Foot surgery

All I can think about is sitting on the beach with ice cream and drinks.I just had foot surgery, and don't let anyone tell you it does not hurt because it hurts like hell. I am not a person that likes to sit around so this is a test of patience. Gives me time to re organize all my photos, though the pain pills are so strong they make my brain fuzzy. It is nice to waited on but it also makes you realize how much nicer it is to be able to wait on other people. Like the old saying it is better to give than to receive.

Longing for Summer
On this very cold day (-15C) here in Kansas City I was cleaning up my images and updating all my various websites and I found myself drawn to images of warm and beachy weather longing for a relaxing day on the beach with a drink in hand. Instead I sit in my studio with electric blanket and coco in hand watching the snow.
Happy Winter

Black and White and Merry all over

The holiday season is all about the kids and being a kid again yourself. It is a great time to get pictures of the little ones, big ones, old ones and four legged ones. A picture is something you can come back to time and time again and see new things, remember new things, it is priceless

Holiday season approaching

The holiday season is fast approaching signaling another year gone by and a time to look back at the year and see if it was all you hoped it would be. It seems the holiday time comes upon us faster for each year that passes. I vow to keep things simple this year. No extravagant gifts, no big holiday mailing, just time spent with family and friends. Time spent with people is far more precious than any gift it provides memories for years to come. So as this holiday season approaches that is my motto "less is more"
I did have to go out and get the holiday photo taken, the card that goes out to friends and family. This is an out take from today's photo adventure with the girls.

Halloween

What a great holiday especially when you have little people. There are no expectations with gifts giving or receiving, no need to travel to see family or friends. It is all about candy and having a good time, what is there not to like. Being from Norway I did not grow up with Halloween but it seems to be a holiday that is being taken up by many countries around the world even though they do not have a tradition with it. Who does not like candy and being a little spooked? Happy Halloween.

Fall in Oslo, Norway

The girls and I are on a short visit in Norway to see family. This is the best time of year in Oslo, most of the tourists are gone the air is crisp and the leaves are beautiful. Last week I was in Canada which is very similar to Norway climate wise, though it gets colder in Canada than it does in Norway. The girls are loving it here, we walk everywhere which makes me realize how lazy we are in the States when we get in the car for everything. Note to self walk more! This is also a great time to take photos, the light is gorgeous now.

Shooting in Canada

My photography takes me to Canada this week shooting for an American publication. Traveling out of country for photography can be stressful but with the right amount of research and preparation it causes little headaches. When shooting in Canada you need a letter from your American client stating you are working for an American company this ensures that you are not taking work away from a Canadian photographer. You also need to go to the US customs and border patrol people and register all your equipment proving that is all belongs to you. I have always found Canada to be a great place it is a wonderful combination of Europe and America.

Familes

Families are something we all have. They come in all shapes and sizes They can be great, loving, dysfunctional, maddening, nostalgic, caring, but they are something we all have whether we acknowledge them or not. I have photographed several families in the last few months and I love every opportunity I get to see other peoples family dynamics and to be a part of their life for a few hours through the lens of my camera.

Senior photos

I have been shooting more senior portraits lately and I really enjoy doing it. I am so encouraged to see how young people have vision and a plan for the future. You hear so many stories about kids these days not having manners, not caring, being spoiled. I must say the opposite, all the seniors I have photographed in the last few weeks have been wonderful and gives me great hope for the future. Appreciate the young people around you, they may be our leaders one day.

Bankers

My photo assignment yesterday was for American Banker, a publication out of New York dealing with the banking industry. It was interesting to photograph the heads of several of our large local community banks here in the Kansas City area. They eased my fears of the banking crisis we are in right now. The community banks are doing well which in turns means us the customers of these banks are doing okay. This is what I truly love about my job, everyday is different and I learn something new about the community I live in and the world that I live in. I wonder what tomorrow will bring?

Time for dress up

Another good reason to like Fall is that is time for dress up. Halloween is one of those great holidays that is all about fun and candy. What is not to like of that? So let the child in you out and have fun this Fall.

The Beauty of Fall

Fall is my favorite season of the year. The nights are longer, the air is crisper and the light is beautiful. It is a perfect time to get outdoors to shoot photos. This is a great time for portraits outdoors be it of your kids, family or pets. For the month of October I am going to take one portrait a day outside. I have many shoots this month taking me to Syracuse New York, North Bay Canada and Oslo Norway. So along the way I will try to do a portrait a day. It is always good to challenge yourself and set goals.

Photography as a way of life

Many people ask me what I do for a living and it is difficult to come up with an answer because what I do for a living is my life. I feel so fortunate to be able to earn a living doing what I am passionate about, photography. It is such a high to go out and take pictures, getting to know new people, learn about other professions through the lens of my camera. I photographed a group of bankers the other day, your everyday portraits, but I still can't wait to get back to my studio and upload the images and see what I got. It is like a gift every time to see the results. Even when I do not have a camera with me, my mind and brain are taking pictures, admiring how the light falls on a building or how a shadow can create a great shape on the ground, the silly look on a childs face, these are all moments that get recorded in my head and I can draw from when I want to go out and actually take some photos.
Here are some of recent favorite photos, some are for jobs and some are just my life.