Puppies and Rubies

As most of you know, I've been working at a doggy day camp called Camp Bow Wow. As embarrassing as it is, I really love it. Right now we have two foster dogs on loan from Harbor Humane Society, just until they get adopted. I love these pups with all my heart, but one of them, Maddie, was adopted last week. I'm so glad she's found a home, but it will be sad to see her go.
Also, my good friends of the band Rodeo Ruby Love came up to play a show in Grand Rapids. They're always a riot, and we got a chance to shoot a few pics in a cool raised garden downtown.

Maddie the wonder dog playing with her good buddy Coco.

Izzy giving me a facial.

C'mon, how can you NOT love that face?

Rubies and flowers.

The boys, surly because they aren't watching football.

Paparazzi...or Everyone I Know In Detroit

So, a long time ago, Javelins, who are one of the best bands in Michigan, had a cd release show. I got there after their set was done, but pictures had to be taken. This is probably not interesting to any of you, but some of them are too fun not to put up.Chase was there, and had some sort of vortex growing out of his eye.

But then it disappeared with his wicked glare.

Matt Rickle, vocalist and drummer of Javelins, with his famous faces. Too good for b/w.

Dad and Zach, being silly as always.

Lizzy, just one of the many disgustingly gorgeous Child Bite girlfriends/wives.

My brother Clancy, the sasquatch.

Dude I don't know but probably should, Kevin the dreamer McGorey and his roomate/mustache officianado/Child Bite drummer Danny.

Another man of the hour, Matt Howard of Javelins and the famous Ryan Allen, of every band in Michigan.

Ms. Lisa Norton, looking lovely as always.

Fabian of The Silent Years and a long lost member of Child Bite?

Dr. Cell Phone and some chicka.

The vortex returned so Chase held it in with someone else's giant hand.

Best Wedding EVER!

A chance Craigslist encounter led me to photograph the wedding of Steve and Natalie. Their beach wedding was almost ruined by the only rainstorm to happen in over a month. However, due to how amazing they are, everything turned out better than I could have ever imagined. Natalie really emphasized that I capture the sunset, and the weather certainly cooperated.

Hey Look I Do Exist

Grand Rapids fireworks are actually quite impressive, particularly when viewed through trees, of course.
My friends' fireworks show was also impressive, but in more of a "I can't believe no one died," way.
My lovely boys Child Bite played on a very conservative radio station's afternoon show. It was a trip, and Zach didn't quite know what to do with himself when the announcer called them "Child Hut." Don't miss them this Wednesday at Midwest Fest in Mt. Pleasant.

Lastly, this is my beautiful gorgeous model friend Mary who moved away to New York, makes me sad. She was the one person I could always call when I wanted to take pictures of something pretty. She always understood my vision completely and I barely had to tell her what to do.

A Work in Progress

Alright, here it is. I know, it's taken forever. I'm still not happy with it. Critique is welcome and encouraged. I have six hours of footage that I feel needs to be in there. I don't know. Anyway, enjoy, and wait for the credits.

When Dan Stewart tells you to update, you do it.

These past three weeks have been absolutely insane to say the least. A few Sundays ago I had to make a split decision to drive 10 hours to St. Louis, meet up with a band I'd never met before to go on tour for a week and make a documentary. It was one of the best decisions I've ever made in my life. The boys of Child Bite are now part of my family, and I love them immensely. Although I returned to a ridiculous amount of catch-up work, almost getting evicted and having to go right back on the road for a wedding in Chicago, it was all worth it. In fact, I just realized this, I haven't been home for a weekend in over a month. It's starting to get ridiculous. I haven't really even thought about the fact that I am indeed graduating in less than a month. Wow.

In other news, throughout my adventures, I have met some amazing people, one in particular that I am both excited and very scared about. I am learning not to need to be in control. It is

 helping.

I know none of you wanted to read that, so here are pictures!

Kevin feeling the breeze in his briefs downtown Ann Arbor. 

Underwear bubble head I don't even know.

My favorite image from the wedding in Joliet. The entire wedding was in an old Amtrak station.

She was pretty.

Dammit I really love veils.

So I went to Ann Arbor this weekend and hung out with some friends. Signs happen.

Turns out this "Festifools" event thing was going on. Jack looked dashing in his slip in my opinion.

Sesame Street?

Uh oh nipple-os! Kevin walked about half a mile downtown with just that t-shirt and his underwear on. He's far more confident than I am.

Wait, is that Carey or Matt Berninger from The National? Both? Maybe.

Ok so jumping around. Child Bite played a show at The Blind Pig with Man Man. Zach was drunk, and tickled Danny. 

MORE JUMPING! Crazy house show outside in Austin. Hosted by 14 year old kid.

Christian wrestling an alligator in Stanton, Missouri.

Dr. Cell Phone downtown Austin. Taken while the van was stopped at a red light.

Most of my 8 days were spent like this.

More drunkenness at The Blind Pig.

Zach all done up as a zombie in San Antonio. Our bud Lawrence is a makeup artist for Ripley's Believe It Or Not. BELIEVE IT!

Clancy and Lawrence bounce bellies in San Antonio.

The best damn mustache east of the Mississippi belonging to Danny Sperry.

DAD! BEARD! SAN ANTONIO! AWESOME!

Alex from new friends Sohns.

Christian plays a mean sax and sings a mean song.

Return From Divine Inspiration

MPPA 2007 was a dream, probably one of the happiest times of my life. I was awarded Honorable Mention in Multimedia for my piece "An Honest Look". It truly was an honor that my silly piece would strike a chord in the judges' hearts, and that they could overlook all of my "technical difficulties," especially considering that there were 19 finalists and who knows how many shows submissions. Props to Merissa, Alex, Ryan, Brett, Sophie, Jessica and Holly for placing in this year's awards!!!!

Although the award was fantastic, the knowledge I gained this year was way better than any trophy, (yes, even one of Keener's, ok, so I wish I had a Keener trophy, so sue me.) Speaking of J. Kyle Keener, he is amazing. He gave me the best advice of my life, completely understood where my photography was coming from, and is hilarious to boot. Ryan Wood, Erik Holliday, Elizabeth Conley and my former professor Brett Marshall, (all of them placed in the contest!) helped me out immensely as well. Lastly, but not leastly, (yes I know that's not a word,) I got to chat with one of the judges, Chad Stevens of Mediastorm and he basically changed how I think about multimedia. Seriously, how can life get better?

So, I got back today, was dead tired, but I had duties, a band shoot for my good friends Those Transatlantics. Keener told me I should try to do a whole shoot without taking a single right or left weighted photo, since I do that too much, (completely true.) He also taught me a lot about posing and interaction in portraits. I tried to showcase his advice in this shoot.

Mother Son

I did some mother/son portraits for my friend Kate today. Her wish was for them to look as if "Vogue was doing a parenting issue." These are actually some of the best photos I have ever taken, in my opinion. Unfortunately, my camera died right in the middle of the shoot. If anyone can loan me about $1,000....I'd really appreciate it.