V Gallery

I’m slackin’. I know it.

Mon, 25 Jan 2010 09:55:14 -0600

And I’m not going to take much time to write anything here right now either. I’ve got a few things brewing that I might throw on here at some point in the near future, but for now, I’m just gonna post this video that my friend, Fuzzy sent me. It’s about a couple of nuts and if you know me and Fuzzy, then you know it’s very appropriate.

The first person that can name...

Tue, 29 Dec 2009 10:23:11 -0600

...all three people in this photograph and spell their names correctly, will win a prize from V Gallery...either a free studio session for 2010 or one of our brand new V Gallery educational products to be released next week.

Send your guesses to jedness@mac.com.

UPDATE: We have a winner! Dennis Ewing sent the first correct response. The people in the photo are Frank Thomas (former Major League Baseball star), Vicki Taufer (wife of Jed Taufer) and Phil Ivey (arguably the greatest professional poker player on the planet). This photo was taken at the Bellagio a few years ago right after Vicki spoke at WPPI. We were celebrating at a restaurant when I spied these fellas. Phil was more than happy to take a pic with Vic and the girls. Frank was certain we were going to “sell the pictures on eBay” until I assured him that the girls had no idea who he was (which was true). Thanks to everyone for playing. Look for more fun stuff in 2010!!!

I hope that everyone had a wonderful Christmas. Things are good around here. I haven’t been any busier than normal, but I’ve gotten into the whole Twitter thing as of late so this blog has suffered a bit.

I’ve been told that I need to start posting some more “deep, meaningful stuff”. Again, I can only apologize for my lack of effort. I’ve put it into other things as of late.

My main priority lately has been work, but I’ve also put some time over the holidays into watching a few movies. In the past week, I’ve seen two movies that I won’t soon forget. The obvious one is Avatar. What a spectacle. If there ever was a movie that should be seen in a theater as opposed to at home on the couch, it’s Avatar. And check it out in 3D. It really is the next level of visual deliciousness. I gave it an 8.25 because I couldn’t decide between an 8 and an 8.5.

The other flick was just released on dvd last week. It’s called District 9 and if you missed this one, rectify the situation and check it out as soon as you can. It’s wonderful and unlike anything I’ve ever seen. If Avatar’s story is familiar (and it really is, hence the sub-9 rating), District 9 unfolds in a way that is as fresh and unique as it is brilliant and touching. There’s something for everyone here...action, sci-fi, intrigue, underlying social/political themes, suspense and even a terrific love story. And it’s all woven together in a tight little package that never chugs.

I haven’t rated it yet as I really want to see it again, but at this point, it’s at least a 9.5. I’m seriously considering giving it a 10. I haven’t done that in a long time, but District 9 might just have what it takes.

At some point, I’ll post my top 100 list on here. In the meantime, I’ll have to clean it up a bit as District 9 has just bumped some other film off of it.

The next few weeks are full of travel for us. We’ll be at spa in San Diego starting on Saturday and we fly straight to Imaging USA in Nashville from there. Lots of stuff going on. If you’ll be at one of those events, be sure to look us up. Most of the time, I don’t mind chatting and if I look tired, it’s because I am. But don’t let that stop you from saying “hi”.

Well, get back to me on that picture up there. I wonder if anyone is going to get it right off that bat?

Vicki and I recently renewed our vows.

Tue, 8 Dec 2009 12:59:33 -0600

Why did we do it? Well, I’m not quite sure. It seemed like a good idea. And it was. We had a very intimate little private ceremony on the beach with our best friends who also renewed their vows.

I guess I just never thought about how others might react when you tell them upon being asked what you’re going to do during a long weekend in West Palm Beach involves renewing your wedding vows. Right away people assume that something must be ‘up’. But not everyone feels comfortable asking you if something is ‘up’. They just nod their head and say, “Ohhhhhhhhh...that sounds...nice.”

And then their head keeps nodding as they wait for you to say something.

Here’s the thing. It’s times like these that I enjoy not saying anything. Let ‘em wonder a little bit, that’s what I say. You gotta always leave ‘em wanting more and all that.

What REALLY gets me is that sometimes I get the feeling from some people that they want something to be “up”. You know what I mean? If there’s one thing that seems to pique most everyone’s interest, it’s a bit or two of gossip.

And I must admit that I have fallen prey to this myself.

What is it that makes us this way? Are we so shallow and self-centered that it can actually make us feel better about ourselves when we hear of another’s misfortune?

Call me crazy, but I submit that sometimes the answer is a resounding ‘yes’. I’d be lying to you if I said that I’ve gone almost 35 years and have never found myself snickering at something that I most definitely should NOT have.

And why?

Because sometimes I think (or do) bad things. And so do you. That’s why.

Who of us has never been to a mall, or an airport, or Wal-Mart and thought, “Wow.” And yet, we’re all called to love each other and care about each other and help each other.

Maybe next time we see someone or hear about someone who is apparently in bad shape, we can find out if there is anything we can do for them. It IS that time of year after all, isn’t it? The time to love...the time to care...the time to help.

So make it happen. Love someone. Show someone you care. Help someone.

Whether it’s your wife, or parent, or child, or sibling, or friend...or a complete stranger. Better yet...do something nice for someone you just can’t stand. We’re called to love those people too.

It doesn’t have to be something drastic or expensive or even time consuming. Tell someone they look very nice or affirm them for something they did or said. Help someone carry something or open a door for them.

Crap...make eye contact with someone and smile at them for goodness sake!

Just do something to make someone’s day better. You might find that it makes your day better as well.

Well this turned into a bit of an unexpected rant. I didn’t expect that and now I get to go back through and decide whether or not I want to edit this because to be honest, I’m not entirely sure of what I just typed. Didn’t I start off talking about why we slipped on down to Florida for a few days?

Oh yeah. It was to renew our vows. And yes, it was...nice.

There are some things that...

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 13:41:29 -0600

...as a photographer you have no control over. Despite our best efforts, we can’t make the sun shine or force a genuine smile or, in this case, make an angry kid happy just for the sake of making an image.

What we’ve discovered over the years though, is that sometimes what you can’t control hooks you up on the back end. One of Vicki’s best weddings she ever shot was an outdoor event during one of the biggest all-day downpours in history. I remember it well because I had to work outside all day building a staircase for our rent house. It rained so hard that day that I had to change clothes three times. Vicki had no such option.

But she did one of the things she does best and made a bunch of lemonade with all of those lemons that showed up in the form of huge drops of cool precipitation. Out came the umbrellas and from what I understand, a blast was had by all despite the inclement weather. And it showed in the imagery.

Recently, she had me come into her office to see an image. When this happens, I always know she’s got something special for me to see. This time was no exception. I’ve posted an image of this little fella and to say the least, he is not happy. This is easily one of my favorite images in the V Gallery archives. I can’t help but smile every time I see it.

So, for all you photogs out there, don’t be afraid to capture the moment no matter what that moment is. I just thought I’d share this one with you. Thanks to the mom of this cute little guy for giving us permission to post it. If it was me, this would be the wall portrait that hung in my house.

If you are capable of making an image...

Thu, 5 Nov 2009 11:41:07 -0600

...please consider doing this. Visit www.help-portrait.com, watch the two videos and think about how you’ve been blessed. I don’t even need to say anything else.

UPDATE: We’ve created a Central Illinois Group. Anyone interested in joining us can follow this link. Let me know if you have any questions. I hope to see you there!!!