Friends Once a Year

My daughter Jocelyn and her once a year best friend Stephanie are always hesitant at first. Just give them about 30 seconds and they are giggling and running around the house like they lived next door to each other. Our friends Ted and Linda visit Utah in the early Spring every year to catch up on the fabulous snow that only Utah has to offer (Okay I've never skied any where else so no offense to Wyoming and Colorado).
My inspiration is always light first, subject second and background third. However sometimes it's background first or even subject first. As an artist I spend my time being inspired by my surroundings and then capturing it for others to see.
What can you make of your surroundings? Chase the light always...unless of course you have something better to do!

Nathan Kasparian

I'm jumping up and down that I finally figured out how to get my music to play on the website. Yes you can turn it off if you'd like...
However, you'd be missing out on a fantastic new artist and local hero Nathan Kasparian.
I photographed him playing a Fazioli for his latest album. We were shooting at an amazing Gallery called Baldissan Pianos here in Salt Lake. The owner told me that this model runs $25,000 per foot. It is a 7 foot piano! I was moved to tears but not because of the price. Nathan was playing the first song on the CD called "Catch Me If You Can" It is a haunting tune and I will never tire of it.
Nathan is truly amazing and it shows. He practices about 6 hours a day even while he is studying at Utah State University. Listen to his music and remember that with practice and a bit of talent we can achieve great things. By the way, Nathan is only 19.

We take fun seriously!

Christmas brings many traditions. For us it starts Christmas Eve with a party at some friends. Unfortunately we stay until 11pm and suddenly realize that we still have to wrap everything that is hidden.

This year we started something new. Sleep sounded like a good idea so we woke up early Christmas morning and started wrapping. When the kids got up we had them wrap their presents too. Jessica and her new husband arrived about 10 and we had breakfast. We didn't even start presents until 11am. Doing things differently is great fun!

Even with these economic times we had planned in advance. About a year ago Cindy and I found www.daveramsey.com, Dave teaches a class called Financial Peace University. Within 6 months we were out of consumer debt and finally looking forward to our future. The premise of Dave's teaching is to use the envelope system for your money. Using the envelopes as catagories, we have been saving money for Christmas since last January. This leads to a peaceful holiday season because everything is already paid for.

One of my little girl's presents was a box of foam sticky flowers. I became a willing participant in dress up time.

Our son was wowed by his new guitar. He then wowed us with a little ditty.

I've been to The Pittsburgh International Airport 4 times this year. Right in the center is a spectacular sculpture. "Pittsburgh" by Alexander Calder. Awarded first prize Pittsburgh Bicentennial International Exhibition Carnegie Institute 1958. I think it's beautiful.

The Traveling Thoughts

Every other week or so I travel, usually to the East Coast. In my adventures on the road I am goal oriented and always looking forward. Like the captain of a boat you can only drive when you are looking forward.

As an artist I am always looking in all directions. I've discovered many treasures in the obvious and everyday. Shapes, patterns, light play...most people never notice. On this trip my first stop is a layover in Cincinatti. For the love of the adventure and chasing of light I will update as I travel from Pittsburgh to Harrisburg Pennsylvania.

Back to School is Sooo Fun...

Challenger School was started here in Utah 40 years ago with the vision of Barbara Baker. Their mission statement says it all.

To prepare children to become self-reliant, productive individuals;

to teach them to think, speak, and write with clarity, precision, and independence;

and to inspire them to embrace challenge and find joy and self-worth through achievement.

After photographing ground breakings and open houses, I'm so impressed that I'm getting my kids on the waiting list.

All kids are beautiful

There is a canyon near us and the end of summer is here. The Rowe family has given me the opportunity to photograph them every year. This is a compliment and I thank them.
With every family I love to take some time and focus in on the kids. I give them funny names and try to break them out of their shells. I like to ask the 6 year olds if they're married yet and everyone laughs.
There is one complaint that I hear a lot. "Skip, there are so many good ones, how will we ever choose?"
It's a good problem to have.