Buick Beauty

I went to Old Town in Kissimmee, Florida for a few hours on Saturday night to photograph some of the Saturday Night Cruise. This is one of the few images I came away with.

Hood ornaments like this always catch my eye and usually make for a great photograph. Once I saw it, I then looked for a nice background to place behind it, which is when I decided to shoot the side that had this blue Pontiac in the background.

The Alpha and the Omega

An image that I made six years ago in my apartment. I found this clock in a home interior store at the mall one day on my lunch break. It's generic brand name of "alpha - omega" is what got me to purchase it. One of those serendipitous finds.


Revelation 22:13
"I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End."

Illuminated

I think at the core of photography is the thought or phrase, “look at this”. There’s always a reason why we push the shutter release button. Something inspired you to take the photograph. Maybe it was to remember a place or occasion. Or, as I like to do, maybe it was just to capture the beauty or art of a scene or object. Something you wouldn't normally take the time to notice or enjoy, now framed and frozen in time.

Last Saturday night, my wife and I met up with her sister and brother-in-law for dinner at Pei Wei. As I was sitting down to our table, I noticed how light was glowing through my wife's cup of water in an otherwise dark scene. It immediately inspired me. So, I got out my camera, composed the shot and took this image.

Look Up

While at the Boca Raton Resort and Club on a business trip back in 2006, these windows and ornate ceiling caught my eye. I remember people looking up as they passed by to see what I was photographing.

Reflecting the Sun

I would had probably missed this shot at Celebration, Florida, if it had not been for my wife. We were walking to dinner and I had seen a potential shot that probably wasn’t going to work anyway, when I heard Sandy point out this clock that was down another street. When I saw the clock illuminated by the setting sun, I quickly walked in that direction and captured this image.

Life Boat

I took this photograph while on board a casino cruise in West Palm Beach back in 2006. The bright orange in the boats; the steep, wood stairs; all inspired me to capture this image.

I never played any slots that night, but I did get approached by a staff member as I was photographing them. He informed me that I was not allowed to photograph the slot machines.

Hey, I wasn’t trying to figure out how to heist the place or how to build a better machine, I was just trying to create some good images. Oh well.

…I still had gotten two images of the machines before I was approached though ;)

Celebration, Florida

I took this image Saturday night in Celebration, Florida. Celebration is a living community in Osceola county that was developed by The Walt Disney Company in the mid 90’s. This small town is complete with a hospital, school, churches and of course restaurants and shops.

With it’s beautiful homes and well manicured lawns, Celebration was created to be like a perfect town that only exists in fantasy and film. If you ask me, they succeeded.

A New Beginning

Today, I turn 30. It’s a very content 30 though. It’s a whole new beginning on different levels. I compare it to when I moved to Lakeland, Florida from Pennsylvania in the summer of 1998. I was 19, had just graduated high school, moved to a new state and was getting ready to begin my 20’s. It was the start of a whole new era of my life. My 20’s were great and some of the best years of my life thus far with my 29th year being the best of those.

Now, I’m 30. I just got married to an amazing woman, moved to a new town (Kissimmee, Florida) and am now a part of a new church. I now have different priorities and goals in my life. All these things are blessings and with new blessings, come new responsibilities.

One of Sandy and my biggest goals this year, is to purchase our first home. It’s an exciting time and I’m glad to be where I am right now in life. I’m content.

I captured the image of this painting while on my honeymoon in Tampa. It was hanging in the entrance to a Nordstrom at the Mall. The first time I saw it, all I had on me was my camera phone, so I captured an image for it’s wallpaper. The next time we visited the Mall that week, I had my real camera, that’s when I captured what you see above.

My passion for photography really grew in my 20’s, I want to take it even further in my 30’s.

Love Letter In The Sand

When my Dad and Mom were down here in Florida to visit me a month ago, I went out on some nature shoots at Lake Parker with Dad as you have seen in previous posts. The first morning that I joined him at the lake, I found myself walking near the boat ramp and treading near the edge of the sandy bank.

It wasn’t a far venture for my mind to quickly figure up something special to do for my girl. When I saw the “sandy” area beside the boat ramp, I immediately got the idea to write a “Love Letter In The Sand” to my lady, “Sandy“. Once completed, I photographed my message. After I returned home that morning, I downloaded the image and emailed it to Sandy at her job. Needless to say, it was a nice surprise for her.

This message of Love may be written in the sand, but I know that the foundation of our relationship is built on a solid rock, which is Christ Jesus. I see my relationship with Sandy as a house that is being built by God…with His materials. This is something that I have prayed and I believe God is doing it.

With You

There’s a song on the current Pop charts that talks about how I feel when I’m with Sandy. One line in it says, “You’re like ‘Jordans’ on Saturday”. I had to chuckle when I first heard that lyric, because I “get” what he’s saying since I’m a big sneaker fan myself.

I originally took this image almost two years ago of my own pair of "Jordans" and posted it along with a writing about my interest in sneakers. Two weeks ago, I added the blurb to the photo and emailed it to my girl.

I just felt like posting this image again and talking about my love for Sandy. She’s much more than “Jordans on Saturday” though.

“Baby, you’re the best part of my day.”

Color Pot

I’m on an “archive” kick this week! I just keep finding older images of mine that have new life to them for me. So, I’m sharing another one with you.

Today at work, I happened to glance over at an image of myself that someone placed on a “Sonny’s BBQ” print-out poster that reads, “Worlds Biggest BBQ Lover”. I think the template originated from Sonny’s website and one of my loving co-workers placed an image of my face on it. This advertisement exists on my friend, David’s white board at the edge of his cubicle and has been there for at least two months…maybe more.

Anyway, I said all that to say this, the image of myself is from the trip I took to Boca Raton almost exactly two years ago for business…and a little bit of fun too. As I looked at my smiling face looking back at me, I thought about some of the prayers I was giving to God during that trip…and how He has been answering those prayers and proclamations lately!

Looking at the bright colors of this flower pot that I photographed outside of the Boca Raton Resort and thinking of what God was working in me back then and is doing right now, makes me feel really good.

For The Win

As I pondered over the approaching new year, my imagination took my thoughts to the game of pool. In “8-ball“, the game is won when all your targeted balls have been pocketed and you successfully pocket the 8-ball last.

I like to think that I’m on the verge of some great things in my life this year. 2008 will not be like 2006 or 2007, but will be a year of “new beginnings” for me. I’ve placed these hopes and dreams into God’s hands and with His help, I believe it will indeed be a great new year for me…and I hope for you too.

As I’ve said before, this photo blog of mine has been built to be my portfolio. I’m not sure how often I will be posting, but I will post new images and commentary from time to time. Please feel free to dig deep and explore this site to view my photographs and stories.

Until next time…

-Chad

Rise of the Silver Surfer

This is an image that I captured a few months ago at the best theater in town, the “Cobb”. You’re looking at a life size model of the “Silver Surfer” from this Summer's hit “Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer”. This is one of 400 made for promoting the movie at a theater near you.

So far this Summer, I’ve taken in most of the really big blockbusters; Spider-Man 3, Pirates of the Caribbean 3, Fantastic Four 2, and Transformers. All four films were visually stunning and great stories, but I think I was the most impressed with Spidy and Transformers out of this list. I’m getting ready to see the third installment of the “Bourne” series, The Bourne Ultimatum, next weekend.

What about you, have you seen any of the “Blockbusters” this summer? What was your favorite? Have you seen this silver guy at any of your theaters?

Warning To Humans

About a year ago, not long before I started sharing my photography on this blog, I captured this image in downtown Lakeland. I was wondering around trying to find something “photo worthy” when I looked up and saw this sign warning pet owners to clean up after their furry companions. I couldn’t resist. So, I captured it in the way that I saw it.

I finally felt like posting this one. Though it’s quite in contrast to the feelings that the flower in the previous post evokes.

Feel The Love

Saturday night, a “post Valentines” Banquet was held at my church and I was asked to do the photography for the event. Above is an image I captured before the “mood lighting” was set for the evening.

As you know from my previous post, I celebrated my 28th Birthday this past week (Thanks to all my fellow Bloggers for the Birthday wishes, it was much appreciated!). I was so blessed in the fact that I had four different celebrations in favor of my Birthday! Wednesday night at my College and Career Group, Thursday at work, Thursday night with some other good friends and finally, Sunday afternoon with some Family.

I felt very honored and humbled that I’m surrounded by so many great people who care about me. I know God loves me and I felt that He was showing His love for me through all my friends this past week.

One of my favorite songs is by an artist named Paul Colman, it’s called “The One Thing”. It talks about the unconditional love of Christ. “The one thing I don’t question is you, you really love me like you say you do….so hold me….cause I need you”

This past week, I believe God was holding me through my friends.

Pizza Hut

I know I just posted about Pizza, but I was inspired to show this image from my archives. A couple of years ago, I was at “Old Town” in Kissimmee with a friend. While there that Saturday night, we walked next door to Pizza Hut for dinner. Before we dug into our delicious meal, I snapped this image, which I've had hanging on my refrigerator door for quite some time now.

Anyone who spends a lot of time with me, finds out that I love Pizza Hut Pan Pizza! That’s the Pizza that I grew up on, or at least the Pizza that I loved most while growing up. I just love how “conversational” a booth at a Pizza Hut can be. The lighting, the aroma, everything just adds up to a nice time for me.

One time as I was browsing one of the many specialty gift shops at “Old Town”, I came upon some plastic red cups that had the Pepsi logo printed in white on the sides. The cups reminded me of the type that Pizza Hut used to have before they went more to glass. Of course, I bought some of the red cups for my apartment.

The “rising crust” frozen pizzas that I buy at the grocery store are ok, but they only aspire to be what a Pizza Hut Pan Pizza is.

“Pizza Hut, Making it Great!”

Good Stuff

What you are looking at is a delicious, self rising crust pizza. When it comes to “Grocery Store bought” pizza, you can’t beat Freschetta or Digiorno, but the one pictured above is an “Off-Brand” version, which was good enough on that night. For the record though, my favorite store bought pizza is "Frescheta", because they have a "sauce stuffed crust" pizza. Frescheta should give me some free pizza or something for the way I promote them!

I’ve eaten whole pies like this in the past, but now try to keep it at only three quarters in one setting or half if I‘m sharing with a friend.

The Simple Candle

I love the glow of a candle. I was trying to think of something to post and thought I’d capture some of the “ambiance” of my apartment. The blurred, multi-colored lamp you kind of see in the background, was a lamp that I first noticed at a store before I ever had my own place. I said that I would love to have something like that when I got my own apartment. So, once I had my own place, I went and got the lamp. It’s called “the Medusa” because of the many different lamps coming off of it.

Ok, I’m talking more about the blurred background image than I am the actual subject of this photograph. As I said, I love the glow of a candle. I think we humans have something deep within us from long ago when our only light source at night was that of fire. With all the electricity that surrounds us, we seem to still be drawn at times, to the simple candle.

Believe! Wish Big!

As I’m writing this, it is past midnight on Christmas Eve. It is actually Christmas morning, but “Christmas morning” doesn’t really begin until you wake up, I haven’t even went to bed yet!

I can remember the anticipation I had as a child leading up to Christmas morning. My family’s tradition growing up, was to open one small present on Christmas Eve, an “appetizer” if you will, to hold everyone over until the main course in the morning. Once morning came, my eyes would “Pop” open. I would see dim light coming in from the windows, making me to know that “Christmas Morning” could now begin! I remember one year, just sitting out in the quiet of the living room, waiting for everyone else to wake up and join me. I gazed at all the presents, not believing that the moment had finally come!

I think one of the things that made receiving presents at Christmas time so magical as a child, was the fact that you were receiving something you could not obtain yourself. As we become adults and get jobs, most of what we would like to have, we eventually buy ourselves. Once in a while though, we still receive something that maybe we couldn’t have gotten too easily on our own.

Receiving presents of any kind is still fun though. I think as adults, It’s more about the meaning behind presents. The fact that you have people who care about you and they took the time and money to buy you something, means a lot. That’s where some of the magic lies for us adults at Christmas time.

It seems 2007 has snuck up on me before I was even ready, well, actually I think I am ready for a new year. Each year I try to think of something to help encourage me about that year. I’m liking 2007, because “7 is God’s perfect number”.

One of my favorite rolls of wrapping paper that I bought this year has the words “Believe” and “Wish Big” printed on it. These messages encourage me to keep after my dreams.

So, I encourage you as I encourage myself for this coming year of 2007, “Believe” and “Wish Big”! Don’t give up on your dreams in life.

Attack of the Clones

During the last weekend of November, I went to the store "Old Navy" with one of my friends. While there, I spotted this great, three roll set of Christmas gift wrap. Each roll featured a different pattern of robots, I immediately thought of my younger cousins when I saw it. So, I bought the set. While wrapping a few presents on Thursday night, I decided to use the robots for some other people as well. I call this pattern “Attack of the Clones”. I like how the grouping of the robots make up the shape of a snow flake.

I may not be able to post anything in the next couple of days, so, I just want to wish everyone who visits my Blog a Very Merry Christmas! I appreciate your visits, comments and input, thank you so much! Your always welcome here.

I hope everyone has a great time with family and friends and remembers the reason for this season, Jesus Christ coming into our world.

I also hope you all find that special something under the tree on Christmas morning.

Merry Christmas!