-Media Day- The Suns Collection

I've been distracted. Still in the early stages of the recovery process from ACL reconstructive surgery, I am racked with guilt. And excuses. I have ignored this blog for many reasons. One of them legitimate (the injury), the others, well, they would just be ways to defend my forays into different fields of entrepreneurship. Let me explain.

I have been blessed with numerous passions, and ambition that could be described as volcanic. Brewing inside of me are ideas, and a few of these cracks of inspiration have been spiderwebbing in the last month, prompting me to take some action. In short, the last thirty days or so of my life have been erupting with new opportunities. Over the next few weeks, I hope to share with you all of these ideas and new projects that have acted as a sort of "creative rehab", helping me overcome the stagnancy of the past few months, in which I wasn't able to participate in what I love to do. Doesn't it feel good to have your creative cells rebooted?

So, first new opportunity... shooting court side at Phoenix Suns games. I got the connection through a friend of mine, Matt Petersen who was kind enough to pass along my name to an editor of the basketball blog, Hoops Addict. I was invited out to the Suns media day to become acquainted with some of the people in the communications department, and then to photograph the media circus surrounding a national basketball team.

This was certainly, and will continue to be, a very surreal experience. Since Charles Barkley was skinny I've watched literally hundreds of suns games, invested hours upon hours keeping myself up to date with the roller coaster ride that is planet orange, in a continuous devotion to an organization that I really have no relationship with. But that's the definition of a fan. But there I was, standing next to a two-time MVP, Steve Nash, now having the opportunity to say everything I always wanted to compliment him on, and I was struck mute. Too overwhelmed by the largeness and lucidity of the basketball idol I had grown to worship, I kept to myself and quietly took pictures of players. Some even younger than me, and all, much richer than me. But none more lucky than me.

So as I remain humbled and grateful for an opportunity that instills such a giddiness in me it almost makes me look juvenile, I look forward to documenting a season of purple and orange, and this time, from the floor. As a fan, and a photographer. This is the beginning of the Suns Collection.

Matt & Erika -The Wedding Collection-

It was a day where I had no excuse of "screwing it up". Or so I was told, defiantly, by the groom to be, my close friend, and the most lifelike version of your favorite Toy Story cowboy you'll ever encounter. I had just purchased my new camera and was feeling rather "en fuego" with my new and improved photographic power. So Matt quickly brought me backdown to reality, reminding me that I could still ruin things.

It's hard to ruin a wedding day that involves a bride & groom shoot on a basketball court. From the steps of the temple to the bombardment by bird seed (see last pic), these two pleasant Petersons were rollicking in the happiness of their wedding day. A teary eyed hug from a sister, a proud and gosh I love you so much gaze from Mom during the ring ceremony, a never forget dance with dad, it was all to be remembered and cherished. Here's to not being able to screw things up, even if I wanted to. This is the wedding day of Matt & Erika.

Jack Mitchell -The Senior Collection-

A renaissance man. A jack of all trades. He's the starting point guard on the varsity basketball team, a mammoth on the a snowboard, a motivator and leader in his faith, and is well known around his school. Popularity means something. You can be popular for many reasons (some of them not always positive), but the verdict on this kid is that he's charming and well received by all. It didn't take long to convince me of this. His charm and genuine interest in your well-being is reviving, he quietly, and effortlessly, makes you understand that you're important to him. I have a predilection to people who are capable of said trait. Consider that i felt all this just as his photographer. I imagine that his friends have been quite blessed by this condition. I can see all those that surround him basking in his good cheer. Soaking up his sun. Hold on...I think I just infused sheryl crow into this. I've said too much. Gentlemen & ladies, this is Jack Mitchell.