Paint The Town For Four!

I had a great weekend!  No, I’ve had a great life!  There are many reasons why.  Certainly being accepted and forgiven by a loving God is the biggest reason my life has so much meaning, but the people he has placed in my life are huge part of this “life formula!”

Let me start with my life long partner and the love of my life, Sherelene.  It is a wonderful life when you can start almost every day having breakfast with your best friend, sweetheart and one of the people you admire most in life.  Sherelene starts a new job this morning and it should reduce her work hours, and give us more time to do fun things together like this past weekend in Brown County out with Jim and Sue Haverstock!  I’m really excited to have more time with her.

God has blessed me with many great friends and acquaintances, but three men stand out in my mind as truly close friends who have contributed greatly to my life.

Jim Begley has been my partner in His Light, and a partner in my photographic and spiritual life.  Jim is one of the most talented photographers I know.  He possesses a great eye, a wonderful sense of what will make a great image and the technical skills to deliver on his vision.  Jim is also a spiritual mentor, helping me often find the right path, in the midst of the world’s confusion of voices. Jim is a blast to hang out with and I learn something from him every time we are together.

Jack Graham has been a friend for a long, long time.  I first met Jack when he was a student in one of my old Great American Photography Workshops.  Jack was one of those funny, intelligent people you meet and immediately really love.  Jack was a professional musician and really good one, he played trumpet in some big bands and orchestras and played with such luminaries a Frank Sinatra!  Jack left music and became a really good photographer and then a great photographer.  He started teaching workshops and runs one of the most highly respected workshop companies in the industry.  When he asked me to join him in teaching some workshops I was thrilled, not only to work with someone of Jack’s caliber, but to renew an old and cherished friendship.

Jim Haverstock is one of those people you meet, and get to know that leaves your life changed forever.  I ran a workshop with Jim back in the spring at Grandfather mountain, when Jim was tied up in worked issues, and he is  natural leader.  Jim is the most soft spoken, yet intense people I know.  I can think of no one I would rather have by my side to pray for someone, or assure them of how much God loves them.  Jim exudes the qualities of caring, compassion, concern, and understanding.  Jim is also a truly gifted photographer.  Jim has this amazing ability to be in the room and not make himself noticed, but would be sorely missed when he is absent from that same room.  Jim is one of a handful of people, obviously including Sherelene, Jack and Jim B. that I am completely relaxed around, that allow me to be myself!

So there you have it, I’m quadruply blessed!  For those of you that are coming to Brown County in about three weeks, we did a lot of scouting and think we have some killer locations for you.  The fall foliage looks like it is on track, and we can’t wait to hang out with you and learn a lot of new stuff!!

Here are a few images I shot while scouting some of our locations.

At one of our location this sign was nailed to a tree, just the fun spirit of Brown County!

Blessings,

the pilgrim

Photo Note: All images Fuji X-T1, 55-200 XF OIS lens