Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Today's Engagement Object

"Engagement object" is a search engine optimization term that means you get better search results if you put a video (or whatever) in your blog post.

Sunday, October 18, 2009

Birthday Girl

I love just going to birthday parties and hanging out and shooting stuff. And the food's usually pretty good, too.

Monday, October 12, 2009

Today's $2 Portrait

It's Larry. Homeless, but charming and lucid. These trips to Fremont Street are so bittersweet. So much fun amidst so much struggle.

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Sean's $2 Portrait

Here's another street portrait taken on Fremont Street. Thanks for the photo, Sean. A great bargain for me, to say the least.

Richard on the Street

Richard has no home. Nor does he have any ability to successfully perform a card trick. He gave me a penny.

What an odd hobby I have.

Sunday, October 4, 2009

Thursday, October 1, 2009

My Latest Effort: Best. Las Vegas. Blog. Ever.

I've been spending quite a bit of time and energy lately on my latest endeavor, doing a Las Vegas blog for Harrah's Entertainment.

It's been a blast. Originally, I was just supposed to do a few "sample" blog posts. Oh, hell-to-the-no! That is not how I roll!

I've been pondering doing a Las Vegas-focused blog for some time, and while this one has a slightly narrower focus than what I would have done as a Las Vegas blog (this has a focus on our Harrah's destinations for the most part), I have really enjoyed diving into this new challenge.

I think doing a blog taps into several of what I believe are my strengths, should I actually possess any. Of course, there's writing, which I enjoy. And I have kind of veered into a sassy, snarky (hopefully amusing) tone, which I think is critical to any blog about Las Vegas.

I have also taken it upon myself to take photos for the blog. I think the images liven up the blog quite a bit, and it's a definite chance to learn and add some things to my photographic toolbox.

Another benefit, one that's been supremely stimulating, is that I get to put on my editor's cap and generate story ideas. It's re-energized me, and has helped unleash some creativity in a job I'd gotten a bit comfortable in.

In the first month of its existence, I've managed to create more than 200 posts. Yep, I have kind of exceeded expectations in that regard.

I think I've found a happy medium between my pretty-much-unbridled type of content (think Dribbleglass.com) and content that is suitable coming from the largest gaming company in the world. I've been pleasantly surprised by how much freedom I've been given. I'm not confident about a lot of things, but in my ability to build a readership and/or community and/or following online, well, I got this.

I hope you'll check that blog from time to time, and please send me feedback or ideas you might have.

What could be more fun than doing a blog about a city I love? Well, other than doing this blog, about a PERSON I love. But you know what I mean.

Visit my Las Vegas blog at Harrah's. Yes, it's mine. Until I screw up and they want to fire me, then I have very little to do with it, thanks.

P.S. I feel obligated to mention that my always-insightful girlfriend has pointed out, quite correctly, that I just blogged about blogging in another blog. Yeah, and?

Photography Tips for Parents

I was happy to be asked to be a guest blogger on my friend's site, The Succulent Wife.

I decided to write an article for parents about how to improve their children's portraits. I talk to so many parents frustrated by the fact that they can't seem to get good shots of their kids, even after investing in a good camera or other equipment.

Hey, I hear ya. It's hard, no matter what equipment you have! Hopefully, this will give folks some how-to items to think about when they have that next birthday or holiday or bris. Mostly those first two things.

Read my tips for better kid photos.