Following in the footsteps of the masters.

If you have yet to figure it out, I like to take pictures. Not just snapshots, but photos---I am sure I have not let on to anything that will surprise you.

A few weeks ago, we had some friends over and I learned their 18-year-old daughter was a serious dancer; serious meaning she is going to be pursuing it in college. When I heard this, and that she was into ballet, I had to ask if I could photograph her. Not necessarily when she is dancing, but stretching and preparing to dance. Catching them in a time when they are focusing on their performance, and in a different world, are the moments I wanted to capture on my trusty Nikon.

It turns out her performance was at 10AM last Saturday and she was going to be "preparing" from 9 to 10. Of course, and you have to know our family, we were running late. I was getting antsy but did my best to try and hide it from our girls; that was about as likely as us having a snowstorm and not knowing it had happened. When I want to photograph, I want to be in control. Ha.

As we arrived at the school I was a little surprised to see a number of young and older girls walking in---many of them were in costume so I suspected they were going to be dancing as well. I was disappointed as I was not sure this would be what I was expecting; it turns out it was combination of what I was hoping for and what I had thought when we got out of the car. I had this vision of shooting a photo like some of the best photographers have in the past but then all of the younger dancers made me think maybe this was not what I thought it was going to be. I was fairly sure I would not get the shot.

Why?

When we walked into the area where you buy tickets we were told there were no cameras allowed. I could not believe it. I said, “I don’t use a flash.” That usually works but was told, "Sorry it doesn’t matter." Fortunately I was not the only person who was determined to photograph the performance as there were flashes going off for the next one and a half hours.

The photo above was taken about 15 minutes before the curtain call; I knew what I wanted to capture and had to give a little bit of instruction---whatever I asked for she did.  What I love about this photo is the preparation she is going through---and the post in the front of the photo. For once I can say, this was the photo I wanted---and luckily got it. I may never be one of the masters, but as far as what happened last Saturday, I can now walk behind them knowing I have finally shot ballet.

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The road to somewhere.

It seems often I will take the road I believe is the one that will get me to where I intend to go---and for those of you who remember Kevin in the show, “The Wonder Years” and his ability to guess what’s going to happen, we have something in common. We are wrong.

But that’s okay because it makes life a lot more interesting. I’ll try anyway to rationalize it, can you tell? For example, sometimes I am sure that something is going to happen one way, and it goes the complete opposite way. When I thought I was going to be getting a job offer from one company, I got the dreaded, call, e-mail or note letting me know I was the “bridesmaid.” Again. I was beginning to think after a while I was never going to make it to the alter. I did however. Finally.

What I find to be very interesting is when someone says, “I am not going to do this, or I am going to do that” and sure enough they are wrong. For example, Lebron said he was “going to bring his talent to South Beach” and “bring championships with him.” Oops, wrong. Anthony Weiner was “going to run for higher office.” Oops, wrong. The Cubs are going to “end their drought of 103 years of defeat.” All together now, “oops, wrong.”

But there are many predictions I do believe will come true sooner rather than later; I do believe our economy will get better. Maybe not in the next few months, but sooner than we expect; I also believe this coming election will be one of the ugliest and ridiculous forms of “mud slinging” we have seen. Ever. It will likely cost more than $1 Billion to elect the next President. I could make a suggestion on how to use that money that will really help America. I am sure it would go over real well.

But the one that I believe will be the most difficult for many millions of Americans to handle will be when the NBA and NFL  teams will be sitting on the sidelines as their scheduled dates to start pass us by. Sunday’s will not be the same—and for me, I will really miss the NBA. I suspect compared with the NFL, I am in the minority.

I really do hope they settle their differences; we need to have someone to point fingers at and be upset about during the winter months.

The photo above reminds me of the road we take when we have little or no idea where we are going. Taken at the Morton Arboretum, it is actually a work of art that currently resides in one of the lakes. It is really cool—unlike how I feel when I get lost or once again guess wrong.

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Cause and effect.

Every second of every minute of every hour of every day, someone steps beyond the call to do something to help other people. It might be providing directions to a visitor in our city, giving change to those who are needy or gathering a group to help a cause that effects people. For such uncaring people we really do care.

Maybe we know someone who had cancer, lost a loved one to someone who was behind the wheel when that should have been the last place they were, or many different reasons to reach out and help; making people stop and think about how good life is, and making sure every day is one you treasure is something we need to do more often. Frankly, it’s too easy to stress out. I know, because when it comes to sweating the small stuff, my pores are wide open.

Particularly in the summer and fall, you will find more people helping other people or being involved in a movement to help; I would assume it’s because of the better weather and because people are outside and reachable. In Chicago right now, you will find “street teams” out asking for people to donate to save the environment, children, and countless other causes. This may come as a shock to you, but this is known as “cause-related marketing.” For people it feels good, for companies it helps to reinforce they are really people behind the brand. 

Probably the best example of cause marketing is “Walk for the Cure”---supporting research for eventually finding the cure for breast cancer.  Most of us know it as the Susan G. Komen walk ; it’s named after a woman named Susan G. Komen of course who when she passed away from breast cancer was told, “we will find a cure for this disease in honor of your fight to beat it.”  All you have to do is walk into a grocery store in October---this is breast cancer awareness month---and see a sea of pink labels supporting the cause. 

Some see this as commercialism; I see this as a lot of money being donated to help find the cure for a horrific disease. If you go to the website and look at the partners who donate, you will see they are giving a lot of money that could be finding its way to the bottom line instead of the research centers across the globe.

Right now I am sure some “Snap.Shot.” readers are probably thinking---“he has sold out? “ Nope, I have actually bought in, because I do believe these dollars will one day find the cure. How cool would it be if that dollar were yours?

The photo above was taken last fall during a local high school football game.  The player was on the other team; I can’t recall if all of the players had the pink ribbon on their helmet, but I found it to be a tribute I had to photograph.  I am glad I did. When you have lost a loved one to something that makes you stop and wonder, “why?” think about how commercial cause-related marketing is…chances are you will pick up the pink can.

Thanks for stopping by.

Frogger.

For those of you who have no idea what I am talking about, chances are you are a lot younger than I am. For those of you who do, you probably know I am referring to a video game that was very popular a long time ago about a frog that tried to cross a busy highway. As a player of the game, I can assure you, the frog had many lives lost to the speeding cars that whizzed by; in other words, I was not very good at the game.

This past week in our sales meeting we saw a presentation of a video game coming out in the fall that takes a player from their daily playing lives and places them right smack dab into the video game. You can be sure if I don’t know much about Frogger, I would never stand a chance with this game. It does sound kind of amazing thinking that you literally are in the game as a player---and you are a complete interactive piece to what’s happening in the game. All I can say is, “whatever.” (Just what you would hear from the age of the players this game will attract.)

While we were in the meeting we started talking about video games the company still owns that they use for props as part of the experience they put consumers through to get them to try or sample a product. They have PacMan, Pong (yes the original), Asteroids and more.  I was shocked, but the reason they have them is for a project that was done that took people back in time---they used the video games as part of the experience. Confused? E-mail me and I will explain. Actually don’t, I am not really sure of what they did with them.

When I was a kid, I loved Pong; we would go to the mall, that’s where you found the games, and we would pump quarters into the machine. I put more quarters in than the other people because I often lost and the loser paid. However, when we would go to the bowling alley, I would get my money’s worth back by playing pinball. I was not just okay at pinball---I was actually pretty good. Every so often we will see a pinball machine and I will play but since they are so rare, my talents are lost to the video games I can’t play. Oh well.

I really like looking back in time; that’s probably why I loved movies like Back to the Future, Mad Men, and other movies and shows that take us back in time to the days that molded us.

The photo above was taken in New York a few months ago. Like the game “Frogger” I watched as cabs, cars and crazy people whizzed by not even bothering to notice the color of the stoplights. I am happy to report this family made it to the other side---unlike the frogs who I controlled in the game Frogger who were not as lucky.

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An outsider looking in.

For those who know me, they probably know I am not really normal; I do know who some of the readers of “Snap. Shot.” are and they know first hand I can be far from mature, love creativity, have horrible handwriting (thankfully I can now type), and well, I am different.

As I have gotten older, I have become “slightly” more of a risk-taker; not one who will do completely crazy things, but if I believe in it, I will give it a shot. By the way, my record to date has not been great---but then again, I had to find out how bad it could be so I have taken risks.  As Charlie Sheen would say, “Winner!”

Ever since I left the painting world, yes I did that, and picked up a camera, I knew I wanted to do more than just take snapshots. When I would talk with other photographers, they were kind enough to let me know, it’s crazy to think you can actually do it. I believed them on one hand, and ignored them on the other—guess we’ll see if it’s the right one, or thinking I should have left behind.

For example.

While we were at “off-leash dog park yesterday, a woman asked my wife and I, “Are you professional photographers? “ I paused and said, “Well, we do get paid for taking pictures, but it is not our full-time job. So I guess we could be considered professionals.” My wife said, “We just enjoy taking pictures.” Well that ripped my comment to shreds.

This morning, as I sit here in Row 15, seat “F” on a Southwest flight to Newark, I just finished reading an article about Southwest’s 40^th year of flying and the risk and guts it took to get it off the ground. I really enjoyed reading it because it was short, and broken down into 40 different reasons why Southwest worked.

Whereas the only thing I have in common with Southwest, as I sit here typing is, I am on their plane.

However this Fall, “perhaps,” we will have something in common. Starting in early August, our little photography company (and I mean little) will be taking on the biggest challenge of its young life. It all started this past winter, when football was very far in the future that we earned the opportunity to photograph approximately 1300 young men and women who play and cheer for 2 of the “franchises” in our local youth football league.  (To complicate matters, and prove I am really nuts, we will also be photographing action shots for our local high school team.)

Will it all work? Gotta coin?

Actually, I believe it will. Why? Because I have been fortunate to have time to think, sweat, and sell as hard as I could, that as a company we will make it work. Who have I had to sell it? My family, other photographers who will be photographing for the company, and the one person who required the most persuading, begging and convincing of doing it--myself.  Actually, I was the easiest sell.

We are an outsider in the photography world; in many ways we have no reason for doing what we plan to do---but if it all works, I know one thing, I will have a new camera, new lenses, and most important, “memories” to deliver Mom’s, Dad’s and the players/cheerleaders who let us give it a try. 

The photo above was taken in New York City during a snowstorm this past January. Feeling like the same person who is looking at camera “stuff” in the window---I know what it feels to be that outsider looking in. I just want to see if I can make a difference---but, regardless of the outcome, I plan on writing “Snap.Shot.”

Thanks for stopping by.

The Moment.

"Got my face pushed up against the nursery glass,
she's sleeping like a rock,
my name on her wrist,
wearing tiny pink socks,
she's got my nose,
she's got her Mama's eyes,
my brand new baby girl,
she's a miracle,
I Saw God Today."


These lyrics are from one of George Strait's albums, "Troubadour." Whether or not you are a country music fan, the words that he sings hit a real chord with me---one that I never saw myself enjoying when I was younger and a die hard rock n' roll fan. 


I remember many many years ago when my Mom had a country music station pre-set into her car radio and I thought, "this must be a mistake." I think it was---the next time I was in her car it was no longer there. My first time really listening to country music was in the early 1990's---the song was by Randy Travis of what I recall. It happened in a cab in Chicago. Go figure.


What I found so appealing about country music were the words; unlike rock n' roll or other music formats, it kind of talks to me. I have listened long and hard to lyrics about "living like you were dying," "Who's that Man," and hundreds of other songs that are really etched upon my mind. For some crazy reason, they touch my soul. I know it's sappy, but for me it's true.


What spurred today's "Snap. Shot." was what I heard on the radio the other day. Very similar to myself, it told of the story of a man who was driving down the highway and heard the song, "I Saw God Today." A die hard rocker, he mistakenly had hit the search button his radio. He heard the song and for some reason didn't switch the station. Having become a Dad for the first time recently, he was stunned to hear the words that made so much for who he was now. A new Dad with a new daughter in his life. I totally got it.


What really got to me was the man heard this song while he was driving down Highway 55 from Chicago to Bloomington, IL---I also learned he lived in one of the Chicago suburbs; this was on a nationally syndicated radio show that plays on our country music station each weekend. What hit me was...he is from the community where I live---Glen Ellyn, IL. I knew there was a reason I had tuned in yesterday.


The photo above has been in "Snap. Shot." before. About 3 years ago, my daughters and I were at the Brookfield Zoo when a mother giraffe and her calf were in a confined area due to extreme cold at the zoo. I watched them for several minutes---also making sure my daughters were okay---and the mother  giraffe came up and nuzzled with her son. I missed the shot completely. I just thought, "That would have been a great photo." A moment later, like she felt my disappointment, she went and did it again---I didn't miss it this time. Whereas I would not say I saw God that Day, I did see a magical moment.


Thanks for stopping by.

I have figured out I am getting older.

I knew something was up.  Sure enough they were right----everyday we actually do get older. Who would have thought?

A few weeks ago, the annual carnival made its annual visit to the parking lot facing the oldest grocery store; not only the oldest store in our community, but likely the entire county. (I think it was opened in the 1870s.)  Fortunately the food is not from opening day.

The carnival used to be my favorite part of summer---growing up we always knew it was on its way as the signs were placed in the windows of retailers of its pending arrival and the parking lot where it was held, had barricades up making sure no one parked where the rides were soon to be placed.  I don’t remember all of the rides, but the one I loved most was called,  the “Scrambler.”

If you are familiar with the ride, it spins in a broad circle as the cars weave in and out appearing to nearly miss one another. They always did miss, but sometimes I wondered.  When we went on the Scrambler, we always tried to squeeze the person who rode with us; centrifugal forced pushed you against them and the goal was to make them so winded they could not catch their breath.  I am not sure if they still call it by the same name, but I know it is still around.

The problem now is I can’t ride on it any more; any ride that spins is completely off limits. It doesn’t matter if it’s a carnival or playground ride, just watching it can make me feel ill. I have learned, from the other parents at the carnival, that I am not alone.  Last year, after a lot of begging from my daughter, I took a ride on a one that spun.  For this ride, you lay down and rise up and down all going in one direction. I kept my eyes straightforward, didn’t look to see how the kids were doing, and prayed I was not going to get sick. Luckily I didn’t, but I really felt bad the rest of the day. 

One point of difference between the good ol’ days and today is the price to ride and feel miserable after you get off the ride.  I remember the tickets were a dime and all you needed was one ticket per ride. Today, they are more than a dollar per ticket and the minimum to ride is two to three tickets. What do we do? For $15 or so dollars, you can the wristband that allows you to ride as many rides as you can over several hours. Although I didn’t ride any, based upon the way I felt after 3.5 hours, you would have thought I was on everyone of them.

The photo above is of a playground ride at our local park. You get on, hold tight and spin around. Ugh. Just taking the picture made me dizzy. What has happened to me? Oh yeah, I think I have gotten older.

Thanks for stopping by.

Family.

For most of us, we have family. Some are larger than others, but in general we have someone who is related to us. I don’t know how you could possibly not have any relatives or family, but I am sure there is one way or another. So let’s assume most of us have someone they can point to as a member of their family.

What really makes a family interesting are the stories and background that mold it; we all have stories---some are skeletons in the closet, and some are “don’t let this ever be repeated” moments---that have occurred through the generations of merging, blending and creating.

What’s interesting is when you “invade” a family due to a second marriage; I know, I fall into that situation. The term “blending” could not be more accurate for me. Some of it has been a “smoothie” and some of it a “rocky road.” But in the end it has all worked.

There is another side to the story---and that’s when you leave it through divorce or a situation that ends your status as a family member. It happens.

Joining another family, for sure, has its benefits---you meet new people who are interested in meeting you and vice versa. But it also has its challenging times; you encounter new situations that you never thought you would deal with---this has been part of the “merger” and although some of it has been very difficult to deal with, in the end it is what makes you who you are. There is no escaping the truth.

My wife’s sister and brother in law were someone I didn’t know for the first part of my marriage; I had met them, but due to prior situations, really didn’t know them at all. I had heard about their life, knew of some of the challenges that had encountered, but all in all, I really didn’t know them besides by name. I am very happy to say that has all changed and now we have welcomed one another into our respective lives. I am very thankful for that---I really do like them a lot.

I love my family, and whereas you can never pick those who will make it up, I would say all in all life has worked out pretty well.

The photo above is of my wife’s sister, husband and children. There is an important child missing from the photo however; nearly 9 years ago, they lost their daughter Devan to cancer. She was 4 years old. I had never met Devan, but she lives through our daughter, Audrey---she carries her name. We can never choose our families, but in this case, I would say the cards all played in my favor.

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Mothers and Daughters.

I have never been either one of the above, but I do know something about them. I know that Mothers are irreplaceable in the eyes of their kids and daughters can be wonderful and challenging at the same time.

When I tell people I have 5 “females” in our home, they consistently give me a look of---“Oh man.” Funny, when you hear of someone having only boys, or a mix, the look is a lot different. I suspect being the only male in our household, it conjures up a number of thoughts---he doesn’t stand a chance to I am sure he is the focal point in the household. Both are correct. But when it comes to being a focal point it’s more along the lines of walking a very narrow rope because I am the male and what do I know anyway?

Don’t worry about me---I am doing fine.

This summer is going to be an interesting one; as the girls grow up, they are discovering much more about themselves and are asking, rather demanding, the “freedom” the one before them had had. It might be going out after 9 PM, staying up later, or even something as simple as going to the pool and playing with friends without Mom or Dad hovering near by.  We do watch them very carefully, but there are also dozens of lifeguards at the pool---for us, it’s kind of nice but we would never  let them know.

I remember when I was a kid I wanted everything my kids are now asking for; the only difference---now there are so many more options available to occupy their time.  Summer in St. Louis was all about being out of doors, at the pool or on our bikes racing through the neighborhood. It was a time I not only treasured, but yearned for as summer dissolved into fall and fall into winter.

Mothers and daughters have a very special bond---one that is very difficult to understand when you are a guy. I should know--- but I also know that as a father I play a role in their life that is different but very important. This is something I would never exchange no matter how many times I have to hear the yelling in our household about clothes being worn, not being ready to leave, and countless other reasons I don’t always understand.

The photo above was taken in North Carolina a few years back. Our youngest was having a moment of need with her Mom. Like a great Mom she came down to her level and let her know she was there to answer any question she had. Being a Mother and daughter---something I will never fully understand.

Thanks for stopping by.