This little fella looked like he was staring at me!

Wonder if these two are still together?

-Rick O

It’s amazing how much life, human and otherwise takes place all around us, whether it is a wilted flower, sea shells, a boat, etc I always am fascinated with life, with what once was and what will be. ¬†I can’t even fathom the millions of foot prints that have been embedded in the sand or how many peoples lives may have changed for whatever reason right here along this beach.

Everything has a story to tell, most of the time we are ignorant to what is all around us, whether it be an empty soda can, a candy wrapper, an old newspaper, etc it at one point was touched by someone, somewhere who has a story of their own.

I managed to grab a few images this afternoon and thought I would share with all of the 1 or 2 people who may follow my blog :-O

Starting out with this extremely rustic rock and we all know a rock wouldn’t rust, so I got to wondering, what type of metal is contained within?

I would have a hard time believing this plant is just beginning to bloom or bud (sorry not a horticulturist) but it seemed to survive all winter, therefore still has life…

Nothing really interesting here other than a foot print.. I wonder if this person even saw this here rock that I saw, did they pick it up somewhere else and drop it here or didn’t they even notice it.

This looks as if it has just begun its life season, I could be wrong but it is looking pretty green, it was jetting out of a rock!

This rose was left by someone, perhaps a couple was making up after an argument and she decided she didn’t wanna make up, so she threw the rose onto the ground and left it there; perhaps someone brought the rose to the beach to toss into the ocean as a reminder of someone they lost and it washed back up on the shore.

I wonder how many people have passed all of these shells, how many were picked up by curious children only to be thrown back down after their parents said so.

This looked interesting, almost translucent to some degree and a funky greenish color…

And I leave you with this here tree with a ship off in the distance. ¬†How many people sat on these very rocks and just contemplated something going on in their life? I know I have! ¬†How many people stopped at this very spot to take a picture or to do a little fishing. ¬†Who sat here 100 years ago asking themselves what does it all mean, where will we be tomorrow, what’s next.

Occasionally I get to thinking a little too much, but its humbling in a way, to stop and wonder about everything that surrounds us, instead of letting it all pass us by.

I hope you enjoyed this post, I know I enjoyed writing it and just letting my thoughts flow…

-Rick O

Happy Holidays…

-Rick O

I have a story for every newborn, toddler, child and couple I have met this year; many moments I will never forget and I am grateful for all of the individuals who have crossed my path this year.

I’m not a “picture perfect” photographer! What I mean by that is my goal is to capture “moments” as they unfold; to capture “personalities” of individuals¬†that depict “who” they “truly” are and to provide individuals and families with those moments that they can cherish forever.

I put together a slide-show that I feel depicts “personalities” if you will, of 2009!¬† After delivering 9,877 images this year and photographing a walloping 94 sessions, I went nuts cutting down on my initial image selection!¬† I had to toss out some really great images and choose “personality” over “picture perfect images!”

I would like to thank Robert Norman & Steve DePino for their never ending support, advice, feedback and constructive criticism they have given me this year.¬† It is so greatly appreciated and has been undeniably beneficial to me personally and professionally.¬† Thank you guys…

Hope everyone enjoys the 2 minutes of 2009!

-Rick O

Enjoy!

-Rick O

While out in Utah, I stopped by and visited Bryce Canyon, by no means am I a landscape photographer so I am pretty sure I fell completely short on the images captured, but none-the-less I was there and here are some of my favorites…

There was this lone tree, if you can call it that, it was only about  a foot high, but was just sitting there begging for it to be captured!

Several of these next few shots were taken from below the canyon down at the Mosey Cave trail.

There is a water fall which keeps this little creek running.

And the waterfall… One of those moments when I said, nope, I don’t think I’ll need the tripod, dang dang dang, I didn’t have a neutral density filters handy anyways and with as bright as it was I don’t think I would have been able to get that silky creamy look.

This image just looked wonderful in B&W – the guy on the bridge (far right) was originally in the middle, he saw me shooting and was kind enough to move over!

I have never seen such vivid brilliant colors… It was amazing and I still don’t understand how all this came to be, but it was breathtaking.

-Rick O

-Rick O

This first image is the rest area just beyond the road that leads to the North Rim.

I believe I took this next image while we were driving along the way.

This next image has to be definitely one of my many favorites from the trip – I just love the water, its sky reflection and its s like curves.

-Rick O

This next image is from within the Tuzigoot dwelling – it is how they constructed their ceiling, I believe from the 1600′s

This pole was like a support beam – it had some very unique carvings on it, whether original or not, I am not sure.

This little lonesome tree or weed stood out all on its own!

Of course definitely need to share some red rock ‘canyon like’ images.

-Rick O

-Rick O