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A snowstorm blows over the summit of Mt. Shasta in Northern California

Not a big deal, really, but I was pleased that the above shot won “Shot of the Day” on Earthshots.org, a daily photo contest site that mostly features the beauty and wonder of the natural world.  As I am primarily a portrait photographer, I don’t usually have much to submit to them, but I do from time to time when I shoot landscapes.  After the bevy of shots from our vacation, I entered several.  I was happy to see that one of my favorites made the cut.

I don’t win anything special, but it’s nice to be in the company of some very good photographers, many of whom I am lucky to have regular correspondence with.  And for those who are interested, the print is available for sale, and you can order it through this website!  :-)

I started this website for my portrait and wedding photography, and people are primarily what I shoot.  However, every creative person needs a break, and needs a way to keep things fresh.  This week, I’m visiting my mother in Ashland, Oregon, where I am treated to the above view from my bedroom window — yes, literally!  I promised myself that this trip wouldn’t be focused around photography, and it hasn’t been, really, but it still provided a great opportunity to shoot some landscapes, something I don’t do much of ordinarily.  Landscapes are creatively charging because they are so different than my normal shooting style — they are deliberate and pensive, where I am usually improvisational and on the move.  They are stopped down and on a tripod at base ISO, where I am usually shooting wide open, handheld at higher ISOs.  Landscapes obviously don’t feature people (generally).

It’s been gratifying to get some landscapes I’m really pleased with.  I feel like I finally have some that aren’t just good to my standards, but to other standards, as well.

Even though this trip wasn’t specifically about photography, I find that I engage more with a place when I think about it as a photographer.  It gets me out and about, looking for beautiful things, interesting things, ironic things.  In previous trips to visit my mother, I’d ventured out a little and appreciated the beauty that this state and region have to offer, but I had never really explored.  With this trip, I feel that Hanna, Isaac and I have had a much better opportunity to explore this beautiful, amazing place and hopefully, with these images, I can bring some of that experience back to others (especially those back home on the East Coast).  The fact of the matter is that Oregon is an exceptionally and exquisitely beautiful place, and I am extremely fortunate to have a mother who lives right in the middle of it all (figuratively, not literally).

I’m still taking the time to shoot the other stuff I shoot — the rural architecture, the quirky and the colorful.

And, of course, I haven’t neglected the things I shoot most, just been a little bit more, um, free about it… :)

It seems like a long, long time ago now, but I went to high school with Shari Liv.  Now, just a few years later, Shari has accumulated a beautiful family.  I feel very lucky to have reconnected with the Beckers a few years ago, and have enjoyed getting to know Noah and their new son, Owen.  I can’t believe I’m surrounded by so many cute babies!

Thanks Shari, Noah, and especially Owen for letting me into your lives for a little bit — I had a lot of fun taking your photos!

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I am a big fan of old mills, and old buildings generally, so I took a drive out to Raleigh to check out the Yates Mill off of Lake Wheeler Road.  Even though the weather was gloomy, I got some nice shots of the mill, especially the spillway and the millrace.  I also had an equally nice walk around the millpond, which was surprisingly quiet and peaceful, given the buzz of the city surrounding this nostalgic park.

I am looking forward to the day when Annabel starts more reliably smiling, but I felt like Hanna and I got a good photo of her today.  Thanks for the help, Hanna!

Hanna, Isaac and I went over to Eli and Amanda’s for Eli’s 28th birthday, and were treated to potato and leek soup, pizza, the birthday cake above, and, as always, great company.

Happy Birthday, Eli!

The proud baker showcases her masterpiece

Eli gets ready to blow out the candles

Halfway through!

Enjoying our birthday gift to Eli