Monthly Archives: June 2014

 

From the start, Catherine was a miracle, and in so many ways.  With two sons already, Sherelene became pregnant again and the start of an awesome test and miracle began.  Because Sherelene was using an IUD many doctors, including family members, insisted that the danger to the baby was such that Sherelene should have a therapeutic abortion. We struggled with it, but in the end, just couldn’t do it. We prayed that God would protect our unborn child, and went forward with the pregnancy.  The night Catherine was born I was in the delivery room with Sherelene, and our Doctor, and friend, Kenneth Hurlocker, who was also one of my photo students.  I prayed all the way up to the birth, please God, honor our decision!!!  I could see the smile from behind Ken’s mask when he held up the IUD and said, “well we can stop worrying about this!”

 

Catherine Anne Fortney was the only the third girl in the Fortney family, versus 46 boys in the past 25 years!  Another miracle!  I always wanted a daughter, though honestly was petrified, not having any idea how to be a father to a little girl.  Catherine made it easy, she was my little angel, and I still have the greatest memories of being her buddy as she grew up.  Catherine was not just a miracle because of the circumstances of her birth, she was and is one of the most giving and loving people I’ve ever known.  When she joined me to run the GAPW, the adventures and fun really began as we criss-crossed America discovering it together!  The Great American Photography Weekends will be remembered for many things and people, but for none more than Catherine, she made us thousands of friends!

 

 

 

 

We had such great time and everyone that got to meet Catherine fell in love with my “little girl”!  I have so many great memories of her growing up and I captured more great images of her than any other child!

 

 

Catherine has brought so many gifts into our lives, her husband Clint, and my two wonderful grandchildren Cassidy and Cade!  There are no words that could express how proud I am of Catherine, or how much I love her, or what a pleasure it has been to be her father.  In the end it has been said that, “An actor is nothing more than the result of how he played, his best role!”  To be Catherine’s father, is the honor, and pleasure, that is my crowning achievement!

 

On Father’s Day, you have made me more than I ever thought I could ever be.

 

 

Love you sweetheart,

 

Dad

Today was our first full day in the Columbia River Gorge and the water shooting was spectacular!  Jack and I really enjoyed out day with the troops!  We all had a great time and we finally got the rain and overcast conditions we needed!  More tomorrow, but for now here are some of the best skies from today!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wish you were here!

 

Blessings,

 

the pilgrim

 

 

A new entry in the Cheeseburger Hall of Fame, a New chain called Wow Burger impressed me with a 4.75 pickle scale score,  near the Portland Airport, I think it is one of the best chain burgers around, taking second place only to Smash Burger and Five Guys!

 

Well more scouting and the group arrived tonight!  I think we have a really nice group of folks, should be fun!  Answered prayers all around.  The weather had been beautiful here, sunny, blue skies, puffy clouds, the exact wrong weather for what we are going to be doing, and the forecast now is for what we wanted, rain, overcast, some interesting weather moving through!!!  Non-photographers would think we are nuts, but we could not be more thrilled!  I will catch you up on the conditions as we shoot each day.   It is such a pleasure to work with Jack, I hope to have much more to share, for now, since my wake-up call is 3:15 a.m.  I’m headed to bed!

 

 

 

 

 

Blessings,

 

the pilgrim

 

Our group settles in for the first night of class, Jack at the helm!

 

 

Today Jack and I scouted the Portland Gardens for the group.  The light was pretty bad, but this is the second most target rich environment I have ever worked!  Old Old Car City has more to shoot, but this place is gorgeous!  We will definitely take the group here!  I found myself quickly back in the zone and I can’t wait to share this location with our students.

 

Here is some of today’s take (in bad light!!!!!)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jack really knows this area, I’m excited to share this region with his attendees, (well our attendees!)  Stay tuned!

 

Blessings,

 

the pilgrim

 

One more……