I am on the Board of Directors of Light House, an organization that gives young people a voice through filmmaking. We are having our annual fundraiser, The Youth Film Festival on September 10 at the IX building here in Charlottesville, VA. Please come out and support this worthwhile organization. Its going to be fun event, with movies, food, drink, and dancing. You know, like Hollywood.

You can buy tickets from me directly, or online.

I have been doing a new series of portraits with flowers over peoples eyes. Before this shoot at the lovely Montfair Resort, I was pretty upset because my dog had hurt herself, and I almost didn’t do the it because I was so frazzled. Crescentia helped pull me through, and I am really happy with the images. Thanks Crescentia.

I saw Pantherburn and Mr. Baby at the Blue Moon Diner this weekend. Here are a few images from those monsters of rock.

PS. I am trying to talk the Blue Moon Diner into doing an employee pinup calendar, especially after seeing Rice’s awesome mohawk. Anyone who goes to the Blue Moon, please help me hassle them into making it happen.

I have really been working on my style this year, and wanted to do some new shoots to reflect what I have learned in the past couple of months. In particular, I wanted to bring some of the ideas I have gotten from making movies to my photography shoots, the main one being working with amazing people who can help so I can focus on making good imagery. Thanks to Crescentia for styling, Molly, Shannon, and Camilla for modeling, John for assisting, and huge thanks to Angelo for letting us use their amazing Jewelry. I got my wedding ring there, and have loved that place ever since.

Here is a movie of the shoot and some images. Song is Odessa by Caribou

Let me know what you all think about my new direction.

Piedmont Charlottesville CASA has a new campaign to get more men to volunteer helping children in the court system. Its called Stand Up for a Child, and they are getting prominent politicians to lend their voice to the cause. Congressman Tom Perriello was the first person to get his portrait taken. Please volunteer for CASA if you can. We did it for years, and it was super rewarding.

I have been working on the “Baby Landscapes” project with William since he was, well, a baby. It is an exploration of the imagination and isolation of childhood, and it is definitely my most personal work to date. Four years later, I think it is time to show it. Please join William and I next Friday, June 4th, from 5-7pm at Cafe Cubano for the opening, or check it out at your leisure during the month of June. Also showing work is Andrew Shurtleff, who will be showing his award winning sports photography. I hope you can make it.

Here is a video of me shooting fire out of my keytar. I was planning on selling it, but after making the video, I am having second thoughts.

My mega-talented wife Jocelyn won a Golden Apple Award for excellence in teaching yesterday. You should see this thing. It is one huge golden apple. I could not be more proud of her, and am glad the school system is recognizing the excellence she is bringing to her art program at Murray Elementary.

I have been in love with the light lately. Are you all noticing this? Everything seems sooo, creamy. Anyway, I retroactively declare this past weekend, Landscape Weekend!

Enjoy.

Openspace has me featured this week in its member spotlight. Do I really talk like this?

“The videos are getting crazy traction. There is a live component to it. I want it to be interesting. Engage the audience. Something measurable. We are turning traditional advertising on its head. This is the future of marketing.”

Photo by Michael Johnson