as a child sees it...

On the day before Christmas, Pyper was all excited about what was to come. As I photograph her, and see her expressions, I can't help but to think of the premise of seeing the world like a child sees it. I wish I would have approached more things in my life with the innocence of Pyper. Reflecting about this on the eve of the birth of the One that told us that "we must be just like children to see the kingdom of God". In 2014 and beyond, I want to see and make a difference in the world around me with the eyes of a child...

conversations, photos and coffee...

Got to spend a little dad/daughter time this afternoon with Sadi. Nothing like having some quality time for conversations, photos and Starbucks coffee...

making the most of it...

This photo has been sitting on my Leica camera memory card for a few weeks. Just noticed it today and downloaded it. It was like finding money in jacket that I haven't worn in a long time.

I don't get many opportunities to take photos of both of my beautiful girls together. When I do, I try and make the most of it. After seeing this image, it makes me smile a mile wide...

The Simon Ponder Deep Ellum Polawalk - Digital Version

I had two Polaroid SX-70s, one Polaroid Spectra SE and one Toyo View 8x10 for my instant film arsenal. I cannot imagine going out on the street and not having my Leica M8. Got some great candids documenting the day. The instant ones are posted on my instant film blog here.

some of my Pola friends...

A few of my digital photos taken during the recent #PolawalkTX weekend. Couldn't spend the entire weekend together and not pull out my Leica or Fuji cameras occasionally. Such a small sampling of the entire weekend. Looking back, I sure wish I would have taken at least one Leica/Fuji photo of everyone in the group...

*Frank - in the Hilton lobby

*Cameron - in Deep Ellum

*Juli - in Deep Ellum

*Whisky Will - in Deep Ellum

james motlow...

Met James while I was in Sacramento out shooting with Francisco Chavira. He happened upon us because he spotted my 8x10 camera set up in the middle of a field on the edge of a small settlement called Locke. As we were talking, James also noticed my Leica camera laying on the ground (he had owned a Leica M4). After some discussions, we learned that he was a photographer who had co-written a book called Bitter Melon documenting the life of the formerly all-Chinese town of Locke, California. What a neat opportunity to get to talk with him and take his photo! After buying and reading the book, I hope to get to meet up with him again someday. I have so many things that I now would love to talk with him about...

Testing the Light...

Took this image of Francisco Chavira with my Leica M8 while testing the lighting for an 8x10 shoot during my visit to Sacramento. Not bad at all for a "test shot"...

a sucker for photos...

A few shots from about a month ago with my M8 and a 35mm summilux lens. It never gets old documenting the simplest of things in life with my Leica...

pyper and maci...

Stopped by Maci and Tyler's apartment after lunch to take a couple of photos of Pyper. I can't even begin to say how grown up she looks in this photo. I was so taken back when I first saw this photo on the computer. I guess you could say that Pyper is getting good at having her photo taken...

Afterwards, Maci and Pyper spent the afternoon with us at our house helping Sadi get ready for prom. They were about to leave and go home and Pyper wasn't very happy...

Sadi's Prom 2013...

Had very specific instructions this year for Prom pictures. No studio equipment and very few cameras. Took some photos with my Leica (see below), some photos with my Polaroid 600SE (see here) and some with my iPhone (see here)...

just another day...

...with Pyper in the house and my Leica around my neck. Always ready to capture that next moment (of Pyper with a mouth full of rice).

Pyper is so cool...

Captured a few candid images while spending some time with Pyper today. A slightly cool, but beautiful evening made it even better. 

zoo keeper...

Took Pyper to the zoo yesterday. Of course the purpose is to go see the animals, but I think I get more out of watching Pyper see the animals.  I never come away from any of our outings with a lot of photos that are memorable.  I look for one or two that I can hang onto. This one is definitely a keeper...

Toby...

As much as I try to keep my photography styles differentiated on my four blogs, sometimes the paths cross. I met Toby because of my work in instant photography. He is a photographer from Los Angeles. I would even say that Toby is famous for his instant photography. He has been shooting instant film long before Polaroid ever thought about discontinuing it. Had the opportunity to meet up with Toby in New York in October and again this past weekend in Los Angeles. Along with being a talented photographer, he is just a great guy! Couldn't pass up the chance to exercise my Leica M8 and get a picture of him on this "instant" film trip.

pyper's shiner...

It's been almost a week since Pyper got a shiner when she fell off the bed.  Stopped by this afternoon to try and get a picture before it went away. It is definitely more noticeable when she closes her eye, but not near as photogenic. The second picture shows her latest way of smiling when you ask her to "say cheese".  All I can say is that she wears the shiner well.  She is cute even with a black eye... 

a good morning...

Newpaper, coffee and bisquit... Enjoying some relaxing time this morning and realized that I should stop and take a picture.  Of course the Leica was within arm's reach. Slightly edited for a nostalgic effect...

two Pypers...

Reflections are always fun to photograph, but sometimes hard to catch. Over the Christmas holidays, Pyper was at our house watching Wilco and Sophi play in the back yard. I focused on her hands so that both "faces" would be slightly out of focus. Makes it look like there could be two Pypers. Thankfully, there is only one...

a taste of winter...

I seem to have taken several photos over the last couple of days of our first "real" taste of winter.  I was looking for a photo that portrayed a desolate/cold look.  This look is sometimes hard to do in a city environment.  These two photos seem to fit the bill.  It is always amazing how you can take such a simple subject and make a photo. Came upon this scene today while driving Sherri and  her twin sister around shopping.  I dropped them off and drove back behind the store and took these two pictures with my Leica. Really wanted to capture this scene using instant film.  Unfortunately the temperatures made it very difficult to use this type of film. Will see if I can salvage and post them later.

a mother and her daughter...

Probably one of my favorite things to photograph is family.  When I got my Leica M8 and now my Polaroid collection, I stopped taking mass quantities of pictures (relatively speaking folks).  Instead, I try and make the few photographs I take really count.  Using this method I miss alot of photographs, but how I absolutely enjoy the ones that I catch.  Saw these on my computer and noticed that I haven't posted them.  What a beautiful relationship: a mother and her daughter...

beautifully rendered...

Seems like I have had ALOT of opportunities lately to take pictures of Pyper.  No matter how many photos I have in my stack to edit or scan, I can't seem to quit taking more.  

Pyper and I spent a little time outside on Sunday playing in the leaves and running around. The two pictures are separated by about 60 seconds. In the first, she is almost terrified of the leaves. In the second all she can do is smile. Regardless of the look, the Leica M8 and 50mm Summicron rendered the images beautifully...