A New Year

I don't so much make specific "New Year's Resolutions" as I try to continually set and complete ongoing goals and projects, but with the all the time spent with family and friends over the Holidays I do find the beginning of the year a chance to get back on track. Somethings I'm working on now and plan to work on early this year include rebuilding my website, updating my portfolio, improving the frequency & quality of posts on this blog, improving my video shooting & editing skills, and going after new clients more aggressively. I've already started on the portfolio and website updates and hope to have those live by the end of the week.

I also posted my 2015 Year in Review - a look at some of my favorite photos from last year - some personal photos and some professional. Check that out Here.

I hope everyone had Happy Holidays and I wish you the best of luck in 2016 - I'm excited about it - its time to get to work.

Missile Toe @ The Museum

On Thursday the "World's Greatest Christmas Brand" brought their show to the Akron Art Museum. Seeing Missile Toe perform at various places around town is one of my favorite Holiday traditions. You should make it one of yours. They play tonight at The Empire Concert Club and on Christmas Night at The Matinee.

Deck the Hall

On Sunday night my family and I went to Stan Hywet Hall to see their Christmas Light displays. The outside grounds are decked out in lights and the rooms of the Manor House are decorated too. Christmas Ale and ginger bread cookies were for sale - and even though the weather hasn't gotten me much in the mood for Christmas this night at Stan Hywet sure did.

Akron2Akron: Christmas History Walk

On Saturday evening Joanna Wilson led an Akron2Akron walk exploring the history of retail, Christmas displays in Downtown. Half of it took a little imagination and half of the history was still there. Being that South Howard street was demolished(as well as the original commercial district) Joanna's descriptions had to take you there. On the Southern side of Downtown the window displays have been recreated in some of the original department store windows(the former Polsky's and O'Neil's) as well as in the Mayflower. 

Pittsburgh on Foot

On Saturday I drove out to Pittsburgh to take Sara to her job at the Holiday Market downtown. She is working for a German glass blower she met who used to have a booth at the Christkindl market here in Akron. I spent the better part of two days walking the streets of Pittsburgh shooting photos and learning the lay of the land. Here is a selection of those....

Museum Snaps

Checking out NEO GEO at the museum today.

Thanksgiving Weekend Part I

Thanksgiving Weekend was a whirlwind of bars, beers, bands, breweries, some work, friends & family. I do love being out and about but right now it feels pretty nice to be working at my desk. Here are some photos from the hectic and fun, extended weekend.

KNR Turkey Give Away

Kisling, Nestico & Redick (KNR) hosted its third annual KNR Turkey Giveaway and Coats & Cans for Kids drive on November 20th, 2015, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. To receive a free Butterball turkey people lined up to donate a non-perishable food item to benefit the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank or a gently used coat to benefit The Salvation Army of Summit County. This year’s Turkey Giveaway was the biggest ever. Cleveland 19 News, the ESPN Street Team, students, athletes, and band members from Kenmore High School, the KNR Turkey, and Santa Claus joined KNR and Cleveland 19 News to kick off the giving season. It was a great event -here are some shots.

That One Time Downtown(III)

On Thursday I made it to UnCorked Wine Bar for the Akron-centric story telling series -That One Time Downtown - this month featured Chris Butler, Francisca Ugalde and Mike Gould. Chris(Tin Huey, Waitresses) told a story about re-acquiring his vintage Vox teardrop guitar. Mike(an Akron police officer) talked about the speeches he gives to Akron Public school Children. Fran(a local artist) discussed her artistic journey including some recent commission works she has done in and around downtown. 

This is the third venue for the event - the first one on the lawn at Cascade was great in the sun - but Uncorked worked well too(drinks!)

The Mighty Soul Night

Last Saturday some friends and I went to The Mighty Soul Night - a night of DJs playing vinyl records. The Djs were El Prezidente, Ben Crazy, Forrest Getem Gump, and Dennis Oliver on drums with special guest Roger Riddle. The Soul Night is always a blast but this one was especially fun with a better turn out and more dancing than last month. These are held at UnCorked Wine Bar and there is no cover - the next one is on December 19th - you can bet we'll be there again - you should be too. Something a little different is always a good thing.

Royal Docks Brewing

It was another great weekend full of things to do in and around Akron. On Saturday alone Sara and I attended three events. Here are some photo from our stop at Royal Docks Brewing in Canton, OH(not far from the airport).

Ektar in Autumn

Kodak Ektar 100 is probably the most beautiful C-41 film still on the market - and even better when used in the 120mm format. I shot a roll in the Fuji GSW690III, a massive rangefinder camera that makes 6x9 negatives(you only get 8 shots per roll at that size!). Fall is the perfect time for Ektar and its saturated colors - not to mention the lovely dynamic range this film gets you. I shot the roll over three different hikes in the Summit Metro Parks. Between having to use an external light meter(there isn't one in the Fuji), the slow process of manual focusing, and knowing you only have a handful of photographs to make you really slow down and choose your compositions wisely. For anyone who likes to photograph and didn't grow up in the analog era I would highly recommend trying out a film camera at least a few times - you'd be amazed at the way it changes how you shoot and your thought process behind it.

Make Art Not Waste

ReWorks and the Summit ArtSpace selected twelve artists to take discarded latex paint and turn it into works of art. They had three days to create in the studio and the works were then displayed on Friday night in the Project Gallery of the ArSpace in conjunction with the November ArtWalk. I stopped by and photographed the artists while they were working and then again at the opening. The paintings were really cool and all very different. The artists and ReWorks split the profits from sales of the paintings - Reworks will use their half to educate the public on proper ways to dispose of latex paint.

Lieberth Community Vision Award

Earlier today I shot the "Dave Lieberth Community Vision Award" Brian Moore was this year's recipient. The award honors a Leadership Akron Class member who has made a significant contribution to the Akron community. Each year the breakfast is tailored to the tastes of the recipient. Brian is a music and Disney fan and singers in costume wandered into the room and sang throughout the program. The event is famous for its big send-off which included an Elton John impersonator this year.

Bonus Day

Its been quite a while since we've had a first week in November like this....and I couldn't sit inside all day. I hopped in my car and drove to The Ledges at Virginia Kendall. How could I not? Here are some late-day-sun photos from my excursion.

Goodyear Metro Park

Yesterday Fran, Sara, and I all had work to do - but none of us could resist the chance to get out in the sunshine for a bit. We drove to Goodyear Metro Park for a hike and to take in the fading fall foliage. As everyone from Ohio knows - you can't waste these bonus sunny, warm days.

Halloween Charity Ball

On Friday I had the opportunity to photograph the 12th Annual Halloween Charity Ball at the Tangier. $35,000 was raised for two charities, Life Is Good No Matter What and Empowering Scholars Project. The party is a blast - open bar, food, costume contest, a DJ and a band - plenty of dancing.

Fall Color

It seems to me that the peak of Autumn color came a little later this year - but boy is it amazing outside right now. Here are a few snaps of it from the last few days.