2023
January
Welcome to my brand new blog. Grab your camera or not and stroll with me and my dog Copper as we fly by the seat of my pants to and through many unknown and mysterious destinations. If you've followed us long at all you know we're liable to end up anywhere at any time. Copper's always ready to load up for an exciting adventure. She's a great companion and I'm very thankful she chose me to rescue.
I'm very excited about this upcoming year. So proud of my kids and the adults they've quickly became. My son is working towards becoming a teacher and coach. He is going to touch so many young lives. I don't know a more likeable soul. I'm proud to be his dad and strive each day to make him proud of me. He'll be a great role model for his students just like he is for me.
My daughter is going to be giving birth to my grandson in less than a month. I can't even type that without giggling. Chelsea Jo is going to be the world's best mom! I'm already picturing the bedtime book just like her mom did. Lisa read to Chelsea and Colton every night without exception as her mom did to her. It was no doubt always the highlight of their day and helped shape them into who they are. I never spent all my Christmas money at a bookstore. I guess that's pretty obvious. It was a yearly tradition for them. I never cared to read.
I can brag for days about how incredibly blessed I am to have the great kids I do. I know what kind of kid I was and I certainly didn't deserve this. They tell me they had a fairytale childhood and as far as I can tell their adult lives won't change. They've made so many great decisions to get where they are. I'm extremely proud of who they chose to do life with. I couldn't have handpicked better mates for them. Colt and Emma are just as incredible. Seeing my kids so happy warms my heart. I'm incredibly blessed and incredibly thankful.
Me on the other hand continue down a path with many dark valleys of uncertainty and a few peaks that make it all worth it. Since returning late September from Alaska I've managed to stick a nail in my eye, have emergency eye surgery, buy a creeper van, motorhome, break a leg and shoot a few rodeos.
I knew nothing about rodeos when I got home and still know very little but catching on. I've learned how to limbo when the roped steer and cowboy catch me in the middle. I've also learned to stand in until the last second with a mad bull before doing my patented tuck and roll. I got to say it was a tough start. Trial by fire! I'm learning to capture action without becoming the entertainment. It gets a little tricky inside the arena. You know how I am. I don't care if it's a big-assed wild bull moose or raging bull in the arena... I'm getting the shot. Safety be damned! I always study my subjects to learn strengths and weaknesses. I rely on my education and quickly fading cat-like reflexes to keep me somewhat safe.
Those high peaks that make the struggle worth it? Getting a chance at rodeo photography!! It's so freaking much fun!! Constant action!! My patience level is never challenged. In the Alaska wilderness I have good intentions of spending a full day in my blind waiting stealthily. Then I get there, if the moose doesn't show up in fifteen minutes I become a hiker.
I'm shooting rodeos for highschool students down to pee wee's. Without exception these are the most goal oriented, hard working, competitive and supporting young people I've EVER had the privilege to be around. Thank you all so much for sharing your amazing world with me. I love seeing these young people work so hard to perfect their passions. Capturing people with so much passion is a challenge I live for. When they have that fire in their eyes, grit in their teeth and covered in dirt from head to toe with a look in their eyes that they won't be denied... I just push a little round button. Sometimes I get lucky. I can't remember any drug that makes feel like I do when these kids pupils gets sharp in my viewfinder as they race by.
Oh yeah... You will NEVER guess what else I did? NEVER NEVER NEVER!!!
Remember I said I hate to read?
I love to write!!! So...
I wrote a book!!!
Swear to god!
Aperture Priority-How and Why is now with proofreaders. I have to add a few pictures with captions of tips and tricks. I think the hard part's over, but not sure. As soon as this gets published I'm writing another about sports and wildlife photography. Someday maybe one about my trials and tribulations. My kids have wanted that for a long time.
Next rodeo is Texarkana in two weeks. In the meantime I'll be editing photos and waiting for the doctors to finally operate on my leg.
