Idahoan Chitlins

They grow 'em cute up in Idaho.

I love the everyone's-doin-their-own-thing photos. Sometimes they work. This last one, that was definitely the case.

N

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Billy Beane

Had the opportunity to shoot Billy Beane in Florida this week.

N

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Ted.com

This site is pretty amazing. A lot of extremely interesting ideas. One speech I particularly liked. Spend a minute or two and learn something.

N

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Zzyzx Curiosity

If you've driven the 15 out in boondock California just south of Baker, you've seen this sign - Zzyzx Road - but chances are you drove right past it. I've seen that sign many times and wanted to finally see what was down it. I was coming back from shooting a corporate event for McAfee in Las Vegas at the MGM Grand, cooped up for four days so I took the liberty of scheduling a 5 hour drive and squeezing into one day, with obvious time to wander. Driving past that sign for probably the 50th time, it was time to see with my own eyes what was out there. And photograph it.

There's a pretty cool salt flat as you travel further east.

The view back from the edge of the salt flat. Pretty barren.

Salt deposits.

Off-roading on the salt flats apparently isn't supposed to happen. Someone went for it.

Self portrait nonsense.

Just liked this shot.

Ton of salt and brown shrub.

Keep out.

Palm tree side. Been photographing a lot of macro textures lately.

More rock texture.

This was once I left Zzyzx road and went further south a few miles. The desert definitely has its own beauty.

Smashing ideas.

Watch out Big Sky Montana. California does it just as well.

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Cadence Pharmaceuticals

Quick shoot with the CEO of Cadence Pharmaceuticals for an industry publication.

N

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Phil & Valerie

An engagement session in the streets of La Jolla with Phil & Valerie. They're getting married on May 26th in Malibu on a Monday. Weekday weddings are becoming more the norm and we're looking forward to it!

N

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Lisa & Brent

Balboa Park engagement session with Brent & Lisa. I'm talking with them as we're shooting and I find out that Brent restores Woody's full-time. So whip one of them out for the wedding and let's get some great images! And take Lisa away in it that night :)

N

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Travis & Lisa

Wedding on Valentine's Day. Cuvier Park. La Jolla Woman's Club. Gotta love Thursday weddings :)

N

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"The Five Love Languages" by Gary Chapman

I wish I had read this book years ago. The second I made the decision to do this for couples, I shot off my bed to the computer and started typing. This is critically important to me and I want to share it with couples that I work with, if only as a photographer for one day of their lives. My job is to see, to look, to stop moments and if there's anything that I see in couples or want to see, it's genuine and enduring love.

Every couple that books a wedding with me will get this book as part of their wedding package. In fact, I require it :)

It is simple genius and I have absolute confidence it will contribute to the happiness of couples who read it together and implement its seemingly elementary yet crucial concepts. This is not another quick blog entry. I honestly want to see people happy in their marriages and if I can give you a book that will help you love your wife, or love your husband I'll have done something good today.

The Five Love Languages Google searched.

N

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Ginger & Greg

I met Ginger & Greg at Swami's for an engagement session. I hadn't heard this song by Corinne Rae before, but I like it. Coming across new music is always cool. Ginger & Greg's wedding will be at Cuvier Park (the wedding bowl) and then off to George's at the Cove for a meal and some mingling.

N

http://www.nathanpetty.com

Mitt Romney - The Grand Del Mar

A few more photos of Mitt Romney here in San Diego, this time at The Grand Del Mar on December 13th.

Watch this speech on politics and religion which is a seeming dichotomy at first glance but a masterpiece throughout, down to the last audible strokes.

I've had a growing interest in politics as I've gotten older. Maybe I should say more accurately, that I have an increasing interest in seeing this country be a place of liberty and hope and helping that cause in whatever way I can. That's what drives my interest in politics and Mitt Romney's message is resonating with me, more than anybody I've heard.

I've traveled a few places and I always appreciate seeing the goodness of people wherever I go. It's everywhere. John Mayer has it right when he sings, "I know the heart of life is good." My sentiments exactly. Our nation is great nation, but I also see with more clarity, the war that we are facing, not in foreign lands, but in unnecessary conflict, in calculated efforts gnawing at the moral makeup of our country and weakening us at the core. I want to see our nation improve and so I will improve myself because I am part of it. I hope that people will listen to their better side and simply be good. Whatever "being good" means to each individual.

I recently returned from Kauai on assignment and I saw the state seal. It reads, "Ua mau ke ea o ka aina i ka pono". In English that translates to, "The life of the land is perpetuated in righteousness." What a simple, beautiful statement. I believe that can be broadened to the reaches of our entire country. "The life of the United States of America is perpetuated in righteousness." Or any person, or family, or community, or land or nation. If we increasingly become selfish and less prone to do what each of us believes is right, our strength is taken from us individually, and saps the collective strength of our nation. And we become vulnerable to physical and spiritual attack.

I have to raise my voice not simply because I want to hear it. There are too many voices like that. I raise it knowing there is a red tide that needs to opposed for the sake of my family, my friends and my country. It is my honest belief that a vote for Mitt Romney is a vote to maintain the divine strength of this nation.

N

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Jesse Miller - Surf Artist

I ran into a friend yesterday, Jesse Miller, that I hadn't seen in a while. Jesse is a watercolor artist and lifeguard here in San Diego. We both spent time on Oahu at BYU-Hawaii going to school and surfing. About 3/4 of the way down this page there are two photographs that I took on the point at Waimea Bay on the day of the Eddie Aikau contest in 2001 that Kelly Slater won. I showed Jesse a few images from the photos I took that day and he wanted to re-create two in water color. I had forgotten they were on his site.

Hawaii is pure magic and it was fun to catch up again, remember good times and peruse through Jesse's site. Have a look.

N

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Alyssa's Red Dress

When you have a cute phone message from your daughter, a spontaneous shoot with her red Christmas dress where she did her OWN eye shadow and about 10 minutes on your hands...

you make a slideshow like this.

N

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Tanya & Tim

Of course I like repeat clients, but it's always more fun when there's a little addition. And a cute one at that.

N

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The Mailbox

I have mixed feelings about the mailbox for obvious reasons. Today was a good mailbox day. An artist's CD came in the mailbox that I did some photography for. It's always a great feeling to see the end product. And to hear this particular set of tunes was particular timely for me today. Beautiful work Amy. A CD is a collaborative work as well as so much of the good art that we experience.

Secondly and completely out of blue I got a card from a couple who I had photographed nearly 2 years ago and a portion of their card read:

I got a kick out of that one... albums and credit cards. I've arrived.

Two bright spots on a rainy day. Thanks to all three of you. You know who are :)

N

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A quick message from the Pettys...

This is a must see.

N

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Under the radar

A quick excerpt on Mitt personally helping out somebody affected by the recent San Diego fires. No press. Just some good old fashioned sweat and service.

N

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Stacy ∆ Justin . Congrats!

Two people obviously meant for each other...

N

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Boyd 'n' Jessica

A quick engagement session down at Seaport Village with Boyd & Jessica. San Diego Temple wedding at the end of year. Can't wait :)

N

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Conversion

Eternal Marriage. Eternal Family.

N

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