Watchful

A triptych of painted eyes taken from an exterior building mural (Helio Mural Project) by Anthony Lewellenin, in Wicker Park (N. Milwaukee Ave & Wood St.) – Chicago, Illinois.

Click here to view the entire painting and a time lapse video.

Bearing The Cross

St. Paul’s United Church of Christ – Chicago, Illinois

Complementary

St. Paul’s United Church of Christ – Chicago, Illinois

Time Out For A Picnic

Danialle and I met-up with a photographer sent by Time Out Chicago magazine at Rosehill Cemetery and Mausoleum on Sunday to shoot some images of us for an upcoming article about our Chicago Cemetery Tour. We started the shoot in front of John G. Shedd’s family crypt, in the heart of the mausoleum, and then went outside to do some corny walking through the cemetery shots. It was strange to be on the other side of the glass, but totally a blast.

(photo by Danialle Foy)

Later that day, we went to Graceland Cemetery with some friends and family for a picnic on Chicago architect Daniel Burnham’s island gravesite. After the picnic, we all took a stroll around the cemetery lake to view the monuments that surround its parameter.

My nephew put some miles on his feet, running erratically throughout the graveyard with his magic wand (a stick). The image below is of him visiting the grave of William Kimball, founder of the Kimball Piano and Organ Company.

Rob and Phillip

Last weekend, I attended and photographed my first gay wedding. For the past several weeks, I have been assisting an amazing wedding photographer, Kevin Weinstein (www.kevinweinstein.com). Kevin didn’t need me to assist him for this wedding, so I asked if it would be OK for me to do some second shooting instead. Thanks, Kevin!

The wedding took place in the beautiful St. Paul’s United Church of Christ. When Kevin and I entered the chapel, the organist was warming up, playing what sounded like the score to Bram Stoker’s Dracula. It sounded awesome.

Thanks to Rob and Phillip for allowing me to capture their momentous occasion.

(Click on images to enlarge)

Chicago Federal Reserve Bank

Last week, I had the opportunity to shoot an event at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago. I have walked past the the Federal Reserve Bank numerous times, but this was my first time inside and, my first time photographing the mayor, Richard M. Daley (bottom image).

2008 U.S. Air Guitar Championships

Thanks to a friend, I scored an All Access/Media pass for the 2008 U.S. Air Guitar Regional Championships in Chicago. The event took place at Metro, Thursday, June 12th.

The event was almost canceled due to an interruption of power to the venue just as the competitors were ascending the stairs to the backstage. Power to the whole block and surrounding blocks was out. Everyone in the venue was evacuated until power was restored – about an hour and a half later.

This is the first “live music” event that I have photographed, and I LOVED it. Being able to walk freely throughout the venue and on stage was awesome. I’m looking forward to the opportunity to photograph “real” musicians in the future.

If you haven’t seen it yet, go rent the documentary film Air Guitar Nation to fully understand the “airness.”

Here are a few images from the night (click to enlarge):

At Peace, At Last

1924 – 2008
One of the most distinct memories I have of my grandfather is of him smoking a pipe and the smell of his pipe tobacco. The man loved his pipe.

The white object below his hands is a ceremonial apron worn by members of Freemasonry. Interestingly, the man that “raised” my great-grandfather in Freemasonry was the officiant performing the Masonic rites ceremony at grandfather’s funeral.

Some people may think it is disrespectful to photograph the recently departed; I’m not one of those people. Post-mortem Photography (also known as memorial portraiture) was very popular during the 1800’s, peaking towards the end of the 19th century.

West Loop Photowalk

Yesterday morning, Danialle and I met-up with a couple of Chicago Flickr photogs to shoot some models Strobist-style near the meat packing district, in the West Loop.

Out of the three models that were confirmed for the day, zero showed up. Two called that morning to cancel (one had a zit on her nose. haha!) and the third was M.I.A.

Since it was a gorgeous day we just walked around the area and photographed our surroundings for a couple of hours. I haven’t really spent much time in the West Loop since moving to Chicago, so it was cool to see a different side of the city. Besides being the home of the meat packing district, the West Loop appears to attract the artistic. We walked by many commercial buildings containing artist’s studios and galleries.

There were LOTS of great backgrounds for models – too bad we didn’t have any. Ha ha! We had a great time regardless. Maybe next time.