Mike & Meghan!

Meet my friends, Mike & Meghan! As you can see, Meghan is due any time now...actually her due date is in late December! Here's a montage from our session last weekend...enjoy!

Latino Project #3: Tina Fader - Vanguard Realty

Latino Project presents to you, Tina Fader! Tina is Puerto Rican! Her mother was born in Puerto Rico...her father - in Hawaii? Yes...many Puerto Ricans were recruited to move to Hawaii to work in the fields. Hurricanes ripped up the sugarcane industry in Puerto Rico...hence, causing a worldwide shortage in sugar. The pressure was on Hawaii now. So Hawaiians hired unemployed, yet skilled Puerto Ricans to work the fields. Voila! And that's how a Puerto Rican comes from Hawaii!

Tina was born in Hampton, VA. She has lived in Miami and New York City. She now resides in Jacksonville. Tina is a Realtor for Vanguard. You can visit her online here.

Here's few fotos from today. Enjoy!

Winner!

We have a winner...sorry it took me so long to announce the winner...the winner is Casey!

Yes, the year US celebrated Thanksgiving twice was in 1815....the motivation to do it twice??? I do know that neither were celebrated in autumn.

I know some of you noticed the contest a little late on Facebook...that's b/c when I write a blog it automatically goes into twitter...and then Facebook...but sometimes this process can take hours. Casey and a few others knew about this contest b/c they subscribed to my newsletter...they were the first to receive notification...so I highly suggest subscribing! You can subscribe to right of this blog entry!

And a foto for the blog...another old class project...my 2nd landscape project...

Free photo session contest!

Alright...you read the title - FREE photo session!

So this is the deal...it's pretty simple...the first person to leave the correct answer in the comments section wins!

Yes...there are rules...you have to be a local (Jacksonville area)...it's open to couples or 1 person...sorry, no families...and it's a 1 hour session...and yes, you get a disc with your digital images....ready?

In which year did the US celebrate Thanksgiving twice?

Answer away...and if I don't know you personally (we should becomes friends)...please leave me an e-mail address...thanks!

Oh...and because a blog post without a picture is kind of weird...here's from my first photography related photos from way back (for a class project)...Still Life...enjoy!

Nikki & Amarah!

We met early Sunday morning...forecast wasn't so good...but Nikki & daughter, Amarah, were up for the challenge!

I met Nikki in July...she's the hairstylist for Brandi Salley (past bride)...we talked...it was fun...you should see her work...it's incredible...talk about multi-tasking!

Enjoy!

Mother and Daughter...I love the book below!

Darcy, Matt, & Anna...a year later!

Around this time last year I was given the opportunity to hang-out with Darcy, Matt, & Anna...well, this year we did it again! I love working with families multiple times...you really get to document the family's growth...and Matt's increased gray hairs - sorry Matt, couldn't help it...I owe you one...or you can knock my thinning top...?

Enjoy!

A moment by themselves...kind of...

Last year!

Deborah & Joe!

Wow! I had a super fun session with Deborah & Joe! We went down to the Landing in downtown Jacksonville...it was a lot of fun! Deborah & Joe plan to tie the knot in 2011...they plan on going to my favorite island in the whole world - Puerto Rico!!!

Here's a few fotos from today's session...the top right image is the exact location that Joe proposed to Deborah!

10 Year Anniversary...today!

Wow...it's hard to believe Rana and I have been married 10 years! It seems it was just yesterday when we moved into our first apartment in frigid Indiana...the apartment was about 400sq ft...and then we got our "first babies"...2 cats...and then we moved to Jacksonville without jobs...and landed an apartment in a brief visit! And now we have a house and 2 "real" children...hahaha! Incredible...how many days of our lives we've spent together...we know each other pretty darn well!

Well, I wanted to share OUR song with my readers...it's "Is This Love" by none other than Bob Marley (by the way, Rana is the person who got me hooked to Bob Marley...so it's all her fault!)....this song reflects our motto in our marriage...all we need are the simple things...Love and we'll let Jah/God take care of the rest...

Here's the Lyrics:

I wanna love you and treat you right;
I wanna love you every day and every night:
We'll be together with a roof right over our heads;
We'll share the shelter of my single bed;
We'll share the same room, yeah! - for Jah provide the bread.
Is this love - is this love - is this love -
Is this love that I'm feelin'?
Is this love - is this love - is this love -
Is this love that I'm feelin'?
I wanna know - wanna know - wanna know now!
I got to know - got to know - got to know now!

I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I - I'm willing and able,
So I throw my cards on your table!
I wanna love you - I wanna love and treat - love and treat you right;
I wanna love you every day and every night:
We'll be together, yeah! - with a roof right over our heads;
We'll share the shelter, yeah, oh now! - of my single bed;
We'll share the same room, yeah! - for Jah provide the bread.

And because I know Rana reads my blog when I'm not looking...I love you! Can you believe we've been married 10 years! Yes, we have endured through a lot...and we have stuck to it...and worked really hard to make this work (marriages aren't fairy tales)...and it has been the most favorite part of my life! You sacrifice so much for me...you encourage me to follow my dreams...and you're the best mother ever...sorry Mom, but Rana is incredible with the children! I love you Rana...see you in a minute!

Enjoy!

Latino Project #2: Michelle Dearing - Oeil Photography

#2 of my personal project...yes, my voyage to photographically document the working Latino/a in Jacksonville...

Today I introduce you to the very talented photographer, Michelle (Hernandez) Dearing. Michelle is the person behind Oeil Photography...go check out her work for yourself!

Michelle is 100% Mexican (both of her parents are from Mexico). Michelle was born in Los Angeles...and then moved to Texas...and then Pensacola...and now she's here in Jacksonville. Michelle is married with two boys. Michelle's husband serves in the military.

Here's a few fotos from our session today...enjoy!

Check out this animation - by Blu and David Ellis

Hope my blog isn't considered a commercial website...if so, no offense intended...just wanted to display something AWESOME for other's to enjoy!

Jacksonville Arboretum & Gardens...First Anniversary!

Today I had the opportunity to document the First Anniversary of the Jacksonville Arboretum & Gardens...which was a nice occasion to document...especially b/c my family goes here often.

When I drove up the road the place was FULL...cars were parked about 1/2 mile or so from the actual park! Today's festivities included guided tours, an albino skunk, vendors offering everything from beeswax down to citrus trees. They had face painters...Let Them Eat Cake...and live music. Here's a few fotos from the day...enjoy...and visit the Aboretum to enjoy it in real life!!!

Lawyers...they can have fun too!

Lawyers can have fun too! Today I spent my morning with Maggie Jo (Maggie Jo Law)...they broke every stereotype that lawyers are dry and boring. Maggie Jo and her associates - Tiffany, Sarah, and Crawford are loads of fun...I spent quite a bit of my morning just laughing...and photographing. Here's a few fotos from the day...enjoy!

Beth, Jenna, & Leslie...Sisters!

This past Sunday I met up with Elizabeth and her sisters...see, Elizabeth & I go way back...well, we go back a little! I met Elizabeth nearly 2 years ago at my old 9-5 Social Work job...I trained Elizabeth to do my job...to take my place...so that I could move to a office closer to home...so as you know now, Elizabeth (pink top) and I are old buddies!

Here's a few fotos from our shoot with "Beth" and her sisters. We met in Atantic Beach (minus the beach)...

Misc. Shoot...

Here's a few fotos from a shoot organized by Faythe Mesic (the Make-up Artist!)...the shoot was at the Garden Club of Jacksonville. .
When I receive all the info, I'll add it to the blog...in the meantime, here's a few fotos...enjoy!

Update: I'm going to try my best...

Hair: Sonia Garza & Amber Kish

Ryan

Eric

Alayne Davis & Eric...aka: dumpster love...that's what Alayne called it...???

Brittany

Megan

Kanye West - Glow in the Dark

I know Kanye has gotten a bad rep over the past few years...and trust me, I'm not a super big fan of his music...but he has a few songs that I like...for example, I love Homecoming...but you know...he's an artist...he shows a lot of passion in his music...and sometimes he does things that he shouldn't have...regardless, he has this book that's coming out...or just came out...I'm not sure which. It's called "Glow in the Dark" - after his tour last year. Here's a promo for the book below...the photos look awesome (thanks to Nabil Elderkin)...so for all photogs, watch this somewhat lengthy video...it's worth it...I might have to go find this book myself and take a peek...

KANYE WEST "Glow in the Dark" book promo by: NABIL from nabil elderkin on Vimeo.

Found on Common's blog - Think Common

Family Time!

I met Adriane & Edward a long time ago (by photographer's standards)...and then this past May I was given the honor to document their wedding...and now I have been honored again to document some FAMILY TIME!!! Adriane, Edward, their son, Adriane's mom, father, and her two sisters met me at the park! And this is what happened....enjoy!

The ladies conversing...son-in-law & father-in-law tossing ball...things you bring to the park...& the Jones' family run!

The MOST FUN "on my father's shoulder ride" EVER!

Birthdays...

A couple of days ago was my 32nd birthday...and it was really nice to receive so many happy b-day wishes. I was sleeping, when my daughter woke me up...."Papi...happy birthday...do you know what your presents are..." I said you and Taavi...and then she shoved some clothes in my face...my wife bought me warm clothes...b/c my wife knows how much I hate to feel the cold. Don't get me wrong...mildly cold weather isn't terrible...but feeling it all the time is...and you know how well Florida houses insulate...

By 8:30am I walked over to turn on the computer and do my routine e-mail check...and you wouldn't believe it...I had over 25 e-mails wishing me happy birthday!!! And it didn't stop there...I mean through out the day...I had so many "happy b-days"...so many....I think I have never in all the first 31 b-days combined had I received so many "happy birthdays!" So I wanted to write this blog to thank all of you who thought about me...and sent me good fortunes!

When my wife and I moved to Jacksonville in 2001, we knew 2 people...my 2 step aunts...that was all...and they both left Jax shortly after we moved here...Rana and I had a few friends from work...but we pretty much didn't know anyone...and now to see how many of my friends sent me messages wishing me a happy birthday...wow...that means a lot to me...a lot!!! So thank you everyone for making my day special...and thank you to my wife for thinking about me...now I have some warm clothes...so I won't suffer this winter...(she also bought me a super warm blanket...and another hoody!)...thank you Rana!

Julie & Blake's Engagement Session!

Today was a busy day...two blog posts in one day...but today was so much fun!

The second part of today brought me to St. Augustine (the 2nd oldest city in the US...San Juan is actually the oldest city in the US - a little history for you history buffs)...anyway, I met with Julie & Blake who will be getting married May 29th @ the Basilica in St. Augustine! We walked all over St. Augustine...really...all over...here's a few fotos from today...enjoy!

Make-up, Hair, Photos, & FUN!

Today I had an opportunity to work with make-up artist Faythe Mesic and Hair Stylist, Tonica (904-708-5632). Tonica invited a few of her friends...and her and Faythe did their thing. We had loads of fun...lots of laughing...and a ton of fotos! Here's a few...enjoy!

Latino Project #1: Judy Galindo - Hola Noticias!

Hopefully this will be the first of many. I'm working on a personal project. My goal is photograph at least 40 working Latinos in Jacksonville. So hopefully, this will be the first of many.

Let me try to quickly explain my motivation. It started a few years ago while working for the Neighborhood Partnership for Protection of Children. Working there I quickly realized how many Latinos were working in the Social Services profession here in Jacksonville. As a matter of fact, my supervisor was Mexican! As I thought deeper about this, I realized that my father, who is also Mexican, served in the military (even went to Vietnam)...and had been working over 30 years with Chicago Public Schools. Then I thought even deeper and noticed my mother, who is from Puerto Rico, worked for HRS (DCF). My mother worked for a program called Project Independence - she helped the unemployed find jobs. So after these deep thoughts, I marveled how my parents and many friends came from different lands...and settled here in the United States...and furthermore, they chose a profession to help others in need. This made me proud. So these thoughts from a few years back + my photography = this personal project!

Today, the project starts with Judy Galindo. Judy is the Editor-in-Chief for the newspaper, Hola Noticias. She founded Hola Noticias in Jacksonville in 2004. Judy is originally from Colombia. She has a degree in Journalism. The newspaper's goals are to offer news that is relevant to the reader and to link the readers to resources. Here's a few pictures. Enjoy!