Archive for November, 2006
Every year around the middle of November, Coeur d Alene gets a huge migration of Bald Eagles to the lake. They come every year for the salmon run and usually stay till mid Jan. For the last 3-5 years I’ve gone out and taken photos of these enormous birds. From the 1000′s of images I have of them I bet I only have 5 to 10 that I really like or show. Well, I went out this morning to go and take some shots and I was very surprised! When I got down to the lake I noticed about 10 to 15 eagles flying and fishing for food. That was the most I have ever seen this time of year. Then as I got out of the truck I began counting again. I counted 35 – 40 bald eagles either flying or sitting in the pine trees. I was thinking to myself, today is going to be a great photo day! But as usual once I start walking to my spot to shoot they all seem to fly away. I did manage to take a couple of shots which I will post below. Come back and check the blog Wednesday afternoon. We are supposed to have blue sky’s which makes for great Eagle pictures. But at the same time means freezing temperatures, probably in the low 10′s and yes that is no joke!
Keep in mind that Bald Eages heads and tail feathers don’t usually turn white until after they are 7 years old. The one on the top left above is probably 6 or just turning 7.
November 27th, 2006
Last weekend I had the pleasure to shoot Sanjay & Heather’s engagement session. This couple is so great and I can’t wait to photograph their wedding on Dec. 23rd in Seattle. We had a blast walking around downtown Seattle and to top it off the weather was great! I don’t say the word “cute” to much but Sanjay, well he was a little nervous in the begining. His reactions after public displays of affection was, or should I say “cute”. HaHa But after awhile he did finally loosen up. Here are a couple shots from the begining of the shoot.
We then decided to go into the public library, the architecture in this library is amazing! I had a short visit in the library because I didnt know we needed a photo pass. But none the less, I did get some great shots with the time that I had.
Then we decided to finish the session towards the market off of Pike Street.
November 27th, 2006
Got to make this quick. Just got my hands on an issue of Alliance Wakeboard magazine’s photo annual. There’s a shot of Chris Craig (one of my buddies) and guess who took it? That’s right…… me! So pumped and I think everyone should go and check it out! Happy Holidays to everyone!
November 22nd, 2006
Well everyone I just finished my most difficult commercial job to date. I do numerous commercial jobs for Range and of their new clients is US Silver. This company came into the Silver valley (kellogg & Wallace, ID) and bought up most of the silver mines in the area. US Silvers main goal is to keep all of their mining companies right here in the great USA. Which is great because it saves lot’s of jobs locally and all across the US.
I won’t get into all the details but I was 4600 ft below ground! Where the humidity is 100% and the temperature with all the equipment is easily over 100 degrees! You can say that when I was done there wasn’t one dry spot on my clothing! I know, its gross but these images and the experience is amazing. These guy’s are hard workers and VERY nice guys. I dont think they make them like this anymore! HaHa
So I’ll explain a little about each image. This guy is drilling HUGE bolts into the rock with what apperas to be a chopped up car bumpers for a washer (for a lack of terms). These bolts along with the chain link fence keep the rock from falling from the ceiling. They also use this drill to create holes so they can blast the ore.
Here are a couple portraits for you.
This is called diamond drilling. These guys are drilling very long holes into the core of the rock. The purpose is to pull out rock cores from this area and determine if they should continue drilling and if so which way. Once they fill a tray of rock cores, the miners bring it to the surface. Then the geologist examine each section of rock cores to determine where the silver, copper or lead is going to be. This is really amazing!
What really amazed me was all the heavy equipment way down in these mines. They bring everything down peice by peice, in these small man lifts. It’ must take them months to get one of these big loaders down the mine. Then they have these huge workshops dug out where they assemble and fix all the heavy equipment. This was the only place where it wasn’t hot!
To finish it off……. a couple of my favorite interior shots.
November 17th, 2006
Folks I want to make an announcement. After two years of trying to become a member of the Wedding Photojournalist Association, they finally allowed me in! Whats great about this association is not anyone can just join, you have to apply and meet all of their strict image and website guidelines. So thank you WPJA.
November 14th, 2006
This couple rocks (even though we started two hours late!) California. Mike and Alicia are a fun and spontaneous couple from Hunington Beach, CA and they are one of my wedding couples for neat year. These two had so much fun together, I can see why they want to finally get hitched. We crusied around San Juan Capistrano and found some great locations to shoot at. Usually I have to direct my clients quite a bit, but these two just turned it on and created some great shots. Click on their names above to see the slideshow. Thanks again Mike and Alicia and hope to see you soon!
November 13th, 2006
If anyone lives in the North Idaho Region make sure to stop by Daisy J’s in Coeur d Alene. The grand opening was on Sunday and I got a special invitation (well actually a lot of people did).The owner Jennifer Rea (whom I’ve known for years) and her fiance Ben Norwood (photographer and my good friend) opened a really cute boutique.
This store is packed with items that everyone needs for their homes. From specialty soaps to furniture this boutique has it all. Oh and if your in need of some really cool Christmas presents make sure to check them out! Here is their location,
5417 North Government Way #3
Coeur d’ Alene, ID 83815
208-765-3300
November 13th, 2006
Unless you know me personally, most of you wouldn’t know the other types of photography that I do. During the summer I shoot a lot of wakeboarding photography. I really enjoy shooting this sport, great people, friends and who doesn’t like spending time on a boat with all of your good friends?
The other day Spencer Norris from W.I.T. Productions asked if he could use one of my photos for his DVD box cover. His new DVD coming out titled “The Arrival” should be out this spring. He his a grassroots company and could use everyone’s support to get this movie to the masses. So check it out and thank you Spencer!
Here are a couple other shots from the summer.
November 13th, 2006
Last Wednesday was a day that really hit home. I received a call last week from Adrienne who wanted a lifestyle session done with her and her parents. She then went on to tell me that her mom has been diagnosed with cancer again (as she starts to cry). She said that this is her second time and that she wanted pictures with her before she losses her hair again and wondered if I had any interest in shooting this? I of course replied “it would be my honor to photograph this for you”!
We planned to go to their favorite breakfast location to reminisce over old photos of the family so they could share the memories together. After that we had planned to go for a walk in the fall colors at a local park, coffee in hand and to symbolize them as a family one last time. Adrienne (the daughter) was so ecstatic that I wanted to do this, that she must have thanked me one hundred times.
I received a phone call Monday morning from Adrienne crying. She said that we have a change of plans, my mother was readmitted into the hospital and we wouldn’t be able to go outside. She still wanted to do the shoot but it was going to have to be in the hospital. I said of course, no problem.
On my way this morning I had a lot to think about. Remembering my grandmother and other family members who died of cancer and what our family went through. I was trying to figure out how I was going to shoot this. How am I going to tell this story? How do I make a hospital room beautiful? Do they really want this knowing that these will possibly be her last photos? Will she even be awake? If not, then what do I do? After about 15 minutes of questioning myself I realized, that I need to photograph this session as if it was my mother in that bed!
The session turned out beautifully and I wanted to share it with everyone. If you have any comments please make sure to leave them.
** VIEW SLIDESHOW CLICK HERE**
November 6th, 2006
Yesterday was a sad day. One of our friends is leaving good old CDA for bigger horizons (her new husband). My friend Kibbee called and said he was going down by the lake to take some portraits of Chrissie. I asked if I could tag along and he said sure. Keep in mind it was about 25 degree’s without the wind chill. But she was a trooper and just carried on with our request….
After shooting for about 30 minutes I could barely feel my hands. Then realizing that my camera and lens are made out of metal (DUH) I decided to call it quits. Best of luck to your Chrissie!
November 2nd, 2006