Sunday, May 31, 2009

Spec-Tat-Ular

The wedding yesterday was a tattoofest! Jon asked about close-ups of the groom's hand tats, so here ya go.





I probably wouldn't have thought to take that shot, but my friends Chris and Misty seemed to like the dress-back shot at their wedding, so it's likely to be a staple of any future weddings I do. Even if there are none. Because life's too short to stress that much.

I Don't Shoot Weddings

I mean, I shot a wedding today. But I don't shoot weddings.

Friday, May 29, 2009

An Easy Life

Let's just say, she's gonna have it way too easy in life.

Sound of Jaw Dropping

I love the craps. Yep, it's a fact. I love the dice. I love the chips. I love the lovable crackpots who tend to play craps. Love the whole thing. The smoke. The drink. The superstition. The laughter. The numbers. The hunches.

Anyway. You can't love craps all the time, because sometimes Lady Luck just decides to crush your most precious body parts under foot. And every once in awhile, you feel like giving it up, even though you love it.

AND THEN THIS HAPPENS.

Yep, the last time I played craps, at the heavenly M Resort, rumors were flying about this woman who, in Atlantic City, rolled for four hours and 18 minutes.



If you aren't all that familiar with craps, that might not sound all that impressive. But if you play craps, well, that's a streak that could very well cause one's head to explode.

Here's an item that discusses the odds against a roll like this happening.

All I can say is, well, wow.

Most craps players dream of an 18 minute roll, much less a four hour and 18 minute roll. The previous record was three hours, six minutes. That was 20 years ago.

This is the kind of story that becomes legend even as it's happening. At least among craps players. It would be a little like a baseball player hitting 100 home runs. In a single game.

I know what I'll be dreaming about when my head hits the pillow tonight. Hey, ya gotta have dreams.

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Memorial Day Weekend

Hope you had a good Memorial Day weekend!

I did spend some time thinking about freedom and veterans and those who have sacrificed for all of us.

And I also hung out a bit with kids who like to swim.





I kind of think that's what veterans and those who have sacrificed for all of us would like us to do on our Memorial Day weekend.

Oh, all right, here's a patriotic shot, just for good measure.



I know Memorial Day is a time to remember those who have died. But I want to thank some of the folks still with us for all they do. Thanks, Ben. (That's him, saluting.)

And thanks, Dad, for your 30 years of service in the Navy. Dad used to tell us harrowing stories about life on an aircraft carrier, including what would happen when those restraining cables snapped. And they do.



And thanks to everyone in Iraq and Afghanistan. And to everyone in uniform, all around the world.

And for those who aren't with us, thanks. You fight. For us. Whether we like the war or not. You serve because you're asked to serve. And we have what we have because of you. So, thank you.

Sunday, May 24, 2009

Crr-r-azy Day

Started off the day with a baby photo shoot. It was a cheekfest, I'll say that!





Then I got to shoot a marching band, up close and musical. I probably sucked at it, though. I just kept wanting to get in close for portraits, but I'm not sure that's what the band folks (at Las Vegas Marching Arts) were looking for. Oh, well, you get what you pay for!



And, finally, I shot a performance of the Las Vegas Mass Choir. (Yes, their site defaults to "sound on." Oy.)

First, you know you're in for some gospel music when you see these lying around. Tissues...



And fans...



These folks are intense when it comes to gospel music. The roof was officially raised, that's for sure. I admire their passion and devotion. They love God a lot. In fact, one of the songs was, literally, named, "God, You Are My God." The song consisted of singing that phrase, over and over, a billion times. It didn't make it any less enjoyable.



He was one of my favorites. Not because of the singing, especially, but because that photo turned out so well. Oh, and he was a great singer, too.

Being at the church where this performance was held, I've never felt so white in all my life. And I feel pretty white most of the time.

In a black church, when you're speaking to the audience (or congregation), you always know where you stand. That's because it's a fully interactive experience. Everything a speaker says gets a loud, enthusiastic, vocal response. There is always a lot of praising going on, I can assure you of that. And glory. You can never get enough of glory if you ask me.



Tonight's show was special, not just because it marked the fifth anniversary of the Las Vegas Mass Choir, but also because of a special guest, Beverly Crawford, who is apparently a well-known gospel singer. Ms. Crawford is very talented. Like many gospel singers, she doesn't just sing with her voice, she sings with her whole body.



Some days are fuller than others. Today was a full day.

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Hey, I Won Something

My photo won the May Photo Challenge in my photography club! (Well, there's a club vote and an outside vote, objective folks who may or may not know photography...and I won the club vote.)

The theme was "Ordinary-Extraordinary." I kinda like it.

The Truly Sad Part

The truly sad part is that Ryan Seacrest actually thinks he has something to do with the success of "American Idol."

Sunday, May 17, 2009

Pretty Much

Yeah, this is how this tyke's eyes look in real life, pretty much.

Saturday, May 16, 2009

How I Spent My Lunch Hour

Today, I got the chance to snap some images of story time in the cancer ward of a local children's hospital.

Spread the Word Nevada: Kids to Kids provides volunteers to read to these amazing kids.



Volunteering for this organization (including doing their photography) has been a blast. Here, the organization's founder, Laurie Hartig, keeps one of the patients giggling.

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Other People's Kids

Somebody's gotta do it.





Happy Factory Las Vegas

I've talked in the past about my dad being involved with Happy Factory Las Vegas, a group of senior volunteers that make wooden toy cars for less fortunate kids. Well, a local news station did a great segment on their efforts.

Check it out!

So proud of the old man.

Sunday, May 10, 2009

First Communion Day

Today, I got to shoot a bunch of kids who'd had their first communion earlier in the day. It was pretty intense! Not the kids so much, but their owners. There were more than 100 family members of the seven communion kids in attendance. Feeling in my camera arm? Not so much.

Still, ya gotta love kids all dressed up and being the center of attention. I have no clue what this communion thing is, but I'm pretty sure it involves cake.

Joy Prom Officially Rocked

I was so lucky and honored to be asked to help coordinate the red carpet for Las Vegas' very first Joy Prom. Read more here.

This event treats those with special needs to a spectacular night out, including getting their hair and makeup done (shoe shines for the guys), flowers, dinner, dancing...and a chance to make a grand entrance on the red carpet (complete with "paparazzi," the portion of the evening I organized).

Here are a ton of photos from the big event. What an amazing, unforgettable night!













(You know better than to think I intentionally captured "the wave" in motion like that. Just dumb luck, as usual!)





There were just so many, many stories from the night. It was a blast to see these special needs guests bursting at the seams with, well, JOY!

It was so heartwarming to see people having their moment in the limelight on the red carpet, then seeing them come around and do it again. And again. They just ate it up, the flashes going off, the screaming and applause and people screaming their name. The ultimate superstar experience.

My girlfriend, Anne-Marie, actually told me a story I'm likely to tell again and again. She was asking for guests for their autographs on the red carpet, and at one point, one of the women guests came by and Anne-Marie asked for an autograph and held out a pen and pad of paper.

The guest took the pad of paper, looked at the pen, but didn't take it, and started rummaging around in her purse. She took out some lip gloss and exchanged it for the pen. After signing her name, she graciously returned the pen, and got her lip gloss back, and went on her way down the red carpet! Every time I think about that interaction, the sweetness and purity and goodness of heart involved ("I can't take something without giving something back in return!"), it brings tears to my eyes. And I'm as tough as a lumberjack. As you probably know.

The whole night was filled with people and smiles and humor and tears and generosity of spirit I'll never forget.

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

SFX: Sound of Drooling

The San Gennaro Festival of Calories kicked off tonight here in Las Vegas! (Not it's actual name.) It's about as close as we get to culture (and we don't have a problem with that).

There was food galore, of course, and one of my favorite treats of all time, fried dough. SFX: Drooling. Again.

The high point of the evening was having an encounter with what appeared to be an actual Italian.



I was completely surprised when I got home and saw this photo. I remember this gentleman being entirely congenial, even playing his accordion for some photos. At no point did he seem to feel as though his beloved accordion was in danger. So, this was yet another happy accident I'm more than happy to take full credit for.

More. Dough. Please.