Spring Break

One of the many benefits of having a school teacher as your wife is Spring Break. This year we spent a week camping at San Elijo State Beach just outside Encinitas, California, with our friends Joel, Elizabeth, and their son Wylie. Our friends had spent Xmas break at San Elijo, but none of us had been to this spot and neither of our two children had ever been to the beach before!

The drive down took about 20 hours which involved way too many potty breaks, a projectile vomiting child, setting up a new tent in the dark (for the first time), and a small taste of Southern California traffic. All things considered, arriving at the beach and feeling fine grains of white sand in our toes made the long journey worth the work.

The surf was good, then too big, then good, then real small. The ladies got out on some bike rides and soaked up the sun. The kids couldn't have cared less that sand made its way into every nook and cranny! We met up with old friends from high school, my older sister, parents, and missed out on seeing a few other friends.

I've put 18 images here from our 4 cumulative days of driving and five days on the beach. I highly recommend heading to San Elijo State Beach for a vacation--it is a very fun place to play.

Cheers, -Craig

Abandoned Springs South of Jackpot, NV.

Potty Break

Don't leave home without the lawnmower!

13 months and already driving--yikes.

Joel, "Master Roaster" setting a bad example

I admit it, I love Andy Goldsworthy.

A new way to look for tidal creatures!

Every nook & cranny

Stormy Sunset

The (Loud) Train

Kids love Trains

Strange spot for a bus stop

Kevin, myself, & Tony--The "Threesome"

San Elijo Guard Tower

Details

Last minute of sun

A shot of me for future posterity

Wedding :: Paulina & Quinn :: Hailey, Idaho

On Saturday, March 17th, St. Patricks day, Quinn and Paulina were married at their family home on a warm and sunny spring day up East Fork Canyon which lies just North of Hailey, Idaho. 60 guests from all over the world attended their ceremony and reception. Silver Fox Catering was hired to serve a five course dinner including gourmet soup, salad, lobster tail and tenderloin, and a crepe desert bar!

The people were grand, the food was great, and the music was lively--all had an incredible time.

**Images have been removed**

Hand Held at Dawn

I had a scary dream last night. I don't remember how it happened, but in my dream I found my camera somehow completely filled with water and when I empied it gallons poured out of the lens mount. Funny as dreams go, the lens was totally dry, intact. I think I need a Psychologist to analyze this one!

This morning as I poured my first cup of Joe, I peered out the window to find a crescent moon rising over Lookout Mountain. Remembering my dream, I thought I should grab my Canon 5D and the new 70-200mm 2.8L IS USM lens I bought to make sure the dream was in fact--just a dream. So, I stood at the end of walk for these images. The camera was fine!

I thought I would post these as an illustration of what is possible with this gear regarding hand held images.

The camera settings are at their extremes: ISO-3200, f/2.8, 1/125 of a second. Still, the image isn't too bad and even at 1/125 of a second you can still see a few of the craters on the moon in the second image (click on the image to enlarge).

Scott & Stephanie

A few months back I was contacted by Stephanie and Scott regarding their upcoming Lake Tahoe wedding. We both were really excited for the chance to work together. Unfortunately, a few weeks went by before they had settled on their date in which time I had taken a reservation for their day. I was bummed.

To my incredible suprise--Scott and Stephanie were able to push their wedding day back one week so I could be their photographer! I still cannot believe this fact and the compliment it serves.

Today, this wonderful couple came up to the Wood River Valley for an engagement shoot. We hit it off immediately and had a blast touring the southern part of the valley.

I'm very much looking forward to their September wedding. I'm grateful to know these two wonderful people!

Williams Family Reunion

I've been shooting family portraits using an off camera softbox lately and liking the results. This shoot of the Williams family reunion was done on the back porch of their family home. The day we had scheduled ended up being overcast and drab, but thanks to the softbox I was able to add a nice bit of contrast and make the colors pop!

The images of the kids were done using natural light.

Road Trip

My wife spent a week in Philadelphia as a chaperone for a high school Model United Nations field trip--I decided to spend the week visiting family and friends in California (ie. get a little help with the kids)!

We celebrated my daughter's third birthday with her two great-grandmas, spent time in my sister's recording studio listing to her bass player lay down his track for their upcoming album, and spent a few days in the Sierra with my friend Nate and his family. It was a good trip.

Above image: An abandoned "GAS" Station in Nevada.

3rd B-day!

Recording the Bass Track

Paige Feeling the Vibe

Highway 89 South Between Truckee and Tahoe City

Stormy Day Landscape

Nate & Cole

Lilly

Hams

Claudia & Lilly

Skiing Backcountry during a "sunny-sucker-spot" in the storm

Lake Tahoe

Nate wishing we'd chosen the Sierra Crest!

Aspen Forest we skied by on the tour

Amanda & Robert

Amanda & Robert were married in the Sun Room at the Sun Valley Lodge with their immediate family and good friends present. The newly weds were very fun people to work for and their guests were as full of smiles and laughter as they were.