The end of the year is always a good time to look back see where you’ve been and to try and articulate where you want to be this time next year. So, the next couple of weeks will be filled with that, as well as family and good food. One of my recent stated goals was to have a photo selected as one of Strobist’s favorites. I am a geek when it comes to photo stuff. The blogs I read would bore most of you, but I found this gem of a site. It’s a great place for someone that is just beginning to use off camera flash in their photos, all the way to someone who has been doing it for years. I have found tons of useful, and some useless information, but all entertaining. So last week I posted this photo that I have been wanting to post on my blog for some time, just never got around to doing it. It was chosen as a favorite in the Strobist Flickr Pool. Geeky I know, but one goal met for the year! (hopefully more to come). The photo ran in Portico magazine as an illustration on the resurgence of Raquetball. My good friend and ever present model, Seth Newell was gracious enough to channel Ron Burgundy.
*EDIT- How freaking cool that Strobist himself David Hobby not only commented but was the first one! Thanks so much!
From the US Postal Inspection ad job we did I met Paddy. He was the one with the tattoos, sunglasses, and faux hawk. Paddy is the lead singer of a hard core band, and we got to talking and figured I should photo his band, I am Terrified, at some point. A few weeks ago we finally got to do that. I have been wanting to post some of the images, but haven’t had a chance to edit them. So, my other friend Brad Davis was kind enough to create a poster for them. This is the image that will make the poster.
PDN is arguably the most comprehensive, and beneficial photography magazine for working professional photographers. I have been an avid reader since I began my career, and even before. It is one of my goals to have something of mine in print in that magazine, as they constantly feature photographers and creative agencies. Well, today marks us one step closer to that goal. Mindy Charski, a freelance write for PDN’s Photoserve web site just posted an article on the US Postal Inspection service campaign that hit the streets a couple of months ago. You can read it here. Thanks for being a part of this journey.
I am home from Mexico, and have had a bit of a time readjusting. From just getting back into life in the good old USA, to my body readjusting, and catching up on shooting and all of the many things that I have had to reconnect with, time has gone quickly. But, I am enjoying the time in FL to chill, and I have spent alot of the time actually reading several blogs that I enjoy and kind of soaking up some good stuff. The coolest thing going on right now, is with my friend Bryan Johnson. Bryan had the opportunity to shoot the wedding of Zack Hanson last year. That’s right from the group Hanson. Through that Bryan reconnected with them recently when they played in Bham, and talked with them about their upcoming trip to Africa with Tom’s shoes. Well, all said Bryan is there right now and has been moved by the work that the Hanson brothers do with several schools there, and is raising money for one school specifically. So, please go on and read Bryan’s blog, http://www.abryanphoto.com/blog/, and donate some money on a day when we recognize we have so much. If you are a Hanson fan, there is a tasty morsel of goodness waiting for you right now. You can buy a shirt (it’s really cool I wear mine alot), and contribute to a great cause. So, give thanks today, and some money!
A few more photos:
The Galindos that we are staying with
A road scene from the car on the way to Naolinco. I thought about cropping it, Eduardo suggested it, but maybe next time!
A street scene from Naolinco.
This is Raul Rodriguez. He makes boots.
A lady that bakes bread.
This lady bakes bread also. I tried to tell her she was doing great in my broken Spanish, but Matt told me that I told her she was hot.
Breakfast
Streets of Xalapa
In every country I visit, I am drawn to photograph the doors (not Jim Morrison’s)
I didn’t know you could drive at 4 years old in Mexico…
Y mis amigas nuevas, Helena (whose house I am visiting)…
Y Ivana (whose dad is the pastor of the church we are working with). Sorry for the bad spanish….
I just arrived in Xalapa Mexico to one of the best meals I have ever had. I am here with my college buddy, Matt Beaver who works with Next Worldwide. The current trip we are on is establishing relationships with pastors and other leaders in the city, to provide a place where American groups can come on mission trips in the future. There will certainly be pictures posted soon, as the family we are staying with has a beautiful 3 year old, that I am certain I will have to get some pictures of. Not to mention all of the other beautiful sites of Mexico.
I have been working alot lately on so many different things. I have been trying to figure out what and when to post. I want to accurately reflect my career and where I want to be in what I post. I guess ultimately this blog is to show what I love and hopefully you will love that. So, I will be doing that more soon. I will probably reach back into the archives as well. I remember several images that I have wanted to post and never did. So, come back soon. But, there will probably be Mexico images first.
Probably one of my favorite costumes EVER.
I am not sure by now, how many of you know the story of my studio manager Rashel Ross. All in all it is amazing. She is a strong woman, that has overcome so much. Last night on the news they had a segment on her foundation, you can see it here. She is having a golf tournament this weekend, not sure if it’s closed (I don’t know how to play golf), but if you or any one you know are interested there is always room for more donations. If you haven’t you should take a moment and read her story, find out how you can help, and lend a hand. Her site is www.therashelfoundation.com, and gives you a great picture of God’s grace and provision.
I was about to wax poetically on the negative side of an artistic personality, but I forgo that to show you some art I like that I made today. We took the kids to the Clanton Alabama, where we go every year to take the kids to the Grand Ole Pumpkin Patch. Clanton is the county seat of Chilton County, our great state’s largest producer of peaches. This is my take on the famous peach tower/water tower that you can see from I-65.
