This session is really, really, really special to me. Really. Do you want to know why? Really? Cool, I’ll tell you why…

Josh is my cousin. In a lot of families, cousins are distant relatives that live in a galaxy far, far away. This is not true with most of my humongous extended family. I was a few years older than Josh, but when we would hang out as kids nearly every week, we were the only boys around the same age, so we played together while all the girls (my sisters) hung out in his two sister’s rooms.

We played with tons of toys like he-man, batman, star wars, g.i. joe’s, micro machines and matchbox cars. We collected baseball cards and garbage pail kids. We ran around outside with capes and hit each other with toys swords, making cool sound effects all the while. Josh and I shot at each other with toy guns and played kickball, and fort, and cops/robbers, and james bond, and wiffle ball and basketball. I even tried to play soccer with Josh, but he was always faster and better than me, because he actually played in a competitive league. We grew up together and I feel more like siblings than cousins.

Josh grew up (so did I, kind of…) and we did grow apart due to life and circumstance, but Josh has grown into an awesome man of God that has a confident, fun-loving personality that has an enormous positive effect on every person he meets. One of the most amazing persons he has met is Beth. Beth is kind and sweet and has a kindred funny spirit…not to mention she is gorgeous! Way to go, Josh!

They have been engaged for a while now and are getting married in a few short weeks. I look forward to being a part of their day and capturing every moment.

We hung out down in Westport, MO for their engagement session, grabbing some coffee at Broadway Cafe and walking around enjoying the beautiful weather. I hope you all enjoy the photos…and sorry for blabbing on and on.

Much love to you all,

-dustin

Oh…and as a sidenote, I shot this with a Nikon D300 (which I rented from borrowlenses.com) and my 24mm f/2.8.

Totally Rad Actions – THE best actions around, in my book. I use them daily in conjunction with my Steller Lightroom Presets (coming soon!). If you don’t own them, buy them now! They save time, money, and look….well, rad! Check out Doug Boutwell, the creator, in his latest hilarious video tutorial.

This month has already been insanely busy. I have had so much I have wanted to blog about but haven’t had a spare minute to myself to think, let alone share it with you! I have made a list of the things I am going to blog about and well, I am making time this evening for a couple posts.

Late January and early February was a “sick” time in my household. My youngest daughter, Jillian, and I shared the crummies. It ended up being a prolonged strep throat. Yyyuuuuck! That finally got over…
After a good 10 days of being all better, I looked back and realized I was still able to get a load of design work done. It shocked me.

Yeah, design work…I don’t often talk on my blog about the design work I get to do. I run a small design firm called Five Loaves Creative and that “day job” is my primary source of income and where I spend most of my time. We [read that as "I"] spend most of my time doing web and print design with clients from all over the globe and in all different fields, from movie agencies in Hollywood to businesses and organizations in my own back yard…well, in my city anyway.

For instance, meet Dale. He is not in my back yard, but he is a business owner that I did a fun set of projects with.Dale Hogan is a fantastic friend and a man that I very much have admired from a distance (I only say “from a distance,” because he lives in Ottawa, Canada and we have never met face to face). Dale is one of the first photographers at iStockphoto.com that really rocked my world in the lighting and portraiture department. iStockphoto is what originally inspired me to take my “hobby” photography to the level of professional. He (and dozens of others) helped me along and taught me the ropes.

Anyway, back to it…Dale has a small business… a photography business. He was looking to grow and expand his local influence with professional branding in every aspect. In his print materials, website, blog, proofing site, and even his vehicle. He came to me for help. he waned a feel similar to my sites and entrusted my design firm to help him get to where he wanted to be. So working together, hand-in-hand (but not in the creepy way you’re thinkin’), we did just that and his new identity and all things therein were born…If you live in Ottawa, he is the best photographer around. Check him out!

I think I will start sharing some design more often. I am really excited for my clients and the steps they take to grow their businesses. Cool [read "great"] design is important in your business and I like to think I can help raise the bar for you.