Lacking Focus Photography

Allie & Christian: The Destination Wedding -- Cincinnati Wedding Photographer

2011-06-29T11:44:00.000-04:00

What a wedding! When Allie and Christian hired me to do their wedding, I knew it was going to be a good one, but I never would have guessed how great! A beautiful couple ... fun and adventurous ... madly in love with one another ... on a pristine beach in Florida ... seriously, it's a photographer's dream! Hopefully the pictures express everything I can't. ... And if anyone's planning a vacation soon, I highly recommend the Pink Shell Resort in Fort Myers, FL!

The McLains -- Cincinnati Family Photographer

2011-05-17T16:24:00.000-04:00

Remember several weeks ago when the Cincinnati area didn't look like Seattle? Well, I headed out to the zoo for a fun-filled morning with the McLains, and man, did it turn out great! It was a beautiful morning with a great family! The flowers were all in bloom, and the lorakeets were feeling especially friendly. What a great time!

Charley! -- Cincinnati Baby Photographer

2011-04-23T11:32:00.000-04:00

It's Charley! I don't know what I can say about this little guy, other than how stinkin' cute he is. But that's what the pictures are for.

I do appreciate his ability to sleep through a photoshoot, though. He's definitely too cool for it all. I mean, just check out that hair. That says it all!

Connor's a big brother! -- Cincinnati Family Photographer

2011-04-19T14:58:00.000-04:00

Look out Connor! You're not alone anymore! Nolan came along in February, and these two couldn't be cuter together! Nolan's even been working on a few of his poses for the next Abercrombie catalog. Pretty impressive work for an infant.

Heath is 6 months! -- Cincinnati Family Photographer

2011-04-11T13:46:00.001-04:00

They grow up so fast ... and get so cute! If you thought this little guy was cute fresh out of the oven, get a load of him now! And still fond of the candy bar that I like to think he was named after.

Sonya -- Cincinnati Senior Portrait Photographer

2011-03-01T11:45:00.002-05:00

Thank goodness this snow isn't here anymore! (Well ok, at least it did make for some good pictures...) Back in December, Sonya was brave enough to venture out in the aftermath of a miniature blizzard to capture some great senior portraits...

Finn -- Cincinnati Family Photographer

2011-02-27T11:55:00.001-05:00

Finn's got a birthday coming up in May, but he just couldn't wait to get a "studio" session in first. I think we're going to have a pretty good cake-smasher in this little guy!

Hayden's Back! -- Cincinnati Family Photographer

2011-02-26T08:25:00.000-05:00

It's been about three months since we last saw Hayden. He's been pretty busy on a mission of self-improvement during that time. Cranking out the push-ups, boning up on his reading skills, and generally pulling off that manly mama's boy persona he's got going on. Fathers, lock up your pre-ambulatory daughters! We've got a little ladies' man on the loose!

Dena & Dave -- Cincinnati Engagement Photographer

2011-01-12T13:52:00.000-05:00

How cute are these two? Dena & Dave recently braved the elements to capture some engagement photos downtown. We even ventured onto the US Bank Ice Rink on Fountain Square for some professional-level skating! Ok, it might have been more like barely-controlled gliding. Or well-controlled falling. But a good time was had by all, and some great pictures came of it.

Lexi & Maddy -- Cincinnati Family Photographer

2010-12-09T14:53:00.000-05:00

Uh oh, it happened again. I got so busy taking pictures I forgot to do a good job of sharing them with you. Allow me to try to rectify that...

Let's start in the near-present. Lexi & Maddy needed some new pics for the Christmas card. They're big fans of the zoo, and what a great location it makes right now with all the decorations out! Of course, it also helps to have cute, fun-loving kids to take pictures of, too. :)

Stay tuned for more updates soon ... I hope!

Sophie! -- Cincinnati Family Photographer

2010-11-21T16:19:00.000-05:00

Guess who's going to be the star of this year's Christmas card ... it's Sophie! This little sweetheart was quite the treat to work with. So beautiful and happy. Hopefully she'll discover that Christmas cookies taste a lot better than dead leaves, though.

Red and Black ... All Covered by Orange -- Cincinnati Sports Photographer

2010-11-02T13:40:00.000-04:00

Well, I guess this one was just proof that it's nice to be back on the field again. After the dissolution of CNati, my future as a sports photographer was more than a little in question. Thankfully, I've found a position with BearcatLair.com and will be shooting UC football and basketball.

Unfortunately, my return to the action was apparently not a good influence on the Bearcats. This was an ugly one, folks -- a 31-7 loss to the Orange of Syracuse. Here's hoping the next game goes a little better...

Check out the full gallery at Bearcat Lair Photos.

Lindsay, Ryan, and ... Hayden! -- Cincinnati Family Photographer

2010-11-01T19:48:00.001-04:00

What a wonderful couple ... and now a wonderful little family. After our early morning bump pictures down by the river, Lindsay and Ryan kept the little guy's name a secret. But now that he's here, we know his name is Hayden, and man is he cute! I can't wait to follow this little guy as he grows up ...

PREVIEW: Zach and Lindsay -- Cincinnati Wedding Photographer

2010-10-23T02:20:00.001-04:00

You know, I'm not going to lie. Normally when I do these little preview posts, I like to use a picture with a big "wow" factor. But while this photo may not have a dramatic lens flare, depth of field, or unique silhouette, it does have one thing: character. And that's exactly what I got from Zach and Lindsay last night. I mean, how's that for a first-dance pose?

Maybe it's because they got the whole ceremony thing out of the way another time. Maybe it was the full moon. Or maybe it's just because these two really know how to throw a party. Whatever the reason, it was a great time that kept me hopping. Congrats, and thanks for inviting me to the fun!

Emma - Cincinnati Family Photographer

2010-10-20T17:52:00.000-04:00

In my blitz to get this blog caught up a bit, I introduced you yesterday to fetus/newborn Heath. Emma here is admittedly a bit older. And while Heath wasn't entirely sure about his big photo debut, Emma was the quintessential ham. So much fun to work with! Danny, her horse, was a rather cooperative fellow himself.

Jen, Brett, and Heath -- Cincinnati Family Photographer

2010-10-19T11:00:00.000-04:00

Meet Heath! Ok, first why don't you get to know his mom and dad a little bit. Jen and Brett contacted me for maternity {bump} pictures last month, and now I've got Heath's newborn shots to add to the mix. So here's Heath, before and after!

Allie and Christian -- Cincinnati Engagement Photographer

2010-10-09T15:06:00.000-04:00

Oh man, was this one a treat! When Allie told me she wanted some unique engagement pictures, I knew I had to get the creative juices flowing. And I couldn't have asked for a better result.

Turns out Christian is a pretty creative guy himself. He actually proposed to Allie a few hundred feet underwater during a SCUBA diving trip. The whole "under water" idea got me thinking. I don't want to spoil the surprise, I'll just let you check out the pictures. I will say though, that Allie and Christian were a blast to work with -- so much fun, and naturals in front of the camera!

Thanks so much guys! I can't wait for the wedding! ... And I also owe a huge shoutout to your buddy Dan for hauling about 60lbs of water balloons on a mile-long trek. ;) See you in June!

PREVIEW: Lindsay and Ryan (the bump) -- Cincinnati Maternity Photographer

2010-10-06T10:48:00.000-04:00

I've been so busy with pictures lately, I haven't had a chance to do a proper update to the blog. But I thought I owed you all at least a preview of what I did this morning.

Lindsay contacted me last week about getting some maternity pictures done -- and just in time too! The little guy is due in just a few days! In order to fit into our little time crunch, we scheduled the shoot for 7:30 am so that Ryan could do the pictures before going to work. (For those of you who haven't been paying attention -- that's BEFORE the crack of dawn!) I was a bit worried it would be too dark and that maybe we were just a bit crazy, but I clearly had no reason to fret. The sunrise shots made it all worth it. Can't wait to get these pictures edited and see the little man after he makes his arrival!

CLINCHER! Cincinnati Reds -- NL Central Division Champs!

2010-09-29T15:26:00.002-04:00

Aroldis Chapman brought the fire, but Jay Bruce brought the fireworks with a 9th-inning walk-off home run to give the Reds the 3-2 victory over the Houston Astros, clinching the NL Central Division Championship. I can't begin to explain what an amazing experience it was to be there. Fortunately, I had my cameras, so I don't have to explain it -- I can just show you!

And be sure to check out my gallery on CNati.com!

Tiffany & Jeremy -- Cincinnati Wedding Photographer

2010-09-20T12:23:00.000-04:00

Remember these two? They had such a great wedding. I had so much fun! Their whole wedding party was awesome to work with, and the reception was a blast. Congratulations Tiffany and Jeremy!

The Faulkners! -- Cincinnati Family Photographer

2010-09-16T14:24:00.003-04:00

Ok, dedicated blog-followers, you're probably noticing a few things. First of all, I've been a little delinquent in making updates. So sorry. As usual, it has nothing to do with not having enough pictures, quite the opposite. Not only have I been busy TAKING pictures, but I'm working on new ways to DISPLAY those pictures. Hence, the second thing you're probably noticing -- a whole new format! I've changed the layout of the blog, and I've got a whole new style for showing off the pictures. I'm still working out some kinks, but here's the debut. Your thoughts?

Personally, I think the Faulkners are a great family to show off the new look. Grace and Avery are such happy and well-behaved kids -- the whole family was great to photograph! They didn't even complain when I got us a little lost in the woods -- just a little, I swear!

Baby Riley -- Cincinnati Family Photographer

2010-08-31T16:48:00.003-04:00

Riley's supercool aunt thought it would be a great gift to buy her a photoshoot as a 0th birthday present (why isn't your actual birthday your FIRST birthday?). So two weeks later, I trekked out to Morrow to photograph this little beauty. She wasn't too keen on the idea, as it turns out.

Poor little Riley. Despite the valiant efforts of mom, dad, and aunt to fix her up and tire her out before the shoot, she just refused to fall asleep. Truth be told, I think she's just a bit of a diva and didn't want to miss out on the extra attention.

The first-place Redlegs!

2010-08-26T17:51:00.004-04:00

How 'bout them first-place Reds, eh? The Rojos return to Cincinnati on Friday with (currently) a 3.5-game lead over the Cardinals in the NL Central. Before embarking on their 6-3 Westcoast roadtrip, the Reds swept the Marlins here at Great American Ball Park. Some highlights from that series ...

Tara and Lucas: The Wedding -- Cincinnati Wedding Photographer

2010-08-10T17:14:00.000-04:00

You may remember Tara and Lucas as the beautiful happy couple from a week or so ago. Well, the pictures are done, and it's time to show off their amazing day. I've included some highlights below, but for those of you who want a little more, check out the full Flash slideshow.

View the full Flash slideshow.

There was a last-minute illness that forced a change of plans in the getting-ready location, but no worries. The Hampton Inn Eastgate proved more than accommodating for both the boys and the girls. By the time I arrived at 3pm, the guys were all ready and lounging around. The ladies had just arrived, sack of Chik-Fil-A in hand. What was it Brad Paisley said about waiting on a woman?

After everyone was all set, it was off to the Cincinnati Nature Center at Rowe Woods for some pre-ceremony photography, as well as Lucas's first sighting of Tara in her gown.

After getting a few serious shots, we decided it was time to shake things up just a bit with a recreation of the proposal. This time, we asked Tara to give a little attitude. Strangely, she didn't seem to have too much trouble with it. ;)

After taking his lumps, Lucas wanted a little revenge shot. Turnabout is fairplay, after all.

Lucas caught a good bit of the day's action on his Flip videocamera. Remind me to get ahold of that and delete the clips that include the photographer.

When we finished up the pictures, it was back down the street again to Receptions of Eastgate. What a beautiful, simple location for both ceremony and reception.

A little time to relax between ceremony and reception turned into a good time for the bridal party to practice their dramatic entrances.

Just a beautiful cake put together by Tara's coworker Jessie Knepfle.

Tara and Lucas, your wedding was so wonderful! My humble photos don't begin to do justice to the love you obviously have for one another. All the best to you in your future together!

Erika and Nate -- Cincinnati Family Photographer

2010-08-05T20:15:00.001-04:00

Sometime before all those weddings kicked in, I had the chance to shoot siblings Erica and Nate (and a little of mom and dad, too). So we headed out to Ault Park (always a good choice) for a quick evening shoot. Despite the heat, we had a great time. Nate was the proverbial ham, while Erica was a little more tricky to get a smile out of. We got her in the end though. :)

Congrats Tiffany and Jeremy! -- Cincinnati Wedding Photographer

2010-08-01T12:55:00.003-04:00

While it's been a busy weekend for me, it's been anything but "another day, another wedding." Both Tara and Lucas, and Tiffany and Jeremy had incredibly beautiful weddings. I couldn't be happier to have been a part of both. And while I did end up choosing very similar shots for these little updates, I promise the two events were quite unique and I can't wait to show off more of the great moments I captured!

Congrats Tara and Lucas! -- Cincinnati Wedding Photographer

2010-07-31T11:58:00.002-04:00

I had the privilege last night to photograph the wedding of a very beautiful couple. Tara and Lucas, I wish you the best in your future together. You clearly make each other very happy. You also know how to throw a great party. :) Can't wait to get all the pictures processed for you!

Models of Philly, Part I -- Cincinnati Glamour Photographer

2010-07-29T13:42:00.004-04:00

I promised another update this week, and I don't think you'll be disappointed!

During my trip to Philly a few weeks ago, I met up with a few models, and Patty's images are the first that I've managed to edit so far. She was great to work with, and her experience as an actress definitely came out in her ability to convey a mood. Expect to see her on Broadway or in an Abercrombie catalog within a few years. :)

Sam and Emily -- Cincinnati Family Photographer

2010-07-25T17:39:00.004-04:00

I've been so busy lately shooting and editing pictures, I've barely found time to post any. Here are some shots of Sam and Emily hanging out with their parents at Ault Park a few weeks ago.

Stay tuned! I promise more cool stuff this week!

On the road again -- Cincinnati sports photographer in Philadelphia

2010-07-13T13:30:00.002-04:00

The downside of being so busy with great work lately is that I haven't had time to share it properly on the blog here. Allow me to try to make up for that.

I spent the past extended weekend in Philadelphia, following the Reds for what turned out to be a heartbreaking sweep by the Phillies. I also managed to meet up with some fantastic models while I was there, and I'll be sharing the results of those shoots soon enough.

Overall, Philly was great. If you're ever in the area, I think the one can't-miss attraction is actually Monk's Cafe in Rittenhouse Square. It's a great Belgian beer bar with the amazing beer selection you'd expect, but the real surprise is the food. Best I've had in years. And the fries? Best ever. I'm pretty sure they're fried in duck fat. So rich and tasty.

But I digress ... The weekend in Reds baseball ...

Travis Wood pitched 8 innings of perfect baseball -- nearly making history -- before watching Carlos Ruiz's double land safely in the outfield.

Grant's turn -- Cincinnati Family Photographer

2010-06-29T15:51:00.003-04:00

This little guy here is Grant, and he wants you to know just how cute he is. After seeing the other kids getting their pictures up here recently, he decided it was his turn. Ok, maybe his mom had something to do with it, but whatever. So we headed out to Ault Park for a little one-on-one. As these things tend to go, it required a little warm-up ...

I love how blatently tragic everything can be when you're nine months old.

And how quickly you can recover ... This might be my favorite shot of the day.

I love the concentration in the eyebrows. Clearly this is important stuff.

This cracks me up every time.

"Seriously. This is important stuff. You may prefer the Wall Street Journal, but Petting Farm has just as much gravitas."

Ok, I just can't resist. Does this look familiar at all?

"Aren't we done yet, Mom? This guy's starting to get on my nerves."

Back to Business -- Cincinnati corporate photographer

2010-06-24T12:56:00.004-04:00

I had the chance recently to change gears a bit and really get down to business ... so to speak. Local accounting firm Barnes Dennig contacted me about updating their look for general marketing and recruitment. They gave me the run of their beautiful downtown office space, although they did fail to give me the heads up that they share a building with the federal reserve. The US Marshals at the door were less than pleased to see me.

Happy Father's Day! - Cincinnati family photographer

2010-06-21T10:00:00.005-04:00

Ok, I've been keeping this one quiet for a couple weeks, but now we can finally let it out. Brian's mom (that's right, his name is Brian -- I knew instantly we'd get along) decided to surprise his dad for Father's Day with some awesome pictures at Devou Park. Brian wasn't so sure about the whole thing at first, but he warmed up pretty quick.

I love this ... "Would you just look at what she puts me through, Dad?"

"I said NO HATS!"

I think this is a common trait among Brians. I also am unable to focus on anything without sticking my tongue out.

Does anyone else think it kind of looks like he's surfing here?

Mmmm ... flowers. Yum.

Have a little FAITH!

2010-06-18T20:07:00.003-04:00

Get your birthday hats on -- Faith is turning one! ... And like any little princess, she told her mom she wanted a pre-party photoshoot and practice cake-smashing. What a blast! She wasn't so sure about the whole getting-up-in-time-to-start-shooting-at-8-am thing, but being a pro, she warmed up quick. And for my part, well I instantly fell in love with her eyes. I mean look at this little cutey! A photographer's dream ...

"It's my party and I'll cry if I want to!" ... Like I said, there were a few up-and-down moments.

We chose to shoot at Sharon Woods, and it couldn't have been a better decision! A very dog-friendly park, Faith was in heaven. She made a good friend here.

I think this one is my favorite. Great hat, mom!

Faith was cracking me up during the devouring of the cake. Every now and then she'd take a little break, and just seem to contemplate the gravity of the event. "Upon reflection, I feel my first year was a good one, full of many accomplishments. But I still feel there's a lot of room for personal growth as I embark on my second year ..."

PRICELESS face! And tell me these two aren't related!

Still in first

2010-06-11T11:40:00.002-04:00

Well, the boys have had some ups and downs, but fortunately the Cardinals haven't been so stellar either. As I write this, the Reds have a 1.5 game lead over St. Louis and look to build on that with a weekend series against their rival's weaker neighbor -- the Kansas City Royals.

As always, a little update from the past few games, and you know where to find the full galleries: CNati.com.

Back in the District

2010-06-05T09:36:00.004-04:00

Road trip! ... I'm back in D.C., and this time I actually get to follow the Reds as they're in town for a three-game series against the Nationals. On paper, it should be three relatively easy bounce-back wins after dropping two games to the Cardinals in St. Louis. Unfortunately, as the old saying goes, they don't play the games on paper.

Last night's matchup turned into a three-plus hour affair, leaving the Reds with a 4-2 deficit when it was all said and done. Still, I did get some nice action shots ...

See the full gallery at CNati.com!

Keeping it going

2010-05-27T12:28:00.002-04:00

Well, the boys have kept it up, taking two of three from the Indians in Cleveland, and two of the first three against Pittsburgh here at Great American. Johnny Cueto takes the mound tonight to close out the series against the Pirates, and we can look forward to a soft opponent over the weekend when the Astros come to town. Let's keep building that lead over the Cardinals!

Here's an update with a few of the latest photos from the series. As always, head over to CNati.com for the full galleries!

Seeing Red

2010-05-21T15:15:00.003-04:00

With the exception of the last two games against the Braves, the Reds have been HOT lately, and even pulled into first place in the NL Central. They now sit in second behind the Cardinals with a series opener against the Indians tonight. While I grew up loving the Indians, I can't deny that they're pretty dreadful right now. Hopefully, the Reds can sweep the Tribe and regain that winning momentum.

Here are some images I captured during the latest homestand against the Cardinals and Brewers.

Denise, Part II

2010-05-14T20:00:00.001-04:00

As promised, round two from my shoot with Denise ...

Denise

2010-05-13T09:57:00.002-04:00

Denise contacted me a month or so ago about expanding her portfolio, and we finally got together last week. She's a pro who's been doing this a while so the shoot went great, even if it wasn't exactly as planned. Our first choice location turned into an unexpected lockout, so we had to improvise with a quick trip across town to Ault Park. Thanks to her ability to adapt, and the expert aid I received from my assistant Ashley, the pics couldn't have turned out better!

This is the first of what should be two rounds of pictures. Stay tuned for the rest soon!

Flirting with perfection

2010-05-10T15:44:00.003-04:00

On a baseball day highlighted by Dallas Braden's perfect game, Reds rookie Mike Leake carried his own streak of perfection through three-plus innings, a no-hitter through five-plus, and a shutout that nearly lasted seven innings. Alas, he ended up allowing three runs before it was all over, but the Reds got the win, and most importantly he just can't hide it anymore -- Mike Leake IS Leonardo DiCaprio.

Leake's strong work was largely the result of his approach that induces a lot of ground balls. That, in turn, creates a lot of action in the infield, which makes for a good day for a photographer such as myself. Check out the gallery at CNati.com.

And now for something completely different ...

2010-05-10T15:31:00.004-04:00

Looking for some fun Saturday night entertainment? Look no further!

Paul Dehner recently featured the Cincinnati Rollergirls in an article for CNati.com and I ended up shooting their match this past weekend. I must say, it was a blast. These girls are fun to watch. And for spectator value, can you really beat $10 admission, $1 beer, and FREE parking?!

They've got matches coming up on May 29 and June 19. You should look into it.

In the meantime, check out my full CNati gallery!

Great news for Cubs fans .. Reds fans -- not so much

2010-05-08T11:31:00.003-04:00

Alright diehard Reds fans, you can stop reading right now. Last night's 14-7 drubbing at the hands of the Cubs was pretty brutal to watch. But if you're a fan of baseball, you have to admit, it had its high points.

Starlin Castro, the Cubs' rookie shortstop, made his Major League debut last night at the ripe old age of 20. (I feel so unaccomplished.) Apparently, being the youngest Cubs shortstop in history wasn't enough, because he also felt the need to be just the sixth Cub ever to hit a home run in his first Major League at bat.

Still, he wasn't done. After blasting a three-run shot in that first plate appearance, Castro hit a bases-loaded triple his third time to the plate, cementing his place in history as the only rookie in Major League Baseball to debut with a six-RBI performance.

If I were a Cubs fan, I'd buy this man a beer. Oh wait, that'd be illegal. Maybe next year, kid.

You just never know ...

2010-04-23T20:00:00.000-04:00

So, on the way home from the game last night, I ran into a little roadblock. The kind of roadblock with lots of flashing lights, trucks, ladders, and hoses. It seems a nearby apartment had caught fire and I swung through just in time to catch the overhaul. Here's a shot of a mixed Cincinnati Fire Department crew that I can at least say includes members of Ladder 21. I'll sort through the pics again probably next week and might have some more up.

Mandy and PJ: The surprise engagement party

2010-04-22T20:17:00.002-04:00

So here's the scoop ...

Months ago, PJ sends me an email giving me the heads up on his devious little plan to propose. Mandy is oblivious. She's expecting a proposal SOMETIME but has no idea what's up.

So a few Saturdays ago, Mandy thinks she and PJ are going to a wine tasting at the Party Source. Little does she know that all her friends and family (and me and my camera) are anxiously awaiting her arrival. Her dumbfounded look of shock as she walked in the door was priceless! And the look of sheer joy as he popped the question was even better.

Everyone went on to have a great night, and of course, Mandy got to show off her new bling.

Back to baseball

2010-04-21T14:46:00.004-04:00

If you follow professional baseball at all, you've probably heard about "Manny being Manny." This, of course, refers to the Dodgers' superstar outfielder Manny Ramirez, and the little quirks that define him as a public figure. Having grown up an Indians fan (Manny's original team), I've followed him loosely for quite some time and have heard a lot of the stories. Never until last night had I seen it in person.

It really is indescribable -- indescribable, at least, for someone who calls himself a photographer and not a journalist. Also, there's the fact that I was half-asleep for last night's game, having worked a full 12-hour shift at the hospital beforehand. That being said ...

He reminds me -- and I know I'm not the first to use at least a similar description -- of a seven-year-old. But, like, the seven-year-old with ADHD who's really not even that into sports. He's just good at it, so he does it. The kind of kid that hits a homerun and forgets what he's doing as he's rounding second base. You just see it in his body language, in the faces he makes during the game. But occasionally, he'll do something that even a photographer can turn into a decent story...

I think it was in the top of the 7th inning when Manny was waiting on deck and a foul ball trickled and rolled to a stop at his feet. Now, a professional baseball player has two options of what to do at this point. He can (A) be an overpaid prick, ignore it, and nearly kill the ballboy with a practice swing as he approaches to retrieve the ball, or (B) flip the ball to the ballboy. Manny, however, found a third option -- though, major props for not choosing option A.

Manny reaches down, picks up the ball, proceeds to completely ignore the ballboy waiting at the top of the dugout steps, and tosses the ball in a direction that can only be described (sentence structure be damned) as "clueless." I just remember looking up and watching the arc of the ball as it traveled perilously into the Dodger dugout to a smattering of shouted warnings, "Ball!"

Third baseman Casey Blake (also a former Indian), obliviously stretching against the dugout roof, nearly has a few fingers broken as the ball smacks into the structure about three inches away from his vulnerable digits. A few sighs of relief and a little nervous laughter emerge from the nearby media and players, as Manny shrugs with a perplexed look on his face and continues taking practice swings.

Futbol anyone?

2010-04-18T10:36:00.002-04:00

Ahhh, time for another little mini-vacation. But really, there's no such thing as a vacation for a photographer. I'm in Washington, D.C. for the weekend, visiting my brother and sister-in-law. As is usually the case when that happens, we hit up a DC United game.

The United, or rather the Screaming Eagles, get major props for throwing a heck of a tailgate. Sadly, the team is now 0-4 after last night's 2-nil loss to the Chicago Fire. At least there was beer.

Mandy and PJ are engaged!

2010-04-12T21:35:00.004-04:00

Man, I've been sitting quietly about this one for a while now. PJ contacted me about a month ago to photograph his surprise proposal to Mandy this past Saturday, and it took all of my willpower and cunning not to spill the beans. But the proposal and party were a success! More pictures and details coming soon ...

The Reds Opening Week

2010-04-12T21:24:00.004-04:00

Ok, so I've admittedly been a little lazy in posting here lately. But I can assure you, it's not from a lack of photographic activity. Check out some pictures below from the Reds opening week against the Cardinals and Cubs. And don't forget to check out the full galleries at CNati!

Heidi & Tom -- The Wedding

2010-03-22T12:10:00.002-04:00

You probably recall the rather impromptu wedding we hosted at Children's Hospital on February 28. Put together in just a few days by the dedicated patient care staff, chaplains, and child life services, we were able to give Heidi and Tom the wedding they had probably never dreamed of. I just happened to be in the right place at the right time to capture a few images...

Heidi had promised to play nice with the cake, but clearly Tom had other ideas.

Bringing grilling season in with style

2010-03-16T20:29:00.002-04:00

Man, things have been busy around here lately -- and not with photography stuff, unfortunately. But I finally had a nice day off today to rest and recoup. And, most importantly, to break out the grill. And, really, what kind of photographer would I be if I didn't snap off a few frames before chowing down? For the thirsty, that's Bluegrass Brewing Company's Jefferson Reserve Bourbon Barrel Stout (found at the Western Hills Bigg's) in the background. And if you're hungry, that's an 8oz. filet, baked potato, fresh-baked beer bread, and grilled asparagus. All purchased at your local Trader Joe's.

So stay tuned, photophiles. I've got a few surprises coming up, not to mention it's almost time for regular season baseball, and that means a ton of Reds!

Just another day in paradise

2010-03-07T14:53:00.002-05:00

This is not today. In fact, here in sunny Goodyear, Arizona, it's actually raining. And it's going to be doing it all day. Our game against the Brewers was canceled, so that'll pretty much conclude my Spring Training coverage. It's been a great trip, and a wonderful experience. Now, if any of you could do something to make it just a little warmer for my return to Cincinnati tomorrow, I'd really appreciate it.

Every little boy's dream

2010-03-05T19:29:00.003-05:00

Man, 16-year-old me would be peeing his pants right now. In Arizona for Spring Training. With a press pass. On the field. My two favorite teams playing each other in the first game of the preseason. Did I mention the press pass, and basically hanging out in the dugouts and wandering the field and stands at will?

The Indians came away with the victory, 9-2. Mike Lincoln (below) gave up four runs in his 1 1/3 innings of work. Check out my gallery on CNati.com and be sure to read what Trent has to say!

This man throws baseballs fast

2010-03-04T19:29:00.002-05:00

If you suddenly find yourself roughly 60 feet away from this man, holding either a bat or a glove, I recommend running. Fast. As far away as you can.

I had the privilege of watching the Cincinnati Reds' prized prospect pitch in his first game(like) experience during an intrasquad match today. He injured one teammate and struck another two out. I didn't get to see a radar gun, but word is he was easily hitting 95-97 mph. That's fast. Scary fast. And really cool to see in person.

Check out the gallery on CNATI, and by sure to read Trent's analysis.

Basketball is overrated

2010-03-04T11:06:00.004-05:00

Posting pictures of game action for UC's losses has gotten a bit tiring. So, in my final basketball game of the season, I thought I'd give you a different look. The UC Dance Team is consistently among the best in the nation, and for good reason. It's always a treat to watch them perform during halftime and during breaks in the action. Here, second-year member Molly Schellenberg performs a routine to fire up the crowd.

A funny thing happened at work today ...

2010-03-01T21:35:00.002-05:00

I have to say, it's not too often I go to work at the hospital thinking, "Gee, I wonder if I might end up shooting a wedding today." But, as luck would have it, that's exactly what I had the privilege of doing yesterday...

Heidi and Tom are a beautiful couple whose wedding plans were changed due to one of life's curve balls. Making the best of the situation, the two decided to go ahead with a ceremony, and my fellow staffers at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center were more than eager to jump into action and make it happen. Friends and family gathered together to fill the hospital's chapel yesterday and make the couple's union a memorable one. I'll be posting more pictures as I get a chance, but here we've got the classic sharing of the cake. Anyone who knows Tom can guess what happens next...

Xavier schools St. Joe's

2010-02-20T01:11:00.002-05:00

This past Wednesday, I headed over to the Cintas Center for a little X basketball. I, and the 10,000+ who showed up, got more than we bargained for. Xavier just demolished St. Joe's with a final score of 88-52. I admit I'm not a Xavier fan, but I do love their arena and the energy of their fans. With a showcase game like this, you can just imagine the atmosphere in Cintas Center that night.

This is my favorite shot from the game. Dante Jackson got a chance to help lead his team from the bench for a change, and I got a little time to post-process a sports picture for a change.

Happy Valentine's Day!

2010-02-14T18:47:00.005-05:00

So I just came inside after scraping the snow off my roof. Apparently, I have what is called an ice dam, and it's causing my basement to flood. Yay. Oh, Cincinnati weather, why do you hate me so?

In good news ... I promised a new, easier to use website, and I have delivered! Check out the new "store front" of Lacking Focus Photography ...

Also, up and coming is my Facebook presence. Let's face it, no self-respecting corporation is leaving themselves out of FB these days, right? It's pretty bare-bones at the moment, but it's there. So, look for me on the 'Book (yes, I just created that little nickname -- now watch it spread like wildfire) and become a fan!

The Color Orange

2010-02-14T18:38:00.002-05:00

I gotta give UC credit in this one, they played hard and put up a heck of a fight ... for about 30 minutes anyway. The Orange were just a superior team. I mean, they were ranked #3 in the nation at the time for a reason. As for those final ten minutes, well, I won't not say that I suspect coaching didn't not have nothing to do none of it ... or something like that.

But hey, they rebounded with a surprisingly convincing (if nearly pissed-away) road win against UConn yesterday. Who knows, they might just cling on to the fringe of the tournament yet.

Time flies when you're ... really busy

2010-02-07T11:31:00.005-05:00

Well, well... It looks like I managed to go over a month without an update to the blog. Shame on me. Truth be told, if you'd asked me when I last updated, I probably would have thought it was within the last week or two. It's just been that kind of month.

So, here for your viewing pleasure are some more basketball pictures. Photographically, that's pretty much what's been taking up my time lately. But change is in the air ... Spring Training is coming up, I've got another wedding booked, a new website is coming, and I foresee more new toys in the near future. Stay tuned, it's going to be another busy month! :)

Missed it by that much!

2010-01-05T18:43:00.002-05:00

Really? Larry Davis takes the final shot from 38 feet away? That was your grand plan? I honestly missed photographing it because I was looking away, trying to figure out who he was going to pass to. I mean, really, Larry Davis? For the final shot? Really?

But ok, this was just a great game on both sides. Unfortunately, UC just came up on the short end of the stick. Pitt's got a heck of a team this year. UC's definitely a team on the rise, but the Big East is a tough conference. Should be an interesting season ahead.

As always, check out the full gallery at CNATI.com!

Saccharine Bowl is more like it ...

2010-01-05T18:34:00.003-05:00

Well, I survived the trip to New Orleans! It truly was a blast -- that town is every bit as fun as advertised.

The Sugar Bowl, on the other hand, left a bit of a bitter aftertaste. In fact, it was downright painful to slog through that game. However, as a Bearcats-biased photographer, I took it as a professional challenge. It wasn't easy capturing moments favorable to my audience because, well, there just weren't that many. Oh well, I still got some nice pictures out of it. Check out the full gallery at CNATI.com!

UC rolls over Winthrop

2009-12-22T23:51:00.004-05:00

The Bearcats came out with a 74-57 victory over the Winthrop Eagles this evening in what turned out to be a bit of a sleeper. Winthrop really wasn't up to the competition and UC didn't play with a lot of heart. My brand-new Canon 7D, on the other hand, performed beautifully! :) I did notice some issues with the autofocus like a few people had complained about before, but it's still a vast improvement over the 20D and I think it'll just require a little technique change on my part more than anything else.

I just love how the entire Winthrop team watches helplessly as Yancy Gates goes to the rim for two.

Dion Dixon, always animated on the court, was especially fun to watch in this one.

Merry Christmas to me!

2009-12-16T13:30:00.003-05:00

Ok, these aren't really Christmas gifts. Just a little update on my latest upgrades. As of two days ago, I'm now shooting primarily with the Canon 7D. What a beautiful piece of machinery! A really wonderful all-around camera, but with its lightning-fast frame rate and enhanced auto-focus abilities, it's really going to bring my sports photography to life! And the trusty Canon 20D will still be a great second camera to allow me the opportunity for wide-angle shots I haven't been able to get so far. This baby's first real test will come at the Sugar Bowl, so it couldn't have come a moment too soon.

I've also been shooting for a little while now with the Canon 70-200mm f2.8L lens. This is my number one lens for ... well, just about everything. Great for sports, portraits, you name it. Definitely a wise investment.

And finally, I'd like to give a shout out to my still relatively new Canon 430EXii flash. I haven't had a lot of opportunity to use this little guy yet, but he's proved a major upgrade over my Vivitar 285HVs in the few opportunities I have had. He'll definitely be getting a lot of work come wedding season, and will probably be joined by another 430EXii and a 580EXii to complete the set.

Captured Again!

2009-12-14T16:39:00.002-05:00

Cincinnati, you've officially been captured ... again! That's right, Capture Cincinnati 2009 was released a couple weeks ago, and for the second year running, I made the cut. I must be moving up in the world, too. My picture of the Roebling statue is all by itself on the first page of "Landmarks & Architecture." You can also see my photo "Numb" just below the ampersand ( & ) on the previous page's montage.

Thanks Capture Cincinnati! Can't wait for next year!

Sugar Bowl bound!

2009-12-14T11:22:00.004-05:00

Alright, I'll say it. I'm pretty sad Brian Kelly left us for the "greener" pastures of Notre Dame. That said, I can't blame him. He's following his lifelong dream. How can you stay made at someone for that?

More importantly, the UC Bearcats are going to the Sugar Bowl! And as CNATI.com's primary UC photographer, I'll be right there with them. How great will New Year's in New Orleans be? Go UC!

Check out the latest galleries from UC football and basketball events ...

Xavier edges out UC in the Crosstown Shootout, 83-79 in double overtime.

UC downs Miami of Ohio 63-59 at US Bank Arena.

UC outlasts Pitt amid the flurries at Heinz Field to win the Big East championship and head to the Sugar bowl.

Ooh .. Ooh .. Ooh .. .... UC!

2009-11-29T14:50:00.003-05:00

After a week off, the UC Bearcats came out strong on offense this weekend against Illinois. Tony Pike threw 6 TDs for a school record in the 49-36 Bearcat victory. I had the pleasure yet again to be on the field for CNATI.com. You can check out the full gallery here. Lessons learned during this game? 40 degrees is cold! Handwarmers, Brian! Handwarmers!

Tiffany and Jeremy ... and Brutus

2009-11-22T16:50:00.003-05:00

The pictures are done! NOW they're officially engaged. That's how it works, right? Ah, well, probably not. Still, these two were awesome, and Brutus was a kick -- such a show-stealer! Look for their wedding photos from Lacking Focus Photography next summer!

Poor Brutus was overtaken by a sneezing fit here. He must have sneezed 10 times in a row.

Would you just look at these two?

Brutus was occasionally curious about the whole camera "thing."

Bearcats!

2009-11-19T18:06:00.003-05:00

So I've recently gotten the opportunity to do some sports photography for CNATI.com, starting with the UC Bearcats game against the WVU Mountaineers last Friday. Most recently, I shot the Bearcats basketball home opener against Prairie View A&M. I had a blast at both sports and can't wait to do more! Be sure to visit CNATI.com often to see more of my work!

Tiffany and Jeremy -- the tease

2009-11-07T21:20:00.004-05:00

CI had the pleasure today of working with Tiffany and Jeremy on their engagement photos. We headed out to Eden Park and enjoyed perfect weather for the shoot! They're a fun and beautiful couple. I can't wait to do their wedding next summer. More photos to come!

Sarah and Kyle .... and Pepi

2009-11-05T21:08:00.004-05:00

Two weekends ago, I had the pleasure of doing some unique senior portraits for these two. We split it up into two sessions, doing the majority of Sarah's pictures on Sunday during one of her horseriding competitions. She's quite impressive with Pepi, and it's clear the two have a special bond. She also shares a special bond with her boyfriend Kyle (NOT her brother ... Stay up 20 hours working night shift, go to shoot, open mouth, insert foot), who had his shots somewhere in the woods of Indian Hill. Honestly, they led me out into the middle of nowhere and I did fear just a bit for my life, but it was well worth it!

Such the gentleman, Kyle offers to carry Sarah back to the car at then end of the shoot.

They're just too cute together!

The weather was actually perfect for this shoot. As you can see by the mist, it was quite cold, but nobody got a red nose and the colors and lighting were just beautiful!

You can actually see Kyle in the bokeh at the bottom of the hill. It's a pretty shear dropoff behind Sarah, but Kyle made the descent look easy ... never mind the dirt and burrs he ended up covered in.

There's that cold again ...

One of the other girls at the competition. This girl actually had an amazing day and wound up upsetting Sarah for the season title ... but we don't talk about that. She's coming in here to plant the baton in the bucket at the end of her run.

A bonus shot of Pepi. He was thirsty.

Such a curious horse...

Allison

2009-11-05T20:53:00.002-05:00

Another shoot in Ault Park, another Allison. But, hey, it's spelled differently! Plus, this time I had my new Canon 70-200mm F2.8L lens. The photography geeks among you know how sweet that is. :) But as always, the star of the shoot was the model. She did great work and really needed very little direction! I love a model that knows what she's doing! And she was very excited about trying out new lighting techniques with me.

Check out that intensity!

Part of the lighting experimentation ... It got crazy hard to focus once it got so dark outside. Note to self: bring a flashlight! For multiple reasons. Our walk back through the park was an adventure led by the glow of cell phones. And Allison's boyfriend made the trek barefoot. Troopers, the both of them!

Katie and Dave

2009-11-05T18:47:00.007-05:00

I know Katie as one of my best friends from nursing school (yep -- that's the full-time job). She and Dave are pretty much the coolest couple I know, and they can throw one hell of a wedding! They had a gorgeous ceremony in downtown Cincinnati's St. Xavier church with a reception at the Cincinnati Club. I took these pictures unofficially from the pews, but the camera didn't make it to the reception. What can I say? I thought I might have a little more fun without it. ;)

Allyson

2009-11-05T18:07:00.007-05:00

Now here's a face you may be seeing again somewhere. Allyson is an up and coming model just at the beginning of her career. And with the look she's rocking and her natural talent, I expect that to be a very successful career. And major props for dedication! Even after I got her lost in the woods at Ault Park on a sweltering hot day, she still maintained a great attitude and camera presence!

Lauren

2009-11-05T17:54:00.006-05:00

Back in July I had the chance to take senior portraits for Lauren. All the way north in Perrysburg, we divided the shoot into two locations -- a wooded park just out of town, and the Levis Commons Towne Center. It turned out great! Lauren was a great model (all that studying she did with America's Next Top Model') and her mom made a great lighting assistant! I think she's got a future!

I just loved the lighting we got for these ...

And she thought I was crazy wanting her to pose on the log ;)

Getting it all started

2009-11-05T17:49:00.002-05:00

So I've become increasingly unimpressed with my own business website. I feel like it lacks the personal touch that I think is a hallmark of my photography. So, I decided we need a little supplement. And thus ... THE BLOG!

So I'll post updates here on shoots, gear updates, basically anything that seems pertinent to the whole enterprise and whatnot. We'll start with some backdated shoots. Here we go ...