Through These Eyes

Brazil #16 Rio and Cristo

2012-02-17T07:44:00.003-06:00

We're finally here. The last day in Brazil. Sadness. But I'll be back soon.
Last day and we went to Cristo Redeemer finally. Great weather. But cutting it close to get to the airport on the way back to SP and back to the States.

Photo by Kristin J

Last views of Copacabana Beach and Impanema Beach.

Sao Paulo again

Brazil #15 Rio/Favela Tour II

2012-02-15T07:51:00.001-06:00

So, as I've been editting these photos and posting them, I've been listening to music that has felt and inspired Brazil/Brasil in me. It's been amazing and great. The amazing thing about a huge a** hard drive is that you have no idea what music you have most of the time. Once coming back, I put Brasil into my search and came up with these great tracks from Madlib that I had and had no idea i had. They are amazing and great.

Photo by Krissy.

Brazil #15 Rio/Favela Tour

2012-02-13T07:51:00.002-06:00

Krissy and I decided on a guided tour of one of the Favela's in Rio. Through our hostel we had a tour of Rochina, which is the largest favela in Brazil and one of the largest in Southern America. Rochina was in the news a few weeks before we went on the tour (21 Nov. 2011), it was raided by the Brazilian equivalent of SWAT, called POPE down there. The drug/gangsters were killed or forced out of Rochina, and it's a much better place for it. Brazil and Rio are in a heavy duty clean up of the Favela's in preparation for the World Cup and the Olympics. We actually took motorcycle taxis up to the top of Rochina. Scary and fun. I chose to hold on with both hands for dear life, so pictures of Rochina start once up in it.

These are the motorcycle taxis I took up. Yes(mom and dad) I had a helmet on!

A view from the top!

There's a lot I wanted to share from this trip to Rochina. So I'll break it up into two posts. Stay tuned!!

Brazil #14 RIO!

2012-02-10T07:42:00.000-06:00

I was really really excited for Rio, and I must say it did not disappoint. I definitely did not have enough time there, not even close but being back for Thanksgiving and family was rather important too. So without any more talking/typing. Here's the first full day in Rio.

First plan was to switch hostels to the more central Copacabana area, walking distance from the famous Copacabana beach. Krissy was nice enough to let me choose things to do for us, since she was going to be there for another 3-4 weeks. First stop was the Fiera Nordestina (fair of the Northeast).

So this night we went to an amazing bossa nova bar that was recommented in the Lonely Planet book. We actually walked by it at first because it was down a shady looking alley. However once inside it was truly amazing. However it was in an area, Lapa, which I wasn't sure about and it was the one time I didn't bring a camera with me the whole trip, not even one of the film cameras I brought, didn't make the trip there that night. I continue to kick myself everyday for not bringing anything with me there. *sigh* Guess I'll just have to go back.

Brazil #13

2012-02-08T07:44:00.002-06:00

So everyone's heading to the airport. Most are heading home. Krissy and I are going to continue on to Rio. Very excited for that.

Hello RIO!!!

We landed in Rio!!

The first view of Christo from the cab.

The Favellas in the background lit up.

You really can see Cristo from almost every part of the city. It's pretty cool. We turned this into a game of Where's Waldo, Where's Cristo??

Brazil #12

2012-02-06T07:47:00.002-06:00

The MOST amazing beverage EVER!!!

At night we went to a Brazilian Western Bar, very interesting!!!

Brazilian Hot Dog

2012-02-06T00:15:00.001-06:00

A Brazilian hot dog. Never had one before, try it, they're good!

Hot dog, mashed potatoes, yes that's right Mashed Potatoes, peas, and corn. All in a bun!

Brazil #11

2012-02-03T07:54:00.003-06:00

On our last day at the beach house, the rain clouds went away and the sun came out for us!! One last trip to the ocean before heading back to Valinhos.

B&A

And, a few more from the ride back home.

Brazil #10

2012-02-01T09:00:00.003-06:00

Brazil #9

2012-01-30T07:29:00.003-06:00

At the Beach.. It was overcast and a little rainy here and there. But the water was warm enough to get go in anyways.

Brazil #8

2012-01-27T07:49:00.000-06:00

Angelica's long time friend has a beach house right on the Atlantic Ocean. The other side of Sao Paulo than where were. So we said bye to the family and packed the cars up to a road trip through Brazil.

Here's one of B&A's wedding cake.

EVERYBODY!

Francesco and Tuco

Fox wants you to believe that Terra Nova is in a different time with Dinosaurs. It's not, it's in Brazil!!! We didn't see any Dinosaurs though.

Yes, I can see you guys! Actually there was a large freaky moth on the window.

The weather was pretty crummy, rainy, cloudy, foggy for most of the drive. Angelica was disappointed for us, because she said this was the scenic pretty drive to the beach house. Bummer, but I thought it was still pretty.

We're here!

Went for more Pasties!

I even got to see how they were made, they even invited me in back to watch!

Now we eat!

Food coma, time to pass out in the hammock.

Brazil #7 BBQ Part 2

2012-01-25T07:42:00.000-06:00

That night a few of us went out for a walk, to nowhere really.

Brazil #6 BBQ Part 1

2012-01-23T07:43:00.000-06:00

Brazil #5 Brad 7 Angelica's Wedding Part 2

2012-01-20T07:43:00.000-06:00

Brazil #4 Brad & Angelica's Wedding Part One

2012-01-18T07:44:00.003-06:00

The big reason for coming to Brazil was that Brad and Angelica were having reception down in Brazil for her family and friends who couldn't make to Oak Park, Illinois for their first wedding in October. Or was it the second wedding. Not really sure.
Well again, here's part 1 of the Brazil recpetion.

From The Car

2012-01-16T13:49:00.000-06:00

...in Brazil

Brazil #3 Sao Paulo

2012-01-16T09:27:00.003-06:00

I had some time to go into Sao Paulo and walk around, and do a little exploring.

Brazil #2

2012-01-12T11:31:00.003-06:00

I forgot to add the other day that we are staying with Angelica's Aunt and Uncle in Vilanhos, which is a a suburb of Campinas, which is a suburb of Sao Paulo. Wow suburbs having surburbs. Wild! Well here's the first few days and in color.

Brad and Francesco cracking nuts for tea.

Mmmmm Pasties!!

One night I thought let's see if we can find some live local Brazilian music. So we came to this bar/club with live music. They were on break when we first got there, so we got some drinks and sat down. Shortly three men got on stage and started playing, Hotel California, Beatles, Tina Turner, anything BUT Brazilian music. So Angelica wrote on a napkin, that I came all this way from America and didn't want to this crap, I wanted to hear Brazilian music, or something nicer than that. After that we were serenaded by everyone in the bar signing along, with Pitbull videos on the screen behind them.

Brazil #1

2012-01-10T12:12:00.003-06:00

In November, I spent two weeks in Brazil for my friend Brad's wedding. Angelica has friends and family in the Sao Paulo area. Brazil is HUGE. Sao Paulo is HUGE, 11 million population.
I'll be posting a lot of the trip over the several days. So come back and come often to see updates from Brasilia.

This first installment, is from the first few days in and around Campinas and Vilanhos, suburbs of Sao Paulo and black and white.

Coming soon....

2012-01-07T00:07:00.002-06:00

Almost finished editing photos from my trip to Brazil.
I'll have some major updates comeing along with some engagement photos and more fun pictures.

Marisa & Eric | Willow Springs, Wheaton, Illinois | 8-27-11

2011-09-11T13:55:00.000-05:00

Eric & Marisa's wedding was a wonderful great day. I am so honored they asked me to be a part of their special day. The weather was great, no hiccups. Getting into LT, our high school, turned out better than I originally thought it would be. The reception was great. It was my second time shooting in the Danada House and it such a great place to photograph. The landscape was beautiful and again the sun was helpful

You know it's a very good, awesome wedding when the next day as you are leaving the hotel, the bride asks you how you feel about trash the dress shoots.

More to come....

Hope & Todd | 6-25-11 | Edwardsville, IL

2011-07-20T11:48:00.001-05:00

I always jump at a chance to shoot a wedding with my friend Jay. He tends to have some great clients. Not to say mine aren't. It's fun to shoot with someone you enjoy too. Anyways, here is Hope and Todd

I think this picture is an almost a great one. But I was in the room with the groom and shot through this window in the door towards the bride and bridesmaids at the alter for a few portraits. The groom in reflection.

Brittany & David | 6-18-11 | Champaign & Monticello, IL

2011-07-14T20:18:00.002-05:00

#425

2011-07-04T16:20:00.002-05:00

#424

2011-07-03T16:19:00.000-05:00

#423

2011-07-02T15:55:00.002-05:00

I went water skiing for the first time. The first few times were a little bumpy.
Thanks Claire for getting this gem.

#422

2011-07-02T15:25:00.001-05:00

Euchre tournament

#421

2011-07-01T00:04:00.001-05:00

#420

2011-06-30T23:41:00.001-05:00

#419

2011-06-29T23:08:00.001-05:00

Claire and I went on vacation with her family down to the Lake of the Ozarks. I've never been and her family has been going for close to 20 years. We went the weekend before the Fourth so the lake was fairly empty. But as the week went up it became more and more busy.

Preview: Hope & Todd | 6-25-11 |

2011-06-27T22:03:00.000-05:00

#418

2011-06-25T21:02:00.000-05:00

Haas Visit

2011-06-23T08:48:00.000-05:00

After the wedding this weekend, I stopped and visited with Steve and his family. Great guy, and his son is pretty rad too!

Steve has some lenses, I haven't had too much experience with so I had fun with his Macro Lens.

I shot a portrait of Steve with my pinhole.

#417

2011-06-21T20:45:00.001-05:00

Preview: Brittany & David| 6-18-11 |

2011-06-20T20:09:00.001-05:00

#416

2011-06-18T20:04:00.000-05:00

#415

2011-06-17T01:36:00.000-05:00

From The Archives

2011-06-15T02:40:00.001-05:00

Seven Days of Samsara at the Fireside Bowl, summer 2002.

Blues Fest

2011-06-14T23:56:00.004-05:00

Claire and I went to the Chicago Blues Festival. I didn't take any pictures of the performers at all. Everything else seemed so much more interesting to photograph.

A few blocks away from the Blues Festival was a Zombie walk. Some of the participants came by the festival to kill some time, haha.

The saga continues...

I kept thinking of this video the whole time, too.

#414

2011-06-10T23:47:00.000-05:00

#413

2011-06-09T23:42:00.002-05:00

#412

2011-06-08T23:30:00.000-05:00

From The Archives

2011-06-08T02:37:00.001-05:00

#411

2011-06-07T23:18:00.000-05:00

#410

2011-06-05T23:12:00.001-05:00

#409

2011-06-02T23:02:00.001-05:00

From The Archives

2011-06-01T02:20:00.002-05:00

He Who Corrupts at the La Grange Park YMCA Skate Park, which sadly doesn't exist anymore. Here the first picture of the demolition. I think this maybe summer of 2002.

From The Archives

2011-05-25T02:15:00.001-05:00

Boy Sets Fire; Fireside Bowl; May 2000, I think...

Austen| 1 year|

2011-05-19T22:50:00.003-05:00

I can't believe Austen is 1 year already. Time flies!

Wedding Pics

2011-05-18T22:35:00.002-05:00

I second shot a wedding for a company that has a much different shooting style than mine. I did get a few shots that I liked though.

From The Archives

2011-05-18T02:11:00.001-05:00

The Honor System, The Fireside Bowl; Spring 2000

#408

2011-05-15T22:17:00.000-05:00

From The Archives

2011-05-11T02:04:00.000-05:00

The Lawrence Arms, Fireside Bowl; Sept/Oct 2002

#407

2011-05-10T22:05:00.002-05:00

My brother-in-law runs his own car enthusiast website. He gets cars before they come out and writes about them.
Over Mother's Day weekend he got the new Beetle. So new it's not even street legal, it doesn't have the full engine in it. Oops.

#406

2011-05-09T17:33:00.002-05:00

Shot Derby over the weekend. It was a formal themed bout that was between the Rage and their affiliates.

Rockford Rage Women's Roller Derby Presents Formal Brawl May 7, 2011 at the Sports Complex, Loves Park, ILL. The Mean Girls vs. The Bow Tie Betties

#405

2011-05-08T17:26:00.000-05:00

#404

2011-05-07T17:19:00.001-05:00

#403

2011-05-06T17:17:00.000-05:00

#402

2011-05-06T17:07:00.001-05:00

From The Archives

2011-05-04T01:59:00.000-05:00

The Lawrence Arms, Fireside Bowl, maybe September/October 2002

#401

2011-05-03T16:58:00.001-05:00

#400

2011-04-30T16:38:00.000-05:00

#399

2011-04-27T16:32:00.001-05:00

From The Archives

2011-04-27T01:46:00.002-05:00

Winter 2000, I believe it was Knights of Columbus Arlington Heights, IL
Hot Stove Jimmy

Easter Egg Hunting

2011-04-26T16:21:00.002-05:00

#398

2011-04-25T16:11:00.001-05:00

#397

2011-04-24T16:06:00.001-05:00

A little scene from a record/book store in St. Louis.

From The Car

2011-04-24T15:58:00.001-05:00

A few from the From The Car Series.

#396

2011-04-22T15:20:00.000-05:00

Pinhole Picture

2011-04-21T15:38:00.002-05:00

#395

2011-04-21T15:15:00.001-05:00