Kegan Rushing, Stylist - Alter Ego Salon - Raleigh, NC

I like watching other artists work. I also like to photograph them when they’re in the zone. Recently I had the pleasure to shoot Kegan Rushing, a stylist who works at Alter Ego Salon in Raleigh, while he cut my wife Elizabeth’s hair.

A bird lands on a chimney in Old Montreal, QB, Canada (click to view larger)

Stephen Aubuchon, one of my closest friends and photography mentor, moved back home to Montreal after working in the US for over 30 years. We drove his belongings and Merle the Maine Coon cat from Raleigh to Montreal last weekend in a 26 foot rental truck. The three day drive was mostly uneventful and somewhat scenic, as we avoided the toll roads.

I had a couple days to spend with Stephen exploring downtown Montreal before my flight back to Raleigh. We ate well (smoked meat rules), drank well, and somehow failed to take as many photos as we thought we would. The one above is my favorite so far. I thought it was a fitting tribute to Stephen finally coming home to roost (note the little bird landing on the chimney).

Shot with a Canon G10. Click to view larger.

Canon 50D / 10sec. @ f/22 / Tokina 16-50mm f/2.8

Every year I try to post up something creepy. It's tradition. I hope I can post a few more. I'm not sure this one tops last year's shot.

SchoolDude employees sporting their Dudestrong bracelets.

It seems like I’ve been doing a lot of photography at my “day job” lately. I don’t mind, especially if it’s for a really good cause. One of our own is fighting cancer. One of her team members asked me to collaborate on a gift for her. He had rubber bracelets made, like Lance Armstrong’s Livestrong bands, that say “Dudestrong” to support our colleague in her battle. We gathered the team and had a blast shooting this. He framed the photo after everyone signed the mat.

You go girl.

The Dude getting his close-up.

So, we have a mascot at SchoolDude.com, where I work as their Web Strategist and occasional photographer. He’s simply know as “The Dude” around the office.

SchoolDude.com is getting ready to celebrate it’s 10th anniversary. How many dot coms can claim that status? Fewer each year, I’m sure. Anyway, I was asked to shoot a series of portraits for our marketing team to use in the materials we’ll be using to mark the anniversary. I realized I had a chance to do a portrait within a portrait so I did just that.

Jon Harrison, the dude inside The Dude.

Joh Harrison is a multi-media designer at SchoolDude. He always seems to pull Dude duty. He was a good sport considering we were making him hold cupcakes containing lit candles with his fat foam fingers. Thanks Jon!

I’ve launched a new blog: www.picturingraleigh.com.

Simply put, PicturingRaleigh.com is a photo blog featuring photographers who are passionate about living in and sharing their vision of Raleigh, North Carolina. My goals in creating this site are to promote photographers, enable discussion about their work, and create a vibrant and ongoing visual diary of one of the fastest growing cities in the country.

I will be seeking out and inviting local photographers to contribute. The photographers invited to contribute will be chosen for their skill, vision and ability to tell a story in pictures and words. Unlike the show Survivor, they will be voted into the tribe, not out of it ;-)

Abandoned car in Raleigh, along Capital Boulevard.

It’s been a while since I’ve had the time to just go do some photography for the heck of it, you know, personal work. Elizabeth and I went to the 2nd Annual Traffic Jam, a mini flea market for creative types that was hosted by Adam Peele at his screen printing studio in Raleigh, NC. It was nice to just walk around shooting randomly and enjoying the all the energy, music and oddities for sale.

Elizabeth Wingfield

Hopefully, now that I’ve moved past some major project deadlines at work, I’ll have more time to just shoot — stretching my photographic wings.

Maceo

Maceo, our 8 year old Ticked Tabby was admitted to the emergency clinic at the NCSU School of Veterinary Medicine last night (8/24). He developed a blockage that caused his bladder to swell to the size of an apple. If we hadn’t taken him when we did, he might not be here today. When cats cannot urinate, the potassium level in their blood rises to a point where it distresses their heart rate, and if not treated quickly results in certain death.

He spent the night and half of today at the Vet School clinic under the care of a senior resident and several students. They inserted a catheter to relieve his bladder and did a series of x-rays to see if there were any other issues. A blood test showed that his potassium level was elevated, but fortunately his heart rate was still beating at a safe rate. The students then administered IV fluids all night in an attempt to wash out the crystals in his bladder that caused the blockage. He did well overnight and he ate a healthy breakfast.

We picked him up after 1pm and transported him to out primary vet, Brentwood Animal Hospital’s Dr. Neuenschwander. He will stay with Dr. N on IV fluids until he thinks that it’s safe to remove the catheter and IV port.

If you have a male cat, make sure you learn about urinary issues that can affect your furry friend.

Congratulations to you both. The ceremony and reception were over the top as expected. A beautiful afternoon and evening with friends and family — I enjoyed the privilege of being there to capture it all for you.

Elizabeth and I visited a feral cat colony in the Seaboard area of downtown Raleigh while on our way to our favorite bistro. The cats live in the storm sewers and come out in the evenings to play and hunt for food. I noticed that some of the shop owners in the area have been creating shelters and providing food. Awesome.

Light Testing

A couple of “selfies” as a test for an upcoming shoot. I recently acquired a lovely 22cm gridded beauty dish for my Bowens lighting rig. I wanted to test it out before I turn it loose in the wild.

Yeah, I know plaid and argyle don’t mix well. Sssshhh.

So, Purple Armchair is out and Get Dressed is in. I shot interiors and details for Get Dressed's article to appear in the Independent's Open for Business feature.

If you're into consignment shopping for vintage or new clothing and accessories, check out Get Dressed. They're a little different in their approach:

"GET DRESSED is a new concept in consignment shopping that offers an economical and practical clothing alternative for every member of your family with the added bonus of having a personal wardrobe consultant free of charge. We will also be offering one–of-a kind locally crafted and fairly traded clothing and accessories. Over subsequent visits we hope to develop an enduring relationship that will help us understand your past, who you are now and, most importantly, who you want to be. We are not here as image consultants to tell you how you should look but instead intend to help you find clothing that compliments your physique, reflects your life style and best conveys your true and best sense of self. We are invested in helping you find your full true expression through how you dress."

Receiving IV antibiotics in the hallway at Duke Raleigh Hospital

The wounds Mika gave me on my left hand became very infected and the red area had progressed over most of my hand. After taking my temperature (101.5), I felt like a trip to the emergency room was in order. Elizabeth came home early from work and chauffeured me to the ER. She gave me moral support and kept me smiling through the process.

The ER doc decided I had Cellulitis and put me on two IVs containing very powerful antibiotics. The first one made me vomit within seconds of starting the drip. The second one was easier on my insides, but took a lot longer to administer. Kudos to my nurse Eric. He was awesome with the IVs, and quick on the anti-nausea pills.

So, hopefully I'll wake up tomorrow fever-free and with less swelling in my hand. Knock wood.

Mika

I took Mika to the vet this morning because she was having trouble breathing. More than usual. She's had some breathing issues in the past, but they alway seemed to clear up.

The vet suggested we xray her chest to see what was going on. While trying to get her into position, she freaked out, started gasping and attacked my hands with tremendous ferocity. We decided she needed to be sedated, and the vet expressed worry that, in her current state of breathing difficulty, the sedation might kill her. Fortunately, it didn't.

Upon reviewing the xrays, while I tried to stop my hands from bleeding, we discovered a very large mass in her chest. It was most likely a tumor. The mass was compressing her heart, lungs and trachea. It was then that the conversation went from objective to subjective. It was decision time. I made the tough call to Elizabeth to let her know that we needed to put Mika down. She changed course from heading to work to heading to the vet's office.

We waited for Elizabeth to arrive. We held Mika and said our goodbyes. Moments later, she was gone.

Mika led a very difficult life. She was a rescue cat from an abusive home. She's had one illness after another and a traumatic injury shortly after moving in with us years ago. She always bounced back. She was a fighter, and a very sweet cat in spite of her life's ordeals.

We'll miss her greatly.

Photo by Elizabeth Wingfield

Elizabeth and I took Amtrak to Washington, DC to see the Richard Avedon "Portraits of Power" show at the the Corcoran Gallery. The gallery was sponsoring a fun project that allowed visitors to use a photo booth that mimics Avedon's style to do self-portraits.

Juvenile Cooper's Hawk

It snowed in Raleigh for the first time this winter. I awoke to the sound of my wife, Elizabeth, scurrying around like a kid, excited about the snow. She suddenly cried out for me to come to the kitchen window. I rubbed my sleepy eyes and stumbled out into the bright light and was amazed to see a young Cooper's hawk perched in the dogwood tree just outside the kitchen window. I quickly slammed a memory card into my camera and started shooting. I was happy to have gotten a few good shots before he took off.

I just want to wish everyone (even those of you I'm not speaking to) happy and safe holidays. May your wishes come true and carry you into the new year with a smile on your face and enough dough to ring it in with style.

I recently shot a charity fashion show by Banana Republic held at Solas in Raleigh.

Thanks to Jeff Cammera, rep for Banana Republic eyewear, for the hook-up!