When I'm 92 . . .

I've always had a fondness for those who lives were about 30 - 40 years ahead of mine. There's something about their life experiences and their diplomatic, courteous ways. It was a generation that was buffalo-like. By that I mean, when a storm brewed up in their life, they put their head down and simply walked right into it, head on, and came out the other side a better person for it. So when a client of mine asked me to create some portraits of her parents, who now reside in a nursing home, I was elated!

Everett is 92 and he acts and talks like a man 20 years his junior. His brain is as flexible as a Cirque du Soleil performer! As you can tell, his eyes brighten right up and his smile is infectious. A laugh is always at the ready, and so it was a relaxing time I spent with he and his wife Eva. The images I made will become family mementos for their adult children.

As I look at the image, I wonder why I'm not asked to do this more often? Is it an age thing? Do people think that beauty stops at a certain age? Perhaps the lesson is to not put off having your family portrait made. I know my client is glad that she did this before more changes occur.

We all get old but our inner beauty ALWAYS shines through and that's what endears us to one another.

FAST Cyclists!

Today I worked on a number of shots to get to my stock house in Milwaukee. So I had to post a few more cycling shots from this weekend. Sports photography is fun for me. It gives me an opportunity to PLAY with my camera, flashes and various settings and then even more magic happens when I digitally enhance the image. My friend, Tony Sweet, told us in his Smokies workshop that your success with photography will depend upon what you can do with the image AFTER it's captured. I agree wholeheartedly with his assessment.

This image, which was rather ordinary right out of the camera, came to life after a little digital manipulation. I guess learning various software programs and their updates has paid off! Who needs crossword puzzles to keep the grey matter active? I've got software programs that stretch my neurons!

When I made the image, I was close to the riders and could feel the wind blow by me as they rounded the corner. Can you feel it too?

Cycling Techniques

Wow! Did I have fun last night at the Downer Classic cycling race! Took my new Honl system out for a spin and just played with some shots I had envisioned, as the hunky, heavily muscled cyclists zoomed around the Downer Ave. neighborhood. People have lawn parties and watch the racers blur by. If they drink a little too much, they probably really see the blur! As I walked around the course I ran into about 20 people I know. So it's a fun, summer evening for visiting and taking in a great cycling event. Did I mention that it's free?

So I share with you a few images that I liked from my experimentation. I love the Nikon wireless flash system - so versatile and lightweight. While I hand held these or hand someone hold the Honl snooted flash for me, the successes came when the flash was pointed dead on a cyclist I was attempting to capture. The blur was all fast panning with a shutter speed of about 1/15th of a second.

Another cycling event is due on Downer Ave. the third Sat. evening in July. Stay tuned!

Love You Could Feel

This week I've been honored to photograph LBGT families (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender) for the Gay Neighbor Campaign. It's a local campaign, sponsored by the Cream City Foundation, that fosters support and awareness of LGBT families in the greater Milwaukee area. You will see these images on billboards in the Milwaukee Metro area later this summer.

All of the families were fun to work with but I was proud as they shared why they thought is was important for them to be personally involved in this campaign. They have heartwarming stories to share about their lives and while these recent stories are not yet posted, you can read other stories at www.gayneighbor.org

One family, in particular, moved me. It is this family with a transgender member. As you might know, transgender youth suffer high rates of homelessness and abandonment by their families. Those that make it through their transitions show some of the highest levels of resilience and self-esteem. Family support is paramount in this process.

The patriarch of the family spoke little during my time with him, but when the family was asked about their reaction to Betty's announcement, her father spoke with an honest strength that "this was our child and we could only choose to show love and support for our child." When you look at this photo, I think you can actually FEEL this love for one another!

Beach Days

It was just 2 weeks ago when the temps. were 50-55 and we were groaning about how cool it was. Today the air conditioning is on and I'm thankful I've got it! Sticky weather - where even the grass I cut this morning stuck to my legs.

Bradford Beach was jumping yesterday; where a slight lake breeze made living near the lake a blessing. So if you're a high school senior, hanging out on the beach today, or a parent, inside working, here's a shot to cool you off. Just pretend that glass of water you're drinking is a Pina Colada and you're all set for the beach.

Waikiki Beach, Hawaii

Found Objects

There's a number of things in my studio that I've put to use after finding them along the street, while walking the dogs. Placed out near the curb for garbage pickup, I've come across an old steamer truck that I now use. Dogs and kids have sat atop it, with its brown, rusty locks and leather straps. Who knows where that trunk has traveled in its past?

It's fun when you discover a new "treasure" because it's serendipitous and unexpected! Yesterday brought another one of those kinds of finds. As I turned the corner of Downer and Bradford, I noticed the yellow, green, and red covers that make up a stop light. I breezed by and then started thinking "what could I do with those?" In military style, I quickly wheeled the dogs around and went about inspecting them. All the stoplights were covered so I picked them up and walked them home.

This morning, I discovered that I guessed right! These stop lights fit over my 7" dish reflector that fits on my studio lights. Turning the light to modeling, I photographed the three colors and found various patterns that intrigued me. Then I took them outside to catch some natural light. These patterns are going to make some wonderful parts to digital backgrounds! This one looks like a honeycomb. So besides being great companions, my dogs help me find great useful items!

Harnessing the Wind

Last week I was home visiting my mom in western, upstate New York, in my hometown of Wayland. I had a great time with her as I limbed trees, painted an old metal shed, moved some dirt, etc. I like to work and it felt good to help her get some things done that she didn't have to hire out. In turn, she cooked for me! There's nothing better than having your mom cook for you!

When the rain came in and took us inside, we decided to drive around and deliver a home-made German coffee cake (Kuchen). This is the real deal folks! The recipe's handed down from my German side of the family. At Christmas, mom makes about 6 of these and they are gone in 2 days.

Wayland is situated in a high valley, surrounded by rolling hills that are left from the giant Wisconsin Glacier. Yes, it extended way over into New York state. This is great land for growing potatoes and many an acre is now covered in potato plants destined for the chip industry. Another new development around the area is a large wind tower farm, with towers located on some high hills outside of town. I counted 42 towers from a spot where we sat!

A storm had come through the area and heavy, grey clouds were almost touching the tips of these 200 foot towers. This image, car door supported multi-exposure, shows the towers spinning and the lay of land atop one of the area's hills. The landscape here soothes my soul, even on a cloudy day!