Favorite 30 images since I started blogging in May 2014

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These are some of the shots I've found myself coming back to since I started this blog in May. With captions about each one!

My favorite image of the year is of Vice President Joe Biden. Cranked my ISO and slowed my shutter while catching his official photog's flash going off, which is what I was going for but wasn't sure if it would work. Got lucky!

My favorite image of the year is of Vice President Joe Biden. Cranked my ISO and slowed my shutter while catching his official photog's flash going off, which is what I was going for but wasn't sure if it would work. Got lucky!

My favorite summertime snapshot of the year. Titus running to the ocean during our trip to San Diego in September.

My favorite summertime snapshot of the year. Titus running to the ocean during our trip to San Diego in September.

I've been collecting images of drag queens dragging since 2011. This one's by far my favorite one since taking Mom Finley's portrait as Cruella de Vil at the start of 2012.

I've been collecting images of drag queens dragging since 2011. This one's by far my favorite one since taking Mom Finley's portrait as Cruella de Vil at the start of 2012.

I didn't expect to include this one from Neighbours here, but am going to keep it if only because it reminds me that I'd like to make more of these exposures.

I didn't expect to include this one from Neighbours here, but am going to keep it if only because it reminds me that I'd like to make more of these exposures.

The moment I realized I need to take more photos during "golden hour". Taken at Inspire Youth Project's annual summer camp in August. There was another kid who got major ups for the camera and turned out pretty great, but this picture is my pick of the two.

The moment I realized I need to take more photos during "golden hour". Taken at Inspire Youth Project's annual summer camp in August. There was another kid who got major ups for the camera and turned out pretty great, but this picture is my pick of the two.

Extremely proud of this bathroom shot from my first real estate gig. As someone who's always photographed people, I found out I enjoy architecture photography this year and am blown away that I've taken a portfolio-worthy photo of a bathroom.

Extremely proud of this bathroom shot from my first real estate gig. As someone who's always photographed people, I found out I enjoy architecture photography this year and am blown away that I've taken a portfolio-worthy photo of a bathroom.

Was given the opportunity to do brief portrait sessions with eight of nine Seattle City Council members. This one of socialist Kshama Sawant came out perfect. Bounced the flash off a reflector.

Was given the opportunity to do brief portrait sessions with eight of nine Seattle City Council members. This one of socialist Kshama Sawant came out perfect. Bounced the flash off a reflector.

Katie Rogers, a good friend since high school who recently started on in the newsroom of The New York Times, gave me a tour! Here's one of the walls of the boardroom - each portrait is autographed by historical men and women who have visited the Times' offices. The fact that I was able to even be inside this room is nuts.

Katie Rogers, a good friend since high school who recently started on in the newsroom of The New York Times, gave me a tour! Here's one of the walls of the boardroom - each portrait is autographed by historical men and women who have visited the Times' offices. The fact that I was able to even be inside this room is nuts.

A perfect sunny afternoon with queer icon Waxie Moon, who's now a Seattle landmark downtown. The mural was created by Anna-Lisa Notter and commissioned by The Pink Door restaurant.

A perfect sunny afternoon with queer icon Waxie Moon, who's now a Seattle landmark downtown. The mural was created by Anna-Lisa Notter and commissioned by The Pink Door restaurant.

The happiest I've probably ever seen Mr George Bakan - in front of rows and rows of stacked newspapers lining the halls. It was the largest edition of the Seattle Gay News ever printed in 40 years. My favorite shot of a man I love and admire and who gave me confidence and opportunity from the beginning.

The happiest I've probably ever seen Mr George Bakan - in front of rows and rows of stacked newspapers lining the halls. It was the largest edition of the Seattle Gay News ever printed in 40 years. My favorite shot of a man I love and admire and who gave me confidence and opportunity from the beginning.

Robbie Turner is usually all smiles - not this time, at the end of a long night. I like the juxtaposition between her and Justin's smiley face in the foreground.

Robbie Turner is usually all smiles - not this time, at the end of a long night. I like the juxtaposition between her and Justin's smiley face in the foreground.

My first studio fashion shoot in over a year and a half, with looks by Devonation, made me eager to schedule more shoots with favorite Seattle designers. Model Briana Haskell, with hair and makeup by Nancy Nav, killed it.

My first studio fashion shoot in over a year and a half, with looks by Devonation, made me eager to schedule more shoots with favorite Seattle designers. Model Briana Haskell, with hair and makeup by Nancy Nav, killed it.

Have to include this one of Hillary at her book signing in the University District! Crossing my fingers I'll get to see more of her in person in the next two years.

Have to include this one of Hillary at her book signing in the University District! Crossing my fingers I'll get to see more of her in person in the next two years.

I don't know what I did to get this reaction! But go-go boys having fun always make for great photos.

I don't know what I did to get this reaction! But go-go boys having fun always make for great photos.

In a world of so many selfies, this one from Seattle Pride really makes me smile.

In a world of so many selfies, this one from Seattle Pride really makes me smile.

I think this would make for a great ad for Virgin America.

I think this would make for a great ad for Virgin America.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell smiles while visiting with Zackary Lystedt at the 8th Annual Brain Injury Gala. Young concussion legislation has been passed in all 50 states, and many were modeled after Washington state's first-in-the-nation "Zackery Lystedt Law".

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell smiles while visiting with Zackary Lystedt at the 8th Annual Brain Injury Gala. Young concussion legislation has been passed in all 50 states, and many were modeled after Washington state's first-in-the-nation "Zackery Lystedt Law".

Memorial Day weekend at Sasquatch with my bud Dru Dinero was when 2014 really turned around for me. It helped me relax when I really need to relax. Can't wait for this year's festival at The Gorge.

Memorial Day weekend at Sasquatch with my bud Dru Dinero was when 2014 really turned around for me. It helped me relax when I really need to relax. Can't wait for this year's festival at The Gorge.

First portrait commission photographed at my studio's building in Chinatown. Still in awe of how polished the images of Judah Travis turned out.

First portrait commission photographed at my studio's building in Chinatown. Still in awe of how polished the images of Judah Travis turned out.

I've taken a whole lot of photos of Seattle Mayor Ed Murray over the years. This one from the Pride Foundation's Scholarship Celebration is one of my favorites - I think it's the bright red.

I've taken a whole lot of photos of Seattle Mayor Ed Murray over the years. This one from the Pride Foundation's Scholarship Celebration is one of my favorites - I think it's the bright red.

Was this sun-drenched living room in Medina even real!? I totally have to get back in touch with the Microsoft executive and his wife who own this home.

Was this sun-drenched living room in Medina even real!? I totally have to get back in touch with the Microsoft executive and his wife who own this home.

I took better photos of George at this year's Pride parade, but I like this one because he's still got his Vulcan fingers at the ready, prepping for more waves for the adoring crowd.

I took better photos of George at this year's Pride parade, but I like this one because he's still got his Vulcan fingers at the ready, prepping for more waves for the adoring crowd.

My most picked up image of the year didn't have any people in it. Published by TIME.com!

My most picked up image of the year didn't have any people in it. Published by TIME.com!

Tom Douglas is not a easy man to photograph. Quickly grabbed this shot as I was leaving, and it's the one Alaska Airlines used in social media to promote its collaboration with him.

Tom Douglas is not a easy man to photograph. Quickly grabbed this shot as I was leaving, and it's the one Alaska Airlines used in social media to promote its collaboration with him.

This picture epitomizes what I'm keeping an eye out for whenever obnoxious bachelorette parties come through R Place. Always look forward to seeing them!

This picture epitomizes what I'm keeping an eye out for whenever obnoxious bachelorette parties come through R Place. Always look forward to seeing them!

Detail shot of the Stadium Place building next to CenturyLink Field. The architecture firm called wanting to purchase it, but I didn't have a building release at the time and we never followed up with each other.

Detail shot of the Stadium Place building next to CenturyLink Field. The architecture firm called wanting to purchase it, but I didn't have a building release at the time and we never followed up with each other.

I only witnessed conflict through my camera lens twice this year, once when a drag queen and her husband got into it with a bouncer at the club, and this time at Pride as folks charged forward to create what the media called a "Wall of Love" to block protesters who'd crashed the parade.

I only witnessed conflict through my camera lens twice this year, once when a drag queen and her husband got into it with a bouncer at the club, and this time at Pride as folks charged forward to create what the media called a "Wall of Love" to block protesters who'd crashed the parade.

And another, from the protesters' perspective. That guy was really worked up and the girl in butterfly wings was holding him back. Intense!

And another, from the protesters' perspective. That guy was really worked up and the girl in butterfly wings was holding him back. Intense!

From the Runway to Freedom fashion show benefiting survivors of domestic violence.

From the Runway to Freedom fashion show benefiting survivors of domestic violence.

Besides Pride, the happiest I've been with a camera all year was feeding two dozen seagulls In-N-Out on the beach in San Diego. Totally in my element.

Besides Pride, the happiest I've been with a camera all year was feeding two dozen seagulls In-N-Out on the beach in San Diego. Totally in my element.

In the news: We Are 1 billboards spotted

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In November I was commissioned for a third time by Public Health Seattle & King County to provide imagery promoting their newest campaign, which includes print ads in The Stranger and SGN, posters, web ads and, excitingly, billboards! These are the first two I've spotted - they're on Capitol Hill. A couple are also located around Tacoma and Everett, but I haven't seen them yet. Anyway, I'm really happy with how these two turned out! I'll share more work I did for the campaign, such as the full-page ads in the weeklies, as soon as I get a chance to get it all photographed.

Between Pike and Pine on Broadway

Between Pike and Pine on Broadway

At 13th and Pine

At 13th and Pine

NEW YEAR

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I envy folks who are up on it enough to do those year-end review posts of their favorite photos of the past year. Maybe I'll have a chance to do something along those lines, but January's going to be busy. I'm set on revamping the wedding portfolio, focusing on client commitments, catching up this blog with selects from shoots and gigs, getting the 4-years-ago-today blog off to a smooth start, clearing out hard drive space, doing the books for the 4th quarter, and will hopefully start putting together some contest entries. We'll see where things are at in a month, but anyway, it's the plan. So far ahead of 365 days ago- still not where I want things to be. I guess that's what it's about, though. My favorite quote I read this year was from Humans of New York photographer Brandon Stanton: "There are so many people that use 'following your dreams' as an excuse to not work," he said. "When in reality, following your dreams, successfully, is nothing but work." Dude gets it.

First up, taking a much needed break from the studio and celebrating the new year with this pretty lady.