"I wouldn't change a single thing"

Greetings Dear Friends,

It's been some time since my last post...feels as if I've dropped off of the face of the blog-world. Perhaps it can be attributed to a hectic schedule or maybe just a case of blog-block (I think that I am inventing that term which is the digital equivalent to writer's block). In any case, I am happy to report that life is spectacular on my end and good times lie ahead. I hope that each and every one of you is filled with love and promise.

To get things started up again...
Here is a collection of images from a recent trip to Las Vegas that I gathered using my Canon SD1000 Point & Shoot Camera. I was out in Sin City to attend the largest gathering of Wedding & Portrait Photographers in the country - The WPPI Tradeshow and Convention. It was a fantastic week but as is usually the case with Las Vegas...a blur. A super-huge giant shout out to all the dear friends whom I re-connected with during that time, and to the new connections that were forged along the way. I can say with absolute confidence that this industry is littered with some of the finest people on the planet!!! I am so blessed to be a part of it.

So yeah...the point and shoot camera collection...



not sure what is going on here...


busted...




"Searchin for my lost shaker of salt"


pretty blue sky






The self-portrait...


antique toning circa the glory days of the Rat Pack.






flier-clicking creatures line up along the strip. If you've been there...you know what I mean. Does anyone really take those cards??


On the last night there I decided to treat myself to a performance of the Cirque Du Soleil Show - Love. Yes, my obsession with The Beatles is a bit out of hand. I admit it. If you haven't seen the show though...go. It gets my highest endorsement, but then again I may be biased!!!


"All you need is..."


This is my new friend Danny and his wife Rudy, whom I met at the show.


Danny is the real deal...born and raised in Liverpool, England. Rudy was gentle and kind...hailing from the south of France. I was so touched by the short time that I shared with them. So full of life, so much in love...so incredibly respectful of one another. Danny filled my ears (and imagination) with the story of his life. He spoke of growing up on the streets of a war-torn shipping town. He got emotional when telling me of the day that his 'hometown lads' - The Beatles - played the Ed Sullivan Show in the United States and what a huge deal that was. He told me of his journey to the states where the streets of Little Rock, Ark. were paved with gold. Later of his time spent in Buffalo, NY as a member of the Baker's Union where the snow "drove him crazy". Then off to the west coast to train for service with the US forces in the Korean conflict. And finally of the day that he returned home from war to meet the love of his life - a woman who 40 + years down the road is still the "finest woman alive". Just before the curtain went up and the performance began, Danny turned to me and said..."I wouldn't change a single thing"...and I was floored - profoundly touched by the sincerity with which he uttered that phrase.

Every life has a story, every relationship an influence and every moment a significance. Often I get too caught up in my day to day to recognize that. Thank you Danny for helping me to remember.

Be well dear friends.
t

Visual:Randomness

Greetings Dear Friends.

It's been a hectic couple of weeks. ...not to mention COLD. How cold??

yeah...about THAT cold!!! No sense in complaining though. This is the North East and this is (was!!) February. Let's just hope that Old Man Winter is growing tired of our neck of the woods.

In random news: Here's a shot from the inside of the train station in Philadelphia:


I had a chance to catch up with my good friends Erich Camping & Gary Ventura last week. They say that you're only as good as the company that you keep. If that's true, then I guess that I'm doing pretty darn good. We talked for hours but only decided to break out the cameras in the last 20 minutes. Here's Erich outside of his studio in Anderson Alley:


and Erich again...handsome gent isn't he?


and Gary shooting Erich 'one light' style. I look forward to seeing you guys again next week for another installment of Tricky Lighting Tuesdays. good times.


I also had an opportunity to discuss life and the big picture over graham crackers with Mr. Hendrick Haymon recently.




And hang out with the incredibly talented, firey and lovely Miss Helen Bravenec. Helen is a recent graduate of Eastman School of Music and is auditioning for major orchestras all across the country. We took an afternoon to hang out at one of my favorite (indoor) spots in Rochester...The Village Gate.






kelli and I spent some time playing with light. She's patient and curious, not to mention enormously talented. Here are a few of my creations...




...and that just about sums it up.

I'll leave you now with a quote from the mega-awesome-amazing Annie Leibovitz:

"The difference in my pictures is that I was not afraid to fall in love with my subjects."

All the Best,
t

The Decemberists Live!!!

Hello Wonderful People,

Today started off on the dull side. Overcast, cold...kinda blah. I had gotten some cleaning done yesterday (thanx for your help, kel ;)) and dug up a few old issues of Mojo Magazine which I thumbed through over late morning tea and oatmeal. I came across a writeup on The Decemberists which got me thinking about a show of theirs at The University of Buffalo last year. Long story short, here are some images that I grabbed from that unforgettable night. I had a front row ticket and unlimited time...just wish I had some of the fancy new equipment that I use nowadays ;)

If you're not familiar with The Decemberists, I highly recommend a listen. ...and if they ever come to a city near you...GO...you won't regret it. In fact, Colin Meloy (lead singer/songwriter) has announced a Solo Acoustic Spring Tour. Click here for dates and locations!!! Anyone wanna invite me along...go ahead, try me!

on with the show...








































Rock and Roll

Thanks for stopping by. I hope that you enjoyed your visit :)

Be well my friends,
t

Awakenings

Hello Dear Friends :-)

"With a handful of seeds, I dream of forests." - jesh de rox

This line has been dancing through my head for days now. For with each consideration, I feel a sense of peace. I am smitten by the possibility of what's to come, yet perfectly satisfied with the seeds that lie in my hand. And it is in the planting of these seeds that I have succeeded...not in the direction in which they grow. I have embraced the simple reality that everything that I have ever experienced has taken me to this very moment...and that this moment is absolutely beautiful because of that. I am so grateful for all of you - the wonderful people who have enriched my life through the connection that we share. I am strong because of you, full because of you...complete and completely content. So on this Hallmark Love Day, I am going to break from tradition and ask that you all be my valentine. All of you beautiful people who mean so very much to me. Be mine. And to my special sweetheart Kelli, the connection we share makes every day Valentine's Day...today and always. Heart u mamma!!!

Here are some images from last week's journey in Philadelphia. A special thanks to Jesh de Rox and Anna Kuperburg for being our guides and to the brave souls who accompanied me on the greatest journey of all...the journey of self. As a side note, be sure to check out Jesh's cover photo and feature in the latest Rangefinder Magazine. Stunning imagery, stunning write-up...you are a great inspiration my brother and I could not be happier for you!!!

By striping us of the luxury of pre-conceiving our situation, we were forced to react to the cues that were presented. Here's what came of it...

The Self Portrait:
At the moment, I feel as if I've been waiting for myself for some time now...


This is the Artist Joseph Blake. I learned from Joseph in a way that I never had from any other. Thank you Joseph.




Here are some new friends from Philadelphia.
Sam, waiting for a cab...


Sonny, waiting for another day in the sun.


Danny, waiting for a friendly smile and a warm bed.


Staff Sergent James Hamilton...waiting to return to Iraq to continue training domestic police.

"I have to admit it's getting better, getting better all the time." - Sir Paul McCartney

Soooo....

How cool is this new blog layout?? Although I'd like to, I cannot take full responsibility for it's transformation. A super-huge 'shout it from the hilltops' thank you to my man :e: - Eric Laurits & my main squeeze (and html guru) Kelli Marsh for your contributions. Your generosity and stick-to-it-tiveness made the vision a reality. I am blessed to be surrounded by such enormous talent and love.

That just about wraps up this installment of visual:ramblings.

Smiles, sunshine and big candy hearts to you all,
t