You might not believe it but it is very difficult to get a pregnant model. At least for me it is. I attribute this in part to being a male photographer. Don’t get me wrong I understand, women have this special bond amongst themselves. Guys do too, just in a different way. When we’re driving around without any idea where we’re going and refuse to ask for directions, another guy gets it.
I happened upon Lincy and her family in a lucky way. She had placed an ad for a female photographer to do some other shots for her. I answered and told her my interest and need for a maternity model. She accepted!
After working around the Raven’s schedule (see I get that) Lincy, her husband Steve, and son Benjamin came by the studio. The family was great to work with. Their son Benjamin couldn’t have been a more cooperative subject. As long as I’ve been shooting this was my first maternity shoot. I’m still scratching my head over that.
The shoot produced some great images and I can’t wait to shoot another belly.
If you have a pregnant belly or know of one that would be willing to model contact me.
Most of the time my wife volunteers me for stuff and I cringe. This time, not so much. I had been hearing about this Indy 900′ Derby being held in Hamilton for more than a few weeks. It was a soap box derby. You know, like the Little Rascals. Only these were not made of soap boxes. Come to think of it I don’t think they make soap boxes anymore. Must be why there are fewer speeches these days. These little cars were made of fiberglass and quite aerodynamic.
Quick side note, Derby racing is not a game. They are very serious and very fair. Car and driver are weighed and adjustments are made so everyone is equal. After a race the same car and driver go again switching lanes so once again it’s fair. Race finishes often come down to thousandths of a second!
My job was to document the event. Of course I can’t just do that. I’m a people watcher and there were lots of people to watch. I couldn’t get over the turn out. I would put the crowd at five hundred easily. Remember they came to watch kids fly down the street at speeds of up to 25 mph with nothing but Newton’s law pulling on them. So to have such a big turn out, to me, was a big deal. I guess I shouldn’t be too surprised. Hamilton is a great community and has lots of cool people and this was a cool event.
They had a coffee station set up with the “fuel” provided by Zeke’s Coffee. Not to be outdone, Clementine provided these awesome brunch burritos. If I could shoot one handed I would have always had a burrito in the other.
I know closing down a street takes some cash and work, but it’s always so fun to be able to wander around a normally busy street. The street was closed from White Ave. to Hamilton Ave. I’m told the hill at the top is ideal for soap box racing.
By my count there were eighteen cars entered. For a first time event I’m gonna say that was a good number. Car designs ranged from simple to WOW! Let me give some quick props to some of the car owners.
Zeke’s and Clementine: Simple and effective.
Murph’s Garage and Hamilton Vacuum: This, in my opinion, is what soap box cars should look like. Extra credit to Hamilton Vacuum for the catchy slogan “This place sucks.”
Two WOW!’s: Hamilton Tire and Family Respiratory. These people went all out in design. Family Respiratory even had a race suit and secret handshake. If there is such a thing, their driver was the Danica Patrick of soap box and cute to boot.
Heat after heat, race after race, the cars were flying.
In the end it was Zeke’s Coffee (there must be something in the beans) taking first in the stock category and Harvest Fare/Hamilton Presbyterian (guess we know who the Presbyterian’s had on their side) taking first in super stock.
I really can’t wait until next year’s race. I might even get a car myself.
When you have a chance, you need to get to Hamilton. You’ll have a great time.
If you follow the news in any form, you’ve undoubtedly heard about some recent suicides. Kids picked on and bullied to the point they felt their only recourse was to end their life.
Of course this is a sad time for the friends and family of those individuals, moreover it’s a pathetic testament to our nation as a whole.
I don’t know about you but the last time I looked around I didn’t see anyone that looked or acted the exact same as me. Twins, you don’t count. Or maybe you do. Your mom can tell you apart somehow.
The point is, we’re all the same in that we’re different. Crooked smile, bushy eye brows. Some of you, and you know who you are, snort when you laugh.
I’ve been on both sides of this bullying crap. When I was in grade school I was that chubby kid. Worse yet, I was the sensitive chubby kid. For whatever reason I was always crying. You can imagine how well that sat with my macho man step-father. Not only did he pick on me but he would get my cousins to pick on me. Sometimes they would beat me up for fun. That is, until I went into my growth spurt. It was payback time. I was the aggressor. It didn’t help matters that I was running with a bad crowd who thought fighting the local cowboys was a national past time.
I’m not that way anymore. When I think about my past now, I see the issue was insecurity. It’s the real man/woman that can deal with being who they are and who those around them are. Guys kissing guys? Not my style but maybe cooking in the nude isn’t your style. Does that mean you should get a bunch of guys and jump me in the alley until I promise to put a shirt on? What if someone dragged you out of your house and pummeled you because they thought you shouldn’t be eating trans fats?
Just face it, you’re different. I don’t have a problem with that. Unless of course you use a gas grill. That’s nonsense and you need therapy. Charcoal rules!
Am I saying love one another? No. I’m not even of the belief that you have to like one another. I’m saying be happy with who you are and let others be happy with who they are.
I count myself as pretty lucky. I have a beautiful wife that I love and loves me back. I have some good friends. My children are happy, healthy, and not in jail. That’s a big deal these days you know. What’s more is I get to do something I really love for a living. PHOTOGRAPHY!
Work is work in any form but when you enjoy doing it, it’s a bit easier. When you get to work with really talented people it’s even better.
Meet Kayla. She’s a high school senior and a fabulous dancer. She plans to continue her dance education and is applying to colleges. Here comes the fun. The schools she’s applying to require that she submit photos of herself in dance poses. How cool is that! I think all schools should require head shots and photos of the students involved in their major. What if a medical student doesn’t look good with a stethoscope around their neck!? Who wants that doctor?
I had a great time photographing Kayla. I’m always amazed at what these dancers can do. There is no chance that Kayla won’t get to choose what school she goes to and I have the pictures to prove it.
Thanks to Kayla and her parents for letting me do something I love.
Sometimes life gets a bit slow and I have a hole in my schedule. I’ve tried calling BGE and telling them that I don’t have any photo shoots lined up so they’ll just have to wait for payment. They’re not amused. So, on such occasions I shoot for a couple of other studios. The pay isn’t as lucrative but I also don’t have to spend the time editing 800 shots.
A few months back I had the pleasure of meeting Cindy. She is the owner/lead photographer of Soft Touch Photography by Cynthia. We met through a mutual friend and I showed her some of my work. She liked it! She told me she would give me a call if she ever needed some help. Then she did.
I went to her studio and met Leah and Steve. I have a bit of wedding photography experience but for some reason I was nervous about meeting Leah and Steve for the first time. Maybe because it was the first time I would be doing any work for Cindy. I don’t really know for sure. Whatever the reason, it was all for nothing. It probably had to do with the fact that they were returning customers to Cindy as she had previously shot Steve’s sister’s wedding. After a couple of minutes I was at ease and we chatted for a few minutes. We ended with a plan to meet in a couple of weeks for an engagement photo shoot.
With the engagement shoot date set we were good to go. That is until I woke up that morning to hear about the rain storm coming in. I really don’t mind shooting in the rain but there is something about it that doesn’t quite say “engagement photos”. That is unless you met during a tsunami. Leah beat me to the punch and we postponed the shoot a couple of weeks.
The new shoot date was now upon us and no rain in sight. We were scheduled to shoot at Sherwood Gardens. For those that don’t know that’s where Robin Hood got his start. He moved to Sherwood Forest once he made his first million. If you haven’t been to the gardens take some time. It’s a beautiful place. A word of warning. For an out of towner like me it was tricky to find. Locals may not have a problem. The gardens don’t really have an address, on their web site they list the intersections. I can tell you there is an awesome mansion sitting on one side. I would have loved to go in there.
Enough about the gardens, this is Leah and Steve’s time. They seemed to have a little trouble finding the gardens too. That made me feel kinda good. It also gave me a chance to set up a light and scout some shooting spots. I got a few good images as well as some great mosquito bites. Next time I shoot there I’ll remember to bring the bug spray.
I like making engagement photos a part of my wedding packages. It helps me see how the couple interacts with each other, I get to know them a bit more, I think they get a bit more comfortable around me and the camera, and I get to test out some posing techniques with them before the “real” shots come around.
Now the BIG DAY! We (Cindy’s assistant shooter Diane) and I got to Leah’s soon to be mother in-law’s house and things were running pretty smooth. We had a bride in her gown and brides maids getting ready. Although I’m gonna go out on a limb and say the one bridesmaid getting made-up was none to comfortable having that brush put in her face. I don’t recall her name but I’m sure anyone that knows the bridal party knows who I’m talking about. The things we do for our friends! The setting we were in couldn’t be more beautiful. They house was on the water and it was a lovely day. It screamed “Pour me a mimosa and Let’s Get Married!”
One thing for sure, Cindy told me this family was the friendliest and she didn’t lie. From beginning to end I felt like I had known these folks forever. I had such a great time shooting this wedding. You know you’re having a good time when you just don’t want to leave the reception even if you do have a thousand shots.
Cindy, thank you all for letting me be a part of such a great day. I hope I can work with you again.
Leah & Steve – Thank you too and I hope you had as much fun as I did! I hope to shoot your 25th wedding anniversary.
You might not believe it but it is very difficult to get a pregnant model. At least for me it is. I attribute this in part to being a male photographer. Don’t get me wrong I understand, women have this special bond amongst themselves. Guys do too, just in a different way. When we’re driving around without any idea where we’re going and refuse to ask for directions, another guy gets it.
They had a coffee station set up with the “fuel” provided by 
A few months back I had the pleasure of meeting Cindy. She is the owner/lead photographer of 
iful. They house was on the water and it was a lovely day. It screamed “Pour me a mimosa and Let’s Get Married!”
