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.

BURSTING WITH LOVE

It seems pregnancy portraiture is catching on in this area. Forty years ago pregnancy was a matter of discretion, whereas today it has gone beyond being celebrated - pregnant women go about their business in matter-of-fact fashion.

Arising from that attitude is another branch of photography, which Spectrum Photography offers: pregnancy portraiture.

Kokomo recently held its first baby fair, which attracted new mothers and mothers-to-be.

CATCHING UP

Technical difficulties can delay the best of intentions and the most enthusiastic of work.

Since Spectrum Photography's last post, it's hard to even remember what assignments have come my way.

I know I got the chance to photograph a woman named Sarah Babbitt recently. She wanted photographs of herself in her wedding dress before her wedding; I was glad to oblige.

I also loved working recently at the Haynes-Apperson Festival recently. Musical performers John Ford Coley, Howard Jones and The Little River Band drew big crowds. The whole thing ended with a high quality fireworks show.