The other day, Carolyn Wonderland sent me a note to give me the good news: My photography was chosen for the cover of her new CD! It’s a live shot from a show at Antone’s here in Austin. That series of pictures was one of my best of her. As I explained it to the disc’s art designer, Dick Reeves, after seeing her perform so many times, I felt I had finally gotten to the point where I could somewhat “feel” and anticipate certain aspects of her dynamic performance. That’s the only way you’ll stand a chance of getting a true live performance portrait of her.

I’m the type of photographer that waits for the shot to come. I don’t “machine gun” the shutter and just hope to get something. So, when a performer is so visually dynamic, and her music comes out of her physically, as well as vocally, it’s often a matter of going along for the ride. They only way to really photograph Carolyn Wonderland is to let her music get into you. You have GOT to get out to an upcoming show. You won’t be disappointed. I’ll update to let you know when the CD is out.

The portrait of Carolyn above was taken at my house. There were lots of fun pictures taken that day, but this was one of the more “serious” ones.

Cimarron Manifesto is the latest release from Austin’s Jimmy LaFave. I had the privilege of spending some time with Jimmy while on assignment for Austin Music and Entertainment Magazine this month. One of the nicest and most candid guys you’ll meet, Jimmy was a pleasure to hang out with. He schooled me a little on Woody Guthrie–I asked because people like Bob Dylan and Woody Guthrie always seem to come up when Jimmy’s music is being discussed. But, what was really cool was Jimmy’s ability to collaborate with me on the different shots and lighting scenarios we were going for. He’s got an appreciation for the visual, too.

We did the studio portion of the session at my house, and it was fun showing off and talking about the musician photographs I have scattered around. He noticed a framed Ruthie Foster print and mentioned that she was on his new album. Kacy Crowley and Carrie Rodriguez are featured, too. I must say, it’s an amazing CD, by the way! I highly recommend you pick a copy up or order it online.

The next issue of Austin Music and Entertainment will be out in November. You can see more pictures and read all about Jimmy LaFave and his new CD there.

This past weekend, my family made one of our infrequent trips down to the Rio Grande Valley. Dedra and I grew up there and our parents still reside there. It had been about four years since we last visited, so we were long overdue.

We had several items on our agenda, including visiting my mother’s grave, going to South Padre Island to get some time in at the beach, and to take a boat ride with Dedra’s dad. There were many poignant moments, but sometimes you don’t fully recognize those until you look back on them.

I was reminded today, of one of the reasons why my personal photography is so important to me. It literally helps me “see” how I experience my life and my family. As I go through my images, I’m struck by the record of unconscious decisions about when I click the shutter on what I see.

I noticed that two of my favorite photographs were at the same time vastly different, and strikingly similar. One is of my father at my mother’s grave. The other is of my daughter drawing in the sand on SPI with my wife in the background. Both near the ground. Each expressing a similar sentiment in their own way. Love is a powerful thing.