Joer's Place: May 2006

Entered portrait of Kaylee in Adoptive Families Annual photo contest...

Today I entered this portrait of Kaylee (6 months) into the "Adoptive Families First Annual Photo Contest" sponsored by Sears Portrait Studio. If it's a winning photo (and how couldn't it be? *chuckle*) then it'd appear in the November/December 2006 issue of Adoptive Families Magazine.

These are the prizes...

Grand prize winners chosen from two categories--candid and formal portrait--will win digital camera suites, deluxe photography packages from Sears Portrait Studios, and other prizes.

Runners-up in the various age groups--baby (birth to 11 months), toddler (1 to 2 years), pre-schooler (3 to 5 years), or school-age (5 and up)--will receive portrait packages from Sears Portrait Studios.

EVENT PHOTO SHOOT: Gig Harbor, WA herding trial

Wendy and I spent Memorial weekend (Sat-Sun-Mon) up in Washington near Seattle doing photography gig for In the Zone Photography. We were booked as event photographer for this herding trial way back last summer after we did a great job covering the All-Breed Herding Club of Western Washington (ABHCWW) trial up in Arlington, WA. They also re-booked us for that trial again too (up in Arlington)!

We stayed with Erika up in Seattle, and drove to Gig Harbor (about an hour away) each morning of herding trial. Erika watched Kaylee for us at her place. We sure missed her - but it was good to know she was having "fun with aunty Erika" and we got to spend some time with her in the evenings.

Weather was awesome. It was overcast the entire weekend (which I actually like because it gives uniform lighting conditions from any angle) - stayed nice and cool, but didn't rain. We totally lucked out for shooting conditions and got lots and lots of great pics.

My "Photographer Picks" from the event are in this gallery...

"Photographer's Picks" from ABHCWW in Gig Harbor, WA (May 27-29)

Took about 1,800 photos total! They herded both ducks and sheep at this event. Sold some full run photo CD's and 8x10, 5x7, and lots of 4x6's at event, plus many people are eager to check out the online gallery and order more pics and gift items (this was first time we brought some demo photo items to show at event - coffee mugs, puzzles, mouse pads, keychains, etc).

Was a great weekend, but working 12 hours a day is definately draining!

Reach the Beach 2006

Erika came down from Seattle, and we rode our bikes from Salem to Pacific City (77 miles). This is the 5th year in a row we have participated in this event organized by American Lung Assoc. of Oregon. We raised $365 in donations this year!

The route took us past farms, vineyards, fields, rivers and thru small towns. Super support all along the route (with rest stops/first aid/mechanics every 15 miles or so). About 1,800 riders with more than 100 volunteers supporting the ride.

One of Wendy's friends watched Kaylee at our house while we were on this ride. Was first time Wendy was away from Kaylee for more than a couple hours. Not sure if that was more difficult than the ride itself!

Our "theme" phrases (thoughts or sayings we seemed to think or say the entire day) this year were:

"I'm SO gonna die!" - Wendy

"Totally..." - Erika

"I could be riding at Black Rock right now." - Joe

To recap previous year's themes:

2005
"Frick and Frack!"

2004
"No more in oh-four!" (meaning, no more issues - since the prior two years Erika had bike problems)

2003
?? (we got rained and hailed on though - but can't remember what our theme or phrases were - they may have been the same as the prior year...)

2002
"There's no shame in walking." - Wendy
"It's not a race." - Joe
"Somebody has to be last." - Erika

Reach the Beach 2006 photo gallery - password protected