Friday, July 27

Smell of the Gas, Roar of the Engine



Standing in the dust and gas fumes taking this shot was made worth it by the lovely effect the 8pm summer sun had when it hit the particle in the air. I also like the way this shot looks like a well-orchestrated dirt bike gang coming to attack.

These, the first shots of my new beat in Savage and Scott County, were taken at the Supercross event at the Scott County Fair on Wednesday. More photos here.

Thursday, July 26

Mmm ... Summer


To me, what you see above — in what appears to be a bunch of cucumbers that have been dropped on the floor — is what summer tastes like.

(it's garden cucumbers with lemon and chilli powder)

Wednesday, July 25

Business Cards







I'm working on some business cards. Let me know what you think. I wanted the image on the front to be evocative, colorful and speak to my style. I think the images on the back speak for themselves. How many shall I order?

My blog absence has been caused by adjustment to my new position at work. We're also working on launching a new arts section called Thisweekend Sept. 1. Since I am heading to Iceland for two weeks in August, I've been doing a lot of prep work for the section in the last week and a half.

Friday, July 13

A Little Bluegrass




I headed to the Dakota County Fairgrounds last Saturday to cover the Bluegrass in the Village festival. This video features Kegan Creek Bluegrass Band members playing with Jerry Hamel, of Eagan in a jam session at the end of the day July 7.

If These Walls Could Talk ...

In this week's paper I ran two house profiles for which I also created photo-tours.

You can view the Flynn house or read more about it. You can also view the T.C. Davis Manor or read more about it.

Incidentally, these will likely be my last Farmington stories as I transition to a new position as the city of Savage editor and Scott County reporter. I'll also be the Arts editor.


Thursday, July 12

Panorama of Progress

After the Bluegrass in the Village Festival, I headed over to Pan-o-Prog to help our Lakeville editor, Derrick, cover the city festival. It was my gift to his wife, Carrie, who celebrated her birthday Saturday.

There are a few pictures I took during Pan-o-Prog in an online slideshow from the festival. The photos I took are the last seven in the slideshow. The other photos were taken by our staff photographer, Rick Orndorf and by Derrick Williams, the Lakeville editor.

Tuesday, July 10

Busy, Busy B

This post is dedicated to anyone who has been checking my blog and wondering if I dropped off the face of the earth in the last week. I did not. Here is what I have been up to recently:

My nephew Joe E.'s dance recital:





Portraits for my sister-in-law Nikki and her father, Roger:



Construction in Farmington, as seen in a post below. Head here for a slideshow:



Lakeville's Panorama of Progress festival:



(Taken during a wheel barrow race at the Beach Bash, a special event for teenagers)

Bluegrass Festival at the Dakota County Fairgrounds:



Farmington historical house profiles:





3-year Portraits of Jameson:



I took Jameson's portraits today, which also happens to be his mother's birthday. Happy birthday, Jolynn!

Full posts on each will come as I am able.

Monday, July 9

Ha! Connect Six



After having so much playing Connect Four on my birthday we bought ourselves a set and have had an on-going tournament. Joe chose his team name, "Good Guy," and then gave me mine, "Shiester Girl." We tally our wins and hang it on our fridge for bragging rights.

Well, Saturday I was behind 35-28, when I went on an unbelievable winning streak that included this rare Connect Six. The streak continued Sunday, until Joe finally broke it. Joe is now up by only two.


Friday, July 6

Construction Junction



After I trod around in the dirt Tuesday, I came upon this set of brothers digging for worms in the dirt. The older two were standing in the demolished street hacking into the side of their lawn and the youngest was out in the abandoned dirt road. The worms were for their new found friend — a bird that they assumed had been shaken from a tree by the construction. I photographed them trying to feed the bird.

As I was leaving this truck pulled up to help them remove some rubble and they excitedly hoped inside.

Wednesday, July 4

I don't wear anythinig I can't wipe my hands on



I haven't quite solved the problem wearing nice clothes to the office presents when my day involves shooting in the grass or water or mud. A lot of times this is because I don't know I'm going to be shooting in the grass or water or mud when I get dressed. But do I let wearing a dress stop me from taking pictures of construction on a rainy day? Of course not. I just slipped on my boots and trod through the mud, using a plastic bag to cover the camera from rain and to kneel on.




* The title is from an Ani DiFranco song.