Winter Blues

It's days like this that are getting me through this winter! Taken at the Headwaters Park in Three Forks!

Perspective

Perspective. There are so many ways to look at the same subject and that's one of the things I love about photography and looking at the subject through the viewfinder. You will often find me in odd places or positions trying to get an interesting perspective of a subject. I don't like to take the expected shot, I like to find a new way to capture the subject. It's a challenge for me. Below is a picture from the annual horse drive in Three Forks each April. Hundreds of horses are driven from their winter pasture to their summer pasture, and their route brings them right through downtown Three Forks. I've been to every one the past 6 years and I've taken photos every year. Last year I captured this one and it's my favorite because it's different. Instead of getting the normal shots I have in the past, I put on my telephoto lens and went for it!

If you like this photo it will be part of a silent auction on Friday night w/ a cowhide frame. The silent auction is part of a Benefit event for Michele Reiser at the Lewis and Clark hotel in Three Forks. www.facebook.com/supportmichele

Bridges

Florida, Old Buildings, Trees

A week from today I'll be in Florida (for work, but Florida nonetheless). So today's photo comes the last time I was in Florida, again for work. I stayed at the Belleview Biltmore in Clearwater, its a huge old hotel. It was slated to be closed down and remodeled just a month after I was there. I tried to find it online tonight and the website only goes to the golf course, which makes me wonder if the remodel has ever happened. But that aside I spent a lot of time exploring the grounds and even the supposedly closed off haunted 4th floor. I didn't get any pictures of ghosts. The picture below is from the hotel, it includes a tree and architecture on an old building...two of my favorite things to photograph!


Wonder what kind of photos I'll get next week...

Inspiration

What inspires me? I've been asking myself that a lot lately. Because I've been so tired of the gray skies, wind, and winter in general, I've been trying to view the world as though I'm looking through the viewfinder of my camera. It helps make even the most gray days somewhat inspiring! It's as though the landscape becomes a black and white photo from several vantages.
The same tree, mountain, building or bridge changes immensely based on the weather or lighting of the day. Which makes me think of one of my favorite all time shots. I've posted it before, the barn on Mormon Row Road in Grand Teton. It's one of the most photographed barns in the US. I took this photo in June of 2008, I was one of several photographers that arrived at sunrise and it couldn't have been a more beautiful day. I often go back here in my mind and wish I'd stayed there the entire day.

I was back at Teton this past June (2010) and it was a nasty weather day. I golfed at Jackson Hole and after the third thunderstorm came through, my team finally decided to call it a day. Watching the clouds and weather over the mountains all day had my curiosity up as to what may favorite barn looked like. So at about 8PM I took the company car down an extremely muddy road that I'm lucky I didn't get stuck in. The result is an intense contrast which I love!

So I'm not sure I've answered the original question and start to this blog; what inspires me? But thinking about that lately, I've been revisiting a lot of photo collections that I have from my various travels. And looking through those I'm finding gems that I didn't know I had or had forgotten about. Since I haven't kept my blog updated, what I'm going to do is to post those gems I've found and tell you about them and what inspired me to take them. I'm sure that going through these will inspire me to look at this crazy long winter through the viewfinder of my camera more often!

More Engagement Shots

This one is one of those totally caught in the moment photos which is my favorite kind!

Engagement Shoot

My sister in law Amanda and Kyle got engaged and she allowed me to do their engagement pictures for my portfolio. It was a blast, although I'm pretty sure Kyle was super glad when it was over! I love these pictures and I think they really show what a great relationship they have! I can't wait to shoot their wedding next summer!