North Shore 2016

Memorial weekend we made a journey to the Minnesota north shore along with all of our 3 dogs. Needless to say, it made for a full vehicle with camping gear The weather was not great the first day with off and on rain, fog and then cold a night, but that is what rain gear and sleeping bags are for.

During this trip it was finally time to try out the new tent I bought last year, for the first time. This tent was great to allow space for an inflatable mattress and room for 3 dogs. I must also add that this Eureka Copper Canyon tent I got from REI is tall enough for me to be able to stand up. No more hunching over or crawling on my knees to get around in the tent.

First night under the stars in the new Eureka Copper Canyon Tent.After a day with rain with the rain and fog, we were fortunate for a clear evening look at the night sky, and were given a show with all of the shooting star like things passing by. Even one burned so bright like a flash in the sky and caught the eye of Erika's and I. Some of these long exposure night sky photos when looked at closely showcase some streaks of light going straight across the photo. I thought maybe there may been a meteor shower I was not aware of happening.

Our Milkyway

Focused on the North Star

This trip I had a goal to find a moose, to just see one outside of a zoo setting and get to at least say seen a moose in the wild. I thought the best place to do this maybe to set out on the Gunflint Trail road out of Grand Marais. Sure there are lots of trees, wetlands and lakes along the way and even a viewing deck by a pond we hiked to observe moose. It turns out it was not our day and our search continues as no moose were visible. 

The trip wouldn't be complete without a chance for the dogs to go swimming. Sophie and Aspen geared up in their Ruffwear lifejackets to brave the VERY cold Lake Superior water.

Sophie and Aspen enjoying the north shore of Lake Superior

Finally, Snow

It was just recently we received a good amount of snow here in Minnesota just before Christmas, that actually stuck to the ground. It is late in the year for us to finally get any actual snow. The Bernese Mountain Dogs love the snow as always and had their chance to play and lay around in the snow as if it was not even cold.

Sophie

Aspen

With the dogs out enjoying the freshly fallen snow, I also wanted to share a photo of the Christmas tree lot that pops up every year. Just down the hill from where I live is a view of this tree lot displaying lots of beautiful trees this time of year. When the evening comes the lights strung from wooden post to wooden post are electrified and the bulbs glow with this beautiful soft light.

Red Wing, Christmas Tree Lot

 Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to everyone, may 2016 bring a year full of opportunities and happiness.

Newborn Bradley

 

Congratulations to Mandy and Joe on their second child Bradley. I had the honor to photograph little Bradley shortly after he was born. Who doesn't love babies? I had such a great time and we got some great photos. This handsome guy is adorable and is a little brother to his sister Bailey. The cute dog hat with tail and the long stocking cap come from Sweet Life Creations. Be sure to check out some of her other great work for your own newborn. 

Hats by Sweet Life Creations

Hats by Sweet Life Creations

Hats by Sweet Life Creations

Hats by Sweet Life Creations

5D Mark III and a Trip to The Dog Park

  It is finally here, I've waited over a month after I ordered the camera to receive it, due to it being recalled and the long pre-order list. I now finally have my 5D Mark III. I've been waiting for this camera to be announced in the beginning of the year and it wasn't until the week after my birthday that it was announced by Canon. After having my Canon 30D for over 6 years, a 1.6x APS-C crop sensor camera body. I have been through a lot with that camera and have taken it across the country from Washington D.C., Texas twice, and Colorado. When I was in Washington D.C. I went with my classmates from the MSU Reporter to the Lincoln Memorial at night in the pouring rain. Luckily I had a rain covered camera bag, but that couldn't keep the body dry enough when I took it out too shoot. After that the shutter button on it has never been the same. Now that I have a back up camera body I will be able to part with it and send it in to get the shutter button repaired.

Canon 5D Mark III

   First off this camera feels so great in my hands, the ergonomics of it are fantastic. In fact the overall feel of the camera is outstanding, from the battery door to memory card door and the soft touch grip of the camera, it just has a better build to it. This is all exciting to me because I am coming from a Canon 30D. The new auto focus system with 61 AF points compared to my 9 point AF of the 30D are in no way equal. 99.9% of the time I use the center focus point which is the fastest functioning AF point. When I picked it up and set sights on our Bernese Mountain Dog Aspen, the 5D Mk III just nailed the focus on his eyes even in a dark room. Compared to my 30D it search for seconds to find something in a dark room and a dark subject.  That improvement alone amazed me. The image quality output and large rear LCD are beautiful.

   I am very excited to be shooting with a full frame (35mm) digital camera and look forward to taking more photos and sharing them with everyone. Check out a few photos below I shot the first day I received the camera. All the photos were shot with a 24-70 L f/2.8 . I will be spending a few weeks just trying to figure out all of the custom functions and play around with making videos as well.

  My future posts may consist of reviewing the camera and answering any questions people have for me. Please leave your comments and questions below. Thanks!

   Of course Aspen had to be my first model.

Aspen

2 Puppy Old English Bull Dogs at the North Rochester Dog Park

A boy throws Frisbee at the dog park in the late afternoon

New Year

The big Twenty Twelve (2012) is finally in full swing and I am now halfway though January already. I know this will live up to be an eventful and great year. My fiance will finally graduate with her B.A. this
spring and hopefully start graduate school. I also have a lot planned in terms of focusing on my photography work. This year I have several friends getting married with plans to be their photographer, as well as more portraits to photograph.

While I have more opportunities for photographing more clients I have also been dedicated to growing my technical and proficiency in photography by studying more and reading.
So far this month Erika and I have been to another Land O'Lakes Dog Show in St. Paul, MN. Unfortunately the Bernese Mountain Dogs did not win best in show as we would like them to. Several of our friends in the Bernese Mountain Dog Club of the Twin Cities did win best of breed and placed very well over the  multiple day show.

We also were recently at the Red Bull Crashed Ice Competition in St. Paul , MN. Luckily it did snow this day, which I am sure helped the landscape of St. Paul look much more like winter, with our very long dry spell. Erika and I did not stick around too long since we could not see much of the race. We thought we will enjoy it even more when it will be on TV January 21st. I just wish there were better vantage points to view event or screens.It was really cool to watch from what we could see and nice to see Minnesota showcased for a winter event such as this.

It was incredible to see what I would guess would be tens of thousands of people in attendance at the event. The whole down town of St. Paul was lively with a Brad Paisley concert at the Xcel, and Sportsman show at the River Center, there was an over abundance of activity.


Come check out my website and view my more recent work or contact me. Also be sure to follow me this year as I will once again try my best to write more.

Land O'Lakes Kennel Club

It was a dog day at the Saint Paul River Centre when more than 2,500 dogs competed for their American Kennel Club honors. The Land O'Lakes Kennel Club Dog Show took place over 3 days of man's best friend competing. It was the first time Erika and I ever attending a Dog Show. Erika intends on breeding and showing Bernese Mountain Dogs some day, and I had a good chance to check out some sporting breeds for my self, specifically the Chesapeake Bay Retriever.

Junior handler presents her dog

The staging area for the handlers and dogs

A Pomeranian is inspected during the toy dog group best of show