3 minutes with Kevin Welch

A while back somebody asked me on a internet tv show what I did to prepare for a shoot. Other than make sure my batteries are charged the night before that's about it. I used to stress for days before a shoot visiting the location over and over looking for the perfect set up and it seemed the more I planned the less happy I was with the results. Now I just show up and let the surroundings "speak to me". Last week I had a shoot with Kevin Welch at Blue Rock. The day of the shoot I was contemplating my set up and decided to keep it simple. 2 lights with Kevin sitting on a stool with his guitar. When I arrived at Blue Rock Billy told me we needed to keep it simple because we didn't have a lot of time. I guess the stars were in alignment that night. I did about a 10 min. rig with my profoto kit and waited for Kevin to finish his sound check. When he came back stage we had about 3 min. so I had him sit on the stool, knock out a few chords while I released the shutter a few times and we were done. I couldn't have been happier with the results either. I need to rush them all and quit letting my head get in the way of the creative process. For more on Kevin go to www.kevinwelch.com.

Willy Porter at Blue Rock Studios

If you live in the Austin area you owe it to yourself to make your way to Wimberley TX and visit the Blue Rock Studio. Last night I had the honor of photographing the amazing Willy Porter. The studio is probably Wimberley's best kept secret and is only 5 minutes from my house. I heard of Blue Rock through a friend of mine so I contacted the owners Billy and Dodee Crocket to see if I could photograph the concerts they have at their studio once a month. They gladly accepted my offer but I had no idea what I was about to experience. I arrived fully prepared but not expecting to shoot what I ended up shooting. I was planning on shooting just the show itself but ended up getting to do a private shoot back stage with Willy with my complete lighting rig while getting my own private concert. What an amazing night and an even more amazing guitar player. But things only got better from there. Of course I gave the photos to Willy and his manager contacted me the next week to see about using the photos for his tour poster and advertising campaigns which will be running soon in numerous guitar magazines for Fishman amplifiers. If you haven't heard Willy's music you have to check it out and if you ever have the opportunity to see him live don't miss it. He will blow you away. For more information on Blue Rock Studio and a calendar of events visit their website at www.bluerocktexas.com. Come on by, you won't be disappointed.

Kayaking the Blanco

Cypress tree that washed onto River Rd. during the last big flood

We finally got a break in the rain but I am not complaining. You can see how much rain we have had by the picture above. It takes a lot of water to move a tree that size. It has been a crazy summer. I've never seen July highs in the 80's in Texas.
Me, Jake and Fred. If there is water we'll find it.

After a 3 year drought we finally got some relief. The lakes are back to normal and the Blanco river is full so we can kayak again. I bought my kayak about 2 years ago and have hardly been able to use it but have been making up for lost time lately. I was introduced to a run on the Blanco by a friend of mine and I can get out right at my parents house (makes it easy). We went last week, about a five hour trip and was completely different run than the week before. It's amazing how much the river changes. Makes it difficult to learn the rapids but you never get bored with the run.

If this ain't livin' then count me out.

I am heading to Amarillo on Thursday to photograph JD Souther for Cowboys and Indians magazine but will be back in time for another run on Sunday.