Well it appears this chapter in my life is coming to a close. The Scene has decided to end the freelancer involvement in the publication. Their may come a day when the economic climate is better and we're picked up again by this or another publication, but I'm not holding my breath. Nor do I feel as strongly as shooting for any stock photo agency.
It's been a fantastic ride. I've met the Nascar drivers, many other celebrities, shot some neat wrecks, made some money, even won a very major award in my relatively short time in this deal. But more importantly, the friends I've made have been the best award I could ask for. Even though our backgrounds couldn't be more different, I don't think I have closer friends than these guys, united as we were through a crazy passion to take pictures of crashing cars. I'd like to thank Phil Cavali, former Photo Editor at Nascar Scene, for hiring me on the spot at Michigan Speedway in August 2002. I don't think anyone else would be crazy enough to do that. Bambi Mattila, the next Photo Editor, great friend and wonderful soul who really helped my photography grow. See you in Montana some time. Fellow newbie Kent "Kenny" Gilley the Texan whose Nascar experiences parallel mine. Kent and I have shared experiences about all things photography, computers, Tivos, television, Nascar, sports, humor, and about everything else under the sun. Kent's photography skills have far surpassed mine (and about everyone else in the crew by the way) and he will be required by me to shoot little Allison and Zach's senior portraits and any weddings that come our way. Randy Porter in Indy, fun to hang out with. "Baked Bacon" still rings in my head when I drink too much. Ivan "the Terrible" Veldhuizen in KC. The quiet one. Great photographer, great guy. The old man LaDon George, you'd never know he's one of the best Nascar photographers of all time because that's not what he really was about. He's always cared about our well-being, always aware of what we were up to, kind of the grandpa of the crew. Hope you get to your farm in Georgia before the big call-up, big fella. Get out of those damn Florida hurricanes. Illustrated shooters Elmer Kappell, Rick Kimball and Lee Holmes. You'd never know they were awesome photographers either. I know Elmer has new frontiers too and Rick always has a million things going on with his kids. Lee "Baby" you are awesome. Cheese and sausage twins Don Thies and Steve Benesh from Milwaukee. Great guys, old time greats in Midwest racing photography. We'll have to hook up in Chicago some time. Tim Parks, though our paths haven't crossed lately, I know you'll continue to shoot Nascar. Your passion for this is greater than anybody elses here. Mike Laczynski, tough biker dude on the outside, cuddly teddy bear on the inside. Thanks for all the girlie beers you bought be over the years. You've been the best roomie of everyone. We'll visit you in O-Town soon. Mark "Rabbit" Hawkins. New doors are gonna open up for you. Still hoping you buy a new car in 2011. We'll see you in Ann Arbor next year for the Penn State game, and hopefully come visit sooner (sorry, not going down there - well maybe I'll go down and shoot WMU Ohio U with Gary). And last, but not least, Gary Shook. Even though you're almost as old as my dad I never think of you that way because you're so god-damned immature. Warm and friendly as a puppy and as hairy as one too. First one I met, at Sonoma, in 2001. Helped me getting to the magazine even though you didn't have the foggiest idea who I was. I know you have some difficult times ahead here, but I'll be there for you. I look forward to shooting WMU stuff with you for awhile to come, and give me excuses to buy more camera equipment.
As for me, besides the photography, I've got a million great things to look forward to. My life is fantastic, and I feel like the luckiest guy on the planet, frankly.
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