Looking back on 2010...

Happy New Year everyone!


It's been a long time since I did a blog posting.  I resolve to create posts more often in 2011.  I must admit that I'm not real fond of writing.  It reminds me of having to do homework, and I hated doing homework.  I need to get over that before old age and senility sets in, because I really want to use this forum as a way to share my photography.  My kids will probably tell you that senility has already set in, but I guess that's a topic for another day.  Oh, and my kids will probably tell you that senility has... wait, I just said that... 


Anyway, I was thinking about some of my favorite shoots in 2010.  I got to meet and photograph a few seniors; hopefully we'll get the opportunity to shoot a few more in 2011.  Seniors have an energy and passion all their own, and it's really fun to be around them.  


However, looking back, I think I had the most fun, getting to know Megan and Jordan.  We had the privilege of shooting their engagement photos and their Halloween wedding.  I think that was one of the really cool things; it's not very often you get to shoot a wedding on Halloween.  They really did it up first class, and they made us feel as if we were part of the family.  We had a blast!  


We shot their engagement photos at Red Rocks, and on the CU campus.  The reception was a Mile High Station which is very old and historic in it's own right.  


Here are a few of my favorite images of Jordan and Megan... 

Chad's Senior Shoot at the Haunted Silo

It's been a busy summer!  We shot Katie's senior portraits back in July:



Katie helped us schedule her boyfriend, Chad, for senior portraits as well.  It took two rainouts; but we were finally able to shoot his portrait last week.

As we were driving up to Brighton we were in yet another downpour.  But, by the time we were able to shoot, the sky had cleared and things were starting to dry out a bit.  We picked an old abandoned silo facility right next to the highway between Brighton and Fort Lupton.  Apparently it's been abandoned for approximately 20 years; the windows are all broken out, there's graffiti everywhere and some say it's even haunted.  OK... I just made that part up, but you get the picture.  It was kind of creepy, but we managed to get some good images, before Fort Lupton's finest showed up with lights flashing.  It seems that someone reported a possible vandalism in progress.  No worries.  We were starting to lose light anyway.  The officer actually ended up thanking us for giving him the opportunity to turn on his lights and siren.  He was soon joined by a Weld County Sheriff's deputy who explained that he had jurisdiction, and that we would have to leave.

So, with fond memories of my truck catching fire at my own senior portrait shoot (a pretty long time ago...), we packed it in for the night.  Chad will always remember his senior pictures, and the evening we overcame the hazards of the haunted silo to take his portrait.    

Here are a few of his images:

 

Senior Twins

I am so bad at remembering names!  When I meet someone new, I usually will try to make a conscious effort to either use their name within the first 5 minutes, or try to associate something with their name in my head.  I actually have become pretty good at this.  However, I recently discovered that my little tricks at remembering become useless when you're photographing identical twins.

Meet Alyssa and Marissa.  They are twin sisters, and members of the class of 2011 at Arvada West High School.  I had no problem remembering their names.  The problem came in when I tried to remember which twin was who.  I immediately noticed that Alyssa had some piercings, so I thought that would be a good way to identify her.  So much for that idea!  It didn't quite work out that way.  I think they found it amusing when I continually addressed each one by the other one's name.

Twins are really fun to shoot!  We found good images in Olde Town and the local railroad tracks, as well as the soccer fields at Stenger.  Their personalities were amazing; it was really fun to discover how alike they seem to be, yet how subtly different they are.  

It's Senior Season!

I've been having a blast shooting seniors lately!  Their energy is so contagious, and you've gotta love that late afternoon Colorado light.  You can bounce it and diffuse it to your hearts desire!  Here are a couple of my recent shoots.

We headed out to Brighton for these shots of Katie.  She's a high achiever and has been elected Student Body President for her senior year.  She's bright and beautiful (er... Brighton beautiful?), and was a natural to photograph.

We also had the joy of shooting Kelsey's images.  She goes to Arvada West and knew of a great park with a lake that was tucked away in the heart of Arvada.   I've been by that neighborhood a million times and never knew it was there.  We managed to get some good images of her and Buster, one of her two Pomeranians... 

   

Portable Studio

It's been awhile since I posted anything.  I'll have to be more diligent about getting images up here.  With all stuff going on in our lives, it's so easy to forget about the blog, and just post an image or two on Facebook.  

We had a blast last Saturday night over at my old friend, Doug's house.  Doug and I go back to 8th grade; he's been a buddy of mine for most of my life.  Doug is the owner of Alpine Printing www.alpineprinting.net in Arvada.  He's been looking for a few images for his website, so we set up an impromptu studio session in his basement.  We shot about a hundred images, ate some food, and drank a little wine.  Of course, I have  lots of ideas for our next session.  We'll try to squeeze that in, sometime in the next few weeks or so...


Here are a few from Saturday night.  

Equine Photography

I am getting very excited to shoot some wild horses!  Photos, that is... no need for PETA to get their feathers all ruffled up here!  My better half has turned me on to an organization that specializes in equine photography.  It should be no suprise; it seems like there's an organization to promote just about any type of photography.  


Their website is equinephotographers.org, and they have some fun looking workshops coming up.  In May, they are presenting their "8th Annual EPNet Spring Workshop: Colorado Cowboys and Great American Horse Drive" in Craig, Colorado.  The workshop will provide an opportunity to photograph the "Great American Horse Drive" which features approximately 800 horses.  It is the largest horse drive in the country, covering a 60 mile route to the home ranch over two days.  There will also be opportunities to set up photo shoots with working cowboys, portfolio reviews and guest speakers.  Also reps from Nikon will be there with equipment for the attendees to try out.  Hmmm... think long fast glass... 


I know Lucy would love to go if we can swing it.  If not, we could always go find the wild Mustang herds on our own (I know where they are...).  In the meantime here's one of the images that I shot at the barn on Monday while Gracie and Lucy were spending quality time together...