And now, I present my final self-portrait in my colors series, BLACK.

Black swallows you whole. It conceals and also accentuates edges. Black is essential and dutiful. It is both utilitarian and beautiful.

I feel similarly about BLACK as I do about BROWN. As the color series progressed, it seemed that the two of them had to pair well together out of necessity. Therefore, as with brown, I waited for a similar time of day and location in which to photograph. I had to wait, however, for the peak of winter instead of the last vestiges of fall. Everything needed to be as dead as possible. It could be as though I am grieving.

I photographed myself relatively far from the camera as well. Black can symbolically distance a person from the group, from one's friends. You can vanish in it, while at the same time sticking out like a sore thumb if you're the only one wearing it in a crowd.

I am relieved and excited that this series is complete, but as with many projects, there are always loose threads. I keep going over and over in my mind what I could have done differently, what will come next. I can see where the series is most weak, and where it is most strong. Perhaps it was an exercise in frivolity and self-indulgence, but at least it got me photographing!

Each morning for the past five years, beautiful light has streamed through my kitchen window into my small home, reminding that beauty is something both free and everyday. It's something I often overlook; when I do notice it, I chide myself that I haven't spent more time appreciating it.

I woke up rather early this morning, and this time decided to capture it.

The New Year brings new things for me. Over the summer, we will be moving from this apartment into a new abode. Although I am excited to "upgrade," I will desperately miss this kitchen and its renewing light.

In the meantime, I will enjoy it while I have it.

A useful thing for any working creative is to look back on your work and evaluate it. This is especially fun when a particular project is long-term or complicated.

My self-portraits in colors have been a long-term project that I kept on the back-burner in order to always have something to work on, even in my down times.

It started with a pair of portraits I took way back in 2004, when I was newly married, and still worked primarily in film. Looking at this pair makes me nostalgic for my Nikon FM10 and Pentax SP1000 (my first cameras). Because these photos were taken close together, in the same format, and with similar ends in mind, that set in motion what I feel to be the "planned pairings" of colors in this series.

RED and BLUE couldn't be more different from each other, though processed similarly. BLUE is forlorn, alone, self-concealed and vulnerable, while RED is hot and dancer-like and confrontational. These portraits didn't really start out with the intention of going further than themselves. But that's the beauty of it, I think. Looking back at these two images, I think these are two poses that are most alien and at the same time most intimate and real to me. They're a little more honest, perhaps. But that's my reading; others may disagree.

GREEN and PURPLE are tertiary colors, much like RED and BLUE. The poses are similar; both look away from the camera. In one, arms are clutched tight at the sides, carrying a burden, with lush shadows. In the other, they are free and outstretched, fanning the light. I think they have a similar energy. It helps that I'm barefoot in each one. I love these images because of their compositions and use of light, but I'm not sure they succeed, and I can't quite pinpoint why. They feel out of touch.

ORANGE and YELLOW are analogous colors, and I think these are the odd ones of the bunch. They have a zany, fantasy-like flavor. Less grounded in reality, less "real," partly achieved by the illustrative approach to object placement, and partly by the use of flash to modify existing light. In both portraits, my body is cut off, with just my face showing. No eyes, just gestures to communicate. I feel these are very successful, especially ORANGE.

Another pair of analogous colors, BLACK and BROWN are brooding and menacing--quite the opposite of the previous playful pair. I am looking directly into the camera. You can see my whole body, although I am quite far away. I think this contributes to the feeling of estrangement. BROWN is my favorite of the two, and I think captures a little more of the "self" part of "portrait" than some of the others.

RAINBOW originated because poor WHITE was left without a companion, at the end of my shooting. The series felt lopsided to me, and so I decided that since all colors of light are contained within white, I might as well use my camera as a prism to bring them out. These two were by far the most fun to do--one involved donning my old wedding dress, and the other a bit of shopping to make sure I had enough material to create a real-life rainbow. One is more subdued than the other, but they're two of a kind; the silly and the serious sisters, side by side.

As with many other wedding photographers, January is a time where I take stock of last year, and prepare for the coming year's marvelous events. It's another busy summer for me, with very few spaces left in 2009. I'm looking forward to:

A lovely April ceremony at Woodend Sanctuary
A candlelit family affair on the Eastern Shore
Salty air and elegance at Kent Manor
Pre-Independence Day nuptials in downtown Baltimore

...and more, of course! Many thanks to the wonderful brides and grooms of 2009! I can't wait to work with you.

I'm a sucker for love, I have to tell you.

So, I'd like to be a little generous during this frigid winter season. If you and your sweetheart would like a portrait session, I would love to do it. If you sign up by Saturday, January 31st, you'll receive a free 8"x10" print from your session in a lovely candy-apple-red frame. Doesn't that sound like the perfect Valentine's Day gift?

It's time to spread the love!

True story about the pendant in the photo: it was given to my grandmother by my grandfather as a gift when he returned from a visit to Switzerland--it's edelweiss.

Shauna and Mark are getting married this October! They love movies, old architecture, and looking sharp. It was only appropriate to do an engagement session at the amazing Senator Theatre in downtown Baltimore.

Mark and Shauna describe themselves as "camera shy," but I tell you, I don't think I've had a more willing and pliable couple; they were up for almost anything I suggested, including lying down on the frigid pavement in below-freezing weather!

For this shoot, I kept my lighting limited and simple. I wanted something that would feel very dramatic... at times harsh as well, to reflect the paparazzi city feel, and add a little glamor.

We also found some old movie reels and had a little fun.

What would the movies be without popcorn?

Or, perhaps, a kiss?

I had a fabulous time with these two, and The Senator was an amazing location. It's a travesty, therefore, that a "jewel of Baltimore" might not be able to stay running. After "cramming 1,000 people into its theater" to show the live coverage of the Inauguration, the Senator will host a press conference today at 10:30 AM to discuss how the theater is in danger of shutting down.

So please, show The Senator some love. Show up at the press conference, tell your friends, or better yet, call Gayle at 410-323-1989 and ask what you can do to help.

Hollis Elisabeth Roberts found me over the internet. She's a local violinist, graduated from Peabody, and was looking to update her website a bit as she breaks out into the world.

For our session, we chose the absolutely amazing Cloisters off of Falls Road. It's a gorgeous, four story historic mansion with amazing vistas and photographic opportunities.

The drama of the spiral staircase was, of course, a highlight.

Hollis' green velvet jacket coincidentally matched a beautifully painted wall.

The courtyard provided all kinds of interesting lighting opportunities.

Hollis was completely at ease with the camera, open to suggestions, and even suggested some fun things herself. She was a fantastic subject.

Oh, I neglected to mention that she can also be a goof.

You can hear some of her work on YouTube if you like, and see the full photo shoot as well.