Here are two more photos for the Family project: my girlfriend and I.

This past week, I went home to visit my family in Midcoast Maine.  I grew up in Maine, moving there from Hawaii when I was six years old and staying until leaving for college.  At the time, it was my parents, my brother and I.  A few years later, my grandparents (dad’s parents) moved to town.  Then last year, my other grandmother came as well.  Since leaving Hawaii, I have never had relatives live close by.  The closest was eight states away, with everyone else scattered throughout the Midwest, west coast, and Europe.

It has been really nice to come home and be able to see so many family members at once.  However, this trip was a little different.  In addition to everyone listed above, my uncle, his son, his girlfriend, my brother and his wife were also there!  I decided that I must take advantage of the gathering and take formal portraits of everyone.  Over the next year, I hope to photograph a good deal of the rest of my extended family.  Expect at least three more portraits over Thanksgiving!

My Father Jacob

My Mother Terry

My Brother Adam

My Sister-In-Law Danielle

My Grandmother Fien

My Grandfather Frans

My Grandmother Ruby

My Uncle Tim

My Uncle’s Girlfriend Jade

My Cousin Chris

Last week, I traveled to Wyoming with my friend Nate to do some backpacking in the Wind River Mountain range, also known as Bridger National Forest.  This was the first big backpacking trip that I had done with Nate in five years (almost to the day in fact).  In July 2004, Nate and I traveled to Glacier National Park in Montana (see photos here: Glacier National Park Photos).  Nate had backpacked in Alaska on a NOLS trip for a month back in high school, while I had literally no experience. While we thought we were packing light, we were being complete idiots about it. For example, I thought it was a good idea to bring 10 pounds of camera gear, while we both thought 30 different spices in their own bottles, two big pots, and a heavy cook book was sensible.  I think our packs probably weighed around 60-70 pounds with everything in them.  However, I did get some amazing photos and we did make a quiche FROM SCRATCH.

This time around, we carefully scrutinized our packing list to make sure there wasn’t a single thing we didn’t need coming with us. We landed in Salt Lake City, Utah at 10 AM, rented our car, and started the six hour drive towards Lander, Wyoming. Along the way, we both attempted to talk each other out of bringing certain items.  He convinced me I didn’t need my little bottle of soap, while I don’t think I convinced him of anything.  However, one thing, one huge thing that I decided not to bring on this trip, was a professional camera.  Last time i brought a 4 pound carbon fiber tripod, Nikon D100 digital SLR, portable hard drive, mid-range zoom lens, wide angle lens, and a Canon point and shoot.  This time: Canon’s cheapest, lightest digital point and shoot they make, and a tiny plastic 3 inch tripod.

This trip was not about taking pictures.  It was about hiking mountains and crossing passes above 10,000 feet and leaving everything that wouldn’t help this objective at home.  While the camera I brought was just a point and shoot, it did quite a good job.  Even though it is Canon’s cheapest model, they still pack in certain manual controls that allow you to be more creative than you would think possible.  Next time you pack for a big trip where you are carrying everything on your back, consider leaving the big camera at home.

Here are ten of the strongest images from the trip.  To view all of my photos from the trip, click here: Wyoming 2009 Photo Gallery.

A few weeks ago, I photographed Julie and Jamie’s wedding in Ithaca, New York.  The lush farmland surrounding the area allowed for incredible photo opportunities that just aren’t possible in New York City.  If you want a unique look for your upcoming wedding, consider doing it out of the city!