Last days

Somehow in my mind I can not grasp that summer really is over, the kids are back in school, and the leaves will soon begin to turn.

It's all the more reason that simple pictures like this

become so meaningful.

They say something about who you are are and what your vacation was to you.

When I look at this shot, I will remember so much more than just this moment.

For me, the laughter and faces of these three boys will always be woven in the memory of one of my children's favorite summer vacations, one of go carts, birthday cake, late days on the lake, and nights that always came too soon.

"What grizzly?", my children will someday ask, "Did we even go to Yellowstone on that trip?"

We did.

But their memories will be like mine, not of wildlife animals, but of a

$700 ski boat,

an inflatable kayak,

eating good food with people we love,

singing Eric Clapton at midnight,

Broken Chair Island,

and a go cart the kids pieced together with a car seat, a dolley, and some duct tape.

Priceless.

Rodeo

Bull Riders

There's a very surreal quality in the air back in the shoots with the bull riders.

This was one of the funniest stories I've heard in a long time. Not to break any confidentiality, but it was about a one armed bandit, a real one.

This was one of the most beautiful cowboys I had laid my eyes on. I don't know what is was about him that made me want to see him win so badly.

Davis County Fair

Until then

On vacation, playing with my kids, hanging with family, swimming, and going to reunions for the next two weeks. Check back August 15.

until then, take care.

Cristy

Keali'i

You know, what I love about taking pictures of kids and teens is that they give more freely of themselves. They are not as weary of a camera as most adults are and they are simply more willing to be themselves, tell stories, talk about their lives, and look the camera straight on no posing needed.

So when I post their pictures on my blog I always try to post at least one picture I know they will like. These first two shots are ones I love, the third is for his mother (moms always want a smiley shot) and the last is for Keali'i. He doesn't really like to smile for cameras and he loves his hat. Thanks for your patience Ke.

Sasha

Son of Hurrell

I did this photo for my brother Jason.

It's actually a tribute to one of my all time favorite photographers, the late George Hurrell, who created the standard for the Hollywood glamour portrait. You'd recognize his work if you saw it. He shot Joan Crawford, Rita Hayworth, James Cagney and all the big names of their day.

I don't think he ever photographed dogs, but if he did maybe it would have looked a little something like this. I think this pooch looks like he belongs on the MGM studio lot.

Happy Fourth

A Face So Lovable

What are the definable qualities that make a face so lovable?

I couldn't tell you, but I can tell you this sweet boy has them.

I just wanted to scoop him up and take him home with me.

The Girls

We had some darling friends come visit us. We felt their stay was entirely too short. My daughter cried when she found out they had left and she hadn't a chance to say goodbye to them.

Preston and Becky

This is my baby brother Preston, and his beautiful fiancee, Becky. We had a wonderful shoot yesterday. As I was looking through my lens, it was then that I saw him as the man he as become. It's so strange to think that this boy who not so long ago used to ask me to smell the arm pits of his shirts is now preparing to take a wife. He hasn't asked me to smell his shirts for maybe a year. Through these pictures I see how he's grown and what he's become and I think he's ready as he can be for the challenges of marriage. My best wishes to them!

Summer Sun II

Comments

To comment or not? That is the question I've been harassed about (mainly from my relations). I took off the comment feature some time ago but enabled it again recently. Sometimes it's just nice to be able to say something and it's always nice to hear it what other people have to say, especially when it's nice and if it isn't I should be able to delete it.

Summer Sun

This is one of my favorite places to take pictures. To the north of our house we have over a half of acre that is just wild. I call it our own natural "xeriscaping". The homeowner's association calls it "non-complaince".

My daughter just seems to be growing so quickly so I was grateful for a moment to be able to capture her before she changes again.

Baby Breyson

Breyson was born yesterday afternoon to two of the most fabulous people I know. He is joining the kind of family every child should be born into.

Welcome to this wonderful world Breyson!

The Love of a Parent

Sunday on the Court

My brother, Preston, on the court with my nieces and nephews. If you look closely you can see my nephew in the background sitting in the ivy watching.

This last shot is my dad, who is sixty four, with my brother Mike, who is forty-one. They played against my youngbuck newphews who are fourteen.

My dad and brother won two out of three...barely.

Eden

This is what I get for trying to get my niece to smile.

Baby

Star Trek Goupies and Wanna Be Stars

Okay let this be a lesson, when great opportunities come by, do not pass them up. A classmate of mine announced he was doing a Star Trek parody commercial and needed some extras. How could I not go? When would I get a chance to be in such a situation again? Probably never ever. All my grown up friends had real jobs, car pool, or volunteer work so I grabbed some of my younger friends and we headed down to the Tower theatre in Salt Lake for a day of shooting in the rain. The extras were a mingle of actors, sci fi fans, and friends of the production team. We had a fabulous time. The next day I was sore from laughing so hard.

An unknown extra (she was very nice).



This is my friend Ashlee.

And this is my friend Tink, short for Tinkerbell. Standing at a height of six feet two inches with red hair, it's a perfect name for her. I don't know how this dog fit into the picture. Hopefully he got paid.

I do not remember the director being this happy.

This is the producer, my friend Brady, dancing with some of the younger extras. I think he wore that ant headpiece during the entire shoot, he wasn't actually in the shoot though.