Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Dreams

My dream: To document the Fall spent fishing off the back of a Harley.

This was just about the craziest guide season I've ever had. Starting the end of June, rolling right into July. The first day off I had ( somewhere around the eighth of July) I decided to go ride dirt bikes with my brother on some of our local favorite single-track trails in Pipestone. An old mining area, Pipestone is loaded with great elevation changes, trees, boulders, open sand, creek crossings and high speed sections. 

At the end of the day I missed a turn on one of the high speed sections. Couldn't get off the throttle and went flying into the sage brush going 40 mph. The bike peg hit me directly in the leg, and a handlebar to the ribs. I was out of breath and in pain. Riding back to the car was punishing. 

The next day was hard. And the day after that.

The doc said there is nothing to do for broken ribs but rest. My calendar   would not allow the time. Laying down hurt, coughing hurt, rowing a boat hurt. Pulling the boat down main street one morning on my way to work I sneezed. I had to park the car to take in some air as I was short of breath and a phone call away from canceling my trip. 

But I had anglers in Livingston who were counting on me to show them the Yellowstone River, and I'll be damned to deny anybody that pleasure. I worked the rest of the summer wearing a rib belt and an optimistic mind. 

It is September now. The season is winding down and I can finally switch gears. Time to make it happen for myself. Creation and the creative process are incredibly pleasing to me and I am grateful to have the time to do it now.  So here I am trying to make dreams come true.

Once again thank my brother Jared for his go-getter attitude and addiction to throttle. He traded a good friend his Suzuki Supermoto bike for this Harley Sportster. <below>

Jared is on the Couch for the next six weeks after a pretty serious knee surgery. It was time to have it done, he's been living with constant knee pain for a half dozen years or so now. Pre Surgery for him and the season ending for me, The beginning of September allowed us a day or to to get some work done.

We pulled together a team to film and produce a feature highlighting my injury and pulling through. Most importantly though, to visually demonstrate how chasing a dream is therapy for a man just wrapping up a guide season and turning 25 with broken ribs.

For me, the real pleasure comes from directing and coming up with ideas that one way or another help me pursue my own dreams. 


Cheers

















Saturday, July 14, 2012

Day off

Took a day off from guiding fisherman to go rip around the woods with my brother. A silly good time. It's amazing what a little horsepower and twist of the throttle can do to clear your head. We got a few good images so I'm going to let the bruised ribs and hematoma heal themselves. Totally worth it. Thanks brother!




Monday, June 4, 2012

Billings and Back

Just got back from Guide training at Austin-Lehman Adventures in Billings. A great time. The Yellowstone river was stunning down there too. Beautiful light. New fixed 50mm 1.4 did was a treat to shoot. Thanks to ALA and making new friends. 








Monday, May 28, 2012

Future Conservationists

Had the opportunity to go talk to a fifth grade class about fly fishing and the importance of water in our lives. They taught me a thing or two as well. Great kids, looking forward to seeing these youngsters on the river. 

Friday, May 25, 2012

Stoplights

The last few weeks have been all over the place for me. Five days of filming in Guatemala, a day later I'm photographing for a Bozeman based artist on a set that looks like something out of the Warhol Factory. And two days later I'm sitting in a classroom with a group of fifth-graders sharing my stories about fishing and the importance of water in life. A couple more weeks in Montana doing guide training for an adventure travel company, some more filming, one fishing trip then back to Chicago for a few weeks. Can't wait




Tuesday, April 17, 2012

4.17.2012

Feels good when it all comes together. Much love to Kacey Brown, Taylor Anderson and Kent Davis. Weekend on the Yellowstone River. Fun provided by The Outlaw Partners, Montana Import Group, RO Drift Boats, Simms Fishing Products and Gallatin Riverguides. Thanks Everybody. More to come.


Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Spring On The Stone

My dad always told me 'You cant catch a fish if your line ain't in the water.' So I tend to get out of the house and get after it. It's too easy to say no to putting the boat in the river when the forecast is calling for high winds, snow and rain. But then again, if we don't go, then we lose the chance at the big one. 

Cheers to having fishing buddies that are as crazy as me. Aaron Broughton, Pat Joyce   










Tuesday, April 3, 2012

Back behind the windshield

Working through some hard drive space I found a few images I could  not help but share. There have been some very wild storms on the road between MT and Illinois. I love the color palette and granulated feel to the images. The contrast in colors & the relationship of dark vs: light. A bit evil if you ask me. 



Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Freeskiing World Tour

The Outlaw Partners sent me to go shoot the Freeskiing World tour at moonlight. A calm and beautiful morning sped into a day of cliff drops, tumbles and cheers.  Pretty exciting stuff to be photographing. The event was a success.  Thanks Outlaw Partners, and Explore Big Sky.