RFD

Just a little slice of Rockford for you all.

For a larger look at the panorama just click it.
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A Visit to Gary, Indiana.

Several weeks ago I had the chance to visit Gary, Indiana and explore some of the vacant structures in town. The amount of abandoned locations in town is truly staggering. As much as I enjoy the aesthetics of these places, it is good to hear that there are some revitalization efforts underway there. If you would like to see even more photos from my visit, click here.

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Project Zero Visibility | Rockford Photographer

Went for a brief walk in the early stages of the blizzard bearing down on the entire midwest right now. Normally I can stay out for hours shooting in the cold, but it is brutal out there. That said, I do plan to go out again and shoot some more later. Anyway, here are a few images from "out there". I plan to update this after (and if) I muster up the stupidity to head back out. UPDATE: I made it back out briefly...new photos below the first batch.

I made it out for round two at about 11:30pm, and I was amazed at how much more ferocious the storm had manage to get. Only managed to stay out about 15 minutes before I gave in. Here's a few shots from my walk:

Auburn St at Church St., facing east.

Auburn St at Church St., facing west.

Church St.

Court St.

Home sweet home.

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Perception Magazine

Several months ago, I was approached by the folks behind PERCEPTION Magazine to provide some photography for the inaugural issue of the magazine. So over the past few months, I've had the pleasure of working with a top-secret group (ok I made that last part up) of amazingly creative individuals (that part I did not make up) as a brand new magazine that celebrates creativity was...well...created.


The wait is nearly over, and it will be well worth it. The first issue is at press right now and will hit the stands shortly, but in the meantime head on over to the PERCEPTION facebook page to get more information on the magazine and the latest updates.
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Goodbye 2010 (Hello 2011) - Rockford Wedding Portrait Event Photographer

2010 has been a whirlwind year for me - both professionally and personally. When the year started my son Felix was not yet even a month old, and I had just embarked on my latest adventure as work-from-home dad. It's been a busy year juggling everything, but honestly for the most part it's been a blast. Sure it may get waaaaaaaay too busy at times, but the perks are great. I mean, I get to play with cameras and my kid all day long. And what other job would let me conduct morning meetings with my "intern" in our pajamas as we watch cartoons? On another note, I managed to make it through all of 2010 without getting peed on once (although sadly, I cannot say the same for being puked on). That may not seem like much, but to me it was no small accomplishment since I had never changed a diaper in my life before Dec 4, 2009.

2011 is already shaping up to be an even brighter and busier year, especially now that Felix is mobile! Here's hoping you didn't get peed on in 2010 - figuratively or literally -buy hey, if you did...here's to putting 2010 the rearview mirror and never looking back.

What a difference a day makes. On New Year's Day 2011, it was a full 50 degrees colder than the previous day (w/ wind chill). Nevertheless, I ventured out into the cold to catch a quick glimpse of the sunrise over downtown Rockford on New Year's Day 2011, and I'm glad I did. Took some very brief time-lapse photographs of the sunrise before it disappeared behind the clouds, and the wind drove me back indoors. Click on the photo below to view the time-lapse video.

Music track is from "Beautiful World" by Colin Hay

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Happy Holidays from Ryan Davis Photography - Rockford Portrait Wedding Photographer

Last year around this time a new member - our son Felix - joined our family. And since I am a photographer who primarily works from home, that means Felix also joined the Ryan Davis Photography team as an unpaid intern! It has been an amazing year watching and participating as he grows, learns new things, and explores the ever-expanding world around him each day. Sure, I've spent a lot of time over the past year dodging various bodily fluids and playing "What's That Smell", but hey, after a while you get numb to all that. Plus, he's given both Jen and I the excuse to act more like kids (although she will be the first to tell you that I was doing just fine in that department all on my own, so in my case act like more of an adult...love ya Jen), and the opportunity to act more like "gown ups" at the same time. And when I'm out in public I can sing at the top of my lungs or talk to myself without anyone batting an eye. Not to mention, he's very accommodating when I need someone to photograph, ha.

Anyway, Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas, and all that good stuff to all of you from Felix, Jen, Tucker, and me! I hope your year has been as good as ours.

Also...when your son is named Felix, it's pretty easy to have a running Christmas photo theme. Here's last year's photo as well in case you missed it.

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Laura & Josh's Engagement Photos In Belvidere, IL - Rockford Wedding Photographer

I'm way behind on blogging, but that's mainly because I've been so busy shooting, so in that respect it's kind of great to be a bit behind! The winters here in the Rockford area may be excruciatingly long, but man oh man out oh-so-short autumn season makes it all worth while.

A few weeks back, I had a chance to take Laura and Josh's engagement photos. It was an extremely fun shoot that started with the gorgeous fall colors of Belvidere Park and ended at a top secret abandoned barn. Ok...I might reveal the location if you ask nicely.

Anyway, here's a quick peek at our shoot.

Laura and Josh are a blast, and I can't wait to see the party that breaks out at their wedding next fall!

More photos at www.ryandavisphotography.com

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