And We Have Lift Off

Freja & Teri launch a sky lantern during a nice big picnic gathering we attended. Basically a local artist hosts something called the Biennial Handmade Party 2017. They had games, lots of food and plenty of space to just spread out. The location is on their farm which is on a ridge that overlooks a lovely section of the Driftless Area. The evening was capped off by the launching of many, many sky lanterns. We'd watch them fly for miles over the rolling ridges.

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A Game of Throws

Relaxing while being thrown. It's an art in and of itself.

#bjj #bjj4life #brazilianjiujitsu #jiujitsulifestyle #jiujitsu #graciejiujitsu #martialarts #grappling #bjjlife #jiujitsulife #fitness #gym #fighttraining #Selfdefense #bjjtraining #martialartslife #fitnessjourney #artesuave #oss #mma #graciejj #bjjmadison #bjjwisconsin #riseup #riseupmartialarts #judo #judoka #judolife #judomotivation

Summer's End

So even though I was happy to see the kid get on the bus for her first day of Fourth Grade I can't help but also feel a little melancholy. She's growing up so quickly. I know she'll be an adult with her own life in what'll seem like a blink of the eye. This past summer though, she was still my "kid." While her sense of self and her humor are maturing, she was still young enough to think she could chase down fish and catch them with her bare hands.

Last Few Days of Summer

With the kid's summer vacation winding down to it's last couple of days I wanted to make today special. It'd been a rainy start to our week but today the sun came out! After lunch we loaded up the Jeep and went to Governor Dodge State Park. We took the back roads all the way there, so we had time to just talk and have fun. We canoed to a small beach where she ran around with a big group of children for a while, and then the two of us played. canoeing back we did some bird watching, drifting up very close to a Great Blue Heron. We capped the day off with takeout lo mein and a samurai movie. Tomorrow is the very LAST day of summer! Thankfully my wife will also be coming home at the end of the day as she's been in Canada for a while.

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Warmup Throws

Here's another photo from this past Sunday of my BJJ instructor Thales Blaso warming up for sparring with his Judo partner Jeff Lee. After an hour of watching them I had to head home. My kid was with me and she'd spent the night at a friend's so was very tired and hungry. As I went to leave I mentioned to them that I'd really like to learn Judo. Jeff then invited me to come out on the mats, with me in my street clothes, and he'd begin right then. So on one hand I had a hungry kid ready to go home, on the other a chance to learn from an expert. (In other words; a chance to get tossed around while wearing jeans.) As I stepped onto the mat I was still trying to decide if this was a "good idea." Thankfully Thales kept me on track and pointed out I had to leave and there'd be another time for me to get slammed around.The next time I go photograph him training I'm leaving the kid at home and taking my gi!

#bjj #bjj4life #brazilianjiujitsu #jiujitsulifestyle #jiujitsu #graciejiujitsu #martialarts #grappling #bjjlife #jiujitsulife #fitness #gym #fighttraining #Selfdefense #bjjtraining #martialartslife #fitnessjourney #artesuave #oss #mma #graciejj #bjjmadison #bjjwisconsin #riseup #riseupmartialarts #judo #judoka #judolife #judomotivation

Languid Beauty

Before moving to Wisconsin I had spent a few years working with the belly dancing community in Pittsburgh. The graceful, artistic movements combined with colorful, flowing costuming and often very comely dancers inspired me and helped shape how I photograph an wide array of subjects to this day. I've respect for how much work and attention to minute detail these performers often put into their craft. Capturing them is one of the most rewarding experiences I've had. At Pennsic this year I happened to be camped with one of my favorite dancers of all time, namely Samira Shuruk . Late one morning we worked together for a bit in Casa Bardicci, an amazingly detailed set piece recreating an Italian villa along the lake shore. After years of not shooting dancers it was truly a thrill to once again do so. So, an amazing set. An amazingly talented and beautiful dancer. All the right gear for the job and an open morning to just relax and enjoy "doing my thing." Pennsic was awesome!

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Elite Sparring

Today I had a rare treat. I go to go do a little casual photography of my BJJ coach Thales Blaso and Jeff Lee training together. It was great to be able to watch two very skilled martial artists. No egos. No prideful boasting. No fluff. Just technical skill, patience and guile in a display of friendly sparring. It was truly inspiring.

#bjj #bjj4life #brazilianjiujitsu #jiujitsulifestyle #jiujitsu #graciejiujitsu #martialarts #grappling #bjjlife #jiujitsulife #fitness #gym #fighttraining #Selfdefense #bjjtraining #martialartslife #fitnessjourney #artesuave #oss #mma #graciejj #bjjmadison #bjjwisconsin #riseup #riseupmartialarts #judo #judoka #judolife #judomotivation