Michelle was out of town this week visiting our family in Omaha, Nebraska: Aunt Gretchen, Jeff, Krista, Max and Lexi. I was flying solo this week and decided to head up to Mill Avenue in Tempe with my friend Fernando (who just bought a brand new Nikon D300 camera – very nice!). We arrived on Mill Avenue and as I walked by the lofts at the BrickYard I noticed an interesting reflection in the window. I called this “Heavenly Reflection” – I decided to leave the lens flare in this shot after reviewing several others that didn’t have it. I felt it added something to the picture… 

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After walking around Mill for a while we realized we should duck into some shade and wait for the sun to go down a bit more. Fortunately we were right next to Rula Bula (a great Irish pub on Mill Avenue) and we sat on their patio and enjoyed a couple pints. Mmmm Smithwicks

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One of the reasons I wanted to head up to Mill was to take some photos of the historic Hayden Mill. I didn’t realized until I arrived that the entire mill was surrounded by a construction fence. This is the best shot that I was able to get without having the fence in the frame.

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I like this area that is just off of Mill Avenue – there is a lot of shade in here and the shapes are interesting. I converted this to B&W in Lightroom.

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For the Fourth Of July – Michelle and I were invited over to Michael and Alisa’s for a BBQ. It was also Michael’s birthday on the 4th. I suggested to Michael that I take a picture for his birthday and that I would post it here. He was more than willing to take a picture but before I could say anything this was the pose he wanted to go with (so much for the photographer controlling the shoot):

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I almost didn’t post the picture – because it really is a baaaad picture (no offense Michael) but the pose was priceless and I did say I would post it here. I hope Michael enjoys his fame..

I am off to Washington D.C. this weekend for five days to attend the Public Policy course for my MBA Program. I will be bringing my camera to D.C. and will definitely get some shots while there.

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