Reverse Osmosis

Embarrassingly, it's been a solid month since my last blog post. In that time I have shot 15 assignments...homeless shelters, dental schools, weddings, hospitals.... and have not been good about keeping the blog up-to-date. As time marches on I become uncertain about how to catch up and start to feel over-whelmed.

I am sitting on this bag of work and I have decided to let it slowly leak out in reverse chronology beginning with the assignment I shot today for St Paul Academy. SPA, has engaged teachers and students, which makes it easy for me. Frequently, I find myself in shoots where I must encourage interaction to get results. At SPA it is happening everywhere.

Baltimore

Some images from The "Helping-Up" Mission in Baltimore, where I worked last Thursday.

York, PA

I'm in the middle of a nice string of assignments. Last week I was in York, PA and Baltimore, MD working for local missions.

Whenever possible, I will ask permission before I photograph someone. The people were all so very kind and most everyone worked with me allowing me to make the photos.

When I am able to do similar projects like this together, the work becomes more fluid. A rhythm or beat develops. Having to carry my gear all day long, it is very important that it is accessible and becomes second-nature. This then allows me to be able to focus on the people. (no pun intended). That is what really matters.

Next week I will travel to Raleigh/Durham for work at another Mission and for the Salvation Army.

Wedding Anticipation

Last Friday, I shot this minutes before the ceremony on a beautiful summer evening.

The moments just before the wedding are filled with a great deal of emotion...often times more than the ceremony itself. Here, from a 2nd story window, the bride watches her guests arrive and take their seats. Once the ceremony begins you can feel a sense of relief and calm take over.

The Twins Win!

After tabulating the vote results for the cover of my "Uniques" book ...the Twins won, but it was so very close. Only 3 votes separating the top 2. Seems fitting, being from Minnesota, that it was the Twins that came out ahead.

Three of the images received 75% of the total votes. Many expressed difficulty in choosing just one and it was even suggested that I should have had runoff voting. (A good idea Jean). Some even opted to vote for 2 images, in which case I split the vote.

Thanks for all who helped with your opinions and insightful comments. I learned new things about the photos that had never occurred to me.

After the Holiday break, I will finish up the book and get it on-line...will keep you posted.

Fashion Show Theater

Found myself working for Nordstrom at the Mall of America shooting a fashion show. It was a benefit for Starkey Foundation who I have worked with in the past.

I have not shot a fashion show since the old days back in LA. It certainly is a different world than the one I find myself in, but I must concede that it was a visual feast.

Good News From MRAC

Yesterday, I was notified that my MRAC (Metropolitan Regional Arts Council) Grant Application was approved. I will be photographing elder citizens and combining their words with their images, similar to my "Unique" series. It will culminate in a exhibit at Hennepin County Medical Center in 2012 and a Blurb Book. It is really nice to be able to do a project that is meaningful to me (and hopefully others) and get it funded. So I got that going for me....which is nice.