Recent Random

Land of the Free

A New Start

So at the beginning of the year I decided that I was going to start working on my video skills. Last year I was pretty busy working on some bigger projects so I didn't get to focus too much of my energy on video work. The goal of this year is to make one video that I'm truly happy with. So far I have had two attempts and while I'm pretty satisfied with the results I still have some areas I need to improve on.

Synchronized Skating
Since skating is such a moment driven activity I decided that I would make this my first attempt. This was one of the first times that I went to a shoot ONLY shooting video. It was a real struggle for me but I was very please with the results from the shoot. We are also working on trying to export to the best settings for the player on our website...a little frustrating but I'm sure we will work out the kinks in no time.

click here to see the video



Pigeon Man
I met Bill Larson at the post office mainly because he had a big box he was mailing with the words live birds written on it. Larson raises Indian Fantail Pigeons. They are a unique breed of pigeon he shows in competitions across the US. I decided to do the video because I always love stories on characters. Larson is one of those great characters. This video was shot and photographed in the same visit. If I had it to do over again I would have tried to go back with just the video camera.

click here to watch video

Random Pics

Ok so the combination of contests and freelance work has kept from posting. Here are some pictures I like from the last two months. It was a pretty mild winter, which is a great treat as far as I'm concerned. It's not even March yet and we've had some really warm 70 degree days. Spring is coming. Hooray!



First 70 degree day of the spring. I've been trying to shoot this feature for a while and got luck.


This is from a release of a golden eagle. What an amazing bird.


Can't leave out some bball.

On the Outside

I spent four months following Kevin and Marcus as they situated themselves back into society after spending years in prison. We were following them because they were part of a reentry program that was really helping people get back onto their feet. When we started the project this program was supposed to be expanding. About three months into our story we found out that they planned to actually cut the program. After spending time with these guys the news of cutting the program was devastating. Carrie (the reporter) and I really saw how much this program was helping these guys and couldn't believe the poor decision making that was going on in Richmond.

I have to say that I really learned a lot from these guys. Marcus and Kevin a proof that the stereotype of an ex felon is unfair and inaccurate. While there are people who get out of prison and keep going back to their life of crime, these guys were putting every once of time and energy into getting back to a normal lawful life.
Please check out the slideshow and read the stories by clicking here.

Mistletoe Marksman

Do you know where mistletoe comes from? I just assumed that it was some kind of bush you could just easily walk up to and cut a few pieces from. Not so! Mistletoe actually grows high up in dying oak trees and can be collected in either two ways....

1. Climb the tree and cut out the mistletoe. Which kind of makes sense and helps to keep the mistletoe intact.

or....the more exciting way...

2. Shoot the mistletoe out of the tree with a .22 rifle or a shotgun??!!!


WTF!!! Right I know it sounds so crazy that it can't be true but I promise you that yes it is true and also pretty fun to watch. Believe it or not, yours truly Kim Raff actually shot a piece out of the tree with a .22. That will go in my lock box of awesome stories on the job.

Check out the slideshow of my time with James Henderson....Click here

3 generations wreath makers..

I stumbled onto this story after pursuing the mistletoe story above. These women really took my by surprised and I was enchanted with their wreath workshop that was in a a hundred year old barn, complete with walls that shake with the wind, no heat, and no installed lights. Prettiest wreaths I've ever seen in my life (although I'm a Jew and not an expert on wreaths). Coolest thing is that the wreaths were made almost entirely of greenery and filler from their families property.






Anita gathering more supplies..