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Friday was a most interesting day. Being a photographer I get some amazing opportunities, and this day was no exception. Variety in my job usually happens over the course of a week or month. This time it happened all in one day.

First I was hired to photograph the visiting President of Liberia, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf while she visited Concordia University in Portland. President Sirleaf is an amazing woman. She is the first woman head-of-state in Africa, and the first black woman head-of-state in the world. A quick read of the recent history of Liberia will give you an idea of just how courageous this woman is.



From Concordia I moved on to Tigard to photograph a home for a realtor. This was an unusual home for a couple of reasons. First, it was built with steel, which made a lot of the curved architecture possible, including this double-helix staircase. Second, I rarely see a home that is built around a courtyard.

For my last challenge of the day, two high school sports events. First softball, which I had about 15 minutes to get a shot at, then I was off to shoot lacrosse for the first time - a truly interesting game for those who have never seen it played.

Life is great. The photography business in Portland can be rough, but it's times like this that make it all worthwhile. Last weekend I had the priviledge to spend time near The Dalles rock climbing with my wife's family. Best of all, my boys got to climb as well, and I got to help them! It was amazing watching them push themselves to the brink (physically and emotionally) while climing a rock face with nothing but a rope separating them from the ground below. Children are amazing.
My wife Marci even got in on the fun, making her first ascent ever on a moderately difficult face.


Here's Noah, making a 'move' that prolonged his climb, and made his Dad proud.

After an afternoon of climing, we were rewarded with this view of Mt. Hood on the hike out. And, an opportunity to make a beautiful image or two.


My younger son, Aaron couldn't be left out. He actually climbs better without the gear. I think the gear makes him nervous.

Noah busts another 'move'.

I tried to bust the 'move' and failed...

Mission Team 2 for Medical Teams International

Our team of 9 arrived in Pascagoula, MS full of anticipation, looking forward to figuring out our tasks for the week. Pictured below are: back row - Jake, Pastor Bill, Paul, Mike, Bunny, Don. Front Row - Tim, Dick and Doug.
The first project that we looked at upon arrival in Pascagoula was this home, pictured below. It was scary inside. There was black mold all over the walls, and debris and silt everywhere. Three of our guys decided to take it on. They also enlisted the help of a local friend, David. Our Team 1 from the week before worked on his house. The whole crew worked very hard for two and a half days cleaning the house out to its framing.


Sam (below) decided to ride out Katrina, just as he had done his whole life. “I didn’t even think about it. It’s what I've always done. I’ve never ran from a hurricane.” He was sitting in a chair in his kitchen, while his daughter sat on the counter next to him. The water rose to about 5 feet in his house, then quickly receded to a foot. The National Guard rescued him and his family later in the day.

Sam said, he “just didn’t know what to do” in reference to his home. He couldn’t live in it, and really was unsure how to proceed. He eventually got into a FEMA trailer which is in his front yard, where he has lived for the last year.

Medical Teams International (formerly Northwest Medical Teams) is restoring Sam’s home. Our team installed doors, door casings, base and door trim, and electrical outlets and switches. We also finished the painting job done the week before by BSLC’s first team.

I had the honor and priviledge to serve alongside my Dad on this trip (pictured above).

Bunny (top middle above) sustained us with her amazing cooking all week. I think we would all agree that she was the most valuable member of our team! Paul (below) did alright as well!




Rose and William (above and below) have been living with their son, his wife and two kids (both under 5) in a three bedroom home since the hurricane. Needless to say the couple are ready to have a place to call home again (and that is quiet).

By the end of the week, we had worked in 8 homes. We installed/painted base trim and doors and finished electrical (outlets, fixtures and switches) in two homes. We deconstructed one home. Another was insulated to prepare it for sheetrock. The other four were "odd jobs" assignments: hanging a door or two, installing shelves, painting a wall, etc.

My friend Don, on the plane leaving Gulfport, resting. Needless to say we were all exhausted.

OK, I know. 6 months is too long between posts...

What can I say, I've been busy! Last October saw me out of town for half the month. Part was spent working as a volunteer for NW Medical Teams doing reconstruction on homes near Gulfport, Mississippi. We were able to get away to tour the area, including New Orleans, where we saw just how bad the devastation is. All along the coast there are hurting people that are desperate for hope. One woman's home that we worked on will get back into her home by April. She and her kids have been living in a FEMA trailer for over a year. That story is repeated countless times throughout the area.

If you have an opportunity to help out, please don't let it pass you by. There are many organizations besides NWMT in the area - Google search for Katrina Relief - I'm sure you'll find something.

I've posted the slideshow that I produced from all our team's photos here.










































After a week in Gulfport, I flew to Denver to photograph bronze sculpture for Rip Caswell, a long-time client who is best known for wildlife art. That began a road trip that took me to Lewiston, ID, Jackson, WY and Bend, OR. I was able to get some personal work in as well in Yellowstone, Grand Tetons and Craters of the Moon National Parks, and Painted Desert.

Just looked at my last post and, wow! Time flies! Anyway, the last few weeks have seen me doing mostly production work - furniture primarily. Gotta pay the bills! Here are a couple of notable sessions.

These are a couple of the most wonderful kids in the world. Brother and sister, she is 9 mo. older. The whole point of this session was to document the kids in their element, while also capturing their home. Both kids just accepted my presence, and proceeded to share their lives with me.

What especially impressed me was the immediate thought, "let's read together." They took turns for about half an hour reading and discussing their favorite stories and books. Then we got down to creating images!



This second set of images is a loft in the Pearl that was particularly fun to photograph (it turned out really well, too). The loft is owned by an architect, and located in the brewery blocks.

One of the most challenging shots here was the study. It is entirely black, so getting any detail at all was difficult.

Happy Independence Day!

While attending the 4th of July parade in Manzanita, Oregon I was struck by the spirit of celebration that was on display. I was nearly moved to tears as the Veterans passed us, thankful for their sacrifice for the freedom we regularly take for granted. The fire trucks and police were next, followed by various "local" entries, of every imaginable theme. There was the pirate ship that had guns shooting flour and candy (candy is BIG in this parade). There was the multi-colored PEACE truck, launching white foam doves in support of its cause.

There were candidates for office and local officials, riding in classic cars. Everyone was throwing candy, keeping all the young kids busy. There was the "Wasting Away in Manzanitaville" float, its occupants whipping up margaritas in a gas-powered blender (wish I'd gotten a shot of that).

There was a queen of something, riding a beautiful horse, waving her best parade wave. There were kids on go-karts, bikes, in wagons, on quads, in cars, on floats, and walking, all experiencing and living, whether they knew it or not, freedom.