A Trucking Life - Photography Exhibit Opening Reception

Tonight was the opening reception for my photography exhibit, A Trucking Life, at the Madison Public Library Sequoya Branch. The exhibit is on display for the months of July and August.   It's a collection of prints from my ongoing over the road trucker project.  I had a spread of snacks and refreshment (truck stop food), a slideshow of additional images and a Q&A session.   There was a nice showing and plenty of interest in this relatively obscure (to most of us) profession.

A big thank you to Max Wendt Photography for making the images and giving permission to use them.

Over the Road Truckers - Brian and Amos Bickel

Got a call from Amos and Brian, a trucking couple who have stopped in Madison for the night at the TA.  They drive for separate companies with the goal of team driving flatbed trailer in Brian's truck.  It's been a long road trying to make it happen, but they hope to be together in the truck by Fall.  They are even more anxious to team now that they got married last month in Minneapolis.

I met them for breakfast at the TA Truckstop north of Madison for visit and some photos before they hit the road in separate directions again.   I always enjoy it when they take the time to stop for a visit.

Marriage Equality Comes to Wisconsin - Temporarily

On Friday June 6th, a Federal Judge in Madison, WI struck down the WI constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage. The ruling came late in the afternoon, but the county clerks in Madison and Milwaukee decided to stay open late and began issuing marriage licenses.  There was a rush at the City County Building in Madison of couples obtaining marriage licenses and promptly getting married on the steps.  Local judges were on hand for those desiring to tie the knot.

I decided to skip the fray of Friday night and went over to the City County Building Saturday where there was a steady stream of couples getting married. I crashed a number of weddings of those who didn't have time to plan for a photographer to capture their brief ceremony. It was a very celebratory and moving experience to be part of.

Unfortunately, the WI Attorney General has decided to appeal the federal judge's ruling putting these newly married couples in legal limbo, though everyone is fairly confident the original ruling will be upheld.  In the meantime, a stay as been put on the issuance of any new marriage licenses for same-sex couples. 

  

  

  

UW Memorial Union - Signs of Summer

After a long and brutal winter and a slow start to spring, signs of summer are finally here.   A favorite summer spot is the University of Wisconsin's Memorial Union Terrace.   Dusk is always a beautiful time to take in the last remnants of the day and celebrate with a beer from the Brat Stand.

Fitchburg Days

One of the first community festivals of the session, Fitchburg Days celebrates their Irish history with live music, food and a carnival...my favorite part.   I like to take advantage of that magical time of dusk when there is still some light in the sky though dark enough for the carnival lights to glow with brilliant color. 

Portraits - American Family Insurance 2013 Annual Report

I was fortunate to have the opportunity to contribute portrait photography for the American Family Insurance 2013 Annual Report.

I enjoy this type of assignment and the challenge of working in multiple locations. I have to work efficiently to visualize and set up the shot, then tear down and move on to the next. I like the variety of people I get to meet and the AmFam folks are great to work with.

For the 2013 Annual Report,  American Family decided to publish it in an interactive online format instead of print.  The sampling of images here are screen shots of my work incorporated in the report. View the full report on American Family Insurance's web site.

(Center "PROTECT" image)

Isthmus Cover - Eldonna Hazen

I photographed Rev. Eldonna Hazen for an Isthmus cover story. Rev Hazen is the first woman and openly gay minister at Madison's First Congregational Church. She is the beloved leader and advocate for acceptance of all people in her congregation.

Read the full story on the Isthmus Daily Page web site.

Portraits - Davin

Davin has an impressive collection of tattoos that made for some interesting portraits.

Spring Sheep Shearing

Susan has been raising sheep for most of her life. She breeds Teeswater Sheep which are known for their intelligence and long wool ringlets. Susan started selling a few fleeces back in '75, and her love of fiber led her to opening and growing Susan's Fiber Shop just north of East Bristol, WI. It's one of those well kept secrets behind her farm house on County Road A just north of East Bristol, WI. An inviting and extensive shop full of yarns and fibers for knitting, spinning, and weaving.

Susan has her Teeswater Sheep sheared each spring and fall. When I called to inquire about photographing the event, she told me they were in the middle of shearing and to come out asap.  I quickly put myself together, grabbed my camera bag and jumped in the car.

When I arrived, Laura the shearer was in the middle of working on a sheep. Laura owns Psalm 23 Farm and is in her 2nd year of shearing having learned the craft from a well known sheep shearer from New Zealand. She prefers hand shearing instead electric. It's quieter, doesn't take that much longer, and leaves more wool on the sheep, which is important for warmth during our cold springs.

I was impressed with how Laura was able to wrangle the sheep to the ground. They generally weren't very cooperative at first. She explained that once you get them on their rear-ends, they turn docile. And after being in that position for a bit, they assume they can't even get up, so they don't even try.  They will just lay there until she gets them back on their feet.

Once the wool is removed, Susan takes the fleece to a large flat rack where she inspects it, picks and shakes out debris, weighs it then bags it.  She also keeps a record of the fleece weight and a strand of wool of each sheep jotted down in a notebook.   She sells them through E-bay and in her shop.

  

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