Jasper Bryant trots through a field near home on October 18, 2009.

What does an overworked news photographer do in his/her sporadic off-hours? This one tends to put the camera down, most of the time.

That might surprise some. Don’t we live and breath photography? Yes, and no. After lugging around one’s equipment for 40+ hours a week, you like to get a breather. It keeps you fresh, and a fresh eye is vital. You’re always looking at light and imagining what everything might look like through the viewfinder, but sometimes you simply need a rest.

Of course, that doesn’t stop family and friends from designating you as the “official” photographer for events and get-togethers. And you try to oblige. I try to leave my work gear at home. Tossing a point-and-shoot camera in the pocket is more handy.

Some photographers really do live and breath with their cameras everywhere they go. They have personal projects. Favorite subjects not covered typically on the job. Maybe I’m different. I’m not a particularly good landscape photographer. I used to enjoy photographing musicians performing, but the late hours cut into family time. Not surprisingly, the subject of most of my off-hours photography is my son. I try to imagine what the world must look like through the eyes of a two-year-old. It’s a pretty good approach for a photographer, when back on the job.

When I have some free time in downtown Chicago, I love to wander about working on my street photography.

However, when I have nothing to do out in the suburbs, I rarely spend my down time making photos.

Well, tonight I tried to change that.

The one challenge is the lack of people. Out in the land of the parking lot, the only place to see humans is on their walk from a store to their car.

However, it would be way too creepy to even think about photographing someone in a mall parking lot. In fact, I bet it would take less than five minutes before I got a visit from one of the fine security officers assigned to protect shoppers from menaces like me.

So, I concentrated on still life. But for someone reason, I even feel weird doing that.

After shooting some parked cars and abandoned shopping carts, I finally found something fun to do- overexposing an island of trees in a foggy Fox Valley Mall parking lot.

©2009 Scott Strazzante/Chicago Tribune

Last week, I was sent over to the Chicago Theatre to photograph a dress rehearsal for Cirque du Soleil’s new vaudeville show “Banana Shpeel”.

The press relations’ folk directed me to the first row of the balcony.

I had a great view of the stage.

It is so easy to shoot well-lit, overly produced shows like this. It is pretty much monkey work.

From the vantage point I had, it was difficult to inject much creativity into the photography.

The one opportunity I had to play was near the end of the 2nd act, when a blizzard of confetti was dropped onto the performers and some of the glitter landed in the main aisle.

©2009 Scott Strazzante/Chicago Tribune

“Photography is a small voice, at best, but sometimes one photograph, or a group of them, can lure our sense of awareness.”

Photojournalist W. Eugene Smith said this. This is what I believe. It’s what I live by. I usually prefer to let my photographs speak for themselves, but I’ve decided to give them an additional voice — my voice.

Let’s see where this goes.

Last week, I saw a cool image by Tribune staffer Phil Velasquez.

Shot from street level, Phil captured ballet dancers practicing on the 3rd floor of the new Joffrey Ballet studio on State Street in Chicago’s Loop.

I liked the photo but didn’t think any more of it until I was killing time last night in Borders before shooting the dress rehearsal of Banana Shpeel across the street at the Chicago Theatre.

As I arrived at the Photography section, I glanced out the window and saw dancers.

I bypassed the books and started shooting.

©2009 Scott Strazzante/Chicago Tribune

Chicago has a new skyscraper.

The Aqua, a 82-story mixed-use residential building designed by Jeanne Gang, seems more sculpture than structure.

It is quite spectacular with its undulating concrete slabs inspired by the Great Lakes.

Above all, it is fun to photograph.

©2009 Scott Strazzante/Chicago Tribune

Blue Skies Ahead!

(Bonus! Don’t forget to watch the video at the end of the post!)

In my daily work, I sometimes wonder where I’ll “end up” on this road of Life.  I have wonderful, creative, intelligent friends and colleagues to work with, and they often ask me and themselves the same question.  It’s a new road; one with different ground, covered with what may – or may not be… acres of opportunities for personal and professional growth.  Many of us may never have the prestige, status, job title, postion, or salary that we once had when we ran for our lives on the old road – but truthfully, I’m not complaining as much anymore.  I’ve met so many diverse and intelligent individuals that I would have never known before I found this route – which is really not as much of a route, or a destination as I would have once described it at all.  I have experienced some of the most fulfilling adventures I’ve not paid for, or been paid for…does that make sense?  and for some of them, I don’t believe I would accept compensation for it, even if possible. 

Before this year, it had been a long time since I’d left work at the end of the day and said, “Today, they didn’t have to pay me for doing this job!” 

Some of the stops along this road have become pleasant destinations, some short, some I hope will be long-term, but where ever I end up, with the help of friends, family and strangers, I’ll be fine.  Hopefully, I’ll be able to return the favours and opportunities presented to me in the same way, or – this being a really different road, a different way…but after the many kindnesses given to me,  the generous compassion, empathy and yes – help and assistance given freely to me at the exact time I needed it, how can I do anything else accept hope for an opportunity to reciprocate these actions as needed.

And so, we just keep on walking, running, stopping for a break, helping someone else up, allowing and accepting help from others (whether we want to, or know how to!), and living our lives as we continue to walk carefully in this strange, new world.  

But, be careful of the strange, new sights that can distract you along the way as well!    Not all New and Improved Options are Good!

When you need some new directions, why not stop at a destination designed to help you, and anyone else that wants to join you and us?  The information about an event planned for just this sort of respite is below:            

 (there’s a glass of wine waiting for you at this one too!)           

This week, The Alliance for Creative Professional Transitions (a happy partnership of several Milwaukee-based professional services consulting groups: Triumvirate Consulting Group, My Personal Networking Group, Percival Enterprises,The Backbone Institute, KB Associates and Blue Skies Consulting), continues the 2nd of the 3 evening series: Get Happy!  Get Connected!  Get Busy!  on Tuesday, November 17, at 6:00pm, at the Brookfield location for Wine Styles. 

The price for this week’s event:   $20.00** per person - Price includes a featured glass of wine from Wine Styles.  Attendees are encouraged to linger after the event and participate in a Wine Styles Tasting. (I can attest to the high quality and deliciousness of their wines!  You can tell I didn’t attend their class yet on how to speak properly about wines!  I do plan on attending soon, so after that I will tell you of the smokiness, oaky or fruity flavours….but until then, I just drink what tastes good.  And all the wines I tasted that evening were good!  So there!   

The event – Get Connected! at Wine Styles is easy to find.  Below is the address:

 Wine Styles 
 17000E W. Bluemound Road 
 Brookfield, WI 53005

Pre-Registration is recommended as seating is limited. Call 262-751-2619 or Register Online: http://tiny.cc/cvlAy.  

                  This Tuesday evening, speakers Karen Jahnke (Triumvirate Consulting Group) and Ally Blackburn (My Personal Networking Group), bring you an event to help you  Get Connected!  They’ve geared the evening towards bring advice,resources, and ideas to utilize for understanding and utilizing the myriad of Social Media Tools that are available to everyone.  Upon completion of this evening, you’ll know how to uncover your untapped potential. You’ll have a better understanding of the future business landscape. You’ll find new ways to connect with your personal community and expand your virtual network. 

 Last month, we had a great deal of fun, laughter and learning lots of interesting new ideas and information about ourselves.  Jeff Percival and I talked about how to Get Happy! on this new road of Business.   Jeff offered ideas and methods to assess your current skills, upgrade or enhance them.  I talked about how the old skillsets and the new skillsets of work have begun to emerge in similar but different industries and niches along the way, and the new trends that businesses are developing to ensure sustainability and profitability (whether they want to go with the trend or not!).  I also gave my newest update on the FUTURE trends I’ve observed and researched that are rapidly evolving and pushing the current World of Work towards becoming – whatever it becomes, otherwise known as the FUTURE.  As of now, the trend towards a more Right-Brain dominat business place is still going strong as Left Brain jobs continue to be Automated, Outsourced, or Obsolete.  This gave attendees a new “map” of opportunities to look towards, and maybe even a brand new direction on their career journey. 

And don’t forget that next month on Tuesday, December 8th, (same time, same place), we’ll present the 3rd and final evening of this particular series (don’t worry, there will always be more!), with Get Busy! as Susan Marshall (The Backbone Institute) and Kathy Bornheimer (KB & Associates) bring you strategies, advice and resources that will strengthen your attitude towards your job search or career transition.  They’ll share methods to use that give you the Confidence, Energy and Motivation needed to Succeed in this Current and the FUTURE Business Landscape. 

Kathy and Jeff have also written an excellent Career Resource Book called “Work Makes Me Sick!  Prescribe Something   Quick!”  An informative and helpful book written with humour to help you in a new job search.  You can order the book at http://tiny.cc/o8Zoo.

This series is for Job Seekers, Career Transition Seekers, Educators, Consultants and Anyone who wants to Learn how to Thrive in the New “Normal” and the FUTURE Business World. We look to give you a better Understanding of this Brand New Business Landscape, to provide you with different methods to Connect with Your Community and Network, and for everyone attending to Discover that Your Journey is Just Beginning and that Your Destinations are indeed Many.  Many more than we ever Dreamed about (or ever Wanted to Know about!

I’ll end with the advice?  prayer? admonishment? blessing? or warning? that I give to my 15 year old son as he leaves the house each morning to begin his own personal journey down the road (up the road?) through the perilous world of high school, complete with it’s own dragons and monsters:     

MAKE GOOD CHOICES!                                                                    

(what else can you say to a teenager or to us as adults as we head out on the road each day?  whenever someone tells me to “have a nice day!”  i begin to worry about a bad day… when someone says “take care!” i begin to become fearful of being careless! and really, what other actions can make the biggest difference in where you end up in this world than your choices? and i’m leaving the relativity issue around “what are good choices?” to your Mom!  she’ll tell you what’s what!)

(Clockwise) Ron Edgar, twin brother of Gary Edgar, a pro surfer from the 80s who died of lung cancer at age 45, center holding wreath, leads a paddleout memorial for his late brother in Newport Beach, Calif., on Sunday, Nov. 15, 2009. Karry Edgar writes a farewell note to her late husband Gary Edgar as their children Matthew, 13, and Liana, 10, watch. Matthew Edgar, 13, left, walks out to the water with a rose in his mouth for his father.

This was the first time I covered a paddleout for a surfer who died. Being born in 1985 and not much of a surfer, I never heard of Gary Edgar. But listening to his twin brother, wife and close friends share stories, laugh and remember him made me think I knew the man a little. What an awesome way to be remembered. Bob Marley playing as doves are released by loved ones, friends from 30 years ago coming together in the water, and just an all out sweet tribute to a man that meant a lot to a lot of people.

Check out the article and slideshow in the OC Register for more photos:

Paddleout for Gary Edgar

Well, redesigned some brochure outers today, client wasn’t sure about the colours on the first set!!?? Think i’ve got it this time though, will have to push on with inner spreads and advertising next week.

Just got the nod on a relatively expensive presentation box I have designed for one of our clients, it will feature coloured stock over board with single or 2 colour foil for branding, section dividers inside with room for a bespoke folder and will be finished nicely with a hinged lid which will fasten at the front.

Mock-ups being made at the moment, fingers crossed on this one.

Will post some photos as and when finished.

I am a big fan of pop culture and am endlessly entertained by people’s fascination with celebrity.

 I have made it widely known in the office that I will shoot each and every teeny bopper celeb that comes through town.

So, when I saw an unclaimed Miley Cyrus concert assignment on the docket Monday, I immediately volunteered my services.

As a parent of three girls between the ages 8-14, I am way too familiar with Hannah Montana.

I also hate to admit it but when I am out running, one of my favorite songs to listen to on my iPod is Cyrus’ “The Climb”.

I had a couple expectations of the night at the United Center.

First, I knew that it would be a young crowd. Secondly, I figured that Miley Cyrus was going to try to show everyone that she wasn’t young.

Well, I was right on both counts but was surprised to what extent.

The crowd indeed was young but I was amazed at how young. The majority of girls were between 6 and 8.

And yes, Miley Cyrus was trying very hard to be older than her age of 16. What I didn’t expect was her attempt to be Madonna.

As Cyrus gyrated on stage while tossing her head and hair back every 3 seconds, I could just feel the parents in the crowd squirming.

I bet there were a lot of interesting conversations in the minivans on the drives back to Naperville.

For more pix go HERE.

©2009 Scott Strazzante/ Chicago Tribune

I went looking for color this afternoon and the Disney Store on Michigan Avenue delivered.

©2009 Scott Strazzante/ Chicago Tribune

I first saw Chuck starring in a TV ad.

From that moment on, I knew I wanted him. Being the woman that I am, I got him. He came packaged with 50 Chupa Chups, an amazing Vintage designed Saint Lenny T-Shirt (celebrating 50 years of Chupa Chups) and a lovely little letter. What a package!
From here on in, we – being my bi-polar other personality, Cherry – and Chuck formed a strong bond. It was great for a while, but then we hit a few rough patches. But, you know, Chuck is just so good at making LIFE LESS SERIOUS and he always knows how to calm me down. I LOVE CHUCK.

[Entry in Category 2: Art/Culture Focus/Comedy - VIDEO]

So I jetted up to Sydney last Friday and as I was walking through the streets of Darlinghurst in the rain, hunting down a good chai latte, I found this interesting shop … HA

New beer on the market, from the country somewhere in between Victoria and NSW, a rockin’ couple have brought out the new beer ‘BITCH’. Not only does it have a killer name, it’s 6%, which means blokes are going to love it. I’ve tried it, my housemate Hannah’s tried it, Lucas (23) tried it, Bryan (52) tried it, Dad (49) tried it – the verdict = BITCH is awesome. Look out for it! On another note, someone told me last week I should be a hand model. LOL.

Damn overachievers!

I haven’t even bought a pumpkin yet.

©2009 Scott Strazzante/ Chicago Tribune