As I was trying to figure a seamless way to share a few sessions that I haven’t posted yet, I realized that I am not that talented to make it seamless.  So I am just going to be honest.  I have been procrastinating about posting these photographs.  But it is time to get off the dime and do it.  So within the next week I will be posting some of my favorites images from these sessions:  Chris and Karen’s family session, Ron and Terri’s family session, Hazel and her boys, and Andrea’s portrait session.  Here is a sneak preview of those images:

Karen, Chris and Family

Terri, Ron and Grandchild

Hazel and Children

Andrea

(Bonus points if you know what song the above lyrics are from)

Prescott Arizona, the town I grew up in, always knew how to celebrate the 4th of July in grand style.  The Frontier Days Celebration.  The World’s Oldest Rodeo.  Whiskey Row.  Fireworks at Watson Lake.  And three days of city slickers coming up from Phoenix to participate in all the festivities.  Prescott was a spectacular place to be on the 4th of July.

JAIL AND BAIL

One of the service groups held a fund raiser during Frontier Days.  Basically, if a person ventured onto the Courthouse Square without western duds on, a “sheriff” would arrest and that person and put them in the “hoosegow” in the middle of the square.  The bailout money for that person went to the service group sponsoring the jail.  I would assume that the flat-landers found this cute for the most part.  It certainly boosted the sale of western clothes.  The best was always when one of your friends who should have known better got arrested.  And of course, all of that person’s buddies never had any money to bail them out.  Kind of like “you live in Prescott you idiot.  You knew better!”

On the downside of this, I was forced to wear bolo ties whenever we went down to the square.

RIDE THE PONY

During the night, the street in front of Whiskey Row would be shut down for a street dance.  As I recall one year Buck Owens and his Buckaroos performed.  One of bars on the block had a life size horse statue above its entrance.  The highlight of the evening was when the first drunk cowboy managed to climb up on that horse and try to ride off into the sunset with the roaring approval of all the cowboys and cowgirls on the street.

I’M READY FOR MY CLOSE UP, MR. DeMILLE

The last summer I lived in Prescott was 1971.  And this particular 4th of July was a very special 4th in the history of the town.  The film Junior Bonner, starring Steve McQueen, Robert Preston and Ida Lupino was being filmed in Prescott, with the 4th of July activities being central to the story.  My last chance for Hollywood fame and glory was during the filming of Billy Jack in Prescott the year before.  A few of my friends and acquaintances had been hired to beat up Billy Jack down at the Courthouse Square.  Alas for me, my leg was in a cast so I couldn’t audition for the part of one of the local Prescott thugs.  I thought that with Junior Bonner being filmed I could some how manage to get my charming face into the film by being in the crowd at the rodeo or the parade.  Dream big, baby!  Dream big!

During Frontier Days, the community theater would perform an old fashion melodrama.  I got a small part in that summer’s production.  I played the Devil.  Really just a walk on part.  I walked on, collected the bad guys, and herded them off to my “home” at the business end of my pitchfork.  Easy peasy.

The cast of the melodrama was also going to be in the Frontier Day Parade, which was also going to be filmed  as part of the movie.  Robert Preston, who played Steve McQueen’s father, would be riding in the parade as part of the movie.  I must admit that I was a little excited.  This was my first time ever being in the parade, AND it was being filmed for a Hollywood movie.  On parade day the cast piled in to the back of an antique pickup truck.  I even carried a sign that said HISS…just so people wouldn’t confuse me with the good guys.

Notice the HISS sign. Figured Phoenix people would need some visual aids.

The film was released in 1972.  I couldn’t wait to see it.  I remember they filmed a lot of the truck going by.  I couldn’t wait to me as Satan traveling across the big screen.  I had even decided to play it real cool and NOT jump up in theater and start pointing saying “THAT’S ME!”

If life had a sound track, right about now the sad music would be playing, indicating that not all  has gone well for yours truly.  The truck barely made it into the movie.  I did catch a quick glimpse of my hand waving but that is about it.   Took a lot of self control NOT to stand up and yell “WHERE AM I?”

ME AND JACK

So maybe  Junior Bonner didn’t get my face on the silver screen…no agent…no contract…no costarring with Steve McQueen in his next movie…

In rekindling the memories of the 4th of July, 1971, I did figure out something.  If on some rare occasion someone were to ask me what Jack Nicholson and I have in common, I would tell them that both Jack and I appeared in a film playing the Devil.

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY.

(title are lyrics from “Born on the Bayou” by Creedence Clearwater Revival)

I was blessed to have a 31 year career in teaching, where it was my hope to have a bit of positive influence in the lives of my students.  Now these students are fine young adults, many college graduates and pursuing life, love and ambition as we all do.  Such as it is with Hana, a four year student athlete of mine who was now embarking on the biggest adventure of her life so far.  I have to admit that there was a touch of sweet emotion in me, and even the Pooleman got a bit misty eyed during the proceedings.

The afternoon got started in the Bridal Preparation Room in the ranch house.

Technology is wonderful…when it works.  In addition to putting on the boutonniere and getting the rings together, Mike had to write out his vows as laptop printer wasn’t working.  He did this task with grace and good humor, showing a couple of the traits that endeared him to Hana.

The ranch provides a nice outdoor waiting area for the bride and her party.

All brides are beautiful.  All grooms are extremely lucky.  The expression on Mike’s face as Hana comes down the aisle says it all.

A ceremony under the trees.

The Newly Pronounced Mr. and Mrs.

And   Known Associates

The kids and the sign say “It’s now official!”

And what’s a wedding without a little “public display of affection”?

A trip outside the Ranch for some more photographs of the Newlyweds.

The Whispering Tree Ranch decor is a throwback to old country style and old fashion charm.

The sun goes down, the chandeliers light up and the evening’s fun begins.

Thank you Hana and Mike.  It was an honor and a privilege to photograph all the laughter, love, tears of joy and fun of your wedding day.  God bless you and watch over you in your long journey through life

_________________________________________________________________________________________

The venue, decorations and catering were expertly provided by The Whispering Tree Ranch.  The DJ and Master of Ceremonies who kept the evening rocking was Ramzy Saba. Photographs provided by Poole Photography, LLC.  Lead Shooter: Tim Poole – Assistant: Brianna Yahraus

January 6 was my birthday.  I got a few belated birthday wishes and cards, which is cool with me.  I sort of set aside January as a birthday month.  I enjoy the greetings and wishes whenever I get them.  So this is my belated New Year’s blog.

 STRESSED  I celebrated my uniform number on January 6.  Being a man of a certain age with a few health risk factors, I found myself scheduled for a stress echocardiogram test on the 8th.  I will tell you that I wasn’t looking forward to this test. With my brand new endocrinologist reminding me a few times on my first visit that “I am no spring chicken”, and the fact that I am, and I quote Jack Reacher “slower than the U.S. Mail”, I was not looking forward to running on a treadmill.  This is all added to my biggest fear of doctors, the fact that one day they WILL find something wrong with you.

So the test day comes.  I do a little stretching for the first time in 7 years, and I am ready to go.  This test is a little more advanced than just a regular stress test.  The assistants do an ultrasound of the heart while you are resting.  Then it is up on the treadmill to get the old heart rate up to some insane level for 6 minutes, then on the table for another ultrasound.  Easy Peasy.

I get done with the first ultra sound and then hop up on the treadmill.  About every 3 minutes the tech elevates and speeds up the treadmill.  I am pretty sure by the time I reached the last speed, Usain Bolt could not have caught me.

Back on the table for the ultrasound.  Having just won the Olympics, I am breathing quite hard to say the least.   I really enjoyed the part where the tech said “breath in a little and hold your breath.”  If I had any breath I would have said “you got to be kidding me.!”

The best news was that I am not on my way to a quadruple bypass, but that my heart is healthy and everything is normal.  Pretty good way to start of my uniform year.

MY 2013 FAVORITES  The are arranged in the order they were taken.  Just a few of my favorites from the year.

Shontionn and Maria’s Engagement Session:  They are now expecting their first child.  Congratulations kids.

Matsuri Festival: I met this remarkable young woman and photographer at the Matsuri Festival.  She and her sister Riho are now on a 31/2 month Peace Boat Cruise.  Last photo she posted to Facebook was of her planting a tree in Madagascar.

Sergio Portrait Session:  A head shot I did of former student and aspiring comedian Sergio.  I think he regrets having me do this.  Every time I see him I demand “make me laugh, funny man!”

Nilza’s Senior Portrait Session:  She is currently rocking the college life at NAU.

Down Syndrome Day Picnic: My first DSNetwork event.  A few of my photos even made some of their literature, which is kind of cool.  I have been one of several photogs at two more DSNetwork events.

Jason and Katie Engagement Session:  Now enjoying a wonderful married life.  I love their posts and updates on Facebook.

Hazel Maternity Session: Hazel, my favorite banker.  Now enjoying time with her new son.

Customer Appreciation Session: Vonn and Jana at Vonn’s Customer Appreciation Day session.  They did all the hard work, I just got to have fun taking pictures.  My kind of day!

Jason and Katie Wedding: Jason and Katie on their wedding day.  One of their favorites, which makes it one of my favorites.

Blanton Family Session:  I like this one because the light hit the waterfall just right to turn the background golden.  I wonder if the architect knew this would happen.

Aaron and Sarah Maternity Session: They went from being told they could never have children to this blessed turn around in their lives.

Hana and Michael Engagement Session: I am looking forward to shooting their wedding in March.

Barsness Family Session:  This is the cutest picture of Avery.

Wojahn Family Session:  The two boys were just the best kids to photograph all day.

Aaron and Sarah’s Sam:  Had to pick this as a favorite since I did the maternity session.  What a cutie.

MY FAVORITE CANDID  I freely admit that my favorite type of photography to capture are the candid photographs.  They capture, I believe, the true essence and spirit of the moment.  In this candid, bride Katie insists on giving groom Jason a piggy back ride.  I captured this picture just at the moment that Katie realized they were about to do a face plant into the dusty surface of Sahuaro Ranch Park.  Classic.

FINAL THOUGHTS 2013 was a good year for me.  I took photographs of some marvelous people.  Poole Photography continues to grow.  I am looking forward to great 2014.

I would also like to thank the staff of John C Lincoln Heart Institute.  They were the ultimate professionals and were a calming influlence for a patient who definitely made it clear that he wanted to be anywhere else but at the testing site that morning.  Fine people.

I hope everyone who reads this has a great year and God’s blessings.  And for those who don’t read this post, I wish all these good things for you too.  You just don’t know that I did.

Tim Poole is a retired high school teacher who has started Poole Photography LLC as his second career.  He enjoys doing wedding photography, especially small, DIY weddings.  Tim also is a monthly blogger for the Photographer’s Adventure Club website.