Love & a Vintage Airplane

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I've had the idea for an engagement session with a vintage airplane rolling around in my head for quite awhile and was waiting for the right time/opportunity/couple when I met with Amy and Adam and knew they were a perfect match. Not only are they fun, up for anything and utterly adorable... but their wedding reception is set to take place at the Strategic Air Command museum so airplanes were already part of their theme! Next came wardrobe scouting, lining up the make-up artist/hair stylist (thank you Casey!), and crossing my fingers that I could find the right plane! (Just because I had the idea doesn't mean I had the plane!) I struck gold when I was put in touch with Stacy who not only contacted the plane's owner to get permission for us to borrow it, but also gave up part of her Sunday night to come out to the airfield with her two kiddos to make sure everything went OK (seriously... I'm sending something special with your name on it!).

The wind was nothing short of fierce (at one point it ripped my lighting umbrella not only off my lightstand, but tore the fabric off the skeleton and sent the whole thing blowing down the runway!), but I'm pretty stoked with what we got!

Flying forward, February will be here before you know it! :)

Principles: A Steal for $6

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The sales associate had a chip on her shoulder the size of Mt. Everest. I mean, she redefined rudeness while practically escalating it to an art form. Yet, in an attempt to give her the benefit of the doubt, I entertained the possibility that maybe she was just having a bad day. Maybe she was dealing with unforeseen hardships or stress I can scarcely even imagine. Perhaps my sheer presence was the proverbial straw that broke the camel's back. But... I just can't swallow the excuses I tried to make for her. Principles aren't something you abandon on a whim in the name of a bad day.

After initially denying my request to return a small unused item, she grabbed the receipt out of my hand and rolled her eyes in a manner that was so emphatic and over exaggerated, she was deserving of an Oscar. "Well...." she huffed, "if $6 is that important to you... I guess I'll go ahead and process your return." Slamming the item down on the counter, she nodded to the other cashier behind the register to process my request. What?! She's deciding whether or not to honor store policy and return my item based on her perception of the value of its $6 retail price!?

In a dazzling display of self-restraint, I responded with a simple, "It's not about the $6, it's the principle." I had bought an item and was told I could return/exchange it (minus some other non-refundable items also included in my purchase). In an effort to simplify my life and keep unnecessary consumption at bay, I took advantage of being in the area and dropped in to return the needless item. Little did I know the event would be riddled with such drama.

After leaving the store, my self-restraint ran thin and I voiced an avalanche of pent up fury to Emir (bless his heart!) who patiently persuaded me to relax, convincing me not to return to the store with the few choice words I had for the two young ladies who were by this time, surely lamenting my sheer existence and having a gossip hay day.

Left to my own devices, I replayed the exchange over and over in my mind, escalating in fury at what seems to pass for 'customer service' these days. Does her boss know she treats customers this way? Or worse yet, was she the boss? How do businesses that operate this way manage to survive? In a world bursting at the seams with competition, the transparency of social media, and a sheer overabundance of options from competitors, having and abiding by principles is sometimes the only leverage you have.

I like to imagine that this young woman went home that night with a slightly altered perspective, even if she can't yet admit it. Maybe, just maybe, I taught her something. Even if it did cost the store a $6 sale...

Down the Aisle: April + Todd

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Yesterday afternoon, as the sun sparkled and the wind tousled everyone's hair... (and gave the wedding programs a run for it!) April, Todd & little Maddox became a family. I'm told that when Maddox was asked who Todd was going to marry, he answered, "Mommy & me." How cute is that? I fell in love with all three of these cuties while on their loveshoot this past spring and knew their wedding day would be nothing short of joyous. Even the weather seemed happy to cooperate!

After saying, "I do!" there was a strong sense of excitement in the air... this little darling exudes it perfectly!

Congrats guys! Enjoy Hawaii!

A Floating Workshop: Camera Cruise, Let's Go!

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How cool is THIS? A 4 day "Camera Cruise" with yours truly and the likes of David Beckstead, the Bui Brothers, Frederick Van Johnson, Sara France, Kevin Swan, Shaun Austin, Frederick Van Johnson and more! It's a floating workshop where you get personal attention from some of your favorite professional photographers who have been there/done that and and are eager & willing to help you rock your world! Thursday, November 11, 2010 4:00 PM  – Monday, November 15, 2010 10:00 AM $1,250 includes four days full of workshops, shooting and face time (AND lodging/meals). Leaving from/Returning to: Mobile, Alabama Stopping in: Isla Cozumel, Mexico

I'll be sharing my wicked fast workflow and album production process using none other than Adobe InDesign. Join the revolution!

For full details, check out the Camera Cruise blog or the Camera Cruise registration site.

Class of 2011: Monica

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Look at this girl go! Monica was all business when it came to these images... way to rock it M!

For some reason, I really, really, really love this image. I think it was because she was totally in her own world... not paying attention to the camera. This was a 'test shot' that ended up a keeper! I love the contemplative expression on her face...

Two cheers for pink!

Gorgeous!

Another love!

Great job Monica! Hope your senior year is off to a rockin' start!

Love Shoot: Hannah & Jeremy

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So... I just shot these... as in... tonight. Hannah & Jeremy rocked it so well... I couldn't wait until later to check out the take from our shoot.... so... here's a few faves. :) They're getting married in only 2 short months.... so time was of the essence. The shoot concept was a last minute idea I had that I pitched them only a few hours before call time. I'm in love! Quite the world travelers... Jeremy proposed in Paris... so the suitcases were a natural fit! Can't wait to work with you guys on your wedding coming right up!

Class of 2011: Anna

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I keep crossing paths with this incredible young lady, and I'm always shocked by her wisdom, maturity and overall grace. I *think* we first met when she contacted me about job shadowing. We got together for coffee and talked about what it's like to be a photographer, what a "typical" day (there isn't one!) looks like, and some of the challenges and rewards of owning your own business. Then, just last month, I photographed her sister Dani's wedding (gorgeous!) and I was reminded of just how incredible their whole family is and I kept thinking, "No way that's the same girl who's about to be a senior in high school!"

But at last... it was Anna. She is simply *that* awesome. :) Her shoot was straight up HOT. Hot as in, there was actually a heat advisory put out that day so I called her to see if she wanted to reschedule... but with school about to start, our calendars would play havoc trying to align for another day, so we pushed through it and got these gems.

Can't wait to bring Emir back to my Alma Mater for a home game and see you leading the marching band Anna! Rock on!

Dancing With the Stars - Salsa Style!

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So. Much. Fun! I was honored when asked to participate in the local fundraiser "Dancing With the Stars of Lincoln" for the Lincoln Midwest Ballet Company and knew it would be a blast, but I was shocked to discover just how truly incredible the night would be. In the traditional show-style scoring, I score the event a perfect 10! 10 for entertainment value, 10 for the joy of connecting with so many incredible and talented members of our local community, and 10 for the opportunity to give back & support something near and dear to my heart: the arts. :)

The sheer variety of performances was impressive in and of itself. There was jazz, tango, broadway style, swing, east coast swing, modern, hip hop, cha cha and of course.... salsa. :) Some performances were as funny as they were fun, while others were simply HOT. I mean... ye-ow!

The evening was hosted by the ever gracious and entertaining Ken Siemek from KOLN/KGIN who not only kept the evening flowing with clever quips and comic relief, but managed to correctly pronounce my name on multiple occasions! The three judges; Jan Bretz, Richard Bailey, and William Stephan were hilarious and as endearing and fun to watch as the dancers themselves. Bravo and many thanks to everyone who was in any way connected to this fun event... well done!

Here's the video of my performance with Nick Hernandez. Happily, I didn't fall on my face and managed to score one 10 and two 9's. Good times!

Quick shots of myself with dance partner Nick Hernandez before/after our performance.

Special thanks to Casey Kaufman at IS Salon for my wild punk/salsa do! This is the aftermath of when I got home and attempted to comb it out (with Emir's help). So fun! I wish my hair was this big everyday... that's some massive back-combing!