A Photo Geeks ups and downs through words and images.
Someone had asked me to post some of the images from my recent trip to Navarre, Florida. Navarre is a really nice area on the Panhandle that’s close to the beach. The people I met there were very nice and I liked the laid back, slow pace of things. Here are some of my favorite shots. Enjoy.
Kids play in it. Dogs piss in it. The city shuts down in it. I’m sick of it. Here’s some pictures.
My Mom has always been a pretty cool lady with eccentric, yet classy tastes. As a kid we had Vargas paintings in our apartment and she was always pretty cool about having Playboy magazines around. So a few years back during a visit to her home in Florida I bought her this piece . I don’t really remember the details but to this day I think it’s a pretty awesome gift to give your Mom. I got to spend the holidays with her this year and stayed in the room where it’s proudly displayed. Just thought I’d share it with you.
I ran into a friend I hadn’t seen since April a few weeks ago. As we talked about what one another had been up to since the inevitable question came up “So how is the photography coming along?” I began to detail the various things I had been doing including some of the nude work. I told her I was looking to go outside the lines and take new chances. She looked somewhat shocked and for a moment, even speechless. Then she said it “Oh my God. You have totally crossed the line.” I laughed it off but then found myself explaining and even defending the change. Later that week I had drinks with a long time friend who by all means knows me as “A good guy”. We talked about said conversation and some of the opportunities I’m being offered. She loves me and my work. So I totally trust her instinct. She said “You could never be that guy.” meaning I’m no smut peddler. There isn’t going to come a day when I wake up and decide to forgo portraiture to go into the Adult Film industry. Though I enjoy shooting nudes and have no issues with it (growing up in my home my Mom had Vargas paintings and still has pinups and nudes in her home.) but I want to keep it artistic. There’s a line and it can be a thin one at times. I’ve pretty much decided what side of it I want to dance on.
I was on the way to Beacon New York when my phone lit up with a text reading “Citizens Arrest tickets are almost Sold Out. Get ’em fast or miss out!” I thought “Oh, I’ll order them as soon as I get home tonight.” As soon as I walked in the door I walked over to the computer to place my order. This was something I would not procrastinate on. To my dismay and dispare they were “Sold the fuck Out.” Damn, I was pissed. I’d been hearing about this reunion long before it was even book and it was not to be missed. I posted a “If anyone out there……” and thanks to Freddy Alva and the band I was covered.
About ten of us (including Freddy New Breed, Charles from Rorschach and Amy Edge) me up for a pre-show dinner before heading over to Brooklyn’s Knitting Factory. I think I missed a couple of bands, including Mind Eraser but was lucky enough to catch Asshole Parade. I’d never heard them prior to the show but really liked their sound and overall vibe. Citizens Arrest followed and the place went ape shit. Between the moshing and the stage divers I wasn’t sure I’d make it out alive. I was front center and between being thrown into the stage and about five different stage divers delivers blows to my head with boots and body fat I was dazed and at one point almost went down. All of it was totally worth because CXA kicked some serious ass. The original lineup was all there including Janis Cackers and Ted Leo. Playing so many favorites from their good old days and even throwing in covers from SSD and Youth of Today. After the set Daryl Kahan pulled my lifeless body up on stage to take a picture of the band and Fab Five Freddy Alva. It was so good seeing so many familiar faces including Rich Trash, Justine Demetrik, Javier and so many others. Thanks to Janis for the ticket and to everyone that made it such an amazing night.
I’ve always felt very temporary about myself. The word permanent is wrapped in pitfalls. In life we move from place to place. From job to job. Even marriage seems to be a temporary situation for most these days. People come in and out of our lives in the blink of an eye. With all that said I’ve managed to make friends early on in life that still remain near and dear to my heart. People who’s presence defy classifications. No matter how long it’s been since we talked or how far the distance in miles we may be, remain close to the heart. I’ve been lucky in that regard. Which brings me to Mandy. I met her while skateboarding in a parking lot. I was an obnoxious sixteen year old at the time and if I remember correctly. She hated me at first but somehow a friendship was formed and almost twenty five years later we’re closer than ever. She’s been there for me through thick and thin and has always been an inspiration. Recently on a trip to Germany she met a man and fell head over heals in love. She’s back in Germany now and may be living there with him for the unseen future. I wish her all the love and happiness she deserves. I’ll miss her but there is no doubt in my mind that we’ll remain connected and see one another some time in the near future. We got together a week before I left for Florida and she for Germany. We finally had that bacon martini and ass juice we had been planning for so long. And I got to show her my favorite bar. Below are a couple of pictures I took that night along with a couple of my favorites.
After eight days in Florida I was itching to get back to the city I love. While I was down there I had a conversation with my Mom’s neighbor who had grown up in a small city near Cincinnati and had never been to New York. He told me he had heard from “Reliable Sources” that New Yorkers were rude and arrogant and that he had no interest in ever going there. It seemed small minded to me but I wasn’t bothered. I thought “Sure, with the amount of people you’re going to have assholes, arrogance and all the rest.” But it’s a small percentage. Just like any square mile of your average town is going to have it’s small percentage of child molesters, wife beaters, serial killers and racists. On the first day of 2011 we headed into the city. There was a Baseball Game played in the snow, a walk through the Village, SOHO and Chinatown were we feasted at Vegetarian House on Mott Street. I don’t know if I want to live in this area all my life (as I have) but I will always love it and hold it dear to my heart. No matter where I go.
Over the holidays we traveled down to Florida to celebrate Christmas with my Mom, Step Dad George and Grandmother. It’s not often I get to see them together. With George getting older and my Grandmother living over in New Mexico. It’s hard to even remember when I last saw them all in the same room together.
While George and my Grandmother have slowed over the years my Mother still had an energy and youthful exuberance that baffles me. Though I miss her a lot the distance will never change how much I love her.
I have a ton of respect for my Step Father. He came into our lives at a pivotal time and always provided us with the strength, love and stability you could ask for. He’s tough, stubborn and can be a pain in the ass at times but I wouldn’t change that for the world.
I finally got it right. After three years and three sessions I finally captured Lana just as i see her. Though our previous sessions gave us some memorable shots. (One that actually made it to the walls of SOHO Photo gallery) I never felt I quite captured the beauty and energy I saw in her. Lana stopped by late this morning and gave me the boost of energy and creativity that I desperately needed after a day/night of what might have equaled just a bit too much drinking. I hadn’t seen Lana in almost a year to the day. The was something different about her. She seemed more confident, mature, even radiant. We caught up on one another’s adventures and experiences and connected the dots on the mutual friends we shared. It was great seeing her. I hope it’s not another year before we cross paths again. Below are some of my favorites. Breath easy….
As I get ready to update my site I thought I’d share some images from my Thursday session with Angela Whitaker. Tall and shapely with the eyes and lips of a Goddess. We had just met minutes before at the local Starbucks but gelled quite quickly. There’s an easy going nature about her that makes working with her such a pleasure. She’s recently relocated to Jersey City from Virginia. Angela is new to the modeling world and is looking to build her portfolio.
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