Totally unexpected loss of my pug and my mom in a two-week stretch. Neither death had any forewarning, whatsoever, and both have left irreparable holes in so many lives. 

Like the "Wear Sunshine" song from several years ago, I would add, strongly, "Take Pictures".  We never know when our worlds are going to change, in the blink of an eye, forevermore.  At least images, static for decades thereafter, are visual reminders of moments of our lives.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bxdutTXtcGg

I'm overwhelmed with the beauty in this world.  It hurts, the magnitude of it all.

"Danger.  I never think of danger.  I really am a lucky man.  I really am a lucky man.  Flying a small plane."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RIqOaJjqJxE

Bill Callahan - Small Plane

What I want back is what I was.

Sylvia Plath

Spring is here, yet, paradoxically, heartbreakingly and unimaginably painfully, we've had -- on a personal note -- the worst experience of our lives. As the flowers are growing and the sun is shining and everyone else is (rightfully) joyous, our world is without light.....  Life is complex and, at times, simply impossible for humans to comprehend, with its devastating, life-changing, random and senseless acts.  We yearn for a re-do.  We pray for a miracle.  We mourn the loss of innocence and love and goodness and joy and mirth and laughter. 

February has been an unforgettable month. A whirlwind of experiences, clients, bookings for later in 2017, experimentation, joyful 60-plus degree temperatures throughout, continued learning, some new equipment and a great deal of work.... I remain humbled, appreciative and blessed.

It's all-too-rare that I have time to spend simply wandering outdoors with a camera anymore, capturing the countryside and its beauty.  This week I purposely carried my camera on an everyday, normal, 5pm walk with our pug.  There's always beauty.  There's always a memorable moment.  We just have to take the time -- sometimes to make the time -- to look and feel.  

Sometimes your studio door opens and a bright burst of energy steps in.  Still smiling from a shoot this week with the lovely, luminous Madison.  

In addition to the other images, Madison needed one shot in particular with a red background, and wow, what a fun outcome!

Great fun being hired to photograph Cameron's proposal to Audra this weekend in Bloomington. We had an unexpected 70-degree day in January, which added to the magic of their moments.  Always so beautiful to see couples, who have moved away after college for careers elsewhere, return to B Town for proposals, engagements and weddings....  There's an undeniable string to this town and surrounding countryside that pulls people back....  I love that quiet, mystical allure of South-Central Indiana.

Such a fun recent morning photographing the staff and volunteers (people and pets!) of the Monroe County Humane Association.  I mentioned to the MCHA director, Rebecca, that I thought she looked just like Alex from "Orange is the New Black", and, with that, we had to lower her glasses and go full-on Alex for one shot....  

Being a photographer?  Best.  Career.  Ever.

Winter portraits are fascinating, in that the lighting, the brightness, the contrasts and the tones are dramatically different than what are available in spring, summer and autumn.  It's a bluer (cold) light, rather than a yellow (warm) fall feel, for example.

This portrait was taken on the coldest day of the season -- by far -- and the unexpected blast left us with a portrait session in single-digit temperatures.  

Undaunted, we simply rolled with the unexpected bite, and the session couldn't have been more fun.  This lovely young couple were troopers throughout, and the single-degrees became an accessory to their look.