How Can I Get Some of That?

A number of years ago, I sat in Mike Moran’s office as he advised me on an issue I don’t even remember today. What I do remember is one thing he said that has made a huge impact on how I understand myself and those around me. I even used it in raising my children.

The concept Mike shared with me was “humility coexisting with confidence.” At first, I had a hard time understanding how those two things could work simultaneously. How can you be confident if you are humble? How can you be humble if confident? What is the opposite of humility? Isn’t it pride?

I thought about the times I have lacked confidence and the times I have lacked humility. (A good friend and spiritual leader once told me I was so full of myself, it was hard just to be around me. Thanks, Jack!) I pondered our relationship with God and what He says to and about us as His followers. I discovered a few things.

I am drawn to those who have this trait of humble confidence. In view of that, these questions are worth our consideration: Do we enjoy people who are full of themselves? Do we like to be around people who are so timid and self-demeaning they drag us down? Do we want to spend time with the person who is a braggart due to deep-seated insecurities? Do we like ourselves when we are any of these things? I know I don’t.

Instead, we are drawn to people who are confident, but humble. I had the privilege of being mentored for a number of years by Peter Johansen. (Peter also played cupid with me and a young lady named Bobbi, whom I later married and with whom had two children, Peter and Katherine.) In my years of privileged mentorship, I found that Peter (Johansen) definitely does not lack confidence, but he is still humble. Where can I get some of this? How can I become more like my mentor? That answer is easy.

Stand before God. See Him for Who He is: perfect, holy, omnipresent, omnipotent, omni-everything. How can anyone be anything other than humble after seeing that? Now consider what He says about you. You are: His child, His friend, chosen by Him, a joint heir with Christ, united with Him, a saint, His workmanship and possessor of the power of the resurrection. Can you still lack confidence? So humble confidence is not only possible, it is indicative of someone who spends time facing God and listening to Him through prayer and His Word.

Just as we will never achieve perfect holiness, we also will never achieve perfect humility or confidence, let alone humble confidence. However, I believe we need to work on developing this character trait and help others do the same. Because not only are believers drawn to those with this trait, but so are non-believers, and they will want to know, “How can I get some of that?”

I have since shared this concept of humble confidence with a number of people. Just recently I reminded my son of this as he excels at US Coast Guard “A”-School. He told me he tells other “Coasties” about it and many think it is brilliant. He often gives me credit, but I defer credit to Mike Moran, who undoubtedly gives credit where the credit is due… in humble confidence, of course

Out of the Muck

Imagine for a moment that your home has just been submerged in water… salt water that has carried with it all kinds of biological and chemical hazards, like dead animals and petroleum products. Everything in your home is now ruined: your furniture, appliances, electronics, entertainment, keepsakes, tools, cars, toys, walls, floors, food, supplies, computers, sporting goods, landscaping… everything is ruined. Your home is also uninhabitable because of the hazardous materials trapped in every nook and cranny of your house and property. What would you do?

Damaged home near Sendai

Call your insurance company and/or government: Unfortunately their local offices were flooded and the main offices are completely inundated with calls from tens of thousands in similar situations.

Call your best friends or close family: Tragically, they are dead, swept away by the surging water.

Call your church or small group: Many have left the area. Some are dead or missing. And those you can find are dealing with their own massive problems.

You wander your neighborhood only to find that the homes around yours are largely gone, with nobody in sight. The smell of death fills the air. The few neighbors you can find are in shock, paralyzed by the overwhelming destruction.

You quickly realize you have to deal with this on your own. But how? There is a toxic sludge that fills your home and yard. Nothing you own works, there is no electricity or gas service, and your tap water is contaminated. The things you need for your job are worthless. Your place of business fared no better and will be out of commission for some time, leaving you without an income.

Bicycle in a rice field

For the next few days, even weeks, you do your best to find a place to live for your family. News of dead and missing loved ones reaches you daily, even hourly. You scramble for food and safe drinking water, braving the debris-filled streets. Exhaustion, and a paralyzing depression set in. The catastrophe is winning.

As if out of nowhere, a group of volunteers arrive at your house, asking what they can do to help. You have no answer, as you have given up hope. They find something on their own and get to work. You assure them their efforts are in vain, but they continue chipping away at a small project amidst the vast ruin of your home while you sit and wonder why.

C.R.A.S.H. volunteers remove muck from under floors of farm house.

They return the next day and the next. As each day dawns, they return, making steady progress against the tide of your decaying home. And with each day, you find yourself more responsive and more involved in their efforts. Eventually, you are so energized that the volunteers are motivated by your attitude and energy. You find yourself smiling and joking with the volunteers, most of whom do not even speak your language. It will be months before your home is functional, and years before your neighborhood remotely resembles the vibrant community it was before the disaster hit. But these volunteers promise to help until you are on your feet.

Farmer cheerfully receiving rice seed now that volunteers have fixed so much

At night, when things are quiet, tears of gratitude fill your eyes as you wonder about those who have brought kindness and aid when you had lost hope. What motivates them? How can you thank them?

The house our team worked on is owned by a farmer – the Captain of the local volunteer fire department. He lives there with his wife, children, and his mother. The family’s home for 300 years survived the tsunami, but suffered great trauma and damage. They are a somewhat rare breed in the affected area. Many died. Many more had their home damaged beyond repair. And many have simply left the area. Those left to repair their homes are on their own.

With no help from those we all tend to count on, they were left with the daunting task of repairing their home and rebuilding their lives. This is where volunteer organizations like C.R.A.S.H (http://www.crashjapan.com/) and Love Neighbors (http://loveneighbors.jp/en/) come in. Working with local churches, they find people like the farmer and his family, who are caught in the gap with no outside support, to provide physical assistance, friendship, and emotional support.

Given the grand scale of this disaster, a few recovered homes do not seem to make much of a difference. But it makes a huge difference to the farmer and the others helped by volunteers from around the world; the kind of difference that turns despondency into a revitalized, can-do attitude, and provides a fresh start despite the surrounding ruins.

Intricately painted vase in an Onagawa building gutted by the wave

So what can you do? It’s simple. Volunteer and/or give. Organizations like C.R.A.S.H. and Love Neighbor rely solely on donations and volunteers to make a difference in a world turned upside down.

Four-story building on its side in Onagawa

To see a video slide show, go to:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ziiJtsEYLL0

2010 in Review (Modesto Photographer)

What an interesting year, with many new experiences. Below I have described some, and here is a link to the year in review on YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UNio1WxmNJE

Raised dresses for Marissa’s Closet by creating a photo opportunity where young ladies donated dresses and I gave them a complete “Trash the Dress” session.

Photographed a wedding. No. That’s not new. But the groom was entering the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regimen, and shortly after the wedding he sent me a challenge coin, which he took on his first jump with his unit.

Used a green screen for the first time to create unique photos of an 80′s style party. Later used the green screen again to create a poster for “Handel’s Messiah Ballet” by Anastasis.

Watched my photographer friends shoot my son’s wedding, but I did get a few shots in late in the reception.

Started shooting high school football, mostly for Beyer High. I grew so attached to the players, coaches, and parents!

On a sad note, I photographed the memorial service of a friend who died unexpectedly. He received tremendous honors from local law enforcement.

Created a slide show for the Veterans Day event at the Gallo Center for the Arts. This involved capturing some heart-wrenching images in the Presidio grave yard in San Francisco.

Went to Mexico on vacation and found myself shooting more like a photojournalist than a tourist.

And, of course, there were the weddings and portrait sessions where I always enjoy my clients.

Honoring Others

Honoring others is an important part of life. The Bible tells us in Ephesians 6:2-3 to “Honor your father and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise— “that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.” Our calendar has many occasions reminding us to honor others, e.g. Presidents Day, Memorial Day, Father’s Day, Mother’s Day, Independence Day, Veterans Day, and others. Unfortunately, these holidays often become more about self-indulgence and time off from work.

Over the last few years I have had unique opportunities to serve and honor those who deserve service and honor. It has been my privilege and joy to do so. In 2008, I photographed the Veterans Day event at the Gallo Center for the Arts, with keynote speaker, 4-Star General, John Craddock. Below is a photograph from possibly the most moving presentation, where Michael D. Anderson spoke about his son, who was the first Modestan to die in the Iraq War.

Michael D. Anderson, Sr. and Jr.

This past spring I was asked by a wonderful friend to photograph the memorial service of her husband, who died unexpectedly. I did my best to capture the amazing service of this remarkable man, who left behind his first and only sweetheart, their two teenage children, a devastated District Attorney’s Office, much family, and many friends.

Police escourt of the Baker Family.

District Attorney remembering Nate Baker

Ryan Baker holding his dad's portrait

One of the weddings I covered this year was an opportunity to serve a very brave young man. Alex Blereau is a member of the Army’s elite 160th Special Operations Aviation Regimen. Alex’s job will be to fly as a medic in a MH-60 Blackhawk helicopter into the most challenging and dangerous operations in Afghanistan.

Newlyweds Alex and Kari Blereau

Afterall, he is Airborne.

 

Alex's nephew admiring Alex's medals.

What I did not expect from each of these was to be honored in return. The director of the Veterans Day event at the Gallo, Steve Trapp, asked me to produce a slide show for this year’s event on Veterans Day. Another opportunity to honor our veterans, but an honor for me as well. You can view the slide show here:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v-K8jRTXJSA

Ryan Baker honored me by asking me to help him with an assignment for his photography class. AND, I got to take him to an Air Show, where my friend, Sagar Pathak got us behind the scenes during part of the show.

Behind the Scenes with Bill Braak and His Jet Car, "Smoke and Thunder".

The most surprising honor was from Alex Blereau. Army personnel can honor others with a coin. I saw General Craddock honor Staff Sergeant Steve Trapp with a coin for his amazing work putting together the 2008 Veterans Day event. These coins are usually given to other soldiers, but can be given to a civilian. Well, I received this from Alex, who carried it on his first jump with the 160th.

So what is my point? Well, I guess I have two. First, photography has once again added so much to my life. But more significant is the importance of using your time, talent, and maybe treasure, to honor others. And while it is important not to do it for what you might get in return, don’t be too surprised if it comes back to you, sometimes with interest.

One Wild Summer

This has been one wild summer, and the result has been no blog posts since May. In short, I finished Photography 201, conducted a Summer Photography Workshop, had my logo embroidered on some shirts, continued working with former students to get them to their goals, advised my youngest niece as she takes on photographing her first wedding, prepared photos of mine and my students for display at a new boutique’s “Artists Corner”, and personally photographed one graduation and party, one wedding, one 80′s-style birthday party, a “trash-the-dress” session with five young ladies, several really cool senior portraits, one memorial service of a friend, and several football games. And I still have a day-job (thank the Lord). Whew!

It is amazing that with only one wedding and a handful of portrait sessions, I was this busy. For one thing, the teaching has become such a large part of my life. Not only do I get to instruct in photography, but I gain friends who I care for deeply. Most are high school age and going through the teen years with the typical (and some not-so-typical) bumps along the way. I have been privileged to help them get through these times.

One of the most fun things I did this summer was to raise dresses for Marissa’s Closet. What started out as a for-profit idea, became a for-charity project as soon as I read about Melinda Shaw, who was carrying-on the charity work of her daughter, who took her own life last December. A top high school senior, Marissa had begun collecting donated formal dresses to give to girls who could not afford their own. Our photo session along 17-Mile Drive’s tidepools raised 20 dresses and four pairs of shoes for Marissa’s Closet.

The 80′s-style birthday party was a hoot! But it was also a challenge, as I used a green screen for the first time. You must light the screen perfectly to avoid problems later removing it and placing the background behind the subject. That was not the problem. What made this so challenging was that the birthday girl and the party host both wore some clothing that matched the green screen, causing those parts of them to disappear altogether when I removed the green screen! Anyway, the end results were almost as fun as the party itself.

One senior portrait session took an unexpected turn before we even got started. While discussing what we were going to do, it came to my attention that there was a dirt bike track alongside the airstrip where we met. I suggested Zach ride while I shot. The result was fantastic! Later, as planned, his crop-duster-pilot dad buzzed us on the runway. Talk about trust!

I had only shot one high school football game before getting the opportunity to shoot Beyer High games this season. But I jumped at the chance and have had great fun doing it. The time-consuming part is not the shooting, or even the processing. It has been all the organizing and promoting of the work. Coach Alkire  has been quite appreciative and complementary. My only other hope is that the parents become customers .

The saddest and most difficult photography I have ever done was in August, when hundreds gathered to say goodbye to Nate Baker. Nate was a great man. While expected to be a judge someday, Nate was totally down-to-earth, willing to do any job if it served the Lord, and known as being fair and kind to everyone. At age 42, he left behind a wonderful family, friends, and many colleagues who loved him dearly. It was his wife that asked me to photograph the service, but I won’t post any photos here.

Well, I need to get going. Shooting a Manteca High School football game for my good friend Chris Leonard, who can’t be in two places at once no matter how hard he tries. And then tomorrow I’m off the the California Capital Airshow with Ryan Baker (son of Nate), where another friend, Sagar Pathak, has arranged some special treatment for us through his connections as an aviation photographer (www.horizontalrain.com).

Newly Gained Empathy For When I Photograph a Wedding

As a wedding photographer, I have had sympathy for my clients and their families as they have finally reached the big event after days, weeks, and months of preparation.  Working closely with the participants has shown me some of the stresses of the wedding day. I have also been in a number of weddings as best man, groomsman, and yes, groom. But there is no teacher like experience, and this past weekend will serve me well in empathizing with the parents of the bride and groom. That is because my son, Peter, married Rebecca Davis on Saturday, May 1st.

As the big day approached, the list of uncompleted preparations seemed to grow. Not only were there things that needed to be in place for the wedding itself, but for the rehearsal dinner, house guests, out-of-town family and friends, and the final moving-out of our son, (who was to be living in an apartment instead of on a USCG Cutter now.) Additionally, the anticipated last-minute disasters were raised to a new level, creating a near panic the morning of the wedding.  Had it not been for the generous help of numerous friends, we may very well have had a disappointing event. But as it turned out, things went smoothly and a good time was had by all.

My wife, Bobbi, laid low on Sunday, but still had to call for a substitute RDH on Monday as she was so exhausted. Even my daughter had to veg on Sunday, but I took two of my nieces and my friend who came out to chef for me to San Francisco, Pacifica, and Half Moon Bay for the day, getting home at 9 pm. On Monday I had to work my day job and teach photography that evening. Because I had nothing left for the class, I gave them their final exam one week early. The looks on the students’ faces were priceless. But as they found out, it was not something they could have studied for and I actually saved them from unnecessary preparation by making the change.

This morning, Tuesday, I finally felt somewhat human again after a solid night’s sleep. But there is a ton of catching up, organizing, cleaning, and recuperating still to do. So now when I am photographing a wedding where one of the participants is not fully him/her self, I will have deep empathy for what they may have gone through and how long it might take them to return to “normal”.

A First For Me

I never thought it would happen. I have never made much effort toward it, and knew that it usually took a tremendous amount of training, time, and dedication. But it happened recently.

My photography has been focused on people. Weddings, portraits, sports, performances, and just fun stuff, but all concentrating on the people involved. Every once in a while I would capture an image of something else: Maybe a beautiful scene in Yosemite; an old building at Daffodil Hill; or something almost repulsive like a snail licking the pollen off a dead bee. But these were just for fun and for my own personal use. (I almost forgot… I have also done some commercial photography of things ranging from jewelry to pneumatic panels and large machinery.)

I recently added a new photo album to my Facebook page called, “Best of”. http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=194524&id=604696014 It is simply a collection of my photography that I consider the best that I have done. One person who looked them through is a friend from high school in New Jersey. She has a Masters in Fine Art and teaches art in Massachusetts. When she saw one I took in Potsdam, she had to have a print. She purchased a 16×20 which is now in the process of being framed for her home.

This is my first sale of fine art photography, which is a big departure from my usual work. Please don’t expect to find me suddenly redirecting my efforts in this area. I know a number of excellent fine art photographers, who train incessantly, travel extensively, and starve financially. But this does give me a new spark in looking for this kind of opportunity.

If you are interested in the story of this image, keep reading:

My family and I were in Potsdam, NY for the wedding of my niece, Kim. It was her older sister, Cara, who got me into wedding photography the year before. That day’s weather was forecast to be rain-free, but the morning greeted us with an misty stillness. I went out to see what I could capture with my new 20mm lens. Without going into great detail, I saw the long side of the barn, the warmly lit window, and the tree in the distance. I framed it to include the best elements and captured this image.

Once inside with the image on the computer, my daughter, Katherine, and I worked on it to bring out the best. We decided on a filter called “Reminiscing” from OpticVerv labs to be applied to a duplicate layer over the original. We then erased that layer from the tree and window. This combination of actions reduced the impact of the bright red barn, allowing the tree and window to play the major roles. The converging lines of the barn still play the part of directing your eyes to the tree in the distance, while the glow of the window calls you back.

I hope you like it.

NOTE: I totally forgot that I use this image for my title banner on this blog!

CLICK ON THE IMAGE TO SEE IT FULL SCREEN.

How to Shoot Your Ex-Boss and Get Away With It

A Man’s Final Image

“We need a 20×30 of just him by Saturday”, Carlyn told me, struggling to talk through her laryngitis. I would have to move fast: Crop him out of one of the family photos, do some editing, execute a Photoshop trick to get more pixels out of an image, get it printed and mounted by Friday evening.

The day before Thanksgiving of ’08, Carlyn had called, asking me to provide family photographs as the entire family was in town, and nobody knew how long her 91-year-old father would be around. Two days later, I got to photograph four generations of this wonderful family. We included many combinations of family members, including ones of just the patriarch and matriarch. It would be a photo of this long-married couple that I would use for the urgent 20×30.

When I went by Carlyn’s house the next week to pick up the easel I had lent them her mom was there, recovering from a broken pelvis. This newly widowed lady and I spoke for a few minutes. She then pointed across the room to the print they used for the memorial service and said, “Thank you.” She was so appreciative of my efforts. I was so glad to have been able to do it for them.

Great Experiences Through Photography (Modesto Photographer)

Meeting a 4-Star General

Being a blessing to the father of the first Modestan killed in the Iraq War

Being in the pits during NASCAR Cup Series practice

Helping a Mexican orphanage with attaining support

Being an integral part of dozens of weddings

Providing families with heirlooms to last generations

Getting to know, teach, and enjoy numerous teenagers

Having nobody question why I am standing where one shouldn’t just because I have a big, white lens

Getting to have fun photographing high school seniors

Meeting countless wonderful people

These are just a few of the great things that I have gotten to do as a result of photography. A few details:

4-Star: I was asked to photograph the annual Modesto Veterans Day event at the Gallo Center for the Arts. The keynote speaker was General John Craddock, Supreme Commander of US and Allied forces in Europe. We did not exactly sit down to lunch together, but I did get to chat a bit with him in the green room. He exuded humble confidence.

Marine’s Dad: One of the presenters at that same event was Michael Anderson, whose son was the first Modestan to die in the Iraq war. He delivered a moving presentation of his son’s heroic work that resulted in his death during a firefight while purging a house of insurgents. I spoke with Mike several times, and was able to provide him images of his presentation, like the one below.

NASCAR’s Big Boys: I was given a pit pass by Don Campbell, a driver in the Southwest Tour Series, so I could create some photographs for his website. If that was not fun enough, the Southwest Tour Series drivers alternated practice with the Cup Series drivers, so I got several big names to autograph the Campbell Racing Team shirt I was wearing. Mark Martin, Ryan Newman, Dale Jarrett, Bobby Labonte, and owner Richard Childress were all kind enough to accommodate this overgrown kid. Later, Don would not take the shirt back from me, and insisted I keep it.

Rancho Santa Marta: I cannot adequately describe this incredible school and orphanage about 60 miles south of Encinada, Mexico. Sure, the physical appearance can be easily captured in photographs, but I had the honor of attempting to capture the spirit here when I accompanied the dental team of Corey Acree, DDS.

Great Times with Wonderful People: In all of the weddings, portraits sessions, sports events, performances, teaching, and just shooting for fun, I encounter some great people. Customers, fellow-photographers, and others make photography so much fun, and so rewarding.