Life: The Final Frontier....

Wow…What have I been up to lately! 9 weeks of this quarter have flown by and I can say I don’t miss it much!

I was ambitious….I was determined….I was STUPID….I took way too many credit hours this quarter and sleep and free time have become an illusion. I enjoy my classes for the most part, however, there is just sooo much to do and when I get caught up I feel further behind.

During this quarter (while feeling ambitious and brave) I signed up for a Scuba Class….well…I now refer to it as my weekly brush with death. The beginning of the quarter was awful and I seriously almost drowned several times…I also thought about drowning myself a few times…LOL…It has been easing up, though, and I’m well on my way to being certified–I can say that I enjoy it now! Hopefully this will jumpstart some underwater photography.

And for the record….I heard that the groundhog in Pennsylvania saw it’s shadow….I love animals and all….but KILL IT!!!

I have been working really hard on new marketing efforts and with the help of http://www.getaviking.com (My Uncle and NEW Aunt) have been making some new updates for my website….expect this SOON!....I’m really excited about all of this and can’t wait to share more!

Into the depths of this 10-week quarter there was a glimmer of light that shined through all of the paperwork and snow….and snow….and more snow…. I had received a notice that I was a finalist for Photographer’s Forum Magazine’s annual contest. Out of 14,000 entries I was in the top running….First through Fourth place would be named Nikon Top Emerging Photographers…I was happy to be chosen out of such a large number…but I was thrilled when I found out I PLACED 4^th!!!! (And yes…I did scream a little…but who wouldn’t) The image that placed is above (top). This was a much-needed moral booster and I couldn’t have been happier. And it’s Nikon which all of you know is my weapon of choice…so wooot!

I also have posted some images that are more recent. One is of glass artist Marco Jerman. I was asked by Ohio Magazine to photograph her for this months issue. She was an awesome person to meet and I had a blast photographing her while she worked. More and more lately I’ve been getting more assignments…this year is off to a great start so now all I have to do is….yes….GRADUATE.

The time is nearing. Just one more quarter…..just 20 more credits….just a few more breakdowns and I’m there! I can’t deny that I’m excited but there is a little anxiety involved….what to do from here?....where to go?...what jobs to look for?...The real world has officially caught up to me and it’s frightening. So I guess all I have to say from here is “Bring it on!”

Goood Morning Colorado

Right now I’m looking at the San Juan Mountains and loving every minute of it!!!

I know this trip seems a little abrupt but my friend Tim is beginning a new project to build a greenhouse on their property….but not just any greenhouse…this one is a dome!

To make things even more interesting….the only place that makes these is in Pagosa Springs Colorado…which is where we are now.

We left on Monday and then spent Monday evening at a friend to their family. This just wasn’t any regular friend though–he was a Kansas state senator Les Donovan. Their home was beautiful and they were very nice and accommodating and we can’t thank them enough.

Below are some pictures from the trip. We’ve done a lot of driving and I’ve shot most of them through the window. Tim and I, however, got to drive around Pagosa Springs a bit and caught the sunset and got to see a waterfall. If all goes to plan, I believe we will be in Colorado Springs by this evening. I’ll try to keep everyone updated as much as possible.

Cheers!

Alex

Some Soul

This blog post is way past due, but I have to say the end of the quarter has kept me really busy…I know I know…I always use this excuse! But at least I can give you a glimpse of what I’ve been working on.

On June 1^st the School of Visual Communication will be launching the latest edition of our Soul of Athens Multimedia website. Since we have been winning so many national awards, they have set aside a class for the students to take. I, along with everyone else has been working really hard to make this year our best yet. Check out the trailer below and please send it to everyone you know!...We want this to be HUGE!!!

http://www.vimeo.com/4856204

I’ve also been busy snapping away for not only my project but for some family events as well…every little kid in the family has had a birthday…Justin and Cooper are now 3…except Cooper insists that he is 5.

The quarter is ending though and I’m going to have a busy summer. I’ll be working for Wayne National Forest doing some photography for their PR department and then I will continue my job with Barb and Jerry at the studio (www.jividenphotography.com). I have to say that I kind of miss the schedule of a work week…it’s beating what I’ve been putting myself through lately.

I really hope I can keep updating this more often, but it seems to be the first thing to go when I get busy. But keep checking in!

Alex

Shocking Start to a New Quarter!

Well what can I say…I’ve been busy and I know some people in Seattle are needing a blog update.

Well the new school quarter has started with both great and bad weather…I think we’re expecting snow tonight…and we had a 70-degree day yesterday.

Spring break was great…I got to kayak and just relax for a few days…which was much needed.

The new quarter is shaping up pretty good. I have a full class-load but all of my courses are interesting.

I also am now a SENIOR!!! I just found out the other day that I have credit hours that qualify me to be one. Hopefully I’m almost done with my undergraduate work….but then I’ll have graduate school…what I’ll eventually become is undecided.

Some more good news is that last night we had an awesome lightning show! I was driving back from Kroger in Athens when I noticed the storm moving in. After some contemplation, I decided to go out shooting….the picture I got is above!!!

Until Next Time!

Congrats!

Yesterday was a normal Saturday....and you know what that means! YEP!...a wedding! 

This one was different than most of the weddings that I usually do and was something I don't get to see very often...it was a family members wedding and more than less one large reunion. 

My cousin Zach was the one to get married and I wish him and his wife Becky all the best! 

It was nice to get to see everyone and to get to eat all the food from the respective cooks in the family...it's not every wedding I get to eat my Grandma's macaroni salad!

On top of all of that, I am still on my antibiotics but am feeling much better. I just can't make sudden movements without getting a dizzy head-rush...this makes crossing traffic interesting!

Well...I'm off to start another week....WEEK 9!!!!.....ONE TO GO!!!

I stood on a lake....literally....

Well...look at me post. It's becoming more frequent lately, but then again I have been out shooting more with the weather being like it is. 

Sadly, today marked our first day above 32 so all of the snow and ice are gone...and the mud and dirt are back...(YAY OHIO!!!) 

I did manage to go out to Lake Logan the other day and actually went out on the lake. The ice was several inches thick and I was terrified...none-the-less...I took some pictures! 

I also wanted to get my favorite covered bridge in the snow and I think I did a pretty decent job. The road that it is on was pretty hard to travel, so most of the snow around the bridge was left untouched. 

February is now here and I can't wait for the birds to start migrating back...and this school quarter to be over!!!...I barely survived mid-terms!!!

More Winter Pictures

I went out shooting yesterday and took my mentor student. I pretty much just drove around the area that was drivable...nothing too dangerous....we had fun and got some pictures. Here are some more stitches that I did. 

The White Death has and evil cousin....Ice...

Well...if you live in my general area, or any of the Northeast for that matter, you more than likely don't have power and are up to your ankles in ice. 

For the past 3 days I've been living with some friends on campus loving the fact that Ohio University still has power...unlike the rest of the outside world...The Athens campus did close on Wednesday, however, which has me prepping myself for the end of the world...I think it's been about 8 years since OU actually shut down...maybe longer!

I went out on Wednesday and took a few images and I am also planning to go out tomorrow. Here is a sample of what I've been working on...nothing too special, but something neat to see.

Cheers

Alex

BUSY!!!

Forgive me everyone for not posting anything sooner. School has taken up all of my time and the quarter just started. 

I haven't been getting to do much shooting lately but Leah Grace's birthday was the other day so I decided to dust off the Nikon. Just like any other birthday party there was the usual....kids...crying...and Chickens....ummmmmmm.....(sigh). 

The weather gets good for one day and then is awful the next. I really don't care too much for winter but it would be nice to have one good snow, just to get some pictures...then it can melt and Spring can come. 

Well...with the winter cold comes the inevitable WEDDING SHOWS!!!....I jsut went to my first one this morning and will be attending several more. It's really nice when they place you next to a food caterer and a cake maker...good times!

I hope to be posting more...and I do say that a lot...but someday...when I get a secretary...it will come true...

Until then!

OH....and our favorite celebrity Kelly Dishong WAS spotted this weekend and well and as usual was not playing nice for the paparazzi!!!