Model Release

Here is my sample model release form. I based it off of what I could find online and added my own touches.  Feel free to use it for your own photos.  I hope not to ever run into a situation where it is necessary to use it, but better to be over prepared then under prepared.  Click it to view larger...

Sleepless in Shoreline

So, My wife is participating in this event with a bunch of women from our church. Check it out here.  They are trying to raise $4,000 to help build a women and children transitional housing complex.  It is pretty sweet. I also heard that they have 2 people that have said they will match that 4k.  That would be a grand total of 12k.  Pretty sweet deal.  Check it out and if you want to donate click here. It is a wonderful organization and they are doing great work to help those in need in our region.

James 1:27 (New International Version)

²⁷Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

Quote of the Week

"There are two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle." -- Albert Einstein

How do I see life? Is my cup always half full?  or half empty?  God has done so much for me, everywhere I look I can see evidence of his loving touch.  

Pancakes

Pancakes & Blackberry Sauce:

Ingredients: 
Blackberry Sauce from the post below

Pancakes:
1C buttermilk
1C Flour
2T Oil
1 egg
1T sugar
1t baking powder
1/2 t baking soda
1/4t salt

Mix and cook like pancakes.  Yum Yum

Night Photography 1

Went down to the Edmond's Ferry last night and tried taking some night photography.  Pretty interesting.  We were hoping to get to go to the other side and get a picture or two of the fishing pier all lit up, but felt a few rain drops and decided to go in.

It is an interesting thing, this night photography.  I felt like there were more colors in the sky then I was able to capture.  I will have to work on it some more.  I am quite impressed with the picture quality though, not a lot of noise, good sharp picture. 
It was such a nice night, til the rain started.  Calm, peaceful and quiet. I like that about the beach at night.  Not a lot of people are there.

Blackberry Syrup

Update: New with picture, not a very good picture, but a picture none the less.  Deb and I really like blackberry pie, but this is for just a pie filling basically.  We put it on ice cream, pancakes, crepes, waffles, french toast, etc.

Ingredients:
4C blackberries (not the phones either)
3/4 C Sugar
1/2 C Water
2 T Cinnamon
2 T Lemon Juice


Process:
After cleaning the berries put them into a large pot with the water, sugar, lemon juice and cinnamon.  Bring to a good boil for a couple minutes, stirring often so not to scorch the berries.  Turn down to low heat and let simmer for 1/2 hour to 45 minutes (til desired thickness).  Mash the berries as desired.  Put into storage containers, and enjoy... Makes about 3 quarts (I think, its a little more than 3 of our little jars).

Rights to Photos

I've gotten a model release for a couple of the kids at work, I'm still working on putting them all together, but here are some images that I've gotten releases for.  I am super excited to be able to post some of my photos that I have been spending a lot of time and energy on. The first photo is a formal portrait, with a little bit of touching up and smoothing of skin, the second I took the other day at work and is SOOC (straight out of the camera), I like taking some pictures with the sepia tone.

One of my favorite photos, I love the eyes.

Cedar Plank BBQ'd Salmon

This is by far one of our favorite dinners.  So yummy and quite easy to prepare/cook.
Ingredients:
1 Cedar Plank Board (often found near the meat in the store)
.75-1.5 lb salmon fillet
1/2 Onion
lemon juice
Honey
Salt/Pepper
Johnny's Seasoning
Garlic gloves sliced (or powder)

Instructions:
Soak Cedar plank for 1/2 before cooking
While it soaks prepare the salmon...
Lightly spread lemon juice on salmon
Drizzle a little bit of honey on the salmon (this caramelizes while it cooks and tastes so yummy)
Sprinkle a light coat of salt, pepper and Johnny's on the salmon.
Put 1sliced (or powdered) garlic on every square inch or so
Cut onion and spread rings over the salmon
Put salmon on the Plank and then put it on the grill over medium to high heat for 15-20 minutes or until cooked through (may take longer with thicker pieces).
Enjoy...Its so Yummy.

Verse of the Week

Philippians 4:8 (New International Version)

 ⁸Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

It's easy for me in life to get caught up about all that is wrong, all that is bad, and I miss or don't fully enjoy the good times.  I need to step back and enjoy all that is beautiful in this wonderful world God has created.

Summer Pictures

As Summer Draws to a close, I thought I would share some of my favorite pictures from my favorite summertime retreat. I love going there, its so close, yet seems so removed from everything. Its awesome.