Snow in the Mountain West

Here on the front range of the Rocky Mountains we awoke to falling snow, all - day - long. Only the second significant snowfall this winter. Shoot, two weeks ago I was on a motorcycle ride into the foothills with a few of my riding buddies.
What do we love to do in a snow storm? Head out for groceries. While everyone else is at home watching Law and Order reruns, blankets and snuggies engaged, my wife and I glove and boot it to the local market. One lane open, no waiting. The snow plow guys were out in force happy to finally make some dough and pay the mortgage. AND -  we really needed to get to Wendy's to cash in our Eagles Hockey tickets for the 6 goal - one gets you three from the value menu. You could hear the crowd heckling the Mudbugs goalie to give up one more for our free Wendy's. Three movies from the Redbox, burger wrappers crunched up on the coffee table, and we had a nice afternoon. Wife and kids are rooting for a snow day tomorrow. We'll see,  the grinning plow drivers may dash our hopes.

Local Band

A friend of mine has a couple kids in a band. I saw on Facebook they were making band photos with a point and shoot approach. I wanted them to have something better to promote with, so we got together a couple times coming up with these photographs. They started out a little nervous and stiff, but loosened up as we went, starting to have fun and pitch their own ideas as well. The band? Fourdefyed.

Motorcyclist Shoot

On a cloudy February morning, I gathered together a few Motorcyclists in a parking garage for some MotoPortrait fun. These guy's rode their bikes in 35 degree Weather to get there while I traveled in a loaded SUV sitting on a heated seat. We spent about 3 hours designing and shooting for Wall Portraits. The experience has reiterated the need for a knowledgeable assistant. I probably could have gotten these guys back on the road an hour earlier had I not been solo. Good collaboration netted some nice results. I love the cold warm look of the structure and the coolness just oozing out of the guys.

Headshot Design

A good headshot is a valuable marketing tool. Send a message. Project an image. Plant a thought. Who you are, what you're like. What message do you want to send? Trustworthy - Reliable - Professional - Wise - Friendly - Helpful - Teacher - Leader - Funny - Fit - Good looking - Unusual - the choice is yours. Your headshot can make that impression. Don't just have your picture taken. Have your image made. Facebook, Twitter, your Blog, Website. Put yourself out there in a designed photograph. You are the only you, sell it.

Relationships

Relationships make the world go round. It's the people in our life that make it worth the effort we put in to it all.. I'll make a photograph in a way that showcases the importance of the people in your life. Our Black and Whit Relationship Series photographs tug on you heart strings. Big beautiful images of relational simplicity. You can feel the connection, the love, the friendship. Capturing your family this way makes beautiful wall art for your home.

What if you could have a portrait of you and your child that visually tells the story of your relationship. Have you ever watched a father with his kids when you could see the tie they have together? You've seen a mother with her children, you know the way she loves them, dreams for them. What If you could see this in a portrait capturing that relationship? We would love to make this artfull memory for you.

Help-Portrait- Photographers giving

Our community of photographers just finished the local rendition of a World-Wide movement Called Help-Portrait. On December 12th 2009 portrait photographers all over the world gathered in their communities to photograph families and individuals that otherwise might never have a nicely made portrait of themselves. Here in Fort Collins about 15 photographers and another 15 or so volunteers joined together at Every Day Joe's Coffee House and spent the day making pictures. 8x10 prints will be provided to all the familes that came out to enjoy a small part of their day with us. Giving back feels good, and as a bonus, friendships have been made within the photographic community. I teamed up with Brent Yoder (Capturesqe Photography) from 8 to 1:30. When I left for another commitment, Matt Dickstein (duke PHOTO) took my place with Brent to finish out the day till 5:30 PM. I want to thank Brent for his long day of hard work. Thank you to Sarah Boyd (PHOTO DENOVO) for organizing the Fort Collins event, and for managing a herd of photog's throughout the day.

Father and Daughter

For some years we've been invited to make portraits at an annual Father Daughter event. Dad's spend an evening with their daughter making crafts, playing games and such. A hectic adult world plays against simple time with your kids. Here's Dad's chance. A few days after, he receives a nice portrait with his little girl. One for their family history. How often does a dad get a portrait with his daughter? Some opt not to sit for a portrait. I can't imagine. The discounted price $10. I... can't imagine.

Some of the years past, the organizers wanted to do the background and propping. Other years they leave it to me. I usually go for a clean and simple portrait letting their clothing or costumes represent the theme of the year. This year I put a bit of our relationship style in, to provide something more treasured. I ended up conceding on my B&W standard for this, as we have no control over the clothing-some themed and some quite colorful- I instead opted for color photographs.

I used an old Ed Pierce signature Westcott halo as a main light camera left (which covered me with silver glitter - the silver inside is flaking away). A ringlight for fill, a striplight for a little rim from high and behind subjects camera right, and a studio strobe behind the subjects for a background light.

Some of these families I've photographed for years, the girls change while their dads stay the same, the nature of youth. Children grow up. Become young women. Go to college. Get a job. These portraits are the memories of their sweet youth.