~ Seeing Beyond Sight: Photographs by Blind Teenagers. (buy book here)
~ Great review by Andy Ilachinski (here)
{enjoy} twelve
Thursday, January 29, 2009 | By General Bobo
twelve designers + twelve one of a kind outfits + twelve models + hair and make up = an awesome photo shoot
If anyone would like to come to the fashion show check out their website for all the info www.fashionshow.design.unm.edu.
If anyone would like to come to the fashion show check out their website for all the info www.fashionshow.design.unm.edu.
Boudoir Sessions & Valentine's Day
| By General Bobo
Check out Elizabeth's blog for an update on her boudoir photos."Hello Everyone! Been staying inside to stay warm lately and getting ready to gear up for the upcoming Romance Holiday. In spirit of one of my favorite holidays (yes…I’m a hopeless romantic) we’d like to offer a special for Boudoir Sessions. Normally our Boudoir shoots are between $500 to $1,000 but from now until February 14 we’re offering a 50% DISCOUNT on all of our Boudior Sessions. The shoots are on location (your home or any other location you would like) and are for any hopeless romantic like me (with a little bit of NASTY thrown into the mix ) that would like to surprise their loved one with some sass. "
Email or call Elizabeth Craig for more details…
Living Room Series
Wednesday, January 28, 2009 | By General Bobo
To cold to go outside. Creative photo found inside the home...
Camera: Nikon D700
Exposure: 0.01 sec (1/100)
Aperture: f/1.6
Focal Length: 50 mm
ISO Speed: 1000
Exposure Bias: +1 EV
Flash: No Flash
Camera: Nikon D700
Exposure: 0.01 sec (1/100)
Aperture: f/1.6
Focal Length: 50 mm
ISO Speed: 1000
Exposure Bias: +1 EV
Flash: No Flash
Facebook Conversation
Tuesday, January 27, 2009 | By General Bobo
Asking: Why is capitalism aloud to spread disease but democracy is not permitted to stop it?
Rick Mitchell at 9:58am January 27
What disease does capitalism spread, and how is democracy supposed to stop it? Poverty spreads disease and capitalism is capable of stopping it, by building hospitals, schools, and training and teaching people how to raise themselves out of poverty. I agree that greed is a large reason why this doesn't happen, but it's the people that are flawed, not the system. LBJ's Great Society programs have largely failed. Communism has largely failed. Capitalism works. Besides, we are a Constitutional Republic, not a democracy. Sorry this is so long, but you hit a sore spot! ;)
John Craig at 10:15am January 27
Rick – Good to hear from you, miss playing music with you…Great response…I am a fan of Conscience Capitalism. Educate me on “Constitutional Republic, not a democracy” .Peace ~ John
Rick Mitchell at 10:35am January 27
Ditto John! We need to remedy that! Anyway, a democracy, simply put, is one person - one vote, and they would have to vote on EVERYTHING (remember, I said simply put - there are many more factors at work here). A constitutional republic (or representative republic) elects people to represent the populace in government, and those folks (senators, congressmen/women, councilmen/women, etc) go to the seat of goverment (local, state, national) and vote on issues using their own wisdom and (hopefully) the will of their constituents, based on a written set of laws (aka the Constitution). I hope my old civics teacher doesn't ever read this! I'm sure I'm missing a lot, but that's the gist of it. Hope to see you soon, Bro! ;)
John Craig at 10:43am January 27
Political Views: “Evil” Neo-Con…does that make you a liberal or conservative. Me by default.. I have to be a liberal…You have to sign a form when you buy an acoustic guitar….or no paying gigs…
Rick Mitchell at 10:57am January 27
LOL!!! That's great! I'm a Reagan Conservative. I put Evil Neo-Con as an inside joke after being called that because I disagreed with a liberal friend on mine on something or other. I hope we can still be friends... ;)
Rick Mitchell at 9:58am January 27
What disease does capitalism spread, and how is democracy supposed to stop it? Poverty spreads disease and capitalism is capable of stopping it, by building hospitals, schools, and training and teaching people how to raise themselves out of poverty. I agree that greed is a large reason why this doesn't happen, but it's the people that are flawed, not the system. LBJ's Great Society programs have largely failed. Communism has largely failed. Capitalism works. Besides, we are a Constitutional Republic, not a democracy. Sorry this is so long, but you hit a sore spot! ;)
John Craig at 10:15am January 27
Rick – Good to hear from you, miss playing music with you…Great response…I am a fan of Conscience Capitalism. Educate me on “Constitutional Republic, not a democracy” .Peace ~ John
Rick Mitchell at 10:35am January 27
Ditto John! We need to remedy that! Anyway, a democracy, simply put, is one person - one vote, and they would have to vote on EVERYTHING (remember, I said simply put - there are many more factors at work here). A constitutional republic (or representative republic) elects people to represent the populace in government, and those folks (senators, congressmen/women, councilmen/women, etc) go to the seat of goverment (local, state, national) and vote on issues using their own wisdom and (hopefully) the will of their constituents, based on a written set of laws (aka the Constitution). I hope my old civics teacher doesn't ever read this! I'm sure I'm missing a lot, but that's the gist of it. Hope to see you soon, Bro! ;)
John Craig at 10:43am January 27
Political Views: “Evil” Neo-Con…does that make you a liberal or conservative. Me by default.. I have to be a liberal…You have to sign a form when you buy an acoustic guitar….or no paying gigs…
Rick Mitchell at 10:57am January 27
LOL!!! That's great! I'm a Reagan Conservative. I put Evil Neo-Con as an inside joke after being called that because I disagreed with a liberal friend on mine on something or other. I hope we can still be friends... ;)
Wonderfully Wicked!
| By General Bobo
The event will feature Oz-inspired décor, specialty drinks and delicious hors d'oeuvres and desserts, raffle games for wonderfully wicked prizes and a post-show opportunity to mingle with “Wicked” cast members.
Here is a list of the prizes being raffled off:
2008 smart car for two passion coupe (value: $15,610)
Sponsored by Bergstrom Automotive and Community First Credit Union
Fuel for any gas vehicle at Renew stations (value: $2,500)
Sponsored by Renew fuel stations
2 premium Broadway season tickets for 2009/10 season
at the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center (value: $800)
Proceeds from the sale of the OZMazing Raffle will support the Center’s subsidized mission-based programs including the Fox Cities P.A.C.’s education series, cultural programming, community engagement activities and community use of the Center.
The Fox Cities PAC is a great place to photograph. I love shooting wedding receptions in the Kimberly Clark Theatre, the Founders Room and in the main lobby. This is going to be another fabulous event!Moment
| By General Bobo
Current Reading: Life of Picasso: The Cubist Rebel
Current Music: Between Now & Then by The Clarks
Smells: Coffee
Mood: Mystified
Sounds: Humming Heater
Temperature: 18 degrees
Thoughts: Why is capitalism aloud to spread disease but democracy is not permitted to stop it.
Current Music: Between Now & Then by The Clarks
Smells: Coffee
Mood: Mystified
Sounds: Humming Heater
Temperature: 18 degrees
Thoughts: Why is capitalism aloud to spread disease but democracy is not permitted to stop it.
Photo of the Week
Monday, January 26, 2009 | By General Bobo
Our baby turns 3 today, OMG time goes by fast. We love you Ella,Mommy and Daddy
(p.s. photo taken by mommy)
No Demons - Short Story
Friday, January 23, 2009 | By General Bobo
Sander Yari was found dead in his apartment on the South Side of Pittsburgh, PA yesterday morning, approximately 30 minutes after sunrise. Yari’s body was discovered by his girlfriend, Emily, of the past 2yrs.
I told the paramedics that I was picking him up that morning to go jogging down by the waterfront. I let myself in the apartment with the key that he gave me and noticed Sander sitting on his meditation cushion. This was nothing new for me to see, Sander has been a practicing meditator since high school. The next ten minutes I sat in the kitchen drinking a cup of tea and I didn’t become concerned until I saw that his head had fallen forward onto his chest. When he didn’t move I walked over to him calling his name and when I placed my hand on his shoulder I felt nothing. No movement, no breath, no warmth, no blood flow, no life. I panicked. I called 911. I screamed. I froze. I waited for the paramedics to arrive. There he sat in the lotus pose dead, with the slightest smile on his face and a note paper-clipped to his dog tags.
The paramedic told me that it seemed he suffered no pain; his body had no sign of trauma. His heart just stopped…it’s a damn mystery. Then the paramedic zipped up the black bag that now held Sander’s body. He handed me the letter and Sander’s dog tags, gave me a bereaved smile, said he was sorry for my loss and pushed the gurney out the front door of the apartment.
I placed Sander’s dog tags around my neck and read his letter.
The note read:
This is not a suicide letter. This is my letter of samsara; my cycle of death to re-birth has begun. It is my intention to transmigrate from the organic to the ethereal, back to the organic world. I sit…breathe in and breathe out, staring at the sunrise asking my soul to leave this subtle body.
With love, Sander
P.S. I found God and s/he wears shoes
“What…what…what!? Sander!” I screamed…death, samsara, God, shoes…F-you. Why? What do I do now? Who do I call first? I am cold, I am alone…Sander…why?
Not knowing what to do next I sat down in the lotus pose on Sander’s meditation cushion staring out the same window as he did, seeing the view which would have been his last. City skyline, tree tops, white clouds, gray-blue sky and the smell of clean morning air. This is what Sander would have seen. I cried…I pressed his dog tags to my chest and felt the cold steel that he wore around his neck since before we met. For all the time that I laid in his arms I never took notice of what the dog tags had inscribed on them.
Surname, First name, Second Initial: Yari, Sander A.
Army serial number: 3733756 T42 430
Blood Type: Negative A
Religion: No demons
Three days later I was in front of a crowd of 300 people. A gathering of his ex-army buddies, college friends and relatives, all of whom I had never met. I stood in a church that Sander would have never attended and gave his eulogy.
“No demons…that is what Sander had on his dog tags for his religion preference. That is Sander Yari, he no longer cared for organized religion and felt no need to pick any one house of worship over the other. In his simplistic way… no demons…was a perfect fit for his statement of faith.
“I met Sander in November ‘06, waiting in line for coffee. Actually I met Sander when I accidentally spilled my coffee on his hands at the cream and sugar bar. I was so apologetic, he was calm and smiled. We introduced ourselves, we talked, shared a scone and fell in love over the next couple of months. We would go jogging in the morning and at night would cook dinner together. He called it our “cooking therapy”. No television, no music, just us talking about our day while we prepared our meal.
“Every Sunday afternoon we would have dinner with my family. Sunday evening would be spent in my father’s woodshop, building ornate picture frames. It was great time spent. We would turn on football games or a hockey games or if there were no games we would turn on the iPod shuffle and listen to our jukebox of music. He would build frames, I would watch, we would both drink beer and sometimes we would dance in the dust.
“Sander held a job that he was impartial to. He was good at his job, or at least the company he worked for liked him. Sander did not like to spend the money that he earned from his job, if he could help it. He did spend it, but he preferred sweat equity. That’s what he called it…sweat equity….hard work in trade for service. That’s what he did with all those picture frames that he built in my father’s woodshop. Trade for service; sometimes he would get a haircut or vegetables from a local produce shop. One time he even got his taxes done. It seems to make people happy….sweat equity.
“I called Sander my twenty-something-disco-monk; energetic on the outside and fully devoted on the inside. He was urban chic, artistic and cultural. He enjoyed experiences of the city life, good conversation and long dinners at home. He took pleasure in meditation, yoga and reading spiritual texts of all types.
“The spring of 2002 he was in the army station between the ice cube tray of Alaska and the sandbox of Iraq. Fire and ice, that’s how he described traveling between the two of them. Sander never had to shoot a gun in combat nor was a gun ever shot at him. He was very happy about that. He was a Chaplin assistant in the Army, which gave him a lot of free time and a large library to read through.
“After reading the Gospel of Thomas he proclaimed an apostasy, a formal disaffiliation with organized religion. Sander interpreted a passage from the Gospel of Thomas in which Jesus said, "I am the light that is over all things. I am all: from me all came forth, and to me all attained. Split a piece of wood; I am there. Lift up the stone, and you will find me there." I believe these are the words that have brought us here today. Sander did not believe that there was separation between Jesus and himself. I think he needed to prove it to himself.”
At this time I read Sander’s letter to the funeral congregation.
“This is not a suicide letter. This is my letter of samsara, my cycle of death to re-birth has begun. It is my intention to transmigrate from the organic to the ethereal, back to the organic world. I sit…breathe in and breathe out, staring at the sunrise asking my soul to leave this subtle body.
With love, Sander
p.s. I found God and s/he wears shoes.”
I touched the neckline of my dress and pulled out his dog tags that I had hanging around my neck. Holding them tightly in my head I repeated the last sentence - P.S. I found God and s/he wears shoes.
Crying, I look down at my shoes… Breathe Emily, I say to myself, breathe.
Looking up from my shoes I see Sander standing in the back of the church…
I told the paramedics that I was picking him up that morning to go jogging down by the waterfront. I let myself in the apartment with the key that he gave me and noticed Sander sitting on his meditation cushion. This was nothing new for me to see, Sander has been a practicing meditator since high school. The next ten minutes I sat in the kitchen drinking a cup of tea and I didn’t become concerned until I saw that his head had fallen forward onto his chest. When he didn’t move I walked over to him calling his name and when I placed my hand on his shoulder I felt nothing. No movement, no breath, no warmth, no blood flow, no life. I panicked. I called 911. I screamed. I froze. I waited for the paramedics to arrive. There he sat in the lotus pose dead, with the slightest smile on his face and a note paper-clipped to his dog tags.
The paramedic told me that it seemed he suffered no pain; his body had no sign of trauma. His heart just stopped…it’s a damn mystery. Then the paramedic zipped up the black bag that now held Sander’s body. He handed me the letter and Sander’s dog tags, gave me a bereaved smile, said he was sorry for my loss and pushed the gurney out the front door of the apartment.
I placed Sander’s dog tags around my neck and read his letter.
The note read:
This is not a suicide letter. This is my letter of samsara; my cycle of death to re-birth has begun. It is my intention to transmigrate from the organic to the ethereal, back to the organic world. I sit…breathe in and breathe out, staring at the sunrise asking my soul to leave this subtle body.
With love, Sander
P.S. I found God and s/he wears shoes
“What…what…what!? Sander!” I screamed…death, samsara, God, shoes…F-you. Why? What do I do now? Who do I call first? I am cold, I am alone…Sander…why?
Not knowing what to do next I sat down in the lotus pose on Sander’s meditation cushion staring out the same window as he did, seeing the view which would have been his last. City skyline, tree tops, white clouds, gray-blue sky and the smell of clean morning air. This is what Sander would have seen. I cried…I pressed his dog tags to my chest and felt the cold steel that he wore around his neck since before we met. For all the time that I laid in his arms I never took notice of what the dog tags had inscribed on them.
Surname, First name, Second Initial: Yari, Sander A.
Army serial number: 3733756 T42 430
Blood Type: Negative A
Religion: No demons
Three days later I was in front of a crowd of 300 people. A gathering of his ex-army buddies, college friends and relatives, all of whom I had never met. I stood in a church that Sander would have never attended and gave his eulogy.
“No demons…that is what Sander had on his dog tags for his religion preference. That is Sander Yari, he no longer cared for organized religion and felt no need to pick any one house of worship over the other. In his simplistic way… no demons…was a perfect fit for his statement of faith.
“I met Sander in November ‘06, waiting in line for coffee. Actually I met Sander when I accidentally spilled my coffee on his hands at the cream and sugar bar. I was so apologetic, he was calm and smiled. We introduced ourselves, we talked, shared a scone and fell in love over the next couple of months. We would go jogging in the morning and at night would cook dinner together. He called it our “cooking therapy”. No television, no music, just us talking about our day while we prepared our meal.
“Every Sunday afternoon we would have dinner with my family. Sunday evening would be spent in my father’s woodshop, building ornate picture frames. It was great time spent. We would turn on football games or a hockey games or if there were no games we would turn on the iPod shuffle and listen to our jukebox of music. He would build frames, I would watch, we would both drink beer and sometimes we would dance in the dust.
“Sander held a job that he was impartial to. He was good at his job, or at least the company he worked for liked him. Sander did not like to spend the money that he earned from his job, if he could help it. He did spend it, but he preferred sweat equity. That’s what he called it…sweat equity….hard work in trade for service. That’s what he did with all those picture frames that he built in my father’s woodshop. Trade for service; sometimes he would get a haircut or vegetables from a local produce shop. One time he even got his taxes done. It seems to make people happy….sweat equity.
“I called Sander my twenty-something-disco-monk; energetic on the outside and fully devoted on the inside. He was urban chic, artistic and cultural. He enjoyed experiences of the city life, good conversation and long dinners at home. He took pleasure in meditation, yoga and reading spiritual texts of all types.
“The spring of 2002 he was in the army station between the ice cube tray of Alaska and the sandbox of Iraq. Fire and ice, that’s how he described traveling between the two of them. Sander never had to shoot a gun in combat nor was a gun ever shot at him. He was very happy about that. He was a Chaplin assistant in the Army, which gave him a lot of free time and a large library to read through.
“After reading the Gospel of Thomas he proclaimed an apostasy, a formal disaffiliation with organized religion. Sander interpreted a passage from the Gospel of Thomas in which Jesus said, "I am the light that is over all things. I am all: from me all came forth, and to me all attained. Split a piece of wood; I am there. Lift up the stone, and you will find me there." I believe these are the words that have brought us here today. Sander did not believe that there was separation between Jesus and himself. I think he needed to prove it to himself.”
At this time I read Sander’s letter to the funeral congregation.
“This is not a suicide letter. This is my letter of samsara, my cycle of death to re-birth has begun. It is my intention to transmigrate from the organic to the ethereal, back to the organic world. I sit…breathe in and breathe out, staring at the sunrise asking my soul to leave this subtle body.
With love, Sander
p.s. I found God and s/he wears shoes.”
I touched the neckline of my dress and pulled out his dog tags that I had hanging around my neck. Holding them tightly in my head I repeated the last sentence - P.S. I found God and s/he wears shoes.
Crying, I look down at my shoes… Breathe Emily, I say to myself, breathe.
Looking up from my shoes I see Sander standing in the back of the church…
Featuring the work of Wisconsin Wedding Photographer
Thursday, January 22, 2009 | By General Bobo
Screen graba from Instaproofs newly designed website - two of my images have been selected to be featured!
I am sooooo excited! Check it out!!! Photographers!!! register with Instaproofs it's free, and you'll fall in love with them - tell them I sent 'cha!
Moment
| By General Bobo
Current Reading: After Photography by Fred Ritchin
Current Music: Narrow Stairs by Death Cab for Cutie
Mood: Energized
Sounds: Plastic noise
Temperature: 25 degrees
Thoughts: I found God and s/he wears shoes
Current Music: Narrow Stairs by Death Cab for Cutie
Mood: Energized
Sounds: Plastic noise
Temperature: 25 degrees
Thoughts: I found God and s/he wears shoes
Postcards from Florida
| By General Bobo
The day before we shot the destination wedding in Key West Florida, Rachel and I drove out to Bahia Honda State Park.
Here are some photos from our day at the beach...
Here are some photos from our day at the beach...
All of these images were shot with my new 24mm 1.4L lens. I am so happy with this lens I feel like I could shoot an entire wedding with it!
Images selected for website re-design!
Wednesday, January 21, 2009 | By General Bobo
I just love my proofing website. Instaproofs was introduced to me by Dave Jackson last spring. This proofing site is just amazing and has worked so well for me this season. I have tried numerous proofing websites.... but this one has everything I could possibly need and they do it well!Last week they emailed all of their clients a "call for entry" for the redesign of their corporate website. Each photographer was able to submit 5 images. Only 15 images would be selected overall. My philosophy with contests is "if you don't enter, you can't win". So I submitted 5 shots that I happened to have on my computer. I was in Key West at the time and didn't have access to all of 2008's wedding files.
I checked my email during a break at the wedding I was shooting in Key West. I got confirmation from Instaproofs that they were using not one of my images, but two!
Here is the email that I received:
Congratulations! After a couple of very long image viewing sessions, a couple of your images have been selected as images that we will be using on our re-designed corporate website!
There were 15 images in total that were selected, and the images will be displayed in a rotating basis throughout the site. Since there are only 5 image slots open, each of your images will be displayed somewhere on the site on roughly 1 out of every 3 visits.
We appreciate your participation, and again, we congratulate you on having your images selected!
I am so very honored to have my images appear on the new website! Here are the selected images...
5 Question Interview Series with Kit Anderson
| By General Bobo
Kit Anderson a producer, writer, director and author of “Never Cry Jack” has graciously agreed to take part in my ongoing “5 Question Interview Series.”
Amazon.com editorial description of Anderson book:
Amazon.com editorial description of Anderson book:
“Jack Champagne wanted the life, liberty and hot pursuits promised to her. She traded a world of tall trees, dirt bikes and milk money stains for a Big Apple American Dream. Her story begins with Monday Night Footbal, bobble head Jesus, a clock blinking eights and a cassette tape. It ends on blood letter print, the iPod, a Glock 27 and a crimson tulip growing from cracked mortar and broken eggshells. This is her life. This is Jack in Manhattan 1996-2001. Don't mind the smoke... “
How and when did you get started as a writer?
What are the major challenges that you have faced in your career?
Why did you choose to license your book with a Creative Commons copyright?
What inspires you? How do you stay motivated?
What’s next for you? New book, Movie deals?
What’s next? Currently I’m working on a series of short films on the American Dream. A feature length movie adaptation of my novel called Luxury-and-the-AfterBang is in pre-production right now. I also just finished a two year project with the mathematicians called Transdimensional Odyssey of Doom. It’s footage from over 100 shows and two national tours, combined with some badass anime we made. Anyone in Washington DC for the inauguration can party with me and Mathematicians at the http://www.brightestyoungthings.com/. I’m also producing a new western on snowmobiles that is something like a Mad-Max/Point-Break mash-up based on a true story. We’re working on financing now. Anyone interested in being a part of that project can contact me through my Kit Anderson. The next novel is in pre-writing now and tentatively titled “Once Upon A Black Flag; Blood”. It is a historical fiction piece about my ancestor Bloody Bill Anderson. He taught Frank and Jesse James outlawry, led the first train robbery and the first daylight bank robbery in American history, and was the first to fly the black flag without skull and crossbones. Anything else? Let me think… That’s all that’s fit to mention right now. anyone interested in my novel or any of my other projects should exploit these links:file:///C:/Documents%20and%20Settings/craigja/Desktop/www.kitanderson.com & Never Cry Jack: A Novel.
Baby Mae - a teaser...
Thursday, January 15, 2009 | By General Bobo
Baby Mae is the daughter of Theresa and Andy... a 2007 wedding couple of mine. I was invited to spend the morning with Theresa and little Mae and photograph them at their home.
Their home in Neenah was the perfect setting for a baby portrait session. They had great light and great decor. Most of all I was happy to see Theresa and Andy become parents - welcome to the amazing world of raising children!!!
More images to come!!!
Their home in Neenah was the perfect setting for a baby portrait session. They had great light and great decor. Most of all I was happy to see Theresa and Andy become parents - welcome to the amazing world of raising children!!!
More images to come!!!
New respect for the Aviation industry...
| By General Bobo
This week I am in Key West shooting a wedding... part of my journey to the Key's included a trip on a very small plane. With the incident that happened today with the US Airlines flight that made an emergency landing in water I feel thankful that God has put his hand in the hands that fly us.
On January 13, my third and final flight of the day and after 15 hours into my trip, I found out we were to be flying a "very small aircraft". Hmmm... They asked us for our weight and weighed our bags. The gate agent mentioned that no carry-ons were allowed - period. I begged her that my camera gear needed to stay with me at all times. She was able to make an exception for me to store my bag in the back of the 10 seat plane. Whew!
The plane arrived and boy it was tiny!!! The controller asked "who wants to sit in the front?" - I quickly raised my hand! I can't believe I did that!!! Last year at this time I was deathly afraid of flying. My imagination gets the best of me... luckily my husband Andy is reassuring in telling me that things are going to be ok. I've flown a lot this past year... although I am still a bit nervous during take-off (and I say a little prayer during lift-off) I am a much better flying passenger.
During the take off of this flight I couldn't help but to smile from ear to ear! It was like taking to the air in a Buick! But what a blast! Luckily they allowed me to take my camera and keep it on my lap. It took every ounce of resistance I had to not move or look around too much. I was too afraid of distracting the captain (who was sitting about 8" away from me to the left) or causing unnecessary movement within the plane.
I am so glad I had the opportunity to fly in the co-pilot seat! And I want to send a big thank you to all of the people who call an aircraft their "office". We as passengers have a tendency to not listen to the safety instructions or look behind us for the nearest exit. Today has been a testimony to the dedication of safety of these workers.
On January 13, my third and final flight of the day and after 15 hours into my trip, I found out we were to be flying a "very small aircraft". Hmmm... They asked us for our weight and weighed our bags. The gate agent mentioned that no carry-ons were allowed - period. I begged her that my camera gear needed to stay with me at all times. She was able to make an exception for me to store my bag in the back of the 10 seat plane. Whew!
The plane arrived and boy it was tiny!!! The controller asked "who wants to sit in the front?" - I quickly raised my hand! I can't believe I did that!!! Last year at this time I was deathly afraid of flying. My imagination gets the best of me... luckily my husband Andy is reassuring in telling me that things are going to be ok. I've flown a lot this past year... although I am still a bit nervous during take-off (and I say a little prayer during lift-off) I am a much better flying passenger.
During the take off of this flight I couldn't help but to smile from ear to ear! It was like taking to the air in a Buick! But what a blast! Luckily they allowed me to take my camera and keep it on my lap. It took every ounce of resistance I had to not move or look around too much. I was too afraid of distracting the captain (who was sitting about 8" away from me to the left) or causing unnecessary movement within the plane.
I am so glad I had the opportunity to fly in the co-pilot seat! And I want to send a big thank you to all of the people who call an aircraft their "office". We as passengers have a tendency to not listen to the safety instructions or look behind us for the nearest exit. Today has been a testimony to the dedication of safety of these workers.
Ansel Adams - Quote
| By General Bobo
“Musicians practice constantly; most photographers do not practice enough. The siren call of the hobby obscures the necessary exactions of art. It is easy to take a photograph, but it is harder to make a masterpiece in photography than in any other art medium.”
~ Ansel Adams
I agree.
~ Ansel Adams
I agree.
International Society of Professional Wedding Photographers and Modern Photographers
Wednesday, January 14, 2009 | By General Bobo
I am proud to announce that I am a member of the following two photographic associations. International Society of Professional Wedding Photographers and Modern Photographers. In order to become a member of these associations you must have certain credentials including having shot over 50 weddings and have been voted in by other professional photographers based on reputation, skill, and artistic ability.I am also excited about a new project that I am a part of - the Collection. This is an amazing network of wedding photographers in and around the Milwaukee area. We recently launched our website which features the 10 members and their portfolios and were mentioned on the Morning Blend on WTMJ by Jessica Quist. The members of the Collection are a referral and support network of like-minded wedding photographers. We meet monthly and have many fun things planned for the future.
Active Play
| By General Bobo
Describing photographic style has to be one of the utmost difficult things for me to do. The words I choose have to be specific, detailed, accurate and have to be said simply in a non-jargon language.
Cinematic documentation is the title or phrase that I have been using for the last couple of years. (So much for the non-jargon) Cinematic documentation style of photography is taking a director’s role in producing images. It can be slightly journalistic within a controlled setting. We evoke techniques from theater and films such as stage blocking and the fourth wall to create an atmosphere of improvisation and spontaneity that leads to fresh original relaxed images.
Cultural adaptability, storytelling and active play appear to be where our compositional style is at today. This helps us to produce simple, honest, fun and beautiful images.
Active Play is a term that I have been tossing around about how we interact with our clientele during photo shoots. It is a high energy approach to cinematic documentation style of photography. Entertaining, directing, experiential, free-flowing fun photography that creates a connection, builds relationships and places the clients in an environment of trust.
Next time I am asked to describe our style my answer will be “Active Play” to create the images and “Cinematic documentation” for viewing.
Trash the Dress and Rocktographers
Tuesday, January 13, 2009 | By General Bobo
How exciting, I have some photos featured on Trash the Dress {TTD}. 
This is such a fun publication! As the title ever so subtly hints, it showcases brides and grooms trashing their attire after their wedding day. There are some really creative and interesting ideas in this publication if you want to go a different route then pressing, packaging and storing your wedding gown. Like true Minnesotans, this lovely couple decided to brave the cold with wedding photographs on a Minneapolis ice rink. They were a ton of fun!
I also have some photos on Rocktographers from a little while back. They display wedding photographers' images that are edgy, bold and modern. Having photography here from a Minneapolis wedding really...well, rocks! Check them both out.
Photo of the Week
| By General Bobo
Camera: Nikon D70s
Exposure: 0.5 sec (1/2)
Aperture: f/9
Focal Length: 70 mm
ISO Speed: 200
Craig-Photography 4.0 is launch
Monday, January 12, 2009 | By General Bobo
Craig-Photography 4.0 has officially been launched. Our new site is about active play, transparency and storytelling.
The newest addition to the site is Elizabeth’s wedding blog. The wedding blog’s function is about relationship building and storytelling. Elizabeth brings her love for composition, timing, perseverance and unquestionably her passion for photographing people to the site. Her blog went into beta mode on October 20, 2008 and has developed into a resource and a conversation starter for newly engaged couples. We are pleased to see it dwell on our new website.
Additionally, we added a new Investment page. This is where we try very hard to be 100% transparent to our clientele. We understand how hard and confusing it can be for customers to make informed decisions about wedding vendors. Simplicity with direct information is our answer to the confusion that many couples run into. We live by “please feel free to ask”, if at any time there is any puzzlement just ask, we’ll answer.
Lastly we would like to thank Direct-Axis for helping to develop our idea and then bring it to fruition. The team at Direct Axis has been kind, professional and fun to work with.
With deep bows of gratitude, we would like to thank you for spending time with us over the years. We are looking forward to seeing where this journey takes us.
Peace ~ John & Elizabeth
The newest addition to the site is Elizabeth’s wedding blog. The wedding blog’s function is about relationship building and storytelling. Elizabeth brings her love for composition, timing, perseverance and unquestionably her passion for photographing people to the site. Her blog went into beta mode on October 20, 2008 and has developed into a resource and a conversation starter for newly engaged couples. We are pleased to see it dwell on our new website.
Additionally, we added a new Investment page. This is where we try very hard to be 100% transparent to our clientele. We understand how hard and confusing it can be for customers to make informed decisions about wedding vendors. Simplicity with direct information is our answer to the confusion that many couples run into. We live by “please feel free to ask”, if at any time there is any puzzlement just ask, we’ll answer.
Lastly we would like to thank Direct-Axis for helping to develop our idea and then bring it to fruition. The team at Direct Axis has been kind, professional and fun to work with.
With deep bows of gratitude, we would like to thank you for spending time with us over the years. We are looking forward to seeing where this journey takes us.
Peace ~ John & Elizabeth
Amy + Casey {married}
Friday, January 9, 2009 | By General Bobo
After a long 2 year engagement Amy and Casey are married! They had a lovely winter wedding. Congratulations!
5 Question Interview Series with David Burke
| By General Bobo
Elizabeth interviewed David Burke, (click her to read the interview).
Every Little Moment...
Thursday, January 8, 2009 | By General Bobo
In 2008 I had the great pleasure of meeting for the first time Samantha and Aubrey at WPPI in Las Vegas. We shared a room together and got all dolled up and went to parties. I learned a lot about the two ladies and knew I wanted to someday shoot beside them.
In October I had a double header wedding weekend that required a second shooter. They were available and I flew them out to shoot with me that weekend. They helped shoot the weddings of Lizzie and Mike as well as Kathy and Jeremiah.
Of course they stayed a few extra days and we were able to do some fun photo sessions (and girlie stuff like makeup at the MAC counter and pedicures). Here are two of my favorites of them... and if you look a couple posts down you can see their work on our New Year's Day cards.
Samantha Nicole Johnson
Aubrey Robison
Please check out their blog and website at www.everylittlemomentphotography.com
In October I had a double header wedding weekend that required a second shooter. They were available and I flew them out to shoot with me that weekend. They helped shoot the weddings of Lizzie and Mike as well as Kathy and Jeremiah.
Of course they stayed a few extra days and we were able to do some fun photo sessions (and girlie stuff like makeup at the MAC counter and pedicures). Here are two of my favorites of them... and if you look a couple posts down you can see their work on our New Year's Day cards.
Samantha Nicole Johnson
Aubrey RobisonPlease check out their blog and website at www.everylittlemomentphotography.com
Lights... Camera... Action!
| By General Bobo
Tyler is an actor in Hollywood, CA. During his trip to Wisconsin I was able to get him in for a session. It was neat to see him all grown up. I taught him when I was a dance teacher... looks like dance training pays off in acting!!!
These are some of my favorites from the session... all of these shots were done in my home studio.
The goal was to give Tyler a variety of looks. He can be use different looks for different casting calls. I had a blast tying new backgrounds and lighting techniques with Tyler - hope he gives me credit when he makes it big time!
These are some of my favorites from the session... all of these shots were done in my home studio.
The goal was to give Tyler a variety of looks. He can be use different looks for different casting calls. I had a blast tying new backgrounds and lighting techniques with Tyler - hope he gives me credit when he makes it big time!
