Calm Photos

The night after Thanksgiving, at the Inn at Cedar Falls

Thanksgiving Moon @ The Inn at Cedar Falls

The cover of the 3rd Edition of the Cuyahoga Valley National Park Trail Guide, published by Gray and Company Publishers, features my spring photograph of the Blue Hen Falls waterfall, located in the heart of Cuyahoga Valley. This image was also published in the Spring/Summer ‘07 Issue of Ohio Magazine, within the feature article titled “Our Favorite Ohio Photographs.”

I’m very excited to announce that on April 30th, 2008 I will be presenting my body of work on the nature and landscapes of Ohio to the New York City Chapter of the Sierra Club in Manhattan. The last time I was in NYC was September 11, 2001. Obviously I departed in a somewhat altered frame of mind, so I’m looking forward to returning under more normal circumstances and even more excited to have the opportunity to share my visual discoveries of Ohio woodlands and landscapes with this particular audience.

This past November 14th I was pleased to present samples of my work, show a few pieces of photo gear and talk about my profession to four groups of 8th graders at Northmont Middle School in Clayton, Ohio. I was invited to participate in Career Choices Day at Northmont. As usual, it was fun and motivating to see some lights of interest turn on amongst a few faces in the audience as well as answer lots of interesting questions, such as “have you ever been attacked by any of the animals you take pictures of” and “what is your favorite place to take pictures.”

On Saturday, February 23, 2008 I will be conducting a half-day workshop on Nature and Landscape Photography at the Orvis Store at the Dayton Mall. Last spring I was there to show some of my prints as part of the store’s grand opening (pictured above with my special helper Emma Crotty). I was happy to be invited for a return visit to present an instructional workshop. I’m often asked if and when I will do a workshop, so, here’s my first of what will hopefully become many more. More info to follow.

One of the many rewarding things that occur when you finally venture forth and pursue your true calling is that the vast majority of personal connections you make are genuine and true, resulting from the clarity of your vision and the honesty of your convictions.

Conversely, when your in a job or career field that falls far short of your true calling, usually out of financial and emotional insecurity and misplaced trust, well, then the majority of your personal connections - both professional and social - will clearly reflect the dishonesty of your situation. This can happen most often from being stuck in the world of false pretenses and the manipulative power structure of some pathological, negative-amplifying circle of influence with an insatiable appetite for control and financial gain from the talents and work of others.

Such I’ve learned, the hard way.

My true calling did not actually get underway until April of 2003. At that time I ventured forth back to the birthplace of my passion and vocation (photography), located amongst the Hills of Hocking in Southeastern Ohio, on the edge of Appalachia. Mostly it has been there that I have come in contact with a growing number of friends who would serve to further inspire me to pursue my work in photography, sometimes simply by being encouraging souls and fellow travelers on that road to artistic discovery, positive growth and a life fulfilled.

Ellen and Terry at the Inn at Cedar Falls come to mind right away. There is no other place in Ohio like it, and if and when you go, you will see why. It was at the Inn where I discovered the amazing poetry of Stephen Emerick, who recently started his own WordPress blog, NaturePoet.com, thanks in part to another friend, provider of encouraging words and local guru of Websiteology, David Esrati.

No, I probably will not “score big time bucks” or roll in the cash with my photography.

But maybe - just maybe - there’s something more to life than fortunes gained at the expense of others and fair weather friends.

I recently received an email from a friend letting me know that Blast Magazine recently updated their site as well as the page with their article about my photography and photography business. This was the first article published by the online periodical back in January 2007. If you haven’t read it yet, please check it out at
http://blastmagazine.com/2007/01/every-picture-tells-a-story/