You're my favorite little black light jellyfish.

I could doze off standing up in the marine life section at the zoo.

<3

I managed to talk Traci into the spinkler

Oh my, and I'm so glad I did.

See more of her amazing self here and here.

Have an absolutely wonderful evening.  I'm off to meet a friend at the Black Hole.

X

July is here

And it's sick hot here in Texas. When I'm outside, I can't help but feel like someone is draping a hot, wet blanket over me, face and all. The only escape is to stay inside, or find the nearest watering hole.

Traci and I decided to book it out to Surfside last Friday in a whimsical attempt to take outside pictures and be cool at the same time. Here are my favorites from the day!

Don't you just love that smile?

A very green afternoon

Today Traci Lynn came over and we gabbed, drank mimosas and explored my excessively overgrown apartment gardens. It's been almost a year since the last time we did this, and everything around us has changed.

There's always something special about shooting with Traci. Her energy rubs off on you. I don't know what it is, but I'm never unhappy with my photos after taking pictures with her. It's a combination of a fierce friendship, both of us having a mighty wild streak, and two girls willing to capture it no matter how close it means we might be to being arrested. It's been nearly a decade, and we've become professionals at being sneaky.

What an absolutely incredible friend.

Here's my neighbor, randomly walking by, who got caught up in our photo frenzy. 

40 degrees, and barefoot at the beach

We explored back alleys, ate gas station food, danced in the street and played with cured meat (and much more). All in a day's trip to Galveston.

You can see more here and here.

Ash walks on water.

Tuesday Afternoon

Looking at these pictures that Traci Lynn and I shot on Tuesday reminds me of a fun shoot in Galveston about two years ago. We rented a room across from the beach, then ran to it barefoot at midnight with a bottle of champagne, cameras, and baby oil to see what would happen. 

The results were far better than I expected. It was pitch black and my camera did not want to focus, but the end result was "accidentally fantastic." (All of which I blame on Traci for being very flexible, and bravely cartwheeling herself through the sandy blackness.) 

I'll dig up those photos and post them as soon as I can.

Until then, here's Traci, myself, and Koschka on the floor with the living room lamp. No tequila involved; just a sweet grapefruit and 90s rap. It's amazing what music can make you do in front of a camera.

If you read this now,

...then you will know that I'll be at your house in 30 minutes to distract you from writing your paper. I will come with tequila, film and several cameras.

Traci Lynn, on her back porch with orchids.

...

One second of my life, more realistic here than it was in the actual moment. 

Taken by Traci

You say "pluot," I say "plumcot"

100 degrees. 

...

Orchids, Samba shoes, a mixed beverage and Puro Verde.

One slightly humid kitchen, perfectly befitting for arranging hair on a willing subject.

Jen, in sunlight, just about to blink. 

The air smelled of fresh water and tin cans.

A bedroom that I've photographed in many times, and has changed color and 

arrangement many more.