Year end blowout

Here it is. The beginning of a new year. As I look back, and dwell, or hide, from what has happened this last year, I will share my thoughts.

I have made some great images. I have missed many opportunities for great images. I have met a lot of really wonderful people, faces I remember, names I may not. Many whom I have created wonderful images with. Some people I have left hanging and it keeps me awake at night. A few that I have given my card to, those random people off the street, may have missed a chance to work with me. I have put forth good will and have been taken advantage of. After being burned a few times, I realize this is a business and not a social beer drink night. I still lose sleep from not being able to deliver to a few of you...I am trying to fix that, please belive me.

I have desires that I feel can only be measured through a certain type of success yet my accomplishments appear to be minisucle. My lack of business sense has resulted in me being CENTS-less. I feel that my potential is sky high, yet my motivation has been tempered by fear. I can begin with earnest unbridled fire driven desire, yet I need help with follow up, completion and closure.

I hope that this year will bring be better preparation in order to meet, and take, the opportunities that present themselves. Success can only be taken, I don't feel that is it given. Organization needs to be designed for completion of projects more than efficiency.

My creativity can never take a back seat to standardizing. But getting the money gigs allows me the flexibility to be creative....which SHOULD bring in more money. I am always looking at the future and what can happen, but I fall short when I look right in front of me at what IS happening.

A six year journey

Last Saturday was a milestone and the beginning of an end.

We arrived in Pennsylvania in the spring of 2003. A new town, a new state and a new chapter in our lives. My kids were just beginning their foray into the world and I did what all parents do, I got involved.

I signed my daughter up for cheerleading in the town's youth football club. That year was our first year being involved in an organized activity and it was an eye opening experience. So many activities, sights, sounds emotions and expectations.

Forward to last Saturday. My daughter has reached the end of her youth football cheerleader career. She is a "senior" since she is at the age where birthdays determine eligibility. Next year, she will be too old to participate. Difficult to think, that she is getting that old.

I was looking at the group picture and I got a little teary eyed. I know that next year, there will be a new group of incredibly proud and somewhat nostalgic parents looking at pictures of their senior....and wondering where the time went.

I am truly so happy and incredibly proud to be a parent of a P&R cheerleader and a part of the organization known as Potter and Raccoon Football. There are some people in that organization that put in so much time and effort to make the experience a magical moment. I thank them from the depths of my heart for these last two years that we have been a part of your lives and this organization.

Trip summary

Beginning May 1, 2008 I spent the majority of 9 weeks among the Tamarack and Red Fir trees. I woke to the flowing waters of the Naches River in the Wenatchee National Forest not far from Chinook Pass and Mount Rainer. I also ventured to the desert region of the Columbia Basin where sand and nuclear energy co-exist among the flowing waters of the mighty Columbia River. Where wind blown tumbleweeds and sage brush become yard decorations. I was back home in state of Washington.

Goal one was to help a family member with some projects after his retirement. A secondary goal for me was to bring my kids here for their summer vacation. That second goal sadly, failed to materialize.

Of course, I brought my camera equipment to shoot when I could. I tried to save a little money, but I ended up buying some more light stands, a bike from Craigslist and a few dinners. Never resting (photographically speaking), I talked to a lot of people to see if I could take their portraits. Suffice to say, the Yakima/Naches area of Washington is a veritable vacuum of talent. There isn't much here. I even tried to get a MUA (Makeup Artist) to work a shoot, but she didn't find it important to check her messages except once a month. Maybe she was busy, maybe not, either way, it could have been communicated. A few people I wanted to shoot, one was very interested, and kept saying so, but would never commit. Wish I could have that time back. Another was so rude you would have thought I almost ran over her child in the driveway. The project I mentioned MANY MANY weeks ago, will not get done. I had planned on getting environmental portraits of employees of the two restaurants up here in the valley. I planned several poses out for specific people too. But because of their schedules and mine, it will not happen. I will put the idea in my idea book, and hopefully excecute it at another time and or place.

On the other hand, things were/are going well back in New Brighton/Pittsburgh. First, I was selected by Fe Gallery as one of 250 artists to represent Pittsburgh in a 250 year anniversary celebration/project. Secondly, the building where I was planning on putting in a second photo studio is still open and the owner wants to make sure I will be up and running when I get back or soon there after. Still, that "project" is going on seven months overdue. Also worth mentioning, one of the models I shot with in the spring wants to set up another session. She is/has worked with another local photographer because of my images he saw on her MySpace page. Finally, my MUA (well, she's not MINE, but it's the only MUA I work with), wants to shoot with me too. So things are significantly more promising in "da 'Burgh" than here in "the valley".

I did however get to spend some great times with my family here in WA. I attended a graduation, made it for mothers day, did a little golfing (pictures actually) and a family reunion coinciding with a school reunion. Most importantly, I had a great weekend with my wife when she visited for the graduation.

Regarding physical labor, I have shoveled about 7 tons of sand/gravel, screwed in 150+ pounds of 3 inch deck screws and bent more 20 penny nails than I care to admit. I have cut, chopped and loaded hundreds of feet of wood (did I say hundreds?). Painted walls, decks, railings and even myself. After I bought the CraigsList bike, I started riding it. Usually a couple of times a week. But near the end of my "tour" I was riding every day. My longest ride was 15 miles one way (up hill into the wind)(30 mile round trip). Many rides were 10-12 miles on average. Traffic wasn't a big deal, but the wind was. It always seemed to happen to blow towards me regardless of when I rode. Uphill, into the wind just really sucks.

This is not a "look what I have done" posting. It is to inform you all of my summer thus far. I haven't had an epiphany, nor have the clouds parted for the voice of God. However, I have learned a little about my family, my friends, and myself. Not since Air Force Basic Training and Tech School have I worked so hard (physically and mentally) for so long. (By the way, Basic Training is where I learned that the mind gives up sooner than the body). I hope these mini lessons can translate well to running my photography business and I eventually become very, very successful. I am coming to the conclusion that the world needs wood cutters, painters and construction workers. It also needs photographers, in which I plan to add myself to that list.

OUR point and shoot camera (needs replacing)

After shooting for several years with my dSLR cameras, I got to use my wifes point and shoot. It actually takes pretty nice pictures, if you are 5 feet from your subject. Tonight however, was in difficult lighting, and 15-20+ feet.

My daughter and I went to the Avril Lavigne concert (opened by Boys Like Girls). She has been wanting to go for three or four years now and the timing was right. Actually, she is old enough now. I emptied out the bucket I put all my spare change in and was able to afford tickets. Granted, it was about 4 years worth of spare change. But change nonetheless.

It was her first concert and we ended up on the floor, in the corner, 15 feet from the stage.

How cool is that?

The bus. Not hers, but part of the tour.


Almost as close as you can get. Front and center is the primo seats, but I wasn't thinking or else we could have gotten pretty close to F&C.


Avril and my daughter (unfortunately not next to each other).


Cell phones replaced Bic's. It was pretty funny to actually see.


Proof we were there.


If our arms were only 15 feet long.


Rock on Avril.


Only something an adult would notice...a great security staff.


Even center stage was close.


I think I need to invest in another point and shoot, but significantly better quality....sigh.

Final words:
I know I have permanent hearing loss from this concert. It was VERY loud, which also means I am getting older. I don't mind the loud. I mind the hearing loss. I was also expecting a questionable show. But her voice has definitely gotten better. I have seen some live performances of her and it wasn't all that great. But I think Avril has learned what her limits are singing live and she has also worked on her voice. I am sure she has a good sound board crew too. But I was happy with the concert and would go again.

Did you say something.......huh.....TURN THAT BELL OFF dammit!

Christmas pictures

Memory lane

A couple of months ago, my wife left a note to her dad. He wrote a response for her to read in the morning. The next day, it was a new note and a new response.....back and forth a couple of times a week.

Weekdays, I am the first one up in the morning to make breakfast for the kids. Pancakes, french toast and my specialty the 1 egg, ham, cheese and bacon omelet. Yes Virginia, hot breakfast every day for the kiddies.

Anyway, I was throwing away these napkin based notes and I felt bad for it. Last week, I bought a leather bound journal and a nice pen. I gave the journal and pen to them to keep their notes to each other in a more permanent fashion. Hopefully, it will allow them to continue their notes and provide a piece of loving history for her and the grandkids in the future.