I’ve been fascinated by Joshua Trees ever since I first saw them earlier this year on my way from Vegas to LA. My friend Kyle from grad school picked me up in Vegas to attend a conference in LA. It’s part of the reason I wanted to return: just so I could make that drive through the desert and take photos.
It was cold, so Stacy waited in the car. I couldn’t stop thinking about this classic Robert Frank image from The Americans.
I met Jeff while taking photos of the valley from the Griffith Observatory. We struck up a conversation and I asked him if he would be willing to take a photo—admittedly something I wish I would do more often—and he obliged.
A few weeks ago, we were in Las Vegas because Stacy was running a half-marathon. We tired of Vegas rather quickly and decided to make the four hour drive through the desert to Los Angeles for a few hours. We then turned back around and returned to Vegas for one last night.
It was totally worth it. This is just after the storm clouds cleared.
Austin, TX, 2009
When I attended Joe K’s funeral a few months ago, we went through a few of his things that were still at the Photography Office at the Capitol. Someone pulled out the box of the paper scraps he used to write on, cut out, tape together and photocopy. There were a number of photos inside as well.
DCI Competition, Dallas, TX
I almost can’t remember what summer felt like, now that it’s finally starting to cool off. This time last year, we were already freezing on a daily basis, but Chicago is like a distant memory at this point. We’re loving being back, and the teaching gig has been fantastic.
Nieces, Orange, TX
Girls on the Stoop, Orange, TX
My new job teaching photography at The Art Institute of Austin has kept me abundantly busy this past month and a half, so not only have I had an absence of new work on this site, but I’ve also shot very little. I’m hoping to remedy that soon.
Joe Kelly Obenhaus, 2004, Austin, TX
I just found out that my friend Joe K. passed away two days ago. It upset me more than I anticipated. He developed Alzheimer’s Disease a few years back, and was already having memory problems when I worked with him at the Texas House of Representatives, so I can’t say I was completely surprised to hear of his passing. Still, I immediately felt guilty I didn’t seek him out over the last couple of years. It’s probably been 3 or 4 years since I last saw him. He was such a great little buddy. I’ll miss him a lot.
I was driving out in the country and spotted something I thought might make a nice image, so I turned the car around. As I was approaching what caught my eye, I saw feathers flying off to my left. This bird had just been hit by a truck, and though I hadn’t seen it happen, its wings were still flapping in a final struggle for life.
By the time I made it over, perhaps 20 seconds later, it was completely dead. It’s strange how quickly a life can slip away entirely. It was just a wild bird in this case.
Groundskeeper, Odessa, TX
Kitchen Light, Chicago, IL
We got to see this little guy today. He’s already 5 months old, as opposed to a day old, like in this photo.
My buddy Ryan Mo is shipping off to Iraq in a couple of months. This is from when he and my brother flew up to Chicago to help me move back to Texas. He’s a true friend.
I love black & white. I might go back to it… and by might, I mean I will.
Ok, I am.
