harris family ::: session

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I met the Harris' recently for a family session. Such beautiful children! Here are a few images from the shoot. I'd love to hear your thoughts.

~wj

the best advertisement for photography . . . . ever

There's not much else I can say about this ad by Kodak. They really hit the nail on the head with this one.

~wj

::: ruthie ::: round one

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Ruthie and her mom Sarah came up to Cleveland from Madison a few weeks ago. We'll have a few more session over the next year as Sarah has enrolled Ruthie in my "A Year in the Life" plan. Ruthie was about eight weeks old when we created these images. We spent most of the morning working patiently and letting Ruthie get used to things. Thank you Sarah for being so flexible. If I've learned anything over the years, it's that any shoot involving children is going to run by them - not us. So I do my best to just relax and be patient, and allow them to take them lead. Here are a few of the images from our session.

I think I've found a new favorite website . . .

Back in grad school I planned on becoming a filmmaker. A documentary filmmaker to be exact.

I've always been drawn to the amazing stories that happen everyday in our own lives. Stories that often seen mundane and simplistic on the surface, but when examined more closely, we often can see that beauty exists where perhaps we didn't realize. This is what attracted me to non-fiction films, and it is what attracts me to still photography as well. I haven't given up on creating documentaries. I still think I'll do it one day. But for now, the time hasn't come, so I'll just keep moving in that general direction and when the time is right, it'll happen.

I was very excited yesterday when I stumbled across the website snagfilms.com. It is a site dedicated to promoting documentary films. Over 700 documentaries are logged in the library already, with more and more being added everyday. You can watch them all free of charge -- assuming you don't mind a 20-30 second commercial interruption every half hour or so.

And we're talking top notch stuff here. I spent a little time perusing the library yesterday, and recognized many of the films. South by Southwest. Sundance. Independent Film Channel. Academy Award winners. I bet you'll notice many as well.

Visitors to the site are encouraged to share the films, so I think that's what I'm going to start doing. I'll do my best to go through the library, and when I come across an interesting production, I'm going to share it here. I'm starting with the movie above.

Confessions of a Superhero is one of the most moving films I've ever seen. It's the story of four struggling actors who dress as movie characters and do their best to make a living along the sidewalks of Hollywood Boulevard. At times it is heartbreaking. At times, very, very funny. I found it to be an interesting story all the way through.

The larger-than-most-documentaries- budget for this film is pretty evident. The music is perfect, and some of the still photography interjected throughout was really strong. If you are a photographer, it might be worth watching just for the still images. I encourage you all the click the link above and go watch this film when you have a chance. It's about two hours long, so take that into consideration. And then come back here and share your thoughts. I'd love to hear what you think.

~wj

just taking a few minutes to ponder and reflect . . .

Brett Dennen - "Heaven" from Michael Coleman on Vimeo.

I'm back in Cleveland after several weeks of travel for portrait and wedding commissions. I've been home now only two days in the past two weeks. While I am so very grateful for the work I am doing and the clients who have entrusted me, it is nice to be here to hug my wife and slowly begin my march to getting caught up. I have one more trip to Atlanta, Chattanooga, Nashville and surrounding areas next week, and that's really about it until the end of July.

In between editing today, I have also been working on a personal project that will begin in July. I have a trip planned to Honduras towards the end of the month, and another to Mexico planned for the beginning of October. I'll be adding more details as I'm able to do so, but for now, click the play button above. Close your eyes and listen to Brett Dennen's words. Take note of the images that enter your thoughts. Those are the images I hope to bring back from Honduras and Mexico.

Now, I'm off to get back to work on my recent commissions. I'm eager to share the images that were created from my time spent with you all. I am very lucky to be allowed to do what I do, and thankful to all of you that make it possible.

I hope you all find at least a small piece of heaven today, whatever that may be for you.

~wj