August 17, 2008 – 10:45 pm
Whether you agree with the policy of the current administration with respect to the war effort or not, you have to agree with one thing: If it were not for the tremendous (and in far too many cases, ultimate) sacrifice of so many members of our armed forces, we would not continue to enjoy our American way of life. Fact.
I am not turning this blog into a political forum by any stretch but this is something I feel very strongly about - We do owe those who have laid down their lives (or are willing to) a huge debt of gratitude for keeping it possible for the rest of us to live our lives in the style we choose. Read the papers, watch the news, etc. and you see that the freedoms we enjoy are a fragile flower, all too easily crushed.
Sunday, August 31, is an opportunity to say “Thank You” to those men and women who have given their lives or are willing to risk doing so to keep us all free.
Please join us at 6:00pm at the Emerald Theatre, in Mt. Clemens, to say, “Thank You”!! Click the flyer below to learn more!
My mother passed away yesterday.
- John
To all of my dear friends,
I have been away from my normal work duties for the past few days due to my mother being in the hospital.
I should be able to start “catching up” sometime over the next few days.
Thanks to all of you for your patience and understanding during this time!!
John
Saturday, I had the honor and the pleasure of photographing the wedding of Janet and Brian. The wedding took place at St. Alfred Catholic Church in Taylor. Although the weather turned stormy, the love emanating from this wonderful couple and their family members and friends was more than enough to keep things warm and cheerful well into the late night hours!
Here are some of my favorite images from the day. (Click the ‘play’ button to view.)
June 16-18 were three days of shooting and sharing/learning among photographers from Michigan, Ohio and Canada. The I Shot Someone in Detroit workshop, organized by Chris and Michelle, of Inspired Art and Amy, of Lil Sweet Pea Photography, was made up of intensive studio work plus location shooting in downtown Detroit and Ann Arbor. We also took time out to share our approaches to business and technical matters. Here are a few of my images from this gathering…
Images copyright © 2008 Photastic Images. All rights reserved.
Saturday night was the night to be in Pontiac; specifically, at the Crofoot Ballroom, which hosted “Jam with VAM®”. Organized by Byron Cancelmo, inventor of the Vocal Acoustic Monitor (VAM®), the evening’s festivities included sets by two up and coming bands - North Hollywood’s Magnetico and Detroit’s own Breathing Underwater - in addition to performances by others, including Byron Cancelmo, himself. A portion of proceeds is being donated to the Gleaners Community Food Bank, an organization dedicated to helping to feed those in need.
Fellow photographer, Susan Ashe, and I photographed the event, which drew many ardent fans of both bands.
Here are some of my images. (Click the ‘play’ button to view.)
April 29, 2008 – 12:38 am
Sunday, I had the pleasure of doing an engagement shoot for Janet and Brian. We met at Heritage Park, in Taylor, and took advantage of the amazing weather and fabulous surroundings to get some great shots!
Janet and Brian are planning a June wedding at Saint Alfred church, in Taylor.
Here are some of the images. (Click the ‘play’ button to view.)
February 21, 2008 – 9:50 am
Ahhh, that very first birthday! Not too many of us remember our own but we sure get a kick out of others’! And the best part is always the cake - watching a little one “have at it” with their very own first birthday cake!! Mmmmm, CAKE - you can eat it and you can wear it! 
Images copyright © 2008 Photastic Images. All rights reserved.
February 10, 2008 – 12:00 am
Cabin fever is setting in! It’s days like today (Hi 10 °F / Lo 2 °F with 25 mph wind making it feel like -10 °F) that really make me antsy for the warmer weather and all that goes with it.
With all due respect to those of you who live for the cold, snowy weather, I am NOT a Winter person! But, a few weeks from now, things will be different - at least that’s what I keep telling myself!
Seriously, though, as I sit here writing this in my warm home, there are many people who simply cannot afford the cost of keeping warm. Fortunately, here in Michigan, there is an organization called THAW (The Heat And Warmth fund) that works to help those who would otherwise have to choose between food and heat, possibly even resorting to dangerous ways of heating their living space. THAW is an independent non-profit agency that provides low-income individuals and families with emergency energy assistance and advocates for long-term solutions to energy issues. You can make a difference. If you would like to make a tax-deductible donation to THAW, go HERE.
Stay warm, people! Spring’s around the corner…
January 14, 2008 – 6:51 am
This weekend, we made a trip to the South of Pennsylvania to adopt a dog. It was a fast-paced journey but everything went really well - hardly any traffic on the ‘pikes and best of all, the weather was very cooperative! We made the trip from Michigan and Julie and Kenny (and their three young children), the nice folks who were looking for a good home for their dog, came up to Pennsylvania from Virginia to meet us - so it was quite an adventure for all!
Anyway, here is the newest member of our family, a loveable Basenji mix, named Satchel…
Images copyright © 2008 Photastic Images. All rights reserved.
