Today I was born in 1977.... 32 years ago. And this is my yearly blog I like to write. Mostly it will be the same as far as what I'm about to say but it is important in reflecting on what has happened in the past year of my life though. This will be the first one like this I have written on my new website with Squarespace though. I really love this company and so glad I have found my permanent home on the internet. Just recently Squarespace made the 2009 Inc. 500 list coming in at #339 amongst a group of some of the most innovative and fastest growing private companies in the United States. Pretty cool and I can definitely vouch for them! The proof is in the pudding!

 I guess first things first is some cool facts about my birthday. I've learn to appreciate the significance of dates. So many strange things can happen with dates that are unexplainable and shape who we are today. Today is not only my birthday but also the same day that my mom passed away. It is has been four years ago today. I was also born on the same exact day that Elvis passed away. 

Here are some famous people who also share the same birthday as me too. Pretty cool. It would seem that a lot of artistic people are born this week and this month as a matter of fact. 

August 16

• Madonna
• James Cameron
• Vanessa Carlton
• Steve Carell
• Timothy Hutton
• Angela Bassett

Also tomorrow, August 17, two of my favorite actors were born... Sean Penn & Robert De Niro. And on August 18..... Edward Norton, Christian Slater, and Patrick Swayze were born which are some favorites of mine as well. Anyway, you can check out Famous Birthdays and see who was born on your day as well. 

Well let's see........ I guess not a lot has changed since my last birthday. Nothing bad so that's good. I've still been staying extremely busy with the photography as usual. At the first of the year, I did make a change in the direction with my photography and decided to branch out more & do other creative work so that's been good. Over the last couple of years I've built myself quite the extensive portfolio and I'm very proud of that. I'm also very thankful for all the great people I have worked with too. Pretty much every bit of my work has come from people coming to me & wanting to work with me because they like my work so that really feels good. My goal has always been to make my work seem interesting and stand out amongst the crowd. I never have been one to try to sale myself because I want my work to speak for itself. So I feel I have met a lot of my goals due to this but I'm always improving as an artist and looking for new ways of expanding my portfolio too.

As a photographer and as times goes by, you learn more about certain areas of the business and how to read people a little better too. And this year I've decided to be more selective about who I work with and who I spend my time on. Fewer clients and more personal attention! So many people can be so fake & self-centered these days unfortunately. So I want to devote my time to people who are real, honest, and really want to collaborate to create a great product in the end. I will defer anyone to the local Olan Mills or Wal-Mart studio if they are only looking to get a quick headshot. I'm not that type of generic photographer...... I'm an artist. And it's about building relationships and determining if it's a relationship that's going to work. So that's why I always make it a point to meet with any potential clients in advance of shooting.

Ok, before I go off into a rat hole on the wrong track........ I guess I can say this, life is what you make it! Don't complain about anything that you can change! About three years I made it a point to devote myself to the craft of photography that I've always loved and I was determined to become the artist I am today & will be tomorrow because I made the commitment. You're only going to get out of something by what you put in! So make the most of every moment and try to do as much as you can without being too hard on yourself. Everything I know today is because I studied & taught myself without relying on others. I did not go to college and I don't regret it one bit! ; ) I think I said it before in a previous blog but I will be hitting the 20000 photo mark that I have taken in the last couple of years. Pretty crazy to think about.  

Well as for today, I made it a point to spend it with friends, family, & good food. My best friend Kyle & his family invited me out to lunch today for The Cheesecake Factory. Then I had dinner with my sisters, nieces, and family at Bucca di Beppo. These are two of my favorite restaurants! Needless to say I am still stuffed and I have meals from the leftovers for the next couple of days. haha.... But I think it is the quality time with the ones you love that means the most in the end. So no matter how busy you get, make it a point to stop everything every once in a while to spend it with your loved ones. You don't want to regret not doing that later on down the road! 

I'm soooooo looking forward to going to Europe at the end of the year. I will be flying into Berlin on December 29 and I'll be spending about 3 weeks in Europe with my dear friend Tina who I've known for about 7 years now. This will be the vacation I've been waiting for! You better believe that I will be posting blogs & photos while I am there too. I can not wait! 

Well I guess that's about enough rambling for today. I have the next couple of days off from my full time job and I'm currently prepping my camera equipment for a big shoot tomorrow with a top notch model by the name of Samantha Dunn. We're getting started at 9AM and I can't wait! I know we will get some amazing shots. I have no doubt that she will definitely be adding a little more spice to my portfolio! So I will be going to bed here shortly so I can be well rested. Cross your fingers that the weather will be good for us tomorrow! 

As you can see from my calendar, I will be quite busy for the next month or so.

Stayed tuned for many new & exciting photos soon! 

All the best....... Kevin