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I made my first trip to a Symphony in the Flint Hills this past Saturday. We were shooting photos and video for a Kansas Scenic Byways project. What a perfect day of mild weather, tasty food and beer, and  many good friends. At events like these I always wander off and shoot people and scenes away from the center of attention. It just seems more interesting. I met a man who put his lawn chair at the very back of the seating area. He was faced away from the Symphony and was looking out over the rolling Flint Hills. He told me it was the same place he sat every year. The place he called “the best damn seat in the Flint Hills.”

I’ve always wanted to make a photo trip to the Flint Hills Rodeo in Strong City, KS – and this year I finally did. I did get several photos I really like, but that’s about it. I was really hoping for more cowboy characters and rodeo flavor, but I just didn’t get it. I did get a couple $2 beers and met some really nice Flint Hills folks.

It’s taken awhile, but I think I’ve finally overcome my anxiety with using studio lighting. It’s not rocket science – but it still gives this self-taught photographer some head-scratching moments. I did a studio shoot this week in the new Gizmo studio that includes an enormous white cyc. Wow – that beats the crap out of 12-foot backdrop paper.

Here are a couple shots from the shoot. Also used several new PS actions from Totally Rad.

Just got my copy of My Kansas – a 160-page book, published by Midwest Living® magazine that showcases Kansas’ natural beauty and unique character. I was excited to see that the editors chose quite a few of my photos along with photos from my buddy Mike Snell. The book is not available in bookstores, but you can see a preview and order it online here.