This week I wanted to give everyone an inside look at the newest cover of Soul Magazine issue #79. It not only came as a surprise to Dennis and Chad but it also came as a surprise to myself as well. I wanted to break it down and let everyone know exactly what it took to make that happen and how sometimes when you least expect it, you get the cover of a magazine. Most of the time it ends up being the craziest/best action photo from that previous month of shooting but every once and a while people like the creators of Soul go above and beyond what’s expected to design a truly unique and one-of-a-kind cover. Let’s take a look and see what went into making this happen.
So, I guess I should start with the back-story to how this came about. I have been shooting original content for Soul Magazine for over a year now and it has been an amazing experience to have a huge amount of creative control for the articles that I have done. We had discussed doing a split interview with Dennis and Chad for a while and knowing how hard it would be to track them both down at the same time I got started as soon as I could. I hit them both up, let them know the loose plan and made sure that they were down. The idea was to cruise down to San Diego for a weekend with the crew and just let things happen and see what I came home with. That is the only way that I shoot these days and it has been working pretty well so far. Riders are way more relaxed and open to work with you if you present the project in the right way. There was no pressure on either end and I knew we were lucky to have them make some time for the magazine so I was definitely stoked to see what I could get with them.
During my time in San Diego we chilled, rode, celebrated Chad’s 18th birthday party and shot some photos along the way. Christian Rigal had just gotten hurt so he wasn’t out filming with the crew so Dennis and Chad decided to take it easy and save the dead-man stuff for when Christian was feeling better. This doesn’t mean that what we got isn’t good because how could it not be? It’s Dennis Enarson and Chad Kerley that we are talking about here. But needless to say we stuck to our plans, took each day as it came and ended up having a good time as a result. To be honest I knew that both Dennis and Chad had the potential to get the cover and I always keep that in the back of my mind when shooting an article like this but you never know. Usually there are a bunch of requirements for a photo to work as a cover and what ended up being used for this one was anything but typical.
I wanted to make sure that everyone gives some credit to the designer behind creating this cover. His name is Julien Pouplin and he obviously deserves some shine-time for this one. It’s not every day that a print cover comes out and gets people talking but that is exactly what he did with #79.
Although myself, Dennis and Chad were happy with what we got content-wise, I had a feeling that nothing we got would work for a cover. I kind of left wishing we had more time but on the other hand, I knew that there was no pressure on their end and we all had a good experience and that’s all that matters. When it got closer to deadline time I started putting together the interviews, and editing the photos. For a second there right before the final deadline I was almost going to go down to San Diego again and try to shoot something specifically for the cover. After talking to Dennis and Chad we had all agreed that we were happy with what we had already shot and that we wanted to call it on that. Now, as far as we were concerned everyone at that point kind of accepted that there wasn’t going to be a cover from either one of them. Was I bummed? Yeah of course, I was definitely happy with what we had but it wouldn’t have been a bad thing to go try and give it another go.
The surprise came to me as I was driving out in the middle of the desert about a few weeks ago. Once I got a glimpse of the email, which included the cover fully designed and laid out I was overwhelmed. Not only is it my first international cover but it is also my first cover as an independent, freelance photographer. To put it bluntly, it just means that much more knowing that I accomplished that on my own with the help of some amazing riders and a talented design crew of course. Speaking of, that is the best part about the cover to me. The fact that it features the lifestyle photo of the two of them chillin’ was so satisfying to me but after looking closely and seeing the riding photos within the portrait of them I was definitely stoked on how it turned out. As I said, not knowing about it was the best part to me. It was the surprise of a lifetime and a moment that I will not soon forget. It marks a turning point for me as a photographer and the back-story is something that I knew I would want to share. It just goes to show that you have to expect the unexpected and never think to yourself “there is no way I have anything that would make for a good cover.” This was a lesson in keeping an open mind and how being forced to think outside the box is sometimes where the best, most creative work comes from.
Even though Dennis just flew back from Brazil and Chad just left for a trip they both took a few minutes out of their days to answer a few questions for everyone so check it out.
DENNIS ENARSON
So, right out of the gate, what were your initial thoughts on the cover?
I was real psyched honestly. At first I didn’t even notice that the photo also had the riding photos inside as well. My initial reaction was that I was stoked to have a cover with my buddy Chad.
Did you ever think you would get the cover of Soul alongside Mr. Chad Kerley?
No, I never really shot much for Soul if anything really so I never thought that I would have a cover with them.
What do you think about it being a lifestyle photo?
I think it’s pretty sick. It’s cool because it’s a lifestyle photo and a riding photo as well so it’s a little mix of both.
What are your thoughts on the actual design?
They did an amazing job with the design. Like I said, at first I thought it was just Chad and I but then I noticed the riding photos too. I’ve never really seen anything like that.
How did you first find out about it?
I was in Brazil actually and I didn’t have any internet and Gary Young did and he pulled up the cover photo on Chad’s Instagram and said “Hey, you got a cover.” I didn’t know what he was talking about at first.
I think the best part about it is how Chad is looking up at you. I guess it comes from knowing you both pretty well and knowing that Chad has always looked up to you as a person and a rider so it’s got some meaning behind it. How has it been seeing Chad go from a young kid to the complete badass that he is now?
Yeah, Chad is looking up at me but that’s funny because now I look up to his riding and it seems like the tables have turned. Every time I see him ride I am amazed by the stuff he’s doing. I actually look up to his riding, things have changed and it’s pretty cool. He’s come such a long way in such a short time.
Well I that about wraps it up. I just wanted to say thanks again for the opportunity to shoot with you guys and spend some time down at the MARKIT house. Do you have anything else that you want to add?
Thank you too, come down whenever.
Any shout-outs and thanks?
Thanks to you and Chad for making the interview fun and thanks to Soul for giving us the chance to do it. Thank you to my parents, all of my sponsors, Rockstar, Haro, Nike, Demolition Parts, Oakley and MARKIT.
CHAD KERLEY
So, right out of the gate, what were your initial thoughts on the cover?
I thought it was sick and creative. I was really into it being more artsy and different rather than just another riding photo.
Did you ever think you would get the cover of Soul alongside the one and only Dennis Enarson?
Definitely not, haha. It’s such an honor. And to have my past with Dennis from growing up racing as kids together and now this, it’s seriously amazing.
What do you think about it being a lifestyle photo?
I think it’s awesome. It’s different and to me that makes it even more special. It captures the “friends” aspect perfectly, and since it’s an interview with both of us, it couldn’t be more perfect. I definitely want to frame one up for my wall.
What are your thoughts on the actual design?
I think it’s super creative. I’m a fan of art and the way there is actually photos of us riding in our shirts and faces within the portrait is too dope.
How did you first find out about it?
I got an email from Benjamin at Soul about it and was like, “no way!”
I was saying to Dennis that I am stoked on the photo because you are looking up at him. We have talked about it before how you have actually looked up to Dennis ever since you were a young kid. How has it been growing up alongside him?
Yeah, I’ve always looked up to Dennis and still do in so many ways. He’s always having so much fun and he’s definitely inspiring to me. Growing up he would always be the one to mess around at the track and never really care too much for the race but more to jump and have fun. And to this day, nothing has changed haha, he’s sick!
I just wanted to say thanks again for the opportunity to shoot with you guys. Do you have anything else that you want to add?
Nah, thank you Jeremy it’s always a pleasure working with you. I couldn’t be more stoked on how everything turned out. Thanks man!
Any shout-outs and thanks?
Yeah thanks to Benjamin at Soul for giving me the opportunity to have this piece with Dennis. And thanks to you Jeremy for shooting with us and being the dude. And huge thanks to everyone who supports me
Don’t forget to head over to www.soulbmxmag.com and order yourself a copy of issue #79; it’s one you won’t want to miss.
Also give them a follow on Instagram @soulbmxmag
While you’re at it go follow Chad too…
Instagram- @chad_kerley
Twitter- @Chadkerley
And support a rider owned company MarkitDenim.com
Instagram- @MARKITBMX
Twitter- @MARKITBMX
That wraps it up for this edition of TTL. It was awesome being able to share that with everyone and I just want to send a huge shout-out, not only to the guys over at Soul Magazine that helped put the cover together but also a big thanks to Dennis and Chad for finding time in between their crazy schedules to shoot with me. On that note, be sure to check back next Wednesday for the sixty-third edition of Through the Lens and as always feel free to leave any questions in the comments section or email me directly at [email protected] and I will hit you back as soon as I can. Feel free to follow me on Twitter and Instagram as well @jeremypavia.
