Posted on June 13, 2010
It seems like every time I am shooting an engagement session, I end up with a story. Tonight, as we were taking our last few shots, a loud group of guys was egging on the couple. I turned around to see a huge group of younger guys standing around, and they asked to get into a pic with my couple. Without hesitation, I waved them over. One of my favorite quotes of the shoot “Naw, guys no gang signs..this is a family picture.”
Awesome! Thanks Charlaine and Chris (and group of guys)! Check out more shots over on Facebook.
Posted on April 30, 2010
Create your own video slideshow at animoto.com.
Posted on April 20, 2010
I lost a great friend yesterday and have come to find solace in the photos I have taken over the last few years. While most of my photography is aimed at capturing the happier moments of life, I also thought I would share with everyone how it helps to cope with loss and the affirmation of love that often chases on the tail of grief.
My Aunt was a remarkable woman. For all of her 86 years, she never had a driver’s license and only once drove a car. She was never married. She remained stubbornly independent and optimistically enthusiastic until her final days. She had a decades-old crush on John Wayne and the only dream I knew she had was to own not only a big screen TV, but one with color. She cherished the simpler things in life, preferring her old creaky recliners over new furniture and often had a small clutch of cats scurrying about her small Massachusetts apartment.
Aunt Ruth watched over me as a young child when my mom was at work. She cleaned my scraped knees, comforted me after bee stings, and made the best damn grilled cheeses you could ever ask for. Her egg nog was a welcome comfort in the dark New England Winters. Aunt Ruth was always an enthusiastic welcome at holiday parties and her campy birthday cards always seemed to find their target a day ahead of the celebrations.
One of my most fond ongoing memories of Aunt Ruth was when she would walk to the end of Pond Factory Road in Woodstock to meet us at
the bus. No matter the weather, no matter the day, as the bus rounded the corner a small, proud woman would be standing in a winter coat, eager to hear about our days at school. The New England autumns were especially amazing as we walked the mile and a half road through the wild, fiery colors of maple and oak. Before we played, Aunt Ruth made sure we did our chores. After the clanking of poorly washed dishes and the thumps of a loaded woodbox, we could then retreat to the chilly outside to play.
Another of my memories was as a very young kid. Aunt Ruth and I would walk everywhere (she never had a car) around Southbridge, Mass 
where she lived. For some reason she always encouraged me to walk along the stone walls that often lined the sidewalk. As a child, it was fun. As an adult, it proves that she taught me that some of the most rewarding things in life are often not found along the commonly taken paths.
Aunt Ruth has also been an inspiration for me as an adult. For twenty-something years, she went to work at a factory in Massachusetts making jewelry tags. She never missed a single day, and even when she would share her stories, never complained about her work. She always had such compassion for her pets – that I can’t help but think that provided me with life lessons on caring for the smaller things in life and my work as an animal rights advocate. Aunt Ruth encouraged me on our numerous walks to collect the pretty rocks we would see along the way. Back at her house, she would wash a glass jar and we would arrange the stones inside, and close the lid to seal them in. It was a few years ago that I found some of these jars among her only possessions. She taught me to see beauty in the smaller things among us, and was an inspiration for me as a budding photographer.
Aunt Ruth was such a stunningly simple person – she lived on a tiny pension and a social security check. Yet, I never heard her once complain. She always 
seemed to be so content with herself and comfortable in her own self. I truly…honestly…hope that as I get older I become more like her.
Perhaps, selfishly, I will really miss our Saturday phone calls. Over the last several years (it has become tougher as of late), we had a chat every Saturday. She always sounded to eager to hear of my endeavors and adventures – a surreal contrast and perhaps escape – from the confines of her nursing home room. While I would share tales of ziplining in Kauai, or details on my exciting new cell phone, she kept me grounded with stories about the ham she had for dinner last night – and how good it was.
Aunt Ruth…your crackling laugh and soothing voice will be missed so dearly. Perhaps the greatest thing of all however, is your crooked smile, your perfect heart, and your unconditional love you so freely shared with those around you. Thank you for being an inspiration, a true person, and a role model to a family.
Honeybunch
Posted on March 21, 2010
I was humbled and honored this morning when the official list of the NW7 was announced. Misty Damico of So this is Bliss did an amazing job of assembling artists that align with her business principles and her care for her clients.
Check out the official list and the other photographers here.
Scott
Posted on February 22, 2010
I forgot all about this, until I just saw a picture in the news and it all came back to me.
My wife and I were living in Alaska, and just moved from Eagle River to a great little condo in Girdwood. Girdwood is an AMAZING small town, nestled in a valley about 40 miles south of Anchorage. The cornerstone of Girdwood is Alyeska – a decently sized ski resort. Our condo was at the bottom of Chair 3 and we could basically ski right into our living room.
The year was 2004, and the US Alpine Championships were going on at Alyeska. However, somehow, I had NO CLUE about any of it. Maybe it was my 40 mile commute along one of the most dangerous avalanche-blizzard-mountain goat stretches that had me delirious.
Anyway, I noticed there was a commotion in front of the condo, with sled dogs and some folks in native Alaskan garb. I grabbed my camera as a chance to shoot some sled dogs, and headed out.
I soon realized there was a guy and his (cute) girlfriend trying to get into the sled, and everyone was laughing, having a good time. I started shooting and shooting just for fun. It soon seemed to me, that something more was happening than just some random people getting into a sled with a team of dogs. As I was shooting, I casually asked the guy…”who are you?”
“Uh..” He froze and looked at me. “I am Bode Miller.”
While I do [did] quite a bit of skiing, and lived in one of America’s best ski towns, I was not a big follower of Olympic sports. I casually asked one of the handlers next to me “Okay, who is Bode Miller?”
I have long since lost these images from before I was a pro. Unless they are hiding on some external drive in the attic… It might be time to do some looking around.
Posted on January 20, 2010
Posted on January 19, 2010
If there is one thing that really grates me…past the stupid drivers and too small parking spaces, it is greenwashing. For those who aren’t aware of this practice, it starts when a company wants to appear like they care about the environment yet do little in reality. Last week I saw a bottle of Windex in the store with a green sticker on top called “Greenlist.” Apparently, there is some master list of chemicals some people thought were “green” and if the chemicals in your product match the chemicals on this list, then they get to put a green sticker on the product. Greenwashing at it’s finest.
I preface this post with this information because I want to convey to my clients – both present and future – that I am a truly dedicated individual that recognizes the impact even my small photography business places on the planet.
Aside from being a vegetarian and an avid recycler, here are a list of what I am currently doing to minimize my negative impact on the planet:
- Terrapass: Each year I estimate the miles I plan on driving and purchase carbon emissions offsets from Terrapass. These offsets are audited and do result in a carbon reduction by routing those miles through wind and other alternative energy sources.
- Paperless contracting and client management: Many of my clients know about my online client websites. These paperless programs allow us to conduct business without printing and mailing contracts, quotes or any other needless paper.
- Recycling: All paper waste from the studio is 100% recycled. I make an effort to purchase recycled paper as much as possible. My business cards are even printed on 100% recycled paper with soy-based inks.
- Sticking to digital: While it is tempting to pick up a Lomo camera or a Holga, I will stick with digital photography to avoid the chemicals and paper used in developing prints from film.
- Support of non-profits: I have been a long time supporter of Sea Shepherd (before they were on TV) and other wildlife and conservation groups.
There are a TON of additional things I could be, and plan to implement this year. I want to find an Oregon non-profit to auction a wedding package and take an active role in tree-planting this Spring.
Am I on track? Do you think I am just another greenwasher? Comment below!
Scott
Posted on October 12, 2009
I know I put the TTD session before the wedding by posting some shots last night, but I just couldn’t wait. I spent some time today, combing through the wedding images and wanted to share some early favorites.
Janice + Kevin had an awesome wedding that wove traditional Chinese pastimes with modern themes in a private estate on Oahu’s North Shore. They had many family members and friends that traveled from Toronto and Hong Kong. It was a pleasure to work with everyone!
Check out a few images below – and as always – see my Flickr page for a few more.
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Scott
(Thanks to Chris for the translation help!)
Posted on October 12, 2009
Only the best trash the dress sessions involve a forest park, a wild pig on a leash, dodging security guards and a huge old fountain. Today was one of those days. Janice and Kevin spent the day with me touring Oahu in search of “off the beaten path” shoot locations.
It was a blast and ended with them in a fountain in Waikiki where strangers crowded around and honked from passing cars.
Here are few sneak peaks – more can be seen on my Flickr page.
Scott
Posted on October 4, 2009
I was recently invited to tag along with some friends to shoot a “modeling” style session for a local wedding consulting group. They needed a bride for the shots and asked Kindra – one of their recent wedding clients – to attend. Lucky for me, in between shoots I was able to take Kindra to explore the area around Orlando and shoot around some really awesome spots.
The old train and architecture around Church Street was awesome!
Scott
