mountain west champs!....1,2,3...

As you know, I had the amazing opportunity to shoot the last BYU game against Airforce!  I think my Dad was with me that day, because a couple of hours before the game, I was talking with him on the phone and he said, "Just be careful of flying athletes coming your way!  I always see the camera people getting run over by those big guys!"  Well, no athletes landed on my lap, but they did land just on the other side of the hoop from me (a few times)!!  So thanks Dad for watching out for me!  :)

Not only did BYU win their last game, but on that night, they became the Mountain West Champions for the 3rd year in a row!!  Congrats guys!  And thanks for letting me capture some of the fun and intense moments of that night!

I had to get one of Cosmo, the Cougar...

Another sold out crowd cheering their team to victory!

One of my many favorites!

As easy as 1...2...3!

a 'little' basketball...

I have an admission...  

 

You all know that I love football, but I have to admit that basketball is one of my first loves when it comes to sports!  I have a little experience with this sport......yes, I played a little in my day!  The sport, as frustrating as it can be, is fun and fast paced, and look out if someone on the other team needs to let go of some aggression!  Between 'boxing out', flying elbows, mean looks, fast breaks, and a little 'dirty playin', basketball is one of the best sports to watch and play. 

As I was watching my nephew Adam play, I could see a little of me in him.  Sorry Adam!  :)  I just take my sports a little too serious.  I guess you could say, I'm just a 'little' competitive!  But hey, having a little competition in life never hurt anybody!  I believe, that competition is what drives most people to be better or do better -- not just in sports, but also in whatever comes our way throughout life!  For me, I just wanted to be better.  Better than the person next to me.  I wanted to win.  That drive.....that adrenaline, I believe, is what motivates us to become a more well-rounded individual.

And Adam, when I was playing a little on the side in my college days, my friends would always take me out to get ice cream or some kind of comfort food afterwards.  It usually works!  :)

Ok, with that said, "JUMP BALL"!

I know that this next picture might look a little different, but some man decided to shoot a few pics with his camera across the court WITH HIS FLASH ON!!  But I thought this shot made for a cool pic anyway!

I just like this one for some reason....

Great game boys!!

So if ya'll like basketball, stayed tuned!!  I got invited to shoot the BYU basketball game this Saturday!  WooHoo!  Should be fun!

wppi

WPPI (Wedding & Portrait Photographers International):

*A convention and trade show for photographers that happens once a year.

*Held at the MGM in Vegas.

*A gathering for photographers all over the world to meet old and new friends.

*An opportunity to hear 'celebrities' in our industry talk about their journey and soak up their knowledge they are so willing to share.

Well, Vegas and WPPI have come and gone! What an amazing experience! Photographers from all over the world come to visit with each other and learn from one another. I was able to attend a few seminars from some amazing photographers from around the world that not only share their experiences and knowledge about their business, but also give some pretty motivating speeches that anyone (not just photographers) could learn from.

Here are a few shots I managed to get mostly with my PowerShot camera. I know its weird for me not to snap away at everything, but I seriously had to make myself to take the time to get my camera out and take these few pictures. There just wasn't enough time in the day (which makes me sad that I didn't get any pictures with some of the new friends that I made - and believe it or not, I sat next to a couple of Utahans during the opening show! I couldn't believe it! I mean, what are the chances out of thousands and thousands of photographers)!

I loved this sign, even though it was at the end of the longest hallway I have ever walked in my life. Seriously, this hallway that led to the convention / trade show was sooooo long that you never thought it was going to end!

Until next time....

my new addiction.... and a little kk....

I know! I have really neglected the blog lately! I'm sorry! But, sometimes, we all stray a little......with this......or with that. C'mon, admit it! Well, my new love of the moment, or should I say, my new addiction lately is facebook! Yes, I know, facebook! And I know I'm not alone in the world when it comes to this new (well, new to me anyway) virtual world of friends. Friends of the past, present, and yes future. Sounds a little crazy, but true. Re-connecting with old friends who you may never think that you would talk to again or even find. But here we all are, finding each other after years of not knowing where our individual paths in our lives have taken us. And as for making 'new' friends......well, this is a pretty good boost to the old self esteem! :) Now, I know I have mentioned this before, that in this (photography) industry, everybody is willing to be-friend, give advice, help out, and just plain hang out to just bounce new ideas off of each other. I know I'm just starting out, but it feels pretty dang good be a part - a small part - of such a wonderful 'family'. There are lots of talented individuals out there, those fairly new like me, and those that have been doing this for years! And I thank all of them for be'friending' me! :) My new 'friends' not only reach across the country, but also in Australia, Canada, Europe (I think) and as of today, Japan. So as you can see, it can be a little addicting to chat with old friends to see what has been going on in their lives and to also chat with new ones!

But, I am making a new goal: that as of today, I will not let my new 'addiction' get in the way of blogging anymore!! So, stay tuned....

And with that said, I want to give a 'shout out' to my friend Kenny Kim who has designed an awesome t-shirt for a great cause! First, let me tell you, that Kenny Kim, is an amazing and very talented wedding photographer in the Chicagoland area. He has been in the business for 3 years and to help celebrate, he has made a great t-shirt and part of the proceeds of this shirt go to help benefit the 'Thirst Relief" organization. If you want to learn more about this wonderful cause, just click on the link. And there is more information on Kenny's blog as well!

Here is a little preview of what these shirts look like.....

Thanks Kenny for the awesome shirt and for being such a cool person! :)

the streak has ended...

BYU vs. #6 Wake Forest

Just a little background going into this sold out game:

BYU: 53 straight wins at home!

Wake Forest: ranked #6, undefeated this season!

Wake Forest wins 94-87 in the last few minutes of the game!

All I can say is what a great basketball game with some very talented athletes! Here are just a few shots I took while there.

And thanks Coach Nashif for the awesome tickets!