one of my favorites...

As a photographer, you acquire personal favorites of the images you have captured.  You are drawn back to these again and again and are reminded of why you are a photographer.  This is one of my favorites.  It is of our son, Max, just outside the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican in Rome.   Max sat on the bench to rest and reflect for a moment.  I turned and saw it -- it was perfect -- the layering of the fresco, the light, Max's pensive mood -- Wow!  I just had to capture it.  I cherish this image.  I had it printed on a very large canvas and it now hangs in our living room.  I never look at it that I don't still marvel.  It takes me back to both Italy and the son that I love.

an adventure river walk in boise...

Three of our sons, daughters and their amazing children live in Boise, Idaho.  So a trip to Boise is always welcomed and filled with lots of hugs, laughter, and amazing food.  A couple of weeks ago we were there for a wonderful weekend that I will cherish forever.  Children, particularly 2-4 year olds are such a treat to photograph.  One of the reasons is they are so intrigued by nature as it surrounds them. They love the rocks, the water, the sticks, the bugs, and even the sand. They touch it, feel it, throw it, and yes,...even eat it.  Here are a few shots I took of the munchkins while we were on our adventure walk along the Boise River....  

Mr. Jack, age 3 1/2 (Buck & Jeralyn's)

Mr. ever expressive Jace - 2 years (Nate & Luisa's)

Miss Piper Jane (Buck and Jeralyn's)

Charming Ben - age 8 (Jake & Kate's)

Beautiful Gracie - 9 1/2 (Jake & Kate's)

Nate and Luisa

The Womans Tonic!

When you live in the same valley all of your growing up years, there are landmarks that become a part of the landscape of your life.  This barn is one such.  For some reason, as a child, I was always intrigued by this barn.  We would pass it on our adventures to Brigham City or Salt Lake.  In December when I passed by, I stopped for a photo to record this little piece of my history.

Interesting enough, the barn was originally painted to promote the products of Dr. Ray Vaughn Pierce sometime during the Great Depression  The Woman's tonic claimed to cure those diseases caused by "feminine complaint."  An advertisement in an 1895 Ann Arbor Register stated:  "There are not three cases in a hundred of woman's peculiar diseases that Dr. Pierce's Favorite Prescription will not cure."  According to the labeling it contained "Lady's Slipper root, Unicorn root, Blue root, Oregon Grape root, and Viburnum" (sounds a bit like a Harry Potter potion).  The original owners of the barn were paid $25 for the first painting and $10 annually for rent.  It was repainted every year except during World War II when lead was scarce.  After falling into disrepair, the members of the community in 1998 donated time and money to restore the barn.

If any of you find the website where I can order a bottle of Dr. Pierce's Favorite Prescription, please let me know!

the tree of life...

Last February I was in Lake Tahoe photographing a corporate event.  There was a piece of art work in the lobby that I was fascinated with.  It was huge -- probably 6'x4'.  The artist had painted little white dots on black paper that resulted in an almost three dimensional tree of life that was simply magnificent.  I found myself being drawn back to that wall frequently to gaze in awe.

This past Christmas I was photographing the Christmas Lights in Salt Lake City and was quickly reminded of the art piece in Tahoe.  It has sort of the same feeling, except this is captured in the digital world with one click instead of countless hours painting dots on art paper.