ACN : Day One

Yesterday was my first day out with the Michigan Animal Adoption Network/Animal Care Network. The day started rather slow with refreshing some straw, a few bowls of food and boxes of chow to some owners. Vaccination education , clinic information and the progression of the mini mini-van entourage through Pontiac. As the day progressed, each call got worse and worse. Starting out with aggressive dogs that needed a bit of food to completely emaciated animals which hardly had the strength to stand. Lying, aggressive owners and poor animals in dire need of help.

It was an intense first day.

Chicagoland

This weekend I was fortunate enough to be invited to the IPPA Photo Night.

I traversed the lower portion of "The Mitten" on Friday night after work and was welcomed into the Hart residence. After a round of cheese and tomato pizza accompanied by an amazing Spotted Cow, rest was essential if I were to make it through the forthcoming day.

8 am wake-up call to go shoot local Boyscout troops partaking in (somewhat) traditional winter games.










After having a blast with the kids in the snow, Rob and I went back to the house to warm up, eat and transmit. Soon after we were back out shooting some high school basketball. I came to the realization that I'm NOT meant to shoot sports.

After the mad dash back to the Harts' there was a flurry of zucchini-garlic-bread-onion chopping, cheese grating and lemon-zesting. Oh... and stand mixer breaking. Stupid mechanic-hands. But overall, pure culinary synergy with Rob and Christine.

Cale chips, buffalo tofu, moose tracks, risotto, cupcakes... more. Devoured and enjoyed during Photo Night.

Being able to sit and listen to Peter Hoffman, Beth Rooney and Warren Winter while having a cold brew was phenomenal. I learned a lot and it has really inspired me. I realized that in order to make a career out of this "photography thing," I really need to work on the craft and become a better shooter.

Like I said, I'm fortunate. I'm fortunate to have met the people I met, to have seen the images I saw and to experience an environment that harbors development.

Chicago isn't so cold when you know the right people.