It's been a while since I have shot a more corporate type of event, but I was certainly flattered when Art Daley, "The Tree Doctor," of Arbor Pro Tree Care, asked me to photograph this conference. You see, Art was the chairman of this inaugural high altitude conference presented by the Western Chapter of the International Society of Arboriculture (say that six times fast) and wanted to create a truly unique event.
I know, I know, you're wondering, "what the heck is an arborist?" I happened to learn that the best way to describe an arborist is that they are simply "a forester who manages trees in an urban setting." Now I know how to answer that question, since I do get it a lot.
It was a fantastic day filled with firsts: the first conference of this kind held in Northern Arizona, the first "non-boring" tree conference, the first time the mayor gave a key to the city to somone who wasn't a firefighter or "somone who saves babies," and the first time a photographer was present to document the occasion. I even took my photography to new levels when I willingly climbed in a bucket truck and went up 70 feet to take this group shot, even though I am ridiculously afraid of heights. Go figure.
This day was personally very special to me because I have spent my whole life around trees -- from counting them in stand exams to peeling them for log cabins, and even helping take a few of them down now and again, I have grown up in a house where money really did grow on trees.
Despite the fact that I had the edge going in -- I have known Quercus Gambelii, Pseudotsuga Menzezii, Juniperus Depiana, and Pinus Ponderosa since I was thirteen; I actually did know what an Arborist was, and I can tie a mean knot in a climb rope -- I learned a lot that day about trees, insects, and even business.
It was a great day had by all and I look forward to attending in 2010. Click the photo above to view the slideshow.
