Alfred Nobel was the Swedish chemist who made his fortune by inventing dynamite and the other powerful explosives used for weapons. When his brother died, one newspaper accidentally printed Alfred’s obituary instead. It described the dead man as one who became rich by enabling people to killeach other in unprecedented numbers. Shaken by this assessment, Nobel resolved to use his fortune from then on to award accomplishments that benefited humanity.

Nobel had the rare opportunity to evaluate his life at its end and yet live long enough to change that assessment.

It is never to late to change. If you were to have someone write your obituary what would it say?

As for the new photos…I finally updated my portfolio with another wedding I was a 2nd photographer at. I have three more to edit and put up as well. I am really glad to see my portfolio growing!

Hope that you like the new photos….Also let me know what you think of the ring picture. I saw another photographer do this and loved it. It took me some time to get it … and did some post processing and love the way it looks…what are your thoughts?

But Tracy Autem of Tracy Autem Photography refered her over to me and I was actually available for a few hours on Saturday!

The couple hours we spent together were a blast! She had a great attitude, was great to work with, and her family kept us all laughing.

Of course I cannot post any pics till after the wedding…don’t want the husband to be see…so in a few weeks I will post some for you all to see!

What made this happen.  Well I was invited along with about 18 others to attend a 4 Day Work Shop on News Gather Techiniques, Video Techniques, editing techinques…and well you get the point.  The class was designed to help us as Army Broadcast Journalists become more aware of what we do as a profession.  To help us tell the story!

To give you an idea…this class is worth 35 Hours towards continued education, etc (for professional developemnt).  We were working from 8 am to 7 pm most nights.  And I learned more than I let on!  They used the term filling up our tool box and that is just what they did.

The instructors are all with NPPA-National Press Photographers Association.  Here is a run down on the instructors:

Mike Schuh is a Reporter with WJZ out of Baltimore-So what has he done-nine Emmy Awards in the “Best Reporter,” “Writing,” “Hard News Investigation,” “General News Reporting” and “Features Reporting” categories. In 2007, he received two Associated Press Awards in the “Spot News” and “Human Interest News” categories. In 2002, Mike won a Regional Edward R. Murrow Award … To say the least he has accomplished alot…and he was one of our instructors.

Sharon Freed….what to say about her…she about 5’5″, and stands about 7′ tall.  She tells it how it is and that is fantastic…I truly feel that there is no other way to learn!  She has been in broadcasting since 1980, trains video editors for Avid and Final Cut Pro…And has two Emmy’s!  Did I mention that she is the Director of the National Press Photographers Association.

Last but not least Stephen Hooker…the short version. A man that has been around the world and back. He graduated from University of Miami served in the Army, including a year in Vietnam. After leaving active duty he moved to England and spent two years at the The London Film school, graduated from there, and entered into the motion picture industry. He has served on the NPPA Board of Directors for three terms…each time being elected among the 10,000 plus members at the time….and I must say another instructor that tells you what is on his mind.

In all it was a great experience, and hope that I will get to return to the class next year! And who knows, I may just join the NPPA!

After I am done with that, I am 2nd shooting a wedding in Dallas…but it is only a 4 hour wedding/reception.

Yes I know that I am slacking, but this week, make certain to check back for two things:

1-More Photots of the weddings and this weekends video

2-My Cheese Cake Receipe!

Hope everyone has a great weekend!

Me and My Big Wheel!

Well today is the day…the day I turn 34!  As I sit here and listen to music…solo piano on the Internet, I seem to get lost in the notes and the rhythm of it all.  Were has 34 Years gone?

In 34 years, I have lost two uncles, an aunt, both sets of grand parents, friends, seen people come and go…but I have gained more than what has been lost.  I have a beautiful wife, beautiful kids, and a family full of love!  I have had the opportunity over the last few months, to spend lots of time with my real father and he has been able to spends lots of time with his grand kids!

I have had heart complications, a defibrillator put in, rushed to the ER … but I would never change a thing.  Everything in my life has happened for a reason and has made me who I am today.  It has always made me realize that it is time to what I love!  Photography….I have worked more these last couple of months towards learning, doing, and realizing that Photography is something that I truly love!

Yes on here there are pictures of weddings, and soon pictures of Seniors..but there is much more to me as an artist than just that.. www.cr8iveimages.com is a site full of ideas and things that I love to get out and take pictures of.  I look through the view finder and see a world that most never get to see…the way the light hits a plant or a person, visualize how the photo will look.  Sit for hours in a boat waiting for the light to hit just right, or for that bird to spread its wings.

In 34 years I have opportunities that many people have yet to see or do….

-I have visited over 10 Countries, and actually around the world once

-Lived in 5 states, and have visited or traveled through 20 other states

-Been to school for things I love … photography, videography, and writing…

In all that I have done this past 8 months have pushed me to really look inward and start to do the things that I love!

I will leave you with this last bit…It is an insight to how I think…and well at times thoughts just pop in my head..This is from June 2008 while we were at Church…

…Life should be firmly planted in the present.  You cannot live in the past nor the future.  However, we should all have one foot in the past.  The past will help us to live our present life by correcting our past mistakes and will help us learn to be better.  As well we should have one foot in the future.  The future contains our dreams and our hopes.  The future builds on our past and pushes us to be better, to work towards a goal, to be a better husband, father and friend.  But by living in the present and with a part of us in the past and the future, we will and can live each of our days to the fullest….

I encourage anyone that reads this to find what it is that you love..a person, a hobby, a profession…and do what you can to enjoy it each and every day!

I look forward to another 34 plus years…and posting many more photos of weddings, seniors, and well what ever comes to mind!