Eurpoean Kerouac

My son Ben continues his jaunt across Europe. I am so jealous. How many of you would like to put on a backpack and just go for 2 months, riding trains and walking all over Europe? Since his last update, he's been to Poland, Hungary, then Paris, Amsterdam and now he is wrapping up his trip in Germany - soon to fly home. I can't wait to hear of his adventures. Here are a few photos from his latest postings. He's thinking of spending a semester abroad studying. Hmmm, I think Lisa and I will have to go visit him. The photo of Ben with the young children is from his stop to visit our friends -Susan & Christof, who live outside of Zurich.

ONE Campaign & Bono

One of the cool things about Apple Computer is iTunes and the new video iPod, I just downloaded the free episode featuring Bono in Africa with Brian Williams. Bono is one of my heroes of the new millenium. He combines his rock star status with a humanitarian program called the One campaign. The One campaign seeks to eliminate poverty on a world wide basis. Having traveled to both Africa and Central America, especially Honduras, I can attest to the world woide poverty needs. In fact, I am heading back to Honduras in August.

Part of my contribution to the One campaign is to donate $100 (sometimes more) from every wedding to projects that seek to reduce poverty on a global and local basis. The contributions go to three different organizations: The One campaign, a project in Yuscaran, Honduras and a local homeless shelter. It's a small give back act that's helping to make a difference.

Check out itunes, and download the program with Bono.

The International Blog

It's hard to believe who reads this Blog - People from all over the States, but also, check out this Map. (Click on it to enlarge) The Philipines, Poland, Canada, Great Britain, Norway, South America, The Middle East, Australia, in fact, that blip in the middle of Australia - I mean isn't that in the middle of nowhere. Who are all these people.

A New perspective

The Wall Street Journal had an article this past week on Photojournailistic Style Wedding Photography. The problem was the author got the concept all wrong. If you read the article, you'd think it was Paparrazzi and Skin. He implied that Photojournalistic Wedding Photography is all about photographing half naked brides as they are getting ready. I'd like to know who he's been talking to. Typically, Emily, Lisa or Shawn (a She) are with the brides when they are getting ready. These women are always discreet, and we are always careful when we edit the photographs. But, why would we cover the getting ready portion of the day anyway? These images should answer that question. It's all part of the day, and helps to tell the story

Update from Salzburg

As you know, if you've read below, my son Ben is traveling in Europe this summer. He has made it from Florence, Italy across Austria to Switzerland where he visited with friends of ours outside of Zurich. The latest report is that he is in Salzburg, heading for Prague, in the Czech Republic. A few of his photos from Italy are above. I love his sense of humor in the Private Residential area, obviously a sign painted by a homeowner hoping to deter people from walking on their roof. Ben captured someone deciding it didn't apply to him.

Yelena & Jonathon

I just love this image from their wedding this spring. And it was totally spontaneous. Lisa and I were photographing together, and Yelena & Jonathon had a very spontaneous first glance, when they saw each other before the ceremony. It was wonderfully romantic, and they walked over by this window and ...well, there it is - I simply turned it to Black & White.

I wish more couple would see each other before the ceremony. It's actually more romantic than during the long walk down the aisle with 150 people looking at you. Why not take 10 minutes a half hour before the ceremony to see each other alone, privately. You can really be yourself - and enjoy the moment.