VAP Mardi Gras

Last night I photographed Victim's Assistance Mardi Gras at Tangier for the second year. It is a fun event that raises money for a great organization. I set up a "photo both" type space to catch attendees on their way into the event and during the silent auction and mingling portion. I had a few assistants who kept everything in order so prints could be mailed to the guests. When everyone moved to the big room for dinner, dancing, games, and the oral auction I captured some candids.

Thursday's Lounge

Last Fall Mario Nemer hired me to take some photos of his legendary Akron club, Thursday's Lounge. I showed up around 11 to a competently empty bar - but by 12:30 I could barely move. I spent plenty of time here in my twenties and the party always started late - but I had never seen it packed like this. The crowd on a Thursday night is different than it used to be - now it skews heavily toward younger, college kids. It felt a little awkward at first to be shooting people out dancing and drinking - I didn't want to seem like a creep - but the good thing about shooting in a bar is that they have alcohol and soon I was immersed in the scene and shooting away...

Akron2Columbus

The Knight Foundation and GAR sponsored another trip in their Akron2---- series, this time it was Akron2Columbus and organized by Liz Walters. This was my first time being invited. We left from the Art Museum on Sunday afternoon and returned Monday evening. We started out at the Columbus Idea Foundry then met for dinner at and with the owners of Market 59. The next day was a combination of DIY activities and organized group events. I learned much from out trip to Columbus, and much of it from my fellow Akronites on the trip.
Check out the hashtag #Akron2Columbus on twitter to see what everyone else learned and saw.

That One Time Downtown

The story telling series "That One Time Downtown" had its first event of the year on Thursday at DBA in the Northside District. Dina Younis and her sister, Nari Younis, told one of their family's favorite stories that took place during their childhood in Jordan. Barbara Feld spoke of an experience she had with Yo-Yo Ma, and Greg Pennypacker told stories from his adventures as world traveler. This monthly series, that started last year on the lawn at Cascade, moves to a different location each month with new speakers and Heather Burns as the MC.

Collide CF

Last night I went to the second meeting held by a new arts group in Cuyahoga Falls - now known as Collide at the Cashmere Cricket. It was also hosted by ArtsNow(who provided some tasty snack and some of the best pretzels ever). The new group's, led by Molly Hartong and Matt Weiss, goal is to gather like minded creatives and promote culture and arts in The Falls. Getta Cornici and Samantha Coldwell gave a presentation on this summer's Better Block that will take place Downtown on the Pedestrian Mall. Amber Genet was there with LoveCF where you could write your love letter to Cuyahoga Falls. The best aspect of the night, though, was the chance to meet and mingle with other people interested in the arts in the area(well, and the great beer selection at the Cashmere Cricket).

Steps in Snow

People were out with their cellphones and cameras shooting photos everywhere yesterday in NorthEast Ohio. It was a perfect December-like snow that covers and sticks to everything. I have been to busy lately to really hit the woods or shoot landscapes - but I did stop for a minute to snap some shots atop the Glendale Steps.

The snow is still beautifully clinging to everything...but I have run out of daylight again today.

TorchBearers 13th Anniversary

Last night I photographed the TorchBearers Anniversary Party at the Tangier. Amanda Leffler received the Distinguished Alumnus Award and Russ Pry the Friend of Young Leaders Award. There were remarks by past and present TB leader as well as good, drink, food and friends.

Columbus Visit

Last weekend I made the trip down 71 to Columbus and visited my friend Brad. We picked a great weekend as the weather was beautiful. We hiked, we skated, we bar crawled, and we took a trip down memory lane(also known as High Street). Brad had the chance to show me a Columbus I hadn't seen before - partly because it didn't really exist the last time I was there and partly because many of my previous CBus trips were campus-centric. I've always had a blast in The Capitol, and I should have snapped some more photos, but the important and best thing was catching up with one of my oldest friends.

This was a good teaser trip too because I'm going to explore Columbus a little more in depth on a Knight Foundation trip there next month called Akron2Columbus.

Glass Blowing

I've shot Russ O'Brien's art glass items in the studio multiple times - he uses the photos to get accepted into juried art shows. He decided that he would also like some shots of himself in action for the shows. This way people would be more likely to realize that it was him making the items and the kind of craftsmanship that goes into the pieces. It was a fun and challenging shoot. I set up three lights because I didn't want to rely on the fluorescence lights in the glass blowing studio. After getting the set up right it was a quick paced shoot full of action. I need to move quick to get the shots and also be ultra-aware of my surroundings(but sure to stay out of the way). There is no, "Hey, can you do that again?" when it comes to this kind of work. 

I was very happy with the photos I shot that day. I sent Russ over 120 photos of him making three different pieces from beginning to end - here is a selection of a few of my favorites.

The Tap House at Fat Heads Brewery

I've been to the amazing Fat Heads Brewery in North Olmstead, the original Fat Heads Saloon in Pittsburgh, and last night I finally visited the Tap House which is at the production brewery in Middleburg Heights(its just a few minutes away from Hopkins Airport where I was dropping off Sara). Its more than a simple tasting room as they also have a full menu - Tuesday night was taco night and I feasted. There were also some rarer Fat Heads beers on tap that were amazing. The bar and tables are in a cut out corner - surrounded by the towering fermentation tanks and other brewing equipment.
A pick up or drop off at the Airport just became a much better trip!

Ratz on Film

I forgot about this roll of film and exactly what was on it until I came across it last night and developed it in Kodak HC-110(dilution b). It was a pleasant surprise to see photos from my Nikon L35AF from a few of our Wednesday rides(#RubberCityRatz). As nice as last Fall and early Winter have been this roll of Tri-X still has me missing those warm summer evenings with the gang.

Andrew & Charlie

My Mom wanted a photo of my niece and nephew for a Christmas present for my sister. She brought Andrew and Charlie by the studio about a month ago and we had a lot of fun. My Mom tries a little too hard to get the kids to do what she wants - Dad and I tried to let them be kids and get some fun photos. I think it worked. When I handed them a couple cameras we really got some great shots. The above is the one my Mom had framed - but I like a lot of the "outtakes" too.

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.