Fog

I finally saw some weather in North Texas the other day. It is usually sunny or cloudy with no rain or snow. For 24 hours the roads and fields were covered in fog. I had to take advantage of the milky faded horizons. I'm happy with the mix of photos that came out of the drive. I am hoping for another day soon. It has potential for a good series.

I Likes v.5

Major General Mary Saunders

Every once in a while you meet a particularly strong person. Not strong in a physical sense, although that is also a common attribute, but more a person who carries themselves in a powerful way.

Last week I photographed Mary Saunders. Currently, she is heading a new leadership program at Texas Women's University here in Denton, Texas. Leadership apparently came naturally to Mary, as she spent most of her life in the Air Force eventually becoming a Major General. She held a certain patience in her manner that went beyond military training. Clearly she was accustomed to speaking and dealing with people like myself. Her personality was both calm and direct.

This was my first time taking a portrait of a high ranking military person. It was an experience I hope to have again.

Santa Claus

It's Christmas time again. Time for massive ad campaigns and things I don't need. It does help me turn off the television set. It does not, however, sell me products. Especially when work is slow and the last thing I need is a new car.

It is also a time for Santa. I always take photos at some of the many Santa events for kids. I feel for the Santa more than anything. First words out of this guys mouth to me: "Are you married? Don't do it or you'll end up dressed like me."

Tis the season.

Oldies

Going through old photos for a couple contests I found some shots I liked but never found a place for.

This is the place.

Celina Orange

I showed up to another football game last night to see hunters forging their way into a high school stadium. After a second look, I realize that the orange is really the school color of Celina High School. This, I gotta say, has to be the best color a school could pick. Just orange. I set out to find a set of images not action related.

Neuro-Linguistic Programming

I took a portrait of this cool dude named Robert Hafer. After a short while of photographing we got around to chatting. Robert teaches people how to be successful using NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming.) I am usually skeptical of such "self-help" psychology programs. This was no exception. After hearing a little from Robert, I started to understand that this wasn't really a self-help program but rather an understanding of the ways words can be used to relate to life. We, as humans, take in senses in many ways. Obviously, there is no way to be conscious of all experiences at once. NLP, it appears, teaches you to recognize the way words play off experience and opens scenarios to use words for personal success through personal behavior. If more people stopped and consciously payed attention the ability to shape communication through words, human interactions would probably meet its potential.

I have to look more into NLP before truly placing it above the many self-help programs created or discovered primarily as a money makers. But it sounds convincing so far.

Copper Canyon Online

I am pleased to show off a new slide show of mine on the NY Times. What's more exciting is I pitched the story and was able to land the gig.

Check it out here.

The trip was great. You should go.

I Likes v.4

The Prize

I never won the prize. Not that I was too far off. I was liked. Not the most popular by any means, but certainly approachable. The prize wasn't even the goal. I had my group and we more or less turned our noses to the distinction. Truthfully, I don't think I was at the game and thus missed the parade.

I can imagine the joy (or embarrassment) of getting the crown. Depending on your level of ego it can make or break the season. It can be redemption or repetition, a full-filled expectation or a forgotten moment.

Homecoming. A tradition. While my date's name has slipped my mind, the memory of the dance still sits somewhere in my mind. It was not the missed prize I remember, but rather it is the moment of life that remains in my memory.