My piano teacher, Sophi, recently had her parents visit from Taiwan.  As a gift to them, she asked me to take a portrait in my studio.  Normally my work is more candid, but Sophi’s parents are old school.  They wanted something more posed and still.  Even though its not my style, I think there is something interesting about the formality of the images.  Emotion still conveys through the rigidity of the pose.  What do you think?

Shannon is one of my best friends, and I was happy to get a chance to photograph her daughter. Camilla is tall and graceful, and photographs very well. Camilla babysits for us from time to time, and when I show Will this picture, he gets really excited.

I *heart* Aven and Andy. Even though we are not close friends, it just seems like we are. Aven and I could talk about nothing for hours, and Andy and his friends broke out freaking tracksuits at the wedding? Who could pull that off? Aven and Andy, that’s who.

Becky and Adam were married this past June at the University of Virginia Chapel, with a reception at Oakencroft Vineyards. What struck me with this wedding was the inordinate about of good luck symbols that seemed to infuse the day. Rainbows, ladybugs, great blue herons: it felt like someone was trying to tell us Becky and Adam were meant for each other. If little birds had come down to braid Becky’s hair, I would not have been surprised. Oh, and they had their dog, Harper in a tux: both classy and adorable.

My son, William is getting ready to start pre-school.  Its a good one, with a great teacher and lots of recommendations from my friends.  I have mixed feelings.  I am excited he is going to be making friends, relieved I will be able to get more work done, and a little sad that this intense time we have spent together is changing into something else.  How was your kids first day at school?

PS  This is the perfect oppertunity to mention my wife’s amazing blog, which is about writing and motherhood.  http://www.jocelynjohnson.com

Here in Charlottesville, there is an old, run down warehouse complex called the IX building. It is slowly being renovated and converted to various retail shops and condominiums, most of which are pretty cool. As a photographer however, I am more interested in the run down dilapidated section. I find myself going there again and again, photographing the ruins, blurring out the fancy Italian restaurant and artists spaces. Should I get all cheeseball, and say its a metaphor for the two sides of Charlottesville?  Probably not. . .

Hey everyone, I have a new blog. It is going to be a lot more dynamic, and updated more often. Check out the new look, and let me know what you think.

-Billy

Jeremy and I had the opportunity to photograph Jenna and Mark at the Colonnade Club at UVA. The weather was amazing: clear and cool, with beautiful light. Jenna and Mark were great too. Through last minute changes in the bridal party, to lost earrings, Jenna handled everything with a grace and poise that was inspiring. I would say Mark stole the show though. He got up and preformed a love song he had written propose to Jenna. Unlike a lot of homemade art, it was actually very good. Most women were crying, and the men were giving Mark the stinkeye for making them look bad. Thanks guys.

I am working on my first photo book. The title is “A CLAW to Remember: The 2008 Charlottesville Lady Arm Wrestler’s Retrospective.” Like CLAW, all proceed from the book are going to various womens charities, and one of my favorite designers, Serena Gruia, is designing it. The book will be supported by advertising, so if anyone would like to be a part of this arm wrestling phenomon, advertise their business, and help out a good cause, then contact me.

Here is a very rough sample of the book:

A CLAW to Remember

The final version will be more like a circus program, and awesomer.

Jocelyn and I went to New York this past weekend. While at the International Center for Photography Museum, I picked up a toy fisheye camera. It was really fun to use film for the trip, and I like the way some of the images came out. What do you think?