New Year's Resolution

I was reading Jim Merithew's article about his new years resolution of carrying his camera around everywhere he goes. I feel like since I have not been shooting for a newspaper lately I haven't shot as much as I should. I agree with him that the best photos to take are the ones for yourself and unexpected. So I have been inspired to carry my camera around daily and shoot for myself.

I recommend reading the article

Gray Matters: New Years Resolutions
Jim Merithew plans to take his camera with him everywhere he goes in 2009.
By Jim Merithew, Wired.com
http://www.sportsshooter.com/news/2149

I will post photos for myself also.

Feature and Antique Hunting

Well I was in Pinckneyville on my way to Springfield to see my wonderful JFowler and I stopped in an antique store that I have been wanting to stop in for a while now. I found a great little feature that really made me feel good because it had such an old fashion Americana feel to it. I love finding a feature unexpectedly. It is really one of the best types of photos.



Kaitlyn Svinning, 9, from Elkville, Ill. reads “The Boxcar Children” to antique store owner Sherry Ridgeway during her day off from Vergennes Elementary School on deer hunting day at Pinckneyville Antique Mall. Svinning dreams of becoming mystery novel writer.

a photo for me

I was scanning slides for my professor at the media lab in the basement of the SIUC communications building. I looked up and saw a father working hard on the computer. He had his son with him. I could only imagine what I would have been like at that age if my parent dragged me to a computer lab and expected me to sit while they work for hours. But this boy didn't have an ounce of selfishness in him. He went on playing around his father climbing all over him happy as can be just to be with his dad. I remember when I was younger I went on father daughter dates to Menards, a store similar to Home and Depot for all you who don't know what Menards is. I always loved going with him even if it was to just look at different screws he needed or picking up two by fours. It was my time to hang out with my dad and I loved it! Now though if he needs to go to Menards or Home Depot I cannot stand going. My dad always said when I would go with him that when I get older I am never going to want to hang out with him. He would grab my hand as we crossed the street and I would tell him that would never happen. Even though I can't stand going to the hardware store with him doesn't me I don't love spending time with him. These days our father daughter dates are Panera for about five cups of coffee and hours of catching up. It seems to be the best time for us two to talk. We don't talk much over the phone but when we see each other and get coffee nothing has ever changed. I love you dad and thank you for everything!

Oh yeah, back to my story. So I was there working and saw this happening and at that point I was extremely upset with myself because my camera was in my apartment in a camera bag. Ugh! I will never go anywhere without a camera again. I took a chance and left the media lab to run home to get my camera hoping when I got back the little boy would still be hanging all over his father while his father worked on the computer. When I got back I couldn't find the boy at first but then realized he got tired out and nestled up on his father's lap for a nap.

Beaver Lake on the 4th

I am working on an essay about the community at Beaver Lake. I went out for a first run today on the fourth. This is what I got.

A Friendly Engagement

Yesterday I had the privilege of shooting a couple's engagement photo in a beautiful woods area. I had become friends with these two in Jasper and will be shooting their wedding next year. Its my first time having a full fledged engagement session with a couple. I must say that I really enjoyed it.







With what has been happening with the layoffs at various newspapers I guess I'll have to hone up on my business skills and try to see what I can do in the wedding photojournalism business.

Lonnie Hilsmeyer

Last Saturday I had a feature run about a man I met who raises deer in his back yard. 14 to be exact. He also is a Vietnam Veteran who suffers from PTSD and was exposed to Agent Orange. He's kind of a quiet guy who doesn't like crowds but finds his joy and sense of peace when he is spending his time with the deer.

Growing Intimacy

Yesterday I had the privilege of shooting one of my very close friend's wedding. I met Melissa I think my sophomore year of college. She became a photographer at the Daily Egyptian with me. From the moment I met her she was one of the nicest most giving individuals I had ever met. Eventually down the road I would become photo editor and she would be assistant photo editor at the school paper. It was not an ideal situation to have to do that job because it meant forking over any free time that was there beforehand. Melissa was always there for me when I would be stressed out about school, work, or some other personal issues I had going on with me before. She always asked me if I wanted her to pray for me. I had never been much of a church goer. I haven't gone in over a year. When she would ask me this I at first would be a little nervous. It was the first time anyone has asked me if I wanted them to pray for me. The first time she did pray for me was the first time I went to church with her. I was at an all time low at that point and couldn't get myself out of the ditch. After she would pray for me I would feel better. It was she who helped me understand my relationship with God. It was the first time that I felt comfortable and open with others at church. It was church that brought Melissa and her husband together and they will continue to help others understand their relationship with God in Bloomington, IN where they will be helping start a church. It was amazing to see these two wonderful people promise themselves to each other for the rest of their lives. If you are reading this Melissa...thank you.