Love Your Locals

Last weekend I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to represent wedding photographers at a local art/wine gallery in downtown Noblesville, Indiana, called The Artist's Vineyard.  They were hosting a bridal party with local florists, dresses, chocolates, and yours truly!  The chocolates came from two wonderful women, Maria & Jennifer, at Cherished Chocolates.  Not only did they look good, but they tasted amazing!  And of course, how else would you celebrate a bridal party at a wine gallery without tasting a few sips.  I think I have found my new favorite place!  

Supporting your local businesses benefits your own community.  For every $100 a consumer spends, local businesses give back $68 to their local economy; whereas, chain stores only give back $43!    

Shopping locally instead of online also pays back.  Here are a few stats comparing the average local bookstore in the Midwest to Amazon.com:

Number of Author appearances- Local: 2,000     Amazon: none

Donations to local communities- Local: $50,000     Amazon: none

Sales tax collected to support schools, social services, etc.- Local:$6 million     Amazon: none

Number of local people employeed- 1,600     Amazon: none

Find out more at www.civiceconomics.com

Celebrate Life!

Being a family man, I love the thought of my friends becoming parents.  Some times I laugh knowing what they don't realize they are about to get into.  Then I smile knowing the joy the new life will bring.  

It's amazing the impact that a person, especially a little baby, can have on one's life.  I know of multiple people out there reading this that have had a huge impact on who I am today.  To those people, I thank you!

If You Knew Your Last Day

This video speaks for itself...

F3= Family, Friends, & Florida

We recently got back from an amazing trip with friends down to Florida. The view wasn't that bad either. Check it out...

Determination Brings Success

Nothing is more important to me than my time with my family.  Last week I brought my daughter and her bike to school to practice riding without her training wheels!  I thought it was a lost cause when she was having trouble getting balanced enough to move a few inches.  That first rotation of the pedal was by far the hardest.  It even got to the point where I asked if she wanted to quit and try again another day.  Those of you who know my daughter know that, like me, she is determined (aka stubborn) to finish what she starts and succeed in any way possible.  Within an hour and a half, she went from not being able to balance to taking off and riding over 100 yards as if she has been doing it for years.  I've included a video clip half way through the progression.  I am indeed a proud Papa!

What are you doing in your life that you're determined to succeed at?  Are you taking the right steps?

What do Eva Longoria, Tony Parker, Eddie Murphy, and ME-Brian McGuckin- have in common?

No!  It doesn't have to do with Eddie Murphy's marriage lasting two weeks, but it does have to do with his photographer!  We've all had our pictures taken by Bob Davis!  Yep!  That's me in the picture below.  (I wish I knew to smile.)  

I've been blessed in this business to have the opportunity to get off to an amazing start.  Starting my business by spending a week with David Jay and being a second shooter for him at a wedding.  Then being hooked up with an amazing group of photographers in the Indy Pug with Kevin Swan.  So, the natural flow of things would be to have my first workshop I attend be presented by Mike Colon and Bob Davis!  What an amazing opportunity!  

The mug shot above was taken by Bob to talk about lighting and angles.  I had a great seat, so I was a natural target being in the first row.  These two have been on the "Master Your Craft" tour sharing everything from their gear to their workflow.  It was impossible not to be inspired and learn something new and challenging.  These guys definitely care about what they do, as well as other photographers.  Below, Bob Davis went and bought a few Starbucks to raffle off.

AND...I'M A LUCKY WINNER!

Kenny Kim was there shooting the whole thing.  I stole these images below from his site and Bob Davis' that shows me in the group shot up front and again as I grabbed my drink from Bob.

YUMMY!  ADDICTION!

This time was an extremely valuable step in my business.  Investing both time and money pays off in the long run.  Even when you don't have much of either these days, it's important to invest in the things that matter to you.  To me that's God, Family, and People.  Photography allows me to express my love for all three of those facets of my life.    

What Difference Do You Make?

I'm fortunate enough to have the best job in the world!  I get to be me!  I get to do whatever I want to do... because I choose to.  The decisions I make in life are not based on "finances" - rather "fine chances."  Chances to make a difference in someone's life- because I can.  Chances to make a difference in my own life- because I can.  Chances to do what I'm called to do- because I can.  

I'm a true believer that whatever you do - do it with passion.  As a teacher, I get to touch the lives of children EVERY DAY!  (Either with my students or my own children.)  I'm passionate about what I do - be it teaching or photography - because I care about the lives of others.  I care enough to know what's really important in life NOT what life thinks is important.  I came across this YouTube clip about "What Teachers Make" and had to share it with everyone.  

It makes me think about the difference I make as a teacher - as a photographer - as a husband - as a friend - as a person?  Check it out: