A Magical Life I Lead and I Don't Apologize

On my list of people to photograph resides a brilliant singer, Santigold.  She is brilliant and lovely and talented in so many ways.  Oh and that's right, I get to meet her next Thursday and see her perform...  I'm already trying to remind myself to "be cool, be cool" for I may say some stupid thing that makes me sound creepy.  I mean similar things have happened when I have been so excited!



(by the way it was well worth the few year wait for a purely magical second CD release.  And hey she doesn't use auto-tune.  Imagine that, a real artist!)

-Gawdun

What Happened to Kick the Can?

'Take You Away'
-Angus & Julia Stone

Last week while I was in the Target I pa roused through the toy isle.  First off let me explain how I am impressed with the latest and greatest LEGO designs.  Bravo Bravo!!!

However what cracked me up was the below video I shot.  Just a advertising fail for Cars and Target...  It still cracks me up...  There was even a tire from another car that had popped off and was laying on the bottom of the display track.  LOL

'Matching Weight'

-Trespassers William

-Gawdun

My MInd Has a Part 2

Earlier this week I posted a blog of two topics that were on my mind...

I had a feeling was leaving something out and that would be #3...

3.   This Darn NFL Lockout!

Back at the end of the NFL season the stupid NFL moved into this "Lockout" mumbo jumbo.  I mentioned it to a few people that I found this to be a giant waist of crap news.  Here is why...  If I remember right almost every darn year at the end of EVERY sport season there is some sort of strike or lockout.  Mostly they want money is the underlining theme but they usually cover that up with some sort of other bull crap.  

So there I was talking to a friend and I said, "mark my words the NFL lockout will come to an end right before the training and preseason kicks off."  Boy I need to be paid for my predictions.  There I was this last week in the gym locker room and on EPSN they were talking about they players were being allowed back into the locker rooms now as training season begins as long as they got their physicals.  Huh ironic.  Pre season is just weeks away and the "lockout" sounds like it is vanishing away.  

Just be honest and say you are giving your players more money for the next season.  I believe they just use the "Lockout" also as a cover up to make it so much easier for us to accept the fact they are going to once again get pay raises and they deserve it.  We wouldn't easily accept a raise if they just gave it to them.  This is just further proof that the majority of America is blind and can't think on their own.  

(Once again this is just my thoughts and opinions if you did not like this post then you really should... I don't know, but you should do something.)

-Gawdun

Splash That Red On Me

I remember back on a fall day a week after I returned from my mission in 2008 I learned of a vocal maven known as Santogold, now know as Santigold.  (For reason on name change read this article found on wikipedia.)  But I digress.  My first paycheck once I started back to work a couple weeks later I made my way down to the local record shop (Ok it wasn't really a record shop but more like the Best Buy.  My town sucks and has no record shops... corporate scum and best) and picked up her first album, 'Santogold.'  The guy who helped me find it thought I was crazy as the cover art is simple genius at best, but to him must be insane, this town has no art appreciation :(

Once again I digress.  Needless to say I love her and have been with her since her debut.  I pray she releases more magic this year!  Her stuff is one of the go to albums I blast right before any photo shoot I head off to.

-Gawdun

Man This Ship Has Left Already I See

I thought with me attending the gym 2 hours at a time for 6 days a week meant I could be proud of my accomplishments in the work I have done.  However according to the below picture I now need to find a large white board to hang around my neck when I go to the beach in a few weeks...

Welcome to Utah magazine racks...

However it looks like they missed a few that are more "skanky"than the fully clothed Olivia Wilde cover of Glamour.  So really what are they trying to sensor, I'm confused. :-/


On a side note:  Michael J. Fox looks so out of place.  Happy 50th Mike!

-Gawdun

Lines

-Gawdun

How To Serve A Black Swan

'Come On, Come Out'
-A Fine Frenzy

Many of you, well maybe just a few close in proximity know my current obsession.  We call it the 'Black Swan.'  In the past month I have seen it every weekend.  Ok that is a lie I managed to not see it this weekend but I did see it one and a half times last weekend.

I'm sure many of you are shaking your heads in agony of my love for this rated "R" flick.  You may shake all you want but then again take a look at your lives and tell me it's perfect in what you watch.  I don't think so...  Besides I don't care what you say it was amazing! :-)

Let's get it off the top right away.  Yes there was this awkward girl with girl scene that probably could have been edited down or possibly not even put in the movie at all.  Either way it was in it and shocking, well from what I saw as my hands were covering my eyes.  My friends all thought this was a hoot to witness me doing so.

Acting was beyond amazing.  If you think about it there are actors and actresses who almost never seem to do a new and growing role to their resume.  Natalie is not that girl.  She has grown and continues to grow in each and every role she has done and this one was the top of the top so far.  Just watching the transformation of shy insecure 'White Swan' to controversial, explicit 'Black Swan' was the stuff you want to see in movies.  Don't get me wrong I love a good mindless movie but that seems to be all that have and are coming out anymore so this was a tall drink of water!  Then Winona Ryder's supporting role was brilliant and shows us once again why we love her as an actress.

Music was superb!  It is amazing to listen to the music and be able to envision the entire story line play out in your mind.  When a soundtrack can do that you know it was well scored!

Costumes and locations made my eyes water.  I was so impressed with the entire thing that I was receiving idea after idea for future photo shoot times!

My only complaint and caution is as follows:  I forgot how gnarly and nasty ballerina dancer feet are.  I wanted to vomit several times in the film just from the site of the feet.  SO if you have issues with feet don't eat a full meal before the movie.

OVERALL:

I guess you can say I loved it minus the feet part.  I loved it so much that I actually want to see a ballet this year. On one of the viewings I did one friend told me that he would go as well so now I have a trip to New York to plan I guess, poor me :-)


'My'
-Lykke Li


-Gawdun

Gimmie Sympathy Sick Muse

I feel I need to share love with others!   Back in 2003 I was watching Leno, (sorry I think Conan is an idiot)and this gem of a band from our lovely neighbors to the north happened to be musical guest.  Every since then I never looked back and have loved them ever since.  I present to you Metric.  Their latest album came out in summer 2009 and never get's old.  In fact I can't think of a band I don't listen to more often in the week.  It's sad but yes I like to play a game while listening to certain songs where I turn the volume down and see if I can sing along and then turn the volume back up and be on the exact verse and word they are on.  I am killer at it.  But this is a "all by myself song."

Anyways here are two visually inspiring videos from their 2009 release 'Fantasies.'






Talent huh!  Best songs though are 'Dead Disco,' 'Blindness,' 'Gimmie Sympathy,' and 'Monster Hospital.'

PS:  If you watch Greys Anatomy you will have heard some of their music on the show.


-Gawdun

In Rome they Do It BIG!!!

'Christmas Tree'
-Lady Gaga (probably the most random Xmas song EVER, but then are you surprised being from Gaga?)

As mentioned a few post prior I traveled to Vegas for a day of Christmas shopping with the destination set for the new H&M location that was replacing the old FAO Schwartz toy story in the Forum Shops at  Caesars Palace Las Vegas.  If you read the past post you would know that they actually didn't open on the scheduled November 20th.  Instead it would be two days from the day we were there.  So of course I was lucky that I had to attend a roller derby game that same night when it would open.  So you bet your bottom dollar this boy, and his friends Kenley, and Nicole got up early and drove down just so we could get the lucky opening door gifts.

We got there and had to WAIT in line to even get in the store, it was AMAZING!  I have never for one waited in line for a movie so to wait in line for a store to let us in was beyond me.  But we managed to score some sweet re usable shopping bags, and little note books.  I loved it.  However the highlight came when we got close to the door.  They gave out these little poker chips with scratch spots on the back.  Once scratched it had a money denomination.  I had $25 so that meant I pretty much had free money.  You better believe I used that up.

Now before I shut up and post the photo's of this marvel of a store let me describe the reason why I love me some H&M.  First off they are comparable, but better, to the Old Navy of Europe.  However you don't find many shirts with stupid decals of the store of pictures on them.  It's simple, well designed, decal-less, affordable clothes for the person looking to dress high style and not spend 50K on a new wardrobe.  Perfect for me as I have began the transition to get rid of my decal stamped Shirts and go for a more modern 50's look, which is were I love.  Think Mad Men style.  For opening day they had killer rack deals, $5 clothes and such.  So with that in mind here is what I spent and saved.  I WOULD HAVE spent $201.60.  I LEFT PAYING $59.40.  I'll let you do the math on how much I saved.  Only one item did I pay full price for it, and that was a GIANT bow tie.

Enough of the ramblings on saving, here are some pics for this gem.  Oh and I did find out for those interested that this location has a live DJ (I hope he wasn't just for the opening) and they will have items in this location you WILL NOT find in any other H&M.

Now here are the main reasons for this post, the eye candy I wet myself for.  The store seriously has the best displays in my opinion it just blew my mind.  Mind you it is 3 stories when you see these.

 Yes that is a DJ and his mannequin partner in crime

All the mannequins were hanging from wires and out of control rockin awesome

One final thing about this place is my mind as a photographer goes on major overdrive.  Styling is a huge part of photo shoots and the entire time I am there I am thinking what would be great for a shoot and such.  So if there are any guys or gals out there that want to collaborate with me and this store let me know!  I am for real let's set something up!

'The Night Before Christmas'
-Brandon Heath

-Gawdun

Another Reason Why I Love Christina Applegate

Just watch it! Oh Christina you are the best.

Prenatal Pole Dancing DVD from Christina Applegate

-Gawdun

Really I Want to Just Stop

I've decided, I'm done.

-Gawdun

Brass in Pocket

‘We R Who We R’

-Ke$ha

Every month since the new season of Fabulous Sin City Roller Girls started I have been their bout (once again a “bout” means game) official Tweeter.  So since September my fingers fly and my eyes flash across the track trying to capture all the news and spread it via the social network world.  It has been hard and fun.  However we all know that my true heart lies in photography with a side love for social media.  The contact I have in the team always tells me that same thing.  They know where I stand with the photo world and will let me do either.  SO grateful am I. :-)  

For the November bout I once again was the official tweeter, but on top of it I also did photography of the crowds and backstage happenings.  It’s not always a thing that most people want to capture.  They mainly focus on the track and the plays, I specialize in the crowds and volunteers.  Anyways to see those images you can go to my photography business site.  I would like to use this post to focus on one particular image from that night.  While I was about the crowds I caught a lady out of the corner of my eye.  Not in the dating way but style wise.  She was totally in her zone and styling.  My ultimate goal is fashion photography in the forms of shooting runway shows or magazine spreads.  There is something about those images that bring joy into the viewers eyes and dreams.  It totally takes them out of their current situation and into fantasy, I WANT IN.  Here is the lady I am speaking about. 

She looks like a modern day Chrissie Hynde.  Now here comes my request and dream.  I want to photograph her, as I am always wanting to update my portfolio.  If any of you readers know this women, I am suspecting she is from Vegas, please help me get into contact.  I will take you to dinner, and I hear the Cheesecake Factory is amazing so I’ll take you there.  (I’ve never been there.)

‘Cannibal’

-Ke$ha

-Gawdun

Watch For The Sprays

Tonight, as for all Monday's, I was participating in FHE with a friend of mine by watching Real Housewives of Atlanta. NO JUDGMENTS. I know reality TV has ruined us but I can't get enough this show. I enjoy the other housewives in Jersey, BUT Atlanta is where it's at.

ANYWAYS

We were waiting for someone else to show and my friend directed me to this music video, which by the way readers is done by Willow Smith. (Yeah she's Will and Jada Pinkett Smith's daughter.)

I won't and can not lie, I'm all over this jam! The single hits iTunes October 26th and yes I am going to purchase. I am totally diggin this video and song! And let's not forget that Willow is ONLY 9 years old. I hope she keeps her style FRESH and INDEPENDENT (yeah that was a pun on her father.)

Now please excuse me while I go and whip my neck (I don't have hair that long) around spraying paint around my room.

-Gawdun

Now Where Did I Place My Man Card?

I seriously don't know why I do this to myself. From the moment I saw the movie adaptation of, 'Where the Wild Things Are' while it was in theaters I loved it. I just forgot one simple thing. It made me cry! I was all sorts of a hot mess.

Currently I'm hanging out with the family and I said, "hey let's watch 'Where the Wild Things Are.' (I am such an idiot)

We aren't even 30 minutes into it and I'm trying to keep composure. Let's talk about all sorts of human emotion used and expressed.

I highly recommend it if you haven't seen it though.

Amazing music for the film too! Karen O from the 'Yeah Yeah Yeahs' and a bunch of kids cover the soundtrack. Perfect music to mellow out with and then get the occasional jolt of excitement from intertwined music tracks.

But seriously if you by chance have seen my "Man Card" please call/text/message me/or whatever and I'll send you my address that you can send it to, Thanks!

-Andrew

PS: I am man enough to admit this though. If my mom decided to watch 'Steel Magnolias' I would truly have to leave the room. That movie ruins me EVERY TIME! "Here, Take a whack a Wezza!"

You Can Go Where You Wanna...

Boy did I do it to myself now!

I officially signed up for my first 5K today. I have never been a big runner, in fact I would say I only ran when Sydney Bristow would run... Stressed out times. However two weeks ago I made the mistake of tweeting a post to my facebook account on my awesome run for the day. 2.6 miles after not running for 3 months. Ok let me level with y'all. I did a lot of running mixed with walking, but I did it. After I posted the tweet I was notified by a friend of a 5K that was coming up soon. After doing a little research I learned that a 5K is only 3.1 miles.

Oh I got this in the bag :)

Today I ran 2 miles non stop with two fellow 5K runners!

I have learned though I have a new addiction... I can't stop thinking about running! I mean I want to get out and do another run right now. I'm like a crack addict I think. Although tomorrow is almost here and I can run again.

The big day is on Saturday, September 25th at 7am. I don't care about being the first person to cross the line in my age and sex group, I just want to run the whole thing and finish. And darn tootin I will do just that.

Besides it was only a $12 entry fee, only...

-Gawdun

Oh You Sure Can Suck!

'Next Best Thing'

-Nikki & Rich

Funny how this song is jamming out of my iPod while I sit here and write this blog post.

So as many of you have read via Facebook and twitter I have had an amazing time while I was in Reno. (Currently I am sitting in the Vegas airport.) What began as a workation soon turned into a decision making choice. I have been struggling with myself in many forms and where I wanted to take my photography business. It's really hard anywhere I know to run a business and I know that no matter where I take the photography there will always be the "business stealer, price-under-cutter, and saturation of photographers." In Utah, for those that don't know we have many a persons that do photographer even it is a hobby that they make money at. Especially due to the amount of weddings we have taking place in this state. There seems to be no originality. However in defense of my fellow photographers, (don't get me wrong I am not bashing anyone who wants to venture into this life) I think personal creativity takes a back seat like Rosa Parks once did. Clients see what their friends had done in their photos and want the SAME DARN THING. You might not even be the same photographer. I understand that a client has say in the process but when you hire someone you truly hire them and their talent they have. Then with your ideas and the ideas and talent of the photographer you collaborate.

So just like Rosa Parks I tend to say "NO SIR I WON'T SIT ON THE BACK OF THE BUS!" This is my talent and life why sell myself short? There are people who love my work and style. However I have decided to move ARG IMAG flagship elsewhere that I can truly express my true self. Also to break into the kind of photography I want to do (print ads for magazines like VOGUE, etc) then I need to be in a city that has easy access to that life style.

You may say why not go to L.A. or New York? While I want to get there eventually I need to start somewhere larger than St. George. I have learned tons in St. George as a photographer and person but need to move up, and there have been many influences one of which is Kevin and Katie Hulett of K Hulett Photography.

A few months back I gave myself to the end of the 2010 year to find a new town AND state to reside in. Reno just sucked me back. Black Hole City is the reference I give to it. Driving down the street the other day not even desiring to move back there it happened. That feeling of being pulled. I told a friend last night about it and they said they know exactly the feeling I am feeling. I went there to work with two clients and then relax. I came back with a plan.

I will be heading back to Reno in October instead of L.A. (Day of the Dead festival will have to wait till next year, plus I went last year.) During the week, possibly two, I will be connecting with current and former contacts in regards to employment and business starting in the great city of Reno. I am truly finally feeling like I have a plan since coming home from the mission. I truly know this is right, and all will work out. The move will happen at the end of the year like planned.

I know my mom and little brother enjoy me living at home but it's time for this 26 year old to peace out like bad breath. The brushing has begun!

PS: To my faithful repeat clients don't you fear, I still will travel to bring a fresh look to your family every year or when you need it. I love you all and appreciate the business and new clients you bring!

'Sweet Disposition'

-The Temper Trap

-Gawdun

Do You Have Any Rhinos?

In my the swanky little town of Blackshear, GA resides many dirt roads that twist and turn to hidden trailer parks and sub divisions. I personally thought the best time to tract (door to door knocking) was more exciting after a nice long rainfall. You seemed to find more treasures that way. Case in point this video....

Yeah this was all found right after a nice down pour. What a gem!

-Gawdun

"Boxes, Don't Crowd Me!"

I have given myself till the end of this year to have made my complete decision on my place of residency, and what will happen with the photography business I am trying to run. (Don't worry I'm not stopping the photo industry, so all my clients that read this blog can now take a deep breath as I will still continue to update your family photo's for you)

With this grand decision to relocate finally it has come to my attention that I need to once again go through all my boxes in the closet and under my bed to throw out stuff I WILL NOT NEED. Doing so I have condensed my mission boxes into one like it should have been when I first got home. While going through that box I was reminded of many great times. Some of which I recorded onto video. So for the next few posts I will share with you some of my beloved mission short videos some of which included people who have become great friends and family since then!

Sunday August 1st I will reveal the first video that involves one of my favorite "sleep screaming" sister missionaries. (Don't worry names will be changed to protect the insane.

-Gawdun

I'll Share Jail Time w/ Lilo

So I've been charged with "Having to Much Fun."

While she lands in one of these...

I will land in one which allows my cell phone...

More in a minute.

-Gawdun

Mountain Dew and Bike Cops

'Heartbreak Warfare'

-John Mayer (I will announce that I normally DO NOT like him. He creeps me out and I have been told on good word by a friend who has met and worked with him that my creepy feeling was true, he is a creepy guy, but this song is great.)

Last week I had the privilege of vacation and attending a mission friends wedding. No I did not shoot his wedding, and I will tell you that I prefer to NOT shoot a friends wedding. They EXPECT a cheaper price and special rights, that totally makes me laugh. Anyways let me take you to the night before the wedding, and yes if any of the attendees read this they may get mad but you should have realized that once I enter a room I am looking for proper blog worthy material. Not one person is free from this occasion :0)

I had been in Salt Lake City the the early part of the week and then had to drive to Logan, UT for the Friday full day wedding events. The wedding just happened to be for an elder that I trained on the mission so it was only once again proper that I make face time and show. So I arranged a place to crash which was also the home of another missionary I trained. I learned Thursday morn that the house I was staying at would also host the bachelor party. I was laughing when I heard this and knew that my blog would be happy. So I get to Logan around 8pm Thursday and the party had already started. Now mind you this is a L.D.S. (Mormon) wedding so all the attendees of this bachelor party were Mormon. I did the "hey how's it going?" catch up and found a seat to land on. There was the chit chat of non sustaining conversation until the steaks were finished. I must say that the steaks were amazing. Potato chips, baked beans, and Mountain Dew flowing was on the menu. I skipped the Mountain Dew as I quit the soda habit a few months ago, but everything else was amazing.

There was also the fire pit to be started and such events did happen. A nice mix of 'Can't Hardly Wait' and 'Night at the Roxbury' soundtracks played along side of other smashingly swell rap and R&B iPod tracks played.

After dinner one of the many 22-23 year olds in attendance got the bright idea to bust out the "Non-Alcoholic" beer to try. Let me just say that there still is a .05% in it! One of them tried to tell me that they just put that on the label in case a drop gets in it. I'm sorry I'm the bartender and I know better, so I stayed away. I was ashamed of my fellow male and Mormon race when they would pretend that they were gonna get so drunk off it. (The GROOM DID NOT PARTAKE, HE WAS SMART). I honestly laughed at the "interpretation of drunkenness," it was all wrong.

After literally 2 minutes of that the idea to start the XBOX Halo games. I more or less watched as I have never played such games. (I know, I know I am a shame to the male race). I was given the controller of one of the players and that turned out bad as I was killed. One day maybe I will play it and learn it... hmm.

Once that got old ( almost 2 hours later) we headed back outside where the music continued to blast (its about 11:30pm now).

I have the video of the next event so I will only preface it. I guess there is a beer drinking game where you tip a can side ways and cut a hole into it. Then after you all gather around you pop the top (which is sideways now) and you chug it. First one done is the winner. Man who seriously comes up with these games?

At this point there was seriously a serious sugar and caffein frenzy going down all around. Someone put on some insane German Techno song and there were white guys dancing around.

Not too long later about 1am after the 3o minute "talk" that a few of the non-married guys gave (that is a whole post in itself) to the groom he thought he should get home seeings how his wedding was at 10am and he had to be at the Logan Temple by 8:45am. Just as soon as he went to leave up walks to cops who obviously were bike cops, (they sported the Village People shorts). I knew it would happen due to all the noise we were creating with the music of choice and sugar high the guys were on. At first I wasn't sure if they were really cops or just friends who were there to 'Punk' groom. The reason why I say such things is some of the random comments. At one point when the words, "so who is the lucky guy" were uttered in a not so normal voice I knew more video footage for the blog would happen. Luckily it turned out to be real cops and they told us to quiet down.

The groom left and I soon headed to bed while there were people still all around the house on the XBOX and of course the guitars that were on hand.

Oh did I forget to mention that there were 2 girls there but only one really stuck around. Yeah, that's what I said. Honestly it was a fun time of random adventures for a more random marriage.

CONGRATS HOLYOAK's. (Here is the photo I tweeted to all the friends and family back in Georgia who also knew the couple.) ((I think I also forgot to mention that the groom and bride both served in the same mission as did I, BUT they were not interested in each other at that time. For their "Hearts were Locked"

-Gawdun