child

Mar

2015

Sketches: Behind the Chutes

Last fall I attended several local rodeos here in New Mexico: the Casper Baca Roughstock Rodeo Fall Series and the Bosque Farms Rodeo Association Fall Rodeo. Both rodeos allowed me up-close access, for which I am grateful. This kind of access allowed for photographs beyond the action in the arena and a glimpse into the focus and preparation involved in rodeo competition.

Recently a short series of behind the scenes images from these rodeos were posted on my Instagram, Facebook, and Flickr feeds but were neglected here. This post rectifies that.

A young cowboy awaits his 8 seconds on the steer. Bull riding is as much a mental game as it is a physical one.

Bull and Rider

A bull rider sits on a bull in the chutes leading to the bucking chute. A sense of familiarity appears to exist for both cowboy and bull.

A cowboy awaits his ride. There is a lot of time spent waiting for the 8 seconds aboard a bull.

A cowboy perhaps ponders what could have been after a Bosque Farms Rodeo Association Rodeo, Bosque Farms, New Mexico.

Feb

2014

Sketches: Distress

Liam realizes his brother has claimed the last piece of watermelon.

Jan

2014

Sketches: In The Beginning

Jul

2013

When Comes the Rain

As you might imagine-with New Mexico being a desert and all-rain is scarce here. This year especially we received less than an inch during the first 6 months of the year.

Drought? Perhaps.

Desert life, mostly.

We are fascinated with rain here. We have drainage channels (Arroyo’s) that stand dry most of the time with associated folk tales warning of their dangers (La Llorona). We have levees, we have storm drains, we have firemen specifically trained in water rescue. In the desert.

For when comes the rain, it comes. Hard and fast and cold it comes turning the dry arroyos into raging torrents, flooding streets, and breathing life into this desert community.

In my young children’s lives rain is an oddity, and an opportunity.

The summer rains came the other day.

Apr

2013

Sketches: The Couple

Some relationships are meant for a reason.

Some relationships are meant for a season.

And a few relationship – just a few – are meant for a lifetime.

Apr

2013

Sketches: Moments

Moments gained. Moments lost.

A look. A gaze. A pause. A burst of energy.

Life comes in stops and starts, flits.

A breath, an exhale, a sigh. A smile. A frown.

And the world turns around.

Don’t blink. Here. Gone.

Moments gained. Moments past.

Dec

2012

Sketches: Not Responsible

A Professional Bull Rider from Belen, New Mexico greets his wife and daughter before his comeback from injury ride in the Casper Baca Roughstock Rodeo in Belen, New Mexico, Spring 2012.

Dec

2012

A Limited Commodity

I was observing myself the other day. I was observing what I was feeling and what I was thinking, specifically about photography. And in this time of gift giving and gift receiving I was thinking about all the many things I would love to receive as a gift. Lately I’ve been wanting a digital rangefinder camera along the likes of a Fuji x100 or Fuji XPro-1 as many of my friends have switched to from larger dSLR bodies.

I began to notice all the justifications in my brain about what I could do with these new, smaller, quieter camera bodies and their fantastic lenses and lack of AA filter. And I noticed that I thought – well, actually believed – that my photography would improve if I had one of those cameras. That my pictures would be better. That more people would see and like my work. That my website would get more traffic. That I would receive more praise. That I would like my pictures more. That I could move about more freely with these smaller cameras.

And some of that might be true. But, you know, really I need more time.

I need time to work on projects. I need time to follow ideas through. I need time to process and organize and make books and upload and, and, and.

And I need time to spend with my wife and kids. And time to play. And time to read. And time to settle into my skin. And time to work.

And I began to realize that I need time. And if I need time, then that is what I need most.

And as I steadfastly approach my mid century of life I look back and realize it has all gone so fast so far. And while my best years might still be yet to come, I believe I have fewer of them. I look at my parents, my siblings, my friends, and I see the unmistakable marks of age and experience on their bodies and this mirrors back to me to be aware and present to that most precious and finite of commodities.

Time.

We have all we have, I suppose. And we have plenty of it, for now. (I’m certain I will argue that point in the end.)

But here it is: new camera? Or time?

A new camera won’t improve my photography, my way of seeing, my way of telling a story. But, if I apply what time there is well, I just might. Just me, awareness, and time.

Nov

2012

Sketches: The Future’s So Bright

A young child shields his eyes from the bright sun while riding his tricycle in Albuquerque, New Mexico, 2012.

Oct

2012

Sketches: Flower Girl Dreams

A Flower Girl Dreams

I shot my first wedding last month. A lovely celebration between a couple who clearly love each other, not simply in the romantic way that most weddings tend to evoke, but in a deep and committed way. They already have a family; they love similar things; they respect each other’s identity, integrity, and individuality. And they make a great team.

This is one of my favorite shots from that day. A simple setting. A simple pose. A simple story.