a pink tutu & red rain boots

randy and i have been talking a lot about whether or not we could ever live in the country on a farm. i love the idea of it, but it's definitely more difficult than city living. everything from smelly well water to huge compost piles would really stress me out. that isn't to say that i couldn't get used to it, i could. i love wrap around porches, rolling hills, gravel roads, and fireflies. can you imagine the splendor? sitting on the porch at night with your family in the summertime, and staying warm inside with a mug of something in the winter? what's funny about these dream like ideas is that I get to enjoy those past times in my current suburban home. i'm not sure why i even think about this farm idea, because who knows if it will happen one day or if i could even hack it. in the meantime i really enjoy visiting people who live out in the country. and that's what i did tonight. we are friends with a family that have 4 very cool kids. they are a great couple and are really trying to encourage individuality in their kids. one of their kids is a very mature and zainy four year old named sadie. when i saw her tonight in her favorite ballerina & princess outfits i just had to document the evening.

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And here are the photos of the other kids, also very unique and sweet:

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06.23.2007

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Last night we went to Staunton for Don's birthday. After dinner we walked the Beverly Street and I tried to snap a few photos. Today I visited my friends Steph & Zac Nafziger out in Weyers Cave. I had fun taking photos of a little boy named Caleb. Caleb is a cookie monster.

Babies & Art Galleries- Oh My!

Infants are either a hired photographers biggest challenge or a carefree photographers greatest joy. The challenging part usually comes from happy parents behind the camera making happy faces and silly noises. This behavior ALWAYS comes from joy, good intentions, and wanting to help... but sometimes it makes it difficult for me, I think. I so often wish I could be invisible and my camera silent. How do I get there? Is it possible? It may not be. I might not be doing my job properly. Or maybe it's all about re-approaching the approach.

And then the gallery space. It's so hard for me to approach a room or a design because it doesn't breathe. It's not alive, and it doesn't feel or bleed or care. It requires horrid bright studio lighting. Horrid in that I HATE IT! But it can be beautiful, it can work, it can save me, and it can truly showcase the room. But I'm intimidated and lazy and reluctant. I tried to shoot a gallery space naturally, but that didn't work so I returned with a BRIGHT light.

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We thought that putting a bell around Millie's neck would take care of the bird killing problem. Take a look at how well that worked out for us. The most disturbing part of all of this, is the fact that these blue feathers are all that remained of the poor bird.

LOOK AT ALL OF THE WEIRDOS!

Last week I attended the Festival of the Photograph in Charlottesville with my team from work. It was a wonderful experience. I was both disgusted and inspired. I haven't done much in the way of photography in the last few weeks. To be honest I've been depressed about my identity as an artist or/and as a photographer. I have A LOT of doubts. But I'm going to try to do something about it, at least so that I grow and learn in the midst of my artistic depression. So tomorrow night is the first LFP&D meeting at my place. (Large Formate Photography & Development)

http://www.festivalofthephotograph.org/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Large_format_photography



These are just some random photos, no point in explaining....

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Cats are so weird...

Took some photos of my friends cats at dinner tonight. The light was really nice for about 20 minutes after dinner. The following photos are of Judah & Sammy.

Millie is also featured. She is wearing a cow bell in this shot because we hope it will prevent her from hunting and killing anymore birds.

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ring flash cool but deadly...

My ring flash (made by alien bees http://alienbees.com/abr800.html) is really cool, but I wish it weren't so darn painful for people to pose in front of. I don't seem to mind the extreme flash of light but anyone I've photographed... hates it! Nevermind the fact that the light makes anyone (and everyone) look like a movie star, very few people can tolerate the bright spots.

It's a shame, I love the light.

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