Photostory Friday: 365 Week 39

Hosted by Cecily and Lolli

Day 266

September 24: Holding hands is unlike anything else. It's a very intimate, yet very innocent act.

It's a very human, and simple way to say I love you.

Day 267

September 25: Oktoberfest, for a non-drinker, leaves a LOT of time for doing all the other things that Snowbird has to offer --- like taking the tram to Hidden Peak, and riding the chairlift down -- amidst nature's annual patchwork quilt show.


Bonus Picture!!

Also from Oktoberfest -- this is a picture taken by my wife, as I courageously rode this wild (albeit headless, and legless) bull, for 10 seconds!

Take that Luke Perry!

Day 268

September 26: I was in a bad mood. I was in a rut. I was sick and tired of taking pictures in my back yard, on my kitchen counter, or hanging out my car window -- so I decided to drive until I found something...

I drove up the mountain, past the houses, past the sign that said dead end, and up, and up -- and suddenly there was a meadow, with five of these beautiful buckskin colored horses in it.

Problem solved.

Momentarily.

Day 267

September  27: It took 150 pictures, a bruised shin, a bonk on the head, two sprained fingers, and convincing my son that I would not kill him for throwing a football right at my camera, to get the shot I wanted.

Well, to almost get it.

I wanted the football closer, but it's hard to keep things in focus as you're diving out of the way.

Day 268

September 28: Jordan, doing her best impression of the planet Saturn.

Day 269

September 29: My best friend tonight. And good news!

It tastes better than ever!!

Nyquil makes me stupid, in case you were wondering.

Day 270

September 30: I may just make a permanent date with my guitar every Thursday night.

It just shows up for the photo shoot, and gives me it's best smile every time.

Photostory Friday: 365 Week 38

Hosted by Cecily and Lolli

Day 259

September 17: It's 11:59 pm...

Do you know where your camera is?

Day 260

September 18: I'm not even sure they're on, but they're ALWAYS in there.

Day 261

September 19: This is not as easy as it looks.

My new Sunday ritual is to take a late afternoon nap in the hammock. In order to capture this serene moment, I had to set up my zoom lens clear across the yard, set the timer for ten seconds, run like crazy, dive in to the hammock, get situated, stop swinging, and try to look completely relaxed.

Did I pull it off?

Day 262

September 20: I love chocolate. I love roses.

(Yes, I'm still a man...)

But the truth is it was late...and there was this cake....and, well, you know...

Day 263

September 21: The Vitruvian Girl.

Day 264

September 22: My intent was to drive up the canyon and take pictures of the changing leaves, on the first day of Autumn.  And I swear the leaves on that tree are yellow, but the silhouette was too powerful -- I couldn't resist.

Day 265

September 23: Yellow Slug Bug.

So, here's the story: Remember last week, when I griped about Thursdays? When I told you that my Thursdays are insane? Today was no different. 

I was TRYING to get home and write this blog entry, and one thing after another was piled on my night. I was steamed! And I was not very quiet about it -- everyone knew how I felt. Dad was Mad!

And I griped. And I moaned. And I yelled. And I ....well, you get the idea...

It was not my finest hour.

And on my way to the store, between runs to soccer practice, in the midst of my tantrum...Emma punched me. 

"Yellow Slug Bug," she said. 

After every thing else, Emma decided that what I REALLY needed, at that precise moment in time, was to be punched. 

I love that kid.

Photostory Friday: 365 Week 37

Hosted by Cecily and Lolli

The week I pointed my camera at Emma

Day 252

September 10: What you can't see are the rabbit ears behind my head: the source of my sorrow and Emma's maniacal bliss.

Day 253

September 11: The transformation

A little make-up. A little time. And a little girl becomes a very big giraffe.

Day 254

September 12: Here Emma is modeling one of the latest hats created by her mother -- an essential accessory in your Autumn 2010 wardrobe, and now available on Etsy!

Day 255

September 13: I play the piano. But I have neither the talent or the patience to try and teach my children to play. So we leave Emma's musical education up to the professionals -- with an occasional assist from her mother. Like in this shot.

Day 256

September 14: I have two cameras: A Pentax, and a Canon.

Technically, the Canon is the better of the two, but when I point my Pentax at the sky, it does this.

It's probably the result of some setting that I need to adjust, and don't know how to.

Which is why I have two cameras....

Day 257

September 15: How do you make a shot of two green tomatoes cool?

The answer is: you don't. No matter how hard you try, it's still just two tomatoes that refuse to ripen.

Day 258

September 16: I hate Thursdays.

Ok, that's not really true. I love Thursdays. The week is almost over, and it's the one day I get to spend being creative, and spending time with other wonderfully creative people. I get a MUCH needed mental workout.

Except that the universe constantly conspires against me. Thursday is the night when nothing else is supposed to happen, and it always turns out that it's the night when EVERYTHING else happens.

Thursdays hate me.

PhotoStory Friday: 365 Week 36

Yes, I still don't have my button.

Cecily...HELLLLPPPP!




Hosted by Cecily and Lolli


My summer has been a blur of weddings and reunions. And I think it's really taken a toll on my daily picture taking. I've only missed one day, but when so much of my time is spent shooting, and editing bridals, engagements, and weddings, the desire to get out and shoot anything else drops off significantly.

This is a long way of saying, I needed a recharge. So, this week I went back to themes.

It's been a refreshing week of pictures, as I've had the chance to crawl back inside my camera, and look at the world with new eyes...

Day 245
Something Blue

September 3: My kids all have blue eyes.

I do not.


I've always been drawn to eyes, and there are none so exquisitely hypnotic as those that belong to my daughters.

Day 246

Something Dynamic

September 4: Miriam Webster tells me that the definition of "Dynamic" is: of, or relating to, physical force or energy. Also, marked by usually continuous and productive activity or change.

They could have saved themselves a lot of words, and just printed a picture of Emma.

Day 247

Something that represents love

September 5: While lazily laying in the hammock, contemplating this assignment, I looked up, and realized that the leaves of the tree looked just like hearts.

But love is not love, unless there are two hearts involved.

Day 248

Something that resembles a letter

September 6: Day number 248 is brought to you by the letter "K" -- as interpreted by Emma.

Day 249

Something that makes you think of light or sunshine

September 7: I realize that I took a picture of a sunflower last week too, but they grow in abundance around my house this time of year, and I love to look at them.

Sunflowers are not like other flowers, they bend forward, with their faces (as it were) to the sun.

Every sunflower that I can see from my house is open, and looking westward, toward the afternoon sun.

Day 250

Something Alive

September 8: I went out to the bird refuge to shoot life.

I should say, I went out to the bird refuge to PHOTOGRAPH life. They don't like the word shoot out there.

The birds were remarkably uncooperative. There were great blue herons, and hawks and falcons and pelicans -- and they all hate to be photographed. I didn't think I had anything worthwhile.

But then as I was editing, I came across this throw away shot that I had fired at the sunset. What I thought had been a static shot, suddenly became vibrant and full of life, with the addition of a few surprise visitors.

Day 251

One thing I cannot live without

September 9: My life is so intertwined with this little symbol -- from entertainment to business to communication -- every tool I use, seems to have this little symbol on it somewhere.

I cannot live without my Apple.

PhotoStory Friday: 365 Week 35

Hosted by Lisa and Cecily

I just realized I lost my button, I'll try to have it back by next week. I do still care about this blog, I SWEAR!

Day 238

August 27: I took a picture today. I did! But I can't find it

I'm losing my mind...

Day 239

August 28: I shot my last scheduled wedding of the summer today. And I was going to post a picture from that shoot...

Instead, you get my "Thank goodness the wedding season is over, because I'm exhausted" self portrait.

Day 240

August 29: Sunflowers.

Is it still a weed if it's beautiful?

Day 241

August 30: When all else fails, when I've burned every photographic idea I can think of, when I've hit the wall on day 241, my guitar never lets me down.

Day 242

August 31: This is Emma, modeling one of her mom's crocheted hats -- about to go up on Etsy.

I'm not sure what the leg thing is all about, but it's a very Emma thing to do.

Day 243

September 1: The day I've been waiting for all summer.

We planted our tomatoes late this year, and they're just ripening. I am SOOOOOOOOO excited!

I could just sit out in the garden, and eat them all day long.

In fact, if you need me....

Day 244

September 2: It's soccer time.

Matt has been working out hard in the back yard, preparing for the upcoming season -- and I have a dozen loose boards in the fence to prove it.

PhotoStory Friday: 365 Week 34

Hosted by Chris


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Hosted by Cecily and Lolli

Day 231

August 20: Exhausted.

This summer has just about done me in.

Day 232

August 21: Matt and Kelsey's Wedding. I got a lot of great shots today, but I'll be honest, this one is my favorite.

He actually took the phone call!

Day 233

August 22: Nothing says late summer afternoon like corn on the cob.

Thank goodness for toothpicks.

Day 234

August 23: Some nights you just have to settle for the sunset.

Day 235

August 24: One of the things that makes me most proud is that my children are all good readers. More than that, they enjoy reading.

Reading for pleasure is a gift of immeasureable worth.

Day 236

August 25: Dead daisies.

Between the dead roses and the dead daisies, and the mourning glory that's taking over, I'm thinking of changing our address to 1313 Mockingbird Lane.

It's really getting quite out of hand...

Day 237

August 26: Which is why...THIS is my favorite shot of the week.

Those are my son's hands on the handle of the lawn mower.

We may save the property from condemnation yet!

PhotoStory Friday: 365 Week 33

Hosted by Chris


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Hosted by Cecily and Lolli

Day 224

August 13: Annie Love.

This little girl and I have a history (and a future, as you'll see in a couple of days).

Annie is my niece, she's four and she's the only one of the grandkids to have brown eyes. Since the day she was born, Annie has held a special place in my heart (and not just because I love her brown eyes). She's been in town for the last few weeks (she lives in Germany right now), and she and I have bonded again.

Her hair is naturally very curly, but as you can see in this picture, she had it straightened -- just for me.

How can you not love that?

Day 225

August 14: One last summer hurrah.

Day 226

August 15: Fun on the trampoline!

Doesn't he look like he's having fun?

Day 227

August 16: The last day I got to see Annie, before she headed home to Germany. We decided to celebrate the occasion by getting married. The service was intimate -- just close family, and bouncy -- it was on the trampoline. My daughter, Jordan, officiated.

When I went to kiss Annie on the cheek, she grabbed my face and laid a big one right on my lips.

Sigh.

I'm going to miss you Annie.

Day 228

August 17: Late night + no picture = Sprite bottle.

Day 229

August 18: My sister-in-law, Pam -- mother to Annie, which I guess also makes her my mother-in-law now (our family is rather sordid), has been in town for most of the summer. You all know Pam from her blog No Ordinary Life. Pam is a great photographer, and I enticed her this year to enter some pictures into the county fair. She entered three.

Two of her pictures each won a third place ribbon, but the third photo won a "Best of Division" ribbon AND a "Judge's Choice" ribbon.

This is a big deal!

Nice job Pam, I am very proud!

Day 230

August 19: So you think I've been neglectful of my blog? You should see my yard.

Note to potential squatters: Our house is not actually abandoned.