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Several bows must be made by me to Meghan Gustafson and Emily Hjelm for asking me to be the official St. Mary's Basilica Block Party photographer.
Imagine planning a 2 day, 3 stage, 12 (or so) band event. That's exactly what Meghan (fellow ISES member) and Emily are responisble for creating every year in an around the grounds of the Basilica in downtown Minneapolis. The volunteer orginazation was insane, the production quality, timing and exectution was seriously top-dollar, and holy crap - the talent!!!
Well anyway, this some of day one. Day two to follow shortly.
FINALLY! I got to see the Jayhawks.
Summer time.
Lead singer of Fitz and the Tantrums with his people.
Michael Franti and Spearhead. Some say this was the best show they'd ever seen.
David Gray. Damn he can sing.
With grace and good humor, our little Olivia turned one year old today. And damn she's cute :)
For a couple of years now, I've volunteered my time photographing projects for Breaking Free. Breaking Free's mission is to educate and provide services to women and girls who have been victims of commercial sexual exploitation (prostitution/sex-trafficking) and need assistance escaping the violence in their lives.
In cooperation with MATTOO (Men against the trafficking of others - and the only of it's kind in the world), Breaking Free produced the "Demand Change Project and Victory concert" that occurred this past weekend. It began Friday with an abolitionists seminar, with some of the most prominent researchers and policy makers of human trafficking in the nation speaking. This was followed by a VIP Party that focused on awareness on the global epidemic of sex trafficking and its countless victims, as well as several organizations from around the world doing their part to end it.
The following morning, history was made at the state capitol in Saint Paul. More than 100 men gathered in the rain and 40 degree temperatures on the capitol steps to listen to local law enforcement, politicians, and victims of sex trafficking who were brave enough to publically share their stories. Following this, for the first time in HISTORY, these men walked behind the founder and CEO of MATTOO to show our community, the nation, and the world that there are men out there who support the abolishment of sex trafficking.
At the end of their march to the Fitzgerald Theater, where the concert would take place later that evening, they were greeted by several hundred women who showed their appreciation with applause and cheers. It was quite moving.
In front of the theater, scores of the men who had marched pledged their support by signing a global banner. This banner will be taken to 5 more marches in the U.S., and 5 additional marches throughout Europe. When the men signed the banner, it wasn't just a simple token. They also registered to be followed via local law enforcement records to see if they are continuing to stand by their pledge.
A few hours following the March, guests poured into the Fitzgerald to hear highly acclaimed and GRAMMY nominated Gospel artist Nicole Mullen.
If you think sex trafficking is something that happens somewhere else, please think again. MN ranks in the top 10 places in the U.S. for the highest amount of activity; in both local and global victims. Based in St. Paul, Breaking Free is one of a tiny handful of organizations helping victims, and one of only THREE that provide transition and permanent housing in the U.S. They could really use your help with time or money.
I was commissioned recently to photograph the Capella Tower in downtown Minneapolis. So, on this fine Spring-like morning, I enjoyed some quality time atop a near by building taking in the pre-dawn skyline.
The IDS tower looked so beautiful that I couldn't resist making a photograph of it too.
The steam you see in this photo, as well as being refected in the previous photo, is from the energy center next door to the building I was on top of. When I first walked out to the ledge, it was a bit surreal.
Now that we're settled back in and living at the studio house again, we finally got our camera room set up again. Good bye dining room, hello camera equipment! My boy Isaac was in a rare mood to help me test some light and have his portrait made. Jeez, I love this kid.
Well, it's been too long again. The good thing is, having a baby is one of the greatest "get out of jail" cards there is :) So without further interuption, I'd like to introduce to you in the quilted corner, weighing in at 7lbs. 10oz., born at home on May 31st, Olivia Marie!!
...and my favorite
In every town I've lived in, I find myself becoming a "regular" at one particular establishment or another. It's something that I've grown to love. It's the total "Norm!" thing (for those who remember the show Cheers). You know the people, you love the experience every time you step inside, and you feel a part of it. Since moving to Minneapolis 11 years ago, one establishment has without a doubt become my favorite place to go - Matt's Bar at 35th and Cedar in Minneapolis.
A couple weeks ago (okay, like 5 cuz I'm totally slacking on getting these photos up), Matt's was invited to participate in a TV show put on by the Travel Channel that's all about food wars. The show goes around the country finding insane food rivalries and attempts to end them once and for all in front of a live audience.
As it turns out, there has been a long and intense rivalry over who has the BEST cheese-stuffed burgers (referred to as a Jucy Lucy) right here in Minneapolis between Matt's Bar, and the dreaded 5-8 Club. So, the war was finally going to be won, and a victor declared. The event was graciously hosted by The Cardinal Bar in S. Minneapolis.
Now, being that Matt's is my bar, I of course had to go and show my support at the taping where 5 judges (one Super Fan from each bar, and three local celebrities) sampled both burgers, then voted who had the best burger. As you learned from the posting's title, Matt's won.
Here's a few snapshots I took at the event, and for my fellow Matt's fans, here's a whole gallery to view!
The warriors have assembled!
We're a sneaky bunch.
One cook from each bar shared a grill to cook their tasty burgers. Paul was our man that day, but let it be known that all three grill-masters at Matt's were up to the task.
See that stream of sweet, tangy goodness dripping down Ragnar's face? That's the real-deal from a Matt's Jucy Lucy.
Yes, the victory was sweet.
Isaac had his first full-on Halloween experience this year. Kerry and his gramma Elaine went to the fabric store where he picked out all his own fabrics and colors. He went in thinking about being a scary ghost, and came out as a scary monster instead. Kerry and her mom then got busy making a very cool....and way to cute...costume.
He had a blast on Halloween night. Like most little kids on their first time out, dealing with strangers was pretty odd at first. But, once he learned that they ALL give him candy, his shyness quickly waned. After a little bit, we got to hook up with our really great neighbors who also have a collection of 3 year-old boys.
...pee break :)
Being busy is great. Especially when it's something you want to busy with. For me, it's photography - duh right? When you do it a lot, and you get busy producing lots of projects, it's easy to just make sure it looks great and get to the next image.
Tonight my friend Lisa Marie took the time to point out a photograph she liked from an event she was at. I went back to look at it. A really sweet shot totally passed by me and I'm thankful she told me she liked it, or I might have missed it.
I'm not sure the lesson here, but I know there is one. Focusing on the now seems appropriate.
Thanks Lisa Marie.
Isaac and I had pretty darn good afternoon today. After a visit to our favorite coffee shop in South Minneapolis, Sovereign Grounds, we headed back to the house for a little garden work. After cleaning up the muddy mess a good time in the garden brings, I couldn't help myself and grabbed the camera.
After a little fun making photos in the kitchen, we realized that there would be nothing for dinner unless we headed to the grocery store. After a tiny bit of convincing, off we went.
The reason I call this entry Big Day is that while passing through the diaper section of the Wedge Co-op, I noticed the 2T/3T training pants were on sale. I couldn't help smile and think, it's a sign! I explained to Isaac what training pants were all about (and admittedly, I only learned about them recently myself), and he seemed pretty darn interested. So in the cart they went. He stared at the new item, and I gleefully day dreamed about a diaper-free day.
He must have known I'd be blogging some of today's photos :)
And there you have it!
A couple of weeks ago, I returned from a trip to Mexico where I documented the work of a Liga International volunteer named Dr. Fred Kalinoff. Since retiring from his dental practice in Stillwater, MN, he has dedicated much of his time to providing dental care to the Tarahumara Indians living in the Copper Canyon area of Mexico.
The Tarahumara have been living in this remote canyon land since the 16th century. They are a quiet and private community who live in a very unique way. Because of their remoteness, taking groups of dental volunteers is quite a task.
To find out more about Fred's mission and how you can help, visit his website at http://www.dentalvolunteermission.com
Click here to view the slideshow!
What? You're thinking about being a dentist?
Oh? You're not in dental school yet?
Is that right? The machine you're gonna use is portable and is running off a generator?
Wow. We're how far from.....a town?
Sure. What the heck? I'd love it if you cleaned my teeth!
Justin and Adam, you did a great job.
The trip to Sinaloa and Chihauhau, Mexico was pretty dang amazing. I'll write all about it shortly and post images. But while editing all the images, this made me laugh....
(this is usually what I saw when trying to photograp the 8 - 11 year old Tarahumara girls :)
Greetings and salutations! It's Kerry here. We had Thanksgiving dinner out at my parent's house in Eden Prairie this year. I'll post a few photos here and if you would like to see more click here to go to the slideshow.
Kerry's dad Dave.
Noah being goofy for the camera...
My mama's homemade pumpkin and apple pies. Yum.
My parent's version of American Gothic
Finally, on the 4th day of the RNC, I was able to pay a visit to downtown St. Paul. Anyone who knows me knows that I have a very hard time staying away from the hustle and bustle of excitement...of any kind. Kerry always laughs at me when a cop car drives by with it lights on 'cuz I always want to follow it.
When I finally made my way to downtown St. Paul, it was really fun to witness such an incredible spectacle of democracy. In this great country, if you have an opinion, you get to speak it. As an observer, I do get a kick out of the stupid ones though :)
This was the main entrance into the Xcel Center. Simply put, it was a fortress.
...so I said to the guy, "are you giving me the stink eye buddy?"
.....over??? It's still daylight!
There was no way I could pass on this portrait opportunity.
I believe this is when a large group of protestors got pushed back into a litle trap. Rumor has is milk and cookies worked quite well to calm everybody down. .....alright, I admit it. I started that rumor.
On the last night of the RNC, Google hosted one heck of a party for the delgates at the Walker Arts Center in Minneapolis. As usual, Minneapolis' own event design genius Todd Pinzuti of Bunglow 6 Design wowed us.
Even Govenors like ice cream cones!
".....bumm bumm" (you know the sound)
I call this one, "Kissinger remembers the Chairman".
I don't show off my kid nearly enough :) Isaac is just plain great. He now seems to know pretty much everything you say to him. It has really made hanging out together the most enjoyable it's been yet for me. I now realize I could go on and on, so I'll save it for another day. Here's a few picks I finally got around to processing.
Oh yeah! It's not even scheduled so who knows if it's really going to happen but Twin Cities live wants to feature me on their TV show! My friend and wedding client Lindsay mentioned an idea of hers to one of the producers and apparently they really liked it. Thank you Lindsay!!
I also happen to married to the greatest mom in the world.
Today was pretty darn fun. Kerry and Isaac went to the airport this morning leaving poor me on my own for a couple weeks :) (This is Isaac's very first plane ride!) Imagine being a kid again and trying to grasp the idea of flight for the first time again. Nice.
Kerry is off to Pennsylvania with her mom to hang out with her grama. Grama had another car accident. All is good. 93 or 94 years old, living on her own in the same house she's lived in for 80+ years. Naomi is a blessing to say the least.
Okay....so I took the day off. On the way home from the airport, MPR was talking about a stinky flower at the Como Conservatory. This thing was only recently discovered in ...... somewhere hot ... The flower is of course almost extinct (is my liberalism seeping out :) and only blooms in 15 year (or so) cycles. Oh yes, did I mention it pulses a fragrance described as "rotting flesh. I was soooo going.
Well...it wasn't stinky today, and fairly ugly actually. But ugly is beautiful! A few snaps below. I also got there too early and due to the 30mph winds, I hung out in the car with my oldest four-legger Wylee.....and took a few snaps to kill the time :)
Oh yeah, while doing so, I had the terrible idea of presenting photo tips on a regular basis. All levels to keep everybody thinking. More on that very soon.
While inside the conservatory, I started looking at only tones in green leaves and here's what I came up with. ...Photo lesson/tip one - forget about color and look for interesting tones.
The Corpse Flower
This leaf had nasty orange light all over it from a garden lamp. ...it made for great tones.
This is Wylee. This dog is amazing. I've been with him for 13 years.
Look, I like to look nice, but I'm no fashion expert...but my gut says don't wear this. ...it was same on both sleeves.
Even though I had never been there, I don't know why I was so surprised to learn just how incredible Chicago is. It is amazing! Many friends and clients have told me how much they love that city; whether they're from there or just like to visit. So, now I'm hooked on Chicago.
Grace Ormonde of Grace Ormonde Wedding Style magazine had invited their Five Star Platinum vendors to a little get together at a really great venue called the Chicago Illuminating Company. Very cool place indeed. There were some really amazing people there from all over the midwest. I even got to chat with Grace for a bit!
This is me and Grace.
Though it wasn't anywhere near enough time, I flew there as early as I could to be a tourist for a while. For about 5 hours, I roamed from the Congress Plaza Hotel to the giant park area they have on the water front, then up Michigan and Rush Avenues, to the top of the John Hancock Tower, and ended up back at the Hotel to meet up with my friend and fellow wedding photographer Wendy Woods who was also invited.
Here's a couple of my Mr. Tourist snap shots.
...skip the view! Look how pretty my beer looks!
Well it's been a loooong time since my last blog, and after my trio to Negril Jamaica, I knew I had to share some images. I went there for a little vacation and to help my very good friend Joe Dickie from Generation Photography photograph a wedding.
We has a blast roaming around Negril and being photo-geeks. It makes me laugh whenever I go out walking with another photographer where we both have cameras because it's always inspirational fun. The images below are just a random sampling from the trip. Enjoy.
By the way, I'm trying out a new slideshow software my friend Wendy Woods told me about. Click here to view the show: Clickity-click me!
Who doesn't like going the the Zoo?? Well, it just got cooler! This year, I became involved with helping our incredible Minnesota Zoo raise money at their annual Beastly Ball. Among the auction items up for grabs were a few "Experiences" where the winner gets to spend some time one-on-one time with various zoo animals. The zoo asked if I would be interested in providing photography for the winner of the "Giraffe Experience." Let me see......pause...pause.. uhh, that'd be a great big YES!! Holy crap! (can I say that? I'm new to these blogs.) What a wonderful way to have some photo-fun and help preserve the experience and memories of the family that won the auction.
Everyone really had fun feeding the giraffes and getting a behind-the-scenes tour with some members of the zoo staff. Seeing where the animals for the exhibit (giraffes, wildebeests, ostridge and zebras) sleep was pretty great. It reminded me of all the years I spent as a kid taking care of horses day in and day out. Though, this is much more exciting.
...I'm still wondering how they get the feed 15 ft in the air for the giraffes' feeder? I mean, that's one heck of a good jump shot to get it in there!
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