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.
