Yeah, sometimes Mom takes the chihuahua to work…

We recently drove out to Los Angeles for a long weekend. We went to see one of our favorite bands perform at the Hollywood Bowl and then hung out for a couple of extra days. We went up and down Hollywood Blvd a few times and drove into Beverly Hills taking photos and being tourists. It was a lot of fun!

I was at the thrift store with the boys when I spotted this cowboy holding his wife’s purse while she was shopping nearby. I thought it would make a great picture if I could catch him at the right moment so I lingered inconspicuously while he moved slowly through the aisles. There were several times I raised my camera to make a shot but then stopped because a customer would step in the way. Finally after several minutes of doing this the boys called out for me because they wanted to get going. Feeling defeated I walked slowly to the door. I was hoping for maybe one last chance. Finally, in a fit of desperation and just before walking out the door, I quickly raised my camera and snapped this one shot. As I did, the cowboy’s wife turned my way and “busted” me with a nasty scowl.

I was stopped at a red light waiting to get on to the freeway and noticed this light beam spilling down from the overpass above. 

Liz and I went to a cake shop today. As we left I snapped this shot from outside the store back through the front glass window. When I saw this shot later it occurred to me how much it resembles another photographer’s work I know and how we’re always being influenced by what we see others do. Here’s to Joseph Podlesnik who I’ve never met but whose work I sincerely admire.

I was recently invited to tag along on a model shoot at an old abandoned house. I don’t have a lot of experience with shooting models so I thought it would be an excellent learning opportunity. The girls were so easy to work with and very professional. I had a really wonderful time. And thanks to the models, I came away with some pretty cool shots!

Almost every day I wake up earlier than I need to, and almost every day I wake up feeling blessed. I really want to make the most of every day and I tell myself each morning that, “No matter what’s come before, or what’s waiting for tomorrow, at least I have today.” I know it sounds corny, but I really do say it. And tomorrow I’ll say it again, and the next day too. And each day, from when I wake up in the morning until my head hits the pillow at night, I do my best to make the most of every day and to be the best that I can be. Every day is a gift and I try to make the most of the many things in life with which I’m blessed and for which I’m thankful: my family, my friends, my work, my passions, my beautiful Liz (and her boys), my dogs, my cats, my camera and my photography. It’s all mine and it’s all a blessing and for this I am thankful. I really don’t know how I got so lucky. They are all are a part of what makes each day so fantastic and for this I want to say thank you. I’m thankful for all of it. And I’m thankful for strong coffee too, I can’t forget that. Anyways, I just wanted to wish everyone a very Happy Thanksgiving! May your holiday be blessed.