Noah's Big Show and Ross's too.

Noah takes a moment before the show's Friday opening to calm his excitement.

Today we're coming down off the high of a great weekend. We attended, worked and supported a fantastic art show during "Art for Heaven's Sake" at our local church. I always feel artistically recharged and ready to go after these events. More on that later...the real highlight of the show, for us, was our youngest son Noah's first public showing of his photography. Though I might add, we were equally excited that Noah shared a booth with his friend Ross Thrasher, who we'd also describe as another one of our children "from the village."
It was wonderful to watch these two young artist's being supported by a community that thrives on creativity. The youngest artists showing at the show, each of them really held their own in their own mediums. As I walked around looking at all of the art being exhibited, including my son Noah's and Ross', I was reminded by something I heard recently.

"I'm happiest and the most fulfilled in my life when I surround myself by creative people and creative things."

I'm certain Noah and Ross got the vibe. I certainly did!

Ross looks over his work in the opening moments of the show.

A Day With Noah

Today Noah, my son, and I hit the streets...cameras in tow. Noah asked. He wanted a kinda of "photo safari". He just wanted to hang out and point our cameras with indiscriminate abandon.

Through the years as a photographer I've shared, taught and mentored other photographers. But I've never had the same investment in them as I do my son. Transversely, it was somewhat different "teaching" Noah photography then anyone else. He wasn't looking for a lesson in f-stops, shutter speeds and lens choices. He doesn't need that kind of photography lesson from me. And really, it was about spending time together. It just so happens he enjoys photography as much as I do. I'm impressed with the way he "sees" as I am with all of my children. Photography just happens to be a little more...well...tangible. Noah embodies something I always try to share, teach and mentor other photographers. It's less about how we make the photo then it is why and when we choose to push the shutter release button. I believe he has a good start.

When we got home he wanted to start his own blog. His first post is the photo you see him shooting here on my blog.

And just for the record, I couldn't help making a photo of him sitting on a bench outside a vintage clothing store sporting a pair of new shoes. Because when life gets you down, most problems can be solved with a pair of groovy shoes and some dark chocolate.