Rome wasn't built in a day...

Why is it that it is always so hard to go out and take pictures?? I mean, really take pictures? Somehow there is always something that I "should" be doing. You know, the responsible thing...

I'm a photographer. I know what pictures I take to make my living and pay my bills. I have no problem with those. In fact, I spend most of my waking hours trying to come up ways to find more instances to do just that. It's the pictures that I want to take that I don't. Does that seem backward to you? It does to me.

Two weeks ago, I went up to Duluth, MN. I went for a family fishing trip. Amazing time! We had a great weather, good fishing and great company. The entire time I was there, I had these thoughts bouncing around in the back of my head. I had wanted to go up to Duluth and spend a photography weekend for ages.

I think that the biggest problem is that that I don't get my income from doing trips like these. At the same time, if I had my choice this is exactly what I would choose to do for a living. To do it for a living, I have to have a bunch in images like it in my library before I start. To have the images in my library, I have to take the trips. To actually do it, I have to have money. To have money, I need to keep doing what I am doing. To keep doing what I am doing, I need to not take these trips. What a vicious cycle!!

What have I learned from all this?? HAVE PATIENCE. Easier said than done, but I'm working on it. Well, that and maybe I should find a way to do one trip a year just to keep me sane.

Sad Day

So, I had some ideas that I wanted to blog about since I missed the last one. Sadly, I had a new topic come up. A few weeks back I let everyone know about Cyrus the Phodographer and Athena. I found out earlier today that Cyrus passed away yesterday morning.

Cyrus was an amazing dog, photographer, and friend to everyone that met him. He was laid back and didn't mind hanging out with you by the steps. His photographs will always remain for the world to see another perspective. I hope that his work inspires the next generation of puppies out there.

For the low price of....

So yesterday I had the opportunity to see how the other half lives. So maybe it isn't ever the other half, more like the top 5%. I've photographed a lot of cars in the past, but never something like this. The images above are of a Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione. It's a really sweet vehicle and it sounds AMAZING.

You know that this car is meant to go fast and I mean really fast when all the employees don't want to drive it, park it, or frankly, touch it. I have to admit, the excitement wears off pretty fast and then the anxiety kicks in. I could have 60 or my Stratus's for the same price as the 8C.

So if you need a new car and this is the one you want. It's at Morrie's Maserati in Minnetonka, MN. Tell them that Nate sent you (maybe I can get some commission). Oh yeah, it's $300,585. Before taxes...

I Voted!!

I know that this seems like it is coming at the wrong time of year, okay it is. Still every vote counts! Blurb books is running a contest for all people's choice award for all photographic books and there is one book that has to win. A DOG AND HIS GIRL by Athena Lonsdale and Cyrus.

Last summer, at RMSP, I was lucky enough to meet both Cyrus and Athena. It's kind of hard not to meet both of them at the same time. Cyrus has one of the most unique views of the world and he's a pretty awesome dog. Athena's alright also. :) More seriously, Athena is just crazy talented. She is one of the most creative people I've met, and you can see her personality in every image she takes. Please vote for their book here. The contest only runs until August 20th, so vote quick!

I have to admit, I'm kind of bummed that I don't have a photograph of Cyrus with his paw print on it. I guess I'll just have to buy the book. I've seen a lot of their work and it really is amazing. I would love it if all of you would go out and vote for their book. Also, if you want a great blog that is guaranteed to make you smile, go to Cyrus's Blog. It's awesome.

Insights from my recent vacation

My wife will always sneak another log onto the campfire when I'm not looking

Cane fishing poles can be dangerous when snagged on a weed.

The full moon is very bright.

Cars don't operate well with radiator problems.

Be very nice to the camp host, you never know when your car will break down with radiator problems, in the middle of the forest, with no cell phone signal and he happens to drive by.

A chipmunk, can provide hours of entertainment.

While camping, always prepare meals near an awning or something that you can dash under when it rains.

When getting out of a lake, make sure the you dry off REALLY well otherwise you could get Chiggers.

Chiggers itch REALLY bad.

Catch really big fish, that way when I screw up filleting them there is still meat left to eat. (Okay, so I'm not THAT bad, but compared to my Grandfather, I'm awful.)

It's hard to catch really big fish.

Life is better right next to a lake.

Always carry your raincoat. Walks aren't as much fun in a down pore when it's cold outside.

You can have a lot of fun with a paper plate over the course of a week.

Be careful of where you put your tent when it rains every day in a week.

Family time and traditions are SO important in life. I cherish every time I get to go to our campground. I don't get to do it often enough anymore and I may not get to do it with all the special people in my life the next time I go.

Just a few things that learned or was reminded of over the coarse of my week. I thought I would help somebody in the future. On a side note, Chiggers do itch REALLY bad. :)

Catching up with the Times

I've been dreaming of it for months. It kind of consumes my thinking. I have thoroughly convinced myself that I can't LIVE without it. Almost any situation that I put myself in the answer is, "there is an App for that!"

Yes, I REALLY want an IPhone. Somehow I just can't pull the trigger on one of those massive phone plans though. You see, I'm old fashioned, I still use the most basic old cell phone possible. I'm still on the same plan we originally signed up for 5 years ago. Heck, I don't even have a camera phone in it. You'd think that I would at least have that covered. :)

This summer I've been having a very hard time getting these blogs up. I would love to post a picture almost everyday, or at least some thoughts everyday. Somehow whenever I sit down in front of my computer, I always tell myself that there is all this important editing that needs to be done for my clients. The blog can wait!

For the next 10 days, and the second week in the last three, I'm going to be in an area where there is no Internet. All though, I have heard suspicious rumors that I MIGHT be able to pick up a random wireless signal. That has yet to be confirmed... I have a TON of pictures that I want to put up on here. I'm convinced that it is going to happen the week I come home. All next week, when I have the time, but not the Internet, I'm going to be thinking. I have a cell phone signal. I KNOW, there's App for blog writing!

My kind of work...

I've been absent again. This time I have a great reason! I spent a week at Brookside Resort. It was great to be outdoors for a whole week just to be concentrating on photography. Let me tell you, photographing resorts is a gig I want to do a LOT more often!

This place was great. I have to say that it is probably the quintessential family resort in MN. The tradition that this resort has is great. They've been in business for 30+ years and the whole time I was there I every guest had a story of coming there since childhood and are now bringing their own children. Spending a whole week there made me want to have kids just to bring them there!

I'm going to upload a bunch of pictures that I shot for them later on, but for now you are just getting one. This one is all about the perks of the visit. Of course, I had to take a round after Andrea did, no pictures of me though! I don't have half the talent for it she does and even that may be stretching it.

All I can say, is that I want to go back.