Another Shot of Zeph.

I have mentioned that I am tutoring Zeph, who is being home schooled. I see him most days of the week.

He knows I do photography and had been anxious to have some shots, so I agreed to take him out after lessons were done. The venue that I had planned to use vaporized. I decided to take him over to the LDS temple on Main Street in the 100+ degree weather simply because there would be shade there.

Photographers try to capture their clients in poses and expressions that are innate rather than typical. We want them to let their hair down and expose themselves truthfully to the viewer. That was my goal for Zeph.

As we walked on to the site, Zeph told me that he had been ordained a deacon and that he would soon come back to perform church ordinances. This was news to me. It gave me a different way to see him and orchestrate some of the poses.

Zeph and his younger brother are both consummate hams. The photo shoot started out that way because I let him set the tone. I see him that way every day. And I was not getting shots that I really liked. Finally, he began to wilt in the heat and mellowed out just a bit, letting me direct him on the sly. This was one of the six that I selected as being memorable. His eyes lock onto the viewer and expose his playful spirit and his vulnerability.

Later he invited me to attend the church Road Show where he will be back to being the center of attention on a stage.

Shooting in the Sun.

I took one of the students whom I tutor out to practice a few shots. The goal was to apply what I am learning about off camera flash. Unfortunately, the camera developed a mind of its own, refusing to allow me to work this way. Here, I needed to pop out my reflector (to throw a bit more light on his shadowed face), but it was back in the trunk of the car. By this point he was beginning to melt anyway. The background is cluttered, but I like the look that it captured.

Almost a year has gone by.

Nearly a year has gone by since Tyler and Samantha married in the Orlando Temple. She continues on her postgraduate degree. Tyler continues in the Navy and is hoping for a land assignment so that they can be closer and spend more time together.

A year ago, Janie Rose Brooksby was born. This year Adam entered his first year of the school experience. I retired from teaching. Jacob is preparing to transfer to northern New York in the army. Nikki had her food tube removed after surgeries that were finally successful.

I am pursuing my goal as an event photography. Including Tyler's wedding, I have four wedding shoots and one quinceaño behind me. Right now the process is slow, but I am practicing and progressing in making my brand with Rusty Tripod's Simple Memories and the focus on basic wedding photography. My target is the bride who wants the day recorded with limited fees and frills. I am encouraged and confident. I hope you are equally blessed.

Meet the Teacher Day

Yesterday was Meet the Teacher day for Adam, who entered kindergarten today. Anna took him and left me home to babysit the brother and sister, Joshua and Janie. I tried to capture the two with my Canon 7D, but it was a challenge for two animated youngsters. Below is a shot that pleased be. It captured Janie's big blue eyes.

Janie Rose Brooksby is one year old today. 7-25

Sunday was Janie Rose's first birthday. Normally, this would call for a big celebration at home, but the air-conditioning went out this weekend turning the place into an oven. Mom opted to delay the party until after the repair man does his work. So, Janie Rose and her family hung out with Grandma, Grandpa and uncle for most of Sunday afternoon.

Janie does not walk by herself yet, but she is determined to be ready when that time comes. She had Grandma and Grandpa holding her hand as she jogged circles between the living room and the kitchen. When I finally broke away, I grabbed the camera in several futile attempts to record the event. This was the best although I had to crop Grandma out so we could get a good look at the girl.

Future star?

Spent the day with an old friend yesterday. She has three adopted grandsons who live with her. Two of the boys are pursuing careers in the acting community. The youngest leaves today to confront the Hollywood experience. I wish him well.

New Jersey and Retired

I have finally retired from teaching. On the last official work day I was in New Jersey photographing a wedding for the cousin of my daughter-in-law Nikki. Here is an example.

If you would like to see more: http://rustytripod.smugmug.com/


I definitely enjoyed the weather, the food, and the people in New Jersey. Returning was not an easy thing to do, but I had not choice since I had to clean 16 years worth o teaching materials from my classroom.

The classroom is empty now but our spare bedroom is a mess. Slowly, I am making progress.

Now, if I could just schedule another wedding shoot.....