I have a lot of things going on in my personal life lately.  I have been experiencing some of the most intense feelings and emotions I have ever had and I have to say that so much of what I feel is conflicting on so many different levels.  All in all, this is something that has to happen and I will be going through a tremendous amount of growth over the next year or two.  As difficult as everything has been, I welcome it into my heart and my life and have great hope for where this growth takes me…

I have been having a crazy amount of dreams lately, that are very vivid and long.  Last night after seeing The Watchmen (which made me think SO much) I had a wonderful dream and part of it took place in a location like the one below.  I wish I could go there now and visit my dream 🙂

klf-dream-beach

Leave a Note

  • Mom - You will go many places in your life and your dreams…never be afraid of going to a new place-explore it, feel it, and remember it…

      Friday morning at about 2am I got back from Fabulous Las Vegas, Nevada.  It was my first time there and boy was it a great first!  I was there for one of the largest photography conferences in the world.  I was helping my buddy Kenny Kim cover the entire conference…it was crazy.  We had another photographer, Kenny Nakai, who rocked out some images as well.  Both Kenny and Kenny are from Chicago, IL, so I was the lone MI photog.  It was such a great way to experience WPPI and Vegas and I’m not sure much else can come close for me over the years.  I met an amazing amount of awesome people and awesome photographers and partied a little bit like a rock star.  I totally get why people say Las Vegas never sleeps.

      The conference was hosted at the MGM Grand Conference Center and was such a great venue to host such a large conference.  I honestly could talk for hours about all the experiences I had and all the sweet people I had the opportunity to meet.  I want to thank Kenny for giving me this huge opportunity and also thank everyone with WPPI and all of the attendees for making this experience unforgettable.  BE SURE TO CHECK OUT KENNY’S BLOG FOR LOTS OF PICS AND MORE INFO!!!

 

Here we are!

wppi_2009_mgm_blog-201

Leave a Note

  • Kenny@kennykim.com - good times bro. good times.

  • Kim - Hey Dustin, I had fun running into you…repeatedly! at WPPI! If you’re in NY ever, please drop me a line! Otherwise, until next year? All the best, Kim.

  • Cathy Crawley - Hey Dustin, it was so fabulous to meet you and hang out in fabulous Vegas! I hope we get to meet again next year. I’ll be coming back to see more of your WPPI photos 😉

  • Kenny Nakai - Yea Dustin! It was great not only shooting with you- but hanging and getting to know you as well- BTW…my new 50 1.4 is all your fault! =)

Well, I had a fabulous 1-2-3-09!  Laura and Josh’s baby girl entered into the world at 7:19 am at a healthy 8 lbs, 4 oz.  The birth took place close to me at U of M.  I got a text from Josh a little later letting me know it was ‘go’ time.  See, I wanted to be there to document Leah’s first day and I am so glad Laura and Josh let me do so.  Laura looked great for just having delivered a ‘good sized’ baby and had that lovely motherly glow and Josh couldn’t have been a prouder pappa.  It was great being there to help keep those memories forever and I loved holding little Leah.  She looks mostly like her mamma I think, but has some of her pappa’s features too.  I’m looking forward to seeing the June family again soon and photographing Leah in her new home.  Congrats to the new mommy and daddy…Leah is beautiful and I look forward to watching Leah grow and seeing your love for her grow as well!  Pics, pics, pics!!!!

 

This is how my day started out….what a great start!!!

_dfs1349

I would like to introduce Leah Judith June…

_dfs1338

The June girls!

_dfs1355

_dfs1381

Happy parents! 🙂

_dfs1385

Either she’s really cute, or she’s Dr. Evil…..CUTE!

_dfs1389

Love this one…

_dfs1407

Getting her first check up!

_dfs1441

This moment was great and a big tear jerker for me too.  The look on Josh’s face…PRICELESS!

_dfs1466

_dfs1471

_dfs1475

Opened her eyes to see mommy and daddy…

_dfs1477

Hmmmm, who’s holding baby Leah?

_dfs1523

7 hours old and already starting with the faces.  If you know babies, you know what is most likely going on here…

_dfs1550

_dfs1555

_dfs1583

Eskimo kisses 🙂

_dfs1598

Thanks for grabbing this one of me and your baby girl Josh!

_dfs1625

You know we had to get some little details…

_dfs1634

_dfs1646

_dfs1662

Leah was doing this most of time…I think it’s how she was in the womb…

_dfs1696

She’s already doing the one eyed Pirate thing too….arrrrrrrr.  If she could talk, I think she would say, “I got me eye on you pappa, make sure you keep me booty clean.”

_dfs1715

_dfs1725

Layin’ with mamma…

_dfs1734

Here’s the fam…

_dfs1744

Ooh, one of my favs!  EDIT:  I just noticed, in this image, she is exactly 9 hours old 🙂

_dfs1746

The Junes! 🙂

_dfs1752

She is loved…

_dfs1770

Cuteness!

_dfs1787

Her feet are already pretty good size… 🙂

_dfs1799

Leah, we love you and are happy you are finally here!

_dfs1827

_dfs1835

Leave a Note

  • nicole - Beautiful! What a treasure for the family!

  • Laura and Josh - I look at these images of our precious Leah while wiping away a face full of tears. I can’t begin to describe how wonderful it is to have these memories documented in such a heartfelt way. Dustin, thank you from the bottom of our hearts. We are so very, very glad you were able to share this experience with us. What a wonderful gift you have in bringing image and emotion together in unique and touching ways. Please help other new mommies and daddies experience this joy, too.

    Kind and loving regards,
    Josh, Laura & Leah June

  • Tira J - So beautiful Dustin! And Leah June’s daddy was wearing the perfect shirt. “Life is Good”!! Can’t wait to watch her grow here on your blog.

  • Wendy - Makes me want another one!!! What a great memories for them to have, you captured them beautifully! Beautiful job, D!

  • Carol - These are absolutely precious. Laura and Josh you two look amazing even after a long night, and Leah is so adorable. If it weren’t for the 9+ months of gestating I would definitely have another one!! Cheers to the happy new family.

  • Velia - These are absolutely precious. You captured every moment beautifully, what at reasurable memory these images make.

  • Melissa Mooradian - Just beautiful! I can’t wait to have another one! Laura and Josh are going to cherish these images for the rest of their lives! Great work Dustin!

  • Mom - Beautiful…

  • Rachael - Love the babies!!

  • Maria - One word – priceless! Laura & Josh, cherish these moments. You’re so lucky to have such wonderful memories captured so beautifully. How often we miss the little details and Dustin, you captured them so perfectly. Congrats again on the newest boot camper!

  • Navy Sou - I absolutely love capturing newborns when they are in the hospital! Great images! Congrats to Mom & Dad!

  • Michael Kempker - What a beautiful baby. I wish I was still around the area to share in this joyous time you guys. Congratulations from the Kempker family and welcome to parenting club.

  • Stevie - Stunning! Asbolutly priceless!! I was mesmerized by every photo and Laura’s comment made me cry. You have an amazing gift.

I know many of you have noticed, I have not blogged in two weeks.  It’s because I was having issues with actually posting.  I fixed it Friday and will resume as scheduled.  I have a post to put up tonight I am excited about and of course have a Tuesday’s Tidbits tomorrow as well.  I am also going to blog about my blog….where I got it from, why I use it and how awesome it is!  I don’t like posting without pics, so here’s a self portrait of me a couple years ago in an abandoned house and yes, I had permission to be there.  Thanks for your patience!

 

contemplation

Leave a Note

  • Navy Sou - Cool image! I love it!

  • Rachel Kekstadt - missed seeing new pics. glad you are back! 🙂 by the way, I never heard back from you about the album. if you have a sec please let me know if that is something i can order.

    thanks!
    rachel

  • Velia - I am loving that floor. Cool shot!

  • Wendy - love it!

  • Rachael - Where is this? Enquiring minds want to know!

< Older Entries Newer Entries >