Joe Buissink.
This month’s TCPPA (Twin Cities Professional Photographer’s Association) meeting was held up at the North (Brooklyn Park) HTC auditorium, again, due to the remodel of the South (Eden Prairie) HTC location. Having attended Joe Buissink’s program, on Monday, I now know that I would have traveled any distance and I encourage you to do the same when he comes to a town near you to speak. While he and his agenda were weighted heavily in photography and largely wedding photography with ties, now, to countless celebrities…I went in looking for inspiration in those arenas but came away with a much different feeling. You see, Joe Buissink makes no bones about being a human being first. His life has been peppered with challenges yet he rises up and creates immeasurable richness for he, his family and clearly extends this to his clients and to those that make the time to attend is speaking engagements.
I enjoyed the program on Monday so much that I traveled to Minnesota’s GraphiStudio location in Oakdale the next morning to hear him speak…yet again. I must say that even though Joe doubled up on much of his lecture from the day before, I felt more in the moment as I sat in the front row amongst a much smaller, more intimate group of photographers. You see, I’m one of those individuals that loves to hear the message again and again. I find myself catching things I missed the first go ’round. Invited into a group setting where someone pours their heart out and opens their soul you cannot help but feel the passion that drives that person. I felt it spill over. I know that I will photograph all things, from now on, with my life’s influences and experiences…past and present to guide me. Thank you, Joe Buissink, for reminding me of why I do what I do. So great to finally meet you. Hope you enjoyed your first trip to Minnesota!
Happy Birthday Blog!
Today, altho’ it’s my brother’s (Tim) birthday as well, marks my 4th year of blogging. It all started at Blogger. I love to write (thanks to my mom!) and I’m a photographer…it seemed a natural fit. Just so you know, Blogger is one of several free blog services and I enjoyed it for 3 years before making the switch to WordPress 1 year ago today. At that point I thought that it was time to make a move toward a more sophisticated marriage of my website and my blog so as not to have to maintain both separately. I’ve gotten lots of feed back over the past year and I must say….I’m sorry. I, too, feel that it is clumsy and complicated. I am speaking with a great guy at Dragonfly Networks in Minneapolis. My desire is to make my blog and site more simple to access and navigate. This will, likely, mean that I will write more as well!
I will keep you posted on my progress as I take on the task of media juggling once more. In the end…it’ll be worth it. Thank you for your patience. Eat some cake today on my blog’s behalf! 
Oh, and happy birthday, Tim!
Black & White
In a world brimming over with color I often wonder what it is about black and white images that seem to stop time. I recently found…and I wish I could remember who said it…a quote that went something like this….”In a color portrait you see the person, in a black and white portrait you see the soul.” Palpable, isn’t it?
Well…I’ve noticed, lately, that I seem to leave many of my images in color…I haven’t been converting many. I guess living in Minnesota with so many colorless months I’ve simply gravitated towards colored images. They’re happy. Color images smile.
So I asked myself…do you only want to capture time? OR, would you like to make an impact with those very same images and stop time? Hmmmm. I think it’s high time I select the latter. Now, I’m not saying that I’m leaping off the color wagon but perhaps I’ll dabble with sitting on the running board and drag my boots a bit. Here are some recent captures of mine…thanks for checking in…
Janelle & Chad.
While they won’t wed until summer of 2011, Janelle & Chad met up with me for their engagement session this past week in Mankato (after a rain out session previously scheduled in Minneapolis). The spots that we found were some real gems! With a citrus theme in the works, we kept things bright but that didn’t stop me from suggesting that they pack their waders for a peaceful, relaxing end to the session. Thanks, you two, for arranging to reschedule. I know that next summer will be amazing! Embrace the planning phase and rest assured that I will capture every detail!
Memorial Day 2010
I know that the cemeteries will be jammed with folks paying respects today and rightfully so. I like to go to the cemetery on quieter days so I’ll stay away today. My father served in the Korean War as proud Corporal in the United States Marine Corps and is buried at Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis. I miss him everyday. Thank you, Dad, for serving this great nation…I love you. Give mom a squeeze for me!
