This past spring, I spent a week with my brother. All we did was talk, breath and sleep wooden kayaks. Thanks to his patience he and a friend taught me how to Eskimo role
This was taken on a day where we had thunder, lightening, and rain so thick you could barely see. It was a perfect day.
This guy, Tom, my brother, paddled solo around Vancouver Island BC this summer. It was a short trip, only some 45+ days and mild seas, 10 foot swells with 3-4 wind chop stacked on-top that. Yeah, I’m bragging . . .
~SMG
BTW. If you want to buy a handmade boat . . . they’re for sale.
I’m not sure if I’d say hanging with a 3 year old and 6 month old is a “fun” backpacking trip. But it was great to get away and unplug for 3 days in the mountains of Colorado. And of course, no trip would be complete without a requisite stock shoot. Here’s one of my favorites.
The coolest part about the day and age we live in, is the ability to view other photographers work. Because of this, one day I stumbled upon photographer Joel Grimes. I was speechless. His work absolutely stopped me. This portrait, was inspired by Joel Grimes work. It is not nearly as awesome, or incredible, but I’m really happy with it and it was my first crack on these “larger than life portraits” that Joel Grime creates.
Also a special thanks to Melissa for putting up with my experimentation. ~SMG
Practice. Practice. Practice. It’s the mantra of all great athletes, writers, poets, musicians and the like. So, when a willing, aspiring, and determined model comes your way it’s a gift. Numerous shoots later, Melissa keeps bringing ideas and thoughts and a cheerful disposition to our shoots. How she finds the time? I’m not sure since she’s a full-time grad student. A few of my favorites images, from a variety of shoots.
And this blog post would not be complete without a special thanks to Matt Oscadal. Matt, Melissa’s boyfriend, has been an invaluable help with totting equipment and gripping on all of the shoots. Here’s Matt and Melissa trying to stay on the ground . . . in some windy weather. Thanks again to both of you.
I must admit . . . I’m always happy when I see a photo of mine on the cover of a magazine. And it’s even cooler when the picture happens to be of my wife.
I’m blogging on this a bit late, but the following photo was used in the February issue of Runner’s World. A special thanks goes to Jennifer Lee (left) and Kara Roy (right) for modeling (i.e. running) for me on moments notice in our huge October snowstorm. Thanks again ladies!
~SMG
Jennifer Lee and Kary Roy run in the snow down Mountain Avenue.
On of my favorite people on the planet to collaborate with is Jeremy Monroe of Freshwaters Illustrated. He’s the founder and visionary of Freshwaters Illustrated, a non-profit who’s mission is:
“(1) to educate diverse public audiences about the life, study, and conservation of freshwater ecosystems through illustrative science-based efforts, and (2) to provide illustrative resources and services to scientists, educators, and media specialists”
Their Vision is:
“to create a public that is more conscious of freshwater life, and more sympathetic to freshwater conservation.”
So this was one of those exciting days where Jeremy took me to a river. He explained that we were going to be snorkeling with White Fish that were spawning. He also explained how these fish prefer the areas of the stream where the water is really flowing. Sure enough the White Fish were in the middle of the highest currents were the other fish (rainbows) hid behind rocks.
This was one of the better images from the day. White Fish spawning with Jeremy in the background rolling video.
A few years later, what you know, it’s on the cover of the American Fisheries Journal, helping to illustrate an article that Jeremy co-authored.
American Fisheries Society Vol 34, No 12.
It’s a great article dealing with why imagery is so important to the future of freshwaters. If you’d like to read it click here.
