I’ll try to do this chronologically. Our trip got off to a rough start when thunderstorms delayed our flight to SLC by about 8 hours. So, we finally left NYC around 2 AM Eastern and landed in SLC around 4:30 Mountain. Luckily my younger brother had no problem staying up all night and picking us up. We figured that even though we hadn’t had much sleep, we would just stay awake and fire off a power nap later, if needed.

After having a super early breakfast with some of the fam, we went flying in my dad’s plane (the shot above is my dad taking care of some pre-flight stuff). Here is Wally below, wearing the game face.

Northern Wasatch range, and the Great Salt Lake:

Cache Valley:

The Spiral Jetty, at the Great Salt Lake:

Mount Timpanogos:

Three happy aviators:

Saturday evening, we took a stroll in Central Park. Not long after we entered the park, there was a micro burst, followed by some awesome evening light. Above: Reagan flipping her hair around; Below: from behind.

Reagan, her parents, brother and aunt at the bandshell:

When I said awesome evening light, I wasn’t foolin’ Reagan wasn’t too happy about posing for these shots, but seriously, check out the light.

One more of the light–

Finally, the obligatory Times Square visit. Reagan was expressing her amazement of all of the sites.

Tomorrow: pack for Europe.

Saturday was Piper’s birthday. I can’t really even believe it, she turned 4. We headed up to her house bright and early, and arrived just as she was waking up. Reagan dressed her in her new little yellow dress and flowery crown (that Reagan made, btw). She was also rocking some new little sunglasses from her grandma b-holt. The weather was phenomenal for hanging around outside. So we sat out on the lawn and chatted/played for a while. When it started to get overcast, we took PJ inside and played with her until she was all tuckered out. It was a really fun time. It was especially cool to have her Baker grandparents and her uncle Jesse in town, as well as her great aunt Gail, who Piper met for the first time. There are a boat load of photos below. There are even more over here.

I’m so glad that this work week is finally coming to a close. Reagan’s family has arrived for all of the birthday festivities. Although, I think that we are going to keep it relatively low key compared to previous years. Just having family here to celebrate with, is enough of a party.

Last night I shot an installation by Brian Dettmer at a gallery in Chelsea. The dude carves up books (above) to make sculptures. Here are a few more images from the exhibit-

Happy Friday!

These are shots of just a few of the awesome mothers who have been a part of my life.

Happy Mothers’ Day!

Reagan decided to switch up her hair a bit this week. It is now bright red, and I really like it. We were out last night for the opening of the new Agnes B. Store in Soho, so I thought it was a perfect opportunity to get a shot of it.

Switching gears completely: April is Autism awareness month. How do I know this? One of Reagan’s friends who happens to have a little guy with autism wrote this yesterday. As is so happens, my family growing up was also affected by Autism (and still is). My younger sister suffers from the disorder. It has been a difficult thing, even as her sibling. But the things that I have seen my parents to through is seriously next-level. I have so much respect for parents and families of people who suffer from autism. I also have massive respect for the professionals who have devoted their lives to working with people who suffer from the disorder. Anyway, as part of Autism awareness month, prominent landmarks will be lit up in blue. When I read on Talia’s page that the Empire State Building was going to be lit up blue for the cause, I knew I had to get a shot of it. If you are interested more in the Light it up Blue organization, you can check out the site, here.

I hope that everyone is having a great Saturday. In NYC, the snow is gone, and the sun is out. I feel like it is going to be a good one!

We have had a tough couple of days around the B-holt residence. I’m sure that I’ll eventually get to that in a later post. But we have definitely been staying busy. I shot some pretty interesting stuff (to me) on Friday and Saturday. I come from a family with a strong quilting heritage. I don’t know to what extent is has carried over to my generation. But, it seems like there was always some quilt that my mom (and usually at least one of her sisters) was working on, when I was growing up. My grandmother on my father’s side (who just turned 90 on Saturday), still makes a quilt for every new great-grandkid in the family (FYI, there are more than I can count on 50 fingers). If that’s not enough, we get it from Reagan’s side too. Both of our mom’s always run into each other at state quilt guild conventions. Yes, both of our mom’s are active members of the Utah State Quilt Guild. I personally think that is pure awesome. So, it is safe to say that I was raised to appreciate the art of quilting and the significance in American heritage and Culture. I’ll be honest though, I never thought I would be shooting or blogging about quilts. Buuuuuttttt, it just so happens that the American Folk Art Museum is currently holding an exhibition of American red and white quilts at the Park Avenue Armory. I ended up shooting it for Curated Mag. I was blown away. Not saying that these photos do it any justice, but scroll down for a couple of more looks.

Ok, if you made it this far down the post, then maybe you will be interested in what I shot on Saturday morning. HS teamed up with Nike for an editorial story featuring the new Kobe collection, at a little league soccer game in the Bronx. The game was at 11:30 and I was worried that everything would be washed out with the sun that high in the sky. I guess it is lucky (for me) that we are still in early spring, because I don’t feel like the images came out that bad. I just hope that the people whose opinion matters, feel the same. Here are a few–

This last one had nothing to do with the product, but I just like the wide shot with the green turf and blue sky.

Reagan wasn’t working today, so we picked up and visited Piper together. We arrived right around lunch time. So, what better idea than bring Piper to the dining room for lunch? She was getting her little lunch through her G-tube while Reagan, Sam and I had boring normal people food. Above: Sam keeping Piper occupied while Reagan was getting some grub. Below: Reagan teaching Piper about soup.

No lunch is complete without a post-lunch tickle session.

Skip backward a day. Sam trekked all over the island with me yesterday helping me get some art shot. Here are a couple that I snapped of him while we were shooting the Parla exhibit at Wolkowitz, before the opening.

Sam, getting it done–

Yesterday, incidentally was also Sam’s birthday. We sort of a birthday lunch, but after such a busy day, he was a bit too worn out for us to really take him out and abuse him. So, tonight we are going to make merry. Here is a shot of Reagan very intently making him some birthday cookies this afternoon.

Later this weekend, I will announce the exciting results of giveaway numero uno. Have a great weekend!

I have had yesterday and today off of my normal job for NYFW. Today, I’m not shooting anything until the evening. So, I had the morning to hang out with my two favorite girls. Piper was being cuter than ever, all morning. She was smiling about everything. She was showing off her walking skills (below) and made a valentine, too. She even colored on my leg a bit with the marker. Lots more photos over here.

It has been an interesting 4 years, filled with the good the bad and the sublime. Here’s hoping for many, many more.

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