It's great to be back in Denver

This week has been a blast. The display at Il Posto has been extended through the end of the month, we raised over $1000 for Ezra in the Convergence show, and I had the fortune of shooting three super cool families.

Tonight, I'll be shooting and awards banquet for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, which is sure to be a blast.

I've extended my stay in Denver for a few more days, so if you're interested in booking a shoot, please get in touch with me.

dcc art show.

I am fortunate enough to be the coordinator for this show for the second year. Last year, we raised a lot of money for a local artist's charity and this year, we look to outdo ourselves.

Please mark your calendars and bring your tastebuds as we'll have a delicious selection of food, wine, and art for any palate.

Announcing the official call for entries to this year's show:

Calling All Artists! The Annual DCC Community Art Show (Posted: 9/20/09) -- The DCC Community Art Show is seeking applications for its annual art show/wine tasting event, November 14 being hosted at 1101 S Washington St. in Denver, CO. We are currently looking for artists who are looking to gain more exposure for their work or are new to showing and/or selling their art. This year's show has an emphasis on the greater community and what that means to its artists. The show will be open format and all mediums will be considered within discretion. We ask that artists submit 1-3 pieces (either separate or part of a set or series) that are framed or presentable for showing (no works in progress). To submit a piece/s for entry, please email a JPEG of your work along with the name, medium and sizing of each piece. If you are looking to sell your work (encouraged), please include all prices. There will be no entry fee this year but we will be accepting donations from any sales. We are also looking to get a short bio on each artist including a sentence of what community means to you. Please send all entries and questions to dccartshow@gmail.com. Submission deadline is October 25th.

isolated incident.

"The Things They Say" is a poignant portrayal of a young woman searching for equilibrium as she confronts the demands of single parenthood. Although she never steps out on stage, her struggles are shaped through the emotional imagery of dance and the ofttime judgmental remaks of her peers. The performance weaves dance, poetry, acting, and live music into a rick mosaic that takes us on a poingant and sometimes humourous journey of self-discovery.

I have the honor of photographing this amazing performance tomorrow night. I attended the first rehearsal a few weeks ago and left feeling confused. "I don't get it," I said. Erin Glockner, one of the dancers, had to explain it to me. I still didn't get it. I guess I'm a bit ignorant when it comes to modern dance. However, last night at the dress rehearsal, it all clicked. Everything made sense and I was filled with wonder and excitement for what is guaranteed a great show.

Please join us:

Coconino Center for the Arts
2300 N. Fort Valley Rd
Flagstaff, AZ
Friday, July 24th, at 7:30 PM

Admission: $10 Adults/$5 Students
10% of the proceeds will go to the Marshall Magnet School Art Program.

trees.

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.

jdrf.

I was called at the last minute to photograph the teams participating in this year's Walk to Cure Diabetes to benefit the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. What a great event. Thousands of people came out on an ice-cold day to raise money for this very worthy cause.

After the run was over, teams gathered to watch dancers, played with reptiles, and ate lunch provided by KFC.

Photos of some of the teams can be seen here. All of the team shots are mine; some of the other images belong to another photographer.

pete butler. turns 50. for the fourth time.

Once again, the Butler family and friends convened to celebrate Pete turning 50. This year, a few celebrity musicians popped in.

There were also glimpses of Billy Idol, Madonna, Jimmy Buffett, and a crew of zany fans looking for autographs.

pete butler. turns 50. for the third time.

I've been fortunate enough to be the official photographer for both the first- and second-annual 50th birthday parties for Pete Butler. With this crowd, you never know what you're going to get.

This year, with the Hollywood-themed crowd, I saw everything from old-town Hollywood to Hugh Heffner, to a giant penguin. An unsuspecting bartender got a surprise lap dance from the DJ, and Marilyn Monroe had a couple of clones.

The challenge to shooting an event is capturing the best moments of the night. This is precisely why I chose to go digital -- you can shoot as much as you need to in order to catch that perfect moment. Out of almost 600 images shot that evening, I came away with just under 400 that can be used as prints or as part of a custom Askua Book that I will be designing.

These types of events are fun for me because I get to be a part of something special in someone's life.

If you have an event coming up, whether it's a birthday party or a corporate event, I would love to be a part of it. Please e-mail me for rates and availability.