A New Image?

Sometimes people see my photo in the bio section, then meet me, and say, "wow, you're nicer than I expected." I'll learn that they saw my photo on this web site, and it's sending the wrong message. So I think I need to update it with a different one. Both were taken by Tim kelly, who is one of the countries most renowned portraitists. He's in Florida, but I studied with him last year in preparation for doing more portrait work. Both portraits reflect a different side of my personality, one serious and the other friendly. Maybe I'll just put both up, and say, pick either Dr. Jeckl or Mr. Hyde.

Oh, and here's a fun one. At one of my most recent weddings, my truck died in route to the brides house. Just died, no warning, caput on the road. I pulled over and coasted into a side street. I then took a cab to her house, road in the limo with them until my assistant picked me up. I figured I'd photograph the wedding, and then deal with the truck later. One of the bridesmaids was so impressed, she told me, that at her wedding the photographer had something come up in the middle of the day, and he just left. She thought it was really professional that I put the wedding first. I thought it was just common sense, but I guess common sense isn't so common. So this week, I've got to get the truck, and guess what. Sell it! I need new wheels.

Traveling in Greece

Well, I am intensely jealous of my son, Benjamin. At age 19, he is traveling with a backpack throughout europe for 2 months. trains, buses and alot of walking. What an experience. I did it myself when I was 20 after my second year in college, now he is off. He's in Rome this week, but started out in Greece. He posted a few photos for us to view. In the photo of the three, he's the one on the left. The guy in the center is some kind of guard in Athens, I'm not sure who the fello on the right is - image must have been taken by someone he met along the way.

What's the deal with the Map?

I learned about this new site, via David Jay, where you can generate a Map of all the places around the known universe of people that visit your Blog. SO I decided to check it out. It take 24 hours before it starts to register. And, I'll leave it up for a week to test it out.

I know my internal tracking shows hits from all over the world, including the Seychilles. Isn't that off the coast of Africa. Of course, some of the hits are from those automatic computers that are scanning web sites for email addresses for SPAMMIng. If you have your own web site, you know what I mean, I get over 100 SPAMs per day.

Anyway, we'll see how this goes. Don't worry it's not reading your computer, it just reads the location of your ISP. SO if you are on Comcast it reads the location of the server, say, in Langely, Virginia. Hmmmmm?

Map

Print Collage

I've been doing print collages for years, but I just started doing them for my Children's Portrait work...and wow! These are so cool. The above is for Annamarie. She wanted a large 11x14 collage. She choose the images from our photo session this past winter. I just got through printing the 11x14. This looks so good in a large print. People also use them on holiday gift cards, but the big print is very impressive. I'm thinking it would be so cool in a 16x20 or even a 30x40 or a 40x60. Wow, what about on a billboard. Chill, Jim. Oh, ah, back to reality. I guess it's late and time to go to bed.

Walk for the Homeless

On Sunday our church was part of the Walk for the homeless event in Rhode Island. About 100 people are walking from Westerly to Providence to raise awareness about the increasing homelessness and the need for affordable housing. My wife walked on Sunday and Monday. On Sunday night the walkers stayed overnight at our church, and we had a meal and worship celebration that included every church in town. It was very cool. If you live in Rhode Island, call or e-mail your State representative to support the $75 million bond issue to build affordable housing throughout the state.

Megan Kelley

Since this Blog is getting read by more and more people (thanks for all the positive feedback) I am increasingly aware that people are reading it for ideas. I met Megan Kelley this week, and look forward to her and Dan's wedding next year - it sounds like an awesome event. Megan is a hairstylist in Boston, but not just any kind of hair stylist. She's been vote Boston's Best. Check out her web site at www.bostoncolorist.com. Megan's been all over the country and Europe. Check it out.

The Purple Cow

I've just finished reading two books by Seth godin, notably The Purple Cow. Wow, great stuff. basically it's all about how the huge advertising machine is collapsing (TV, slick magazine ads, etc) and being replaced with...having a remarkable product, word of mouth marketing and customer service. Sounds like a form of evangelism to me - but then Guy Kawasaki wrote about that years ago, and, well, someone else had the idea a while before that. Anyway, if you are in business, business of any kind - his books are a great read. It's changing the way I think about all this stuff.

Death Valley

I am finally getting around to editing my photographs from my trip to Death Valley. If you go to the personal work section of my web site you can see more. This is sunrise at Zabriskie point. Death Valley is one of the most amazing places in the world. You might think, how interesting can the desert be? The desert is so calm, so quiet, so peaceful. For me it's a spiritual experience to just be there. I can go out into those sand dunes and just sit for hours. Yes, hours.

But, you gotta go at the right time. Last year I was there in early May and it was cloudy and nice, this year it was 107 in the day time. Wow. Best time is in the Winter and early Spring.

Lourdes

Lourdes and Tyler had a great wedding. We were at Brown University, and I saw this gigantic stone structure that had engraved the phrase "Love is Strong as Death." So I brought them over to the doorway. Plus I love the dress with the Blue Tone effect. It was a downpour as the skies opened up just after we finished the photographs before the ceremony. Lourdes family is Cuban and Tyler's is Irish. I got to test out my Spanish as the ceremony was bi-lingual.

A Reunion of Sorts

While in California, I hooked up with Zen & Todd Honeycutt, whose wedding I photographed over 7 years ago. It was great to see them, and their two kids Ben & Bodie. We did photos on the beach at Laguna Beach. It's so great to reconnect with people years later to see how life has unfolded for them. Check out Zen's new business venture www.zenspurplegarden.com.

Sunshine

Since I am out in California visiting my mom, part of the time is seeing old photos of our family life. She found this one of me and our Golden Retriever, Sunshine circa 1970/71. I remember naming Sunshine. We all had suggestions, and I was thinking how hungry I was during the family discussion of names. I thought of those sunrise cookies that we used to have around the house as a kid, so I just said the closest thing that came to mind. "Sunshine" Everyone thought it was a good name, we called her Sunshine, and then I ran to the kitchen and got something to eat.

California & Purple Cows

I am currently in California for a week visiting my Mom. On Saturday we head to Death Valley for four days. The temperature could be as hot as 100 degrees. But, I plan to be up early for the great light at sunrise. Death Valley is one of those places you either love or...you'll never go back. I find it amazing. The best time of year is in march, but, well, I'm here in May. I'll post photos upon return.

My new reading list includes Purple Cow by Seth Godin. If you are in business, heck, if you are in life, it's an awesome read. Basically, the idea is about making experiences Remarkable. It's filled with short anecdotes, drawings and funky little doodads, all designed to drive home the point - don't be boring. Experiment, Innovate. I'm dreaming, thinking of new ideas. It's fun to get some R n R to dream again. I'll keep you posted.