Outdoor Track

I shot two days of the 2009 NCAA National Track Championship a few weekends ago in Fayetteville, and of all the sports I got to shoot last year, I kinda think this was my favorite.  So many different events.... it all went so fast..... and all blew my mind.  I think I did pretty good for my first time out. 

I don't know how pole vaulting is possible, even after watching it 50 times in a row.

  Steeplechase. Photographers are just waiting for someone to wipe out.

As if I didn't have enough to think about while I was there...

don't get hit with a javelin, hammer or shot-put, don't walk across the track when runners are coming, don't get in other photographer's way, don't get a sunburn...... vest... what vest?

.......... I decided to carry my holga around and shoot my new Fayetteville photographer friends all tracked out.  Most of them shoot for different newspapers and publications up in NWA.  I have always wanted to shoot for a newspaper but have never had the chance.  I think getting different assignments everyday would be challenging and rewarding, allowing you to do a better job everyday than the day before.  I can feel this way because I've never had that job.  

So here is Andy, Beth, Wes, Marc, Will, me, Zac, Jason, and Rich.  

Special thanks to Rich Clarkson for humoring me and my silly toy camera.

Where have all the moose gone?

Photos from a recent hike Mark and I took to Petit Jean.  

Preggers

Photos of my pregnant friend Kerry.

 

She is a photographer too and had lots of good ideas for me to steal.  You can also see her in this month's Soiree Magazine as one of Arkansas' "Women to Watch", for opening Kavanaugh Eye with her husband, Dr. Brian Guice.  I've known Brian and Kerry since high school and am super proud of them for opening their own business together.  They are a sweet couple and really deserve the best.  I can't wait to meet Violet!

One of these mornings, we'll be home.

Everything is beautiful

My heart is a bird whose thirst is quenched by a drop of dew. 

Thank you for this new day

You are the one who carries me

I am in your arms like a sleeping child

I know you will take me where I must go

Thank you, the path you choose is full of flowers

The Sun is rising to embrace us, my love.

Slumberland

We were so proud this weekend when our friend's movie, "Slumberland", debut at the Little Rock Film Festival and won the "Made in Arkansas" award.  They have been working on the movie for like three years now and we were happy to see the finished product for the first time up on the big screen.  Mark even makes an appearance in Murdock's birthday party binge drinking scene.  

Here are the stars of the film, Rhett and Dirty Zach.  Rhett is amazing.  He is a good friend and a good writer, and now I can say a good actor too.

The first time I met Dirty was Halloween 2005.  He was dressed as a diner waitress wearing a wig, short skirt with fishnets and tripping balls on chocolate mushrooms.  I knew that night he was a special guy.      

This is the director, John Shafer.  

I lost my phone at his house for 6 months.  He just recently found it in the lazyboy.

  

The guys plan on entering Slumberland in the SXSW Film Festival and maybe they'll be able to put something new together for next year's LR Film Fest.  Hopefully my part won't be cut out next time and I won't be asked to step aside when the paparazzi try to get photos of the cast.  

Last night we attended the last event of the LRFF at Dickey Stevens Park and watched "Field of Dreams" on a blanket in the outfield.   The weather was perfect and there is a beautiful view of downtown from the park.  Although I often complain about being bored here in Little Rock, I know I am lucky to live in a place where my friends and I can be successful at the things we love to do.    

I Hart Jones

After 10 years together, our good friends Kristin and Shaun finally took 

the plunge and got married last weekend.  Like every other day for the past two months, it rained non-stop and forced them to move the whole ceremony from outdoors in the Baker House garden to indoors at the NLR Chamber of Commerce.  Kristin and Shaun are pretty amazing people already and the rain inconvenience didn't seem to phase them at all.  I was way more freaked out by having to do photos inside than they were about all their plans getting changed at the last minute. 

Here is Kristin's Dad coordinating dry car rides for the wedding party from the Baker House to the Chamber.  

He also set up an amazing trolly ride for everyone after the ceremony.  

I have always enjoyed hanging out with the Jones family since I met them almost nine years ago, and was sad when they moved to Ft. Worth.  I miss the backyard fireworks, birthday dinners, and the "red light" game, but feel honored that they asked me to do photos for the wedding.  I have only shot a few weddings before this and definitely do not consider it a strong point but here are some of my favorites shots.

Bite me- I'm with Dr. Dog

Last weekend Mark and I went to Fayetteville to see one of our favorite bands, Dr. Dog, play at George's Majestic Lounge.  I had contacted them earlier in the week and scored a press and photo pass, so I got myself +1 into the show for free, and was able to bring my 5D and shoot while they played. 

I felt like my vegetarian/photographer hero Linda McCartney,who's rock and roll photograph's I've admired since I was 15.  

This is my normal view at shows- just a little too short.  

And the crowd was not budging.  I got this shot from the front but not before a spastic sorority girl spilled her drink all over me.    But thats ok, I know I'm a bigger fan than she ever will be.

They went on pretty late and getting the night started with tequila shots and ending the night at a bar called "Shotz" is probably not the best idea if you want to remember anything the next day.  At least I have the pictures to prove we were there.