Chad & Kirsten::: MARRIED!

Well, no doubt, this post has been a long time coming, but when you're a triathlete, your wedding couple are triathletes and most of the guests are triathletes you know by now that most stuff doesn't really get accomplished until the off season. (Which incidentally is only about 3 1/2 weeks this year...Boston Marathon training begins January 1st.) So here we are, the off season and here is what I call one of the best weekends I experienced in 2008. A weekend getaway in the Berkshires, a bonfire, early morning training rides, a steep mountain run, a long hike, great food, good humor (not the ice cream) old friends...OH, and Chad & Kirsten got married. What more could you ask for?

Chad, Kirsten & I have known each other now for almost 2 years -- we met through the DC Triathlon Club. I had just started training for my first Ironman in AZ (also my 1st triathlon) and most people thought that was a bit crazy. Well, it was, but somehow I think that's why Chad and I got along -- that, and our love for terrible jokes and obscure movie quotes. Needless to say, after endless trainer sessions in their living room, early morning runs and the occasional brunch at Tunnicliff's, it was only fit that they asked me to photograph their wedding. Well, I've never said this to them, but I was and am completley honored to have been asked. Chad & Kirsten, I consider you both my friends, and for what it's worth, two of the closest people I know since I left high school. You've graced me with the gift of being in your lives and now shooting your wedding, but I hope it's only a small part of what's to come as the two of you grow older together. Thanks. I love you guys.

Enough of the sappiness...here's some pictures. :-)

For those who were at the wedding know this sign all too well -- it greeted us on the entrance way to the Manor.


What a simple, beautiful dress.


Details, Details, Details


Though it rained the night before, the weather was great!





The Bucksteep Manor Grounds

Tying the Knot


Chad & Kirsten with Triathlete Folk











One of my favorite shots from the weekend.



I was playing with the fisheye lens and flash on this shot. It took awhile to get right, but the outcome, I think, is hilarious.

A Perfect Ending. :-)


AND NOW THE SLIDESHOW!!!

Pierson/Nixon

Well this wasn't a series of televised interviews, rather a series of shots. And the session didn't end with a tacit admission of guilt regarding her role in the Watergate scandal, but she did admit she was terrified to get her picture taken, does that count? Helen Nixon, an assistant principal by day (while watching her soaps) and an avid lover of theatre by night, Helen has three wonderful children and a wonderful husband who located me to take her new headshots. "New" is an operative word here, because when I asked to see her old headshot, she couldn't even find one...that's how long it's been. What you may not know about Helen, for those that already know her, she loves Skid Row. No, that was not a typo nor a joke...she really does. The last photo is proof enough of that. Maybe that should be the subject of a new movie by Ron Howard. Helen Nixon as Nixon in her Hollywood blockbuster movie Pierson/Nixon about her admission that she truly loves 80's Metal. Drama, no...Comedy, absolutely. :) Now without further adieu, all the way from Rockville, MD, put your hands together for the one, the only HELEN NIXON!

Hello new headshot.


When I first asked her to put the clown nose on, her reaction was amazing!
(see middle picture)

I told you she loved metal. Scary, right?

Dancing with "Soon to be Stars" - Alexis Brewer & Derek Walker

A few months back I met Alexis at work (McCormick & Schmick's). We both work there, she a bartender and I a server - but only by necessity. As you all know, I'm a photographer and an actor, but what you may not know is Alexis is a competition ballroom dancer. A what? A COMPETITION BALLROOM DANCER! You've all seen those ballroom competitions on PBS? Yeah, she does those and has been doing them for years. I know, CRAZY! Who does those things? Well apparently her and her partner, Derek Walker. And naturally, I wanted to photograph it. The idea was to photograph them during practice and then at the competition at University of Maryland. Unfortunately, due to complications, the Terrapin tournament never happened for the two of them...but this weekend they are off to Columbus, Ohio for the OHIO STAR BALL CHAMPIONSHIPS. Begun 31 years ago, the OSB Championships is the largest Pro/Am competition not just in North America, but in the world. With over 6 days of competition, the Championship provides all levels of exciting dance competition and hosts the World Pro/Am Championships and World Professional American Smooth and Rhythm Championships. Like I said, the stuff you see on PBS. Though one could compete in several events throughout the week, Alexis and Derek will be competing in the Amateur Open International Latin competition consisting of the Cha Cha, Samba, Rumba, Paso Doble & Jive. The difference between them all...I haven't the slightest idea, but they look great doing it.

One of my favorites from the shoot.

Alexander the Content

My first reaction when Alex called was, "Your last name's Content? That's AWESOME!" Alex found me through his friend Praem who got his headshots a few months ago, and though Alex isn't an actor, he needed a headshot nonetheless. You see, Alex is singer. Not a singer that you'll see in a musical and certainly not the kind of singer you'd see in XMAS Carol (i.e. Me) - a real honest to God trained singer. Now for those of us, myself included, who don't know what that means, here's the skinny...he's good, apparently damn good. So why does he need a headshot then? Apparently, there's a competition coming up at the end of January in Annapolis and if he qualifies and passes the first couple of rounds, his chances of making the finals in NY greatly increases. So, he needs a headshot for the competition. Oh - I almost forgot, whoever makes it to NY, gets a week of personal voice coaching at the Metropolitan Opera...SWEET! Needless to say I wish him well. It was great being able to talk about music, relaxation techniques for both singers and actors and the overall world of being an artist. Best of Luck Alex!

The Traditional Look.

The Traditional Look with some Attitude.

A look that says I've done something mischievous?



Much different look with the hair down.


The sun finally went down so we could do a little outdoor work.


As Always, Clowns.