorite locations to shoot?

MN: St Petersburg / Russia

Catchup: BRrr...I would guess --hmmm, I don't know. Some place warm, being Swedish and all. Speaking of The Sweds, a good looking group of people wouldn't you say. We would. There are a lot of cool Swedish photographers, designers and musicians in trend recently, do you think Swedish artists are the worlds biggest hipsters. Or is the world just recognizing the talent the country has to offer?

MN: Ha ha ha ha ha! A little bit of both I think. We are really Super Hipsters here, but at the same time we have to be creative otherwise we will die. 3/4 of the year Sweden is dark, cold and wet.

Catchup: Dark, cold and wet sounds like a great name for an editorial, or, nevermind. We'll wait for it. ;) It's been great getting to know you. We love your work and can't wait to CATCHUP with the latest by Morgan Norman.

Check him out folks at http://www.morgannorman.com

Definitely one of the coolest most talented Swed's we know. Or should we say one of the warmest. <3

Fiasco Compilation Vol I. Available on Itunes

We're really excited about the release of our first compilation.

Catchup Productions: Fiasco Compilation Vol I.

We thought it would be a great idea to make the tracks from our videos available to fans.  The connect between music and fashion is undeniable. We're lucky to have a great A&R Director @Yaniv Tal, who keeps us up-to-date with the newest tracks.

The album is available on all music outlets.  You can download a track or the entire album.

Also available on Itunes and other music outlets.

Profile: A&R Director Yaniv Tal

Location: On the phone during a road trip to film in Geneva.

Yaniv Tal is our music Director for Catchup Productions.  He brings all of our videos and coverage to life.  He specializes in music licensing and owns his own label, Alienews Label Group in Munich, Germany, but signs artists world-wide.  

As the music director for Catchup Productions, he chooses the music for our fashion coverage videos, motion editorials, and of course music videos for artist. Early next year we will be collaborating on a compilation album for Catchup Productions.  

We're happy to have him on our team.  We're even more excited to hear some gossip about his personal life.  Hope you enjoy as well.

Jordan:Where did the wolves raise you by the way? (Just joking I know Yaniv's mother and she's very sweet, sorry Mrs. Tal).

Yaniv: Reshon, Israel

Jordan: How was it growing up in Reshon?
Yaniv: I was the pioneer of a metal/punk group. We used to import records and DJ gigs at this venue called, "Death to Techno."

Jordan: You were punk ? Really! I knew you had skeletons in the closet.
Yaniv: I was punk. I left that place as fast as I could--I left at 16. It used to be horrible and now it got even worse.
Jordan: Why, because you couldn't escape your punk past?
Yaniv: That, and I just saw a bigger future ahead of me.
Jordan: So what brought about your love for music?
Yaniv: I love to make people happy. Through music you kind of control people. You decide when they will feel happy, if they're going to dance. You can slow it down, speed it up. It's really exciting to watch. Especially as a DJ. Music tells a story. It progresses in front of my eyes--I love that.
Jordan: You remember that time I lost a bet to you and had to DJ with you in a gold bikini.
Yaniv: Yeah I think that's the first night that people spent so much time looking at me during a performance.
Jordan: Did you think I was out of my mind.
Yaniv: No, I just thought we'd be good friends.
Jordan: Well, that proved to be right. Now you're the music director for Catchup Productions my company. What inspired you to switch it up a bit. To focus on a more commercial aspect of the industry.
Yaniv: It was an opportunity to go commercial. Do something different. I like the idea of bringing the sound to the vision.
Jordan: So, what do you think about the company. The idea of combining music and fashion?
Yaniv: It's always good to have new people with fresh ideas--who look at the market from a different prospective.
Jordan: Ahhh, good to hear from such an outstanding guy. Speaking of outstanding. Were you ever famous anywhere?
Yaniv: Well, there was this one time I got kidnapped in Zagreb, well, less of a kidnapping, more of a hostage situation.
Jordan: Ok, What color are your pants?  Please don't tell me you're not wearing any.

Yaniv: Black.

Jordan: What did you just eat? 

Yaniv: Bagel with butter.

Jordan: So, your band name is officially. Black Bagel With Butter.  Just thought you wanted to know if you ever started your own band.

Jordan: Ok, moving along, hamburger or Hot dogs?

Yaniv: Hot dogs.
Jordan: Liar, you're a vegetarian. Sophia Loren or Brigitte Bardot ?
Yaniv: Bridgette.
Jordan: Ketchup or Mayonnaise.
Yaniv: Mayonnaise
Jordan: Blondes or Brunettes?
Yaniv: Blondes
Jordan: Grateful Dead or the Rolling Stones?
Yaniv: The Stones.
Jordan: Ice Cube or Ice Tea?
Yaniv: Ice Cube.

Jordan: Yeah yeah. Thanks Yaniv, thanks for being a good sport. If people want to know more about you, besides the fact that your're a great DJ, A&R Director, and that you used to be punk, where can they find out.

Yaniv: Thanks Jordan. They can check out my Facebook Page that I update with news and upcoming events. Or they can check out my website. There you'll find a huge database of music that I license and more about my label Alienews Label Group.

Make sure to check out Yaniv and our compilation of tracks from Catchup Productions in the new year.  If you have any questions about any of the music you've heard in our videos, send an email to Yaniv  @ musicdirector@catchupproductions.com.

http://www.facebook.com/yaniv.tal1

http://www.beatport.com/label/hadshot-haheizar/1327