Beyond The Sea

Happy Tuesday! Just returned from the Boat & RV show. What a wonderful experience! If you haven't attended a show make it a new year resolution to visit the Boat & RV show when it comes to a town near you. If you can see it, you can achieve it! And, visiting a show like this really helps to make the dream come alive.

This year I went with two close friends and brothers-in-Christ (to protect their identities I'm going to call them "King John" and "King Bernard"). They are both superstars in their own right and probably want to stay incognito (featuring them on my blog probably doesn't help). All of us are avid boaters and yacht enthusiasts and this show provides a great way to view and experience a myriad of boats and yachts in a short amount of time.

What's really nice about this show is that there is something for everyone. Now, they didn't have one of my favorites there as the rep told me that this show was too small to showcase this model. But, they did have this one that was very nice! And, I finally had the opportunity to check out several of the Cruiser Yacht models. I have to admit that there were two that I really liked and would seriously consider owning (it was a Cruiser Yacht that got me interested in owning my own boat). All I can say is that there is something "special" about sitting at the helm of one of these vessels - it is truly an experience beyond the sea!

2007 Boat Show
(This is the view of the showroom floor from the helm of a Cruiser Yacht. All I could see was an abundance of boats. And, I believe it is symbolic of God because with God all that lies before us is an abundance of opportunity - just like these boats).


A Star On The Rise
(This is King John doing one of his Hollywood Movie Star poses as he checks out a potential new boat. I think he looks pretty GQ in this image.)


Taking Command
(This is King Bernard at the helm. I just had to capture him as the sunlight from one of the sky lights was streaming down on him as he took control of this vessel. Hmmm, could that be a sign of things to come? I think so - he looks good as the captain at the helm!)


A Guy We Met In Line
(While waiting to board one of the bigger vessels at the show we meet this gentlemen [to protect his identity we'll refer to him as Jimmy Walker aka "JJ"]. Well, JJ asked if I would take his picture. And, as you can see he's hammin' it up for the camera)


Never forget that if you believe it you will achieve it! And, if you're into boats check out my baby - she's on her way!

The Colors of Winter

Happy Sunday! Getting ready for the Bear's game but wanted to share a few pics from the one day we've had sunshine given all of the cold and snow. This winter has presented several wonderful opportunities for creating black and white images, but very few for capturing color images. The pictures below are from a new series called "The Colors of Winter." May they remind you that God's glory can be found in everything He created - including the snow. Be blessed and keep shooting!

Summer Breeze

With all of the bitter cold everyone is enduring around the country, lets lift our spirits with a few images of what always follows Winter - Summer. Let's take a stress break and just relax, feel the warmth of the Sun, hear the wind blowing softly in our ears, and lets experience a Summer Breeze (OK, they're fall images but let's pretend - it's almost zero degrees outside).











Be blessed and keep shooting!

We Survived Mr. Freeze!

"Holy sub zero Batman, it's cold!" And it has felt like we've been in an episode of Batman and have been captured by the evil Mr. Freeze. With the wind chill factor it was -2 degrees F last night. What's going on? It wasn't that long ago that I was playing tennis. I guess I should have known that Old Man Winter would pay us a visit - even if it was a short one.

Here's a few images from our most recent snow fall. Don't ask me what I was doing out in the bitter cold taking pictures because I don't know why I was out there either. Wherever you are stay warm, edit your images I'll see you when the ice thaws. I think it's time for another Salsa lesson in Miami.

Missing Grandma

While browsing through some of my Christmas images from this past holiday I found this picture of my Grandmother under our Christmas Tree. At first I was very dissappointed as I thought I had focused on her picture. And, even though I didn't I also thought that the f-stop was small enough to insure her picture was in focus. But, before I could delete it I realized something - this image actually represents how we feel about her at Christmas.

My Grandmother transitioned several years ago due to a long bout with Cancer. She was a fighter and lived a full life 13 years past her diagnosis. She was also our family's matriarch and keep everything and everyone in order. She had a big personality and a huge testimony to go with it, she was in every sense of the word "special."

And being a very close family her departure has been, and is still at times, difficult to deal with. But, we know she is with God and looks down on us all of the time. And, that's where this picture comes in - just like the picture above is not quite clear, she is there in the background. And, although she is no longer with us physically she is always there in the background spiritually. I believe it must have been the Holy Ghost that led me to take this picture in this manner, but I'm glad I listened to His small still voice. The more I think about it, the more special this picture becomes.

As we move into this new year may this image serve as a reminder to take time and tell the people that mean something to you that you cherish, honor, respect and love them. I told my Grandmother that I loved her, but not nearly as much as I should have. And, the old adage is true - once they're gone, they're gone. Make sure you tell the people that you love that you love them.

Inspiration Abounds

Have you ever wondered where artist find their inspiration? Well, you maybe surprised to learn that most art is the result of either the artist's life experiences, or simply a "creative comment" on the everyday things around them.

Case in point: During a recent outing I wanted to capture a black office building at sunset. Now, I know that sounds boring but this particular building was set against a perfectly clear blue sky. And, with the dark hues of the setting sun it was a creative opportunity I couldn't pass up. However, due to the location of the sun the shadows cast by the building were too dark.

But, a "small still voice" told me to walk around the building and to play with different angles. Well, I did and the result is a new fine art series of geometrical shapes titled "Dominos." And what's so ironic is that if I had been able to capture the original image I wanted, I would have never walked around the building and this new set of images would have never been created.

So, the next time you're trying to capture a scene that just isn't working as you planned listen to that "small still voice" and begin viewing your subject differently. Who knows the images you create could make you the next Ansel Adams. Be blessed and keep shooting!









(This entire series is the result of trying to capture this building at sunset)

Artistic Expression

Happy Monday! I hope you had a joyous and fun-filled weekend. I'm preparing a portfolio for presentation tonight and while going through my images I thought I'd share a few from the "artistic" side of Samuel Barr Photography.

One of the wonderful things about photography is that it is so unique to the artist. Everyone "sees" the world around them differently. And, when those differences are captured on film it can help us to appreciate the "life" that's all around us. There's art all around you and with a camera you have the opportunity to capture it in your own God-given way. May these images encourage you to share what you "see" with the rest of the world. Be blessed and keep shooting.

On The Prowl


From The Left Side


A Bygone Era


Three Eyed Monster


Christmas Glow

A New Bundle of Joy!

Recently a close friend of mine and his wife had a little girl. And, she is simply adorable! A few months ago he brought her into the office and I didn't have my cameras. But, several weeks later he brought her back and I was ready. Here's a few of my favorites from our impromtu portrait session. I love children and I find children to be some of the best subjects to photograph. God is good and children truly are a gift from our Heavenly Father. Be blessed and keep shooting!







This is my friend and the proud Pappa!

Winter Wonderland

Just wanted to share a few pics from the recent mini blizzard we enjoyed in the midwest. These images were captured on a bitterly cold day and the snow had froze into ice. Despite the lack of sunshine I was able to capture these pics during lunch. Welcome to our very own Winter Wonderland!

A Time For New Beginnings

Happy New Year! I wish everyone a joyous and prosperous 2007. I have to apologize for my blog slagging as I've been away over most of the holidays. But, I haven't stopped shooting and have sooooooooo much to share with you in this new year.

Well, it's official - Samuel Barr Photography has gone digital! Actually, I've been "digital" for some time as I have my film negatives professionally scanned and converted into digital images. But, I've added the incredible power and truly luscious imagery of the Nikon D70s to my arsenal. I now offer both mediums and by adding a full-function DSLR I can offer even greater flexibility to my clients. We're adding another DSLR to our line up (i.e. D200) and a few additional film cameras as I will use whatever tool is available to provide my clients with the best photographic experience possible. So, as we embark on a new year I encourage you to expand your creative horizons and truly reach for the stars!