Memoirs from the Park

Some of you may remember I had my own website a couple years back where I posted photos and videos of just skateboarding. Since then, Lea and I have created this website for our portrait photography that we do on the side of our regular 9 to 5's. Skateboarding is still my life blood and with that I am still trying to photograph (and sometimes film) the homies doing what brought us all together. I am so grateful for all of you, you too DSM homies! With that being said, I am going to try to incorporate my skate life into our portrait photography blog. Hope you all enjoy :)

Adam Kindred is one of the chillest people I have ever had the pleasure of knowing; he is always putting in time at the skatepark and when he is not there you will likely find him working at the local organic grocery store, writing and playing music at the local venues, or doing random art projects like the one you see in this photograph. I had heard about Adam's collage grip tape job and was so excited to see it. I am glad I got to see it before it eventually succumbed to Adams constant shredding :)

Jordan Firnbach spent a deal of time here in Ames working on his degree and has since moved to Detroit to create concepts for the auto industry. His style of skateboarding displays such power and it was so much fun to watch him charge the obstacles at the park -especially this back tailslide. Hope you are doing well out east man!

What needs to be said about Marcus Savage that has not already been spoken for... Marcus is the most talented skateboarder I have ever met; his ability to skate any obstacle with such ease and confidence is enough to confuse the heck out of most anyone. His modesty is about as extreme as his indescribable talent and having a conversation with this guy will introduced you to a whole other mode of thought. This frontside flip, as well as a few other tricks, were handled in less that five tries -but the other photos are for another time...

All of my photographs of Georgie Tsushima put off a totally different feel now; a feeling of sadness but also a renewed sense of hope and faith that I did not have before his passing. This is the last trick I ever photographed of our best friend and legend. We love you, Georgie, more than anyone could ever put into words and we look forward to the, whatever it is, that will allow us to be with you again. Shred in Peace, Brother.

Tony LeCount and Tyler Greiser everybody! It is so fun to watch synchronized filming/ skateboarding. Obviously the filmer has to be as confident on a skateboard as the person doing the trick and those who know Tony, yea, he is amazing on a skateboard too. I am so glad I brought a flash to the skatepark on this particular night; it is not that often we get a sky with such beautiful reds and to have the homies skating like this with natures beautiful backdrop... nothing more to ask for in a photograph :)