All these photos would not have been possible if not for all the help and cooperation from everyone over at the University of Idaho’s Athletics Department and the Opsis Architecture team.  Thank You!

Big congrats to the team over at Opsis for another a successful project!

This past October I had the pleasure of working with YGH architecture again on their recently completed Chemeketa Yamhill Valley building.

I met YGH’s Edward Running and he filled me in on the design concepts.  He said that one of the first things they saw on the project site was the majestic trees.  Rather than cut them down they decided to use them as a feature.  Immediately, it was obvious that I would want to take advantage of these amazing trees in as many shots as possible by framing shots with them, using them as backgrounds, and also capturing how the light filtered through the leaves onto and inside their building.  Fortunately, the designers of the building created spaces with similar thoughts in mind.  A large number of spaces, from lounges to circulation, both inside and out were designed with the trees in mind.  We shot the building over a couple of days and were fortunate to have ideal conditions!

Thanks to my friends Justin and Colin for assisting on the shoot!

HUGE thanks to the team over at YGH for all the support and guidance onsite.  Being able to shoot great architecture is awesome, but being able to work with such a wonderful group of people makes what I do even more rewarding!

Architectural Exteriors

Architectural Interiors

Stay tuned for further posts about some of these projects!

Thanks for reading!

All this wintery weather reminded me of a hike some friends and I went on about a year ago named Table Mountain on the Washington side of the Columbia River Gorge. It has been labeled one of the harder day hikes in the gorge. The weather wasn’t what most people consider optimal. Personally, I love clear days, but I also love hiking in the rain with clouds moving in and out… it’s when places feel the most alive to me. As the hike promised, it was tough! Some nice steep climbing and rough terrain, but nothing I would consider dangerous. As we arrived at the top, the views were covered by the mist and the clouds. It felt spookily high when peering over the edge and not being able to see the ground below.

After enjoying the top, we began to make our way down. As we continued, the trail seemed to appear and disappear. through the snow and brush, leaving us wondering if we were still on the current trail. We were not! We ended up walking down the wrong side, losing the trail, the temperature dropping, the wind rising and the sun quickly dropping away. We walked up and down a access road beneath power lines looking for a clear way out. Without phone reception, we made our way to higher ground. Towards the top, we found a small window of reception and called 911. They were able to locate us and gave us directions on how to make our way down. Over three hours later, at close to 10:30pm, we made it off the trail! Thanks to our friends for meeting us at the trailhead and bring food and water. It was a much more epic hike than expected!

Just wanted to send out a quick Happy New Year to all!

I hope that in this year to come, you make mistakes. Because if you are making mistakes, then you are making new things, trying new things, learning, living, pushing yourself, changing yourself, changing your world. You’re doing things you’ve never done before, and more importantly, you’re Doing Something.
-Neil Gaiman

(I borrowed this from a friends FB wall. I hope it inspires you as much as it has me!)

2011 was a great year, my busiest so far. I am thankful to have collaborated with so many great people on so many wonderful projects. The above photo is from the Palouse region of Eastern Washington. I was on assignment nearby and drove past this barn on the way back from scouting my assignment.

I haven’t blogged in over three months, but I have lots to updated so stay tuned.

One of my favorite architectural photography projects of this year was for Opsis Architecture’s Western Oregon University’s Health & Wellness Center built by Hoffman Construction Company.

 
I met with James Meyer, principal at Opsis, onsite and he gave us the rundown on the project.  Probably one of the biggest things I noticed, besides aestethics, was the natural ventilation in the building.  The usual large mechanical and ductwork you would find in most large gymnasiums was clearly absent presenting a much more open feel. This was achieved by an integrated building design utilizing a highly efficient building envelope, and a combination of displacement ventilation and natural ventilation.

Another thing I noticed was simply how popular the building was.  We shot till just after sunset and it just got busier and busier.  Different events and activities filled the space and brought the building to life.

Congrats to the teams over at Opsis Architecture, Hoffman Construction, and Glumac Engineers on a very successful project. Special thanks to the Opsis team and everyone over at WOU for all the help, guidance, & cooperation! I look forward to collaborating with you again in the future.

Both photos were taken with my Nikon D3s and 85mm f/1.4d.  Did I mention that it was COLD!

The simplicity of the photo is by design, Kyle wanted something that had a bit of an old time feel mixed with a bit of contemporary flair… and of  course, something that captured the two of them.  After a drink or two, Kyle and Rachel climbed into the tub and the hilarity of the situation was upon us.

The most difficult part of the shoot wasn’t capturing the moment, (Rachel and Kyle are pretty easy to shoot!) but the fact that the bathroom was a closet, had “bathroom” lighting and we of course wanted to capture as much of the claw foot tub as possible.  Nothing that my 14-24 and 2 sb900′s, and some composed posing can’t handle!

Big thanks to Rachel & Kyle.  Even though the shoot was only a little over and hour… it was probably the most fun hour of shooting I’ve had in awhile!

Their wedding is this weekend and I can’t wait.  It’s gonna be a blast.  Congrats you two!

Last month’s AIGA dMob was at Wallace Park. Lots of fun and a BIG turnout. Families, dogs, lawn games…. Not sure if the free beer was the draw or if it was the great weather to be outside rather than a bar! Check out some shots from the event from the AIGA flickr page by clicking below. The last three photos were taken by the very talented Darius.

This month’s dMob is TONIGHT at Rontoms. Its not your average dMob, but rather a dMob dLux featuring t-shirt screen printing by Phantom Chicken and designs by some great local illustrators. Its BYO T-shirt or buy one for 5 beans (cash). This promises to be a great time, so swing on by, meet some creatives, grab a t-shirt and buy me… ahem.. share a drink with me.