Summer Green

I'd spent the morning on my father's porch, soaking in the sun as I drank black coffee. My camera was in my lap, mounted on a monopod. As the electric green sparks flew around me I tried to capture them as they swooped in for a sugary snack. I spent a lot of time just shooting, checking my focus and then adjusting the manual focus compensation setting. It was incredibly tedious, yet relaxing. It wasn't until tonight, nearly six months later that I'm really looking at the shots. Tonight, as I write this, the temperature outside is to supposed to potentially reach -50°F (-45.5C). This little Ruby-throated hummingbird, Archilochus colubris gives me hope!

#Rubythroated #hummingbird #Rubythroatedhummingbird #wildernessculture #folkvibe #folkcreative #areyouawake #MoodyGrams #AwesomeEarth #nature_perfection #birdphotography #birding #birdwatching #birdwatchingphotography #birdingdaily #birdinginthewild #400mm #bird #birds #birdlife #birdextreme #birdfreaks #birdy #birdphoto

Natural Adoration

The best way to take a wedding portrait is to cater to the personalities of the couple. Some couples want a very defined, stylistic image created. Some just prefer to be themselves. It had been a very rainy, windy afternoon in early September when I photographed this particular couple. It was drizzling as I set up and took this shot. First I chased all the guests to the wings of the barn. I then set up my flashes high and to either side of the couple. They were all gelled and had soft modifiers on them. I reconfigured my camera and quickly backed out into the rain. As if natural they sort of just "stood there" for a few frames. I then encouraged a little "romantic interaction" to which the Bride replied, "You're not getting any of that elegant posing out of us! We're awkward and proud to be so!" I had to laugh and my adoration of them rose as I answered back, "then just be awkward selves!" It's not the pose after all that captures the couples' love for each other. It's capturing HOW they love each other. I couldn't have posed them better and still been able to capture how much they adore each other.

#bridalbarn #vintagevalleyevents #wedding #weddingphotography #weddingphotographer #weddings #madisonweddingphotos #wisconsinweddingphotographer #wisconsinphotographer #madisonweddingphotographer #wisconsinwedding #madisonwedding #wisconsin #madisonwi #wisconsinlife #midwestliving #midwestmoment #weddingplanning #weddingideas #weddinginspiration #weddinginspo #wisconsinbride #wisconsinbridemag #lovemadisonweddings #bridalparty #groom #weddingday

Summer in the Pines

Here's a shot I'd taken in July of 2018 while visiting my home area. Having lived and worked in Pittsburgh for so many years I always name that as my "hometown." I always thinks of hidden little spots like this one. I think of the smell of ferns & pines, the sound of them talking to me as the wind passes through their stands. That is part of what I call "home."

#morainestatepark #lakearthur #naturalpennsylvania #scenicpa #travelpa #explorepa #PATravelHappy #PASpots #ExplorePennsylvania #VisitPA #pennsylvaniaisbeautiful #gowildpa #pa_explorations #uncoveringpa #pennsylvania_wild #pennsylvania_life #pennsylvaniawilds #teampawild #onlyinpennsylvania #pennswoods #pennsylvania #pafeatured #nature_perfection #naturelover #wildernessculture #outdoorlife #getoutside

Valkyries' Un-named Brother

"Yokel" perceptions of gender roles can't control us. Female strength inspires me. As the moon turned full I'd dreamt of how I'd light her with my flashes of light. It's not about sexuality or personalty. It's just about the pure human will to drive forward. To be the physical manifestation of who we perceive our "best" self to be is reserved for those who endure pain. For some it's iron that defines the "tangible" being. My role is to bring light to illustrate that struggle.

#igfitness #fitnessmodels #fitlife #womenwholift #fitmom #fitmomsofig #fitmoms #fitmommy #fitmomsofig #fitmomma #fitmomsinspire #fitmomof5 #fitmomlife #fitmomstrongmom #fitmomsrock #fitmomsofinstagram #fitmomsclub #fitmomfuel #FitMomsLinkUp #fitmommies #fitmominspire #fitmoment #fitmominthemaking #fitmommas #fitmomintraining #fitmomslife #fitchicks #sportswear #strongisbeautiful #humansculpture

An Angry Beaver Indeed!

It was indeed an ANGRY BEAVER day! So many frustrating "life" things all happening at once. Then there's knowing know one will ever know I spent hours setting up this shot. Hours spent modifying how light comes out of the five flashes that I painstakingly placed "just so." Shaping their effects into razor edges to just touch certain edges will never be noticed. Few will note the ever tightening spirals in the composition. "It's only a photograph. Anyone can take that shot." Friggin beaver... Why so edgy? It was a struggle to not just blast it with hammers of light. But as a well versed man in taming an angry beaver I knew a little "calm, heated finesse" was all it'd take.

Artist: John Pahlas

#angrybeaver #ironbeaver #beaver #duluthtradingcompany #wisconsin #driftlessregion #driftless #driftlessarea #travelwi #explorewi #discoverwisconsin #travelwisconsin #explorewisconsin #scenicwisconsin #historicwisconsin #wisconsinart #driftlessart #mounthoreb #mounthorearts #mthorebarts #mthorebartists #art #artist #artwork #arte #artoftheday #artistic #artsy #artofvisuals #artistsoninstagram

Guardian of the River

Sculpture by John Pahlas
Model: Jesi Ostrowsky

#centergroundstudious #wisconsin #driftlessregion #driftless #driftlessarea #wisconsinart #driftlessart #mounthoreb #mthorebarts #mthorebartists #art #artist #artwork #arte #artoftheday #artistic #artsy #artofvisuals #artistsoninstagram #arts #yogagirl #fitnessmodel #model #modelphotography #probikini #probikiniathlete #probikinicompetitor #probikinimodel #portrait #portraitphotography

Jormungand

Here's a little historical tidbit about the town.
"Norwegian-immigration historian Odd S. Lovoll observes that by the 1870s, Norwegian immigrants had created significant settlements throughout Wisconsin, particularly in Dane County. In 1871, Andrew Levordson became the first Norwegian immigrant to arrive in Mount Horeb, marking the beginning of this ethnic-group's presence in the village." - Wikipedia

#driftlesshistorium #Museum #museumday #museumlife #museumofart #museumlover #museumvisit #museumexhibit #museumfun #museumdesign #travelwi #explorewi #wisconsin #driftlessregion #driftless #driftlessarea #wisconsinlife #discoverwisconsin #travelwisconsin #midwestliving #explorewisconsin #scenicwisconsin #historicwisconsin #prairieland #wisconsinart #driftlessart #mounthoreb #mounthorearts #mthorebarts #mthorebartists