Over the past four days I’ve shot three races including a night race, a 5K color run and a sprint triathlon, taught a private lesson, did a bunch of post-production and other computer work, and managed to squeeze in another chance to shoot fireworks. Productive, but not a lot of sleep.

I was told about the fireworks at the South Shore Follies held at the South Shore Marina on Milwaukee’s lakefront by one of my students. I know this place well, as I’ve done a lot of paintings there in the past. Apparently this event has been going on for over 67 years.

Something I’ve noticed many times now, the most stressful elements of being a photographer (or a plein air painter, for that matter), involve what it takes to get into position to take the shot. Shooting is the easy part, almost an after thought. The early rise, travel time, traffic headaches, packing and logistics, the mile-long hike through treacherous terrain carrying fragile gear to your location…not so much.

Last Sunday I was contracted to shoot the Madison Color Run. Like the one in Racine, this is a fun 5K race where the participants are pelted with different colors throughout the course. The color being made of pigment and cornstarch, is very fine, and gets everywhere, but sticks most to areas where there is perspiration or moisture.

Today I was contracted to shoot The Color Run held at Pershing Park in Racine, Wisconsin for Flo-Foto. The event had over 4500 participants. The images in this post are used with permission.

This December I was hired to do some event photography for the Dead Man’s Carnival New Year’s Eve celebration that took place at the Hot Water/Wherehouse bar in Milwaukee. This group puts on some of my favorite events to photograph, combining a steampunk/carnival type of atmosphere with games, side shows, music, acrobats, burlesque dancers, and other types of acts from all over the Midwest and other parts of the country. Some of these are truly amazing performers. Quite a way to bring in the new year.

Chilly weather, running in the park, people drinking beer. What could go wrong?

Early this November I was contracted to shoot the Milwaukee Beer run held at Estabrook Park in Shorewood, Wisconsin.

I was recently contracted by the Stan Johnson Company in Chicago, IL to photograph a Walgreens store building on Capitol Drive in Pewaukee, as well as the adjacent businesses.