Stick People Productions Photography

EAT-RITE Diner - St. Louis, MO

2012-02-20T22:52:00.001-06:00

I love diners and greasy spoons. The 24-hour EAT-RITE is my lunch spot while I am in St. Louis each Fall for daycare portraits at Nestle-Purina Child Development Center. It's just a few blocks away and the food is cheap American artery-clogging goodness. The EAT-RITE sits on an island of concrete surround by industrial ugliness in the shadow of the Gateway Arch. It's one of the oldest and last diners of it's kind in St. Louis. It was a doughnut shop before it turned into the EAT-RITE. It's a counter service only place with friendly staff and an eclectic mix of patrons. This particular day, I had my camera with me and asked if I could take some photos. The staff was a little hesitant at first but quickly warmed up and started posing. The next day I brought some prints in for them and they were thrilled...and so was I. It's fun to be able to give back when people aren't expecting it. I'm looking forward to my next visit and the BLT with fries for under $5!

This is my life...

2012-02-15T11:08:00.002-06:00

Not sure who put this together, but it's been making the rounds on the Internets and thought I would share as well.

Lon & Todd - Our Lives Magazine

2012-02-14T11:34:00.000-06:00

An article in the Jan/Feb 2012 issue of Our Lives Magazine on the life and work of artists/partners Lon Michels and Todd Olson features a couple of photos I made. Lon & Todd are two very generous and creative people who made me feel right at home when I walked in the door of their home and studio in Lodi, WI. Filled with their artwork it's a feast for the eyes. It was an enjoyable afternoon photographing them while they served me a glass of wine and some small snack plate. You can't take the host out of Todd who ran his home as a B&B for many years before he met Lon and they decided to return it back to a private home and art studio.

You can see more of Lon's work at his web site www.lonmichelsart.com.
Read the full article in pdf format at www.ourlivesmadison.com.

Redamte Cafe - Music Venue Featured in Isthmus

2012-02-11T14:59:00.001-06:00

The article in Isthmus dropped this week with a story on new music venues in Madison, WI. Redamte Coffee House was one them and included a couple photos I made for the article. It's a nice addition to the downtown coffee / music scene housed in the old LaBamba (Burritos as big as your head fame) space. Warm and inviting and the Daze band playing that night were made up of some quite talented West High School students. I'd keep an eye on these kids. They might just have a future in music.

Tom Klein is on of the owners and music promoters at Redamte. He also runs his own music promotion company called TKG Music Group. Check out his web site www.tkgmusicgroup.com listing all the great music he's booking around town.

You can view the rest of the photos from this event here and the Isthmus article is here.

In Orlando for a Photo Shoot and Luvin' the Sun!

2012-01-23T18:53:00.002-06:00

I arrived in Orlando, FL on Saturday to document the national conference of Families and Schools Together. I'm staying with a family in Celebration, a Disney planned new urbanism development to replicate the old walkable towns in the U.S. before the car became king. I'm excited to hang with the folks at the conference as well as enjoying the warm sunshine. A nice break from the frozen tundra of Wisconsin.

The Longest Night Of The Year

2011-12-22T02:24:00.002-06:00

Every winter solstice the Friends of Starkweather Creek start a bunch of wood on fire in Madison's Olbrich Park and celebrate the gradual return of sunlight. At the end of the event, paper hot air balloons are launched into the night sky. They say it's safe, and it's rather magical as they float out of sight. Ironically, the star in the middle stays close to the ground.

Happy Solstice!

Making Photographs of Christmas Lights

2011-12-21T01:46:00.000-06:00

It's that time of year when homes, parks, streets are lit up with Christmas decorations. Here's a short and sweet YouTube tutorial on how to make pictures of Christmas lights. The key is to not wait until complete darkness to get that cobalt blue sky and to get some nice detail of the buildings that are being lit. Bump up the ISO and hold the camera steady and take a moment to put down the camera to enjoy the scenery...and the season.

Help-Portrait Photo Distribution at The River

2011-12-21T01:16:00.000-06:00

This evening with some fellow photographers, I went to The River Food Pantry to help hand out the portraits we made for the Help-Portrait project. It was wonderful to see the reactions and heard the stories of the recipients. One gentleman was so thrilled that he was going to have a Christmas gift for his girlfriend living several states away.

It was also sobering to see the large number of people who had come for a meal and get food from the pantry. The River is an amazing resource for people in need during these tough economic times and can always use the support of donors and volunteers.