National Kite-Flying-Day

It is National Kite-Flying-Day.

When was the last time you flew a kite?

Thanks to my sister, we spent a few hours outside of Belle Fourche, South Dakota at the geographic center of the United States in 2012, flying a kite. On an incredible road trip with her, my mom, and my 5 year old son, she brought along items to make experiences for us to remember as we traveled.

I love that I have took this image. It brings back all sorts of memories of our travels and how joyful a 5 year old can be on a breezy day.

In a world of technology and virtual experiences, this moment with a kite is super special.

My History Photographing Campaigns

I have to give my dad and grandfather the credit.

I have always been intrigued with Presidential elections. This may be because I grew up in New Hampshire and my dad was in the loop with the campaigns which stopped by Hanover… a hub location for rallies. He was not only an photographer, but also on the Hanover Police force and was always on duty during visits.

My grandfather was also a professional photographer, who worked in many locations in New England. I am blessed to own the original prints and negatives he created of Dwight Eisenhower, Robert Frost, and Norman Rockwell. I hold dear my Dad’s negative of JFK taken on a snowy afternoon outside the historic Hanover Inn. My mom’s photographs of Barbara Bush are also in my collection.

During high school I got a bug for photojournalism. My family was shopping at a mall in Manchester NH on a school winter break when my dad pointed out Dick Gephardt, Republican Presidential candidate at a Presser in the Mall. I was ON it. I jumped in the pool of photographers and grabbed my shots with the 35 mm Canon black and white camera which I carried with me night and day.

Presidential Candidate Jack Kemp was the next one I tracked down in Hanover. My dad saw my excitement over Gephardt and told me as about the opportunity as he had to do police duty for it, and dropped me off with my camera in hand to wait for Kemp to leave the presser outside of the Hanover Inn in the sub zero temps. I got my shot!

A few years later I was in Northern Vermont at college, and one of my government teachers suggested a group of us skip his evening class and get extra credit to travel 2.5 hours across the Northwest part of the state and go to a VP elect Al Gore rally for Presidential candidate Clinton. Oh yes!….

I pushed my way to the front of the University of Vermont Hall (later that year I went back to the same place for a Public Enemy concert...who would have known!) and I photographed Howard Dean and Patrick Leahy introducing future VP Al Gore…and then I captured the future Vice President, himself. It was an incredible night, once again, as I really felt the energy of new leaders, who were making history, and I loved the challenge to document it for my self assignment.

In 1994, I was officially in photography school. Photojournalism 101 was the assignment. I loved brainstorming with Dad about my homework. I was walking in his footsteps and was proud to have him in my photography world. Dad mentioned to me Bob Dole was going to be in town. What?…Bob Dole? Oh yes!

The best thing about photographing Bob Dole is I had my Medium format along with my 35mm. The assignment needed me to use my Bronica, which was a larger camera and negative. This definitely turned a lot of heads in the press pool. It was a joy to complete my Photojournalism 101 assignment with a top notch sitter.

Two years later I moved to Washington DC, and truly was a blessed soul working in a studio that plomped me into locations like the Willard and Hay-Adams Hotel, and events including ones like the 1997 National Prayer Breakfast and a Senate Meet and Greet in the US Capitol with ESPN Celebrities. I remember two things about that US Capitol event as a 25 year old…the security dogs would not leave one of my light stand bags alone, (…the duct tape inside confuses sniffers apparently), and Newt Gingich winked at me, which made me uncomfortable. It wasn’t until 20 years later I learned from a friend in Southern California that “Newt winks at everyone”, including him… Ok…that mystery was solved.

I left DC in 1999 to work in Southern California, which allowed my amazing corporate opportunities photographing speakers such as Past President William J Clinton, Admiral William McRaven and Formal British Prime Minister Tony Blair.

The beginning of 2020 allowed me a special opportunity to photograph and meet a few of the Democratic Presidential Candidates as I had an emergency trip to be with my mother in Hanover on New Years Day. Little did I know Hanover was hopping with rallies such as Elizabeth Warren, Tusli Gabbard and Tom Steyer during my visit. I was renewed with passion, as with each “self-assignment” I learned more techniques for documenting their distinct lighting, crowds and emotion of their 90 minute talks. I was able to be quiet as a mouse, yet jump forward when I need to make a shot happen.

My father, who passed in 2009, was surely smiling down on me as I created the best documentation of these events. I had pride in stopping time just as he did with John F Kennedy right outside the Hanover Inn on a snowy day, as I was, during this historical year of 2020.

In February of 2020, only a few weeks later I had the tv on a quiet So Cal weekday in February to hear local news announce Bernie Sanders was speaking only about 20 minutes away from my home, in, oh… about 2 hours. My camera was already packed!….You know the rest of the story…

Halloween 2020 Thoughts

We are upon Halloween 2020. What will your new 2020 tradition be? (hopefully only a ONE year tradition).

We plan on no trick or treating but, instead, scary movies, doing a drive by seeing decorations, pumpkin carving, and maybe virtual costume visits via Zoom.

I want to decorate our yard but no candy to kids. (“Sorry Folks, park’s closed. Moose should have told you at entrance”).

I will gather a candy basket to give to my kid from #thegreatpumpkin (a la Easter bunny) instead of any touchy sneezy treats from neighbors. Better safe than sorry.

What are your inner thoughts on taking candy from strangers during a pandemic?

Of course the 2020 Halloween is a Saturday, Full Moon, and on Time Change. (“Isn’t it Ironic....Don’t cha think???”). Doh..

Visiting Irving

I had to cancel our trip to see my Mom over Easter Break. We had to cancel our August Vacation to see her, too. Fuck Covid.

When lack of human contact had reached its peak, and I needed to travel across the country to social distantly visit my mom, I finally did…last week.

I felt like Rocky Balboa prepping a fight with Clubber. I booked my flight and ignored my emotions and planning for a week. I then studied about the flight precautionary stats, happy to see that the middle rows are open on Southwest, and the air quality and cleaning standards are upped incredibly. I got a Covid test from my doctor and waited 5 days for the clean bill of health.

I then purchased extra masks to double up…pulled out a hoodie to wear… rubber gloves, sanitizer, spray - rubbing alcohol, cleaning wipes, a face shield, oxygen meter, thermometer…….and xanex.

When I arrived at my mom’s house I spent four days with a mask on and socially distant to her. My bedroom was my chilly “open-window” haven, to rip off my mask and breathe.

So, so surreal….

The craziest thing is when I landed on the plane I got a text that tRump and Melania had Covid. So, that suggestion that I “leave my phone down and ignore the news” was null and void.

My anxiety hit a peak the second night I was here, as I made a covid testing appointment at 3am on the internet to have another test to confirm I did not catch it on the plane. (I did cancel it the next morning when I realized I may have been paranoid and I did not want to fight with my insurance for any reason at all 3 weeks in the future for not getting approval out of state….). I did buy extra tylenol, cough drops, zinc, and horseradish as my head convinced myself I had plane covid.

It’s been amazing, seeing my mom. Sometimes we need to make choices. I am glad I made this choice after months of contemplating.

One of my plans here, while visiting mom and while socially distant myself with her for many days, was to create art, and to document this incredible Autumn foliage, since I never get to New England during the Fall. So I did.

Today as I was poking through my closet (ok, my old closet I still have teenage shit in…)… I found Irving. Irving was my dad’s ventriloquist dummy who I have adored since a kid.

I decided I needed a portrait with Irving. Today was a perfect day for me to connect with my dad through my camera. I wanted to give life to Irving through my photography as my dad gave him life through his ventriloquism. I realized as I looked at the bag label “US Army”, that my dad having this dummy with him while he served in the Army is the reason why I am who I am. My Awesome Dad brought a Ventriloquist Doll with him in the Army!

No excuses…be who I want to be. Entertain and make art. I will and I do. Just as my dad did.

Along with these images, I designed 6 more other “Chameleon” sessions this week for shooting. It makes me so happy. These included Apple Picking, RBG, my Great Grandfather’s Farm, My Great Grandmother’s Phone, Changing Leaves, Witches, and Martha Washington.

After the 4th day with my mom, I did remove my mask and hugged her at night instead of “elbowing” her. It was the hardest decision to make.

Here is my ode to my dad up in heaven. He has showed me many signs this week. Here is my thank you to him.

It's been 6 Months since the Universal Reset Began.

It's been exactly 6 months that the "Great Pause" began...March 15th for our family and business.

I was thinking about what memories I could share here...but there are no photos from the cancelled trip to the Angels Spring Training...no photos from the cancelled trip to NH for Easter...no photos from the cancelled last days of school for our son... No family photos from our cancelled big 4th of July party...No photos from our cancelled summer trip...No photos from the cancelled first day of school on campus last week.

It's been a real crappy 6 months...but we are blessed to have a healthy family and many memories from our virtual visits online with loved ones. We realize what the most important things are in our lives.

Although I have memories of various projects which have kept my creative juices flowing, like my 2020 Twelve Superheroes, Chameleon Shoots, Zoo Paintings, Film Porchtraits, and Stealing the Easter Bunny's identity, I think this photo below best represents the timespan from last March... 6 months that passed so fast, but feel like a span of 25 years. Oh have we grown in so many ways during 2020.

Ya, that Russian “Face App” I played with briefly and then deleted in 2019 would represent more than I ever would imagine in the year 2020. May we take a deep breath and focus on the next six months ahead. Stay safe, stay sane, and make magical memories to replace the ones we have lost behind us.

Brian J Cano Capturing Souls Portrait Session

Has it really been since June that I posted a blog post?

1.

It’s been almost 5 months now since the shutdown began, and over 6 months since word got out about an awful new virus spreading, which started me prepping for the unknown future.

August has my most favorite month, for the past many years, as I would travel back east for a special family reunion, and I would also travel to photograph an amazing event in Northern Michigan, in Sault Ste. Marie. (www.MiParacon.com) It is one of the best Paranormal Conventions around.

Alas, this year, these travels will not happen this year due to Covid 19. :(

2.

I have been looking back at portraits that I have created over the years in Michigan. I have been so fortunate to photograph incredible people. These portraits really push my creativity forward, and I love that my sitters are open to my unique ideas to capture their souls. My usage of digital, flash, natural light, hotlights, film, and infrared, has allowed me to create one of a kind portraits.

I wanted to share this awesome selection of images I photographed of Paranormal Investigator, Brian J Cano. I had met him about 7 years ago at an event in Philadelphia, and photographed the coolest session of him in the downtown. (Imgs 1 & 2) His site is www.patreon.com/brianjcano…check him out!

Last year, he hired me again for a session while we both were at the Michigan Paracon. We spent about an hour at creating a variety of dramatic images at the event located at the Kewadin Casino and Hotel. The environment is beautiful, but poses challenges for photography. One must look beyond the parking lots and simple landscape surrounding the building.

3.

We met at sunset…and used the last amount of sun as the main light and a two-toned background of the distant, shaded brick wall of the hotel, and a closer, sunset lit cement pillar. The contrast of colors worked incredibly well as a unique backdrop. (Img 3)

Then, we moved down a quiet road in the middle of a field and used the incredible red glow in the post sunset sky for the background. I LOVED that the clouds created angel wings and I centered Brian in front of them, (as he is truly an angel in the Paranormal Industry!) (Img 6)

4.

After the fact, we had to discuss the silhouette of a man behind Brian in one of the images, on this road, but he debunked it as a passerby we never noticed with the fun we were having during the session…Damn, I thought I caught a ghost…but I am glad I had an expert to analyze the data!

Once the sun was gone, we used a nearby area which was fenced, enclosing an electrical company’s '“Doo- Hang-Y” (official term), where we used the fence as the session area. This location lent itself perfectly to the feel of closed off locations like prisons or abandoned buildings where many of his investigations take place at. (Img 4)

5.

…Of course, the army of mosquitos, which must have been hired to guard the area, did their duty and ate us alive. Doh!

We rushed away from the woods and ended up inside the hotel to finish up the session. I had a studio set up ready to shoot…(yes, I am one of those creepy photographers with hotel rooms set up as a studio), with hot lights and a backdrop to create some images on my Hasselblad. These images also came out incredibly cool… described by Brian…”The pose and the grain really sets a mood…welcome to the Twilight Zone….” This film image is now released publicly for the first time ever here. (Img 5)

Please do check out Brian’s website! www.Patreon.com/Brianjcano He is an knowledgeable leader in the industry. I truly love his teaching style and his passion for the Paranormal. Also, check out the rest of the line up for the 2021 MiParacon as I am now counting down the months until we can gather there again. Next year I plan on bringing a 4x5 camera, so book your sessions early with me!

6.

My Jeepney

I received a wonderful gift from a very important person last month.

I was gifted a new (to me!) car in May! What a an amazing gift to receive. Thank you, JCPs!

It was also exciting, because my jeep, “Bleuberry the Jeepney”, which we bought in 2012, and has been a wonderful vehicle, was available and ready for a new owner. This was the perfect opportunity to share the love and pass the good deed on to another family member….our Sweet 16 Granddaughter.

So, yesterday, when we gathered to celebrate Dad’s Day and our oldest granddaughter’s bday, we had the fun experience of giving her a present…a gift box holding a set of car keys. We watched her expression as she opened the box, then we shared with her it that it was for our Jeep.

Yes, I’m a weirdo, and prior to giving her the Jeep, I had to complete the shoot that I thought of over a year ago which I had not completed. Hence, this image was taken 6 hours before it was gifted.

I learned of a selfie challenge in 2018 from China called “Flaunt Your Wealth Challenge”, which involves photos of people falling out of their cars, on the ground - surrounded by luxury bags, shoes, and sometimes wads of cash. It was so odd that it intrigued me and I wanted to add to the collection of humans who fall out of their car, spreading their important “stuff” around them as they lay limp in the tableau.

Of course…I had to represent me…and my luxury collection of cameras.

Here is my art. I love that it is me in my typical “professional photography assignment” session clothing. I gathered my favorite cameras I have worked with, in my collection, and I have my Jeep…for one last moment. This image is a wonderful final hurrah before Bleuberry heads to her new owner. Thank you dear Jeepney, for your service over the past 8 years. xo ali

PS … Can you identify the beautiful cameras in this image?

Graduations

I was working on my scrapbooks tonight, and realized I needed to add photos from Fisher’s 6th grade graduation photos from a year ago, June 2019. (Elementary runs through 6th grade)…

This year I am sensitive for the Seniors who are graduating in such an unusual time in our world. Looking at these images, taken in a “normal year”, I feel so blessed that we captured such memorable photos. I never realized they would be so important. It was a special time…and I truly took it for granted…

I also realized, as I have gained weight over the Covid, that a year ago, when I thought I looked like crap, I actually look back now, and I realize I am happy with how I looked in the photo of me with my only son on his graduation day. Yes, I have mom hair, but as my shag grows now, I have been pondering doing the Jane Fonda cut again….I could do it again.

Anyhoo… looking at a year ago, I realize that every moment is precious, and these three photos are significant in so many ways. To all the Seniors..whether Kindergarten, 5th grade, 6th grade, 8th grade, or 12th grade, in 2020, you are amazing, and there is a reason why you experienced this Covid during your graduation year. You will launch from it, and when you are running the world, you will make it the best place ever. Thank you in advance….when I’m 64…(A La Beatles")…

World Oceans Day 2020

My Great Grandmother's 126th Birthday... Today.

In conversation with my mom, a few years ago, I learned my Great Grandma was born on May 22nd, in 1894. She died in 1980…but if she were still alive, it would be her 126th Birthday today.

I think that I am really thinking of her this year because she lived through so much and when I met her and knew her, we never really connected.

I mean, I was between 0 and 9 years old when my mom would take me and my sisters to her farm in Norwich, VT. Our lives overlapped, but not in a way that we could share stories, or that I knew about asking her what her youth was like.

Right now, I think of all the incredible questions to ask her…what did she do on the millennial? New Years Eve, 1899 -1900? What was it like during the 1918 Pandemic? During all of the Wars? The different Presidents? The automobiles…the planes…the radio, the tv…and of course…photography?

What is really cool is that these images are all from my Great Aunt’s photo album (her daughter), that I received after my great aunt passed. My Aunt Irma was amazing at archiving such important memories.

Remember…this is my side of the family who were not professional photographers…they were just a hardworking farm family who understood why photography is so important to future generations. I am so blessed to have a family tree on both sides who “got it” when it came to documenting their lives.

Here is my homage to Grammy Cook. I am honored to be here because of her. The first two Images are I how I knew her. The rest are of her in younger years, and oh…how I long to time travel to meet her during her youth.

Happy 126th Grammy Cook!

Quarantine Mermaid

I have not done many Chameleon Shoots so far during this quarantine. This is my first, that I made a few weeks into it that represents my first feelings of isolating ourselves.

I really had to change my mindset about getting food and supplies stocked up and not having the “European” mentality of shopping every few days for meals, which I loved doing. We also planted tomatoes and peppers and many herbs to be more self sufficient, along with rooting for our avocado tree, lime tree and lemon bush to keep on producing during this Little House on the Prairie meets The Walking Dead time.

YouTube Behind the Image Videos

If you have not yet subscribed to my YouTube Page….please do. I am posting Behind the Image videos daily during this CoVid 19 Pandemic as a way to entertain and educate in between your Tiger King Episodes.

www.TinyUrl.com/AliCottonYouTube is the link. Enjoy!

Carolyn Hunter Pierce Samonds, Rest in Peace

Over the last few years whenever I would go visit my Aunt and Uncle, I would take their portrait. I would see them once a year or so, and they were wonderful sitters. My Aunt meant so much to me and to our entire family. She passed away on Friday March 6th. This image of her that I took 2 years ago is the one her family chose to go with her obituary below. Carolyn, you are an amazing woman and you raised incredible kids, too…to pass on your legacy.

Carolyn was my Dad's older Sister, and my most incredible Aunt. I grew up learning so much about her and she was such a lady to admire...She was full of love and happiness and warmth.

She was always creating and learning, and it taught me so much...her passion that she shared with me of her dollhouses, and her love of antique lace...her costumes and hats she created for her local theater group...organizing the church's white elephant sale...her warmth with family time around the card table at Camp...her excitement for our love of the Monkees and Rocky Horror Picture Show, (driving us to midnight shows!)...her genealogy knowledge of our family and stories of my photographer grandpa...and even her enthusiastic help finding flowers for props at my latest self portrait shoot last year.

Oh Carolyn, I will miss you so much. As I told my cousins and Uncle, I know my Dad and Gram, Grandpa, Uncle Dave, Aunt Marion, Aunt Isy, Aunt Ruth, Dorothy, Brian and others are all together at "Camp" which is also now up in Heaven. You will be playing Party Bridge and Badminton, making delicious Chocolate chip cookies and huge PB & J Sandwiches, and working on your lace until we get to hug again.

“Carolyn Hunter (Pierce) Samonds, of Amherst, MA died Friday, March 6th at Cooley Dickenson Hospital in Northampton, MA. Carolyn died peacefully surrounded by her family.

Carolyn was born September 19th, 1941, in Hanover, NH, the daughter of Margaret (Mapes) and David Reuben Pierce. She graduated from Hanover High School (1959) and the University of New Hampshire (1963) with a major in biology. After graduating, she taught science classes in West Hartford, CT, then moved back to Hanover to work as an electron microscopy technician in Pathology with Professor George Margolis at Dartmouth Medical School. In 1968 she moved to Boston to work at Harvard's School of Public Health, first in electron microscopy, then as supervisor of the primate nursery where she met her future husband Kenneth Samonds, a post-doctoral fellow. While working at Harvard, she studied Art History at Boston University towards a Master's degree.

From 1973 to 1977, she was the Head of the Mission Commission of Trinity Church, Copley Square, Boston. In 1977, the young family moved to Amherst. Carolyn had an avid interest in textiles, particularly lace. She was a lecturer on lace identification and lace making, and she amassed an impressive collection of lace and served as an appraiser of items or collections. In 1987, she served as Guest Curator of the exhibit "Textile Treasures: Lace & Embroidery" at the George Walter Vincent Museum in Springfield. She was a member of the New England Lace Group and a consultant for Lord and Taylor.

For many years she was a costumer for the Valley Light Opera and she was Head of Costumes for the musical "George M" at Exit 7 Theater in Ludlow in 2009. She was a member of both the Northampton and Amherst Historical Societies and the Amherst Women's Club. At Grace Church, Amherst, she served on the vestry and was the chairperson of the St. Nicholas Bazaar for six years. The church's repository for donated items which were distributed to needy refugees, homeless shelters, or home-fire victims was nicknamed "Carolyn's Closet" in her honor. In later years, she worked as a librarian in the Jones Library's Children's Room, the North Amherst Library, and the Munson Library.

In 1993, Carolyn was diagnosed with Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency, a genetic form of emphysema. She attended several national conventions of the Alpha-1 Association and local education sessions, occasionally as a speaker.

She was the mother of two children; Karen (Samonds) Irwin, a paleontologist and teacher of anatomy at Northern Illinois University; and David Mark Samonds, a federal attorney in Washington DC. In addition to her parents, Carolyn was preceded in death by her brother, Dexter Pierce, her half-sister Dorothy and her half-brother, David Jr. She is survived by her husband of 49 years, Kenneth Samonds, sister-in-law Judy Pierce, daughter Karen and son-in-law Mitchell Irwin of Sycamore, IL, son David and daughter-in-law Megan Samonds of Fredericksburg, VA.

She is also survived by five grandchildren, and several nieces and cousins. A memorial service at Grace Church is planned for mid-April. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Carolyn's name to the Alpha-1 Foundation, www.alpha1.org Memorial register at www.douglassfuneral.com

Published in Daily Hampshire Gazette on Mar. 10, 2020.

Pete drops out...

Oh Pete, you dropped out 24 hours too soon. I had a date with you tomorrow night at your San Diego Rally! I even bought new rally shoes to give me an extra 2 inches to shoot over the crowd. I’m so sad...but I want to thank you for all that you’ve done to inspire the U.S. I hope you become a part of the cabinet for #46. @pete.buttigieg #petebuttigieg

Bernie Sanders Rally in Santa Ana, CA. 2-21-20

The day before the Nevada Caucus I was working at my desk finishing up processing a job from the night before. I walked by the TV and saw a reporter standing outside a Bernie Sanders’ Rally in Santa Ana, CA., reporting that the rally started in one hour. I paused and checked online for details. The event was 14 miles away from me, and my camera bag was packed….So within 10 minutes I was headed over to the High School where the rally was taking place. I parked in a nearby neighborhood and followed the crowd towards the event. My stars were aligned as the place was packed, but I slid into the crowd to get a perfect position in front of the media risers.

Once again, I learned a lot from this event. The biggest lesson was that if I had taller shoes, I could have gained about 2-3 inches to shoot higher than the crowd in front of me. So, for future events, I am packing a couple of plastic blocks in my camera bag to step up on as I lean against the wall or fencing, to save me from tippy toe-ing for 2 hours as I did at this event.

I also had fun timing my shots to feature the raised signage so that it wrapped around Bernie at the podium, so that I shot through a sea of signs. This was a dramatic look especially since within less than 24 hours Bernie Sanders would win the Nevada Caucuses. These images now truly represent the Bernie Wave of Supporters.

I am so excited I was able to document such an important time in United States History. Now, I would love to photograph Pete, Amy, Joe and even Trump Rallies to finish my set of Election Year Events. Crossing my fingers for such opportunities. Enjoy these moments below….

OC Women's March 2020

What an amazing experience.

I documented The OC Women’s March on Jan 18 2020 in Santa Ana, CA. Thousands showed up and marched. I really have no words for such an incredible, peaceful demonstration. From the gathering before the march, the speakers on stage, and the 2 hour march itself. I loved walking with the group, starting up front and letting the crowd move through me as I walked. This way I could document over 2000 images of moments. The signage, the clothing, the art, the messages… the bonding…It was so awesome to capture.

Here are just a taste of my favorite images. Please go to my main website, www.alicotton.com to find the two folders I have listed with all 350 images. I know it is a lot, but I could not cut any more out as each image has such a strong message that needed to be shared for those not there, and for future generations to see how we are fighting for them, now.

Tom Steyer Town Hall - Jesse's Restaurant, Hanover NH

On January 8th I braved a NH Snowstorm (and Snow Squall…) and drove 2 miles to see Presidential Candidate Tom Steyer at a Town Hall. Tom really impressed me with his down to earth personality and his knowledge about the Climate Crisis. I had been watching Tom’s Impeachment ads since early 2017 and was thankful he was so vocal with what many were thinking. When I met him after the event it was wonderful to tell him this, and that I appreciated all that he has done.

Once again, this event taught me a lot with a small crowded room, standing room only, extremely bright lights on Tom, and very little room to move around to get a variety of angles, while being unobtrusive while I got my needed shots.

Monday Motivation!

Talk about wanting to take advantage of the snow during my trip back East!!!….I sure did! I truly wanted to capture some fun moments in a substance foreign to my normal Orange County, Ca. surroundings.

This turned out to be one of my favorite images….I had no idea what I was capturing at the time, but I did slip and slide quite a bit and ended up with war wounds on my knees and elbows. I grew up playing in the snow as a kid, and this afternoon was a true flashback to my youth….oh, and I did not spill an ounce of Coffee during this slide!… (or did I?)…

Snow is so much fun for portraits. If you live in an area that is blessed with a layer of this white fluff, I highly suggest you plan a family portrait with a professional photographer. This ranks up there with Summer Sun and Autumn Foliage!

Tulsi Gabbard Town Hall - Top of the Hop in Hanover NH January 5, 2020

This was another surprise event I attended when I was in NH last week. I had heard some “Fake News” about Tulsi Gabbard and had questions about her as a candidate…but I have to say, after listening to her in person and meeting her, I realized to be very cautious of making an opinion without more research. I was truly impressed with Representative Gabbard and gained a new respect for her. She is truly a strong, knowledgeable woman who is not afraid to make her own path in government.

Here are images from my Self-Assigned-Assignment, and as with Senator Warren’s event I photographed just a few days before, this event taught me lessons with the room set up, the lighting, and the crowd size. I wanted to tell a story about this town hall, and hope those not in attendance can get a feel for Tulsi and how the audience reacted to her wise words.

By the way, the videographer in the image included is her husband, Abraham Williams. It was nice to observe him and his talent in the back of the room.

Elizabeth Warren Rally in Hanover NH

I had about 2 hours notice before I hopped into my friend Mikey’s car and stood in line to get into Democratic Presidential Candidate Elizabeth Warren’s Rally at the Hanover Inn. What an incredible experience. It was a thrill to photograph, and Elizabeth is such a fantastic human. She is down-to-earth and has an incredible sense of humor.

I love shooting these self-assigned-assignments, as I still learning new techniques to capture the best images, expressions, angles, and depth. I used the available light and shot wide open to isolate her from the background. I also had a split second before the standing room only filled up to chose the side of the stage to stand, angling myself to use the NH Flag logo as her backdrop, which worked perfectly! I also scouted the audience to create a story with my images. I love looking for moments which will become stronger as time passes, opening a door to history for future generations to learn about.