at ten i was climbing trees, building forts, engineering showers (don't ask), playing baseball, going to my friend Max's almost everyday and causing trouble.  what is Luke doing at ten? all the same, and making films.  this creative, modest, goofy, spirited boy has just finished his trilogy, Swords and Shields.  Luke has created a world in which adults can join him.  we're not left trying to grasp what it's like to be youthful nor trying to remember a limitless imagination.  and yet while film making doesn't define Luke as a person, it certainly exudes his talents. 

i was asked to make a few fotos of Luke the other day for a local publication.  i hope you get a real sense of him.

a dear dear friend.  these pictures were made just before Joe T. left for iraq.  he's serving up north near the iraqi-syrian border.
i remember when we were in that field that it was beyond itchy, ah, meaning it was really itchy with little gnats everywhere in your eyelids and little bugs up your nose, in your shirt and down your pants - but it was a blast, nonetheless, hanging a little with J.T.  praying for you Joe as well as the other men and women serving.

yo yo yo.  it's nikoLAS.  well, it's actually Jonathan writing; but the pictures are Nikolas.  when i was getting together my compendium of favorite shots (of people, not alcohol - c'mon that joke was already made today by someone and is just not funny unless of course i made it first) of 2009, i ran into Nikolas.  i simply wanted to post it again.  because.  i like them. 

NB: some of these y'all may have seen this year, but there are a couple new fotos.

oh my.  what a beautiful day when we made these fotos.  a gorgeous november day.   this was the same day/night i saw live Cameron Carpenter, a very talented, eccentric organist (see his sparkly clothes).  he was incredible.  actually incredible is not a big enough word. 

well, meet Alexis.  beautiful.  really beautiful.  she needed just a few head-shots for her model comp card.  i think we accomplished a little more than just some head-shots...

for the wonderers: used one lens (50mm) the entire time with only natural light.  use what you like, but be sure to stretch yourself every time you pick up the camera, every time.

what do you think?