Fitsok catalogue

Fitsok is a brand of running sock that is relatively new. They make technical socks in several styles. I was hired to shoot some images for their catalogue that will be out very soon. Unfortunately the deadline was in February, which meant we had to shoot in January - cold or no cold. Well it was cold. The images of the girl were taken in about 6 degree temps. She was a trooper and it all worked out. The guy was lucky enough to only have to endure about 20 degree temps.

I have not had a chance to try out the socks, but my wife has and loves them. They are only available in running stores. Check 'em out.

North Shore Fun

This last weekend I was on a quick assignment up in northern Minnesota. We stayed at a great little place bewteen Lutsen, MN and Grand Marais, MN. If you like nice, but not fancy places- consider yourself more into cozy than into cutting edge, then you ought to like the Cascade Lodge. Our room had a fireplace and fold out couch. A few nature paintings tied the decor together. The lodge is sandwiched between Lake Superior and the north woods. I could throw a rock and hit the lake from my porch. Rooms are clean and priced appropriately.

After I was done working, I took the boys out behind the lodge where the ski trails start. There is quite a system of trails up in the north country and had I more time, I'd have rented a pair of skis and dove into them. As it was, I had just enough time to let the kids glide around a bit. It was great though. They are so pumped about gliding down a 50 yard gentle hill. They have these little hybrid skis (not downill or XC, but somewhere in between) that they get around on quite well. They can ascend and descend pretty good in them.

Since I cannot leak the images from the job, here are some that I took of the boys at Cascade. I have a ton of fun with these guys. They are among my favorite adventure partners.

3 random images

These are all images from various going-ons in my life. I ran across them as I was reformatting media cards.

The Geo Tracker driver is making sure we all know that it is actually not a Jeep he is driving. Just another great find in the U.P. - Michigan's upper peninsula. Love that place.

The dog is Lucy, my Pit Bull Terrier. She's wearing my son's sweatshirt and is not enjoying herself nearly as much as we were. She's a great family dog - very patient with all the dumb things we do to her. Very sweet girl. Love that dog.

The kid skying through the air is my oldest son. He's been jumping bikes since he was 5 and will definitely out-ride his dad within a few years. Riding with my sons is in my top 3 favorite things to do. Love those kids.

I'll post some job images soon. I like for them to reach publication before I post images - don't want to spoil the surprise.

Spearfishing in the U.P.

When I first got my assignment details for this job, it mentioned spear fishermen using "decoys", which I thought must surely be an error. Decoys are for duck hunting and turkey hunting - not fishing. So, I was surprised to see that they actually do use decoys- beautiful, hand-carved, realistic decoys.
I've gone ice fishing before and truthfully did not see the attraction to sitting in a drafty "shanty" waiting for some unseen fish to happen along my lure. Had I actually caught one, I might have had more fun. With spearfishing, there is a visual connection to the fish you are trying to catch. And then when you see the one you want, you fling a spear at it, like some sort of indian hunter.
It is by far the most interesting style of fishing I have ever seen.

Do go read Greg Breining's description, which is far better than mine. Greg used to be a staff writer for the DNR's Conservation Magazine, and is especially gifted at writing about all things outdoors. Look for the photo slideshow again too, as it shows more details of the sport - like shots of those decoys I mentioned.

Oh, and for those not familiar, the "U.P." is Michigan's Upper Peninsula. What looks as though it should rightfully belong to Wisconsin, is a wonderfully wild piece of land brimming with outdoor adventure that somehow came to belong to Michigan. It is among my favorite places to escape to. If you go, try a "pasty" They are not gross.

NY Times Article