Joy's experimental shoot
An abandoned house and downtown in the western burbs
November 29, 2008
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I just got a whole bunch of new toys the other day, including a new flash unit and a portable power supply, and I wanted to do a photo shoot to test out my new equipment.

My good friend Joy, whom I've known since back in the gymnastics days of my youth, was so sweet to let me use her as my subject today. Through the shivering and the numb toes, we took some pretty fun shots!

Thanks so much again, Joy! Have a safe trip back to Tulsa!

Kiran, Ali and Shayun
November 25, 2008
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If you look back into my archives, you'll see a baby shower that I shot for Kiran MONTHS ago (almost a year if you can believe it). Shayun is already just over 6 months old now!!! Kiran asked me if I could come out and take some photos at the Chicago Cultural Center yesterday with her, Shayun and Ali, Shayun's father. Since I hadn't met the little one yet, and because Kiran is such an awesome person (as is Ali), how could I resist?

We ended up having such a difficult time making the little guy smile - wouldn't you know that as soon as I left for the afternoon, Kiran sent me a text to tell me that Shayun wouldn't stop smiling!

We managed to get some really cute images regardless :)

Enjoy!

Chinatown With Mike
November 25, 2008
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Yesterday, following the shoot with Kiran, Ali and Shayun (pictures coming soon!!), I met up with an old friend and coworker of mine, Mike. To make a long story short, he and I used to work together at the hangar. I'll leave it at that.

Mike's an incredibly talented photographer, and a gem of a person. We ended up roaming around Chinatown for a little while. He showed me where his new photo studio is (he'll be there in two weeks!) too.

Anyway, I ended up grabbing a few images that I liked :)

Light Painting in NYC
(from my November 2nd-4th trip)
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I realized that I failed to post two photos that I was particularly fond of from my trip out to NYC a few weeks ago. Shannon and I decided to experiment with some light painting using my led flashlight. The flashlight has a red bulb with a separate switch built in. Shannon, being the trooper that he is, went temporarily semi-blind because of the bright light in his eyes (thanks Shannon).

We decided to try to create Shannon's worst nightmare...

We then decided to mount my camera with a makeshift tripod (i.e. his dvd collection) so that it pointed down through the support wires of his loft bed. We decided he needs to become a musician and use it for his album cover (well... I decided)

Jack and Jenny
St Louis, Missouri
Saturday, November 15, 2008
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Yesterday, I drove to St. Louis, Missouri to photograph the wedding of an old college friend of mine. Jack called me up less than 6 months ago to tell me that he had become engaged, and needed a photographer. How could I have said no? This was Jack - one of the few amazing people who helped me get through my college (i.e. torture) years.

I met Jenny for the first time yesterday just before the ceremony. Throughout the day, I realized just how perfect these two are for each other.

They are both incredibly relaxed, pleasant, happy, joking, and sweet people (with families to match).

Jack and Jenny - congratulations to you both! Thank you so much for making me a part of your wedding day. I truly wish you both all the best in life, and also a VERY enjoyable honeymoon in Cancun!!!!

Brett Dennen
W Hotel - Chicago, IL
Wednesday November 12, 2008
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I had the pleasure of being asked to photograph a private event (later made semi public) starring the very talented Brett Dennen and his equally talented guest guitarist (whose name unfortunately fled my mind, despite Dennen singing about him on several occasions during the set) who had an amazingly trained ear (PERFECT PITCH!!!).

The two guys seemed to be in their own music world while we, the audience, peaked in for about 45 minutes. It was a world of peace, idealism, mellow music, and happiness.

While the lighting was VERY challenging to work with, and flash was frowned upon, I managed to pull a few somewhat decent images from the show. After the set was finished, we were given the opportunity to say hello to Brett. Since I didn't have much to say, I let a new photographer friend that I met earlier in the evening do the talking (I merely said hello and that the set was VERY well done).

At any rate, here are a few images - enjoy!