Cup of Joe Photo

Mayhem in the Neighborhood

I don't know what's up with me. Two skateboard videos in a row...what am I, fifteen? Whatever. Yesterday, I thought I'd feature my green Steve Madden skate shoes since I wore the orange ones the day before. I got done with a lot of work on Monday, so I took a break and skated and jumped off swings with Max and Lucas. Embrace immaturity! It works for me.

PS our mayhem was pretty harmless. Also, parents - make your kids wear helmets:)

Skateboarding with my #1 Fan

I like to spend time skateboarding at least a couple of times a month. Yesterday, I went around the neighborhood a few times and thought I would get creative and make a video to show you a little bit of my "hood". I ran into my self-proclaimed #1 fan. She's going to be President of my fan club and she always has a hug waiting for me. Her name is Julia and she and her friend Holly, cruised around with me for a while trying to navigate the reflectors on our streets. Good times can be as simple as these. My life is good:) Enjoy the video!

Lessons on the road less travelled

Yesterday I gained some valuable insights into my preferences. I was speaking to Ingrid about why we do what we do. You know, why we respond to our parents the way we do, or processing our disappointments, or gossiping, ect. Then I decided to mix up my routine by going biking rather than speed walking and realized that by simply changing one pattern can offer new excitement by challenging new thinking. I realized that we are all doing the best we can. I think of humanity as "walking wounded". The idea that we all have issues that we mostly keep secret and don't talk about. Especially our fears and disappointments. When my friend Noel arrived in the afternoon, we continued on this theme. I've been processing my place in this life for some months now and have really come to understand that I am to promote healing. First my own, and my family. Preserving, protecting, and promoting. Then those around me. To love unconditionally. We really are all "walking wounded" in one way or many ways. Through love, I am living the life God created me to live. Love heals wounded people. I think that's all that most people long for anyway.

Anyway, these are a few of things I considered on Saturday.

Jack Kerouac - “I had nothing to offer anybody except my own confusion.”

The Windy City

Chicago is an incredibly adventurous city. There is so much to see. The old firehouse on Michigan Ave is now a photo gallery. This is a must see landmark.

The backside of a church from Rush Street.

After buying new shoes from my favorite shoe store "Alternatives" I was directed to the world famous Giordano's. The place was crazy busy so I made my way through the crowd to the one open seat at the bar to eat and have a beer.

On my way to the bar I hear a woman call my name and I turn to see my client with her friends. Talk about interesting. Of all the places in the entire city, I run into my client that I was in town to shoot the next day.
I also lost my wallet there, and again ...amazingly, it was turned in with everything still in it. It was my lucky day!

That afternoon I hung out with my friend Heather Kingensmith who showed me around town.

I insisted that we go on the swings as my immaturity often compels me to play:)

This was a classic scene as we stopped to view the city from the Aquarium. A bus of tourists poured out and started snapping. I had to do the same:)

We went to visit my buddy Peter at his newest home. The inside is insane. Peter designs great homes.

The next day I spent time in Millennium Park walking around by myself. What a blast!

The Jellybean is so cool.

What can I say, you're only as old as you act!

Andrea and Ben's Chicago Portraits

Two weeks ago (already) I photographed an awesome couple with their fabulously huge Great Danes. I was stoked because I had a Great Dane when I was a kid and it was cool to be around these big dogs again. California is so full of little dogs... It is also my very favorite time of year, Autumn. The leaves changing color were a beautiful bonus. Enjoy!

Tons to do

Though I have tons to do to update the Rimrock website with photos and post a bunch of images on the blog, I'm plum tuckered out workin' on images. So, I'm having a date night with Ingrid instead. I'll catch up soon. The blog is, after all, just for fun. Here's a family photo from Rimrock. Have a great day:) Enjoy your family.

41 Shopping Days until Christmas

Two days ago Ingrid and I brought all the Christmas decorations out of our attic and started hanging lights and wreaths. Early you say?! That may be true, but there are only 41 more days until my favorite holiday. Truth be told, I would have waited longer, but Ingrid is a planner. I'm so grateful that she plans ahead. So to keep her happy and act like I'm helpful, I went along with her plan. Yesterday she did a bunch of Christmas shopping. I'll be doing that in, ummm, maybe 39 days.... Anyhow, it got me thinking about rewarding those who plan ahead. There are so many psychological reasons alone to plan ahead, less stress, more variety, ect. So I'm offering an incentive to those who plan ahead and have read this far. 50% off my Show & Tell 2 dvd FOR TODAY ONLY! Buy one for yourself, your spouse or a friend or all three. When checking out enter the promo code xmas. Viola! Saving money was never so convenient. Now more than ever, it pays to plan ahead. Jump start your photography business for 2008. Happy Shopping!

Good Friends

Friendships, like marriage, take time to grow. There is no one in the photography industry I am more blessed to know than my buddy Becker. A good friendship is mutually supportive and I am grateful that Becker has always supported my growth and development. Last week, he and Jessica went out of their way to be guests at my first workshop with John Mireles. Everyone was, of course, stoked that they came by and they even hung out for dinner. On top of that, John and I didn't have cash and Jess paid:) Yeah Jess!!

Everyday can be an opportunity to be a friend to someone. I'm calling today "thank a friend" day. So thanks Beck and Jess for your support and encouragement and continuing to redirect my life.

Life as a Book

I'm so excited about this new chapter in the "Book of my Life". I'm going to postpone my regular business book recommendation until next week and fill you in on what you can expect from me as I pour out more "Joe" in your "cup of joe" daily.

1. I plan to reveal more of my thoughts, ideas, and inspirations.

2. Respond to your comments. I'm looking forward to this commitment. I'll do my best to reply daily, but at least by the weekend. So check back often and let's dialog.

3. Continue to share my images...of course:)

I'll be posting tons from Rimrock this week as well as Chicago and images from the Cypress photography class I spoke at 3 weeks ago. In the meantime, enjoy this rockin' gem of a moment captured by my boi, Isaiah. This is my daughter Mikayla's favorite image of the two of us! Thanks Isaiah, "I'm glad you went"...

Walking, Jogging, Goals, and the Power of Choice.

As I was “power walking” and dictating my thoughts and to-do lists into a small voice recorder, I considered my goal for exercising. Ingrid and I often walk fast enough to get the benefits of increased heart rate, but slow enough to talk without gasping for air. My goal is different when I’m by myself. I usually walk faster and have recently decided to jog the second part of the three and half mile journey. The reason is simple. I’m increasing the effects of burning calories by jogging. As I’m fast approaching my 40 th year, I’ve decide to concentrate more energy on slimming down by drinking less alcohol, eating better foods, and exercising more often. I have changed my goals and thus also exercised my power of choice. The choice I have to live my life as I want.

While jogging up the hills, I was tempted to walk several times. I thought about blogging this story and I pressed on, with a target in mind to keep running. It worked. By developing a goal, I met the challenge. I felt empowered, and that empowerment extended its reach out into all areas of my day.

We have within us a great power. That power is choice. We can choose what we want to focus on and how we want our lives to be. We can change our minds at any time, and revise our journey with new goals. You and you alone ultimately decide the direction of your life. Enjoy the journey.