October has been busy!

October is the deadline for most school's seniors to get their picture in for the yearbook. Late September and Early October sees a lot of senior portrait work for photographers as that's when most people begin thinking of school photos. I recommend all juniors to think about getting their portraits done in the summer if at all possible so that you have a lot of time to decide over which picture will be sent in and that you don't have to deal with it while dealing with sports, homework, and other senior year stressors!

Still, one of the most fun times to get portraits done are while the seasons change. Fall brings a lot of great texture and color - if you can get out while there's sun and not rain. Rain can make for some pretty unique pictures, but I know it's not ideal for most! I'm not a fan of being wet and cold, either!

I had the priveledge of meeting some of the class of 2012 this month. The last few sessions involved a SoHi Star and twin Kenai Kardinals. Each had a distinct personality and it was fun - and sometimes a challenge - to get their personalities to come through. But once they did, oh boy! Seniors continue to be my favorite sessions!

Aside from portraits I also attended the Medium Schools Football Championships and watched Kenai regain their Champion title. Congratulations to both Kenai and Homer for a game well played!

Sadly, with my sports lens still out being serviced I was unable to shoot the event, but I did take the smaller lens and shot some of the drumline's work. I'm currently editing those pictures so we'll have to wait and share those on another day!

Love Me Some Football!

In the last year since having my 100-400mm lens I've shot many a football game - mainly Kardinal football as that was my high school after all, but none the less, I have given my lens a workout. So much so that when I shot Kenai's homecoming last weekend it finally gave out on me. To say I'm bummed is an understatement. I love that lens. It's perfect for sports as well as wildlife photography. I miss it. What's worse is we're getting closer to the playoffs. My lens is out for repair for "at least" the next 10 business days... two weeks means I miss the last two games of the regular season unless a miracle happens. I'm so disappointed.

But! Before my lens went completely haywire I managed to snap off this shot of Kenai's AJ Hull.



Kards play the Homer Marineers on Saturday, the Stars play the Panthers. Friday it's the Bulldogs vs Seward. Good luck to all the teams, stay safe, and may the best team win!

Kardinals vs Stars for State

Yesterday I braved the cold and attended the Small School Division State Championship Football game. Lifetime rivals Kenai and Soldotna high schools battled it out. SoHi won with a record making score of 77 to Kenai's 42. As an alum of Kenai, you can imagine the disappointment, but at the same time our boys played the game and they have every right to be proud of their season.

I, of course, took my camera to practice with my new telephoto lens (which I am in love with now and forever, by the way) and shot most of the game. Yesterday was downright freezing and I'm surprised we didn't see snow. My camera gave out towards the end of the third quarter as it was just too cold (I was, too. Major shivers!).

Here are a few shots from the game (I did not shoot this in any official capacity. Check out ASAA.com [org?] for the official photos).

Congratulations to Soldotna High School for a great exhibition of athletic ability. Wow.

Congratulations Kenai Kardinals

I was in Kenai this weekend watching my former high school's homecoming festivities. My brother is a sophmore at Kenai right now and plays in the drumline. Took pictures - of course - of the bonfire and the game with my new lenses. I LOVE my 100mm-400mm lens. Fantastic.

So, in honor of Kenai's win on homecoming, I will share one from the game. A larger photo post will have to wait till later as I'm still editting all of the photos from this weekend. Enjoy!

Team huddle before game starts.