My most important photography assignment to date!

Today, I worked as a second shooter to an up-and-coming photographer who has admired my work for the last few years.  Actually, he thinks that I am one of the best photographers in world, but has reminded me on more than one occasion that my job is actually to be the world’s best dad also.  The morning was spent with my seven-year-old son, Christopher.  Christopher has, on more than one occasion, picked up a camera and taken some great shots.  I want him to enjoy shooting and feel at one with his camera.  I want him to have the confidence that many of todays photographer’s lack.  At the same time, I want him to see the qualities that some other photographers have to help others.  Photographers like Mark Eric, Susan Stevison, and Azar, who actually love to advise, mentor, teach, and give back - that’s who I want Christopher to look up to and admire.  Not like others that I won’t mention who are mean-spirited and arrogant.  From my standpoint, these guys are bad for the business.  There is certainly enough work to keep us all as busy as we want to be without trying to hurt each other with pettiness and lame stunts!  Well, off of that soap box!

Christopher and I went to the Alexandria Zoo and started out on what he called his Safari. I let him shoot what he wanted, how he wanted and answered any questions that he had.

Indian Creek 2008

Brad Colwell you are the man. When others left you short staffed for the race you made it happen. I am truly honored to call you my friend. Congrats to all the participants on a great race. Enjoy the highlight video below.

Crossroads Cup 2008

This was our first year to shoot the Crossroads Cup and we were honored that we were asked.  This is not our first rodeo and I have to say that I was impressed with the fact that every game that we shot started on time.  The one disappointment was the weather.  It rained most of the night before and the edges of the fields were just sloppy.  As a kid I enjoyed the mud, but as an adult I don’t enjoy it that much. I left home in a summer microfiber shirt and shorts. . . . . . that was a mistake.  It was cold and windy.  I thought I would tough it out, but by lunch I had given up on being tough.  I had to run home and while I was there I put on a long sleeve shirt and warm-ups.

I had a great time and met some really nice folks from all over the state.  I even got to see my long time friend Houston Jones, from Lake Charles.

Well despite the weather being overcast and cold for the entire day we had a blast.  I have put up a couple of pictures that I think sums up the day.

 

Get your head in the game!

Real Louisiana Mudbugs!

It’s Hammer Time!

I had the fortune of shooting the first hammer time bike trial last Thursday, and I just haven’t gotten around to posting anything about it.  Run Wild put it on and it was the first time trial that I had ever been to.  It started raining and then I had to deal with some low light conditions but overall, I did OK.  Below are a couple of pics and a slide show for you entertainment.

 

The Recital!

On Wednesday of this week I agreed to go and photo a dance recital for “Steps by Stephanie“.  I had met Stephanie on several other occasions and we had discussed my daughter starting the “Tapping Tots” class next year.  None the less she made contact with me and at basically the last minute I agreed to shoot the recital for her.  I really like what she does with her program  and her kids seem to just love her to death.  The kids did a great job with their recital and congratulations to all participants.

We did receive an email that was just mean spirited from a grandmother that accused me of a bunch of stuff that wasn’t true and we did respond.  The funniest thing was she was mad at me because she couldn’t take pictures because I was there.  What she didn’t realize was that I didn’t make the rule and it only said no flash photography. I personally don’t care if someone shoots photos when I am at an event.  I have even helped parents get into a better position to take a photo of their child.  I do what I do and if you like it, the you can buy it! If you don’t like it, then enjoy looking at the photos. Makes you realize why nobody likes to shoot the events like these.  Well I am going to keep taking photos at events.  See you at your next event!

2007 Rapides Junior Runners Championship Race

For the last 4 or 5 years  I have been involved with a junior running club called the Rapides Junior Runners.  From all account of several sources this is one of the largest kids running clubs in the United States.  This allows me to work with some awesome individuals who give of their time so that kids will have another avenue of seeking a healthy lifestyle.  They offer 5 races throughout the year and every kid that crosses the finish line gets a finishers medal.  We are the official photographers for these events and it is a privilege to work with them on each race they put on.  You may say “you have the potential to make money on this!”  With that we won’t disagree, but I personally as the owner of the company show up and help set up for the races each time and that means getting there on many occasions at 5:30 am along with a host of other volunteers.  We have also helped them put together photo packets that have allowed them to get grants from cooperations and some sponsorships.  Once again thanks to all the hard-work of the volunteers that do what they do, just for the kids.

It ain’t yo’ Mama’s Scrapbooking!

Over the summer my wife got back into scrapbooking, and she has added to it with her new found love of photography.  Some of the stuff that she has done is remarkable.  Ok, I know she is my wife but she is getting good reviews in the scrapbooking underground. Click here to look at her gallery.  She also has a good blog that I will share with you and you can click here to link to her blog.  You know she probably has more creativity than I have, but as they say behind every good man is a woman.

The Night Life 5K

If you don’t like the weather in Louisiana, then just hang around a couple of hours and it will change.  That was exactly the case for the Night Life 5K.  The day before the temps were close to 80 and at race time it was cloudy, wind blowing and around 60 degrees.  John and Billy did an awesome job on their first event as race directors.  You know it was a photographers nightmare, a sporting event in low light.  Trying to freeze the action without having an ISO that is to high and makes a shot grainy, with a little expermentation we got close.  Races like this one are fun to shoot from the stand point of just seeing alot of different of people from many walks of life.  Below are some of the pictures that I took and will share with you.  To see all the photos you can go to Big Shot Event Photo.

                           

Wild Kidz Tri Rescheduled

You know we always hold out hope but the event organizers for the Wild Kidz Tri decided that they should go ahead and reschedule their event.  I can’t say that I blame them at all.  You want to put on a event that is safe but when kids are involved you feel even more responsibility.  The find out more details visit wild kidz tri site.  As of now the Night Life 5K is still on and it appears that forecast call for the weather be cloudy and brisk winds.  This will be our first race to shoot late in the evening and I am ever thankful for having met up with with the Crazies from A-town and did a little late evening shooting.

What will the weekend bring?

Well we are scheduled to shoot two events this weekend.  What kind of weather can we expect is anybodies guess.  We have the Wild Kidz Tri put on by Run Wild Multisports and then we are shooting Night Life 5K that evening they are putting on.  The weather is questionable, but for the kids sake, I hope that it doesn’t rain Saturday morning.  This is a great opportunity for them to get involved in one of the greatest sports in the world.  If you are coming to Cenla be sure to also check out Cenlafitness which is also a great site that will let you in on all of the upcoming sporting events and looks as though it is really on the grow. Keep your finger crossed for good weather this weekend.