Proud Dad!

...so my two daughters have been doing some modeling for a gymnastics catalog.

Actually they have been doing it for quite a while now - Maeve and Ella both started when they were five (Maeve's now 10 and Ella's 7). Looking thru my keepsakes I count seven different catalogs - they have not been in evey single one, but generally they have been doing 1 or 2 a year. Both kids just love doing it and have a ton of fun at the shoot. I guess watching Americas Next Top Model has been paying off as both just seem to have that natural ability to strike poses.

My wife and I have been contemplating about trying to get the kids involved in some more modeling, but there just seem to be so many "money makers" and scams out there that we have not really been pushing to see what the next step would be to get them involved in other "projects". It's one of those things that they seem to have the talent and really love doing it - it's almost a shame to not try and help them get more involved in modeling. Not that anyone really reads my blogs, but if anyone does and is, works for a company that does or knows of anyone that is looking for beautiful child models - drop me a line!

Hey, even dad was pulled into one of the catalogs as a last minute desperation model.

been too long

since I last posted -getting side tracked so much and busy with photography and family life.

I have photographed only two races since my last post and both have been road races. These are a nice change of pace but very different...almost would say I like shooting these better. But they have their problems.....usually called FULL SUN! Which plays havic on obtaining proper exposures.

First was the Robert Fulton PA State Championship race back in July - great event but the course scenery was not very appealling - just lots of telephone poles, houses and general background crap to deal with. You would think that being in tne country that would not be a problem, it it was. Full gallery can be viewed here:

http://mlkimages.smugmug.com/2007%20Sports/350907

Second race was the Tour de Christiana - Two days of racing. Saturday Road Race and a Sunday morning Time Trial and afternoon Criterium. I decided to drive around the courses as much as possible (I usually ride my bike) since I just threw my back out (again). I like geting around this way - may have to keep moving aeround in this manner. People probably do not realize how hard it is to photography a race (at least the way I do it). After each day my tee shirt was soken wet, food is usually just snacking on some peanuts or something and I can only carry so much water with me. After some events I am more sore the next day then after a race - go figure.

Full gallery can be viewed here:

http://mlkimages.smugmug.com/2007%20Sports/360481

My sister from Florida and her husband were up this past weekend so we had a nice family get together - this does not happen much in my family so it was nice to have everyone together for the weekend. We all met up at my moms house on the Chesapeake Bay. We did not bring our dog down so Karen and myself drove home Friday and Saturday nights. Some drinking, crabs, nice boat ride, etc - all for a nice family weekend.

and me with the cronic back problems - getting all excited for cyclocross season. I was planning on racing and photographing the rest of the day. Even bought a new cross bike with carbon tubulars. But, I threw my back out over two weeks ago - No big deal as it usually only takes a week to get back to nornmal. Unfortunately this time I am going on three weeks and still not better. Plus I have been having some weakness in my left leg - had an ultrasoud done and it came back normal so now I am off to the Christiana Spine Center for a check. My wife working in the medical industry checks on line for some info and had diagnosed me with a pinched nerve in my back - caused by the degenerative problem I have which has been what has been causing my back pain....just now it has worked its way into my leg :( Unfortunately I think this could be the end to my cross season as it is difficult to race with one leg at 40%. Hopfully there is is a fix.

....also almost forgot - although I mostly photograph sports - I had a friend contact me to shoot some family pictures. I set the time to catch the evening sun but when I got to his house it was set in a valley surrounded by all trees. Caught me off guard as it was going to be much darker than I had planned and I was unable to use the sun for lighting. Still I made out ok and I think they parents were satisfied - which is what matters.

Michael