Inspired Photo Blog

Children are truly one of God’s greatest gifts to us mere mortals. Yes, they can be challenging, but there are moments that are, well…priceless. For instance, take the current American Express My life, My card campaign. There are a number of these ads running in national magazines featuring celebrities. Each installment of the campaign unfolds in an intimate, narrative format, with a storyline that reflects the places, causes, achievements and avocations meaningful to the individuals featured. The campaign is about the connection and relationship between American Express and it’s Cardmembers.

Recently, this campaign was extended to further reveal the personalities featured in the ads. Select ads were run with a questionnaire featuring categories including childhood ambition, perfect day, and alarm clock, all personally answered by the featured celebrity and printed in their own handwriting, to help further demonstrate the things both extraordinary and relatable in their lives. Most recently, American Express began running blank questionnaires alongside the print ads to allow consumers to tell their own stories and this is where my daughter comes into the story.

My life, my card featuring Ken Watanabe

My life, my card featuring Kate Winslet

Looking through a recent issue of Entertainment Weekly Magazine I discovered that my 7 year old daughter, Kaylee, had filled out one of the blank American Express pages. What makes this so funny is A) she took the time to fill this out and B) she never told anyone she filled it out. She wants so bad to be grown up.

I was exhausted when I came home from my wedding last night and before I went to bed, my wife and I were talking about our days. She told me some funny things that Kaylee did and it made me remember what I’d found. I immediately ran and grabbed the magazine and read it to my wife. I’ve never seen her laugh so hard in my life! It was so cute and so innocently child-like that you couldn’t help but laugh.

In case you can’t read the answers in the photographs, let me share with you my daughter’s answers.

my name is: Kaylee Kepple
childhood ambition: to sing
fondest memory: going to Long Beach (even funnier since she’s never been there)
soundtrack: ? (she didn’t understand what a soundtrack was)
retreat: any beach anywhere (copied from Kate Winslet’s page)
wildest dream: where my mom was on fire (this one just about killed my wife)
proudest moment: where I saved a kitten (this never happend aside from her incredible imagination)
biggest challenge: where we had to race
alarm clock: my mom
perfect day: Sunday going to a party
first job: ?
indulgence: chocolate (another plagerism from Kate’s page, although this is entirely true)
last purchase: ?
favorite movie: The Incredibles
inspiration: ? (she could have said her dad)
My life: is wild
My card: American Express (we really should win something from American Express for the brain washing they’ve subjected my daughter to)

Cost of a good belly laugh with my wife…Priceless

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Widmer Brothers ‘06 Northwest Red Ale
A moderately strong, dark red ale. The generous use of citrusy hops provides a tangible but not excessive bitterness that ultimately erodes into a candy-like malty sweetness and quick finish. Caramel and chocolate malts provide complexity, an enticing color, and subtle dark malt flavors. Stealthy alcohol content. And that is not an understatement.

Alright, I didn’t write that but it sounds good, huh? This time of year my thoughts turn to red wine and I’ve been fortunate to live close to a grocer that employs a very knowledgeable wine steward. Beer is a summer drink for me and there’s nothing like it. Mowing the yard for a couple of hours in the heat of summer and finding a frosty mug full of ice cold beer is the perfect day. Add some Kansas City barbeque and we’re talking heaven on earth.

I used to make beer when I lived in Seattle and the Northwest is home to some world class brew pubs. Part of our lifestyle is the vast array of beers that permeate our culture. I enjoy a good beer. My friend asked if I’d tried the Widmer Northwest Red, a seasonal ale and I decided to give it a try. All I can say is this beer is one of my favorites right now, aside from McMenamin’s summer Kolsch. After a couple of these beers, I was inspired to pull out a homemade lens that I created from an optical quality Rodenstock loupe. This loupe was used to view slides, but those days are long gone so it’s being put to better use. I’ve modified the glass elements so that I can use it with my digital camera body as a lens. It flares and the focus is wonderfully unpredictable. What’s your favorite beer?

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Trina and Troy were married this past Saturday, March 18th at the Portland Golf Club. We started the day at the Hotel Vintage Plaza in downtown Portland. The girls had a large suite, which occupied two floors that were connected by a spiral staircase. There was hair spray in the air, curlers clicking away and makeup being applied in three corners and two bathrooms. Meanwhile, the guys were kicking back and watching sports on the plasma screen.

Trina waits anxiously for Troy to come up the elevator, where he will be seeing her for the first time. This is called the “first look” and it’s always an intimate, private moment between couples.

I like to give couples a few moments alone during the first look so they can connect with each other, get into the moment before the chaos of the wedding day surrounds them. I decided to climb up a few stairs and play papparazzi photographer for this image.

The Hotel Vintage Plaza has a beautiful, natural light atrium that runs down the center of the hotel. It’s truly spectacular and the light is fantastic.

Who says the formal session can’t be intimate? The world loves to see a couple in love. Just one look at these two lovers and you can understand why.

What a beautiful bouquet of roses.

Weddings are a celebration of family and friends. Trina and Troy were so happy to be married and it really shows as they walk down the aisle to the applause and cheers of their friends.

The band playing at their wedding, the Swingline Cubs were simply fantastic! From jazz to the Commodores, these guys were laying down a beat and taking no prisoners. Trina and Troy are enjoying their first dance as husband and wife.

Best wishes Trina and Troy for a lifetime of happiness!

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Southwest Washington Medical Center was a community sponsor of the national Day of Dance celebration to raise awareness of the number one killer of women, heart disease. This event was held at the Heathman Lodge in Vancouver, Washington. There were dance demonstrations ranging from hip-hop to Irish and Scottish traditional dances. This event was open to the public and health screenings for cholesterol and blood pressure were made available to anyone who attended. Physicians volunteered their time for “Ask a Physician”, a unique opportunity to ask a physician anything you wanted.

Here, two girls from Kara’s Dance Studio demonstrated their hip-hop moves.

Another form of dance from Hawaii was demonstrated by this dance studio. Later audience members were asked to learn and participate in this Hawaiian dance.

The Irish dancers were clearly the crowd pleasers. Not only with their colorful costumes, but the thunderous, mesmerizing rhythm of their dancing. Some of these dancers are international award winners. Simply amazing to watch them perfom.

SWMC’s version of Grey’s Anatomy’s Dr. McDreamy. One of the physicians volunteering their time for “Ask a Physician”.

The only boy in the Irish dance troupe, this lad will someday become Lord of the Dance. He was increcible!

Be sure to visit the Day of Dance web site and enter the contest for a free trip to Nashville! You know I entered, although we all know I won’t win. You can’t win if you don’t play, at least that’s my motto. I keep hoping that one of these days I’ll win one of these contests! Maybe someone will commission me to photograph their destination wedding? Hint, hint!

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Francisca and Herry were married on February 18th, quite possibly the coldest day this year. The fountain in front of the church was frozen and the wind was howling, but the sun was out and the hearts were warm. Alright, that last line was a bit over the top, huh?

Before the wedding ceremony, an Indonesian tea ceremony was observed with their parents and grandmother.

Their reception was at the Riverplace Hotel on the Portland waterfront and they braved the cold for a few minutes for some photographs. Do they look cold to you?

Herry is quite an accomplished singer and at the reception sang a special song to his new wife.

Best wishes to the newly married couple and thank you for allowing me to be a part of your wedding day!

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