photography

Chrisman girls basketball

I took these photos before the start of their season but I completely failed to post a few examples for you all. Coach Thompson and I go way back to my early days ar Fort when we were both teachers there and it is always great to work with her teams. Last year we shot at 'the dump' which is an outdoor basketball court in independence. This year we gathered at a boxing gym in KCK called Ringside.
The bigger group shots are the whole team and the smaller group are the seniors this year.
Enjoy

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Photography resolutions

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While I am very aware that new years resolutions are often abandoned soon after february hits that doesn't mean they are a bad thing. They are goals and everyone needs goals. They give us direction and keep us dreaming. I think I will change things up a bit and focus mine to my photography resolutions this year and post them here so I can check my progress.

Here goes:
1. Shoot more often. This is first and foremost.

2. Shoot for fun much more often. I went looong spells this year without touching my camera between paid gigs. That was never my intention in this venture.

3. Network more. I need to be around, feed off of, get ideas from, and share my ideas with people who dig photography as well. I have some ideas in this space.

4. Get on the other side of the camera. This sill probably be pretty easy with my own wedding approaching.

5. Take better care of this site. I am MONTHS behind on updating my galleries on here and I got 'too busy' to post on the blog at the end of the year.

6. FOCUS! I am easily distracted and have a lot going on sometimes. There are no good excuses for not doing something you love.

7. Find a voice for this blog. No, not a narrator, but a point of view. Sometimes I am hesitant to post personal stories on here in fear that it will confuse people who view this site looking to hire me. I think it is important to hire a person, or people...not a business, so I want people to know who I am. I read somewhere once that it was a poor idea to mention photography as a hobby or side gig because it makes you seem like it's not your main focus. IT'S NOT MY MAIN FOCUS! It would be lying to say otherwise. I am proud to be a teacher and enjoy photography as well. That's how it is.

8. Teach more (photography, that is). I won't be teaching the photography summer school course I have the past few summers and have been meaning to give pam some lessons. I've also been considering talking to some folks in similar shoes as myself and maybe hosting some photowalks- anyone interested in attending?

9. Get new business cards. This has been on my to do list for some time so I thought I'd add it here.

10. Donate my time. I'd like to find more time to give.

11. Keep having fun. That's the point of it all, right?

See you all soon, folks.

Kelly & Ryan: Wedding

When I met my fiancee I had no idea how many more great people I would get to meet because of her.  Kelly and Ryan are two of those people.   With beautiful weather in late October, I had the pleasure of photographing Kelly and Ryan on their big day.  These two like to work hard and play hard and have a clear zest for life.

The day started with the guys and gals getting ready separately.  The groups joined at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish Center in Washington, MO (her hometown).  After the ceremony the wedding party enjoyed pizza and drinks at Aldo's where they watched MU struggle a bit.  At halftime it was time to travel to historic downtown Washington for some group photos.  The night ended at the Elks Center where all danced and enjoyed great food, drink, and company.      It was a fantastic day that went off without a hitch from my point of view.   I had a great time and know these two have a wonderful life ahead of them.     Enjoy.