What a week

It has been more than a little crazy around the studio (and life) the past month. Now it is time to catch up and start shooting full time again. Holly and I got married this past weekend and had an amazing time in Talkeetna with all our family and friends. David Jensen traveled up and shot our wedding and wow, I'll share some of those images a bit later. Not to often you get a cloud free Denali let alone on the big day. Patrick Sweany ,one of our favorite musicians, came up from the lower 48 and played the reception and absolutely blew everyone away. Pat stopped by the studio between gigs and we shot some great pictures. Check out his website and give his music a listen, once your foot stops tapping order some up. Hopefully we'll get to see him back up here and get to check out another show.

Karla and Phil

Karla and Phil were married on 8/07/10 at the Snow Goose in Anchorage. We had a lot of fun and took advantage of a closed off street downtown for some fun photos. The weather even held off raining until all our outdoor photos were complete. Images have been delivered and now it is time to work on their album, it will be a great book with images like these.

Kael and Ashley

A storybook wedding with Ashley and Kael! What a great wedding, thank you for choosing our studio to tell your story. We have an amazing set of images to build your album from. I don't envy you having to choose the ones that go in. Here are a few photos that I wanted to share in anticipation of your complete package being ready at the end of the week.
Enjoy!

Dahl Family

Jim and Kristian stopped by the studio with baby Sophia and we had a great time. I have Jim and Kristian for some time and even photographed their wedding a couple summers ago. They had a beautiful wedding and now have a beautiful family. They didn't bring Tonka (their boxer) this time but maybe for the next family session we can get him for a photo or two. Congratulations you two!

Film is not dead, at least at my studio!

Simple cameras, big film and lots of summer fun! With the addition of a vintage Graflex Speed Graphic and less than high tech Holga 120 to the studio it has been quite a summer so far. There is something organic about using film (not in the save the earth sense) with these unique cameras. Instead of using computers to shape film to your vision you let the camera use the light and random chance for results. There is something refreshing about letting go a bit and seeing what happens and not perfecting everything in Photoshop. Don't worry the digital is still in the camera bag, just not on the top right now.

Back in the Office

After a couple months hiatus from the studio it is time to get the light meter out again. Spent the spring starting a long term project utilizing cameras that don't take batteries. That is the only requirement, no flash, no lightmeter, no digital, just large film and lots of patience. I'll be posting some work later on this summer and revamping my website this fall. This has to be the best public toilet in Alaska, yes it is real.

Big Film

Shot my first series of portraits with my 4x5 press camera and wanted to share the results. Nothing spectacular but am intrigued and will keep working on it. Thanks to Chris and Shannon for holding very still for me.

Our Engagement Session

Yes at long last we finally got around to doing our own engagement session. Truly difficult as the studio is attached to our house, and I only own around 7 cameras of various shapes and sizes. Here is a sampling of our very serious session that should set the tone for our wedding this fall. The camera featured in this shoot is my Graflex Anniversary model 4"x5" press camera from 1943. I do shoot this regularly with film when it is not a prop and may post some of those images in the near future. I just need to find an underwater housing for it now!

Grady Hester H+1

Yes more baby photos of the GQ, these were taken a little more than an hour after his birth. Not many children have a personal photographer, he will have a well documented life. Ladies beware, if he is this cute at 1 hour you don't stand a chance at his first Bday. Congratulations again Marty and Erin you have a handsome son.

First Day

Welcome to the world Grady Quentin Hester! 7lbs 5oz 4.3.10 at 4:40pm. Congratulations to Erin and Marty, what a handsome little man. He didn't wake up for photos today but was very alert yesterday when we saw him.

Nice Office

The 210th Rescue Squad in Anchorage are the crews that save people like me when things go really wrong. Hopefully the first shoot of many over the summer time. If you go in the backcountry or the sandbox these guys are your lifeline.

Everybody in the Pool

Katie joined us for an amazing session in the rather tepid UAA pool. She was great and worked the whole hour while attempting some very difficult maneuvers. This was our last scheduled pool session for a while. I hope to have another couple in the coming month. Some big things are going on in the studio and we should have some exciting news this summer!