The Salute

We are lucky in Milwaukee to have a National Cemetery for our fallen veterans. It is Wood Memorial National Cemetery in West Allis and on this holiest of military days, hundreds gather to visit the graves of our war veterans and partake in the events honoring their service. Servicemen and women, as well as the spouses of those that served, are buried here. They hail from every state in the union.

Certain graves stood out because they were marked by wreaths of purple flowers for those that had earned the honor of Purple Heart. This site was a soldier from the 82nd Airborne Division - a much respected assignment in the Army. People were stopping to read the grave stone when this Young Marine came by. Knowing the power of an image, I asked him to salute the grave. He respected my wish and simultaneously showed his respect for a soldier who sacrificed.

I share this image to honor all our veterans; especially my father and nephew.

Burst My Bubble

The weather's getting warmer and soon I'll be taking my children, family and senior portraits outdoors. As a photographer in Milwaukee, WI, it's a much revered season! There's nothing like finding a special location outdoors to photograph people in.

Before I head outside, however, I wanted to share a fun portrait of a 20 month old made in my studio (PEGGY MORSCH life photography). When photographing children, I usually like to try to think like one. Some times that's real easy!

So blowing some bubbles is usually a good way to solicit a "wonderment" look in a child. (Don't you just love that "everything is wide-eyed new" look in a child?) Sure enough, with his Michigan State teddy bear sitting next to him, I was able to make this well timed portrait, just as he was about to burst my bubble!

If it's not too windy, maybe I could do this outside too! Enjoy this holiday weekend!

Labs Love Water!

Today was a beautiful day to be a pet photographer! It's not a secret that dogs, or as I like to refer to them, canines, are my favorites. Why? I share my life with two of them!

But today I got to spend with Comet, a black beauty of a Labrador Retriever! While she's older than I in dog years, she still shows the initiative to play, splash in cold Lake Michigan and otherwise enjoy some time outside with her ball.

What I loved about photographing her was her grace and confidence. She waded through the cold water like she was greeting an old friend and ran through the sand loving the soft surface on her pads. There was one other thing I look for when I photograph dogs and that's a little glimmer of sassiness is their eyes that seems to say, "just try to come get me." Comet had it all and I'm grateful to have spent part of an afternoon with her. Her owners will love the images!

An Evening to Remember

Nights to most photographers is time to process images or sleep. I was in both those groups until I took a class with Tony Sweet, a remarkable nature photographer. He's taught us to see differently in low light and NO light as well as other techniques to improve our photography. I'm so glad I'm here and that he's my instructor!

So last night I went out and tried my hand at "seeing in the dark." It's fun because you never really know how things will turn out. Every night and every scene is just a little different.

At Sunset Beach in Cape May, lives an old boat near an old changing room house. It's a great place to hit the beach and watch the sunset and it's usually inhabited by many a sunset seeker. After everyone left, a fellow student and I started working our newly learned techniques. Practice, practice, practice. . . When this popped into the LED, it was magic! I guess getting up early and going to bed late does make for great nature images!

Portraits at night, anyone???

Spring Sunrise Surprise

Getting up early in the morning to be in place to photograph a sunrise can be a hit or miss proposition. Clouds can roll in or the sun can be too bright to really "set the mood" in the image. Well today was a good day! I didn't stop photographing until 9:30 p.m., but you'll have to wait to see that image tomorrow.

While I was planning my spot to photograph the sunrise among 18 other photographers, I began to see that hot pink glow on the horizon. A quick look around and I had my spot with the boats and some reflections coming off the water. The funny thing is that as the sun rose, it seemed to be supported by the boat antennas. I love surprises!

Ethereal Mornings

This week finds me at Cape May, N.J. for a photographic workshop with Tony Sweet. He's as "sweet" as his name and he's teaching us all kinds of new tricks with nature photography. We're a rogue bunch here at the conference. We run around in heavier, fleecier clothes and get up at odd times, like 4:00 a.m.

When you get up early and go out to photograph, a whole new world opens up! With 19 in our group, we spread out along the Atlantic Seashore to photograph the remains of pilings in the water. Here's one of many that I think show the power of the water and gives one a sense that it's nowhere near the land - just floating out in the ocean. Enjoy!

Doggie "Thank You"

What a nice surprise I received from a client today! I had recently photographed her 3 children and their 2 yr. old Lab and had lots of fun in the studio! Too much laughter to even describe! (see blog archive from 3/30 - 4/8) We made a wonderful wrapped canvas from the session as a surprise anniversary present for Dad. He was surprised!

So as a thank you"the kids made me a marvelous dog dish for my dogs! Ellie and Emma LOVED it (of course I put some good salmon treats in it from Hounds Around Town in WFB!) They were so smart because they used my PEGGY MORSCH life photography logo colors in the design! Inside is a big, brown paw that finishes it off. If you noticed the "matching" orange color on Emma, you win "bonus ponts!"

Mom enclosed a note saying "thanks so much for your beautiful work and attention to detail. The kids, Addie and I so enjoyed working with you!"

Thanks gang! You made my day - and Emma's!

Stylish Seniors

Wow! So much is new for the Class of 2009 Seniors! I'm so excited about the designer styles I have to use with my seniors this summer I can hardly wait for you to see them. That means that my seniors get to have distinctive, designer pieces made just for them!

So I had a little fun this morning making up a Senior Style Magazine cover. Just a little fun to show off and let you dream about what it would be like to be on the cover of a magazine!

Creative Sessions are filling up for the summer but you can still take advantage of my June special. Book your ON-LOCATION Creative Session in June for $100 (a $50 savings!). Don't miss out on what everyone's talking about for this summer's senior "look!" Call Peggy @ 414.550.5340 today!

She's So Thin!

Earth Day - walking on the beach in the early morning light with my camera. Not much happening, not seeing anything that catches my eye so it's time to start making things happen! (Sometimes this can be dangerous so don't try this at home.)

I saw my shadow and wondered "what if." What if I prefocused and shot from the hip? Could I catch my shadow? I had heard for years that I was "so thin!" but my being thin always jived with the fact that my father was 6'5" and a "long tall drink of water," as someone used to say.

But here it was, PROOF to the highest degree that they were right! This tall, lanky creature making it's way along the beach surely looked as if the slightest breeze would bowl her over. Maybe Olive Oil had a twin?

Chicago with a View

Last fall I spent a late afternoon at Navy Pier in Chicago. The weather was perfect, warm with hazy clouds, as we braved our way to the Ferris Wheel. Not being of fan of ferris wheels, my strategy is always to "look out" and what a better way to do that than have a camera in front of your face!

What a view of the Chicago skyline! People were having fun below on the rotating swings and out in the parks. With the sun beaming through the clouds, it was enough to pull it all together in this one image. A little anxiety crept in when the ferris wheel suddenly stopped! Keep breathing . . . There was only one thing to do, keep photographing and confront those fears! We started moving again and soon found our way back to terra firma with a number of memorable images.

I've since graduated to flying in a very small helicopter with no doors. Now that was FUN! Go figure.

Unseen Art

This week, the Newseum opened in Washington, DC with great fanfare. While this museum is dedicated to the journalism profession, it reminded me of the Black Art History Museum that I visited in Washington a few years ago.

Being a fan of art, I was immediately stuck by the design, colors, angles, and architectural "pieces" that adorned the lobby areas. This image was not hard to see, as the sun was coming through the stained glass windows, showing off the wrought iron structure. Now setting this image up on the tripod was a whole other conundrum!

It took me a truckload of time to get the image aligned just right. I'm not one to "fix it later in Photoshop." But while I was making my adjustments, I was able to stop and take in all the details in this image and how they complimented each other. Color, lines, angles and of course, light! I can never pass up a scene that has one or more of these elements screaming at me!

The lobby was the perfect entranceway into the museums fine collections. However, to see it, you had to look up. I wondered how many people missed this view as they walked down the stairs to the collections. So here it is for you to view.

Goin' to the Dogs

The month of April has been a four paw month - lots of dogs in front of my camera! It all started with a belated, canine Easter Egg Hunt at the Central Bark in Oak Creek. Sue, the owner/manager had called me to fill in for another photographer who couldn't make it, and let me tell you, there was lots of canine companionship that day!. After the egg hunt there were a variety of activities set up, all to raise money for the Milwaukee County Sheriff's Canine Unit.

All the dogs that were photographed had well behaved owners (remember, they went to Obedience School too!) and I was lucky to photograph a variety of breeds. One breed that I haven't seen much of recently on my daily dog walks is the Collie. When I was a youngster, my uncle's Collie would try to race the car when we left his house. My dad "clocked" her on the speedometer and she once got up to 32 mph! She was fast! And what kid didn't fall in love with Lassie? I LOVED going to my uncle's house!

So when Foster showed up for his photo session, I went back in time to my uncle's dog. Just look at that face with his long nose and eyes that melt your heart. I couldn't help but wonder just how FAST he was??

So Soft, So Tired

Today was a special day in the studio. A Weimaraner puppy named Roo came to be photographed, and of course, hugged and loved! She is a wink short of 9 weeks and came with all the usual puppy accoutrements like sharp, pin-like teeth, puppy breath, and soft, stretchy skin.

After lots of playing, eating of treats and a few slurps of water, Miss Roo finally tired. Curled up with her owner, she could barely keep her beautiful blue eyes open. It was then that one of those baby blues came shining through for that magical moment.

It was a good day today and I had fun. It was a reminder to "live well ~ play hard ~ love often!"

Simplicity Counts

Some of my favorite images are those that are simple. Where the eye is told where to go in the image and immediately a story is told. Remember the eyes of the woman from Afghanistan, photographed by Steve McCurry? You get the idea.

What I loved about this Creative Session with Grace is that her name seems to be just right with this image. "Just hold your hands behind your back," I said. Without a word, she slipped one hand over the other. Then the light played off her First Holy Communion dress. Grace-ful!

All Swaddled Up

I'm so lucky to LOVE photographing infants! There's not a session that isn't filled with laughs and when you laugh, the infant laughs. What a great way to spend the day!

My nephew's baby is pictured here and I have to share it with all of you. It was nap time and mom got him all swaddled up and looking like a fine cigar. So there he was, this little blob of protoplasm, just lying in this large sea of space known as his crib.

I saw the image and moved to be where I wanted to be and his eyes followed me. I couldn't believe it! I felt like I was being watched by a guard dog. It was if he was saying, "don't you get to close to my crib." The shadows of the crib bars gives it a little something extra.

Click! I had the image. An infant cigar!

My Family of Feet

Two year old Addie arrived with her three "siblings" to the Creative Session. All were excited to have their portraits made! I was excited to photograph them as I had a couple of ideas I wanted to try out. Addie was well behaved for a 2 year old and we kept her busy with treats and sniffing around the studio yard.

After a while, I decided to test the "feet" shot with the kids that I had in mind. Then it hit me - "bring in Addie!!" Oh my God - I could hardly contain myself because I could visualize how it would look with her in the image. She gave me a nice sit-stay to tell the story of her family of feet. You should have heard the kids laughing! Wait until the see the final result!!

So I'm asking for input on titles for this image - something along the "smell/scent" line. Pitch your ideas my way and we all can enjoy them!

"Pay Attention to the Small Pictures"

A few days ago I had the fun role of photographing a young girl for her First Holy Communion. "It's a lot different than your school pictures, isn't it," I said. She nodded "yes" and off we went to have fun!

A dress and veil always give you some nice details to bring out and then suddenly I heard the voice, "Photograph her shoes!" I followed that intuitive voice and this is what what resulted.

The funny thing is that the next day I started reading Joe McNally's new book, "The Moment It Clicks." He's a gifted photographer and his work has enlightened the pages of National Geographic and many others magazines. (www.joemcnally.com) I came across one little chapter where he talked about rounding out a pictorial story with "something small, intimate, telling." It didn't need to be "the best, nor the prettiest picture of the take, just the most important."

I thought back to this image and smiled. I had done it!

Gone Fishing!

Today found me doing some "cleaning" of files. It's sooo important to manage all those digital images we shoot these days. I came across some images I made last May in Cape May, while at a Professional Photographers of America week long school. It was great to get to see them again!

I've uploaded 4 of them onto the "Outside" portfolio on my website but here's one that I think most of us Wisconsinites can relate to in late March! As we now await yet another snowstorm (I"m NOT making this up!) that could give us 6 more inches of the white, wet stuff, I thought you'd all like putting yourself in this photo. Add a beer and I think you'll forget all about the weather forecast. Can't you feel those fish nibbling??

Wanna Play?

While it snowed just another 16" here yesterday on the second day of Spring, I got to work on a line of Note Cards that will soon be released to local retail outlets. When I came across this image, I felt removed from the shackels of the snow shovel. Nothing like some warm sun and sand to take you to a place far away - even if it's in your mind!

There, on that Hawaiin sand, laid the most handsome Chocolate Lab I've ever seen! Looking like a little sugar cookie, with the dusting of sand across his nose, he waited for me to make the image and then throw the ball back into the ocean for yet another bound into the waves. Catch, release. Catch, release. His owner, a bartender in Honolulu, was giving him his daily workout prior to leaving for work and he was digging it.

As he laid there patiently, I couldn't help but think that the little twinkle in his eye seemed to say, "Wanna Play?" You bet!

Self Portrait

A group of photographers that I know, recently were challenged to make a new self-portrait. Yes, every once in a while, we photographers need to step around IN FRONT of the camera, just so we can experience what our clients feel like. Since I'm not one to back down from the challenge, I began to plan my portrait.

I was in Hawaii when the "challenge" came through so a tropical theme sprang into my grey matter. I took one look at the snorkel equipment and a portrait was born! But I needed help to pull this one off. Timing an elevator door to open at just the right time that your self-timer on the camera goes off, seemed to be a mountain too big to climb.

I gave the camera to Kathy and invited this couple to ride along for the fun. You should have seen the look on their face when the elevator door opened and there I stood in my snorkel gear!! I'm sure they wondered if they should get on. But they played along with the crazy lady and another self-portrait was made.

The icing on the cake was when I emailed it to my mom and sister, they cracked up over it. Then I KNEW it was a hit! Enjoy!

RE-Creation

Time off is always good! It's good for nothing short of a big brain dump! Separating from one's usual schedule (phone, emails, and everyday tasks ) provides me with a fresh way to perceive and generate the energy that fuels my creativity.

The simple things like reading a book, listening to waves break on the shore, or watching the sun go down are just what I needed to break the humdrum of winter and get ready for another great year of recording family histories.

Put yourself into this image for about 5 minutes! Can't you hear the waves, feel the sun on your body, hear the voices of people having fun, and smell the sunscreen? Don't you feel better already? And it came without airfare! Aloha!

Father & Son

One of the humbling things about being a photographer is that people allow me into their lives to witness and record special moments in their lives. What's more special to a family than their first child! Not much!

In this moment, a calm father provides the comfort for his equally calm son. I chuckle every time I see the shape of his cheeks and the look of "infant confidence" as he engages with me. I love that dad looks away as if to say, "I'm so lucky!" as he touches his tiny feet.

As he's only 3 months old, I look forward to photographing him throughout his life and be allowed to witness more of those moments that make up his life!

Grand Canyon of the Pacific

Who doesn't love a vacation? Especially in the winter when you have a hankering for sun and warmth! You've got to check out the island of Kaua'i, Hawaii. It should be the ONLY winter destination place but what would the Florida tourism department think about that?

One of Kaua'i's most noted destinations is Waimea Canyon. WOW! I've been to the Grand Canyon but when you add in the lush, rain infused vegetation, the color just screams back at you. I spent 2 hours at the lookout, watching the light change and hoping that the haze would burn off. It didn't and I got a sunburn! A volcano on another island erupted so the particles were in the air. This image is 3 images merged together to form a panorama. Awesome!

Stay tuned here because I'm going to post images from my open cockpit helicopter tour of this canyon and the Na Pali coast. It's the ONLY way to see the remote areas of the island unless you want to play "Lost."

The Big Dig

Groundhog day came and that half-asleep woodchuck told us we could expect 6 more weeks of winter in Wisconsin. Never one to doubt nature, that furry mammal was right! Not even a week passed and we were hit with 16", yes I measured them; 16" of snow.

Let's just say I found a way to combine my weight and cardio training into one LONG workout yesterday! The dogs played and I labored to clear the way for my young 2 year old client and his mom, who were soon to arrive for their Creative Session.

Snow blower, you suggest? We had one of those huge, steroid-enhanced snow blowers that used to kick some serious butt blowing out the whole street! Eight horses to hold back while it ate 16" like it was a snack! But when our winters went the way of global warming and that serious athlete saw little action, it had to be traded to a new owner.

Yesterday, the muscles in this older athlete missed the powerful blowing action of the 8 HP Simplicity. Can you say "ALEVE?"

The Deep Freeze

For those of us that live far north of the equator, adapting to the words "zero" and "temperature" in the same sentence is just a way of life. Dealing with the cold indoors is one thing, but heading outside with your camera gear and 2-3 extra layers is a whole new adventure!

After being inspired by images made by another Milwaukee photographer, I ventured out recently when the temps went south of zero. Destination: Lake Michigan at sunrise. Did I mention the wind chill???

I LOVE this image! It screams cold! With Lake Michigan giving up its warmth in the form of water vapor, I find myself grounded by the roundness of the ice and the opening of the water. A tiny bit of necessary warmth is added with the glow of a rising sun in the eastern sky.

After an hour in the great outdoors, the hot chocolate provided the necessary inner resuscitation!

Four is a great age!

Working with children is such a pleasure! It reminds me of when I did my student teaching with the middle schoolers. You never knew what personalities would emerge from day to day. It keeps you laughing and on your toes!

Photographing kids is much the same! Ask them to do something silly, sing a song, or get them talking about their favorite story and you never know what will happen. So if you're the one behind the camera, like me, be prepared!

Four year olds can be concrete in their thinking, so when I asked Joe to do something that didn't make sense to him for great picture making, he shot me this look. Write you own caption for this one! Frankly, I think it would make a great GAP Kids ad!

Dance, Dance, Dance!

Sometimes it's a blessing to be oblivious to what's going on around you. My 2 1/2 year old niece has this technique down pat! She spent a week with me recently, while her 4 year old brother underwent heart surgery to correct a congenital defect. Her parents and grandmother stayed with us and it was a difficult time during the early days of recovery.

But for Ella, it was all about singing songs, making up funny phrases, taking bubble baths and dancing in the studio! I danced with her, sang with her and made up funny phrases too. All the while her "live in the moment" lessons were relieving the stress everyone was feeling. If it was a long day at the hospital, you could always look forward to fun time with Ella when you got home.

This is one small reason why I love to photograph children. Like dogs, they live in the moment and that's such a sweet space to be in!

Good things come in small packages!

Babies, babies, babies! There's been a mini baby boom in my neighborhood this summer! Lots of new cute faces and the sound of a new baby's cry eminating from the neighborhood when I'm walking the dogs.

With new babies comes new children to photograph and new ways to present the newest member of the family. It's always fun for me to think about how to show off this precious new gift and so with great enthusiasm, I went to work with my neighbor's newborn. A peaceful child from day one, George Andrew made my role easy!

As I always go to the newborn's home, I could right away see that the couch was the perfect backdrop. We found a suitable window for the best light and after a quick meal, he was ready for a nap. A little bow tying and positioning and for a moment, I felt like Anne Geddes!

I combined the photo with my card (front) template and it fit the image to a "T." He's all wrapped up for his big presentation to the world! Welcome!

Mental Maps

My summer reading has included the book "DEEP SURVIVAL" by Laurence Gonzales which is a dissection of the characteristics of survivors. Centered mostly on surviving wilderness situations, Gonzales talks about "updating" your mental maps and changing plans according to the information before you. (Non-survivors actually ignore this info!)

So last night I went out to photograph the full moon. My mental map imagined it coming up over Lake Michigan with some rocks in the foreground. Guess what? I missed the best night to photograph the full moon by 2 days (check the calendar Peg!). So I changed my "mental map" and started looking around and I quickly found it!

I set up the camera/tripod and waited for the light to fall off even more so that the lights in the buildings were brighter. I made one image every minute. It was a nice summer night hanging out by the lake with the water splashing against the rocks and muted sounds of the city. All because I changed my mental map!

Senior Summers

Wow - I can't believe it's August! Long days of sun make the Senior season go fast but it's not over yet. These days find me still having fun photographing high school senors. I've always enjoyed this age group! From teaching at the high school level to coaching them in Track and Field, I love their perspective on life - the glass is half full.

With that in mind, I head outdoors at this time of year to make portraits that show who these young people really are. In an hour and half, we come away with some "storytelling" images of who they are. Parents express their awe in how natural their senior seems in their portraits and how real they appear.

So what if it's August then! I'll be photographing Seniors into the fall so you need to get in gear and check this off your list, give me a call - 414.550.5340

Lean Into the Corners . . .

The dogs days of summer are here and that means hot day on the bicycle! You know, the kind of day when you have to make your own wind by going faster on the bike. The only problem with that solution for cooling is when you stop, the sweat flows and makes one's clothes "stick," even after you've stopped sweating!

Although it wasn't quite as hot for the Downer Ave. Bike race, these guys were generating lots of heat. This racer was caught on "Collision Corner", for which I have coined the name, due to the high number of accidents each year. I'm always amazed at their muscle memory and ability to keep the bikes so close together and still upright. The concentration and hand-eye-foot coordination must be just right.

But this guy had found a little "pedal room" and was clicking into a higher gear. So I thought of the metaphor found in this image: just lean into the corner and all will be alright!

Stylin' at the Race

Good times happen on the East Side of Milwaukee, the last weekend of every July! It's called the Downer Ave. Bike Race, which is part of the International Cycling Classic. Cyclists compete in this challenging urban race while locals and out-of-towners alike gather to watch them cruise past - pulling wind along with them. Treacherous corners and downhill straight-a-ways make for some dramatic action.

Even if you aren't a fan of bicycling, you've got to walk around and enjoy the people watching. This young man got a close up feel for the wind blowing through, or should I say by, his hair as the cyclists zoomed by.

See you at GALLERY NIGHT/DAY!

Hey everybody! When you get done having fun down on Bradford Beach, head on over to the Third Ward for Gallery Night festivities! Be sure to check out the Light Ideas Gallery in the Marshall Building (corner of Water St. and Buffalo St.) in the Lower Level. (A parking structure is at the corner of Chicago and Water and parking is free on Gallery Night!)

I'm showing 8 spectacular images from Alaska, North Dakota, Wisconsin and Montana! You can preview the show by going to the "outside" portfolio on www.peggymorsch.com Most of these images were made while on solo trips, including a drive to Alaska and back with my two dogs. I'll be at the Gallery from 6 - 10:00 p.m. on Friday, July 27 and 10:00 - 3:00 on Saturday, July 28.

In addition, check out the awesome, framed portraits of kids, dogs, and families that grace the other side of the gallery! It's is been a while since your family has had a portrait, now's the time. The first 5 people to ask me about photograping their family will receive a $100 Gift Card! See you there!

Gallery Night Show

Mark your calendars for Friday, July 27th and Saturday, July 28th because it's the summer Gallery Night in Milwaukee, WI!

This is where I kick off my new business name: PEGGY MORSCH life photography, and show nine (9) finely matted and framed nature images from solo trips since 1998. Can you say Alaska? Some of the images are from there, as well as Montana and Wisconsin. Besides these signed, limited editions, there will be a smaller prints available for purchase as well as some fine note cards. Additionally, I'll have some choice, framed portrait pieces hung as well. People and places - that's what I'm about!

Come early for some "adult beverages" and talk with me about what each of those solo adventures brought in the way of personal insight as well as photographic imagery. The first 5 new people I speak with will leave with a Gift Card valued at $100. Come early!

Check out the images at www.milwaukeestock.com and click on "New Photographers Gallery" on left side. See you there!
Peggy

Sweet Taste

My work recently found me in the historic town of Cape May, NJ for a professional photography workshop. While we were indoors stretching our minds, the sun was shining and finally warming up the earth after a long, cold spring. After class I swooped into the downtown area to see folks swarming around the local fudge and ice cream shop. Ice Cream! There's nothing like your first outdoor ice cream cone when the weather beckons us to shed layers of clothes.

She was having fun eating that ice cream cone. Her eyes sparkled as she that sweet taste of sugar and cream melted in her mouth. I asked to make a few photos of her and she obliged. Then suddenly her child came out and she stuck her tongue out at me. It was a playful motion. One that said I dare you to take my photo now. Truth is, I missed it. But this one still captured the warm evening and a love affair with a cone in Cape May.

A Summer Sail

While it's snowing today, the day before Easter, when Spring should be blooming and birds singing, I needed to go back and work on some "warmer looking" images to get myself in a springtime mood. Here's one!

Last summer we took our nephew out on the Dennis Sullivan schooner for an excursion on Lake Michigan. It's a replica of the type of schooners that used to sail Lake Michigan regularly, ferrying freight from port to port in the 1800's.

The weather was drizzling, warm and the ride, thankfully smooth when sailing inside the breakwater. The sails caught a bit of a summer breeze and the passengers enjoyed the view. I think this image tells the story of the evening sail quite well. Quiet, skies somewhat foreboding and the canvas sails from yesteryear.

Catch a ride on the Dennis S. Sullivan at Discovery World in Milwaukee, WI.

Down with the old. . .

Time demands change and nothing could be truer in the field of construction. In my neighborhood, it's the construction of Columbia-St. Mary's new hospital and the destruction of an old medical office building that once housed the St. Mary's Nursing School.

I'd watched this building be prepared for demolition - windows gone, doorways boarded up and nothing but early morning sunlight pouring through openings that had long been closed up. But it was the brick by brick process of the tearing down that caught my eye.

I watched the human-directed robot make brick and stone collaspe like legos. It took less than 5 minutes to take down a column of brick and mortar and I reflected on the number of muscles and minutes it would have taken to put it all up.

When he and the robot neared the large stone that formed the front, main entrance, I felt a twinge of sadness. Here it took but a single pneumatic shove to loosen this heavy stone from its moors and see it tumble down to its demise. When he tried the cornice piece at the top of the arch, it held. Perhaps it was pure stuborness on the stone's part - it wasn't ready to go just yet. In what seemed like a show of respect, he moved away from emblematic piece of stonework and found a weaker point to work on. Another day.

A New View

Have you ever seen some of the old photographs of cities? Seen the old cars, old clothing styles on people as they crossed the street, and the older buildings created by craftsmen? When I recently went to the top of a new parking garage in Milwaukee, I had that kind of dejavu.

As I framed up the image, just wanting to capture the light, late snowfall coming down on a popular East Side intersection, I thought of the old images I'd seen of Milwaukee in the early 1900's. Some photographer saw it fit to record day to day activities as they unfolded on the street.
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And there I was, doing the same thing! Documenting the same pedestrian happenings. The billboards, the tailights of the cars, and the snow falling, But there was something different about my image. Something that separated it from those images made long ago - it was color. When the truck moved into the intersection I was snapped back to the present, still documenting, but showing a different perspective to an image that was unavailable years ago.

For the Love of Dogs

Dog show in town - gotta take the camera and GO! Lots of canines looking their very best while owners/handlers are desperately trying to get them groomed to perfection in time for their "romp around the ring."

No question about it - I like dogs. With an English Pointer (field) and a Coonhound mix tucked in at home, I set out to record some of the behind the scenes action and check out some of my favorite breeds. I'm comforted by the fact that closeness, devotion, loyalty and concern is given freely across the borders of species and I usually seek that out when working with canines and their owners. There was lots of that action to catch. Owners kissing their dogs in the ring, standing next to them with a comforting hand on their head or a puppy, too young for the action, curled up on its owner's lap.

She didn't know I was watching; didn't care that my eye had spotted her "lovin up" the dog that laid on the grooming table, enduring yet another "fluff and buff" before the show. That honest smile and gentle acceptance by the dog says it all. Who cares about "Best in Show" when the lead up into the ring is where it's at!

Mysterious Dancers

Walking my dogs each day has opened my eyes to the changes that occur in my little micro environment called Lake Park. Each season brings out slight nuances that appear due to time of day, light changes and of course, weather.

It was early January when unusual warmth came to Milwaukee and melted some of the snow. The melted moisture made its way into the atmosphere as ground fog and like magic, Lake Park became this ethereal, mystical landscape.

I took the dogs home and went back to the "dancers" I'd walked by moments ago. They they were, frozen in position while the ground fog moved around them. Keeping my "what if" philosophy going, I made images from different angles and positions. This one gave me that settled feeling of knowing that I had on film what I had in my heart.

Going Places

Seeking out destinations different from my own has become a way to "juice up" my creative energies and allow my eye to see a different palette of light, culture, faces and customs. It challenges my structured existence of everyday life in my familiar territory. So like a wolf, I like to stretch my legs and seek out new ground to explore. This time it was tiny corners in England and Wales.

My eyes soaked in the way the mountains looked in both rain and bright sunlight that rises from a more southern angle this time of year. Wales has green hills, as many sheep as rocks and people who enjoy the outdoors regardless of weather! When I hit the paths of Snowdonia National Park, I knew I was going places! Three-sixty degree views! When's the last time you've been able to see that!

Carrying my camera and lenses to 3000 ft was all worth the while to let my eyes drink in the views of mountains, lakes and of course, the trail that I just dragged my butt up and over. Enjoy this "bit of Wales!"

An Honest Day's Work

My father once said, "There's two ways to make a living - with your brains or your brawn." It was his attempt to talk to me about college and what college could do for me. Been there, done that!

I've had an opportunity to photograph and work around people that make their living with their hands. Technical, skilled tradesmen and women and thank God they are here! This summer they've given me a new roof, new front porch, fixed my plumbing and put in new doors. These are smart, friendly, skilled people that go to work without wearing a beeper and rarely have to take work home with them. They love seeing the accomplishments of their work and take pride in it.

So here's to the skilled trades, vocational schools, apprenticeships and one of my roofers. Thank you for an honest day's work!

Summer Days

August days of summer are here! While things are crazy busy around here with senior photos, families and kids, I've had some time to have fun in my home town in western NY. I was back home for a class reunion and made some time to photograph some young friends who reminded me what being a kid was all about.

Growing up in a rural area, we'd race around town on our bikes, play in the woods, make pick-up baseball games, build forts and do it all without adult supervision. FREEdom with a capital "F." But some of my best memories have to do with water. Going to the lake to swim, slalom ski and just hang out with friends in the sun. It seemed like summer was forever then.

So when I saw this image I had made of my two young friends, I was taken back in time. A time of no responsibilities, a little sun and lots of water! Remember how you'd stay in the water so long that your skin would start to pucker? Summer. . .

Willie's Brother

Alaska! I got my "soul" tank filled again in Wrangell-St. Elias Nat. Park last month. Never heard of it, you say? Many folks haven't. It's a supersized park at 13.2 million acres, filled with the world's largest staircasing glacier and mountains that aren't even named yet. I love it there! Not a bad view in the place and there's lot of nice folks like Larry to visit with.

I've got an older B&W image of Larry that hangs framed in my studio gallery. Everyone asks, "Is that Willie Nelson?" "No," I answer, "but he sure sings like him!" I recently told that joke to Larry when I saw him and he laughed with his eyes all squinted up real tight. Larry's been a buddy of mine since 1999 and every year I try to make a portrait of him. He doesn't like it one bit. An old horse bronc cowboy in Montana and a pipefitter up in Prudhoe Bay during the heydays of Alaskan oil, Larry doesn't have much time for picture makers. He's busy running trap lines in the winter and tending to his home and equipment in the summer.

But get Larry laughing and the camera can come out. I hope you can see his gentleness and a taker of whatever life rolls his way. See you next winter Larry!

Shooting from the Hip

This past week found me riding my bicycle across Wisconsin and loving every minute of it! Well, maybe not some of the ominous hills we climbed, including Grand Dad's Bluff in LaCrosse! Three hundred and sixty of us completed the Northwoods Tour which took us through Neceedah Nat. Wildlife Refuge, the Crane Foundation, past Aldo Leopold's shack and through the North Kettle Moraine Unit.

We visited a book store made out of a silo, feed grass to horses and bought lemonade from Amish children. Of course the camera was slung around my upper torso and was always ready to capture a moment. As most pros will tell you, it's important to know how to operate your camera with your eyes closed so that you can quickly change settings and recompose without having to think about or look at your camera. This proved to be true on this trip many times but I add in riding a bike at the same time!

While cruising (or huffing and puffing up the hills) past the Amish farms in Central WI, I saw a young girl mowing her lawn up ahead. I readied the camera settings while riding my bike (don't try this at home!) so that I could photograph her while riding and she'd never see the little camera. As I was getting closer, I spotted 3 little girls sitting on the front porch - barefoot. I quickly changed the zoom, held the camera level and made the image as I rode by.

Now photographing this way doesn't always produce the best or sharp images. However, when I saw this one, I considered my "shooting from the hip" style successful! It's better to try and fail than not try at all!

Clothing CAN make the girl!

When she arrived for her portrait session, my Brazilian "neighbor, " Priscilla, had a top on that showed her bare arms. For an outdoor session, maybe you could get away with it but for an indoor session, it just didn't work. I tried different angles - low, high - tried positioning her differently, but whatever I did I couldn't keep my eye from finding the lighter colored skin of her arms.

Valerie, from France, where people just KNOW how to dress stylishly, loaned her the black top she had been wearing. What a difference a top can make! The neckline extended to the shoulders and suddenly there was a balance to the face before me. Dark hair, eyes and top with just enough neck and shoulder line to highlight the eyes. For my style, It's always about the eyes!

So with a little help from the "haute culture" French woman, a portrait was made. Thanks Valerie!

The World Comes Knocking

It was somewhere in the middle of our conversation that it dawned on me that I should ask to photograph them. Two young women from other continents had come to make my neighborhood theirs for a while. While we spoke, I could see their countries of origin in their features. With almond eyes, dark hair, and olive skin, Priscilla bore a smile that said all was right with the world. Visiting from Brazil, she had met Valerie, another traveler of the world at Alliance France'. Valerie's freckles, reddish hair and eyes that were as gentle as a breeze, spoke of the fresh, clean look of Europe. She absolutely bubbled when we talked. So when I asked to make portraits of them, they agreed. I was energized!

How lucky to have the world come knocking on my studio door that day! While shooting, we laughed, shared travel stories and I listened to them speak of home and their families that they would soon be reunited with. Young, traveling the world, learning the ways of Americans - how lucky they were to experience us, and we them! This is one of my favorite images of Valerie. Tomorrow, Priscilla.

Photoshop Magic

Wow - time's been flying away! Work is happening on the front porch (you'll have to wait until it's all done to see pictures!) and I've just returned from a brain-frying 4 days of learning more photoshop skills. It seems like the more I learn, the more there is to learn! There's just so much that one needs to know to produce great images so it's off to WI PPA school I went. I was lucky to learn from Jim Buivid (Jim Buivid PhotoDesign - Grafton) who's a wizard at Photoshop! He's been doing this for a long time and it shows in his work. Gotta tell you, it'll take me a while to master all that he showed us.

So why Photoshop, you might ask? What ever happend to a great old fashion photograph - kind like Ansel Adams. What some people don't know about Ansel's work is that he manipulated his image in the darkroom for hours until he achieved the print that he envisioned when he made the original image. Today, we don't have to breathe in chemicals to do it. We just spend time on the computer. (Some of us spend a whole lot more time than others!)

So I took one of the images that I "thought" I was "done" with and applied some digital art techniques that Jim taught us. Here's the result. It's true, you can teach an old dog new tricks as long as you can get results like this!

A Peek Towards the Future

When a photographic portrait is done right, it can reveal a tremendous amount of information about the person. Our faces tend to read like road maps; some ridden hard and put up wet and others radiating an acceptance of the path well taken. We love those images of people with deep cavernous wrinkles (as long as they're not our own) or the photographs where the eyes are an opening to the mysteries within - the seat of the soul. Steve McCurry's image of the young woman on the National Geographic magazine comes to mind.

I LOVE to photograph faces and yes, it's what lie in the eyes that gets my energy going! I'm always in awe of how much someone can let me in when I'm standing behind a camera and a lens! But I'm starting to notice that there's a new "style" that's creeping into my work. Forget the eyes, look at that Body Language! I'm reminded of a saying that hangs in my office: Remember the difference between looking and seeing." I'm seeing more in the language of the body and am having fun with it.

So with that I offer you this recent photo of an 18 month old girl. As she strode confidently over the bridge with her parents car keys held firmly in her hand, I had a peek into her future. Her body language spoke volumes to me about the time to come in her life. Soon, much sooner than her parents expect, she'll be heading out with the keys in her hand to confidently drive away with friends. Only this time she'll turn her head over her shoulder, smile broadly, wave those keys and say, "See you later!"

STRETCHing Oneself

You know those "I could be rich if I had a nickel for everytime someone said" stories that people tell. Count me in. Well, maybe not rich, but at least able to buy a tank of gas these days! When people heard I was switching careers and leaving the steady paycheck and benefits for a chance to start all over and see the world through a camera lens, they would tell me I was courageous, brave, doing an admirable thing, etc. Maybe so.

It's not EASY to start over. The hours are longer, less predictable and it's just me performing the myriad of duties that need to be done on a day to day basis. This change has stretched me! It's made me see and think differently. It's put me in contact with people and new friends that I may never have known before and it's been the catalyst to re-create my purpose in life. Not a bad thing to do in one's mid-years.

Maybe that's what they were talking about with that "courageous" talk. Life throws us those challenges every once in a while where we can stretch ourselves and grow or recoil into a ball of negativity and fear. I didn't just wake up one morning and change my life. No. It was more like living through the long winter-spring seasons of the change process. Not pretty but at least 2 steps forward and 1 back- enough to stay on the path of change.

So I was looking at some images I made a few years ago and found myself measuring my change process by what I found interesting to photograph. Before, I never would have photographed in the subway station of DC! Nothing green or growing down there. But after my metamorphosis I found new emotions, new instincts, new friends, new scenes that influenced and STRETCHed me. Courageous? Brave? Take just one step down a different path and feel the freedom!