Not too long ago,  I traveled out to the Olympic Peninsula to photograph a lighthouse on the Dungeness Spit.  It was a great story about great people who care for our historic landmarks and look to preserve them.

The Dungeness Spit – it’s a good 5 mile hike out to the lighthouse.  Good thing for me,  I had wheels to get me there.  Though if I had the time,  it’s a super nice walk along the beach.  Maybe next time…

We got stuck half way out to the lighthouse.  Even with 4×4,  the sand gets pretty soft and the truck just sinks down it.  It was part of the adventure.

Backing it up.

The views aren’t bad.

Portraits of the good people who keep the place looking sharp.

The keeper of the lighthouse.

Old phone in the kitchen and a birds eye view of chow time.

Stack Identifier poster – in case you were wondering.

Inside the lighthouse gallery.

stray birds of summer

Melodie Knight opened up for Ivan and Alyosha at a fun backyard gig.  She’s definitely got a great sound,  so be sure to check her out.

Tim Wilson

Ryan Carbary

This is Ivan and Alyosha, a Seattle band with a sweet sound.   To my NYC friends,  make sure to click on the link and check out their show schedule.  They’re headed East and you’ll want to check them out.

After wrapping the story in Bend, OR,  the crew and I drove into Portland late at night to work on another portrait for Glamour the following morning.  Bart and Marli own a super fun bar called The Fixin’ To .    I grew up in the South from 5th grade through my undergrad,  so when I step into a bar that has ‘Southern Soul’ (as described on their site),  I can’t help but get a bit excited.  Homemade lemonade, and delicious small plates definitely make this place worth stopping by if you’re in town.

An outtake of Marli whispering sweet nothings into Bart’s ear.

Marli being a good sport lifting some not so light suitcases.

Marli getting done up by the always wonderful Jennifer Verador.

Bart, like all men, patiently awaiting for his lady to be ready for the shoot.  Bart is one cool guy – he’s a freelnace writer and even better, an SEC football fan.

Shooting some baggage.

Shoot wrapped, now off to find lunch. Crossing the sweet St. Johns suspension bridge.

John Street Cafe

Bathroom wall art at John Street Cafe

Stumptown Coffee.  My favorite cup.

Stumptown panorama.

Hotel Modera Lobby. Good place to crash.

Hanging outdoors Hotel Modera.

Amazing dinner at the Veritable Quandry.  If you are in Portland,  do yourself a favor and eat dinner here.

Vertiable Q bar.

Jennifer and trusty assistant Johnny heading out to breakfast without me.

Pit stop at Cargo.  Cool place to pick up some antiques and some random imports.

Mother’s Bistro + Bar for breakfast.  By far Portland’s best breakfast and comfort food spot.

I ate my orange slice first,  thinking that would minimize any excess clogging to my arteries.

Headed back to Seattle,  but not far stopping by Adidas HQ for a portfolio meeting.

Mt. Washington

Three Sisters peaks

The gear and the apres unloading gear soak in the turkish bath

Downtown Bend and downtown Sisters

Bronco Billy’s BBQ – a fine eating establishment

Scouting location for the shoot

The entire crew and cast

The tearsheet.

A photo of Diane Downs, the subject’s mother,  who back in ’83 loaded up her 3 children into the car and shot them all.  She then went to an ER and claimed she had been assaulted on a country road in Oregon.  One of her children died,  and the other two left handicap.  Rebecca, pictured in the tearsheet,  was born while Diane was in prison.

©CLAUDIA HOWELL/THE OREGONIAN

It’s been a long while since I’ve made a post.  I have lots of new work to share in the coming weeks, so stay tuned.  In the meantime,  enjoy your Spring.

The first story highlights locations in Seattle where you can enjoy a winetasting, wine tour, or winemaker dinner without leaving the city.  Check out: Picnic (not only good for wine,  but a great place to grad lunch), 106pine, Portalis, and Voluneer Park Café (amazing food and café treats).

The second story showcases places in Seattle where you can pick up great salvage items.  Revival Home and Garden, Nube Green, and the RE Store all have great ideas for projects around the house.

Seeking Beauty by William Henry Davies

“…As long as I love Beauty I am young,

Am young or old as I love more or less;

When Beauty is not heeded or seems stale,

My life’s a cheat, let Death end my distress.”

Bishop Clark,  Auburn WA

“These flying machines, what do you call them, airplanes!  We didn’t have them back in my day, you would have been crazy to even be thinking about it.”

01.29.2010 words from the 106 yr old man himself as he marveled at my photo equipment

I often get asked,  ’what’s the favorite photograph you’ve ever made?’  I never have a real answer, as I suppose I’m always thinking the next day will yield an image that exceeds anything I’ve produced.  However,  if you asked me that question today,  I’d have to say my recent session with the amazing 106 yr old (soon to be 107) Bishop Clark for Time Magazine.

It was just one of those moments that rarely happens during a portrait session.  It’s always an intricate and delicate dance to create authentic portrayals of the people I meet.  I guess you could say we were good dance partners,  because it was just flowing and full of life.  Our dialogue and energy were in sync, and he trusted me to do my job.

The image above can be seen in the current issue of Time.  It’s part of a larger story which tries to shine light on how centenarian’s thrive and live healthy lives.

Below are some other images that I liked from the assignment:

Me + Otis after the shoot