Last week, I spent a day in the lovely little town of Kyle, Texas with 9 other photographers. We were at the studio of the talented photographer, Clayton Austin, as hosted his “Share the Goodness” workshop. It was a great experience, full of knowledge sharing, inspiration, plenty of discussion and a few laughs (thanks to the awesome white sangria). We had a short live shoot with Sarah and Daniel in the late afternoon. Here’s some images I shot under the big oak tree with my 50mm 1.4 lens and my 85mm 2.8 tilt-shift lens. I also shot some images with my iPhone in and around town.
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We’re in central Mexico visiting our casa in Mineral de Pozos. We went for a walk as the sun went down on our little pueblo magico. Pozos is a visual feast for photographers as you can see from these images that were all taken last evening during our stroll. So many scenes in just one walking loop – there are many more to explore. I can’t wait to host photography retreats here.
Hasta luego!
I really enjoy being witness to special cultural rituals and being asked to photograph the family celebration of little Raiya’s Annaprasan was truly an honor and pleasure for me.
An Annaprasan is a Hindu rite of passage to celebrate an infant’s first intake of food other than milk. It is a big occasion for celebration, and extended family, friends and neighbors celebrated with the family.
Raiya’s grandmother prepared a small bowl of rice-based food and little Raiya’s uncle fed her a small spoonful. Other members of the family then took turns to give her a taste. The feeding ceremony also included a game, in which Raiya was presented with a tray containing a number of objects. These included a bangle or jewel, a book, a pen, coins and other items. Raiya’s future direction and prospects in life are indicated by the object which she preferred to hold and play with.
This event took a lot of planning and effort by Anamita, her family and friends. Raiya’s big brother and sister were actively involved in the planning and activities throughout the event. Thank you Anamita and family for trusting in me to capture the special moments of Raiya’s Annaprasan.
We will miss this place, we call “The Yeller House”, when it becomes home for another lucky person. Our pretty house in the Texas Hill Country is on the market. The MLS listing has all of the standard photos. But, I wanted to share some of the more artsy photos I’ve taken of our house over the years.
Jason, a friend and co-worker recently had his first child, a little girl they named Harper. We’re all so excited for Jason and his lovely wife, Jenna. This child is so beautiful and is so loved. I’m honored to have been chosen to take the newborn photos of little Harper. She’s my youngest subject to date at a mere 9 days old. Welcome to the world, sweet Harper!
I was very pleased when I got a note from Julie requesting that I take their family photographs. Her husband, Jonathan, is also a photographer (he takes amazing shots of bands performing, especially at SXSW). He’s often photographing his family but Julie mentioned that Jon is often behind the camera rather than in front of it (I can relate). I consider Jonathan and Julie dear friends and I’ve worked with Jonathan for many years (we’re cube neighbors). I hope these images have captured the beautiful spirit of their sweet family. Happy Mother’s Day, Julie!!
I got the opportunity to take part in a styled shoot at the Eldorado Dry Lake Bed not far from Las Vegas. This was part of a workshop that I attended while also attending the WPPI conference. I learned a lot during that week and had the pleasure of sharing war stories with photographers, Denise and Tonya, while traveling to the shoot.
The models, Jessica and Brandon, were a lovely real-life married couple from Canada and the shoot was styled by Every Last Detail. It was magical shooting as the sun set….
Photographing wildflowers during springtime in the Texas hill country has become an annual tradition for me. After the drought last year, Mother Nature made a splendid recovery by gracing us with soothing rains and a bounty of colorful wildflowers. This is one reason why we made our home in the Texas hill country.
Here’s a small set of images taken near New Berlin, TX.
I’m celebrating St. Patrick’s day by revisiting the photo archives of my trip to Ireland. I’d love to go back and take a long trip through the Irish countryside again
“Love Is A Great Thing”
Love is a great thing, yea, a great and thorough good. By itself it makes that is heavy light; and it bears evenly all that is uneven.
It carries a burden which is no burden; it will not be kept back by anything low and mean; it desires to be free from all wordly affections, and not to be entangled by any outward prosperity, or by any adversity subdued.
Love feels no burden, thinks nothing of trouble, attempts what is above its strength, pleads no excuse of impossibility. It is therefore able to undertake all things, and it completes many things, and warrants them to take effect, where he who does not love would faint and lie down.
Though weary, it is not tired; though pressed it is not straitened; though alarmed, it is not confounded; but as a living flame it forces itself upwards and securely passes through all.
Love is active and sincere, courageous, patient, faithful, prudent and manly.
— by Thomas à Kempis
Many congratulations to Shawn and Josh on their engagement and upcoming wedding in New Hampshire. I’m so happy they’ve found each other. I was honored to be the one to photograph them and capture the magic of their relationship.