For the reason I do and have done almost everything since 1994.

Thank you for “I Am Easy To Find” and so much more.

Central Park, Summer 2019

For years I shunned traveling to Alaska, believing that it would be too cold/barren/empty/etc.

I couldn’t have been more wrong.

What a gorgeous part of Planet Earth…. Turns out I actually love Alaska….

I’m always struck with the travel question whether to err on the side of exploring new places (this is my 50th state, finally, after having been to the other 49 by the time I was 30) versus returning to known favorites. There’s only so much time, after all…. With Alaska, without question, I’ll return again-and-again. I feel myself as I’m strolling along the ocean with the mountains and breeze and eagles and boats and salty air.

Ruodan is such an amazing young woman. A Ph.D. student at IU, an avid dancer, equestrian and (I’ve learned) apparently voracious lobster connoisseur! We laughed and told stories non-stop during our shoot.

What a thrill to connect deeply with people one-on-one day-after-day. So many fascinating folks across this big ol’ world, and I thoroughly enjoy hearing the backgrounds, interests, accomplishments and goals of many, as we simultaneously make lovely images for personal and professional use.

Rows and flows of angel hair

And ice cream castles in the air

And feather canyons everywhere

I’ve looked at clouds that way.

Joni

Springtime in the Bloomington area is such an explosion of beauty, color and excitement. There are high school graduations, Indiana University graduations, engagements, weddings, family reunions and proms, for starters. The May soft sunlight is gorgeous, and the plants, flowers and colorful dresses are equally brilliant!

Back from a quick NYC trip and getting in the final five sessions of spring before closing the door and driving to Alaska for the summer….

Life is a remarkable adventure.

“Crazy fun!”

I was asked on a headshot session this morning what it’s like being a professional photographer in a cool university town….

My answer….. “Crazy fun!”

Edgardo just received his Ph.D. from Indiana University this past week, and his parents came up from Puerto Rico (and his brother from Florida) to surprise him, and to celebrate his achievement.

Being a photographer isn’t simply about studying light, considering which lens will work best in a situation, looking for perfect backgrounds, suggesting “What if you stand here, and could you put your hands there….” or constantly juggling aperture, f-stop and shutter speed. At its peak, it’s also about sharing intimacy with others, as they themselves take a moment in their own lives to simply enjoy, to be deeply happy, proud and fulfilled.

Our chief want is someone who will inspire us to be what we know we could be.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

I loved Debi from our first conversation, and couldn’t have enjoyed more the opportunity to photograph her beautiful springtime wedding.

To give someone a smile — and to feel a smile when someone looks at you — is such a momentary rebirth.

April is insane! Jobs in 29 of the 30 days this month, and May is identical, with 16 sessions (so far…) in the first 18 days!

Our long, three-month summer break begins May 19. My wife and I (and our 6-month old pug!) will be visiting our son and his new apartment in New York City, then turning left and driving to Alaska for two months, and then turning south and visiting our daughter in Seattle….. Wow! We’re figuring on about 13,000 miles of driving over three months (and I’m looking forward to every single mile).

Batteries absolutely need an occasional recharge, and I’m so grateful to be able to travel five months a year to recharge my own…. The combination of photography and travel provides such a creative, inspiring and rewarding platform for my life. We’re all so different in both what fulfills us and what reenergizes us. There’s a magic (and work!) involved in discovering your own blend, as well.