I had some more photos published in area and national publications again...and that was pretty exciting. I did the archival and press photo shoot for "Measure for Measure" in July and the photos were used in various capacities (reviews, features, online articles, listings, etc.). Additionally, The New York Times chose to run 3 of the photos with their review of the play in one of their Sunday editions (all three in color and above the fold). They also appeared in The Star-Ledger (largest paper in NJ), Variety Magazine (entertainment industry trade mag), amNY magazine, and quite a few others. I must admit I was the recipient of good timing, and that's not always been the case. I'm thankful for the opportunity, and I look forward to doing it again. Last week I did a photo shoot for our summer training and touring company (The Next Stage Ensemble) and their production of "Henry VI - Part I." I'm never sure if they are totally satisfied with the photos because it can be difficult to know what someone realy wants. Not to mention the fact that since I work with a company full of extremely creative minds that it's complicated to always "be on the same page." Nonetheless, I continue to strive to learn more about me, this profession, ways to improve, and ways to make the most of the opportunities I'm given. I'm really thankful that I've been able to do these photos and have some level of success. I forgot how much fun photography can be, not to mention the adrenaline rush I get right before I start an assignment. It's almost like preparing to go on stage for that first scene...for me, everything goes blank and then it all starts to come back to me once I get going.

Thanks for reading, and hopefully I'll have links to some of these articles and photos soon.

Ok, I had to share this. A couple of weeks ago at the dinner table I was telling the girls that I was planning to take them to see A Midsummer Night's Dream on the Outdoor Stage (performed by our company at work). Now, let me back up a little bit to set this story up. Back in March of this year I took them to see the same play performed by ShakespeareLIVE! (a touring group that performs plays in various locations from January to June). They enjoyed the show and had some good laughs during the play. Backing up even further, their only experience with this particular play had been through the Disney TV show "The Suite Life of Zach & Cody" (the boys are involved in a school production of Midsummer). Ok, so back to the dinner-table conversation (my point was to show that they aren't Shakespeare experts...duh!). Again, I told them that I would be taking them to the outdoor production of the play and I asked them if they remembered anything about the previous play they'd seen. Granted, we saw it back in March and here we were in June. Maggie spoke and said "I remember the boy and the girl chasing each other around and fighting about being in love with each other." I was stunned...so I decided to go out on a limb and asked, "Yeah? Do you happen to remember any of their names?" Maggie replied, "Well...[pause] I remember Hermia...and I remember Lysander." Trying desperately to hide my total amazement, I composed another question: "That's really good Maggie. Do you remember any of the other characters? Do you remember the fairies?" Without missing a beat she responded, "Oh yeah, I remember Puck. And I remember he rubbed the yellow flower in one of the boy's eyes and it caused some kind of problem, so then he rubbed the purple flower in his eye later and everything turned out ok. And I remember the guy with the donkey head, too. He made me laugh." I think I passed out at this point. I don't really remember the rest of our conversation after that, but I do recall being amazed at how much young minds absorb. It reminded me of my childhood and the fact that my mom took me to plays when I was about Maggie and Ruby's age. I hope they get as much or more out of the experience, and if this conversation is any indication I would say they have.

We all went to see A Midsummer Night's Dream on Sunday, July 8. It was a gorgeous night and the girls really loved it. Ruby giggled almost the whole time, and Maggie had some big laughs, too. I don't know what they'll see next, but I hope they will always want to enjoy theatre and all of the arts in some way. Hey, why don't you go see a play? Go...now...really!

Thursday night (Feb. 15, 2007) I went into the city (NYC) with a buddy from work (Duane). I bought tickets to see The Apples in Stereo at The Bowery Ballroom. As it turns out two of the guys in the band are old friends of mine. Robert Schneider (lead singer) and I have known each other since second grade and Bill Doss (percussion, vocals, guitar) and I were college buddies/co-workers/roommates at Louisiana Tech. I haven't seen these guys in years and I was so excited to learn that they were on tour and playing in the city. The night before they played on "Late Night with Conan O'Brien"...their first network TV appearance. Apparently, ever since they signed as the first act on Elijah Woods' new record label they've been getting some good exposure (they also recently played at The Sundance Film Festival).

Nonetheless, we drove into the city (my first time to actually drive in Manhattan...it was crazy) and met up with the band before the show. It was great! We got to hang out with them backstage before they went on and I caught up with Robert and Bill, and I got to meet their bandmates. They really made us feel at home and they were all really cool. I got some pictures from that night. As an added bonus, my old friend since nursery school Jeff Mangum (from The Neutral Milk Hotel) was there, too. It was really great seeing all of them again.

Well, enjoy the photos.