Dear Melanie

Dear Melanie,

I can't believe that it has taken me this long to dedicate a post to you.  When it comes to my photography, I credit my family with planting the seed.  You helped to harness my passion to capture memories and encourage me to make it into a hobby.  It was at your "pushing" that gave me the confidence to start blogging, enter into the Kentucky State Fair, and to shoot from a different angle.  I don't know many people who would have waited patiently for me to get the better shot when it was 12 degrees outside like you have or have smiled when one more shot meant being within minutes of missing our dinner reservations.  Thank you for being an inspiration.  Thank you for being my beautiful model.  Thank you for being my girlfriend.  I love you.

Solomon

L&N Union Station - Louisville

Saturday, my girlfriend and I visited Union Station here in Louisville.  Currently, Union Station serves as the headquarters for the Transit Authority of River City (TARC) system.  In its hey day, Union Station received many travelers and greeted the huddled masses looking for a new start, people seeing their families, or visiting for the Kentucky Derby.  For the past year, I have been been wanting to go to Union Station, but only thought they were opened when I was normally at work.  We were in luck when we discovered that they are also opened on Saturdays. 

Entering the building was like we took a step back in time in seeing the ornate architecture, stained glass, an beautiful floor designs.  On the walls were pictures depicting the history of the L&N railroad and Union Station.  We stood in the middle of the former train station and marveled its beauty and history.  It was amazing to think of the number of people who travelled through this structure over the years.  We were fancied to speak with the security guard, who although would not grant us security access to the second and third floors of the building, still provided us good insight into the building's glorious past.  The security guard said that he remembered coming through the doors of Union Station when he was in second grade.  He was on his way back home to southeastern Kentucky in the mid 50's.  According to him, the only way to get there from Louisville was either winding mountainous roads or railroad.  For him, Union Station was a majestic place and it was an honor to be back years later and walk its hall again.  For me, it was an added piece to an already valuable and memorable experience.  The guard also informed us that the Union Station in Nashville was built at the same time as the Louisville site and features may of its same splendor.  That may be another blogpost.

Resolution

In my last post for 2013, I said that I was excited about things to come for this year.  The three photos posted here give light to what I anticipate to be a wonderful year capturing memories.  My goal is to push myself in ways that I have not yet reached, even if it is shooting in two-below temperatures.  It took ten minutes to get the feeling back in my fingers, but the excitement for the capture still lingers even as I reflect tonight.

Closing Out 2013

From going to Alaska to New York, moving to Old Louisville, winning an award at the Kentucky State Fair, and spending quality time with family and friends, 2013 has been a wonderful year.  It will be very hard to top this year, but I am excited about what 2014 has in store.  Thanks again for your continued support of my hobby.  Here's to 2014!!!

Late Fall Rediscovery

When the beautiful autumn leaves turn a dreary brown, it seems to be harder for me to find inspiration to take pictures.  It is during these times when I hit a mental block that I find joy in revisiting pictures that I have taken over the past couple of years.  Its easy to become lost in not only the editing of these photos, but also the memories that each of them bring back.  I hope that you enjoy these memories through my eyes.

My Little Sister: The Senior

Dear Lil' Sis,

It is hard to fathom that you are a senior in high school.  It is just like yesterday that I met you for the first time as mom let me hold you while you were in a swaddled blanket.  For the first time, I was a proud big brother.  And now, I am an even prouder big brother.

The same little girl that would get on everyone's nerves and would find mischief with her cohort in crime, "MayI", is now a senior.  The same little girl that asked me to coach her 4th grade basketball team and walked out with me for my high school and college senior day, is a senior.  The same little girl that I remember hearing crying after visiting me in college, is a senior.  The same little girl that was not afraid to tell me about how she felt about the girls that I dated, is a senior.  The same little girl that was the apple of her parents' eyes, is a senior.  The same little girl that I remember watching getting on the school bus her first day of school as a kindergarten, is a senior.

I know that things have not always been easy or fair for you.  You have had to overcome many challenges in such a very short time.  In spite of what most would view as setbacks, I have seen you grow into a beautiful, talented, intelligent, and hardworking young woman.  So, it was an honor for you to ask me to shoot your senior pictures.  Again, I was a proud big brother.  Even more than the day when I was able to name you…Ashia.  Keep up the good work and finish your senior year strong.

Love,

Solomon

A Change of Scenery

Fall foliage is one of the few things that I have missed about eastern Kentucky.  Over the past two weeks, I have taken pictures as the leaves have changed.  Although they are not the majestic and mountainous landscapes that I have grown accustomed to, it still brought joy and excitement for me to capture the change of seasons in and around Louisville. I could get used to this.  

Jefferson Memorial Forest

Jefferson Memorial Forest

Jefferson Memorial Forest 

Rural Oldham County

Fox Hollow Farm

Fox Hollow Farm 

Kavanaugh Center - Oldham County

Fox Hollow Farm

Weisenberger Mill

St. James Court (Old Louisville)

St. James Court (Old Louisville)