Stoked!

Last night, technically this morning, when I came home from work I found that someone had purchased a limited edition print from my Zenfolio store. It happened to be my future father in-law, AND the first person to ever order a limited edition! I can't wait to see it.


This is what he ordered....

Land's End in San Francisco

It's that time of year!

No, I'm not talking about Christmas. I'm talking about a new story being posted at my brother Steven and I's collaboration blog project: Passersby Illustrated

But Merry Christmas to you all as well!

2010, what a year!

The year wraps up here in about 10 days, and what an incredible year it has been. Seeing that this is my photo blog I'll stick to photography :) I am blown away by the progression my photography has made this year. I've really only been applying myself at photography for just over a year. As part of my journey this year, I've invested countless hours and dollars into bettering my skill and trade, and have traveled all over North America. But the best part in all of this was the relationships that I made or improved upon along the way.

I'd like to thank the following people and organizations:

• Christina Dickson, she has been a good friend since the summer of 09. And at the start of this year she was also my professional mentor. She has steered me in the right direction and given me encouragement when I felt overwhelmed. Christina is a brilliant wedding photographer and visionary. She has a HUGE heart (no it isn't Cardiomegaly), get to know her!
  
• Rowan Gillson, is a world traveled and people loving photographer. Not only does he hope and pray for change, he's willing to goto the ends of the earth to make it happen. He invited me to attend a workshop in August of 09 and I've been able to find a creative outlet that I really didn't know was buried in me. If he's not at home in Oregon he might just be in New Zealand, South Africa, Colorado or Fiji. 
  
• Institute of Photographic Studies, is the organization that hosted the workshop that Rowan invited me to and it is where the fire for photography; for Encountering God - Discovering vision - Photographing life took off. If you have any inkling to get into photography, or to better your skills, then definitely check out their website. The organization and their awesome instructors will literally change your life. No joke.

I took sooo many images this year, thousands upon thousands. It was hard to narrow my favorite images down to a Top 10. But here they are! (Click on an image to see a larger image)

 Caleb Lazaro - Colorado Springs, CO

 My nephew Noah - Palm Springs, CA

 Port of Los Angeles - LA, CA

 Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

 Colorado Bridge - Colorado Springs, CO

 Lydia & Leland's wedding - Lakemont, GA

 Christa Taylor - Portland, OR

 Emily - Colorado Springs, CO

Kevin & Joanna's wedding (Joanna's dad) - Colorado Springs, CO

Ah. Colorado.

The past couple of evenings have had the most incredible sunsets here in Colorado. Last night I was driving home from a long day of errands and mountain biking, and I was cussing myself because I didn't have my camera with me. There was this painterly sky with airplane contrails crisscrossing over the silhouette of Pikes Peak. It was so rad.

I got home, ran inside and grabbed my trusty 50D and as I ran down the stairs I adjusted the settings to what I thought would be perfect. Or at least close enough.

Here's my favorite of the handful of photos I took before the colors of the night sky faded into grays.

(and for old time's sake) ISO400 - 46mm - f/2.8 - 1/125sec

Thought provoking...

HERE is a link to a quick blog read about talent vs. tools. Have a great day and go make something today!

Help-Portrait 2010...

It was a beautiful winter morning here a week ago, Saturday 4th was Help-Portrait day. The clouds hung low over the mountains, and yet somehow the bases of the mountains were brightly lit. I would have stopped for a couple photos but true to my modus operandi - I was running late. Once again this year we partnered with Northern Churches Care, and Rocky Mountain Calvary Chapel to host this amazing event. Several volunteers and I began moving chairs and tables, began setting up backdrops and lighting, and in a short time we were ready for our guests. We had just over 60 families signed up, and we were excited. I prefer the term "stoked". That's what I was :)

From 9am until 2pm we greeted, fed, and photographed families from our Colorado Springs Community. All in all 36 families had professional photographs taken, and they were able to have one 8x10 printed there while they waited, left with a frame of their choice and the Christmas spirit in their hearts.

I'd say this year was more stressful than last year, but regardless it felt great to give of ourselves and our talents. Looking forward to next year, as well as any other chances to bless others with photographs.

Here are just a few of the many awesome photos that came out of that day...

(These photos were not taken by me but by other talented volunteers. I did edit the photos.)

Quote of the day...

This may be a repeat, but oh well. It's good :)

"The photographic life is one of discovering your vision and expressing it in purely visual terms. Sometimes our vision finds us; sometimes we need to chase it down."
-David duChemin 

Colorado love.

Yes, I love this woman!

Thank you Alecia for taking this photo of us!

Christmas Print SALE!

Photos from my "LIFE IN GENERAL" gallery are 25% off from now through midnight on Christmas eve!

You can view a slideshow of the images HERE before ordering from the above gallery view.

The coupon code is "xmas10"

I updated the gallery today with some of my favorite photos from this year.

Enjoy!

Check it...

A new story created by my brother Steven and I is up at Passersby Illustrated!!!

Video of the day...

I think this might be the first time I've ever published a music video on my photo blog. But this makes me want to get out and take some low-fi photos of daily living.

Enjoy this video: Dancing in Our Darkest Days by Fulka

Here's some motivation...

If you're not out "shooting" someone else is, and they're making stupid amounts of money which they'll never use.  See for yourself HERE.

Nerdy November...

So last night I had my monthly Indie Movie Night, but this month was a little different. We dressed like nerds. All I really had to do was resurrect my high school "look". Ha Ha! It was a blast. And of course I had to break the camera out.

I wanted that clean studio feel so the setup was simple: Canon 50D, 24-70L lens, 580EXii (acting as a master directly on the camera - using the built in diffuser panel), and a 480EX (on the floor as a background fill)

Basic editing: brush tool to bring up the exposure on the wall. Brush tool (at times) to reduce the clarity of the wall to make it look smoother.

Mistake made: I was in a rush to get the lighting right and the dinner ready. For awhile I didn't have the background flash angled correctly, so the lower part of the wall was really "hot". This made for more editing of those photos.

Welcome to the nerd extravaganza!!!

A little blurry, but I love it!

Andrea and this nerd 

 Kareena

HOTTT!!!

Apple geek.

 Garrett and Jen

 Joanna and Kevin

The Nerd Herd

(* Thank you Kareena for taking the photos of Andrea and I!)

Hunting for more than elk...

Tuesday night I got back from elk hunting. This was my 2nd year, and I thought I'd drag my camera along for the adventure. To keep things minimal I merely brought my Canon 50D, 50mm f/1.8 lens, cards, Ultra-Pod tripod and an extra battery. And of course I brought a oversized ziplock bag and waterproof bag just in case it rained or snowed; which it did and I was thankful that I had these along.

It is incredible to get up before the sun does, and hike and hike and hike, watch the sun come up and be surrounded by nature. Aside from being in nature, enjoying hunt-camp, and "family", the thing I've come to appreciate the most is being "off the grid" for several days. There is so much freedom in not being tied down by a cell phone, or wasting vast amounts of time on the computer. So what follows are some of my favorite images (my all time favorite image from this adventure will be posted later. It needs some noise reduction work.)

 My friend and "brother" Dan

 Some "flipped-50" action!

 The incredible sunrise on Sunday morning

 Just one of the tallest Aspens I've ever seen. 60+' tall.

Winchester 70 - 7mm WSM

Help-Portrait...

If you're interested in serving here in Colorado Springs 

please email: megan.e.berry@gmail.com

Winter has arrived...

I think I'm going to spend my day in bed reading.
It is cold and rainy out. I love it.

Quote of the day...

“A good photograph is one that communicates a fact, touches the heart and leaves the viewer a changed person for having seen it."
-Irving Penn

Andrea's Birthday!

Yesterday I spent the entire day celebrating my beautiful girlfriend's birthday. First thing in the morning we went hiking in Waldo Canyon, and her awesome dog "Lady" got lost for about half an hour. After prayers, and frantic whistle blowing and yelling Andrea found her. Lady apparently had been rolling in a dead animal carcass... Sooooooo sooooooo smelly! After that almost ill-fated hike we went to breakfast at Adam's Mountain Cafe in Manitou Springs. Most of their offerings are vegetarian, but I was able to finagle a omelet with organic turkey. Andrea had banana-walnut pancakes. You really need to visit Adam's.

Later in the day we went to The Blue Star for drinks and appetizers, Il Vicino for dinner, and BJ's Brewhouse for dessert.

Happy birthday Andrea! I love you and I'm the luckiest!