the POLO

this info is from A VIEW FROM THE BOARDS - a great little pub produced by CARSTEN PETERS

polo is a wonderful way to spend a sunday afternoon in AIKEN.

AIKEN POLO CLUB Spring 2009 Tournament Schedule

Spring 1st 4 Goal: April 16- April 26
Spring 1st 8 Goal: April 30- May 17
Spring 2nd 8 Goal: May 14- May 31
Spring 2nd 4 Goal: June 4- June 14
Spring 3rd 4 Goal: June 18- June 28

For More information please contact the APC @ 803-292-3377

See you on the field!

the GREEN SHINGLES

i've been hired to shoot another stunning property in AIKEN. i had always known it as NIMROD SOUTH although i've learned its original name was "GREEN SHINGLES" - most houses in DOWNTOWN AIKEN have names. sabrina grew up in a house named "HELL'S BELLS" allegedly because the physician that lived there years ago was tortured by phone calls. there is the 60 room "cottage" named JOYE and behind it a house simply named "THE PINK HOUSE." my favorite name for house was "QUEL FROMAGE" which i always felt was poking great fun at the pretentiousness of naming ones house in the first place. by the way - best i could tell, the shingles on "GREEN SHINGLES" were at best the darkest charleston green and probably would be considered black to the casual observer. welcome to AIKEN.

see you at the steeplechase this weekend - which by way - has nothing to do with pursuing church architecture.

cheers.

the FAVORITE PIC

one of favorite pictures is of my daughter waiting to see the macy's thanksgiving day parade from last year. she is not terribly photogenic... SHE IS wonderfully strong-willed, independent and intelligent. she truly is an amazing little person for which i have tremendous respect. for me, this picture has always captured her personality well.

here she is on the subway.

cheers!

the GATEKEEPER

i spent most of a cold and dreary saturday at the AIKEN TRIALS. i actually enjoyed the racing and was extremely proud to see DOGWOOD STABLES make such a fine showing. i left my camera in the car thinking i would take the day off, didn't want to get the gear rained on, there were plenty of photographers there and i wasn't feeling very creative... blah, blah blah pick your excuse. seems like everyone i saw ask where my camera was and why i wasn't shooting when i replied that i didn't have a "press" badge... one showed up. so i crossed over to the outfield and set up with the other photogs to shoot a couple races and the polo demonstration. as i watched the people around the judges stand i noticed this quiet man with a unwavering smile letting people through the "gate" onto the track to cross to the tent party in the infield. all levels of money, status, age, beauty came through his gate. they all got the same warm smile. i never heard him say a word and am ashamed to say i never asked his name. which means - you guessed it - i didn't get a model release. but, i did get an unexpected lesson in SERVICE.

NO MATTER what you are here to do, do it well, do it with a smile, do it equally for everyone and do it humbly... and you will provide a good service. and eventually, you might even inspire someone.

it was a good day.

cheers

the MUSEUM

if you haven't been to MORRIS MUSEUM of ART lately, you're missing something special. JIM MCGUIRE'S nashville portraits is a collection of intimate portraits of some of the most legendary musicians. it help me understand why the native americans thought a photograph could capture a person's being. these images are deffinately captures of some extrodinary souls. it was an honor to meet MR. MCGUIRE and an intimidating prospect to take his picture. i highly suggest you stop by and breathe this collection in deeply.

cheers

the SEASON

MARCH in aiken.

The Aiken Trials / Saturday, March 14

Polo Practice / Spring Season starts March 15

43rd Running of the Aiken Spring Steeplechase / Saturday, March 21st, 2009

USC Pacers and Polo Triple Crown Game / Saturday, March 28

Whitney Field is one of the oldest and most historic polo clubs in the United States. Aikenites have enjoyed polo on Whitney Field for 127 continuous years.

MARCH is a great time to be in AIKEN. See you around...


cheers.

the MAYOR

i had the distinct pleasure of photographing the mayor of augusta, ga - DEKE COPENHAVER. along with being a very gracious subject, he is also one of the best loved local political figures in decades. he has an ongoing conversation with closing on 3000 constituents through his facebook page. we collaborated (through facebook) on a shot that would convey augusta's strength and direction through this economic climate. to that end, we shot the new library construction site and an area along the newly reclaimed canal system. what we didn't plan on was the 28 degree weather. DEKE told a great story of how seeing his name permanently carved in a huge marble slab along the canals was one of those moments when he thought - wow, i really am the the mayor. (not a quote, more of a paraphrase) i scratched my name in concrete once, so i can kinda relate to the permanence... but can't even come close to the gravity. GOOD JOB DEKE. and THX for your time.

cheers