One more post at the 2009 wire...

Just in case I want to post something tomorrow in this decade-but I am thinking let 2010 begin...

Just got to love the backyard...

I crawled out of the Toaster yesterday and just strolled out back- no matter where my work takes me it's great to get back to the backyard... of course I love it when my clients kiss me goodbye too-BL

Priority of the Day...

Sometimes the priority of the day comes at the end of the day... I don't know many folks that don't realize the importance of Veteran's Day. I am quite sure that we all have some connection to those who serve on our behalf. One of the great things about our fine democracy is that while we may debate the reasons we pick the fights we pick I have yet to meet someone on this soil that doesn't appreciate the sacrifice that those who fight our fights make.

I have never gone to war and I will never be a parent so I have never pulled tough duty as far as I am concerned. I have the upmost respect for those of you who have. Enjoy your Freedom and Thank a Solider every time you can... BL

November Greetings! 61 "O9" Days remain...

October had to to be a working fun meter record. So I am going to start November off right-post and be done with it. I need to find 100+ edit hours before we OD on Turkey. I am refusing to get in the Toaster today and drive anywhere.

I don't post the private photos of my unique wedding clients for shameless self-promotion purposes and never will. The "all I do is weddings" folks have lowered their romance marketing bar to the status of tacky with their posting - just not my style of relationship building. Don't get me wrong I think the sharing ability of the web is a photographic asset- even with all the scary bad instant FB image postings which all just makes me smile!

That said I am thinking that the photos here- less than 12 hours old- of the very cool Halloween B&G Mark (mug artist) & Kerri will meet their approval- I am not going to wake them to ask! Another great day in a month of them- Halloween is the new 4th of July on the fun meter- even a working one.

Yes twenty10 is just around the corner- for you sharp people (all 5 of you) who have commented on my VM-stay tuned... - BL

Cranmore's Ghoullog 2009 - The fright bar has been raised!

I was truly shocked- I wasn't expecting the Ghoullog to be all that different when Cranmore's marketing guru & local rock star Kathy Bennett ask me to return to capture some new haunts after my first scare with a camera last year. I was very impressive and now understand that the Death Becomes You crew keeps raising the fright bar every year. Sure there are many fan favorites but in a totally revamped layout so prepare to freak out- very worthy of a return visit this stick season. So get there as this is the last week for the best lift ride you can have in Happy Valley before snow. Take advantage of locals night this Thursday 10/29 or dive into Halloween weekend madness. Folks are showing up from Oklahoma- now that's a draw...

Weather? Dress for it people- if you can't handle one ride up and down in the chair in October you better head to Florida by February! Thanks for having me back Kathy- bring on Pig Man... Boooo! -BL

Beware of the Sushi Chef with ankle weights...

Since October is the new August I am going to get my one meaningful post completed...

I am a self-proclaimed sushi snob and BIG fan of Yosaku in Portland- home of the best lunch deal on the planet. Certainly the reason for the success of the place is owner Takahiro Sato. Tak & Team Yosaku race at Shawnee Peak on Wednesday nights so we always talk snow even in July...

I cracked up when I noticed Tak had ankle weights on while water his deck garden last Saturday. He inform me that he had "new race skis" and they were heavier than his old skis and wanted to insure he was ready to rip on them. I guess it time to get ready for winter. Thanks for the reminder Tak see you on the hill... BL

Think You're Green? Common Ground Fair- Find Seacolors & The Maine Blanket for a Fiber treat...

I will not make it to the Common Ground Fair again this year but if YOU get there be sure to check out Seacolors & The Maine Blanket. I have been hanging out with a pile of new blankets for the past few weeks and they are gorgeous! I have had the pleasure photographing "GET WOOL" for the last 5 years and Nanney's work only gets more impressive. So if you think you know green & sustainable stop by her spot at the Fair and meet someone who lives it on the Farm. From sheep to the final products... BL

I guess I should get the Globe...

Moat Mountain was in the Boston Globe last Sunday, hope someone has one in their recycle bin but on-line is alive and well! I guess I need to start keeping track of all the good press and photo use- as there has been a bunch in the last year. I certainly like it when the photo editors give credit! BL

Short Summer Gold...

Short but sweet and we'll squeeze a few more drops... Next stop November, first lifts- then twenty10... All good- BL

Sometimes you just need a bigger stick...

July... Wow the last day of it and I am sure I will be saying that at the end of August- I am thinking that a "meaningful" blog post once a month in the summer may be as good as it gets... I am sure that is why the twitter gang (GenTwit- my term btw) is gravitating to the sound bite platform as they try to make more of less. Someone has lost the quality over quantity formula IMHO...

Dog days of summer- the best kind in my book. July provided a great reminder-from Joe's Pond to Sebago and right here in the backyard. I still need to catch up with a few more "good dogs" soon... So for those 3 of you who take the time to visit this space a rare treat-a private gallery up for August-new work and some from the past http://gallery.me.c…llleeimaging/100570

Someday all my clients will be dogs... Woof! Enjoy the last 4 weeks of summer... BL

Secret Garden- Marrett House, Standish, ME

Blink and you'll miss it. (Just like June!) I had driven past this spot 100+ times until I had a good reason to stop in last year. A work-in-progress garden by the volunteer MG folks, worthy of finding rain or shine... BL

Sun-dance Only! No more rain-dances needed in '09...

06.09.69

The Boat Floats-Gone Fishing...

So very cool to be at "The Boat" launch this past weekend.  Great chance to further test the new and improved combo effort of both still and HD Video capture- it is the bomb.

Thanks E&L for having me along! -BL

Happiness is getting your braces off!

Enjoy Your Freedom-Thank A Soldier-Everyday

Good to have Owen's Dad home this M-Day. May everyone get home safe... BL

Hope for the iPhone Generation...

This '09 image is one of 1200+ from my iPhone (via LR2 & CS4)-  Allow me a tangent from the digital past especially for you iPeople to ponder...

I have a vivid memory (circa 1996?) of walking into Dury's Pro Photo Shop in Nashville and looking at digital prints for the first time from a "state of the art" 1.5 MP camera.  I was chatting with my sales guru Ron (the vivid part) about the image quality. Ron's words of wisdom lost on me at the time were "It's all what you do with it after" referring to post-processing in computer-land.  

So fear not iPeople as you are sporting a 2.0 MP camera and with a little love and understanding of it's limitations it can work- just like a camera from the 90's... BL

TEST BLOGGER Video (first & LAST...)

 

Testing 1,2,3- so this is what blogger video looks like

not good at all-stay tuned for HD links from Kick&Scream...

Backyard Reminder...

After getting home late Friday I woke up to a 6 AM Saturday treat... I hadn't even unloaded so the cameras where still in the E.  Takes a lot to get me out the door without coffee but I grabbed a view shots then enjoyed this backyard show- never had a rainbow land on me before (there was two actually) then a silly 88 degree day. Never take it for granted- life rule #37...  BL

Time for Summer Passions...

I know Erik has hit his picture threshold for '09  with all the wedding images- but I have asked to show up when his designed & handcrafted drift boat takes it's maiden voyage- an impressive project that will support his fly fishing summer passion...   Barty is ready! -BL

Epic Winter Wedding- Jackson, NH

Well the bar has been set if you think you are a skier and have the balls to plan a winter wedding... Yes Bride Leah was ripping GS turns and Groom Erik headed down the Black Mountain Wedding Day race course in antique skis just a few hours before late afternoon outdoor nuptials at Whitney's Inn next door.  They caught a BSD in early March.

I always say weddings are sporting events but doubt anyone will come close to pulling off an epic ski weekend like theses guys did.  The toughest thing I do is cover "Big Days" for people I know- but I wouldn't trust them in anyone else's hands. Back to the edit... BL 

Head West Young Man...

The view last Tuesday... What a difference a week makes...

What better day to announce my prediction of my upcoming 2010 relocation to the left coast... Life only has so much vertical feet and as much as I love my backyard it is time for another BIG adventure west- where the hills begin at 8000'.

Just think about it- no photoshop needed as everyone there has already had all the necessary retouching at the drive thru cosmetic surgeon.  You never have to worry about the "Plan B" rain date, the only real daily choice is which pair of cool flip-flops you are going to slip on, and it's chilly at 60 degrees... Silly people- live free or die... -BL

First Lifts... Mammoth MT, CA

6 Hours For 6 Seconds...

Overdue greetings... If you have ever had the pleasure of watching Luke Hiebert rip the course you would understand why I lean into the hill for the time it takes to get the nano seconds- the good news is partner in crime Tracy and a whole gang of talented racers made last Friday the 13th' Red Parker race day a whole lot of fun and worth the effort.  Always a great reminder of why we live here... 

I was on a mission- considering Luke was dealing with back surgery from OA's Dr. Binette a year ago (almost to the day) which makes Luke's reutrn to form on the hill this winter even more impressive. No snowmobile needed to get up and down the hill this year- that photo has been replaced...

I always tell people I shoot to tell the story- time and place.  This goes against all the classic rules of tight sports photos that grace the pages of SI and such- not what I do.  Life is full of decisive moments- I am very fortunate that many appreciate my choices with the lens... BL

Welcome Owen...

WOW... I broke my "Don't drop the baby" rule (don't touch them till 6 months) for this guy.  Must be the new mature Great Uncle status but I am quite sure holding 4 day old bundle of joy Owen is a personal record and very very cool... Great Work Kids! XO Great Uncle Bill 

The Last "0" Year... Very Digital & Very Cool

Yes the first time I updated my signature I had a moment of pause- it is the last "0" year which given all that is coming at us in our digital world this year it seems very appropriate on many fronts.

So hang on- you truely don't know what is going to hit you- it moves- it speaks and it prints bigger than ever. You will scream  "O!MG"

There are only 352 "09"days left so use them wisely- I am. Happy New and Last O Year- BL