Bella

Model: Bella @ Arquette

MUA: Kimberly Steward

Wardrobe: Houndstooth MN

Assistants: Rachel & Emily

Fourth O’ July

I’ve been fortunate enough to grow up around water for most of my life. Each year the populous from our small lake town gather over one body of water to celebrate Red White and Blue Day. Common ingredients for this day include:

1. Lots and Lots of Alcoholic Beverages.

2. Lots and Lots of sea bound vessels (Some not so sea worthy ).

3. Lots and Lots of stupidity as a result of this mixture.

4. Lots and Lots of old friends reunited.

5. Lots and Lots of food.

6. Lots and Lots of testosterone.

7. A little bit of domestic violence. ( See eighth picture down )

All of these “lots” and excesses continue to bake throughout the day, and are seasoned with a dash of explosives and a sprinkle of patriotic chanting. Overall, this 4th was a fantastic one. With the exception of Carlos’s hand falling victim to a rogue mortar, everyone made it home safe and sound with all of their limbs entact. Truly mission accomplished for a Prior Lake 4th O’ July.

Ode to Ye Bridge People

Last week I had the pleasure to work with Katy Johnson, an awesome model from Los Angeles. In our hunt to find a unique location for our mug shots, we stumbled upon what appeared to be a bridge-side abode. A little treefort-esk shack standing amidst a coagulation of colorful trinkets and hippy ornaments. We approached cautiously, not having a clue what to expect from its residents. We were greeted shortly by and apprehensive and “unique” woman who has no name.  She made it very clear upon first sight of my camera, that she wanted nothing to do with the unwanted press I was surely bringing. This is why you will not be seeing any pictures of the said mystery woman.

After we calmed her nerves and let her know that we were just admiring the art, she opened up a bit… and when I say a bit, I mean a lot.  She had a story for literally every bell and whistle that called itself home in this wonderful sanctuary.  She proceeded to narrate the story behind each of these ornaments for the next 15 minutes. We soon found out the origins of everything from the concrete curbs, to the mini gargoyle statues that lined them.  The sun was beginning to set, and my excitement for the possibility of shooting this location was growing quickly. How often do you get to shoot a Hippy Sanctuary at golden hour?

I briefly interjected her storytelling to ask if I could take a few pictures. She said yes, with the stipulation that her face not be photographed, and nobody was told where she lived. I’d have to say that we were very lucky, because she made her disdain for most of human kind very clear. People vandalize her, demonize her, and try to force her out of where she lives.  We proceeded to shoot for the next hour with her stories continually flowing on in the background. I couldn’t be more happy with how everything turned out, and the new nameless friend that I made.

Advent of the Manliest Blog in History

It has begun. You are witnessing the spawn of the most masculine collection of words and photos to ever grace the world wide web.

I have to say that I  don’t really fancy the word, “blog” because it implies that you are now penetrating my personal diary,  filled with all of my  feelings and insecurities. This is wrong for two reasons:

1. As a Man, I have very few feelings and insecurities.  I tried being insecure one time just to see what it was like, and I ended up wasting $49 on a Tapout shirt.

2. I keep my diary in a steel safe next to my bed. My dog, Sadie, is the only one that has ever gotten to hear its content.

My real intent for making this blog is to give the world an unfiltered, unrated, un-lame conduit into my life. I realize that my Facebook, Twitter, Model Mayhem, Flickr, 500px, Instagram, and my website, are not nearly enough, and have probably left you craving for more. Well here it is… You’re welcome.

TT