A gift, that's what it was...a gift! Just a couple of days ago, I was honored and priviledged to have Lynda, aka Secondbest2 [link] and Dave, aka Flash750 [link] from England spend time in Denver. I shot with Lynda while Dave explored the wilds of the front range. Lynda is a mature model of 61 years and has some of the most interesting and sophisticated images on DA...some of which were created by Dave. It was a wonderful experience shooting with someone near your own age. Once we got past the language issue! HA! Communication is clearer (no those are chips!), more to the point, and the discussions can be very energetic! After all, we've had a year or two to fully develop an opion and have some experience to support them. Of course, it was fun to work with someone that I had followed since discovery on DA about 18 months ago. It was also a learning experience as we shared information on features of DA that I haven't discovered yet, new sites to share images-thanks, Dave-and some new American cuisine! (Oh, yeah! Rocky Mountain or Prairie Oysters and peanut butter stuffed jalapenos!!)



One of the most unusual aspects of their visit was our above normal temperatures and lack of snow in March. Denver's snowiest month is March when it is not unusual to have the Front Range slowed to a stop when passing storms dump large quanities of the white stuff. That gave us the opportunity to shoot outside without bundling and running for a heater. Probably the most spectacular opportunity was to capture Lynda in the Snow Angel image in a remaining patch of crystalized snow. This is an image we had talked about before she arrived and because of the lack of new snow thought wasn't an option. It may be unfair to categorize three days of shoots into a single image when each session was unique in its own way. One more benefit that bears reference. As a result of Lynda's work with other photographers and artists, I've met some great new friends and our supporters have been so kind with their comments! The reason I joined DA in the first place was to have my horizons broadened and my visions recalibrated by a global artist community. This visit has made those reasons reality in the flesh.  While many of the changes in DA have not been positive in my opinion, the core of an artisticglobal community continues.

This just in... The Today show is now featuring Iris Apple (90) and other mature models in the cosmetic and print industry as I put this to bed. The focus was on "authenticity of aging." Valerie Ramsey (63)/model and authored was also featured-didn't catch the title of her book on modeling. One good partial quote from Valerie is "Courage to be ourselves...is what real beauty is all about."

It's my hope that you will enjoy our work as I share it.