Balloons

Amazing, wonderful, colorful and wow!

Yesterday Julie, Aron and I went up to Decatur for the Balloon show. We started out at 4 am (yes, I said a.m.) and we arrived just in time to see the balloons come in.

When the balloons land the pilots don't have a lot of control over them. A basket went right over my head on the way down. Now, I don't mean 20 feet above my head, I mean maybe a foot or so above my head. A bunch of folks had to clear away their chairs and run to get out of the way. There must have been 36 balloons coming down at the same time.

What a sight, what a day!

Not Just Another Corporate Job

Tuesday, I photographed six students at the Alabama School of Fine Arts for their new recruitement packet and other marketing pieces.

These kids were great subjects. My only instructions - neutral gray background and show the kid's major.

I love it when my clients let me do my creative thing. I chose a simple straight forward approach for these kids.

I couldn't have asked for better subjects. These kids acted like they were pro models.

Tucker's Bridal Portrait

Yesterday afternoon I photographed Tucker's Bridal Portrait.

I was going to show you a bunch of really cool photos. We got major artsy with the dress on the lake. But, JD (that's the groom) isn't supposed to see the dress yet. Oh well, you'll just have to wait until they get married next month.

Helping the Homeless

Yesterday morning Julie and I got up at the crack of dawn to help out on the Homeless Project.

We belong to the Birmngham Hospitality Network. This organization takes in homeless framilies that are on their way out of homelessness (sp). We're the last step before they go back into the world. It's really very cool to see our guests graduate out of the program.

It takes a whooping investment of one week every three months to help these folks out. Why there isn't more churches and temples helping out, I don't know. Why there aren't more people helping out, I don't know.

Someday, maybe soon more people will help out.

Jessica and Chris Engagement Portraits

Saturday morning, Jessica, Chris and I went exploring for cool Engagement Portrait spots.

These two are so cute together. I can't wait to do their wedding next month.

Aron's Big Adventure Debuts!

Yes indeed, the big premiere for "Aron's Big Adventure" was yesterday afternoon at ASFA. The crowd loved the film!

Now we set our sights on Sidewalk. The Sidewalk Fim Festival is in Birmingham in September. Sidewalk has become one of the best festivals around the country.

The Big Art Show Opening

I love it when a plan comes together !!!!

The big art show opened today at the Levite Jewish Community Center. A lot of people showed up. If you're not the artsy type, you can't imagine the stress of putting up an art show. When people come out it is so nice, especially when a bunch of folks come out.

For those of you who missed the show (hint hint) it is open through out the month.

Come on down ...

Emily's Bat Mitzvah

Yesterday, Emily become a Bat Mitzvah.

The ceremony was at Temple Emanu-El with a luncheon catered by Roz Bloomston (Creative Cuisine). The party was at Pine Tree Country Club on the patio overlooking the golf course (pretty cool place). Lamar with JAMM Entertainment did the DJ work and had those kids dancing all night.

The country club has changed up it's menu and is now offering some really neat things. Think Sushi on a stick!

Anyway, Emily's hebrew was great and her speech was fantastic.

New Orleans

Jackson Square

A few Street Cars are Operating Again

Crawfish Boil

Byran, Mark and Alan



Welcome to New Orleans!

The architecture, the culture, the food, the booze and the people. What a place, as soon as you enter the French Quarter you've entered the party.

I went to New Orleans to visit my friend Mark from England. He makes a yearly pilgrimage to New Orleans for Jazz Fest. It's especially important now that we visit New Orleans because of the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. The City is a wreck.

I met up with Mark and his friends from all over the U.S. These guys are so cool. Everyone gets along, everyone respects others personal space and habits and most important of all everyone is just so nice. After meeting these guys I felt right at home after maybe 2 hours.

We spent most of our evenings eating and visiting the clubs. The music scene is like no other, you can hear jazz in every flavor, reggae and rock. If you don't like one band go down the street and there's more. But, thursday afternoon I experienced my very first Crawfish Boil.

Big deal you say. Eating the crawfish is just a small part of this ritual. First, cooking the boil is a community effort. Everyone has a job. The best part is the eating. It's such a social thing. You claim a small part of the table for yourself and set up with a beer and paper towels and let the eating begin. Everyone shares everything. The discussion goes from joking to yelling and screaming about politics.

I can see why this trip has become an annual ritual. I must try to go next year.