One of the few times it was better to “not” watch where he was skateboarding, owner of a surfshop on the North Island of New Zealand, Ben Steward crashed into a rival surf shop’s sign and knocked it over.

Ben promptly received a lashing from the American girl (Bobbi) working at the shop who quickly ran out to tell him to watch where he was going.  After a bit of time (and persistence) Ben persuaded Bobs to go out on a date…

One of my favorite parts of their story is that on one of the first few dates Bobbi told Ben she couldn’t date him any more…Or she’d marry him.  I wish I could have seen his face…

A few weeks ago Ben and Bobbi, joined by family from NZ, England and Bend, were married at Aspen Hall at Shevlin Park.   These two are a sweet as “lollies” and we can’t wait to spend some time with them next Summer on the north island of New Zealand.  Maybe we’ll see a hobbit.  Maybe that was a bad joke.

Ben and Bobbi, thank you isn’t enough…  Rock on friends…

Here are just a few of our favorite things…

Friends and family filled the River Run Events Center at Eagle Crest to witness Tony and Brit share their vows, as well as their big hearts, with everyone.

It’s days like their wedding day that remind me how truly blessed I am to do what I do for a living.  Tony, Brittany, here’s to a “hope” that you guys will get to move back to Bend someday so we can hang out.

Until that day, here are a few of our favorite things…

Trav and Kach took some time away from saving the world, and clothing it, to quickly say their vows, kiss, then go back and exchange rings, then kiss again and be married.  Held at the beautiful Youngberg Hill Vineyard in McMinnville Oregon, the wedding took place on a Friday morning… Which was rad.  This was our first morning wedding, they just don’t seem to happen and it got me thinking, we’ve actually seen some pretty cool things this year that have made some weddings really stand out.  Maybe I’ll create a blog post for future brides to get some ideas for next year, sound cool?  I appreciated Travis and Kach planning outside the box for their wedding.  Their attention to detail and personalities made for a beautiful wedding and one we won’t forget.

On a bit of a side note…Lauren was, at this point, still “any day” with the delivery of our second little boy, so she wasn’t able to make it for this wedding.  I was blessed to have TIffany along for the ride to the valley, what a blessing she’s been to our family though this time of Bambino additions…

Travis and Kach, thank you for saving the world, and letting us capture your wedding day.  Rock on.  Here’s a few of our favorite things…

Relaxed, easy going, and completely in love.  We adored our time with Jason and Jessica, possibly two of the sweetest people we’ve ever met.  I’ll never forget their ceremony…

I’m a dog person, so when their “senior” dog came out complete with flowers for the ceremony, I just about lost it.  Not long after, I had to hide behind a tree when Jason started crying, he sent me over the edge.  Having just a bit of background on J and his past, I knew that this day was very, very special for him and I count myself blessed to have been a part of it.  Jason and Jess, we’re so excited for the both of you.  From Amanda, Tiffany, Kara, Lauren and Benjamin, thank you for being wonderful and we can’t wait to hang out again…

I didn’t know the meaning of strength until I saw Lauren give birth to our first child, Parker.

14 hours of labor, no pain meds.  After it was all said and done, somehow, I looked much worse than she did.  When I think of the word strength, I think of Lauren.

Finding out we were prego for the second time was a bit of a surprise.  A surprise because we were neither planning it, or expecting it… A “bit’ because we weren’t doing much to prevent it.

Our near baby boy, “Poet” (One who is especially gifted in the perception and expression of the beautiful–which is my hope for him) was welcomed into the world on Friday, August 6th at 6:41 AM (8lbs 13ounces).  Lauren was only at the hospital 3 hours before he made his way out and while it was a much shorter birth this time, it was more intense and painful for Lauren.  Determined not to fill our new baby boy with foreign drugs, she made it without pain medication…  Strength.

Our OB said for two weeks it could be “anytime.”  During one of those “anytime” days, we thought we had better take some maternity shots of Lauren, being that I’m a photographer and being that she was pregnant…  We went to one of our favorite locations where the reflections are calm and the mosquitoes are rampant.  Parker played with frogs, snails and snakes and I played with my wife who was willing to do anything for the “shot.”  I love my beautiful Lauren, I’m so very thankful for her.

Here are a few of our favorite things…

When Lauren and I think about our family and friends, we realize we are surrounded by many people who are “all heart.”

Neil Cole is certainly one of those people.  Neil has been a tremendous help to us with our non-profit media organization, Emote360.  He’s been blessed with a beautiful family, and he’s the type of guy that, even when you can’t see it on his face, you just know he’s smiling.

Thank you Neil, you and your family are a tremendous blessing to so many…

Nearly 10 years ago, my life was changed forever for two reasons.  One, I married my better three quarters in Lauren, and two, I saw what could be done with a camera when Internationally known photographer and educator Kevin Kubota photographed our wedding.

I’ve always enjoyed photography, but it wasn’t until this point in my life that I realized photography was something I’d really like to pursue on a professional level.  I’m thankful that realization came at a point when I had an amazing opportunity to get to know Kevin and his wife Clare, whom I consider to be my mentors and dear friends.

Kevin’s genius behind the camera as well as his production of time saving software solutions for photographers is obvious.  What’s more obvious, and a great deal more important in the long run, is Kevin’s amazing heart and ability to inspire.

In looking back over the last ten years, had I not met Kevin and been inspired by him, I likely wouldn’t have traveled the path that I did.  That path has led me to some of the most incredible places on the earth, shooting for those who help the most vulnerable.  My photography has made a difference in the world, I’ve seen that.  I know that’s not by my own doing.  I was simply meant to do it, therefore, I was meant to know Kevin and be inspired by him.  My greatest hope is that my actions, not just my photography, will inspire others around me.  I suppose then I could say that it’s really a chain of inspiration that I hope will never be broken…  Kevin, me, you…  Who will you inspire?

I feel honored to have been asked to speak at a very special 20th anniversary of Kevin’s Digital Photography Bootcamp.  Photographers come from all over the world to spend a week with one of our generation’s greatest photographers and educators in Kevin and he’s decided to offer this class of attendees something extra…  You can find more information on Bootcamp and SummitUP here and here.

The title of my presentation is “Redefining Success Through Inspiration.”  I hope and pray it will inspire those in attendance to make the world a better place and settle for nothing less.

Rock on.

If you’re around a Barnes and Noble, pick up a copy of this months PDN Magazine.  We were recently featured, along with our dear friend and producer Elizabeth Fischer, in an article discussing the need for still photographers to form partnerships with editors to take advantage of cameras that now shoot HD video.  Video is a great new revenue stream for still photographers, but very time consuming.

PDN highlighted a specific video project that Elizabeth produced and I directed for  Alternatives Women’s Center in the San Diego area.  We had a great group of friends working on the project with us, Gary Christenson, Conor Miller, and Peter Wiley, all who are involved with our media non-profit, Emote360.

I’m looking forward to directing more pieces and learning more about film, it’s my favorite way to story-tell…

Here’s a short commercial style film we shot for their web page intro…

Here’s a longer piece Alternatives is using on their website as well as for awareness events…

We’ve been blessed to do some photography for a few resorts in the Camp Sherman area of Central Oregon located near the town of Sisters.  One of our favorite places to shoot and recreate is Lake Creek Lodge.  Named for the creek that runs through it, Lake Creek has a rich history of serving families who are looking for a fun place to hang out.  People travel from all over to come to LCL, many choose to have a “stay-cation” and come from right here in Central Oregon.

I love handing our images over to great designers.  Brand Navigation did the original design for LCL’s new website and we were blown away with what Russ Mcintosh, then a designer for BrandNav, did with the images.  Lake Creek recently added some new cabins and asked us to come over and shoot them so they can be added to the website.  Here’s a screen grab of the website and a couple images of the new cabin 28.  BTW, If you’re out for a drive, swing in to LCL’s espresso bar, its’ really good…

Every now and then you meet someone who completely inspires and challenges you, simply by their example, to lead your life more by faith than the security (false or not) of what is seen and known.

Through a series of life events, we were blessed to meet not only one, but two, such people in Kim and Troy Meeder, Co-Founders of Crystal Peaks Youth Ranch.

Located near Bend, Oregon and started in what once was a dry cinder pit, CPYR has blossomed into a mecca of fertility both of the ground and the spirit.  CPYR is a place where miracles happen, and thankfully, Kim is a wonderful author, which means the stories are bound in (tear drenched) pages that can be so inspiring, they’re difficult to put down.

I’ve been blessed to shoot for CPYR on numerous occasions and consider them one of my favorite ministries to be a part of.  One of the funnest projects to date was shooting the cover for Kim’s latest book, “Blind Hope.”  You can read more (and see a video) about Blind Hope here.

This isn’t just a story about Mia (pooch) and Laurie (caretaker of pooch) it’s a story about God and you.

Pick up a copy on-line or at Barnes and Noble, you’ll be glad you did.

Seth and Kim were joined in Holy Matrimony (I’ve always wanted to put that into a blog post) a few weeks ago at their parent’s fabulous Triple D Ranch.  The wedding was coordinated by the “A”mazing Aimee Baillargeon, owner of Bend Event Company. Flowers were provided by Nicole with the always perfect Singing Sparrow Flowers.  This was definitely a celebration of love, family and friends as everyone came together to toast Seth and Kim.  The reception for the wedding took place in a beautifully decorated (all clear) tent on the lawn.  It didn’t take long for the sun to make a greenhouse out of the tent with temps estimated at one point in the 120-130 range.  Never fear, a fleet of industrial strength air conditioners (and the following weeks Groom who is an HVAC specialist) came to the rescue and it was soon manageable, and exquisite.  Thank you to the Guerra and Davenport families for your hospitality.  Seth and Kim, rock on.

Here’s a little collage of some once in a lifetime memories…