Personal Work: Desert Shores at the Salton Sea

Upon my arrival at LAX airport, I am greeted with the rush of people who's faces I do not recognize an a sting in the air. The sting of warmer temperatures and a waft of smog and exhaust. I'm met with flashing lights and a familiar smile of family. Los Angeles has always had something to offer me in a major way and this annual trip makes all the nervous anxiety of sitting in a plane worth it. My primary motivation on these trips is to reconnect with family, to reconnect with the west coast hot rod scene and squeeze as much out of life as I can foregoing sleep to make this annual trip more exciting than the last but all in all that is a difficult task but that motivation I will never waver from.

We set off on an otherwise cloudy Monday morning for Desert Shores, California. The Salton Sea was a place I have visited just a year prior in all of its splendor but I knew there were places I had missed that make the long days at work that have my head spinning at the possibility that I do not like to leave a stone upturned to discover whats left and shoot everything I can. A few hours later we ended up in clear skies, among the odd palm tree forests of the desert. Walking the over cooked black top streets and this is what I found. Word of advice...even in December, do not wear a wool flannel. This will be the first set of my 2016 trip to the Salton Sea. Thank you and enjoy.

Sheets Family // Fort Wayne, IN

Return clients, they make the world go 'round. I'm grateful to this couple for making me their photographer of choice. Travis and Jessica have booked me for their engagement session that we did on the south end of Fort Wayne with some South Calhoun architecture. They also booked me for their wedding in 2014 to be seen here: Jessica + Travis Ive watched their family grow with the addition of their son, Stellan they have made quick work to create a modern family, and new home to embody love and I could be more pleased with how these images.

This was the first of the "mini sessions" I have offered, like the previous session fall colors were a must and at this time Franke Park is a personal favorite of mine. Seeing Stellan smile and laugh with Jessica and Travis makes doing this all the more worthwhile, and not to leave out Colin for the help. I am forever grateful for their continuous support and good times. ...on a side note, Jessica has a foul mouth! Just jokes. Thank you for reading and enjoy your week.

Beeson Family // Fort Wayne, IN

As some of you may remember the maternity shoot I did with Lindsay and Nate almost a year ago before baby Alex was just days before making his way into this world. If not, check this shoot out: L + N Maternity // Fort Wayne, IN We decided to revisit the same location for this shoot and I got to meet Alex. The sprinkling of rain started about five minutes before our shoot but we were able to find tree cover that worked. This shoot was right before Alex's 1st birthday and Halloween so photographing him in his Amon Amarth inspired viking costume was crucial. He may have been a little unsure of the leaves on the ground but a visit from his Uncle Todd I was able to capture some incredible smiles and good times all around.

As always I want to thank Nate and Lindsay for being repeat clients and I wish them well in the future. Im thinking this wont be the last we see of Alex. Thank you for reading and stay tuned.

T&J // Plymouth, IN

Justin Jordan, It's important that I use his full name because every one of the 3000 emails we exchanged was signed with his full name. I would like it more if it said "Dominic Toretto" but that could be misleading or at least lets me know he will never live his life a quarter mile at a time with a name like Justin Jordan but I can relate to the initials. He booked me from suggestions on an Indiana local Subaru forum and I'm grateful to have met him. Additionally, during our client meeting I met his better half..his "Letty Ortiz" if you will. I'm not sure if she has ever had a 2G buy in or raced an RX7 in the desert while saying "seeeeee ya!" while hitting the NOS button in her S14 but either way she is a great addition to their small garage, and rumor has it that if you cant find the right tool in their garage, you dont belong near a car.

They wanted a simple wedding session with formals not over posed and we kept it that way. I'm not sure if Plymouth is the mosquito capital of world but I will tell you first hand it's a gnarly reality and I'm thanking my lucky stars for calamine lotion and truly great clients. I appreciate both Tammy and Justin Jordan very much. They are easy to make laugh and have a great chemistry and big hearts. They made sure I was well taken care of and accommodated. I'm posting this session in Black & White(a though there are more color images) but these stood out to me, maybe its a phase but I'll go with it. Thank you for reading. Enjoy your weekend.

Heaven Jacobs // South Whitley, IN

To my daughter with love. It is amazing to me(all those who love you) how fast you have grown into a young woman. Independent of your own life, your destiny and your ever so important future. Never ever give up your drive for life, never take anything for granted and always strive for your best - forever pushing until you capture that last star in your sky. I love you very much and I thank you for this session.

This session was done at the Burkholder Homestead in South Whitley Indiana. I was long over due for a session with my very own but I knew it had to be just right. Among the bugs and the sun, missed golden hour by about 45 minutes but nothing that an awesome orange chair and a Alien Bee couldn't cure. I'm extremely pleased and that smile cant be beat, but maybe Im biased. I will have a few more sessions to blog coming up. I appreciate you all. Enjoy your weekend.