A slight change...

  From time to time, we all feel the need to re-create ourselves or even re-invent ourselves. This is a sign of growing, actually developing yourself for the next level of your achievements.

  Last Monday my wonderful wife and I were strolling around Orlando, Florida enjoying our time together and I decided to get my hair cut. I typically get it cut once a year (whether it needs it or not...) and make sure they are able to use it for Locs of Love. I also make sure that it goes to the children cancer patients that are in need of wigs. Well, we all know how mean kids can be to others that are going through tough times. I try to do my part if I am able.
So off came a few "inches".  I do not think I have it this short since I was 11 years old.

New Client of Incredible Artisian Work.

  This company is remarkable to say the least. Kim LaFleur is the "Master Mind" of these incredible works of art and has been doing this for a number of years. His knowledge of the history and original creation of these iconic musical instruments is immense. This guy knows his stuff.
  With his team of stellar Artisans, true craftsman, they are able to completely "makeover" your Les Paul. Their attention to detail is second to none. Everything from color matching to the weathering and yes, even rust.
  Kip Elder of Starr Guitars, L.L.C., one of the Artisans and a Luthier in his own right, contacted me about this company, Historic Makeovers, and if I was interested in photographing these incredible master works. I grabbed the opportunity and when I started photographing, I didn't know where to stop! So many details that needed to be shown! I could have gone over this guitar with a microscope. It was amazing to say the least. It was a white glove photo shoot.
  If you have a Les Paul, do yourself a favor and check them out. You will not be disappointed. If you don't have a Les Paul, check them out anyway. If you have a friend that has a Les Paul, drag them to a computer and go to: www.historicmakeovers.com You will happy you did.

Enjoy the music and be glad to be alive.
Michael van Gelder
Photographer

Life...

  Well, I've been busy enough to keep me away from posting any blogs, Facebook posts or Myspace bulletins. Life sometimes gets in the way of things you wish you could have better control of at times. These past weeks I've experienced losses of people very dear to me and new additions to my family. It seems that G-d or Mother Nature (which ever you may believe) always finds a way to re-fill the holes left by the people who have left us.
  I gauge my day by, if I wake up, it's going to be a great day! No matter what life, nature or G-d might throw at me. Challenges are my drug of choice. I do not need anything to slow me down. I may need to put things to the side to conquer more important items or situations as they come along. But, those are the 'challenges' that make everything so interesting.
  Photography has been my life for years, and now a 24/7/365 situation. I try and capture moments, blips, blinks we miss when our eyes are shut. I "make" photographs. I do not "take" photographs. I think Ansel said that once or maybe even a million times. I know exactly what I'm going to do even before I pull my camera out of the bag. Everything from ISO, Shutter Speed, Aperture, Composition, White Balance..etc...
I study constantly, whether it is another photographer (Pro or Amateur), my own work and how I can make it better, different or more interesting.

Which brings me to another thought...

  I've noticed a lot of wedding photographers struggling out there because of the price they charge for their talents. It boggles my mind how a couple can spend hundreds or even thousands of dollars on a wedding cake that will be their for a day that will typically taste nothing like a good ol' Costco cake and complain about the price of a "real" Professional Wedding Photographer, who will capture their day for a lifetime or even longer. I know they think, "Hell, my cousin just but an DSLR at (insert Electronics Store here) and it takes GREAT pictures." Well, that is the MOST common mistake people make. I advise people to look at their "cousins" picture and then go to ANY Professional Wedding Photographer's website and look at what they can do. Your "cousin" will "take" photographs, but the Professional Wedding Photographer will "MAKE' photographs that have substance, atmosphere, and emotion. If you can not tell the difference, by all means, hire your cousin.

  I know this sounds like a rant, but bare in mind that people are loosing their jobs / livelihoods because some people do not see the importance or even the benefits of professional services. Days or even years later they will wish they hired a professional.
  Case in point, some VERY good friends of mine, married a wonderful 10 years, needed to "re-do" their wedding pictures. They were either unable to hire a professional at the time of their actual wedding date or did not know the importance of the need for a professional. None the less, 10 years later, I get a call to capture some special moments. I was VERY happy to do so. It was a cold and windy afternoon and they still looked as young as they did when they first got married ten years ago. And they have 3 children! Beautiful children I might add. One of the happiest couples I have ever met in my life.

  So, for me? Life... respect, friendship, honesty, loyalty, and most importantly... Love. Some of the things I cherish every day. These are the pictures I capture in my mind, my memory, my heart.