My Letter to Photography

So I was recently asked why I loved photography. While I could have given some type of answer, I felt it would just be easier to post my letter to photography here. Hope you enjoy it -

Dear Photography,

As I stare at this screen, I am beginning to comprehend just what you have done

to me. You are a friend, a confidant, and a contemporary. I am envious at your

strength. You have delivered me through the most difficult of times without

question. And yet you have helped me to remember some of the most joyful

times. The combination of my imagination and vision with your precision and

flexibility has literally created moments of history to be shared with all who care to

see. Such moments are not merely subjected to the frozen confines of a pose or a

portrait, but can write a memory of activity to a single frame. And while you are a

kind, understanding mate, you are also a cold, unforgiving foe whose insatiable

appetite for emotion destroys many. Your vast knowledge and infinite vision can

intimidate. What is there that you have not witnessed? You have captured

moments of hope, dismay, courage, revenge, justice, violence, love, and pain as

painfully blunt as you want. And yet you stay unwavering in your impartiality. For

these reasons, many fear you; reject you. I, however, accept you for this. Like a

delusional genius, you should not be scoffed at and dismissed, but accepted into

the fold for the visionary you truly are. For but are we not all somewhat of a

delusion? Whether it has been merely a hapless tryst or a permanent bond, you

have been there for everyone and everything. Mexico City in '68, Kent St. in '70,

Tiananmen Square in '89 and New York in '01, you have captured life-altering

images. For these examples alone cannot convey your prowess. These are but

four moments in history out of the millions upon millions to reflect upon. These

moments are not only to reflect on by an audience, but they are pieces of each

one of us. Pieces, for better or for worse, recorded for the posterity of tomorrow.

And because of these opportunities to partake in the record of society, I embrace

you. I love you. I hate you. I use you selfishly to help me through tears.

Moreover, I use you to selflessly remember the joys of others. You are a

doorway of creativity yearning to be opened, hoping to be locked behind those

who enter. I am proud to tell you that I have thrown away the key. Thus, it is just

you and I alone in the room of time. We better get to work.

Sincerely yours,

Some Casual Portraits of Katie

Katie is a friend of mine, and we went on a little mini-adventure the other day so I took some shots of her. Let me know what you think.

Hannah & Ashley

I just wanted to take the time to put up a few of my favorites from the "Volare" shoot with Hannah and Ashley Sanford. All designs are courtesy of Hannah, and makeup once again flawlessly executed by Maddy. So, here they are. The entire shoot can be seen here.

Nikki & Scott

I had the pleasure of doing a quick shoot with these newlyweds the other day. They have a great energy about them. They're funny, playful, and most importantly, wicked in love. Here's a little taste of what we came up with.

Don't Forget About Art

Just because you have a tool in your hands doesn't mean you should stop creating art; abstract or otherwise. Here's an abstract that I took the other day that I fell in love with. What do you think? Does this do anything for you? Do you love it? Hate it? Tell me peeps.

Keeping It Loose

I love doing shoots with people. They're a lot of fun. You're constantly hitting angles and changing gear. It's a little hectic and pretty fast-paced. However, I think it's important to keep a relaxed outlook on photography. Photography can serve many purposes, but catching moments is one of my favorites. Snapping pictures while hanging out with your friends can be just as fun and rewarding as being on shoots. It helps your mind open up to more and more styles and techniques. Here are a few shots I took the other day while with some of my pals. Let me know what you think!

A Few Black & White's of Cierra

So I thought I'd go ahead and share with the world a few of the black and white's from my shoot with Cierra. I did the first two with a pretty traditional tone, but pretty high contrast, and the second two I decided to give a warmer tone, almost a split tone. Let me know what you think; do you hate em, love em, wanna burn my house down they're so bad? What?

Cierra

So yesterday I did a shoot with my friend Cierra. It was a beautiful day after that crazy night of storms that you all seemed to love so much. Cierra's not a model, but you tell me whether or not she knows what she's doing in front of a camera!

85mm f/1.4

Wow. All I can say is wow. I got my 85mm f/1.4 today, and did some sample shooting with Bart out in Roseville, and all I can say is wow. This lens is a beast. It is razor sharp at any aperture. Here are a few samples to back that up. Enjoy!

My Favorites From A Busy Weekend

I had a busy weekend with the bridal shoot for Ashley Sanford, an engagement shoot for my friends Dave & Alisa, and a fashion shoot with Savannah Anderson. All three shoots went well, and each had a little something different to offer. Here are some of my favorite shots from the weekend, and as usual, the entire sets can be found here. Enjoy!