Yogi + The Rocker

Yogi & The Rocker
He was a rock n’ roller slinging guitar in the band Love Lost Love. She was a devoted yoga teacher with a loyal following. Their story began with a chance encounter at Java in Hyde Park. The Rocker was eating brunch with his daughter and immediately noticed Yogi sitting at a table nearby. He was mesmerized by her beauty and the way she carried herself, like a goddess. She noticed the handsome, intense stranger noticing her when they both were at the barista counter. Their eyes met for a moment, but they left without speaking to each other. 

Later in the day, Facebook sent the Rocker a friend suggestion for a woman that looked like Yogi. But was it really her? He scrutinized photo after photo on her page, trying to be sure, and then he saw it–a daisy tattoo matching the one he had seen on the bewitching woman in the cafe. He responded to the universe’s nudge by sending her a message. To her, his reaching out felt like a spiritual confirmation that she wasn’t alone. Someone interesting had noticed her, and she welcomed the invitation to meet someone new, although she wasn’t looking for anything serious. Neither was he, but…they chatted, met for dinner, and then made date after date. 

He loves the driving pulse of rock n’ roll, she loves the transcendent bliss of yoga. By releasing expectations and taking a chance, Yogi and the Rocker opened their hearts to adventurous romance. They’ve been cruising together ever since.

Thelma Burkett at home, Circa 1978

I knocked on Thelma’s door in 1978 for the first time, wanting to photograph her colorful front yard. Being from the South, she answered, "Why sure, Sugar! And when you're done, come on in, because I have so many beautiful things inside". I took a couple of photos outside, then entered her home and discovered a pink, purple and blue wonderland. Everything in the house was pink, purple or blue, including Thelma herself.

Over the next three years, I photographed her several more times. For each occasion she would wear formal attire and tell me stories about her life. She was 80 years old at the time, and had been born very poor in Alabama. Thelma still had her southern accent and would say things like, “I LUUVV Ray Price! I think he’s the most handsome man on earth.” She was a very positive person and loved the attention I showered on her.

Thelma was a big BSU football fan. Once while I was working at the Idaho Statesman she asked me to rush over to her house because the “Four Horsemen” were coming to visit. Stuffing four burly BSU football players into her purple loveseat, she proceeded to pose on top of them, asking if I could arrange to run the shot on the paper’s front page. She was a showgirl at heart!

When I’d sit with her, she would tell me about the beautiful things in her house. “Do you know how much that chandelier cost me?” she’d ask. “Five hundred dollars?” I’d guess.

“FIVE DOLLARS! That’s it. FIVE DOLLARS! I got the base from a yard sale and then painted it. Then I found 4 crystals at Deseret Industries and 9 crystals at 3 yard sales, so I never paid more than a few cents anywhere. Deloris asked if she could buy it from me but I told her I wouldn’t take even $500 for it.”

She was a good friend. Whenever I went to visit, I knew I’d never have to come up with anything clever to say because she had her way of filling the silence with intriguing stories and wild tales. We developed a deep friendship that I’ll cherish in my heart always.

Testimonial

It’s always great when clients send me stories about the results they’ve achieved with the imagery I created for them. By the way, Eric K is a fantastic copywriter who can be found on upwork.com.

Shorelodge + Whitetail Resort Photography

Clockwise from top left: Aerial photography of Payette Lake • The Cutwater On Payette Lake restaurant at Shore Lodge • Yurt at Whitetail • The Cove Spa at Shorelodge • Residence at Whitetail • Room at Shorelodge, • Room Interior at Shorelodge.

Brooke Burton interviews Deborah Hardee

https://www.boiseartsandhistory.org/blog/2019/09/25/creators-makers-doers-deborah-hardee/

CTA Architects' Thompson House featured @dwellmagazine

Micron Technology

Michael Anthony (top) and Nicholas Moore at Micron Technology. Art Direction by Tom DiGiurco.

Affordable Housing Finance Magazine Cover/Interior Assignment April 2019

Christine Serlin wrote a wonderful article about Boise’s new 40-unit New Path Community Housing project, completed in November, 2018. Congratulations to Caleb Roope, CEO of The Pacific Cos., for his contributions in developing affordable housing for Idahoans. You can read the full story online here.

Lisa Dean-Erlander photographed for Thrivent Magazine

Winter Lifestyle Photography at Bogus Basin Ski Resort

May the light of the season bring you comfort and joy in 2019!

CTA Architects win American Institute of Architects - Idaho Citation Award

Congratulations to CTA Architects for winning an American Institute of Architects Citation Award for the Thompson Lake House in Eagle, Idaho. I was honored to be hired to photograph their design and their team is stellar to work with.

Mother Mary Watches Over Sami

When Sami Tess Goodrich was still in my twin sister Dorothy’s womb, my sister would talk to her saying, “You'd better come out with some kind of something to keep up with your twin sisters!” Yes, I know, twins are suppose to skip a few generations. My twin is fraternal and she naturally conceived identical twins. Go figure. Anyway, back to Sami. She entered this world with the cutest round face and her great, great grandfather’s Irish red hair, which hadn’t surfaced in three generations. Okay, so the lot of us are in Spain and I’m shopping with my other sister Donna in the biggest market I’ve ever seen in my life. The first floor was a football field-sized room with vendors selling every kind of fresh meat, fish, poultry and lamb you can imagine. Honestly, I saw things there I couldn’t even describe to you; food we just don’t see here. As we toured around it dawned on me that we should buy a row of the red sausages for my niece Sami to wear as a necklace, as many of the stalls had these hanging strings of sausages that looked like necklaces. So Donna bought the sausages and we went back to our hotel. Luckily, Sami agreed to wear the sausage "necklace" and the cloth from the nearby table for a dress so I could capture this image. I titled it “Mother Mary watches over Sami”.

ThinkTankPhoto Releases New Shoulder Bag

I'm in love with my ThinkTankPhoto.com bags. They just released their new Spectral line of shoulder bags. New features include a magnetic Fidlock clasp and a super great price. I'll be storing my DSLR with a 24-70mm lens, 70-200mm lens and wide angle zoom. The Spectral 15 also has room for my 15" laptop, flash and lip gloss. I'm ordering mine today! 

Advertising Photography for Shore Lodge

Creating an image library for Shore Lodge has necessitated some early morning shoots. This example is a personal favorite and one of their most widely used images. For a shot like this you have to get up before dawn to meet the perfect moment, capturing the best light for highlighting interior as well as exterior details.

Bluebird Family Camp

We've nicknamed this secret family campsite Bluebird in honor of Alfred Larson, who has built and maintained more than 300 bluebird houses in Idaho over the last 35 years. There's even a documentary film about Al at www.bluebirdman.com. This bluebird nestbox was 20 feet from our tent, making it an extra sweet location. Family members John McClain, Hali Goodrich and Michael Ryan. 

Marketing and Advertising Photography for Shore Lodge

The Cutwater opened at Shore Lodge on June 16th, after months of remodeling. Nestled at the waterfront of Payette Lake in McCall, Idaho, Shore Lodge was rated the 3rd Best Resort in the West 2016 by Condé Nast Traveler. The new restaurant, bar and patio open right onto the lake, making for a perfect summer experience! 

Portrait Photography for Architect and Restaurant Owner Brian Garrett

Brian is a creative powerhouse with his restaurant Saint Lawrence Gridiron, serving customers the most delicious brisket sandwiches, pulled pork with mustard sauce, grilled bison and bones & toast. I'm not actually sure what bones & toast is, but I do know that in addition to being a wonderful chef, Brian is also an amazing architect. I was honored to create a portrait for him to reflect his unique creative vision.

Corporate Advertising Portraits for Vacasa

Amber Knight, from Vacasa's corporate office, styled the photography session for the Vacasa leadership team, with Cliff Johnson (Co-founder and Chief Development Officer), Eric Breon (CEO), Scott Breon (Chief Analytics Officer) and Kimberly White (Senior Regional Director). Amber is multi-talented and an all-round great human being.

Marketing and Advertising Photography for Primary Health

Primary Health ad campaign for Mitchell + Palmer. From left to right: Mati Young, Miles Brenner, Lux Thompson and Donna Vasquez.