Mars Drums/Monaca PA

Took some shots of a guitar lesson, the teacher and a couple of drummers.

Christmas 2008

As a photographer, I often wonder if I should treat my own family activities as I would an assignment or as any other opportunity. Christmas is of course a special time of year but for different people, it means different things. As we gathered for the morning, I grabbed my two cameras, put my lenses on and sat in my bean bag as I have for the past few years. My daughter handed out the gifts, as she has for several years and we all watched each other open gifts, saying the thank you's.

My two beauties


The joy of receiving (tickets to his first ever concert)


It's exactly what I wanted

Veteran's Day Parade in New Brighton

All the high school bands from New Brighton, Beaver, Beaver Falls, Ambridge, Aliquippa, Blackhawk, Center, Freedom, Hopewell, Monaca, Riverside, Rochester, South Side and Western Beaver....(I hope I didn't miss anyone). It was about an hour and a half long parade. There were tons of veterans and a few dignitaries. I can say one thing, Pennsylvanians turn out for their parades.

I started to head to the parade without my camera, but I figured I should grab it in case I saw something photogenic. Well, 800 pictures later, I have a few to show. The rest of what I feel are good will be on the sales web site in a few days.

Flying their colors


Stars and Stripes


Here's looking at you


In Step


Old Guard


Stand out


Sign of the times

A couple of crowd shots

Here are a few shots of the Potter and Raccoon crowd/parents.

Remember, if you get my attention, I will take your picture. :)

Nose bleed seats


Grandpa says take pictures of my boys!!! Who's gonna argue with him?


If you call my name, I will take your picture


It's better to just smil, I'm not going away

Fe Gallery 250 Years/250 Artists

Just got back from attending the grand opening of the Fe Gallery's 250 years/250 artists exhibition. It was my first inclusion in a gallery exhibition and I was in some pretty neat company. There are some incredibly talented artists in the Pittsburgh region.

We were there early since the gallery is pretty small and Lawrenceville isn't exactly the largest metropolis around. Parking would be at a premium we were told. So we got there at 7pm and the doors opened at 730. We hung out in the rain as the artists trickled in and passed by. Some you could tell were ARTISTS, others, not so much. Me.....we looked waaaayyy to vanilla to be hanging out with most of that crowd.

I try to think I am open as an artist. I believe anything (almost) can be art. But some of the stuff I saw was really really cool.

I looked at the mock up of the catalog that is being printed. They were accepting pre-orders as well. For $35.00, it's going to be WELL WORTH IT. Many artists submitted different works for the approval process, the catalog submission and the exhibition. I was one of the artists that used the same image for all three. Not sure if that was the right thing to do, but it's what happened.

Here are some pictures from the night.
Waiting out the rain


Grand Opening


My picture is top left as you look at it (can't tell, but that's it)


The crowd 10 minutes after the doors opened (from the back looking to the front)


Thirty minutes after the doors opened (from near the front looking back)


My favorite of the night, This was a candle (no flame) and the motor turned a bunch of cards with pictures of a flame. So damn ingenious.


Title: "Candle Flip Book" by Wade Kramm

Some other shots

I can't remember if I have posted these before. If I have, then sorry for the repeat.
Concert goer


I don't know the status of this man, but he offered me a drink from a bottle in a paper bag. I declined.


I always say everyone has a story to tell, they just need some one to listen to it. She was no exception.

High School Graduation

It took less than a few minutes to process and edit, but two weeks to put up here in a post. Here are my favorites of the Kamiakin High School class of 2008 graduation from June 7th.

Graduation was held at the Toyota Center


Best Buds


Last minute


My fellow graduates


Captivated


I DID IT!


Final jubilation


Proud


It's over

Lion's Club wood cutting day

We spent a Sunday morning cutting wood for the Lion's Club for their annual wood raffle for Nile Valley Days.

Tim using the gas axe.


This was a 3/8 or 1/2 inch steel cable that snapped when pulling down a tree to be cut up.


A little funnin around.


The girls taking a rest.