Thanks.

Week 46

Thanks

November 20, 2010

Last week we received some much needed rain here in the Bay Area. Looking out my kitchen window, I noticed the water falling off of the orange tree in the backyard, and decided to make a few images during the momentary reprieve between showers. As I was shooting I began to think about the amazing natural processes going on with this orange tree. How the seeds grow into a tree, and through nutrients in the soil and water from the rains the tree blossoms and grows fruit that we in turn can use to nourish ourselves. I thought about the many things we are provided in this world for sustenance and nourishment - physiologically, pyschologically as well as spiritually, and felt very thankful.

In that vein, I wanted to take the opportunity to express some thanks to people in my life that have helped, in little and big ways, allow me to start this journey of making a living as a photographer. Some have no idea they've made an impact on me, others know very well what they've meant. This is a small attempt at acknowledging my appreciation. 

First, and most of all, my God:  For His patience, His grace and His abundant blessings, some of which are the people listed below.

My Family: Mom, Dad, Malcolm & Seth... as well as my extended family for your belief in what I'm doing, your myriad of support and encouragement, and for not telling me I'm crazy for dropping everything to pursue this dream :).

The rest of you below are in no particular order, but have blessed me in one way or another throughout this process. 

Neil & Alison Goradia: my dear friends, for being my home in DC. Also for letting me point my camera at you and your family so often. And for feeding and sheltering me out there. And... well, you get the point ;).

Chris Scharmen - for your giving heart and generous spirit that has allowed me to continue shooting. And for putting up with my mess without kicking me out. Yet.

Brian Tramontania - it was your Photo 001 class at WVC that confirmed for me I wanted to pursue photography as a career. Still trying to get that darkroom setup :).

Lindsey Freitas - for your willingness to take a chance on letting me shoot with you and literally jump-starting the wedding component of my business. Still learning from you.

Daniel Garcia -  also for your willingness to take a chance on me by letting me shoot for Content Magazine. My first published work! 

Mike Larson - for changing the way I look at my business through your workshop, and reminding me that serving is the whole point.

Liz Walker  - for being my very first customer :).  And for trying to find ways to promote my business, simply from the kindness of your heart.

Kathryn MacMillan - for your incredible support in a very critical time as I was trying to figure out what the heck I was doing.

Chaz Meyers - for your generosity in lending me equipment. Still using that backdrop kit!

Trina Merry - for sharing your studio and gallery space when you had nothing to gain from it, and for helping me to push the boundaries.


Luke Eastman - for the gear loan, and taking time to talk shop when I had no idea what I was doing. And for not killing me when I dropped your lens in a waterfall in Puerto Rico.

Kevin Boisjolie, Chip Pitts, and Maggie Ragon - for being teachers and mentors to me in the business world years ago.  I'd not be able to pull this thing together without that knowledge and experience.

All of my Clients - for your business... I literally could not do this without you!

There are many more that I could list, but I will stop and say a comprehensive and overwhelming "Thank you" for all of those that have encouraged and supported me over the last year and 1/2 or so.

I've got a long way to go... I really feel as if I am just beginning this journey. I have a great deal to learn, a lot of hard work, and a boatload of undeserved blessings ahead in order to make this a sustainable reality, but I'm looking forward to the trip :).


image above taken with Canon 5D MII, 24-105 4L lens, 1/60 sec @ f4, ISO 400 

New Beginnings

Week 45

New Beginnings

November 13, 2010

A guest at the wedding I shot last weekend commented to me "you'll never get the chance to witness a wedding like this again".  She was probably right. You see, the bride and groom were 78 and 80 years old respectively. Each of their spouses had passed away in recent years, and these two were moving to another stage in life with one another. They wanted to live out the remainder of their lives together.

Now don't get the wrong impression. This was no frumpy duo resigned to some second-choice partnership. This bride and groom were as happy and giddy as any couple I've had the privelege to photograph. There was no less excitement, no fewer signs of their obvious and deep, youthful love for each other than if they were 22 and starting off on their first journey together.

An incredible thing to witness and document, I was happy to be a part of it. It got me thinking about how we all have opportunities to make new beginnings. Joyful times, tragedies and change will inevitably come our way. These things shape us, influence our lives and fill our memories. They make us who we are. They don't however, have to determine who we become. We have the opportunity in this life to take advantage of each day as a new day. We are afforded a brand new opportunity to make decisions based on who and what we value. Our paths in the past don't determine our paths for the future. A new beginning can be tomorrow. Or today. Or right now. It's up to you.

image taken with Canon 5D MII, 24-70 2.8L lens, 1/40 sec @ f2.8, ISO 400

Seasons

Week 44

 

Seasons

November 6, 2010

I've seen a lot of beautiful autumn color, growing up in Virginia and spending the better part of a decade in the Shenandoah Valley.  I've always looked forward to the change in seasons portended by vibrant colors on display as chlorophyll dissipates and the trees prepare to rest for the winter. I found the scene above in Palo Alto, along Alma Street over the El Camino Trail returning from a shoot. I was struck by the seeming crust of color on the still green foliage as we transition through Fall here in California.

It reminds me of our own transitions as we move through life. Sometimes these changes bring welcome seasons full of color and plenty. Other times what we encounter is harsh and barren. What we have to remember, whether we want to be in the season we are in or not, is that another season is coming. Inevitably, we begin to see the signs of seasonal change, be it the start or end of a relationship, a new job or career path, the birth or death of someone close to you, these leaves of life begin to change color.

We can't go back to previous seasons, and we can't skip ahead. We are in the season we are in... until we aren't. So it seems to me, since we seldom if ever are able to usher in a new season entirely on your own, what we are faced with is more a question of what you are going to do with the season you are in. Are you going to hunker down and dispair until the "winter" season passes, or get out with your snowshoes and skis and make snowmen? Will you allow yourself to be distracted and forget the important things in your "summer" under the illusion you will always be able to go swimming, enjoy long days of sunshine and warmth? Will you make ready for the next season when you see it coming or live in denial of what's to come and be caught unprepared?

My hope for you is that you are finding joy in the season you're in, no matter what it feels like. That you remember it won't last forever, for better or worse, and that you don't live in fear of the season to come or of losing the season you're in.


image taken with Canon 5D MII, 24-105 4L lens, 1/60sec @ f22, ISO 400

Heeeeere....Lizard, Lizard

Week 43

Heeeeere... Lizard, Lizard

October 26, 2010

So last week I'm sitting in my office, slaving away at edits when this little guy decides to sneak up behind me. I almost stepped on the poor thing as I jumped up to go into the kitchen and make some grub. He was small and so I didn't see him, but surprisingly he didn't move. At all. I thought I'd perhaps scared him to death. Or he was asleep. Do lizards sleep? Anyway, thankfully I didn't step on him, but he did seem to be begging for a modeling gig, and wasn't going anywhere, so I scooped him up on a piece of paper and put him on my drafting desk and in front of the camera for his very own paparazzi session. I was a little disappointed with his enthusiasm. He's no Geico spokesman, but he patiently let me shoot away for a couple of minutes until it was clear he wasn't going to dance, or talk, or move at all and I got bored. Off he went to the back yard, where with a little prompting with a stick to his tail, scurried off, proving he was indeed still alive. I wonder if he'll relate this experience to his buddies as something akin to an alien abduction?


Image taken with Canon 5D MII, 24-105 4L lens, 1/25 sec @ f8.0, ISO 400

Blue Ridge View

Week 42

Blue Ridge View

October 19, 2010

This view was my reward for a pre-dawn hike last week up Sharp Top, one of the Peaks of Otter off of the Blue Ridge Parkway in Southwest Virginia. I spent 8 years living in the Shenandoah Valley, and minutes away from country like this, just a bit north in fact of this very spot. If there are any regrets of that time it is that I didn't spend enough time in these beautiful mountains.

I love this sunrise shot for several reasons; the muted fall color, the still-hidden sky and low-lying cloud blanketing the ridge beyond all play into this interesting intersection of lines, curves and color that is the well-worn Appalachian range.

Image taken with Canon 5D MII, 100-400mm 4.5L lens, 1/160 sec @ f16, ISO 400

Anywhere, USA

Week 41

Anywhere, USA

October 11, 2010

I feel fortunate to be able to travel. I've said it before I'm sure, but the traveling part of my profession is pretty cool. I get to visit with friends and family, make new friends, see new and beautiful places, and be exposed to the many, many subtle subcultures out there....

The image above was taken on the Georgetown Waterfront in Washington, DC at sunset as I was finishing up a shoot with some dear friends there in the capital city. DC is definitely one of those places I could see myself living if I were not in the Bay Area. In fact I have lived there, and it's an amazing area. I've also lived in Maryland, Virginia (all over), North Carolina, Michigan, and of course California. My prior career moved me around a lot, and I had a chance to experience living in some different environments than that in which I was raised, and I think that has been valuable. You gain perspective that way.

Another thing I've realized is that of the many places I've traveled, I can't think of any of them in which I wouldn't enjoy spending more time... even making my home there. There are so many things about the places we go and see to love and appreciate. As a general statement, there is beauty and culture anywhere you go. We may have to shift our outlook a little, but if we can move beyond the grass is greener syndrome, we really can be awestruck by what is right around us, regardless of where we are. It's a choice. Whether it is where you are living, or what life is giving you, you have a choice to look around you and see beauty, culture and uniqueness, experiencing it all and appreciating what it is teaching you; or you can constantly be looking to the next thing, what someone else has where they live or in their life and miss what is right in front of you. What will you choose?


Image taken with Canon 5D MII, 100-400mm 4.5L lens, 1/6000 sec @f5, ISO 400

Kid Power!

Week 40

KID POWER!

October 6, 2010

ABLE TO SCALE LARGE PLAY CASTLES IN A SINGLE BOUND! UNCONSTRAINED BY THE UN-TIED SHOE! UN-SHAKEN BY THE GRASS STAINED KNEE AND FILLED DAILY WITH SUPER-HUMAN ENERGY! IT'S THE BOLD...THE FEARLESS...THE SOME-TIMES SASSY...

... KID!

Kids are pretty cool. I mean, as humans go, they are generally straight-forward, tell-it-like-it-is kinda folks that harbor few suspicions, subscribe to few stereotypes, and if encouraged and cheered on, are for the most part self confident, generous little people. I suppose the idea is front of mind for me as I've spent a fair amount of time with friends and clients in the past week that have kids of their own. The image above is from one of the shoots I had, and I thought the pose represented the topic this week pretty well.



image taken with Canon 5D MII, 24-70 2.8L lens, 1/125 sec @ f8, ISO 400