Since this blog thing is new, I wanted to introduce two little huge parts of my life, as I am sure they will get a lot of attention later and often on here.

Ashlyn Grace, the eldest at 4 years old, is a perfectionist and is graceful. She likes to try on shoes and clothes and her long straight hair is always clean and shiny. She loves ballet and the stage. She love princesses and likes to be goofy like her daddy. Ashlyn talks with ceaseless abundance and is tender-hearted.

Jillian Joy is 2 and full of energy. Her smile is full of quirky little dimples and her laugh is hearty and full. Jillian clumsily walks into doors and walls, plays in the dirt and her curly hair is always squirrelly. She likes to build with her blocks, play with her Dora the Explorerâ„¢ toys, and watch Max & Ruby.

Here is a great photo of them from one of my favorite sets when we were apple pickin’ last September…

I had the opportunity this past weekend to secondish-shoot a wedding with the ever-so-talented Heather Cole. I say “secondish” because I was really a third shooter, as she already had a second shooter, Aaron.

Here’s a pic of Aaron & Heather…

Ironically, we all shoot Nikons, so it was kinda fun trying out everyone else’s gear. I really need to buy some more quality glass before shooting my next wedding. I am still paying off the Seattle trip to the Anti-Workshop, though.

Okay – about the wedding – This is the second wedding I have ever photographed. The experience was fun, exciting and grueling. I have had a lot of all-day model shoots and such, but this was a lot of running around on top of shooting, not stationary in a studio environment. I had forgotten the intensity…and on top of that, I am out of shape!

As the third shooter, I was tasked with grabbing moments (photo-journalist style) throughout the day, covering the balcony during the ceremony at Colonial Presbyterian, and then I was the second shooter during the reception at the ritzy Carriage Club in Kansas City, in charge of details and fish-eye fun. I have just got to say, the fish-eye was a lot of fun! I had never used one extensively and since we had multiple cams getting the “normal” shots, I loved using it for giggles.

Here is Bradley (groom) getting ready…

He was a riot to be around. Genuinely a happy guy (who isn’t on their wedding day?!)…

The ceremony was very traditional and beautiful. From the bird’s eye view I had, it was really nice. One thing they had (in addition to a string quartet, grand piano and a full pipe organ!) was a fantastic trumpet soloist who really had a lot of emphasis during the ceremony. He was loud up there!

Bradley & Cynthia were really a beautiful couple. It had rained all morning and afternoon and let up during the ceremony so we had a little bit to get some Bride/Groom shots before traversing to the reception. Heather & Aaron had priority here, as I was kind of along for the ride, but I was able to get a few good ones I liked. Hopefully they will, too.

On to the reception! Wow, it was really very nice. The couple had been together for a long time and traveled and lived all over the place, building many memories from many destinations. Their guest came from all over as well, so to continue in the tradition, each group of guests was assigned to different tables according to where they were from or knew the bride & groom from. Everywhere from Napa Valley to Gulf Shores to Kansas City to Boston. Each table was decorated according to the destination and each seat at that table had a small, but nice favor that explained the significance and 2-3 framed photos to match. It was awesome.

The extensive gourmet menu was also representative of each location. The cake, by local legend Phyllis, was extraordinary and yummy.

The party was fantastic through the 10.5mm fish-eye lens.

I look forward to the next wedding I have the opportunity to shoot. Coming up next is more Anti-Workshop!

Hmmm…I will have to post about the first wedding I shot (my sister’s wedding) later on. I think it needs to be documented and I’d love to get some feedback on the photos.

Wow. I didn’t know what to expect and even with no expectations whatsoever, my expectations were far exceeded. Is that possible? I think it is. I have to thank Fred Egan (I stumbled upon his blog several months back) for encouraging me to sign up and then agreeing to room with me! We had fun and stayed up way too late and I am sure I talked his ear off. Poor dude.

The Anti-Workshop was designed by John Michael & Dalisa Cooper of Alt+F and Doug & Chenin Boutwell of Boutwell Studio to break the mold of traditional “workshop” photography training. Their photography breaks molds and wins awards and causes gasps of shock and awe…why should their workshop be any different? It wasn’t. I highly recommend it for any pro or even semi-pro photographer. It was worth every penny. Check it out. I dare you.

Meeting new people always makes me happy. I try to be myself…I apologize if that is probably too obnoxious for some folks, but it is me. I try not to hold back. I don’t like cliques and I try to meet and get to know as many people as possible. The Anti-Workshop was a great opportunity to meet some amazing and truly talented people from all over the continent. If we would have had another day or two, I feel like I could have rounded out my people-meet-n-greet a bit better (there were some quieter folks that attended that I really am sad that I was unable to get to know better!).

Of those many others that I feel like I met and got to know fairly well, I count these people as friends and look forward to the future meetings with these, hopefully, longtime friends. It doesn’t sound like that should be likely, but this was much like a summer camp experience with one difference. The difference was that not only were we immersed in one another’s lives, but we all already had something very strong in common with one another…our photography.

Our photography skill levels were varied…I own a design firm. I know design. That is where my internal confidence is. Photography, though, is just beginning for me. I have so much to learn. At this workshop, I was one of the babies, just starting to crawl out of the crib! Most of these people are already phenomenal successes! I was humbled in their presence. I can honestly say that I learned from every person that attended. Every photo shared, spark of creativity, blossoming idea, honest critique and observation impacted me and it indeed inspired. Truly inspired. Thank you all.

Here are some of the great folks I had the pleasure of spending a bit more than a brief moment with:

Fred Egan — an inspiring man who cares about others, loves to share and help others grow, and is a great roommate

Bob & Priscilla Rathbone — beautiful people who are quiet and humble and amazing at their job

Lisa — a quiet, sweet spirit, outgoing with an eye for the art and is fun to be around

Heather — fellow Kansas Citian who rocks the house with her outgoing personality and her amazing skills with the Nikon!

Kelley — representing KC with an awesome eye and a bold style and is a complete riot to be around!

Jamie — a beautiful person inside and out, whoenjoys crazy cab rides and happily shoots with serious focused expression

Kate — highly intelligent, a wonderful mommy, full of expression and energy and talks with a slight Texan accent. What could be better, ya’ll?

Erin Vey — a big dog lover…no really…a BIG dog lover! She has an amazing eye and produces extraordinary images of man’s best friend in the Northwest. Too fun to be around!
Jason — shoots creative, striking images and is ornery and fun to be around…and lives in cold Canada, eh!

Maurice — quiet strength and powerful imagery abound in his every photo and he’s fun to be around

Jesh De Rox — master of zen, a visionary who seeks insight to his own soul and inspires others to do the same. his creativity and energy does not cease and his humble nature is inspiring almost as much as his award-winning work.

Shyla — a bubbling light whose very excitement invokes synergistic excitement in others. a beauty of a person inside and shining outward. she also has rad ninja skills and a cool older brother.

Jan Garcia — a happy daddy (hi lucas!) who shoots beautifully and shares his enthusiasm with others. Thanks for splitting the towncar ride and the airport wait with me!

Mark — a calm strong guy with an attention to the details that others miss and an awesome eye for photography that I will probably never attain
Kathy Carlisle & Shannon Sewell — a pleasant surprise to meet these extraordinary ladies. beautiful mommies (I still don’t believe it!) inside and out with hearts of gold and smiles to match.

Jasmine Star* — an incredible person and shooter who is kind to others, is a romantic at heart (piggy + flamingo = forever!) and has awesome branding*

Jessica Claire — the photog entrepreneur with style and class and will make a lovely bride (I had so much fun shooting you!)

Ann Kelley — confident and business-minded with a great eye and determination in a competitive market

A special thanks to Dalisa Cooper & Chenin Boutwell (and the husbands), but we know who runs the show, right? Ha!

Oh, and thank you to all those who encouraged me to get off my duff and get this blog underway. It took just shy of a day and I had it going. there is still a lot of improvement to come, but it is a start.