Resolution Photography

A Sneak Peak!

Mon, 27 Oct 2008 00:36:00 +0000

I had the great privilege of photographing a fun family this past weekend. Audrey is graduating from college and while I was doing her College Senior shoot, we squeezed in a family shoot. The full shoot will be available later, but I couldn't resist posting a few advance shots of Audrey. Enjoy!

A little alternative processing for this photo. Let me know what you think.

Mon, 21 Jul 2008 07:26:00 +0000

Carson and Caden

Sat, 19 Jul 2008 19:12:00 +0000

Carolyn and I took some time to get some portraits of the boys. Carolyn assisted and patiently kept the boys entertained while I dialed in the lighting and background. Then the fun began. The boys had full tummies and were in great moods to receive all the attention we gave them. We couldn't be happier with the results. Their personalities really shine through in these shots. I especially like the one of them together. This should help answer the continuous question from people, "How do you tell them apart?" ~Enjoy the shots.

A St. Louis Trash the Dress Session

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 15:30:00 +0000

If someone were to ask me the usual question, “So, what’d you do last Friday night?” My usual answer would be, “The usual. Played softball, changed some diapers, went to bed.” But if someone were to ask me what I did last Friday night my answer would have been, “I met up with about a dozen other photographers and we stopped at several locations around St. Louis photographing a couple dressed as bride and groom. We eventually made our way to the Central West End where the couple waded into the fountain and posed for us for about an hour. You know the usual stuff. Crowds gathered, cars stopped to look. Onlookers were heard to say, Woman to her friend: “I think it’s her!” Friend: “Are you sure?” First Woman: “Well, who else would it be?” Friend: “I don’t know.” First woman: “I mean, look at all the photographers! It has to be her.” Friend: “I think you’re right!” I don’t know who the women thought we were photographing, but it sure as fun to see all the reactions. Many thanks to Michelle Ross of Under Grace Photography for organizing the event and the wonderful Beth Berry and her husband Griffin for being so accommodating and patient as our models.

Happy Anniversary to the lucky couple that gets to call me their son! Wow, 41 years. Congratulations.

Tue, 15 Jul 2008 09:44:00 +0000

Back in the saddle again!

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 18:54:00 +0000

Wow. I’ve been gone for a while. Sorry about that. My avoidance/neglect of this space was for several reasons and most definitely intentional. I didn’t forget about the blog, or the many people that still check up on the goings on with my business and family. I just needed some time to wrap my brain around what this all is and will be. Initially this was to be a casual blog following my fledgling business with some anecdotal stories about my family and various topics that interest me. Then I began thinking...thinking too much about it all. What will people think if I post this...will I offend if I post about that...what do I do about equal time for business and family? A bunch of stuff that really doesn’t matter. So here’s my solution, I will write about what comes to mind, post pictures I like, or think readers might like, and occasionally I will post about stuff only I am interested in (if anyone wants to talk Mtn. Bikes (bicycles) I’m your guy! (especially Moots or Ibis) ). I am influenced by many things, and put a lot of thought into seemingly random things, but that’s who I am. I think in analogies and in order to organize my thoughts I have to break down complex things into their independent pieces, then I rebuild and understand. Oh yeah, and I can’t talk and do pretty much anything at the same time (just ask Carolyn!). So that is that. My relaunching of my Blog with occasional posts. As always, I welcome input and critique. I will post most any comment, unless it is my dad pointing out one of my mis-spellings or incomplete sentences. Then I will make the edit, but not post the comment (sorry). Also, know up front that no comment is posted unless I approve it. For some reason there are people out there that post some ridiculous and vulgar things on random blogs, so to avoid those situations, all comments are moderated.

Time to Catch all y'all up to speed!

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 18:35:00 +0000

This is a variety of shots going back about a month and half up to a couple weeks ago. the boys are 5 1/2 months old and have been on solid food since 4 months. The first feeding is in these shots, it was a bit of a messy ordeal. Cade is making his first motions to crawl and can move himself forward when so inclined to do so. Usually this is when he sees his brother's toes within reach and wants something to put in his mouth. Carson is growing and getting better at sitting upright. He is almost constantly smiling. They were sleeping through the night fro several weeks, but lately Carson starts making noises at 12:30 am, and around 4 am. We don't know why, because he is seldom awake, but the noises he makes in his sleep eventually wake him up if we don't put a pacifier in his mouth.

Julie Steiskal

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 18:00:00 +0000

Now to a blog I very much am saddened to post. Not because I don’t want to post it, but because it is an event that has affected me greatly in a short period of time. This past year and a half I have been a part of a loving and generous community of photographers that are willing to not only answer photography questions, but willing to also show and share their techniques. The common feeling among the group seems to be, “ A rising tide lifts all ships.” I have definitely grown as a photographer and a person from being a part of this group and can only hope I have somehow been useful to group in return. Last year I was working on a couple projects (the details of which don’t pertain to this) when an incredibly generous woman came to my aid. She took time, and much effort, to send me some information, templates, instructions and even paper and fabric samples. Never once asking for anything in return. Some people warm your heart the moment you meet them, even if it is over email. Julie Steiskal was just one of those people. I am saddened to report that Julie recently passed. This hit me hard and I have been trying to figure out why. I barely knew her. Spoke to her once and only emailed a couple of times. It is only in her passing that I find out I am not alone in being aided by her. She reached out in all directions to assist others. I have included a photo of her with some advice superimposed that she gave another photographer regarding family photo shoots. Also is the link to a song written by her friend Joel Hanson called You Didn’t Let Go (Julie’s Song) . She was the receptionist at her church , Church of the Open Door, in Minnesota and will be missed by many. I think one reason this hit me hard even though we were by no means close this is she reminds me of my sister in law. The parallels are many. Not just the fact both are employed by their church, but the giving attitude, the investing in other people, faith in The Lord, creativity and demand of friends to have fun and be real. Julie’s death need not be in vain. If for no other reason, let us all learn to love and love-on those we cherish. The people in our lives impacting us in spectacular and mundane ways. Reach out to those in need and never let go.

image courtesy Scott Bolster Photography

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 17:37:00 +0000

Exploring St. Louis

Tue, 04 Mar 2008 14:17:00 +0000

These shots are of a great building with an incredible amount of character. It once housed a foundry, but is being rehabbed into a wood shop. The man behind it is turning the building into a place where inner city youth can learn a trade. I would love to spend more time photographing the building, but I was on a timeline when I shot these. They will have to do for now.

I'll be back from hiatus soon.

Mon, 25 Feb 2008 13:36:00 +0000

The boys will be 6 weeks old on Friday and Carolyn and I are settling in. I realize I haven't posted in a while, but that will change soon. I have some shots from some time I spent roaming around St. Louis, as well as a shot from a corporate event I recently phtoographed. But the big post will be a project I am working on for a unique way to mount a photo, and gain functionality from it. Soon...patience is a virtue.

Homecoming!

Mon, 28 Jan 2008 16:46:00 +0000

Somewhat of a misleading title, but oh well. As promised, more pictures! Following the delivery of the boys, I have hardly picked up my camera. So much craziness going on, maybe some of the stories will make it to this Blog, but doubtful. They more so belong in a book for dads bringing home babies. What to expect, what to not expect, and tips on survival. All stuff I really needed to know. Anyway, these shots are from when we brought the boys home. I had the idea of having all the family present when we arrived with the boys. This way we could have video and still shots of the arrival, but also for support and it was an opportunity for Carolyn and I to thank the most important people in our lives. The people we couldn't have survived without. Little did we know how important they would be in the first week with the boys at home. It was an fantastic evening. We ate Pot Roast, watched the Packers game and took some time to just be together. My parents drove in from Columbia, Carolyn's parents, who had been with us at the hospital almost continually helping us sort through all the mounds of information, were there, and Carolyn's sister, Jacqueline, also spent some time hanging out. I wouldn't trade that night of memories for anything. For all the family reading this, thank you again. Your support, encouragement, and patience is invaluable. For those close enough to us to know what we went through this past week, you also played and enormous role in us (mostly me) keeping our sanity (this means you Jen and Darren!) Enjoy the images, they were taken by my dad, Merle, an accomplished photographer in his own right and are SOTC (Straight out of the Camera) with no adjustments. Spot on, as usual! ~Matt

The Boys are a week old! Here are some shots from the Delivery

Sat, 26 Jan 2008 09:01:00 +0000

The Boys are a week old now, and I am finally getting around to sorting through all the photos from their birth. I also have some shots from their Homecoming that my dad took, they'll be posted soon.

A few quick shots from our point and shoot camera

Sat, 19 Jan 2008 05:18:00 +0000

I'm going on just a couple hours sleep and haven't been able to load any shots from my camera, but here are a few from our point and shoot. Carson has worn a few different color hats in an effort to find one that would eventually stay on his head. His hair keeps sliding the hats off. Caden, on the other hand, has some gorgeous curls that seem to keep pulling his hat lower on his head, often over his eyes. Caden's hat is the green and white knitted. Caden also seems to enjoy pulling his chin down to his chest like he is trying to pull down into his swaddling cloth. When he does this, he looks like a little turtle trying to pull into his shell. Carson had his eyes open and tongue out from the moment he was born. He seems to be taking in the world around him. Caden has focused his time on sleep. The birth was a bit more traumatic him and he ended up with a bit of a bruised face and especially bruised upper lip. During labor Carolyn was pushing and Carson was slowly working his way out, then the doctor said something funny and Carolyn started to laugh, next thing we knew, Carson was out. The laughing shot him out faster than the pushing! Next came Caden, he came out with one hand along side his cheek, as Carolyn pushed, another arm came out too. He might have potential as a swimmer because as he came out, he motioned his arms like he was doing the breast stroke. These two are characters right from the start. More photos to come.

Announcing to the World.....

Fri, 18 Jan 2008 15:00:00 +0000

Carson William Cook and Caden Matthew Cook! Carson was born at 1:40 pm and Caden at 1:46 pm. Each weighing 5 lbs 1 oz. (They were only 3 grams different in weight at birth!). The boys and Carolyn are doing well. Pictures and more information to come. ~Matt