Growing up it was always a dream to have a Great Dane. I remember like it was yesterday driving on that rainy day right before my 13th birthday to pick up my dog. As a 13 year old life could not have been any better…I decided to name the dog after my favorite super hero, spiderman. I was a bit of non-conformist so I decided to name him Spyder.
This past May, Spyder had to be put down at the ripe old age of 13 years due to old age (which is well over the average life span of one). Right before my dad went to have him put down I went over to shoot a couple images. It was among the hardest things that I have ever had to shoot and I cried like I seldom do. To photograph someone just hours before the time at which they will be no more.
Looking back I am reminded of the purpose that I have as a photographer. To capture life through the good and the bad. That life is not just full of joy and laughter, but also through sorrow and tears.
Over the last 31 days I had a goal to simply shoot and share more of life. I just want to say thanks for allowing me to take this month to share more than just my professional work. Thanks for the encouragement that I have received from so many people and I look forward to sharing more in the future.
This month has encouraged me to get more into the story that is constantly around me. I hope that this encourages you as well, whether or not you are a photographer, to seek out to capture the stories that we have the privelidge to live in every day.
Blessings.
Jason
Leica M8 | 24mm Summilux
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I had the opportunity to schedule a shoot while my good friend Ben Spell was in over the Christmas break. I had been wanting to do something like this for a while, and everything ended up falling into place for this one… Our real hope was just to take the time to set up things and not rush from one shot to the other… Special thanks to Keri & Tory for coming out and modeling for us. Here are just a few of my favorites.
Blessings.
Jason
Leica M9 | 50mm Summilux
Leica M9 | 24mm Summilux
Leica M9 | 24mm Summilux
Leica M9 | 24mm Summilux
Leica M9 | 50mm Summilux
Leica M9 | 50mm Summilux
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This is a sight that I walk by almost every day in my office but when I walked in earlier this week the sight of the light pouring in and the contrast of the deep red on the wall spoke to me…. Makes me wonder what images that I pass everyday with familiarity…
Blessings.
Jason
Leica M8 | 24mm Summilux
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My good friend, and fellow photographer, Scott Simon came in from New Orleans to hang out with me for the day and it really was great being able to spend the time with him. He keeps up a great blog iHeartnola which gives some great insight into New Orleans food, music, culture, and more. If you are looking for good local insider info for New Orleans it is a great website to check out….
As Scott was about to leave for the day I realized how important, and at times lost, the portrait is. Scott was generous enough to sit for me for a portrait and here are 3 frames from that…. I shot a couple with the Hasselblad, but those have to come after I process the film :)
Blessings.
Jason
Leica M9 | 50mm Summilux
Leica M9 | 50mm Summilux
Leica M9 | 50mm Summilux
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Some ivy growing on a builing that has been abondoned that is absolutely beautiful….
Blessings.
Jason
Leica M9 | 24mm Sumilux
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I teared up reading this and looking at the pictures :( This is amazing Jason! Please keep posting pictures like these in the future!
Comment by Sadie D — 02.01.2010Jason just wanted to say my wife and I know the feeling we had our Tasha also a Harlequin Great Dane who lived to 13.5 years old. She passed away laying on her favorite spot of lawn in the backyard on Easter 1992. Several dogs later she still has a special place in our hearts. I’m sure Spyder will have that same effect on you. Your photographs are lovely, I’m waiting for my M-9 that I ordered the first of this year.
Ted
Comment by Ted G — 02.09.2010Jason, I remember that dog, he was so big and rambunctious. Sorry to see him go. I am sorry for not keeping in better touch too.
Comment by Joshua Sampia — 02.15.2010