james christianson - the blog

my last post...but don't be sad

this blog here at typepad has served me well.  but i needed something a little more!  something easier to use, something that matched my branding and style a little better. 

introducing the new and oh so rad blog done by FLOSITES these guys are amazing and if you are looking for a new website or blog check them out.

don't spend another second here...go to the new blog RIGHT NOW www.jameschristianson.net and send me some comment lovin'.  be sure to change your bookmarks or better yet, just click the RSS feed button on the new blog. 

WOOHOO!

2nd second to last post : )

okay, this isn't an idle threat...i'm really going to put my last post on here soon.  until i do, here is another little hint about things to come. so rad!

this is my second to last post

change is in the wind.  can you smell it?  for those of you who follow my blog, you may have noticed things slowly changing over the past couple of months.  new colors.  new logo.  what might be the next step in a series of changes?  here is a small clue:

this little collage and the fact that this is my second to last post should give you a pretty good idea of at least the next change...if not all of them.  keep checking back to see how we are shaking things up.  i have a lot of new shoots to show you.

my son Ian's first christmas

this year we enjoyed Ian's first christmas at home here in Colorado.  it was fun seeing Ian play with all the wrapping paper and toys (i think he enjoyed the paper more than the toys).  my family all came out from California to enjoy the holidays.  we did some hiking, lots of eating, and a fair amount of sitting around.  here a few photos from the last couple of days.

some hiking on saturday.

one of Ian's gifts was this great tunnel system we found at costco.  it makes my house look a little like a space ship but he loved crawling around in it sooo much, it was worth it.

my sister and her girlfriend Eve came out too for some fun times.

Ian and his mommy.

a little walk on Christmas morning...as you can see, we had a white Christmas.

my wife gave William Sonoma a run for his money with her cooking.

Ian at 7.5 months

many of you know that my wife, Charlene and i recently had our first child.  our son's name is Ian.  the other day, his little outfit was just so cool/cute and i needed an excuse to test my new 85mm f-1.2 lens.  so he and i had a little portrait shoot.  what a boy.  i cannot tell you how amazing it is to be his father.  his mommy and i are completely in love with him.  here are few of my favorites.

A Short Guide to a Happy Life

i know that this book has been around for a while...but i love it.  if you have never picked it up I encourage you to do so.  it really is a quick read.  you can read through it in about 20 minutes...every second of it worth while.  i have it sitting on my desk and every now and then i pick it up and read a little.  it keeps me grounded and living in the moment, because that is really all we have.  anyhow, i thought i would share a few of my favorite tidbits from the book:

" Life is made of moments..."  (this is what i read today and it really hit me)

"Don't ever confuse the two, your life and your work."

"I am a good friend to my husband/wife.  I show up.  I listen.  I try to laugh."

"You cannot really be first-rate at your work if your work is all you are."

"Keep still.  Be present."

"...realize that life is glorious, and you have no business taking it for granted."

"It is so easy to exist instead of live."

"It's amazing how much you can learn in one year."

"And think of life as a terminal illness, because, if you do, you will live it with joy and passion, as it ought to be lived."

"...try to look at the view."

Buy it on Amazon

mourning the loss of a friend

in January 2001 i purchased (or rather it was a gift from some incredible people) a top of the line Apple titanium Power Book G4 15" laptop computer.  for seven years i have toted it around to different shoots all over the country.  it has been my constant companion.  it is not unusual to see the three of us (me, my wife and my computer) cuddled up on the coach watching a movie.  this computer has been incredible.  even loading all of my latest applications on it hasn't slowed it down...a total workhorse for seven years, which is like 110 in human years.  about two months ago, my computer was sitting on the counter in the kitchen with my dog napping underneath.  a loud noise startled my dog who scampered away with the cord of my computer caught in her paw.  smash went the computer on the tile floor, a fall of nearly four feet.  the screen hinge was snapped in half.  this incident marked the slow demise of my trusted friend.  yesterday, while in california, i opened the computer to check emails and the screen completely broke off the hinge disconnecting the power for the light source.  i had to rip the back off the computer and shine a flashlight through it in order to read emails and get a little work done (see photos below).  so this is  goodbye.  i will be on my way this week to get my new laptop which i hope will be as faithful and trustworthy as the last. 

so long, farewell, auf wiedersehen, adieu,  APPLE of my eye...goodbye.

UPDATE:  i just went downstairs just to see if there was any life left and what do you know...my screen sprang to life...bright and vibrant...#122498715a34  wants to live!  How should i lay #122498715a34 to rest, i am open for suggestions.

by the way, i have four shoots to share from this weekend so check back soon. 

James

Ian rolls over and his dad (that's me) is too excited!

okay, let me just warn you before you watch this that i squeal like a little girl in this video.  i was excited that i finally got Ian rolling over on video.  i'm still excited!  just don't laugh at me too much. : )

it's nearly 1:00 am and i am grateful

yes, it's nearly 1:00 am and i have my usual insomnia, only worse because i took an 1.5 hour nap today.  i just fell asleep on the floor of my living room.  i guess having a newborn can really take it out of you.  so i am up thinking about how lucky i am.  in our world of corporate jobs and climbing up the ladder. of going to work just to make ends meet i feel so privileged to be doing what i absolutely love.  this small tool and the amazing people i get to have as clients make for an incredible experience that i can hardly call "work".  so tonight i am grateful to God for giving me the ability, my wife and family for providing the support and my clients for just being you and allowing me to capture it. i can't wait to go to work in the morning! : )

i'm headed to alaska

this year i have kept the big date 07/07/07 open for me to travel and have some fun.  one of my closest friends who is like a brother to me recently bought a plane and is moving to alaska for the summer.  the plane he bought is called a super cub a.k.a.  the best bush plane ever made.  with it's light weight and 32" tires it can literally land and take off just about anywhere.  so i will be spending July 5-9 flying around alaska, fishing and making incredible photographs.  that should make for a good post.  here is a photo of my good friend shaun lunt and his new plane.  also, ladies, he is a single doctor with a flair for adventure. so if you are interested let me know.  : ) 

you can check out shaun's past adventures here Blog Schmog

and all his new adventures in Alaska can be seen here   Due Up