Remember this story of the local craft brew craze I photographed for Broward Palm Beach New Times? Well, one of the people featured in the story was local brew master, Bobby Gordash, of Holy Mackerel (tasty!) beers.
This week Bobby contacted me with exciting news! An actual brewery is in place. Named, "The Mack House," Holy Mackerel’s Nano Brewery is located at 9118 State Road 84, Ridge Plaza, in Davie, Florida.
Bobby Gordash of Holy Mackerel beer. Originally photographed for Broward Palm Beach New Times.
Originally photographed for Broward Palm Beach New Times.
In other beer news, tonight I'll be heading out to capture the yearly celebration of Oktoberfest. Here's an expert's advice on how to survive this year's event. Wise words from New Times' Rebecca Dittmar. You can trust her, she drinks from an authentic stein.
Recently I had the opportunity to photograph my first CrossFit competition! The event took place at a place I'm quite familiar with, since every Sunday I teach yoga there, BGI South in West Palm Beach, Florida.
Take a look at the images from the "Beat the Streets" competition benefiting an awesome local charity, Steve's Club of the Palm Beaches. (More info below.)
Steve's Club founders and volunteers getting ready for the big day.
Kids CrossFitting for kids!
Partners & coaches. ;)
Memebers of Team JewFit doing their triangle push-ups.
Two rad people representing Spartan Race. Geishel, left, gave away entries to the upcoming Miami race. DJ Billy, right, MC'd the event.
A few of the competition winners!
B-G-I!
Congratulations to everyone involved in this event. The spectators, donors, competitors, and organizers. I am in awe, and proud to be a part of what the CrossFit community so often does; giving back.
To view the full gallery of photos from this event, CLICK HERE. Please remember 20% of all sales from this gallery go directly to Steve's Club of the Palm Beaches. :)
I got to photograph a teeny-tiny newborn just seven days old! Congratulations to first time parents, Suzanne and Jesse. You've got a new fishing buddy. :)
Six years go I was a full-time student commuting one hour each way several times a week, and a full-time lead sales agent/manager at a multi-million dollar company. By necessity, my social life was non-existent. I was either working or sleeping. Or driving.
Any spare block of time no longer than 20 minutes, but greater than 5, I would use for a "power-nap." I became hyper-aware of time, with an uncanny ability to guess what time it was before I even opened my eyes.
I knew it was not healthy when I felt that just by waking up, I was late.
What balanced out all of this hard work? We all make sacrifices for what we love, and I'd realized that passion while studying photography. That, and knowing that my frenzied pace of life couldn't last forever.
When I look back on it, it's easy for me to recognize that my love of photography was my first guru. It taught me how to SEE. To recognize the colors, shapes, and patterns in front of me were simply a mirror of what I felt. Thus allowing me to appreciate the consistency in change, and the skill to objectively observe the effect of light, or lack there-of, moment to moment.
Wow, this blog just got philosophical, fast. Bottom line: despite running toward what I liked, I was ultimately doing myself a disservice if I wasn't able to slow down and relax once and a while.
Finding my passion helped me to learn to stop and smell the roses. And to take pretty photos of them, too. Image taken in Provincetown, MA.
Six years ago when I had hardly the energy or time to spare, I found a way to attend Elliott Landy's photography exhibition at a Ft Lauderdale gallery.
Landy was the official Woodstock Music Festival photographer. You might not know him by name, as I hadn't prior to that day, but if you are remotely a fan of 60's era music, I bet you have seen some of his iconic concert and documentary photography. Bob Dylan, Janis Joplin, Richie Havens, Jim Morrison, Jimi Hendrix, The Band, etc. etc. etc.
Last night, I met him in person at the Norton Museum while on assignment for the Broward Palm Beach New Times. (See pics from the event.)
I listened to him describe what Woodstock meant to him. But what really effected me, was when he mentioned his theory of synchronicity. He described that when you are doing something you truly love, without trying, coincidences will happen as a reminder you're on the right track.
I got goosebumps.
Tomorrow night, I have a an exhibition at Artists Haven Gallery in Ft Lauderdale. The same gallery that six years prior, I found a moment to just let go and relax, and discovered the iconic photography of Elliott Landy.
Actual Woodstock tickets. Originally photographed for Broward Palm Beach New Times.
Elliott Landy describes which photograph he felt was the most iconic. See why I was so inspired: preview/buy his book HERE! Originally photographed for Broward Palm Beach New Times.
I hope this little backstory gives you a little inspiration to go to the show's opening tomorrow night. It will be up until August 31st, 2012. My piece is represented in the Music/Sports/Journalism/Documentary category.
I feel fortunate to have had the opportunity to travel a bit this summer. One place I landed was Cleveland, Ohio to photograph Chuck and Leai's modern baby shower. i.e. Co-ed.
They celebrated with friends, opened presents, ate fabulous food, and Chuck even rounded up the kids to play bobbing for apples...in ice water.
Yes, this was a non-traditional baby shower, and boy was it fun! Well, in this case, it's a girl! ;)
Chuck and Leai's brand new home. Just in time for baby!
Decorations, birdseed party favors, and the beautiful mom-to be, Leai.
A great day for an outdoor celebration! Looks like Baby Andrews will have plenty of friends!
YUM! Clearly the dessert table was one of my favorite places to be. ;)
Chuck and Leai's bird "Friggly" is about to get a sister really soon. Loved the wildflowers in the garden, and all of the music we listened to on vinyl.
The emotion of it all! Some had more fun than others...
THANK YOU Chuck and Leai for inviting me to capture such a special day. Wishing you a healthy delivery. Can't wait to photograph the baby :)
Delray Beach has officially been crowned the "Most Fun Small Town in America" by Rand McNally in a competition sponsored by the Travel Channel and USA Today!
This is especially exciting as a couple weeks ago, my friends from Kismet Recycled Vintage & Designer, shared a photo the judges took in their shop. You may recognize my artwork from my "Three Horses and a Pony" art show featured in this Sun-Sentinel Article.
Here's what the judges, Patricia Serrano, and Anna Haas had to say about what made Delray Beach more fun than many tough competitors, like Santa Claus, Indiana, for example:
"Located north of Boca Raton in South Florida’s Palm Beach County, this
town has a “Miami meets Manhattan in the ’60s” vibe (think Panama hats
and individually owned shops, not flip-flops and chain restaurants).
“You can be a yogi beach bunny one minute, on a boat cruising the marina
the next, then get your taste of great locally-sourced grub decked out
in a dress you got at one of the many awesome vintage stores before you
hit one of the town’s night spots.”"
Huge congrats to the City of Delray, Stephanie Immelman for being a fabulous hostess, Kevro's Art Bar for being named as a "not to miss" location, and Kismet Vintage for being one of the vintage stores that helped Patricia and Anna award the city such a prestigious honor.
Musician Kevin R. Williams, (Surfer Blood/Totempole) wearing a Kismet shirt.
Who else was deemed a "Top Town?" See the results for "Most Patriotic,"
"Friendliest," "Best for Food," and "Most Beautiful" in the USA Today article.
Tune in to the Travel Channel at 8pm next week, July 25th, to see a
special program featuring Delray Beach as the most fun small town in
America!
DON'T FORGET:
PBC:ART ends on August 4th. I have one piece on exhibit which features an exclusive selection of Palm Beach County artists. PB Cultural Council's Chief Executive Director, Rena Blades, stated about the show:
“These works represent a sample of the vast range, talent and quality of
professional artists living and working right here in Palm Beach
County.”
Also ending in August is your chance to see my work on the shelves of every Barnes and Noble, via Blindfold Magazine. Look for the RED cover with Ian Sommerhold (The Vampire Diaries, LOST) if it's a blue cover, you'll have to turn to the black market to try and buy a copy :P
COMING SOON:
A Few Days in Lexington.
Check back for photo essays from my recent travels to Lexington, Chicago and Cleveland! Anyone else having some picturesque Summer travel adventures?
