First, let's look at all the work and play since I know that's what most people want to see. As I wrote in a previous post, this year was one of the best I can remember for cohesiveness in my process. If you aren't familiar with what I'm referring to look back at my past posts. Here's a bit of what was shot this year. Enjoy!
This was a super fun shoot with a couple of great ladies. I don't get
many opportunities to play with dogs!
One of my all time favorite couples. I shoot them every chance I get.
When I was asked if I wanted to shoot my friend Gook during one of
his painting sessions, I jumped at the chance. Again, look at my past
posts for this very cool shoot.
One gorgeous girl in great makeup? Count me in.
This year, I had the honor of helping my good friend Christine graduate high
school by mentoring her through her exit project on photography. I think
I need to slate that for a future blog post. We also did this for her senior pics!
2014 was packed full of beautiful women. Miss Breanne was one of many. I love this!
Trying hard to keep moving on my ink project. Nicole and I have been
trying to shoot together for a long time. I'm glad we did.
In late spring Michelle and I hosted a get-together for a few models
and photographers. We eventually did get some shooting done.
This past year saw the end of my time at Manhattan Magazine. Although bittersweet, I needed
to move on and work on my own stuff.
I fell back in love with black and white this year. It might even lead to me
putting the 1Ds down a bit and shooting some film in 2015. We shall see.
Always one of my favorite ladies to shoot. I consider Shanon one of my muses.
I'm not sure why I love this image the way I do. It's a good thing I don't have to explain it!
Sometimes, you just have to go play. On a really cold and rainy night
we took such an opportunity.
Katie. Wow. Another instance where she and I had been trying to get together.
After years of trying, we finally did. Although it was a pretty hurried shoot, the
end result could be one of my favorite images ever.
Another time that the stars just align and you jump on a chance to go play. Those eyes.
When Kayla first approached me to shoot her doing yoga nude I was... bewildered. It seemed like such an odd thing to want to do. Lesson learned: never judge an idea before you try it! We had so much fun and made some great work.
 This is from the second time we shot. Again, I had no idea we would get this stellar of a work. |
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It's not often someone asks me to hire a model to shoot with his car. And plane.
Yeah, it happened.
I've wanted to do a variation of this for a long time. I love what we did.
So much soft! Another one of my mystery favorites, I can't quite explain why
I'm so drawn to it.
Fun with women in water. enough said. Chey was so cold!
Twins!!!! Although not identical to the eye, working with these two it became very apparent they have similar minds.
Another perfect example of being in the right place at the right time. After finishing some prom pictures, I stumbled on these gentlemen.
Last but not least for 2014, a surprise engagement! In a super covert mission, I shot his proposal.
And then their formal engagement photos!
And now for something completely different... 2014 was a great year in my personal life as well. Here are some of the highlights from that side.
We attended our second GenCon in Indianapolis. My new stepdaughter beating Erica up!
Also attended our third TengaiCon here in Manhattan. There is never a dull moment when the crew
from our local SCA group show up.
After the tragic passing of our first bunny, Gopher, shortly after we got him, this happened. We
adopted Steg (a.k.a. Stegosaurus Rex a.k.a. fuckwad) from the Riley County Humane Society. What a ham.
This girl. Although Michelle and I didn't get to work together for very long, she
had a big impact on me. I haven't really started looking for another shooting
partner yet because I know how hard it will be.
My motley crew. My four at least. I just couldn't resist including a picture of them.
I wasn't initially going to include anything from my personal life in this post. Then I started to think about it and realized I had to. That the things that happened to me this year were so important that they needed to be here.
Would you expect any less? As my lovely bride is coming down the aisle, I can't resist shooting her from my point of view.
Resistance is futile!!!
Ahhh, me thinks I can still smell frosting.
And this is my world. I think this could possibly be the only time we have all been on this side of the camera together!
In closing this very long post, I give you this. A self-portrait I made on a whim. 2014 will go down as one of the best years ever for me in so many ways. I hope this year will prove to be as good or better. I hope I haven't bored you, and I wish you all an amazing one. I love you all. Some just a little more than others.
