Meet a few of my favorite things (mostly people)

I'm finally catching up with my blogging and have a few random pictures from the several trips I took to Boston this summer while living in NYC. I decided just to lump them all into one post. Enjoy!


A Holga sunset on Comm. Ave. I miss BU.


Andy's always got his head in the clouds, which is why I love him. One of the freest spirits I know.


Cal & Kym after we napped in a park in the North End during their visit from Australia. Love love love these two and was so very glad I could see them while they were stateside.


My friend Tyler is preparing to be a minister and let me tell you, he's already a pretty darn good one.


Toward the end of one of our many deep conversations, this one in the basement of Marsh Chapel.

Meet the Bronx

While living in New York City this summer, my explorations took me to all five boroughs and, not surprisingly, the new Yankee stadium was my excuse to visit the Bronx. As a Red Sox loyalist, however, I had a rule that I would go only if I didn't have to pay for the ticket. As it so happened, a friend I met in the city called me about three hours before game time one Sunday with a free ticket (in a really, REALLY good section), so I scrambled to get myself up there to see this new billion dollar stadium.


And, there it is, shot with my Holga. Pretty nice place and, though it pains me to say so, I got to see ARod hit a home run in his home stadium.


I strong-armed my friend Cassie into joining me because I thought the phrase "I have tickets" meant two tickets but it didn't, though she got in with a ticket anyway after a really hilarious story that, sadly, can only really be told by her and she hasn't blogged about it yet. She had the best sunglasses for making fun pictures.

Meet Mr. & Mrs. Bennett

Here, finally, are some pictures from when my friend Staci got married in August in Iowa. It was a beautiful (albeit sweltering, temps were definitely three digits) outdoor ceremony and a lovely indoor reception at her parents' place in the country. I had a lot of fun shooting these two crazy kids, having fun especially with my film cameras - Holga, Minolta Autocord, Pentax K1000 and even a Lomo fisheye.



Ode to Grant Wood


From the pseudo engagement photos, taken the day before the wedding.


Cute!


Hangin' out, gettin' ready, bein' shmoopy.


BRIDEZILLA!


Just before the ceremony.


New suit.


Married smooch.


"And they lived happily ever after."

Meet Mr. & Mrs. Smith

Continuing along with summer wedding posts, here are pictures from when my friends Emily and Austin got married in August. Though they live in NYC now, they tied the knot in our home state of Iowa and were kind enough to schedule their wedding on a day that let those of us in town for the wedding also hit up the Iowa State Fair. (And if you're from Iowa, you know how big of a deal the fair is.)

I've known both of these kids since middle school--14 years total--and actually knew them both independently before they started dating at the end of our senior year. Again, it was so cool to reconnect with our high school crew and to see a couple so happy and in love. The reception was amazing and I was too busy dancing and laughing to take many pictures, though I think the shot of their first dance together is my favorite.


The ceremony.


Picture time!


I really loved those ties.

Such simple elegance - the whole wedding was gorgeous.

I think this sums them up pretty well.


This picture always makes me laugh.


Aw...

Meet Mr. & Mrs. McLeod

I'm sorry for neglecting the blawg, dear readers. I found a bunch of photos from the summer that I forgot to post, so during this Thanksgiving break, I'll be putting up some catch-up posts for you to enjoy with your turkey.

So, I'm reaching that age where my friends are starting to get hitched, which means I can actually attend a wedding, rather than just photograph it (Don't get me wrong, though. I actually LOVE photographing weddings! Hire me for yours!)

The first couple whose nuptials I witnessed this summer (was invited to five, made it to three) are Chris and Alex, who I know through our time served at BU's Daily Free Press. It was great to see them and to see some friendly faces from the newsroom. I got to go to the rehearsal dinner and actually chat with them a bit and then had a great time the next day at the DFP/BU table. Chris and Alex have been one of the greatest, kindest, most inspiring couples I've had the fortune of knowing and I was honored to get to share in their big day at their elegant wedding.


A quiet moment at the rehearsal dinner.


Such a lovely bride! (And such an elegant wedding!)


Hitched!


First dance.


The groom and his mother break it down.


Basically, this is how our table was for the entire reception.

Meet the MU Homecoming Step Show

I went to a step show today -- my second, I think (I went to one of Boston University's Soulstice shows). It was pretty awesome to finally witness first-hand all the stepping and strolling and traditions of the various fraternities and sororities. I brought my camera, because that's what I do, and ended up capturing a few images I thought I'd share with you here.

If you're really interested in the subject, check out the work by my friend Jarrad Henderson.

Meet an Iowan sunset

[ Note: This post looks best/most accurate when viewed on the most recent version of Safari. But I hope you enjoy them no matter what browser you're using. --Management. ]

Yesterday, I was driving home from a visit to my mother up in Iowa and I kept noticing how beautiful the fields were and thought about how amazing the sunset would be. Since I had a camera and was in no great hurry, I pulled off Highway 163 onto Route 14 near Monroe and drove around through the back roads (all gravel), essentially chasing the sunset.

It was worth every second. This was one of the best sunsets I've seen in a long time and my photos don't even begin to do it justice. A hundred and eighty degrees of technicolor neon brilliance. At one point, it didn't even look real.












The last shot was taken right after the sun sank below the horizon. I didn't add that vignette, that's how it came out of camera. I dig it, though, and think the image feels warm and cold at the same time. What do you think?

Meet some MPW outtakes

Below are some of my favorite pictures from the Missouri Photo Workshop in Festus, Mo., that didn't make my final edit. Enjoy!