My sister came to Colorado to visit Desiree and I. She brought her fiancee, Caleb, for us to meet for the very first time. I have met him before on Skype, but never in person. It was great to be with my sister once again. I love her so much.
Liz and I have always had a special relationship, and we have been very close. We used to be snuggle buddies during movies, she would let me hang out with her and her friends, and we played games with each other often. It was so refreshing to see Liz walk through my door. She was able to see where I live and a fraction of what my life was like. I love her so much.
It was great to see, and finally meet Caleb as well. Over dinner I had to ask some pretty tough questions. I needed to be a little protective of my sister. I am not as tough as I wish I was some times. I am a true softy and just want to love everyone. Caleb answered my questions well for the most part, and I let him off of the hook. It was good to start a relationship with him.
One of the reasons that Liz and Caleb came for the visit is because Desiree and I are now photographers on the side. They were very generous to let us take their engagement photos for more experience. It was a wonderful day. I learned a whole lot, and we were even able to have some fun. It was a great way for Caleb and Liz to see a lot of Denver, and we were able to wine and dine at the different locations we visited for the shoot.
Here is the album that I created with the photos we took from the photo shoot with Caleb and Liz:
What happens in a man's soul, a man's mind that enables him to wake up and have a new stirring? A kind of stirring that comes from nowhere. The kind that does not come from the thought earlier that day and not the kind that is just a fleeing thought. This stirring is never ending, and the only way to end it is either by swallowing it up by another stronger stirring, or just conquered the goal that this stirring is telling you that you must do.
I got this same stirring one morning. I woke up and realized that I must climb a 14er. I presented the idea to Desiree and she thought I was a bit crazy, but when does she think that I am not. Through the next few days I think I started to make sense to Desiree and we set up a date to do the hike. I took a look at a few 14ers to decide which one would be the right one to climb. Then I found it. If we were going to go and climb a 14er we mine as well climb the highest mountain in Colorado, Mt. Elbert. Mt. Elbert is not only the tallest in Colorado, but, excluding Alaska, it is the second tallest mountain in the United States. So my mind was set. I was going to adventure up this mountain whether I was by myself, or accompanied by others. Desiree and I had another couple to go with us at the time, but during the week before, they bailed. So it was just Desiree and I. I was feeling pretty confident, but Desiree was a bit nervous. The day before the climb, Friday, I planned our trip and we packed. The next day, Saturday morning, Desiree and I took off at 4:30am to drive almost 3 hours to the base of Mt. Elbert.
When we arrived the parking lot was already crowded. We found a little pull off in between some trees and geared up. After both visiting the outhouse, we were on our way up the mountain side. It was fun to have the camera with us. We were taking blind photos while we were hiking. I felt pretty great and was very confident in my physical ability, and was thinking to myself that this is going to be a piece of cake. Was I wrong? Of course I was. Climbing this 14er was one of the hardest things that I have done.
When Desiree and I exited the tree line I could not believe that we were not even half way yet. It is a wired thought to think that the trees stop growing somewhere about 12,000 feet because there is not enough carbon dioxide for the tees to service since the air thins out to that extent. So this must be the same for oxygen, and yet we still had to hike another 2,500 feet above the tree line.
When I was younger I loved those inflatable games that you see at carnivals. One of my favorites was the game where you are strapped into a harness connected to a bungee cord. Two people would race and try to stick their beanbag, to the Velcro strip, the furthest. With this game the further you ran the harder that it pulled you back. This is exactly how I felt on the mountain. The further I gained in altitude the harder it was to breath, walk, and keep my balance.
There we were on the bare side of the mountain hiking up the trail and looking to the peak ahead of us. We were getting so close, but when we arrived to the top of the peak we realized that it was false. What I mean is the peak we were seeing was a steeper section, so it came out and hide the real peak from us. It appeared that we were only 2/3 of the way up when we thought we were done. On we went one foot in the front of the other to the top.
It was a very weird feeling because when we were just standing on the trail you were not out of breath at all and felt great, but as soon as you started to walk again it felt like you were in the middle of a 5k. You could feel that your body was looking for more oxygen. The best way that I can describe it is to say that it felt like your legs were trying to suck air through your pores to get more oxygen.
So again there we were on the next peak that we saw, but it was another false peak. We saw another one in the distance, and were hoping that the next was the finish. I started to get light headed and was glad that we did not have to go up much further.
We finally arrived hand in hand, and it was amazing. The view was just wonderful. You could see mountains after mountains after mountains. Desiree and I had lay down, and rested. We ate some a sandwich at the top. There were a lot of people at the top, and I would say that half of them were sleeping.
Desiree and I decided to head back down. It was eye opening on the way down, and you really started to realize what you had accomplished. Every section of the mountain was steeper and longer that we had thought. Desiree and I have had problems with our hiking boots, and our toes jam into the front of the boot on down hills. This hike was way too long and steep to be having this issue. By the time that we got to tree line, Desiree had enough and changed into her sandals. I was not so lucky for I did not bring sandals up with us. I rested and took off my boots. My nails had white lines in the middle of them because they were bending back when my toes jammed up into the toe box of the boot. On top of the toes I had a head ache that was getting worse every step that I took.
Desiree and I continued, and I was trying to be a good sport about the pain. I just could not handle it anymore, and I started to jog down the mountain. My job got faster and faster. Again I was thinking in my head how much longer this hike was then I realized going up. The pain built up to be so bad that I almost started to cry. I sucked it up, and started to run even faster. Desiree was keeping up to me pretty well, and she was jogging in her sandals. We finally had reached the bottom at about 4:30pm that evening. It was time to head home. Desiree started the drive off home, and I slept for an hour. Then we traded and I drove the rest of the way. We finally got home about 7pm. What a long day.
Over all, the trip was amazing. I was not sure if I got slight altitude sickness, but it was still worth it when I look back on it. I want to do another 14er before it gets too cold. Desiree was a trooper, and I am so proud of her. When I first met Desiree she almost cried every time she was pushed physically, but now she hardly even complains and she finds that challenge fun. I love you Des.
I am on my way. Yesterday I was doing some Google searches to find any tips that would help with my model directing. There were a lot of links that I found, but most of them were filled with pretty common sense stuff. I was not finding any information that came alive to me, or made me feel like I was making any headway until I found a link by Nicolas Henri. I have never heard of Nicholas Henri before, but I had come across his blog. Nicholas is a professional photographer and I could tell right away, when I started to read this blog, that I liked this photographer. It was not Nicolas' work that made me like him, even though it is fantastic work, but it was because of his obvious willingness to share with other photographers and help their growth into the best photographer we all can be. This is Nicholas' site that I had come across: http://nicolashenri.ch/blog/2008/08/directing-models/#more-115.
I started to read on about how Nicholas, as a professional, feels about models today and models he has had to work with. Nicholas said that models are having to work with some very bad photographers that teach them how to model in a very poor way. Nicholas states that it is always the photographer’s job to share what he is looking for in the model, but in a way where the model can act out an emotion. Too often we use adjectives to help get the models to look a certain way.
The night of the photo shoot at Rachael's house I was very guilty of the exact thing that Nicholas Henri was saying not to do. I would tell Desiree to look sad, angry, and emotional. What I learned from Nicholas is that I need to direct Desiree and treat her more like an actress. I need to tell her a story about herself, and put myself into the story if possible. This way, now the model can create an emotion through the story instead of trying to pull an emotion out of thin air. This is a brilliant idea, and cannot wait to try it. I almost came across this style of directing models and few times, but I would feel silly and would abort the idea. I am going to give this a few tries and will share some photos soon.
Check this link out though. It was one of the best well written blogs that I have read. I can't believe that it came from a photographer that cares about helping others grow in this craft of photography.
I am really excited because today is the day that I am getting my new digital SLR. Desiree and I have ordered the Canon 7D. It is going to be so much fun, and I cannot wait to see how it will improve my shots. I have been careful though not to get stuck into the lie that just because you have a better camera mean that your photos will get better. I know this to not be true, but at the same time with a better camera your photos are crisper, and it can give you more of a “wow affect”. My friend Rachel has the 7d as well, and she had Desiree and me over for dinner on Sunday. It was such a wonderful evening. Thank you so much Rachael. After we had this wonderful meal Rachael informed to me that she had a photography lighting studio setup with a white back drop. She was kind enough to let me set up a photo shoot, and Rachael and I shared turns shooting Desiree with the Canon 7d.
I was really excited about the shoot, and had some great ideas in my head. The problem was that I was not sure how to transfer what I wanted in my head to the model to act out. In the trouble of trying this I lost all my ideas, and would just get stuck, and get discouraged. Desiree is not a professional model by any means. I do not mean to put you down Desiree, but you are a beginner when it comes to modeling. This craft is way harder than people think. The question is how do I learn to be good at directing models even if they are beginners? With this blog you will be able to follow me on my journey of researching my way to become a good model directing photographer.
For those that do not know, Desiree and I follow the IHOP [International House of prayer] in Kansas City. We believe that IHOP has a lot of strengths where most churches are week. This group is honoring God by giving him 24 7 worship and pray in a harp and bowl style, like the book of Revelation mentions. I think that it is right on to follow and learn from the upper rooms that were mentioned in the Bible. Check it out at www.ihop.org. They have a free live video cast of their 24 7 prayer room.
Desiree and I heard from IHOP that they are in relation with a pastor/missionary in Egypt. Egypt has a large Muslim community, and it is illegal to preach about Christ. This pastor was not worried and was preaching about what he loved, Christ. His people and he were being thrown into prison. This has been going on for a while, and this Christian group just thought that they were suffering for the name of Christ. One day this pastor/leader of this group had received a vision from the LORD, and the LORD told the pastor to stop doing this to his people. It is not their job to suffer for Christ's name for Christ already did the suffering. The LORD told the pastor to start an upper room, and to start praying and interceding for these people. This pastor did some research on the upper room and started harp and bowl prayer, worship, and intercession. Nothing happened for the longest time, but after a while of crying out to the LORD to have Him come and show Himself to the Muslim community, He did exactly that. The Muslims started to have dreams and visions about Christ, and God started to do things, and the LORD was given the glory for these people starting a relationship with Christ.
The questions I find myself asking, Do Christians have the wrong idea for evangelizing? Why have Christians not given the upper room much thought before? Is it not awesome that we cannot take the credit if someone comes to Christ because He came to that person in a way that we humans cannot?
My challenge to all and especially to Churches is to START AN UPPER ROOM. We need to start to intercede for people. Prayer is so powerful. We need to be crying out to the LORD for our cities, country, and the world as a whole.
Desiree and I just had our first year anniversary. It was awesome to be together this weekend. We booked a bed and breakfast in Niwot, CO. This town is about a 2 block historical town. It is pretty much in the middle of nowhere. We were a little nervous about what this bed and breakfast had in store for us. This was because most bed and breakfasts are very cheesy. They have this old country style look to them with beds that creek just by looking at them. I just cannot do that kind of style of B&B. I would not be able to relax, and I would feel very out of place. Maybe I will feel different when I am 60. Because of my feelings for this, Desiree and I do a lot of research before we book a place. We really did not know what to think of this B&B in Niwot. We were a little afraid that it was going to be out dated like the rest.
When we arrived we could not believe what was in front of us. The place was beautiful, and looked like it was refurbished into cabin style lodging. We were still ready to be a little disappointed. I was thinking that they put all their money into the outside, but the inside is still going to be outdated. We parked our car in the back, and walked in, and I was shocked. The placed was still beautiful. There was an immediate peaceful feel as soon as we walked into the place. It was quiet, and they had back ground music that just made me want to fall asleep. There were about four or five different seating sections around the small, but very quant building. These seating places were awesome if you wanted to read a book, or just get out of your room for a bit.
We went to the front counter and waited for the house keeper to check us in. Lynn was doing the dishes, and then noticed that we needed help. She came and checked us in, and then gave us a tour of the place. She showed us where the lounge was. It was very nice and cozy. There was a hug fire place right in the middle of the far wall. There was all kinds of seating around the room. There were tables that fit four, a couple that fit two, a bench, a couple couches, and a couple of elegant single person chairs. Behind the one couch there were snacks. They had some roasted nuts and chex mix on the one side, and homemade cookies on the other side. Then Lynn showed us a table that had coffee and tea available for whenever we wanted. The last table that Lynn showed to us had wine, cheese, and crackers that were available all night until 10pm. This was my favorite table, and I knew that it would not be long until I came down from our room and visited this room again.
Lynn took us up to our room. Right in the middle of the building there was a hug stair case that brought us to the upstairs. The whole building was open. The second floor was a circular walk way along the walls, but the middle was all open to the lower floor. This gave a very nice atmosphere to the place. We were staying in the room in the far North East corner, room number 9. Okay, so at the point I really am not expecting the rooms to be quality since the rest of the place was so amazing and beautiful. As Lynn opened up our door, I really was in awe. The furniture all had this matching log cabin look. The bed was a raised bed that was about 3.5 feet off of the ground. There was a fireplace in the room, and a flat screen TV. It was awesome, but the best part of the room was the bathroom. The toilet seat was heated, and there were about 10 lights that you could adjust the dimming on. There also was a heater just for the bath room that you could adjust. There was a wood counter, and a handmade forged sink. Now let’s talk about the shower. The shower was defiantly the high light of the room. There was the biggest rain shower head that I have ever seen. There also was a separate detachable shower head that was bigger than any of the shower heads that I have ever owned. The best part was the steam. The shower was also its own steam room. You could adjust the temp to whatever you wanted. The wall of the shower that you entered was all made of a modern style of glass, and the other walls of the shower were made of river bed rock. It was the coolest shower that I have ever been in. The place as a whole was absolutely beautiful inside-out. It had such a relaxing homey feel to it. I was so happy that Desiree and I could share the night at such a place as this bed and breakfast. At this point I forgot that I had gotten Desiree a dozen of roses and had them delivered to the room. Desiree saw them and said, "Hu, what are these flowers for?" She walked up to them, and read the note that said, "I love you Desiree, from your bud." She was so happy, and it was a great feeling to be able to surprise my wife with something nice.
The room.
The roses I had given to Desiree.
Desiree and I got our stuff out of the car and got all set up in the room. Desiree and I like to relax with a drink once in a while, but we don't like to spend the money at a restaurant because it adds up real fast. We brought some of our own, and started to relax as soon as our room was organized. We went back down stairs and had some wine, cheese, and crackers. Lynn informed us that there was an Italian restaurant right next door, and people say that it is very good. Desiree and I went back upstairs and got ready for dinner. We walked to the restaraut and decided to eat on the front patio. It was not that hard to decide what we were going to get because on our honeymoon we had calamari, and clams. We have now started a tradition, because that is exactly what we had this time around too. Although this time I had the calamari where the whole squid was on the plate, and was surprised at how much I liked it. It was a very nice restaurant and the food was great.
My beautiful wife at the restaurant
An indian carved into what was once a tree.
This town of Niwot was very cute and funny at the same time. What makes up this historical town is about a whole four blocks, but it was still very nice. The best part about it was that we were really getting away from the craziness of Denver, and life for the two days that we were there felt like it had almost stopped. Desiree and I had a great night, and the next morning we woke up and had breakfast in the morning. They had a pretty good variety, and they even made us a homemade waffle. After breakfast we got ready for the day, and left the B&B for home.
