jdaylor's Xanga

Jackson Hole

Sat, 11 Feb 2006 03:07:16 GMT

I spent the entire day traveling today. I was supposed to meet my brother, Andy, Keith, and Chuck at the airport this afternoon. Unfortunately, their flight from Chicago was delayed twice. I spent the afternoon walking around town and visiting some of the local landmarks like the Cowboy Bar and art shops. They finally arrived this evening and we went out for some local food and drinks.

This is the first time I've seen snow since we move to Orlando six years ago. It is so cold up in Jackson Hole. Here is a photo of the hotel we are staying at.

Tuesday, February 07, 2006

Tue, 07 Feb 2006 11:12:29 GMT

Paint Ball

I was sick most of last week. I can't seem to shake this cold. I felt better on Sunday so I took the opportunity share a little paint ball action with my son, Ryan. Toni and I (Santa) got him a paint ball gun and all the accessories for Christmas. We've gone out a couples times already but this time I took my camera to capture a few shots. Of course I had to create a poster for him! Let me know what you think...

Thursday, January 26, 2006

Thu, 26 Jan 2006 09:47:28 GMT

IMAGING USA was great this year

Toni & I just returned from the Imaging USA conference held in Austin—it was great. I got so many ideas of different ways to build my photography business and am stoked to get to work.

It was also pretty cool to be included as one of the speakers this year. My presentation seemed to go well, despite the massive head cold I was battling. To my surprise, the room was at capacity and about 300-plus people listened to my little presentation. I appreciated all the feedback people graciously offered to me throughout the remainder of the conference.

I learned so much from the various presentations I attended, but a few that standout are:

Gary Strain’s award-winning high school sports posters are inspiring. His daughters, Jackie and Brandy, play a big role in the success of this particular line. Check them out at www.gasphotography.com. Ryan Romaguera’s overall tips on building a sports photography line (www.romaguera.com); and Sandi “Sam” Puc and Dave Junion talked about building a year-round photography business. But what made a big impact on the audience (not a dry eye in the place) was the charity work they do at local hospital neonatal wards, photographing preemies. It’s refreshing to hear of people giving back the way these two highly successful photographers do.

Toni and I also had a chance to meet with a friend of ours who used to live down the road from us in Colorado. Scott Jackson and his girlfriend, Crystal, live in the Austin area—Elgin to be exact. Elgin is known as the sausage and brick capital of Texas—those are two distinct designations, I don’t think they make the bricks out of sausage…

Anyway we hit 6^th Street for some live music and a few beers. It was great to reconnect with Scott and meet the woman who obviously means a great deal to him. We like her too!!

Wednesday, January 18, 2006

Wed, 18 Jan 2006 10:40:24 GMT

Hockey Tournament Photos

We photographed the OYHA 2nd Annual Ice Hockey Invitational last weekend and captured some great images. Unfortunately, my entire family was sick with the flu during the tournament. Because of this we didn't stay for the entire tournament. However, I really like the images we captured Friday night and Saturday.

Here is a slide show of some of my favorite images. Check out the ASPN.com website for all the photos.

Friday, January 13, 2006

Fri, 13 Jan 2006 09:07:07 GMT

New Wedding Album

I finished Dawn and Andrews wedding album last week. It took me 20 hours to create a 20 page album. I think I need to get more proficient with Photoshop. If you create a lot of albums, let me know how long it takes you to create one from scratch.

Click here to view the album. Let me know what you think.

Thursday, January 12, 2006

Thu, 12 Jan 2006 09:49:21 GMT

Imaging USA January 22-24

Things are already getting busy this year. I just finished Dawn and Andy's wedding album (I'll post it on my blog later this week). Sports organizations are already contacting us to reserve their photo days for next season. I'm making the last minute adjustments to my presentation for Imaging USA presentation.

I'm looking forward to this conference because its the first time my wife, Toni, is attending with me. She's been trying to attend for the past year (especially the ones in Vegas - I think she has a problem<g>). I'm trying to get her to help me with my presentation but its not looking good so far. She refuses to get up on the podium.

Thursday, December 29, 2005

Thu, 29 Dec 2005 06:54:04 GMT

The Gift Of Photography

Many embraced the spirit of the past holiday season through an outpouring of charity and generosity to those “down on their luck.” Whether on the giving or receiving side, lives were touched in a meaningful way.

Typically, donations for the needy came in the form of food, clothing, shelter, financial support, and even toys for children to play with in the midst of difficult situations.

However, in a rather unconventional way, I was lucky enough to be part of a group of professional photographers that did their part to brighten the season for others this year by doing what we do best— family portraits. Along with a group of volunteers; Mike Buoy, Jason Cannon and I spent an evening at the Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida the week before Christmas photographing more than 35 families and volunteers.

Left to right: Lorri Highet, Director of Volunteer Services at Orlando's Coalition for the Homeless, Joe Daylor, Ann Buoy, Heather Harne, Jason Cannon and Mike Buoy.

A Christmas photo will not fill a stomach, provide a job or even ensure a safe, warm place to sleep; however, this small gesture can serve as a way to make a hardship seem a bit more tolerable and, even for an instance, blur the line between those who have and those who have not.

Family portraits preserve a moment in time. One can look back in ensuing years and recall memories—good and bad. Admittedly, clients of the Coalition may not view their present situation as particularly happy, but the fact remains that it is a chapter in their lives. One, with the Coalition’s philosophy of offering a “hand-up” rather than a “hand-out,” they can hopefully look back on with satisfaction and accomplishment.

Thursday, November 24, 2005

Thu, 24 Nov 2005 21:04:50 GMT

Happy Thanksgiving!

We did something totally different for Thanksgiving this year. We didn't purchase a turkey; and Toni didn't spend all day cooking dinner. Instead we went to "The Kitchen." It's a really cool restaurant that's located inside the Hard Rock Hotel. No mess; no dishes to clean; but, unfortunately, No leftovers. Nothing but great food and a rock'in good time.

The service was fantastic and the food was excellent! They served crab legs, shrimp, turkey, ham, prime rib, and all the fixings.

Shrek, Scoobie Doo, and a magician visited us during dinner. Shrek even wiped his nose on Megan

Toni felt totally guilty this morning because she wasn't preparing anything to eat. However, those feelings dissolved right around the time our waiter brought her first glass of Champaign.

Thursday, October 27, 2005

Thu, 27 Oct 2005 10:03:11 GMT

Happy Halloween (almost)

I know Halloween is almost here because my inlaws are flying into Orlando today. My sister-in-law (the witch in the middle) visits us every year at this time. Halloween is her favorite holiday. She's been flying in on her broom since our children were babies. Shelby, Ryan, and Megan get so excited they start a count-down. Every morning in October I hear one of them say "Only # more days until aunt Vic comes to visit."

This year Vic is bringing the head witch, Imogene (my mother-in-law), and a new little goblin. I took this photo last year during their "Witches Tea Party". Pictured are Shelby, Toni, Vic, Megan, and Imogene. I can hardly wait to see what they "cook up" this year. I'll post the photos next week.

I almost forgot - my house looks like a Halloween store because each October Vic sends packages every week that are filled with Halloween decorations. Our neighborhood is having a decorating contest this year. I guess that means I need to get the 24 boxes of Halloween decorations out of the attic.

Let the madness begin....

Monday, October 24, 2005

Mon, 24 Oct 2005 11:21:32 GMT

Hurricane Wilma Roars Ashore

Wilma roared ashore near Naples, Fla.

The National Hurricane Center said Wilma made landfall at 6:30 a.m. EST, at Cape Romano, just south of Marco Island, Fla.

Hurricane force winds of 74 mph are extending 90 miles from the center and wind blowing at tropical storm-force reaches outward 230 miles.

Orlando is wet and windy. Orange County cancelled school and our office is closed today. As long as we don't lose power during the storm, I'm working from home.