In our ever growing; ever trendy US scene there are a few names known throughout the Country two of those names are Sam Dobbins and Anna Taylor this pair has not only provided countless photographs for us to look at but have recently been stepping the entertainment media game up more then ever. With numerous blogs popping up and everyone striving to find fresh new ways to deliver it they decided to step back and create a coffee table book fit for any home, garage, bar (We like this one) or tattoo shop 
Recently we had a chance to sit down and ask the Creators of More Than More a few questions. If you didn’t know Sam and Anna before you will after this!
PART 2: Welcome to the Dobbins!
1. First, I’m not sure many people know (myself included) but how long have you been shooting and what made you first pickup a camera?
Well, I’d have to say it’s been about 8 years, perhaps 9. While I didn’t fall head over heels til about 2006 or so, I had a knack for using my trusty HP 3.1MP point & shoot for shooting my dear friends that I played local music with. It was a weird time, because digital cameras had just started to become affordable, but the trend hadn’t yet hit. I shot many a dimly-lit, outrageously-loud concerts while throughout my freshman and sophomore years, but it wasn’t until my senior year that I started taking university classes and stumbled upon a B&W film course. Around the same time I bought my first VW, and the it all went downhill from there.
2. Did you dive right into Automotive shoots or did you have another form of photography in mind at first?
Although I first started tinkering with a camera at local shows, I was 150% focused on drumming at the time, and as it goes, so was my budget. Around the time I started shooting B&W film was when I first really thought about shooting cars, and it hit me like a ton of bricks…someone out there makes a living photographing all these cars for all these hot rod magazines—perhaps I should be that when I grow up!
3. What are you shooting for gear these days?
Well, the satchel contains moreorless the same as it has for about two years now…a 5D Mk1, 20mm, 50mm, and 70-200mm. Last spring I dove into the HDDSLR game and bought a 7D, but I’m not gonna lie, unless I’m shooting video, or in the mountains riding, it doesn’t see the light of day. In my eyes, the 5D is just classic, and always my go-to…which would explain why it looks like it’s been through a warzone.
4. I know there are lots of young photographers who look up to the work you put out so with that said, Who do you look up to?
Well, it all started with Mike Kippen and Shawn Walsh. When I first started shooting, they were the local legends, and the whole snapRIOT crew was the bee’s knees. But once I started reading PVW, it was James Lipman that just simply blew my mind. I found myself dissecting his photos in my mind for hours, trying to figure out how he so-perfectly executed supplementary lighting. When it comes to Automotive photography, I’d venture to say Jamie’s got one of the most distinct styles, and I absolutely adore it. Outside cars, Zack Arias is always one of my favorites to follow. I just really enjoy reading and learning from real, down to earth people.
5.Is there anything you really want to shoot and just haven’t gotten the chance yet?
I think I can agree with Anna in saying the salt flats holds a high rank on my bucket list. Outside the automotive realm though, I’ve always had a fascination with the north, and would love to capture Aurora Borealis and some of the alpine scenery found only in the most remote of places up in AK and such.
6. Let’s talk More Than More, You seem like a busy Dude as it is, Where did the idea to start the More Than More project come from?
Well, after somehow convincing Anna to fly out to the PNW for a show she’d hardly even heard of, yet ever considered making a movie of, we found ourselves driving back to Spokane after 7 or so hours of sleep in 5 days…and BAM! We pretty much took the words from each other’s mouths, and our first book was born. From that point on, it was pure chaos with countless ideas being spat out, to the point where it felt as though I had two brains, working on the same wavelength…a similar sensation—or so I’d assume—to having two cocks.
7. The Movie: give us some more background on what the movie will bring to its viewers and did you have a favorite portion filming or a favorite scene from it?
My biggest goal when I first presented the idea to Anna was to make a movie that actually hit home with people. The Leavenworth Drive is my favorite event in the PNW, and I feel like it’s home to me, being a little Bavarian gem hidden in the mountains of Washington. After a metric fuck-ton of planning, we had one overall goal: to capture the event in its truest form. But not just a flashy short of an assortment of cool angles set to music swiped off the internet—because there’s so much more to an event, especially LW, than just the cars. It’s not the cars that we’re here for, although it’s safe to say that almost all of my dearest friends, and my friends’ dearest friends, are from the car world. It’s about the people and the lifestyle, and made for the people, because they’re the reason we’re here. My best description, and my goal from the beginning, was to bring the best of a snowboard movie mixed with a National Geographic documentary (sans Morgan Freeman’s voice, because he was too expensive), but about cars. I guess the people will decide how we did!
8. What is the release date for it? Where can it be viewed and purchased?
The premiere of More Than A Drive is set for December 17th, 2011, in Seattle, Washington. We’ve found an insanely dope venue, called the Naked City Brewery, that’ll comfortably fit about 75 seats, and that’s when and where it’s all going down. We’re in the process of putting together a live webcast of the entire event, and starting the following Monday the DVD will be available for purchase. There’s a chance we’ll do a little presale too, at a slightly discounted price, so keep your eyes peeled over at morethanmore for more details! Or hit us up on Facebook at facebook.com/morethanmore!
9.Is it true that Shawn Walsh is the star of the film? HaHa
Infamous?! The Infamous Shawn W?! Well, it’s partially true. Shawn’s a star in the film, but not the star. We were lucky enough to have some of the PNW’s finest at our disposal for the making of the movie, so expect to see a handful of familiar faces!
10. The books are an awesome way to view what we love in casual stare at almost anywhere manner, When might we see the next book released?
Well thanks man! We’re really stoked with how they came out, and couldn’t have had a better, more supportive response at H2O this past fall! Our goal is to have a second volume printed in time for next show season, and possibly even a third by year’s end! We’re hoping to attend most of the major shows around the country, and will also have a full line of screen prints available too, among other bits like my 2012 VW/Audi Calendar, the DVD, the More Than A Drive Soundtrack, and many others, so keep your eyes peeled!
11. I tried to keep this short and to the point, Anything you want to say, Shout outs, love, hate anything….
You kept it to the point, I’m the one that rambled on and on! As for shouts…the whole crew at MTAD (Spence, Aaron, Jonny, Craig), Matt & Brad at fifteen52, the Broke guys for their hospitality, the GENG guys, yourself included, for being like-minded and so supportive of such an endeavor, Travy for opening his home to me and our company, and most importantly the Dobbins and Taylor families for their continued support, through thick and thin!
I hope the past two post’s have given everyone a bit more perspective to what our scene can bring besides crazy cars! The people that bring us the cars are talented,driven and smart (Dobbins&Taylor). People like them are what motivates me and should hopefully motivate you!
If you missed the first post check it out here: More is just the beginning..Part 1
Be sure to check out:
SDobbins Photography
Word, JG
