Drag Backstage…
I have two goals when shooting something as fun and dynamic as a Drag show; the first is to photograph the energy and joy of the performance (of course), and the second is photograph what happens backstage…the prep that almost no one sees. There is a different joy and energy here…intimate and quiet.
Drag Night at The Klondike Tavern…
Many years ago, one of the first professional gigs I shot as a new freelancer, was Drag. I love the energy, the good jeer…the cheekyness of it all. I’ve photographed many over the years now, so it was with little surprise that I once more found myself in the middle of that fun again…this time in Saint Helens, during our annual Halloweentown celebration. The Klondike Tavern hosted the evening and Jyo and I worked tag-team to cover the whole thing. Here’s just a peak…
Anthony at the Skate Park…
This is Anthony. He is fearless. He is joy. He is a father. He is in recovery. He is a helluva cook. And he’s a good friend. He works his ass off to makes ends meet and yet he gave me a whole shoot to do nothing but what makes us both happy. As always…much thanks for the extra hands from @jyotisackettphotographer
#pernmootphotography #getoutside #sainthelensstyle
Downtown Saint Helens…
October gets off to a festive start here in Saint Helens. Some scenes from the goingson this weekend as the Halloween spirit invades “Holloween Town”. Going on all month…
Some Old Film…
Jyo and I both had some old film roles we wanted to finish up, and with summer drawing to a close, we took one last quick road trip, crawling the coast between Astoria and Willapa Bay for a couple of days. I love old film…the texture and the funkyness. My Minolta has some kind of light leak…my Nikon FA is full of dust and schmutz. I keep telling myself I’ll get them serviced and cleaned up…buuuuuuut….I probably won’t.
On the Road…
An AirBnb in Alameda…ON A BOAT!
We knew we had a few days in the Bay area with folks and things we wanted to see, so we thought an AirBnB might be just the thing. I’ve never used the service before but It seems like a perfect opportunity. I signed in not really knowing what to expect or what would be available. I didn’t have much luck until I noticed some of the other filters you could use to search for the kind of stay you wanted.
I saw ‘Boat’.
“Hmmmm”…I said to myself.
I dived in and within seconds, saw something available…not only for when we wanted it but for a stupid-great price…in Alameda. It turned out to be perfect. We were close to everything, the boat (while never actually out on the water…just mored to the berth) was small and neat and comfortable…just right for two people used to car and tent camping. I took Jyo into the city on the lovely Bay ferry, which we were able to catch just a mile or so from our BoatBnB. A great lunch, a fabulous walk along the pier and a sunset return ferry to Alameda made the day for us and let me show Jyo some of the many reasons I love San Francisco so much.
We were actually a little sorry to say goodbye but are pretty certain we’ll find a way to do it again.
Oh and before you ask…yes. The Captain’s Hat and Pipe were included.
Onto a quick stop in Fresno next before heading out into our desert adventure…..
A quick weekend in LA…
We needed to drop off the pugs we’ve been babysitting and Jyo has a dear friend in LA, so we made a quick weekend gettaway to Venice Beach. Its one of my favorite places to people watch and the weather could not have been more perfect.
On the Road…
San Francisco. It’s really my favorite American city. Always has been. I spent some formative time there in my youth so Im sure that has something to do with it. And I’ve heard all the complaints…too noisy…too dirty…too political…too something or not enough of another. I don’t care…the energy…the air…the history…the incredible grab-bag of humanity…the architecture…those goddamned hills…I love all of it. ‘cept for the traffic…yeah yeah…I get that part. That part suuuuucks.
Jyo had only been to the bay area many years ago as a child, so I knew I would look forward to showing her some of my favorite places. But Jyo had a surprise for me…she had arranged, with her Dad, a tour of the San Francisco Integral Yoga Institute, where he had been married back in the 70’s. He is a carpenter by trade and has been hired to come back and oversee renovation on the building which has been there on Dolores St. for over 50 years.
If you don’t know, the Institute was started by the same Swami known for opening the Woodstock Music Festival, Sri Swami Satchidananda. Its a beautiful building, well on its way to being lovingly restored by a man who knows it well. He toured us top to bottom and included a view from the roof of the mission district that is my new favorite place to see the City.
After, I took her to Golden Gate Park and to a couple of other places I love so much. And thanks to my lovey friend Casey and her husband Dave for putting us up (AGAIN!!!) for the night…oh and for the margaritas. Always for the margaritas.
On the Road…
Jyo and I started our road trip, together in the same car this time, leaving from Saint Helens to meet up with one of her dearest friends in Tahoe, California. It was a short trip with only one overnight (thanks KOA…again) but we managed to squeeze in a visit to an old church by the side of the road that just begged to be photographed. A junk of abandoned highway nearby provided some needed leg stretching for Jyo. Tahoe was lovely by the way. I never actually photographed the beautiful water of the lake but had a wonderful time photographing Jyo’s reunion with her soul sister. Or…should I say…soul sisters…? 😉
An Empty Town…
Back in March, as lock down protocols kicked in, I took a tour of the town where I live. A view from Earth, Charlottesville, VA. I am no one special. This place is not unique. We are all in it together. The world without people is a lonely place…
Sweet Charity…
Promotional photography for the Live Arts production of Sweet Charity…opening in December.
Another day in the life of... 