ekelley.net

Sam

Sun, 13 Jul 2008 16:00:00 -0800

Sam is my nephew. Meet the world through my eyes, Sam.

You can meet Sam more here.

Oh, that is his finger. Not a nub. I hope there wasn't confusion with that. I just wanted to clarify.

On another note. I'm going home tomorrow, where I will get to see my lovely fiance. It'll be grand!

Jenny and Dave

Sat, 12 Jul 2008 16:00:00 -0800

I shot a friends wedding, here in Rockford Illinois. It was a wonderful day!

Mika & Hunter

Sat, 12 Jul 2008 06:45:14 -0800

My friends Hunter and Mika are getting married on September 20th of this year and I will be shooting their wedding. This was a fun engagement shoot we had a couple of weeks ago. I'm behind in my posts, I know, but after this weekend I am hardcore getting on top of my game.

Today I am shooting my friends wedding in Rockford Illinois. My family lives here and it's where I spent 1/4 of my life. It's good to be back, though I never get to spend too long here. I'm just back for quick trips. I go back home on Monday afternoon.

The Aftermath

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 16:00:00 -0800

The game was a month ago, but I wanted to post at least one photo. Maybe I can be diligent and post a few more. I had another opportunity to photograph for Nike Soccer, this time I was in New Jersey with the US Men's National team vs. Argentina (the then and possibly now, number one team in the world. We tied them, which was pretty impressive.

I'm home still. The wedding I am shooting is tomorrow. I'll be back soon.

Today I went to the Apple Store with my brother and stood in line for over 4 hours waiting for a new iphone. I didn't get one. I was just there for the ride and a new case for my original iphone. I'm still a fan of it, especially because I got a new case for it. It's white. I like.

There's no place like home

Wed, 9 Jul 2008 16:00:00 -0800

im home for a friends wedding on saturday. i feel like ive been living in a water world the last few weeks. i think it has stormed every day for at least a few minutes.

water follows me.

these clouds were amazingly beautiful.

Building Blocks

Tue, 8 Jul 2008 05:33:45 -0800

I've been rather lack-luster in terms of posting new images on here. It's hard though right now. I just recently got engaged. Well, now almost a month ago. I'm shooting lots of weddings. I'm opening a coffee shop and training an assistant how to do all of the things I normally do. It's fun, but lots of work.

This is one of my favorite building at UVA. It was supposed to be built at another school, but the plans got switched around. So, another school has the building that was supposed to be here. I like it regardless of where it was supposed to be.

So, be patient with me as I try to manage all of these things.

And thanks for all of the encouragemeng and congratulations on Lora and my engagement!!

She Said YES!

Sun, 15 Jun 2008 03:37:49 -0800

So, I asked her a question...

and she said yes!

He did it

Sat, 31 May 2008 16:00:00 -0800

after 20 hours of physical activity they ran down this mountain, turned around and ran back up alone. Them and God, their creator and sustainer. If He did it, so could they.

A Mural

Wed, 28 May 2008 16:00:00 -0800

these kids live in La Chureca, in Managua Nicaragua.

He Lives

Sun, 25 May 2008 16:00:00 -0800

He lives in the dump too and is very happy. trash piles are all around. His mother is also right beside him and that is really all he cares about. The trash doesn't bother him, because he has someone right next to him who cares deeply for him.

I have 5 prints of this that are for sale. They are 10x15's and are $30. The money goes to Love, Light and Melody.

Boy oh Boy

Fri, 23 May 2008 16:00:00 -0800

Hi lives in La Chureca.

It's a trash dump.

He lives there, wakes up there.

It's where we put our crap.

Our waste.

He lives there, in it.

La Chureca - Managua, Nicaragua.

This image is for sale. I am doing a run of 5 images. They are 10x15 in. Printed on 11x17 in. fine art paper, on an Epson 3800. $30 + shipping. The money goes to Love, Light and Melody. LL&M is working in the dump... check them out.

I'm going to have a few more pictures for sale to in the next few days.

Years

Thu, 22 May 2008 16:00:00 -0800

She lives in Krin Krin, Nicaragua. Her son or grandson said she is 120 years old, others doubted. I don't know, but she is old and that is amazing!

Krin Krin has no electricity or running water. It's the village from the last photo.

Nicaraguans

Wed, 21 May 2008 16:00:00 -0800

This village is a day trip up the rio coco, in Nicaragua. On the other side of the river is Honduras. They have no electricity, running water and their kids play fútbol on the fields where the cows graze. I played fútbol in the fields with them and didn't die.

They speak Miskito.

Nicaraguans

Wed, 21 May 2008 16:00:00 -0800

They speak Miskito.

Sudanese

Tue, 20 May 2008 16:00:00 -0800

war torn
families ripped apart
lives shattered
hope rebuilt
dreams becoming reality

what's your role in it?

Who we are

Mon, 19 May 2008 16:00:00 -0800

I wonder who they think we are.

Do we really know who we are? I know I don't always know. I wonder sometimes.

The Laugh is Contagious

Sun, 18 May 2008 16:00:00 -0800

She was probably laughing at the rediculousness that is me taking pictures. thanks lady.

there are so many kids all over Africa, well at least that is the way it was where I was. Occasionaly there will be an older lady standing amongst the young ones. I chose to photograph her and everyone laughed about it.

It is one of the best things one can be witness to. In my humble opinion.

untitled portrait # 001

Sat, 17 May 2008 16:00:00 -0800

looking through some of the archives. i miss africa sometimes.

time

Sat, 17 May 2008 05:02:49 -0800

i think i am back now. sorry for the absence.

Agua

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 13:00:41 -0800

This is one thing I love about the Spring rain and flowers! Makes me so oh happy.

Ride Along

Fri, 25 Apr 2008 07:38:11 -0800

Destination: The City trash dump. aka La Chureca, the city dump in Managua Nicaragua.

La Chureca Exhibit is happening again. This time it will be in Waco Texas. Tomorrow. go here to find out more: www.lachurecaexhibit.com

Shooter

Wed, 23 Apr 2008 16:00:00 -0800

she shoots well.

Being Disciplined...

Wed, 23 Apr 2008 07:21:18 -0800

doesnt mean that i can maintain sanity in one area of my life and let the other areas slip away from me.

this week feels much better mentally. I've moved into a bigger room and am able to keep my life a little more tidier, which makes me feel better about myself and life.

i started working out again on monday and have been two times this week, thus the reason for me being really rediculously soar right now.

i used to be a neat freak, kind of OCD, then I went to college and was in small bedrooms or houses, with lots of people and just had too much junk. I think I'm finally in a place where I'm getting my ducks in a row.

Dia De Luz 2008 #6

Wed, 9 Apr 2008 13:13:53 -0800

Huffing glue is how he gets by. He says he wants to stop, but he won't give up the bottle. He's only twelve and was more strung out than anyone I had seen in a long time, or ever (outside the dump).

problems like this exist in many places around the world, but it is very prevelent here in La Chureca. It is the only way kids can cope with where they are.

all we could do was love them and walk with them. I think that meant more to them than us giving them something. Walking with them over time will be the best thing.

Dia De Luz 2008 #5

Tue, 8 Apr 2008 22:28:07 -0800

Dia De Luz 2008 # 4 - Let's Go Fly a Kite

Thu, 20 Mar 2008 00:00:00 -0800

We flew kites. I thought of Mary Poppins. It was wonderful. I would imagine it was the first time some of the people there have ever flown a kite. Glorious.

Dia De Luz 2008 # 3

Wed, 19 Mar 2008 00:00:30 -0800

Delivering trash to the dump... aka La Chureca. The city dump in Managua Nicaragua.

The Trees

Tue, 18 Mar 2008 14:07:35 -0800

This is what I woke up to the other morning. Friday. You never know what you'll see when you put on a 300mm.

Dia De Luz 2008 # 2 and Margot

Mon, 17 Mar 2008 03:25:12 -0800

I really just wanted to upload an image tonight to be able to share with you that Margot (my car) left me. Someone decided she would be better suited in their hands. If I knew where she was, I wouldn't have felt a need to post tonight, as I am rather tired.

Thursday night I rolled into my apartment at 9:45 and parked in a spot. Locked the doors and went inside. At midnight my roommate came home and parked in the exact spot I had parked in 2 hours earlier. He had no idea my car had been there.

I woke up in the morning and saw this, walked around the parking lot befuddled. I laughed and said I was going to cry because someone had either stolen my car, or I was crazy.

The police showed up 5 minutes after I called them and asked if I owed anyone any money, or if I had left keys in the car, or left it unlocked. No, no and no" where my answers.

Contents this time: (as my car was broken into in January)

Sunglasses

150 cd's.

My receipts and gas log for business for 2008.

50mm macro lens I was going to return to BH Photo that day.

Several pieces of random wood.

Several pictures of Lora and me.

1 drill.

1 set of drill bits.

My dickies jacket.

Bikerack on the roof.

A stereo from my roommate that replaced the old one that was stolen before.

A one dollar bill.

A note from Lora, on the dash.

Lots of pennies.

A walmart floor mat on the drivers side. (not the one on the passangers side because someone got in my car last year with poop on their shoes and made it smelly.

My watch.

Several other random things I will probably never miss.

I can't think of anything else right now, but I'm sure I will think of more stuff at some point.

There was no glass on the ground, so they must have been good. All of my keys are accounted for, so who knows what happened. All I know is that it was gone between the hours of 9:45pm and midnight.

Lesson learned... Don't leave anything in your car and don't ever tint your windows in the state of Virginia. Move out of the recently renovated gang neighborhood. These kids have nothing and they are happy as can be. I'm trying to be happy, though I get consumed by materialism and consumeristic thinking sometimes.

Let me be grateful for what I have and let me learn to live a simple life, so there aren't big things to lose like this.

Right now I'm in a rental car that smells like smoke. I might need to change that. It's a ford focus, an okay car, but not what I would like to own. Insurance is covering the car, but I think I'm out of luck with everything else. (anyone need a bunch of cd cases?)

Michelle

Thu, 13 Mar 2008 19:32:08 -0800

This is Michelle and she lives in El Canyon (in Managua). I'm not sure how old she is though.

Living in Nueva Vida

Thu, 13 Mar 2008 00:32:25 -0800

This trip to Nicaragua found me taking a good number of portraits of people I met. I think it was my best photographic trip to date! More pictures to come. This boy is part of the feeding center program in Nueva Vida. A refugee camp for people displaced from Hurricane Mitch, back in 1999. This is the feeding center that my friends and I helped raise money to open back in 2005, when we walked across Nicaragua. Then it was feeding 90 kids, five days a week. Now they are feeding over 300 kids, five days a week. It was really cool to how it is all working.

Hope you are doing well. Life is crazy here, but going well.

I am in the midst of opening a coffee shop here in Charlottesville, so that is beginning to take up a lot of my time!

Dia De Luz 2008 # 1

Sat, 8 Mar 2008 05:39:59 -0800

we went to the dump yesterday for Dia De Luz, from Love, Light and Melody.

Lunar Moon

Thu, 21 Feb 2008 03:46:54 -0800

if i were a real photographer, i would be outside right now, as the moon is eclipsing away. i guess i will wait until 2010 for the next one to get the whole process.

The Group

Thu, 21 Feb 2008 02:02:46 -0800

this was the group i was with when i went to new orleans back in january... the first trip of the year.

i forgot to tell everyone that they need to be able to see the camera with their whole face... oops.

next week i go to nicaragua for 9 days. oh the warm weather. i can't wait. and yes, and the kids!

Miss Mariko

Mon, 18 Feb 2008 01:55:13 -0800

This is Mariko. She is in the program Lora is in, who did her make-up for this shoot.

Wall

Tue, 12 Feb 2008 00:00:11 -0800

i sure am glad i don't ever have to stand in a wall again. i'll leave that to the pro's.

Soccer Junky

Mon, 11 Feb 2008 00:00:00 -0800

nike hired me to shoot the usa v mexico soccer game last week in houston texas. this was me having a good time in the snake pit, before the match.

i had a great time in houston, though there were a few people i wish i had been able to see, that i didn't get to see.

Olya & Jake

Mon, 28 Jan 2008 05:23:13 -0800

These are my friends Olya and Jake. I was in Napa California shooting their wedding this past weekend. It was a wonderful time and now I am back in my own bed, ready to get cranking on work I have to do here.

friends, right?

Sun, 20 Jan 2008 01:53:09 -0800

I have a new computer and finally was able to install an old hard drive in it and see some images from a few years ago.

This is from Nicaragua, when I walked across the country back in the summer of 2005. I don't know this guy's name or what town this was in. I could show you exactly where I was when I took it, but I have no idea what the town was called, though I am pretty sure it was on our second day of walking.

Red

Wed, 16 Jan 2008 19:29:19 -0800

im working on an assignment shooting infra red. this is my first try at it, so i really have no idea what I am doing. i do like the sky and the sun though, so here it is.

Bombed Out

Tue, 15 Jan 2008 21:39:36 -0800

We were on the road to Juba, but we were really only going as far as Pagari, when we saw this old, bombed out truck. I wonder who was driving it when it died. Want to send me to Africa? I'll gladly accept a trip, just let me know when and where you want me.

first date

Tue, 15 Jan 2008 00:00:00 -0800

ok, i suppose it's time i introduce you two officially.

world meet lora, my girlfriend.

lora, meet the world.

glad you guys could finally meet. i'm sure you two will be seeing a bunch more of each other in the coming days and months. have fun!

this is a picture my roommate took the night lora and I went out on our first real, evening date. dinner and a movie. most excellent time was had by all.

Vandalize

Mon, 14 Jan 2008 00:00:00 -0800

i got back from a trip to new orleans on friday night around midnight. i almost left everything i owned in my car, which i do on occasion... not anymore.

apparently i left my wallet out in the open and someone decided they would have a good time and break into margot, yes that is her name. thank alaina for the suggestion. you win. i am going to email you soon and let you know. however, if you see this, do email me and talk to me. i need to get a picture to you. i owe you one.

i feel cheated. i lost my wallet, stereo, ipod, winter jacket that my momma bought me for christmas, a sleeping bag, sleeping pad, hydraulic car jack, gitzo tripod, light stand and hot chocolate mix.

my friend josh had a bunch of his stuff stolen out of a car a few months ago, inlcuding camera stuff and computer. i suppose i am pretty fortunate.

the trip to new orleans was great. my team worked with a guy named mike, who went to film school at usc (the california one). he taught us how to build a new house. it was quite amazing.

next up is a wedding for a friend, on saturday and then a tuesday flight to san fransisco for a wedding in napa. if anyone reading this lives in the bay area and could help me figure out how to get from the sfo airport to the oakland airport, i would really appreciate it. my brother flies into oakland a little while after i get in and i need to get there.

after that is a trip to houston for a soccer game, a trip to washington d.c. for a passion conference and then a trip to nicaragua with about 200 college kids = amazing!

sorry the posts have been so few and far between.

oh, i almost forgot to mention something. i have a new writing blog. i messed up the old one and can't fix it. you can find my new one at www.conomocity.com/journal. be sure to update your rss feed. it works.

Worked

Thu, 3 Jan 2008 00:00:00 -0800

I can't get Africa off my mind. I realized the other day that I haven't really edited too many photos from my trip to Uganda and Sudan last year. So, I am editing a little now and sharing some of them with you here.

Happy Birthday, New Year and oh Africa!

Wed, 2 Jan 2008 00:00:00 -0800

Happy New Year and Happy 3rd Birthday to conomocity aka this photoblog! I began back on January 1, 2005 taking pictures everyday and posting them to a blog. It's been a long time now and I haven't been very good at keeping up to date with things. My apologies. It worked. I now take pictures almost everyday and they are being published in newspapers, online and various other print publications.

www.ekelley.net is going to be my new home. I am working on figuring out how it will all work, but for right now if you go there, it just forwards to this page. I'll work it all out eventually.

2007 was a great year. Lots of pictures and travels. 130 ish days away from my own bed. Never thought that would have been the case last January.

2008 looks to be another exciting adventure for me. New people in my life. New adventures calling my attention and lots of photographs to be taken. Keep coming back here and I will keep you up to date as best I can. I really enjoy hearing from you and knowing that you enjoy what you see here.

The car is named. I'm not telling you just yet. Give me 2 days and I will let you know. Thanks to everyone who gave me suggestions!

Have a wonderful day and a blessed Year in 2008!

used

Thu, 27 Dec 2007 23:00:00 -0800

just for you, from me. trees make me happy, though i dont like to hug them. i just like them to be used for good things and to make life happen, on a number of fronts, like being in front of us to be beautiful.

La Familia

Wed, 26 Dec 2007 00:42:00 -0800

Merry Christmas to all from the Kelley family. We have been in Williamsburg Virginia for the last few days, hanging out at a pretty nice resort. Christmas came and went without a hitch. Jay was here with us for a couple of days before heading to Michigan to be with his family for a couple of days. The weather has been off and on nice during our stay. Yesterday (Christmas Day) was beautiful so we went out for a famiy photo shoot at a really cool playground. The grown-ups did more playing than Sam.

This is me, my mom, dad, shawn, sam and danielle.

Seven

Mon, 17 Dec 2007 00:00:00 -0800

This is Seven (aka Mike) and he lives in Charlottesville Virginia. Generally he stays down by the river. He is always carrying his Bible with Him and preaching the word. You should meet him when you see him out next time.

The Fellows

Sun, 16 Dec 2007 00:00:00 -0800

These guys are pretty cool. They are living, working and doing life in Charlottesville Virginia for a time, while they are in the fellows program at Trinity Presbyterian Church.

the porter family

Tue, 11 Dec 2007 00:00:00 -0800

this is amber, ava, jack, chris and ella porter. they run athletes in action with ashley who you will see on here soon.

the doran family

Mon, 10 Dec 2007 00:00:00 -0800

this is the doran family. dennis is the director of the fellows program lora is a part of here in charlottesville.

the ryan family

Sun, 9 Dec 2007 00:00:00 -0800

this is the ryan family. mike works with lora, brad and kristen at journey group.

kristen and tom

Sat, 8 Dec 2007 00:00:00 -0800

kristen and tom are good friends of mine, getting married next fall in charlottesville. kristen works with lora and my roommate brad.

robin and steve

Fri, 7 Dec 2007 00:00:00 -0800

they are getting married in may, 2008.

Dog

Wed, 5 Dec 2007 18:44:32 -0800

i took this photo for the newspaper back in february and got a call the other week from a lady saying this was her dog and fiance. She asked if i could give her a copy so she could gift it to the guy for christmas.

she said the dog isn't doing so hot and it would mean a lot. hopefully the dog hangs on for a while longer. he's beautiful.

I'm still not sure about what to name my car... I'll keep you posted and pick one of you as a winner.

What is her name?

Sat, 1 Dec 2007 02:27:34 -0800

I think she is old enough now to have a name. I need some suggestions though. Can you help me out please? I will give a print of any picture I have on pixyblog to the person who helps me come up with the best name. Deadline is whenever a name is come up with.

Have a great weekend.

She was born in 1994 and is a Honda Accord EX.

I was driving today and got pulled over because the window tint in the back of my car is too dark. the limit is 35% of the normal amount of light coming though. Mine allows only 3%. oops!! Thanks Arizona laws. Fortunately though the officer was nice and just asked me to get it fixed. phew!!

I can't believe it's freaking December already. It seems like just yesterday I was in a hotel room in Florida, on my way to New Orleans for volunteer work.

9 countries, 22 weddings photographed, about 100,000 photos taken, not enough posted online. perhaps that will happen this winter.

Happy Thanksgiving

Thu, 22 Nov 2007 11:11:25 -0800

im thankful for my family and my friends and many other things, most of all though i am thankful for the way the lod provides and has blessed me.

thanks for being in my life mom, dad, shawn, danielle, sam, jay, lora, daniel, reilly, james, phil, brad, adam, greg, many many more... thanks for all you've done for me and for being in my life. i couldn't do much without your support. thanks.

Whatever you are doing, let your hearts be in your work, as a thing done for the Lord and not for men. Colossians 3:23

Why I do what I do

Fri, 16 Nov 2007 14:33:59 -0800

I was flying the other day and was sleeping, when I woke up and saw amazingness out the window. Fortunately my phone has a camera on it and I was able to capture this. I love getting to take pictures that make me happy and then share them with you all.

If you are in the Lake Zurich area, near Chicago, let me know. I am having a photo exhibit with Braddigan tomorrow night (Saturday November 18). Check out his website for more information.

Carried Away

Thu, 8 Nov 2007 14:29:56 -0800

trees lose their leaves in the fall. they keep on growing though, stronger and more dense than when they had their leaves. the leaves aren't there to suck up all the trees energy. the tree has less, but is really growing so much better and stronger. the growth of the winter allows the tree to stand strong and do what it was intended for, to grow strong and tall. if it couldnt be strong and tall it couldn't give off the needed oxygen to sustain life on earth.

Falling Away

Tue, 6 Nov 2007 18:32:42 -0800

The leaves leave the tree and fall away from the source which brought them to life. they no longer have the power to hold on tight to the very thing that gave them life. they let go and drift away into the unknown, to be known by no one or nothing.

No one cares. it seems that not even the source of their life gives a rip about what happens to them. they are just left on their own to fend for themselves. will they ever come back to the tree and live again or will they just drift away never to be seen again?

well, considering they are just leaves, i would imagine they will just blow and drift away, never to be seen again. thank goodness they are just leaves and not humans who tend to drift away from us. hopefully we know that if we drift away we can come back and taste from the tree again. i hope we know that our feet will take us back to the place that gave us life. hopefully we dont think that because we let go or just dropped from the tree, that there isn't any hope anymore.

There is hope and there is life beyond the falling from the tree. look outside, it happens everyday. people fall and get back up again. they question why they fell, but they dont give up on getting back to the place they belong.

The District Sleeps

Mon, 5 Nov 2007 00:00:00 -0800

i took a little trip to dc with my friend lora. we met up with a friend and had dinner and a visit to the FDR Memorial. I haven't ever been there at night so to be able to see the city and monuments on the tidal basin was spectacular.

it's monday, so have a great week.

Well

Thu, 1 Nov 2007 02:24:45 -0800

i just learned a couple new things about editing when i pulled this one up.

man it feels good to be a gangsta (the edited version of the song).

my haloween was spent in front of the coputer editing some old and some new images. Since moving my computer out of my house and into an office I haven't just chilled at the computer like I used to. I come to the office to work and that's all. I needed a refresher, so instead of going home and crashing, I sat here for three hours and played with images. It feels like I have actually accomplished a few things this evening.

I added a buy section to this page. The link is in the header.

I updated my little bio page.

As of October 21, 2007 I am no longer working for the wedding photographer I have been working for since April of 2005. I am out on my own. So, if you know of anyone needing photography help, send them my way. I'll help out in any way I can, whether the work is local or international. I'm game for anything.

Thanks for keeping up with my life via this thing. You don't know how much it means to me to have visitors checking out my work and appreciating it. Thanks!

Lack of Ween

Wed, 31 Oct 2007 01:20:53 -0800

I bought a new lens a couple weeks ago. It is glorious. I won't lie. Perhaps the best lens purchase I have made yet.

I have prints available for you to buy. Do it here.

I also have a new domain name for my stuff. Since some poo head wants to keep erickelley.com with junk on it, I decided to break down and spend a couple bucks on ekelley.net. The transition was easier than putting a diaper on a baby. It took a couple clicks of the mouse and boom.

Done.

The design isn't anything new. Just an easier name to remember. Conomocity is still there, but ekelley.net is now available. So, take that mr. erickelley.com man.

Until next time, keep up the good work. It'll show its rewards sometime in life.

The days of old

Tue, 30 Oct 2007 00:00:00 -0800

sometimes i just want to be shooting film again. it means that i wouldn't have to sit at this darned computer anymore. I would however have to be in the darkroom editing away for hours on end, taking in fumes and chemicals that will surely have an integral part in death.

It isn't that way, but sometimes I wish it were. It's not. I need to remember that I am here doing what I am doing for a reason. Sometimes for a purpose bigger than or unknown to me. It happens and I need not question it.

I have been rather lax in updating this thing as of late. It started way back in January of 2005 to help get me taking photos everyday. It worked that way for the first year. Now, I am shooting everyday but I simply don't have time or the gumption to be updating this all the time. It just can't be done. For that I am thankful (most of the time) because that means the bills are getting paid.

Here is where it began so long ago... The design you see there isn't the original design though. It was first more like this, but not totally. Legitly it was like this, though now it seems that the photos don't show up. This is probably due to some miscommunication between my server that I seem to mess up frequently and blogger.

You can cheat and see everything real quick here. Everything only means up to July 2006 when I was invited to join the pixyblog community. I was one of the first beta testers on this site. My life has become less crazy since joining here. I used to edit the html everyday I wanted to post a new photo. Not only did I have to edit each days post, I had to go to the previous day and edit the code to make a new link. Ah, craziness all the time.

Now, I simply write and post a new image and it's up on the pages I want. That archive, cheating page I gave you a link to. I wrote that whole page one line at a time, though I did utilize the copy paste function of my 17 inch G4 Imac when i did it.

Man, those were the days.

ok go

Sun, 28 Oct 2007 06:03:17 -0800

A parking lot; a camera.

Driving Miss Daisy

Sat, 27 Oct 2007 04:14:04 -0800

today was rainy, for the third day in a row. it was a great day though. lora likes to drive in her nice little white car.

Alex Mejias

Wed, 24 Oct 2007 15:19:23 -0800

My friend Alex asked me to take some more photos of him for his upcoming album.

You can find him here.

This is what I did yesterday with him. We went to my favorite place in Charlottesville. Jason helped me too.

Holly & Jay

Tue, 23 Oct 2007 16:16:20 -0800

I had the privilege of photographing my friend's Holly and Jay's wedding on Friday at King Family Vineyard. Lots of my friends were there, so it made for a great day of shooting. The rains held off until the reception was all indoors. The clouds were fantastically dark and fast moving. My favorite! This is just one shot from the portraits we took after the wedding.

A Year + Later

Sun, 21 Oct 2007 21:29:40 -0800

Last August I took a photo like this of Shawn and Danielle a few days before Sam was born. This is the threee of them 14 months later, when I was home this month.

This was last year.

Going Home

Tue, 9 Oct 2007 00:00:00 -0800

i drove part of the way home tonight. the sky got pretty and shawn and i took a load of pictures. i think there were a couple good ones.

vacation is a wonderful thing. I won't lie.

Getting Lost

Mon, 8 Oct 2007 00:00:00 -0800

i flew to illinois to visit my family yesterday. this is where we went... somewhere in the middle of wisconsin to a friends cabin in the woods. it was spectacular. i learned to dirt bike, learned to do a wheely and fall off and learned to run into a four wheeler and lay a dirt bike down on the ground with me on it.

FUN FUN FUN!!!

Now it is time to get my brothers 2nd house finished to sell. lots needs to get done and there isn't much time to do it. i'm only here until thursday afternoon. we'll see though how much we can get done. counter tops come in on wednesday and floors get sanded wednesday night. fingers crossed.

Light up the Night

Sun, 7 Oct 2007 09:21:06 -0800

The sun comes up everyday whether we like it or not. The dawn breaks the stillness of the night an illuminates all the dark corners of the earth. What shall we do with each new day that comes? Where shall we go and how should we get there? What will happen on the way to wherever we are supposed to go?

I have to get on a plane right now to go see my family. I will be out of contact for a couple of days, but will post when I get back on Tuesday. Until then, be good and be blessed.

Holding On

Sat, 6 Oct 2007 00:00:00 -0800

I had a project a while back for the newspaper I work for in Charlottesville Virginia, to document a few families and their kids living in starckly different living situations. One family had an old general store for a house and this family's home was about 1300 sq. ft. at most.

The love between the members of each family were fantastic and wasn't different in regards to the size of their homes. It was a pleasure getting to know them for the short time I was with them. It does though make me think about how I one day want to raise my kids. Do I want a small house with a little yard or a bigger house that will allow my kids to run freely inside or even ride their bikes around the living room.

Thinking about these things isn't very important right now, but it does take me back to some other countries I have been to in the world. Their are many many families who live in one or two room homes. Perhaps there is a bed made of scrap wood, or some sheets or in some cases a matress. Perhaps, but generally none of these would be found in homes around the world.

We have so much and we take a lot of it for granted. I want to get rid of things. I think I would be fine living in close quarters with the ones I love. I would love to not have all the material possesions I have been clinging to. It'd be great, but right now it isn't the way things are. So, for now I will just be where I am, loving as best I can the people who have less than I and even the ones with more. I long for the day when simplicity is a way of life for me. It doesn't really matter how much I have anyway. I can't take it to my grave, though right now some of the things I have I need in order to put food on the table.

Living in the US and having the profession I have can be expensive. I just hope I don't get too much stuff. I want to be ok if it gets taken. I need to hold it loosely.

My things can't mean the world to me, or the world won't mean anything to me then.

Lucky 7

Fri, 5 Oct 2007 20:50:00 -0800

i've been wanting to take a picture of this sign for quite some time now. Only today was in the right place at the right time, with a camera. i think i am fairly happy with this though.

I'm off to Illinois to see the family on Sunday, and we are going to a friends lake house in northern Wisconsin. It will be glorious. Rest will come.

Africa

Thu, 4 Oct 2007 00:00:00 -0800

this is looking to the north from a small village in the southern part of sudan. i miss it. things are different there. people have very little, but they have perspective on life. sometimes moreso than i think we do.

it's different. let's go.

Flying High

Wed, 3 Oct 2007 00:00:00 -0800

this is from my trip home from africa... i think we were somewhere over italy. if you can figure it out, please let me know and i'll give you an 8x10 print.

Setting

Tue, 2 Oct 2007 12:34:38 -0800

Archive raiding isn't always the way I want to go, but this morning it is appropriate. I'm waiting for a doctor to give me a physical for a life insurance policy. Hopefully I pass.

Home is coming. Sunday. 5 days away. A lake in Wisconsin is waiting for me too. My family is waiting. I miss home. It's been too long since I've visited. A vacation is much needed right now. Until it comes though, I will work hard on with what I have to do here.

lora

Mon, 1 Oct 2007 14:00:01 -0800

meet my friend lora. she is a rockstar, she is from texas, now living in charlottesville virginia.

The Toy

Fri, 28 Sep 2007 14:57:51 -0800

africa makes me feel. it makes me want to be, to sit and be with someone. to listen to them and walk with them is to be with them. i don't have to give them anything tangible, just myself. they want me, not what i have. they want to feel loved by others and they want me to sit with them and be with them.

they want you too. they don't want your things, they just want you to be.

just be you.

this is totally different than what I have been saying for a while, but I think sometimes we are just called to be. we need to sit and be still at times and let things rush around us and happen. stillness is an amazing thing sometimes. just being makes you think and feel and learn to love again. so, i encourage you to just be sometime. if only for a little while, just be.

Reimi

Thu, 27 Sep 2007 19:56:55 -0800

i had a photo shoot with this girl for a uva magazine a couple weeks ago.

ice cream

Tue, 25 Sep 2007 17:55:05 -0800

a few months ago my friends and i started an ice cream truck. it wasn't your average ice cream truck though. We give out free ice cream to anyone that will take it. occasionally people won't want to take some free ice cream from strangers, but most of the time they thoroughly enjoy the ice cream we give them.

it's a blast. you should come with us sometime.

virginia national bank

Mon, 24 Sep 2007 16:33:15 -0800

this is a new bank going in on Pantops in Charlottesville Virginia.

me

Sun, 23 Sep 2007 16:25:25 -0800

molly

Fri, 14 Sep 2007 13:18:14 -0800

this is my friend molly. we went to school together at UVa. this is the first real portrait shoot i have done with my six foot soft box.

it is glorious.

Smokin'

Thu, 13 Sep 2007 21:41:16 -0800

i can't say much about this other than i am learning how to use lights. they are being borrowed from a friend. thanks scott.

GOALLLL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Tue, 11 Sep 2007 14:03:57 -0800

My friend, Adam Cristman plays for the New England Revolution. They played DC United on Sunday and I got to take pictures at the game. Being there made me realize how much I love sports. Hopefully I can shoot more of them in the future. It's good stuff.

A Secret

Mon, 3 Sep 2007 22:05:31 -0800

i long for the day when i can return to africa. things are different there and i want to be a part of life there. i know i am here for a reason, but still going back would be amazing.

sorry for the lack of posting as of late. life has been a little crazy, though it has been an amazing journey. i keep shooting and adding to the collection of photographs i have, but sometimes it just gets overwhelming when i try keeping everything up to date. i will do my darndest to be better about this, but understand that i can't always post something daily.

Krin Krin, Nicaragua

Thu, 23 Aug 2007 13:59:09 -0800

I can't wait to go here again. It is a remarkable place.

I have just recently added a print section to my website and will putting images on there that are for sale. All my photos from my summer trip to Nicaragua are online now and you can see them by following THIS LINK.

Happy Thursday!

let me out

Wed, 22 Aug 2007 12:32:23 -0800

i left here when i could.

i thought i was running away from my problems.

i knew there was something better out there for me.

i tried looking for the "better thing" everywhere.

i didn't find it until i realized i was the problem.

i found grace despite my failures.

i found out someone loves me beyond anything i could every imagine doing.

i will be loved no matter what i do.

it's a pretty cool thing if you ask me.

Premier Painting

Mon, 20 Aug 2007 00:00:00 -0800

this was pretty much how i envisioned this one when i took it. A little more HDR might be nice, but this will do for my liking.

A lot of people to different things to make HDR photos. I have three steps.

1. In camera raw - lower exposure, bump up fill light and add contrast.

2. Unsharp mask of 25 ish- 150 ish - 0.

3. Unsharp mask of 150 ish - .8 - 0.

My secret exposed.

Weathering

Sun, 19 Aug 2007 00:00:00 -0800

i am robbing the archives for this. it was taken when i was in south dakota a year ago.

Struck Down

Sat, 18 Aug 2007 13:38:35 -0800

This is the first time I have ever actually been able to capture lightning strikes and I got two. how about that? i only wish i had been a little higher up and had a tripod. this was just the camera resting against something.

The District Sleeps

Wed, 15 Aug 2007 00:00:00 -0800

i am finally back home in the commonwealth, which means the photography will start happening again and this will get more updates. I have been gone for 35 days to a few countries and a nice road trip home to Illinois. Everything was amazing and I made some great images. Now, I just need to get editing them and post them online. Hopefully this will be happening soon.

I do have to travel to DC on Saturday and then again next weekend for weddings, which is why this image is appropriate.

Have a good day!

boy

Tue, 14 Aug 2007 05:37:28 -0800

this is my lnephew sam. he will be one on saturday. this is him last year.

girl

Mon, 13 Aug 2007 00:00:00 -0800

this is my little cousin Allie. she is about 8 months old.

Toes

Sat, 4 Aug 2007 11:28:50 -0800

He walks in mud and poop with these feet. His town, Krin Krin finally has a sidewalk, but cows poop on it. Help me get some shoes for him. I want to take them and put them on his feet. Will you help me?

Vacation starts today. I pick up a friend in Beckley West Virginia in a couple hours and take him home with me. His name is Jay and he doesn't have a physical home, though the bonds my friends and I have formed with him make our houses home for him.

Long Drive a comin. I need me some Johnny Cash, Dispatch and Braddigan. Call me if you have my number. Help me stay awake. See you later.

One more day of being 23. 8/5/1983 was the day I was born, thanks to my momma having picked some blueberries today 24 years ago.

TOMS SHOES

Fri, 3 Aug 2007 00:00:00 -0800

Toms Shoes. go there. buy some. give a pair to someone in a third world country. wear them all the time. i know i do.

they might not have the best support, but that doesn't matter, it's still a good thing.

Manuel

Mon, 30 Jul 2007 00:00:00 -0800

This is Manuel and he is eight years old. He lives at an orphanage in Vera Cruz Nicaragua.

Living in Trash

Tue, 24 Jul 2007 00:00:00 -0800

he lives in a trash dump, but i bet you wouldn't be able to tell that by the smile on his face. i think he knows the secret. do you? i sure don't.

Brazil is good

Wed, 11 Jul 2007 00:46:28 -0800

Brazil has been good to me. More photos and written word will come, but for now it is just a photo of the lovely bride and groom (Barbara & Sam). This was in Buzios and now I am in Rio de Janeiro for one more day and then I come home for 16 hours before going to Nicaragua.

Ciao

Refreshing

Fri, 29 Jun 2007 15:22:55 -0800

i have a new love... this place. i am hoping to make it out there for adventure at least once a week when i get back from brazil and nicaragua. it is simply amazing there. come with me sometime. i promise you will like it too.

My View

Mon, 25 Jun 2007 03:01:44 -0800

It's unfortunate that I have to look at this every morning when I wake up. Some mornings is more beautiful than others, but I'm blessed to have this to look at all the time.

I LIve Here

Thu, 21 Jun 2007 11:55:23 -0800

This is the clubhouse and pool at my new apartment. I like having access to a pool whenever I want. I fell asleep out there yesterday and it was glorious.

A Fallen Friend

Wed, 20 Jun 2007 22:54:43 -0800

It hits home a little more when you actually go to Arlington National Cemetary to see a friend's grave, than just visiting for the history behind the place. I had the honor of attending Andy's memorial service in December of 2005, but felt it a little closer to home now that there is a visual marker, telling me that he is there, under the newly laid sod. As I knelt there, thinking about him and his life and how this isn't how things are supposed to be, a woman walks up to me and asks me if I knew Andy. I tell her I went to church with him back in Illinois, before moving to Virginia. Her son is resting just a few plots over from where we are standing. She comes every week to place fresh flowers at the grave. She met Andy's mom last year when they were there visiting their sons. The woman communicates on a regular basis and said she would let her know that I stopped by.

Sure do

Tue, 19 Jun 2007 00:00:00 -0800

me, because i needed a little change up.

In it

Mon, 18 Jun 2007 14:28:05 -0800

Please send me back to Sudan if you can. I really want to go back.

All Good Things

Sun, 17 Jun 2007 00:00:00 -0800

Happy Father's Day!

I got to talk to my papa today even though he is in Russia. Now, as I post this he is probably waking up for Monday in the East.

Thanks dad for being there for me and teaching me so much over the years. I am so grateful for all that you are in my life and the constant encouragement you are to me.

Have a good week.

This photo is from Labone Sudan, shortly before the rains came down.

Brand New Day

Fri, 15 Jun 2007 00:00:00 -0800

Tonight is my opening for La Chureca.

It is at The Bridge Progressive Arts Initiative.

If you live anywhere near Charlottesville Virginia, you should come out and see some images of kids living in trash in Nicaragua.

On the Air

Tue, 12 Jun 2007 00:00:00 -0800

I have been noticing the sky more and more everyday because I am starting an organization with a buddy of mine. It is Under One Sky [dot] net. We believe that we can all use our talents and abilities in unique ways to make the world a better place. Connecting with people all over the planet, we hope to create a global community that is spurring each other on to action, through whatever we feel passionate about.

The framework is already out there, and we just need to talk to people. I am a huge fan of networking and connecting in some way with everyone I meet. Again, I feel like we all have gifts and many of us want to use them in same or another to create change for the better in the world. UOS is working on a way to bring everyone together so we can work together at this thing called life.

The biggest thing my friend and I are working on is a bike trip from Alaska to Argentina, starting next June and going until we finish, but hopefully in a year and a half or less.

Right now though we are having a good time with some homeless people in our community and an ice cream truck. Jay & Fred's ice cream is a bunch of us hopping in the back of a pickup, driving around and giving out free ice cream. We give it to kids and adults alike.

What are you working on? Let me know and as we get our new website going, we will connect with you to get the word out about what you are doing.

Just the Beginning

Mon, 11 Jun 2007 00:00:00 -0800

This is me and my friend/roommate Reilly. We are plannning cool things. Keep up to date here and at UnderOneSky.net.

Despite

Sun, 10 Jun 2007 00:00:00 -0800

Despite having nothing in terms of material possesions, she gave all she had. she gave out of her poverty. a poverty that is on her, undeserved. it doesn't matter. she loves her God just the same, despite the lack of stuff she has. she knows that she is rich in love and in spirit. she has more than i have.

He has no home, and he hasn't touched the bottle in 5 days now. He lives on the street and is from Michigan. He has been here for a few months now and has been hanging out with middle to upper class white kids for the last couple weeks. He made dinner last night for 10 friends. Though his posessions are few, he has love and a longing for fellowship. He gave more than he had and he knows that he is loved, beyond compare.

We are all Under One Sky. A sky that was made by a creator, put into place for us to see that we are all in this thing called life together. No matter where you are in life or what you are going through, that creator loves you too, even more than you can imagine.

We need to do this life thing together. I need your help to share what I am doing and you need your neighbor's help to make your dreams a reality. We all want to make the world a better place. Start by giving more than you think you have. Don't worry about what the world thinks. Give it away. Give it your all and just go.