Say "Cheese"

It's that time of year when the family gets together and puts on a happy smile for the camera to capture. Below are just a few examples of how we sometimes project some thing other than happiness and good cheer. Starting with Awkward Family Photos, staying with the festive theme Sketchy Santa, followed up by 2 absolute gems from WTF, which I simply couldn't resist. Happy Holidays!

Christmas Past

Remember when a simple photo & a few choice words said it all. Here are a few Holiday Cards I found in numerous second hand & junk stores over Chicago. I thought it might help some people get in the Holiday Spirit.

Really Good Read

In the portrait studio I work in, we get numerous magazines and publications that I wouldn't consider picking up never mind purchasing...however, I am more than happy to spend a few mintues of the day flipping the pages discussing who looks good and how they acheived the lighting and how many different Kate Moss' there are. She is an idol simply for her chameleon abilities. One magazine we are all happy to part with money for this month is Vanity Fair's "The Art Issue." Now I've read some other blogs & reviews of this magazine & especially this issue. Focusing on the front cover of Brad Pitt standing in the rain in nothing but white boxer shorts. Questioning what VF are calling "art" & the following controversay with Mr. Pitt stating he did not agree to this image being used for the front cover (a year after it was shot). What they appeared to miss in my opinion are the articles inside. Take the time to read this issue & you will rediscover not only the known, classic & contemporary artist, but also fresh new emerging artists who you'll be sorry you didn't hear about before.

A Vision of Beauty

When I left the studio this evening I felt an incredible tension in the air stabbing at me with blood dripping talons. A mass of people frantically attempting to beat one another to the biggest most expensive thing they simply must have, wrapped in smooth sparkly paper, finished with a big velvet bow to enunciate their love. Bah Humbug! I decided to join in and steaked my place at the North Avenue bus stop at the Wicker Park 6 corners. Didn't wait an unsually long time for the west bound bus to arrive & without fail it was full, but there were two more following close behind, so no need to jump the queue here. Of course I was going to one of the most middle class, white, 2.4 kids, Weimaraner in the back of the SUV shopping areas in Chicago. Sheffield and North Avenue. Now, I have never taken a single driving lesson and living in Chicago has shown me I don't need that kind of stress. I am fortunate enough to be able to walk to work & shops from my flat & if I need to go further a field, then I have no phobia inhibiting me from using the CTA. This one particular death trap that has reafirmed my prior decision is at Kingsbury & North Avenue. I have long questioned why the city did not have traffic lights. Voilà! We have lights in place...but no juice to put them into action. Don't panic, they went one further and got the best traffic management person (what are they called?) to work the insane on slaught of cars at this very junction. Watching this woman control the traffic was like magic. At no point did she make a wrong call, keep anyone waiting too long or pause for breath. If only I had remebered to put the battery in my camera when I grabbed it this morning, then you could have seen her. Instead, here is a polaroid I found at a bizarre little antique shop I came across on Belmont 2 years ago.