SAVOURING THE SENIORS

When late October comes, I feel like an autumn leaf on a branch, trying to hang on in the face of gusting winds and dwindling odds. I'm always hoping the dry, pleasant weather hangs in for "just one more week" (and one more after that...) to keep the outdoor opportunities coming.

Here it is early November and the trees are lush with colour - two senior sessions and a family portrait scheduled for this week and successful sessions leading to it.

Photography is great not just because I get to work in these conditions, but because of the fringe benefits. During a session with Eric, I had the pleasure of not only working with a friendly, agreeable individual, but I got treated to a free concert.

Ironically, this is a black-and-white image, so while it doesn't show the colours of the season, I think it does a good job of showing the feel of how I see the saxophone: jazzy, moody and sometimes stark.

ANOTHER GREAT OPPORTUNITY

There are many reasons why photography is a highly rewarding profession: creative expression, varied experiences... and the opportunity to delve into other worlds. That can be actual travel, or it could be the invitation that is made when a client asks you to make pictures for them. You get the chance to enter that person's, or that family's world.

Such was the case recently when I had the chance to do the high school senior pictures of Olivia at her home. As it is, hers is a beautiful, sprawling wooded property, but pleasant weather and autumn colours made it all the more striking.

Working at other people's homes is a specialty of Spectrum Photography. This allows people to feel a little more relaxed, and we capture elements that are more meaningful. I'm grateful for the opportunity.

STILL STRONG WITH SENIORS

It's late in the game, so to speak, for the high school senior season, but the activity is still strong. So is the quality.

I recently had the privilege of photographing Courtney, a Howard County senior. We had a great evening, and I had a great subject. As you can see, those ingredients were the recipe for success!

Thanks for making Spectrum Photography look good, Courtney!

PHOTOGRAPHIC HISTORY

One reason people place such importance on photographs is because it represents history in the making.

You might remember Hurricane Katrina from a few years ago. When people fled their homes, they weren't carrying desks and clocks - they were carrying photographs.

Other than pictures, photographs are the only way to preserve our mental images.

So, even a light moment of high school Sam here at his percussion set tells a story that people want to "read" - not just now, but far into the future, so they can "feel" what happened in the past - even if it is OUR present.

A DOG'S LIFE

...That's what it will be this Saturday in Danville, Illinois, site of the annual Midwest Dachshund Festival.
I love photographing pets; I'll have the chance to do it almost all day, offering pet lovers three packages that they can use to show off their love for their Dachshunds. Also, I'll be glad to donate a portion of the proceeds to the committee putting together the festival.

Package A
One 5 x 7
Four wallet-sized
$20

Package B
One 8 x 10
One 5 x 7
Four wallet-sized
$30

Package C
One 8 x 10
One 5 x 7
High resolution disque
$50

THIS JUST IN

I'm photographing a dog show next week (September 13) in Danville, Illinois.
As you can understand, a lot of people put a lot of love into their puppies, which is why they p lace a lot of importance on pictures.
I'll be set up at the Midwest Dacshund Festival, taking and selling photographs.
Since I realize there might be a stray or two - people, not dogs - reading this, I want to thank you in advance for your attendance and patronage. In addition to photo packages, people can buy photo buttons, light-up key chains ($12 each) and Christmas tree decorative crystals ($40, which includes postage). Please contact me at (765) 437-8048 with questions.

Sports and September Seniors

I had the chance recently to follow a passion of mine: sports action photography. I was hired to photograph a tennis player from Eastern High School, Noel.

Despite this nice shot, things didn't go so well for the team. But, the great thing about sports photography is that I don't photograph the scoreboard, just the athlete, so my subjects always come out as winners.

The high school senior "season" starts in June, but it's a lengthy one, so there are still more to photograph even well after the school term has begun.

I had the privilege of working with Kayla from Taylor recently. Some people think it's easy to photograph people when they're attractive, but it's more important to work with someone comfortable with themselves. This helps them present themselves in front of the camera. Kayla is one such person. She was fun, but focused. And, yes, attractive.

I look forward to working with another senior this weekend, Sam. The connection here stretches to 2006 when I photographed his sister's wedding. We became reacquainted at this year's Howard County Fair when I ran into not only him but his girlfriend Lexi as well. That won me the opportunity to handle Lexi's pictures too.