This one has had the longest legs of any of my CR photos. First taken in 2015 from the Quaker Bridge (with my first camera!) and printed on canvas for the 2016 Time for Art event, but that was only the start. I sold the image to the city of CR and that’s where it really became iconic. Not only is it shown as part of a ‘Welcome to Cedar Rapids’ mural inside the city’s convention center, it is also the sole image on the digital welcome sign outside the venue in the heart of downtown.
Previously my most iconic shot. Printed and featured in multiple places. I took over 700 photos trying to get this one. If there was a Mt. Rushmore of CR shots this is my Washington.
I can’t remember but I think this girl’s name was Rachel? Or Hannah? I don’t know but she showed up for an instameet and helped me get this one-of-a-kid shot of the tree.
FUN FACT! This image is upside down. Of course it is. It’s a reflection of the Vet’s building in the Cedar River. But when you flip it upside down it gives the bubbles sitting on the water a starry effect. So when I sold this print at the market I didn’t sign it, leaving the buyer the option to hang it either way.
This one was featured by the Discovery Channel! Taken from the Quaker Bridge as a storm rolled in. I was also able to capture a time-lapse of the whole thing.
This one doesn’t look real - the cloud almost perfectly covers CR, but it was just by chance (and determination) that I was here for this exact moment. It was given it’s proper shine; printed on a 6’x8’ canvas and displayed at the entrance of SPS Printing in Hiawatha (RIP, shoutout to Anna)
One of my most iconic CR shots, a farmer’s market best seller. Definitely my favorite of the Five Season’s Tree.
My one and only shot of the Paramount, ever. I snuck in the side doors as a show was letting out, raced up the stairs and made a break for the top of the balcony for a full shot of the interior. As I was turning around to take the photo an usher stopped me and asked me to find an exit. I said I only need one shot, then I took this and left.
Odd as it may be, I think this might be my favorite. A few reasons: I took it absolutely blind, driving into the sun down the middle of 2nd Ave and sticking the camera out the window, basically closing my eyes and praying that I the subject centered (he was!) I also love the edit, I was going for a Blade Runner 2049 feel (which I hadn’t even seen at the time but was a fan of the aesthetic) the muted tones and heavy shadows, and the futuristic orange pallet. Lastly, it’s taken in front of Need, likely on the way there after work if I recall, and now a nice canvas of the photo still sits right behind the slice window, the busiest walk-up pizza window in the midwest. All comes full circle.
My first major cover! Printed on the 2017 Cedar Rapids Visitors Guide; 60,000 plus copies printed!