Sum Of All Photos.

 I shot the Santa Margarita Catholic High School Class of 2008 graduation ceremony on Saturday for the newspaper.  It was held at The Bren Center at UCI in Irvine.  I got there early and shot the kids getting ready outside, and the lineup to go in.

 

Nervous and excited, they hugged, shook hands and smiled at each other.  There were a little over 400 total graduates this year.  It occurred to me that this will be the last time they will all be together in one spot again; a bitter sweet freedom, and if you have graduated from high school, you will instantly know what I mean.  I imagined the photos I took today, printed in the paper, will find their way into more than a few scrap books and maybe a poster at the 20 year reunion. 

 

I saw these two posing for pictures with family and friends and having a great time defending themselves from jibes and jokes designed for funny expressions and the snap of a photo.  They are best friends; one is destined for Notre Dame in the fall and the other is going to Holy Cross.  A bright future shines in their eyes; the soft shadow of accomplishment spreads across those that surround them.  The small concrete courtyard where they stand, smiling and leaning on each other, is not big enough for who they are now.  Our timid awareness that most of the class of 2008 will not see each other again is relieved with these two.

 

Amazingly, over their lifetime, they will become better friends.  They are the sum of all the photos I have taken of the class of 2008.

 

I see them both at each others wedding and both as the best man.  I think they will most likely live close to each other and if not, I see a big phone bill from calling every day.  Closer at hand, I foresee a summer roadtrip sometime in the next four years where they could not possibly imagine no one in the small Midwest towns they’ll pass through, will be able to recognize a roadtrip when they see one.  They will attempt to break all the records of messy hotel rooms, cheap diners, brutaly red sunburns and staying awake the longest.  They will have bags full of fun and talk about their trip for the next 60 years, even after their wives have long left the room.   

 

They will be the godfathers for each others children and they will send each other funny gag gifts on birthdays.  They’ll share golf tips and become mildly irritated after discussing the merits of their individual favorite professional sports teams.  They already know which of them doesn’t like ketchup or mustard or mayo or wheat bread.  They will get to be 50 years old and wonder about how fast it’s all gone by while they stand with their sons and daughters for photos in a courtyard that is not big enough for them. 

 

http://www.ocregister.com/articles/school-graduates-rachel-2056978-catholic-remember?slideshow=1

 

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Just Another Job.

I was sent by the Orange County Register to shoot snapshots of the crowd at the 11^th Annual Doheny Blues Festival in Dana Point.  I went last Saturday, the 17^th, and was really surprised by how many people attended.  I have my press pass and so after some checking I got in and went to work.

 

The best part of the whole thing was just seeing everyone getting along and having a good time.  I like all types of music and although I wouldn’t pay to get into any venue just to listen to the music like at Doheny, I could appreciate the fact that there is good reason to do it if you are into it. 

 

There was the usual parade of drunks and those folks that seem to be always out to over ambitiously dress and call attention to themselves but, all in all it was really laid back.  I had been thinking that I was not going to get assigned the shoot and had applied for an independent press pass which the event company never got back to me about.  After seeing the routine, I could see why; they had their hands full and although it wasn’t poorly organized there were some shaggy parts here and there.  I think trying your best counts for a lot and they really tried to pull it off and I think it was a success and getting better every year.

 

When ever I go on a shoot I really concentrate and so I was not paying too much attention to the music.  Mostly looking through the crowd from the point of view of the performer, I shot people, couples and kids enjoying the music.  When I was done, I sat checking my images to make sure I had my shots and was able to listen to Robert Cray a little bit.  I had never heard of him and really only remember him now as I had to include his name in a photo caption that I sent in. 

 

He has a great voice with tremendous emotion, in addition to playing the guitar really well.  I think, as he sang the words to his songs, he really meant it and the crowd was into it as well.  At one point his guitar failed and it seems the audio in general did as well.  He just kept on going, doing his thing; the mark of a true professional.  The roadie brought out a new one; he smiled, acknowledged the crowd with a shy smile and continued on as if he was in his own backyard playing just for himself.

 

I ended up at his website the other day to see if I could find out anymore about him and after looking at his schedule, decided there was nothing more to see.  He is busy all the time and just goes from one gig to another.  I wondered what that must be like and what he is like when he takes a break.  Just another job I guess.

 

 

http://www.ocregister.com/articles/festival-doheny-sunday-2047226-blues-music?slideshow=1

 

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