Breakfast on the Beach

I was up at dawn today to photograph the sunrise over the pristine beach at Anastasia State Park. The air was crisp, a little chilly. A brisk walk was the solution for that. Then I found this little guy enjoying a little breakfast on the beach. We spent a good bit of time together before my fingers started getting numb from gripping the penetratingly cold aluminum tripod. I stopped shooting, shoved my hands in my jeans pockets, and let the warm rays of the rising sun warm my face.

St. Augustine

I made it to St. Augustine, FL yesterday. I had no idea what a cool place this was! Steeped in history, it’s the oldest continuously occupied city in the United States. The first Christian worship service held in the continental United States was a Catholic Mass celebrated in St. Augustine. Martín de Argüelles, the first child of European ancestry to be born in the continental United States was born here. The list of firsts goes on. But aside from its history, this place is a very photogenic city. The St. Augustine Lighthouse, constructed between 1871 and 1874, offers a rare view of the ancient city.

Head Shots

I really enjoyed meeting Alvin today. He’s a very interesting individual! He’s an Entomologist…how many of THOSE do you know…and he loves to travel. He’s even been to a couple countries in Africa. So we had many things in common – like an interest in little critters and seeing the world! 🙂 But more than that we shared a similar perspective on life and a kindred desire to live it to its fullest. Even though Cami & I are wedding and event photographers on the weekend, we shoot a lot of professional head-shots during the week. I’m thankful to have met Alvin and that our life journeys crossed paths today when he came in for his head-shot!

Amanda & Johnny’s Storybook

We just shipped Amanda & Johnny’s Journalist Storybook to them and got the most WONDERFUL response! 🙂
“I received my photo album in the mail last night and it is AMAZING!! Thank you and Cami both for all your hard work from beginning to end…y’all rock! “

Sandra Ericksen Design

Sandy Ericksen and I have been working together for many years now. She is so creative, attentive to details, and always does such beautiful work. It’s always a pleasure to photograph homes that she has put her magic spell on. 🙂 Yesterday I had the opportunity to work with her again, photographing all the interior design she had done for a new client. The home was absolutely BEAUTIFUL. We had a great time capturing the personality of the home for her to showcase in her portfolio. Next time you need an interior designer, make sure and give Sandy a call!

Williams Sisters Commit to Family Circle Cup

World No. 6 Venus Williams, a seven-time Grand Slam champion and 2004 Family Circle Cup titlist, has officially entered the 2009 Family Circle Cup. Making her fourth appearance in Charleston, Williams boasts a 10-2 record at this event, including a semifinal appearance in 2007. She joins World No. 2 Serena Williams and World No. 7 Vera Zvonareva in the 2009 Family Circle Cup player field as three Top 10 players are set to headline the Family Circle Cup, a Premier Event on the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour, scheduled April 11-19 at the Family Circle Tennis Center in Charleston, SC.
Serena is currently still in the hunt for a Championship Trophy at the Australian Open. Although Venus is out of the singles draw, the sisters are looking impressive in their doubles bracket. I’m looking forward to photographing them again this year while I continue my position as one of the Official Photographers of the Family Circle Cup.

Hard Work

Remember how bitter cold it was on Inauguration Day? I had a really cool assignment to photograph a commercial renovation project downtown on King St. being done by Crawford Contracting & Consulting. Well these guys were out there working away in that wicked cold weather like it was nothing. I now have a new respect for construction workers!

The building they’re working on is over 200 years old! So there are some really cool design elements and building techniques that are absolutely ingenious. I loved all the detail work in the molding and stair railing…ALL of which was done by hand!!!

Navy Man

I got a call the other day from this fine young man who needed a portrait in his Navy uniform. We got to talking and I found out he had a brand new rescue puppy named Bear. Since we love doing Pet Portraits, I invited him to bring Bear along. We got some great shots of the frisky young Black Lab/Rottweiler mix. And while I was photographing George, the pup got a chance to play with old Henry. 🙂 Many thanks to George and ALL our military men for their courage and service to our country!

Staying in Touch

While visiting with Uncle Gordon & Aunt Lois, I found out their daughter, Cindy also lived in Phoenix. She works for US Air so Cami & I got to the airport early for our flight home and had a really nice visit with her. It never fails to warm my heart when I run into old friends from the Congo (DRC).

Make new friends, but keep the old;
Those are silver, these are gold.
New-made friendships, like new wine,
Age will mellow and refine.
Friendships that have stood the test –
Time and change – are surely best;
Brow may wrinkle, hair grow gray,
Friendship never knows decay.
For ‘mid old friends, tried and true,
Once more we our youth renew.
But old friends, alas! may die,
New friends must their place supply.
Cherish friendship in your breast-
New is good, but old is best;
Make new friends, but keep the old;
Those are silver, these are gold.”
– Joseph Parry –

Role Models

Another highlight from our trip to Phoenix was visiting with an AMAZING couple who were a HUGE influence on me in high-school. I call them Uncle Gordon & Aunt Lois, even though we’re not related, because of the special role they had in my life as a young man. While growing up in The Congo (then known as Zaire), my bothers and I went away to boarding school at The American School of Kinshasa. While at TASOK, we stayed at a hostel known as CBZO. There, Uncle Gordon & Aunt Lois were my “hostel parents”…teaching, guiding, and caring for us while we were under their wings. Uncle Gordon was also influential in developing my interest in photography! It was great to see them after all these years. They were the BEST role models I could have ever hoped for!

Arizona Photographer of the Year

Cami’s FAVORITE speakers at Imaging USA was Kay Eskridge. Her list of awards and accomplishments is a mile long, including Arizona Photographer of the Year! 🙂 Since Cami & I had planned to hang out in Phoenix for a few days after the conference, we stopped in to visit with Kay and see her GORGEOUS studio. Not only is Kay an incredibly talented photographer, but she’s a very kind and super generous soul. It’s always so nice to meet fellow photographers of a similar spirit! Thanks Kay!!!