The Sickness...A Public Service Announcement

Just wanted to post that for everyone who has had the flu this year, I, from the bottom of my heart, feel your pain. I must also apologize profusely for being smug for not getting a flu shot after finding out that it didn't work well this year (Smug in thinking "Ha! I never get sick anyways and at least I didn't introduce partially live flu virus into my system, especially since they picked the wrong flu virus to inoculate against"). So, once again, sorry for that.

Now, I'm not sure that I had the flu (I don't think I did) but I am recovering from two days of fever, cold sweats and joint achiness, the likes of which I haven't experienced for at least a couple of years. Most of my symptoms abated last night after my fever broke and I'm feeling much better now, but I am going to take the rest of the weekend easy and let my body get back to full speed.

And now the PSA mentioned above:

To those of you even now feeling the sickness, be it flu or something else, get lots of rest, plenty of fluids and my personal favorite for fever taming, ice cream and ice chips (separately, watery ice cream is not so good :) ) .

To those of you not sick, remember to be sympathetic to those who are, you never know when the sickness is going to catch up to you (although I hope it doesn't).

Have a great day and if you're experiencing the Sickness, I hope you feel better soon! If you need me, I'll be eating some more ice cream (can't let that fever come back, right! )

Ben

P.S. I know the thermometer is showing 97.3, but when I was running a fever I wasn't really up to taking photos of it, so let's pretend it says 102. :) View the full post...

Friends, Seminars and St. Patrick's Day

Hello!  I hope everyone's St. Patrick's Day went well!  

Myself, I celebrated St. Patty's day early this year, heading over to my aunt's house on Sunday and gorging myself on Corned Beef and Cabbage and watching some high spirited games of Wii Golf.   

So on Monday, when the green beer was a'flowin, I was at Grisanti's enjoying pasta and red sauce with a very dynamic and fun group of photographers from all over Eastern Nebraska and Western Iowa (plus a few from further out west).  We all frequent the same photography forum and used the Ed Pierce: Captivated by the Light seminar that was held yesterday as an excuse to get together at Grisanti's and hang out.  It was the first time many of us had met in person and it was great to meet and get to know the photographer behind the avatar.   If you have time, be sure to check out their websites; I have links to them at the bottom of this post. 

After indulging  in some great conversation (and too much garlic bread) at Grisanti's everyone headed over to the seminar, where Mr. Pierce took us through how he approaches his shoots, some of the products he offers and his workflow for portraits.  Ed is a great speaker, very easy  and fun to listen too, so the seminar went quite quickly and was very enjoyable. 

Wrapping up,  St. Patrick's Day was a blast for me (and for you as well I hope).  I had an awesome time meeting and chatting with some new friends and came away from Ed's seminar with some new ideas and ways of photographing portraits and weddings that will allow me to not only make better photos for you, but also make your experience smoother and more fun.

That's it for now.  

Have a great day!

Ben 

A few of the photographer's I met and their sites!  Check'em out!

Khara fromkabloom studios

Becky from Brio Photography

Matt from Three Pillars Media

Lane from Lane Weddings

Lani from Allure Photographic

Brad from Brad Johnson Photography

and the organizer of our get together, Mitch from M.D. Miller Photography

View the full post...

One Last Hurrah!!!! And More Cowbell...

This last Saturday, I had the great joy of attending my Phi-Delt brother Travis's bachelor party.  Travis and his fiance, Emily, will be getting married later this month, so Travis traveled down to Omaha for his one last adventure as a single man.  While parts of the night must remain classified and I have no photos to share with you (a camera at a Bachelor Party is a direct violation of Man Law #5 and is punishable by death and dismemberment... or something like that),  I am allowed say that we attended an Omaha Beef football game (where I received the aforementioned cowbell) and that we didn't do anything too crazy (not that I would or could expand on this if we had) , but we had a great time celebrating Travis's final moments of freedom and catching up on what my fellow Phi-Delt chums have been up to. 

Not much else to say, so I finish up with a bit of advice  and a shout out (blog out?) to Travis and Emily.  Travis, remember that there are only two possible correct answers to any question Emily asks, "Yes Dear" and "You look beautiful."  Emily, remember that men, just like puppies, take time, patience and kindness to train correctly, Travis may need more than most :)  

Congratulations, lady and gentleman.  I wish you much happiness as you embark on your new and fantastic journey as man and wife!

Ben

View the full post...

18 Days and Counting

It's only 18 Days and counting until Spring officially arrives!! Of course, as I sit typing this, it is back in the lower 30's again, but the taste of Spring we experienced Saturday was delicious and has me anxiously watching the clock... just thinking about warmer weather, buds on trees and green grass, chirping birds...mmmm...Spring..I Love Spring!

Anyways, Saturday (and part of Sunday before the rain/sleet/snow storm) were beautiful, so I decided to leave my cave and venture down to the Old Market to take a few photos. After battling for a parking spot, I found the Old Market area teeming with people...apparently the rest of Omaha had had the same idea I did (great minds think alike, eh Omaha ;) ).

Having eschewed their homes the citizens of Omaha and I (non-resident Papillionite) basked in the sun, strolled in the shade, enjoyed a dinner out, did a little shopping or based on the number of blue Creighton shirts, took in Creighton's regular season finale against Bradley (which ended up being highest scoring game in Creighton basketball history (Creighton won 111-110...you can read about the game here or watch a replay of it via free webcast. Go Jays! Good Luck in conference play! ).

It was so much fun to head down there; the Old Market has such a special feel and a diverse set of experiences and people...

Couples out enjoying the fine weather...


Groups out for a night on the town...


Musicians serenading from street corners...


Or taking a break...


A tiny little diner hidden in the shadows....


Parking for only $6.00... :)


I had a great time just walking around and immersing myself in the sights and sounds of the Old Market on Saturday and I can't wait for Spring to come and to stay so I can head down there again!

Have a great one!

Ben View the full post...