Invasion of the Gambini's

 

I was recently given the opportunity to create a photographic portfolio for local artist Gae McKay who has created the enchanting and whimsical Gambini collection; every one individually handcrafted with no detail spared.  Gae is a truly gifted artist with limitless creativity and each Gambini she brings to life (and I do mean life) captivates you with their unique quality and character; each one bringing with it a magical story that you can't wait to hear.  

Here is a sample of the Gambini's within her collection.  If interested in adopting your own Gambini I am sure she would be more than happy to create one of these magical works of art for you. 

June | Eva

Had the great privilege and opportunity to make some portraits of a beautiful one year old who is the daughter of a friend of mine in Manhattan this past weekend.  Eva was a wonderful little model and even brought the diva with her for a couple of the pictures lol.  These were all shot in the middle of the afternoon under a bright, hot, and unforgiving sun.  One bare off camera flash on high speed sync.

Thanks again to Julie who asked me to do this for her.

Here are some of my favorites from the sessions:

June | Family Session

Just finished up a recent family session with a wonderful and energetic family of 5.  Because of the weather not cooperating (it is after all Kansas) we split the sessions into two days which actually worked out great by giving the smaller kids a break.  Here are some of my favorites from the set.

Patriot Guard

I don't ordinarily post more than one blog per month however today I witnessed a procession for one of our fallen that was being escorted by over 100 of the Patriot Guard.  It doesn't matter how this soldier left this earth he still deserves our respect for what he was willing to sacrifice. Out of respect I chose not to certain pictures but wanted to share this truly captivating and somber experience.

God Bless our troops!!

My Girls...

"A mothers children are portraits of themselves" ~ anonymous

While Mothers Day has passed on the calender this year the mothers in our lives are to be celebrated and cherished each and every day. Michelle doesn't often like me taking pictures of her which I don't understand; there is nothing more beautiful to me than my wife; the mother of my child.  These are two images I made while watching them on the porch.  Posed pictures have their place but I always have loved natural interactions; the raw truth of how we are connected to those we treasure.  I also like the timeless feel of black and white.  Hope you enjoy.

Exploring a decaying 19th Century home

Today I had the opportunity to explore a historic home that is VERY seldomly shared with anyone.  It is also one of the last remaining of this syle of home left standing in the country. Because of its state of decay, parts of it were a bit nerve racking to explore (there is a basement and I hear it is a long fall down) but I have to be honest I felt a bit like Indiana Jones.   I chose to take a more dramatic processing on these images perhaps because I watch a lot of Ghost Hunters.  Anyway here are some from today:

Spring is here!!! Spring is here!!! (an illustrated story)

The cold winter months when the days are short and nights are long time is spent cuddled up inside to hide from the blustery chill.  Waiting...Longing for brighter and warmer days.

And then Spring shows her beautiful face, warming our soul, and a smile as wide as the horizon spreads on our face.  Finally life is renewed once more.

So elated about our good friend Spring coming to visit and having the worst ever case of cabin fever known to have existed we can no longer contain our excitement .  By any means necesssary we will go outside.

Before you make that leap, however, you may want to make sure there isn't a Beagle who is more excited about playing in the sun than you are.

  

(no animals, or children, were harmed in the making of this storyboard.  Actually our cat, appropriately named Kitty by our daughter, kicked our beagles ass shortly after this picture was taken).