Looking for some TINY Models!

Those that know me, know that I like trying new things! From painting the house bright yellow to learning the banjo, there's not much grass that grows under my heels. So with that in mind, it's time to stretch myself and try some new imagery with little girls. Hence the "CALL OUT" for some young models in the 9 -18 months range.

I'm looking for a few little girls that I can photograph in these awesome hats! Can't you just see your daughter in these hats with a big ole' smile on her face? If you can imagine that, then let's just add a pink or lavender tutu on her rolly, polly body and we've got some fun images! Either in the studio or outdoors, these outfits are sure to turn some heads.

Give me call mom! You'll receive some free prints for your walls at home, and who'd turn that down these days! For more details, contact me at: 414.550.5340

Piper's a Winner!

The other night I was about to shut down my computer and go to bed, when I decided to check my email one more time. There, amongst some sale specials was an email from Miller's Professional Lab - my photo lab. "Congratulations - you are a finalist winner," it said. I clicked on the URL and there was my image of Piper, in character as Pippi Longstocking, a 2nd place winner in the Humorous category! What a nice thing to think about while falling asleep. I had some quiet time to plan my announcement to her Mom and Dad, who had now just won $1000!

The next morning, I saw her mom Kate and asked what she was doing when Alex got home from work. I told her I had an announcement to make. "What are you announcing?, she asked inquisitvely. "The photo contest - you won something!" I replied. "Ooh," she said, "I've got goosebumps!"

So when Alex returned from work, I had them come through the front door, like they do on the Publisher's Clearinghouse commercials, and announced they had won $1000 for 2nd place. You can see how excited they were!

I called Millers Lab today and asked how many total entries there were in the contest this year. "A lot," the customer service rep told me. "11,426 to be exact!" WOW! With those odds, perhaps it's time to buy a lottery ticket?

So may I thank all my peers that voted for my image in the initial rounds, because only other professionals that use the lab could vote. Thanks to people like Jim Buivid and Suzette Allen, who got me on the right path with learning Photoshop, and all my clients that appreciate my sense of humor in my work!

Bike Northwoods Tour 2009

For the last week, I've been pedaling my Terry touring bike in the northwestern corner of Wisconsin. It was a circle tour that started in Cable > Mellen > Washburn > Port Wing > Superior > Solon Springs and back to Cable. We pedaled through a good portion of the Chequamagon-Nicolet National Forest and near Lake Superior and I enjoyed the beautiful scenery and wide open spaces of northern Wisconsin!

This tour made the history books! It was cooler and windy. The morning we awoke in Mellen it was 38 degrees. The day we rode into Superior we had 25-30 mph head winds and rolling hills. They said it was the equivalent of riding 100 miles. I bonked heading into the lunch stop but felt invigorated after having lunch and a rest. Our last day it was 52 degrees with scattered rain showers. I know, you're all thinking I'm crazy for doing this but did I tell you about the 81 year old woman that rode about 15 miles each day?

The highlight of the tour came on the last night - The Talent Show. The night before a staff person announce that he had a banjo and the one-needed string to make it whole. He said that if someone could string it and tune it, they could use it in the show. How could a beginning banjo player turn down the offer?

So it was that I had my banjo debut in the BEAUTIFUL, native tamarack bandshell know as Lucius Woods, in Solon Springs. Musicians come from all over the US and Canada to play in a summer series. Had I know that this was the venue for the Talent Show, I may have passed, but there I was with an open backed Deering banjo on my lap, playing the 2 songs/licks I held in my memory to 400+ cyclists and townspeople!

When I ran my fingers over the strings to get ready to play, there was a roar and everyone clapped and cheered! I felt like a rock star and I hadn't even started to play. So it was Cumberland Gap and a favorite lick or two from Foggy Mt. Breakdown and I wowed them. Come back next year folks, I'll be even better!

A Night At The Circus

It's been 6 years since the Great Circus Parade has crawled up Wisconsin Ave. with muscular draft horses pulling monstrous circus wagons. But this weekend, the Circus is back in town!

Last night I went down to meet one of the Percheron horse teams from PA. Leearon Kline, who will drive the 6 hitch team and wagon, works for my photographer friend, Janet Fulcher, in Fawn Grove, PA. After 2 days on the road, they got the giant horses settled and showed my neighborhood kids what big horses are all about. The kids loved it!

Afterwards, I headed out on the circus grounds to have some fun with night photography. While hanging around the Merry-Go-Round, I ran into the Beck family, some of my great clients! Jordan was having the time of his life riding a pony around and around.

There's something about the Circus and carnival when it comes to town. Warm summer nights, cotton candy, animals to pet and acts to watch. Being out there at night really stretches the day's enjoyment! Now Leearon has some images to help her remember her time in Milwaukee, driving a 6 hitch Percheron team that pulls the big 'ole Circus wagon, for what may be the last Circus Parade to ever grace the streets of Milwaukee.

A Day in Chicago

Yesterday I had fun taking the train to Chicago to meet a friend and see the Broadway cast's performance of Mary Poppins! It was a wonderful afternoon in the Palace theatre, where the audience was 98% women and young girls. Busloads of girl scouts and grandma's with their grandaughters graced this storied theatre for the 3 hr. show.

It was fabulous! The dance numbers were impeccable and of course, I enjoyed the lighting and sets. I'm so thankful that there are people that choose to make their living in the theatrical arts. Their abilities always leave a smile on my face!

Back at the train station, I made a few images of the Great Wall, with the American flag draping the one side. The train is a wonderful way to commute into Chicago and avoid the construction on I-94.

A Senior to Remember

Every year, when I'm photographing high school Seniors, I get a glimpse of their character and personality. This year I've been lucky to photograph a student from Franklin High that has already shown enough ambition, dedication and selfless acts to fill a stadium.

Because I'm going to produce a custom book for Derek, I started photographing him during wrestling season. He was fast and strong!. Then we moved into Track & Field season, where I watched him reach a personal best in the pole vault. Add in an 800 run and a relay and you get the picture - fast, strong and has endurance!

But what really impressed me was the Eagle Scout project Derek took on. My nephew's an Eagle Scout so I know the drive, dedication and ambition one has to have to achieve the Eagle Scout ranking. For his project, Derek built a Veterans Memorial in Franklin to honor those that have served our country, including 3 generations of his family. No big deal, you might think, until I tell you that he sold the idea to the Planning Commission, Parks Commission, Veterans Associations and many others that could say "yea" or "nay" to his project. Throw in requests for donations to the tune of $50,000 so that the Memorial could be built, and I think you get the idea of his goal setting.

So it was an honor to make some images of him that show off the work he's accomplished thus far and give you a glimpse of the quiet strength he possess to achieve his goals. Here's a young guy that each time I'm done photographing him, thanks me! Little does he know that he's made me feel like a million bucks!

When I'm 92 . . .

I've always had a fondness for those who lives were about 30 - 40 years ahead of mine. There's something about their life experiences and their diplomatic, courteous ways. It was a generation that was buffalo-like. By that I mean, when a storm brewed up in their life, they put their head down and simply walked right into it, head on, and came out the other side a better person for it. So when a client of mine asked me to create some portraits of her parents, who now reside in a nursing home, I was elated!

Everett is 92 and he acts and talks like a man 20 years his junior. His brain is as flexible as a Cirque du Soleil performer! As you can tell, his eyes brighten right up and his smile is infectious. A laugh is always at the ready, and so it was a relaxing time I spent with he and his wife Eva. The images I made will become family mementos for their adult children.

As I look at the image, I wonder why I'm not asked to do this more often? Is it an age thing? Do people think that beauty stops at a certain age? Perhaps the lesson is to not put off having your family portrait made. I know my client is glad that she did this before more changes occur.

We all get old but our inner beauty ALWAYS shines through and that's what endears us to one another.

FAST Cyclists!

Today I worked on a number of shots to get to my stock house in Milwaukee. So I had to post a few more cycling shots from this weekend. Sports photography is fun for me. It gives me an opportunity to PLAY with my camera, flashes and various settings and then even more magic happens when I digitally enhance the image. My friend, Tony Sweet, told us in his Smokies workshop that your success with photography will depend upon what you can do with the image AFTER it's captured. I agree wholeheartedly with his assessment.

This image, which was rather ordinary right out of the camera, came to life after a little digital manipulation. I guess learning various software programs and their updates has paid off! Who needs crossword puzzles to keep the grey matter active? I've got software programs that stretch my neurons!

When I made the image, I was close to the riders and could feel the wind blow by me as they rounded the corner. Can you feel it too?

Cycling Techniques

Wow! Did I have fun last night at the Downer Classic cycling race! Took my new Honl system out for a spin and just played with some shots I had envisioned, as the hunky, heavily muscled cyclists zoomed around the Downer Ave. neighborhood. People have lawn parties and watch the racers blur by. If they drink a little too much, they probably really see the blur! As I walked around the course I ran into about 20 people I know. So it's a fun, summer evening for visiting and taking in a great cycling event. Did I mention that it's free?

So I share with you a few images that I liked from my experimentation. I love the Nikon wireless flash system - so versatile and lightweight. While I hand held these or hand someone hold the Honl snooted flash for me, the successes came when the flash was pointed dead on a cyclist I was attempting to capture. The blur was all fast panning with a shutter speed of about 1/15th of a second.

Another cycling event is due on Downer Ave. the third Sat. evening in July. Stay tuned!

Love You Could Feel

This week I've been honored to photograph LBGT families (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender) for the Gay Neighbor Campaign. It's a local campaign, sponsored by the Cream City Foundation, that fosters support and awareness of LGBT families in the greater Milwaukee area. You will see these images on billboards in the Milwaukee Metro area later this summer.

All of the families were fun to work with but I was proud as they shared why they thought is was important for them to be personally involved in this campaign. They have heartwarming stories to share about their lives and while these recent stories are not yet posted, you can read other stories at www.gayneighbor.org

One family, in particular, moved me. It is this family with a transgender member. As you might know, transgender youth suffer high rates of homelessness and abandonment by their families. Those that make it through their transitions show some of the highest levels of resilience and self-esteem. Family support is paramount in this process.

The patriarch of the family spoke little during my time with him, but when the family was asked about their reaction to Betty's announcement, her father spoke with an honest strength that "this was our child and we could only choose to show love and support for our child." When you look at this photo, I think you can actually FEEL this love for one another!

Beach Days

It was just 2 weeks ago when the temps. were 50-55 and we were groaning about how cool it was. Today the air conditioning is on and I'm thankful I've got it! Sticky weather - where even the grass I cut this morning stuck to my legs.

Bradford Beach was jumping yesterday; where a slight lake breeze made living near the lake a blessing. So if you're a high school senior, hanging out on the beach today, or a parent, inside working, here's a shot to cool you off. Just pretend that glass of water you're drinking is a Pina Colada and you're all set for the beach.

Waikiki Beach, Hawaii

Found Objects

There's a number of things in my studio that I've put to use after finding them along the street, while walking the dogs. Placed out near the curb for garbage pickup, I've come across an old steamer truck that I now use. Dogs and kids have sat atop it, with its brown, rusty locks and leather straps. Who knows where that trunk has traveled in its past?

It's fun when you discover a new "treasure" because it's serendipitous and unexpected! Yesterday brought another one of those kinds of finds. As I turned the corner of Downer and Bradford, I noticed the yellow, green, and red covers that make up a stop light. I breezed by and then started thinking "what could I do with those?" In military style, I quickly wheeled the dogs around and went about inspecting them. All the stoplights were covered so I picked them up and walked them home.

This morning, I discovered that I guessed right! These stop lights fit over my 7" dish reflector that fits on my studio lights. Turning the light to modeling, I photographed the three colors and found various patterns that intrigued me. Then I took them outside to catch some natural light. These patterns are going to make some wonderful parts to digital backgrounds! This one looks like a honeycomb. So besides being great companions, my dogs help me find great useful items!

Harnessing the Wind

Last week I was home visiting my mom in western, upstate New York, in my hometown of Wayland. I had a great time with her as I limbed trees, painted an old metal shed, moved some dirt, etc. I like to work and it felt good to help her get some things done that she didn't have to hire out. In turn, she cooked for me! There's nothing better than having your mom cook for you!

When the rain came in and took us inside, we decided to drive around and deliver a home-made German coffee cake (Kuchen). This is the real deal folks! The recipe's handed down from my German side of the family. At Christmas, mom makes about 6 of these and they are gone in 2 days.

Wayland is situated in a high valley, surrounded by rolling hills that are left from the giant Wisconsin Glacier. Yes, it extended way over into New York state. This is great land for growing potatoes and many an acre is now covered in potato plants destined for the chip industry. Another new development around the area is a large wind tower farm, with towers located on some high hills outside of town. I counted 42 towers from a spot where we sat!

A storm had come through the area and heavy, grey clouds were almost touching the tips of these 200 foot towers. This image, car door supported multi-exposure, shows the towers spinning and the lay of land atop one of the area's hills. The landscape here soothes my soul, even on a cloudy day!

Doggy Opera

Every once in a while you come across a dog that's got a special talent. Today was that day! It was the day I got to photograph Holly and her vocally gifted Rudy, a mixed breed Terrier. Holly, a talented musician, told me that Rudy likes to sing when she plays certain songs and I chuckled while envisioning this phenomenon. However, thinking about it and experiencing it are two different things.

As part of my Dogs and Their Women project, I arrived at Holly's with this image in mind. At first, Rudy preferred to play with his stuffed toy or me. Belting out a tune was far from his mind. But we knew patience was the posture to assume when working with animal talent! Then Holly and her musical partner, Jim, on the guitar, (my banjo teacher) struck up a particularly joyful song and Rudy went over to a new spot on the floor and starting belting out the chorus! Aaarrroooo! Aaroroooo!

Thrusting his head back and belting out a howl that wolves would have picked up in a heartbeat, Rudy's primordial genetic material kicked in and you could almost say he was in a little trance, as his body softened and his movements slowed.

Rudy's lucky that he's got nice music to listen and sing to. When I practice my banjo, my Coonhound leaves the room! Perhaps with a little more practice I can get my Coonhound to howl. Watch out Rudy, you'll have competition then!

Everyone Wants Mom's Attention

I'm having so much fun with my Dogs & Their Women project! This past weekend I wandered out to West Allis to spend some time with Jenelle, her 2.5 yr old daughter Alyson and Lily (Great Dane) and Kross (Doberman). Everyone was easy to be with! Little Alyson brought out her own dog, Fido, and as we talked, Lily stretched her body out and over Jenelle's legs. So easy for a Great Dane to do!

Well Kross had to wiggle in there and get his own bit of attention as well - see him closest to Jenelle? This image reminded me of the quote often seen about dogs being children that never grow up. Just like kids, they love attention, especially when there's company around!

I love this image because I think it describes an everyday scene of mothers who have young children and a dog or two. You can feel the warmth and love that Jenelle showers on those she loves! It's an image that will work wonderfully in my book about Dogs & Their Women.

Batter Up!

What can be more fun that watching a Little League game on a warm, summer night? Photographing one!

Little League baseball had it's official "opening" last Friday night, when the thermometer actually hit 80 degrees! What a joy to sit outside in shorts and a short sleeved shirt to photograph my 3 young neighbors who all play on the same team - the Pirates! It was great fun to follow them through the camera lens and record them throwing, running and batting. They are growing up quickly!

There was one particular rule at this level of Little League that I thought was interesting. If the ball was in the infield, you could raise your hand up (if you had the ball) and that meant 'time out.' Every movement stopped to allow the kids to process what had happened and think through to the next batter and what might happen - i.e. where to throw the ball to get an out.

"WOW," I thought, "wouldn't it be great if in real life you could throw your hand into the air for a little 'time out' to get your bearings and go on with your life?" "Stop everybody! I've got the ball and my hand is up in the air! STOP!" Just then, this young, talented boy stepped up to the plate and swung his bat like a pro. He snapped me back into reality as I made this shot.

It was fun to be a kid again, if only vicariously.

Let's Have A Look At That Cavity, Shall We?

My dentist and his staff are fun! Steve Carini, DDS has been my dentist for 25 years and in all the time I've been his patient, I'd never thought about creating an image like this until I got my 10.5mm Fish Eye lens. Well, today was the day and I even remembered to take my camera gear with me!

It was time to fill a cavity or two, but first I asked Steve and Karen to don the gloves, mask and micro glasses for me to have fun and make an image of them. They were all over it! They started giggling at the thought of how this was going to come out and enjoyed the opportunity to have a little fun in the office. Who else would think that getting a cavity filled was fun?? For me, it was!

Technical stuff: 10.5 mm lens with (2) SB-800's Metered for ambient exposure and added +2/3 stop on remote and -2/3 stop on master flash pointed at Steve. It's not perfect but it was fun way to enjoy having a cavity filled!

Urban Wildlife

A month ago, while I was walking my dogs towards Lake Park, I noticed a healthy fox coming down the sidewalk on the opposite side of the street, barking warning barks at me. Little barks, like when your dog wants to go outside. My dogs held steady, curious as to what kind of "dog" this was with a bushy tail. It crossed the street and walked along the opposite side with us, as we moved closer to the park. Then it found a rather nice viewpoint on a corner lot with a raised front yard, about 4 feet higher than the sidewalk. I figured it was protecting a liter of pups so the search was on to find out where their den was. I wanted to photograph them.

Deb, our postal carrier had all the info. Six kits and the address of where they were denning up. Today she updated me as to their whereabouts and I headed over with a 300mm f2.8 lens. One parent and one kit were in the front yard playing when I drove up. I used the car as a blind and made just a few shots when mom barked a little "yip' and into the den they ran.

This kit looks real healthy so now I know why I'm seeing less rabbits this spring!

Palette of Poppies

This past weekend I attended a graduation party of one of the high school seniors I photographed and while I was on the way, I stopped at the Chicago Botanical Gardens. I'm embarrassed to say that I had never been there before (PLEASE don't spread that around!).

Well, I now have some dates plugged into next year's schedule to get down there for the 7:00 a.m. opening because it's a place that's NOT TO BE MISSED. (There, I yelled at myself for not going there sooner!)

While it was a cool, windy day, the gardens were alive with all kinds of color, but the poppies took the show. They were in full bloom and everyone was standing around enjoying this palette of color. Cameras were clicking with parents photographing their kids and admirers trying to capture the beauty of the color, so I had to add my two cents.

Since is was 1:00 p.m. and bright daylight, I decided to make a multiple exposure to blend all that color together. Some experimentation with a few exposures and I started to feel the emotion behind the process. Then I got the high sign from my fellow party goers that it was time to hit the road.

It felt great to try something I don't usually do, just for the heck of it. A little "what if" is always good for any photo shoot because it teaches me to take chances, experiment, fail and then eventually succeed.

Walking the Dogs

First, a huge Thank You to all the military folks that think of others before themselves! I missed saying that yesterday, but it includes one nephew that is just starting his tour in Afghanistan and another nephew who served two tours in Iraq.


Saturday found me traveling out to a home with 3 dogs and a one year old. Lisa, besides her husband Chris and son, Tucker, has 2 Pit Bulls and 1 Rottweiler - all rescue dogs - living with her. It was a hospitable bunch, or should I say, pack, of dogs that greeted me and gave me some fun images. They all have their own personalities and jobs in the family.

Weather was warm and humid but they got them all ready for a walk. Now walking 3 dogs can be tricky - that's why I stopped at 2. But Lisa & Chris got them all hooked up and Tucker was "tucked" into his stroller and off we went. Spanky, the alpha dog, was sporting his pulling harness and he towed Bulldozer, who suffers from some arthritis. Bulldozer absolutely LOVES to sit in his red wagon and be pulled, and Spanky loves to provide the muscle. Bulldozer kind of looked like Cleopatra and her servants! Bear, he just strutted his stuff with the rest of them. Pretty cool - you only needed to hold 2 leashes instead of 3!

After we got back, Chris pulls out his skateboard and Spanky gets a little more exercise giving Chris a ride. Go Spanky, Go!