When I was just starting out, one of my photography mentors told me, “Chris, the three hardest things you will ever have to shoot are kids, dogs and ice cream.” My first cover assignment for Focus on the Coast (see blog post dated - July 1st) was two kids. For this month’s cover, they threw a dog at me. Not literally of course! All kidding aside, I really enjoyed working with the fine folks at Luxe. They made us feel right at home and adding their store mascot, Lucy, to the shot was a great call. What’s even funnier is that we are now talking to a brand-new potential client. Three guesses what they sell.

It’s nice when “work” feels so much like play. Every so often, I get to leave the lights and the the crew behind. No scripts, no clapboard— just a couple of lenses and some willing (and sometimes not-so-willing) participants. I don’t believe in propping children in front of poorly painted canvases and teasing them with hand puppets. Let ‘em play. Let ‘em get dirty. Even when it’s a hundred degrees, they’d rather be outside. Then you’ll get those moments that remind us why we decided to be parents in the first place.

Living where I do, it’s not uncommon to be asked to do a portrait session at the beach. Every evening about an hour before sunset, flocks of photographers head east with their subjects to record them in khakis and bare feet. And while its always a challenge to truly capture someone that you have never met, there’s something about the sand and the sea that’s makes everyone relax a little. Even the shy ones. Here are a few of my favorite images from my last session with a girl at the beach.

Here are a few more images from our second shoot at Albert F. Rhodes jewelers….

Legendary local jeweler Albert F. Rhodes decided it was time to update the store’s website. Wilmington-based WordwrightWeb, hired me to create some images to enhance their new layouts. I enjoyed working with still life again. It was a nice contrast to the recent video productions. Playing with these beautiful pieces made the day go by really fast. And despite my wife’s pleas, no trade outs this time.

My doctor friend referred me to his practice. They needed an updated group shot and some portraits. After their shot list was completed, I fired off some images of him in their waiting room. Nice socks, Doc! :-)

… means a lot of different things to people. Sleeping in, having brunch, or going for a walk on the beach are among a few. For me, Sunday mornings usually include either attending or volunteering for Port City Community Church. It definitely ain’t your grandma’s church. Last week I was asked to capture a few pics of their new stage set-up. Here are a few of my favorites.

We’re 45 days into 2010. Today, as many folks are enjoying that last piece of Valentine’s Day chocolate, I’m finally committing to My One Word for the year. If you have no idea what I’m talking about, click on the banner above. Instead of reeling off New Year’s resolutions (which are probably a distant memory by now for most people), our pastor came up with this idea to focus on just one word for a whole year. Pretty cool, huh? Simply pick a word that will push you to become the kind of person you really want to be. Go to MyOneWord.org and give it a shot. For the record, my word is “CLOSER” (as in opposite of farther) because by the end of 2010, I want to be closer to the man God knows I have the potential to be.