PNC Park

I been working on films and writing so much this year that I have been forgetting to create photographs...that needs to change.

Photo of the Week

Best of Pittsburgh Awards for Wedding Photographer

We are very delighted to announce that Craig Photography has just been awarded the Best of Pittsburgh Awards for Wedding Photographer!

And here is a little bit about this sparkly new thing:

“Each year, in and around the Pittsburgh area, the Pittsburgh Award Program chooses only the best local businesses. We focus on companies that have demonstrated their ability to use various marketing methods to grow their business in spite of difficult economic times. The companies chosen exemplify the best of small business; often leading through customer service and community involvement.

For most companies, this recognition is a result of your dedication and efforts as well as the work of others in your organization that have helped build your business. Your team is now a part of an exclusive group of small businesses that have achieved this selection.”

And a little bit about the Pittsburgh Award Program:

“The Pittsburgh Award Program is an annual awards program honoring the achievements and accomplishments of local businesses throughout the Pittsburgh area. Recognition is given to those companies that have shown the ability to use their best practices and implemented programs to generate competitive advantages and long-term value.

Each year, the Pittsburgh Award Program identifies companies that we believe have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category. These are local companies that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and our community. These exceptional companies help make the Pittsburgh area a great place to live, work and play.

The Pittsburgh Award Program was established to recognize the best of local businesses in our community. Our organization works exclusively with local business owners, trade groups, professional associations and other business advertising and marketing groups. Our mission is to recognize the small business community’s contributions to the U.S. economy.”

Nice! Very nice indeed! To all of our incredible clients that made this possible, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts!

Moment

Current Reading: The Damned Don’t Cry by Harry Hervery
Current Music: Lost on the River by The New Basement Tapes
Mood: Alive
Smells: Coffee, dust & cold air
Temperature:
 39 degrees 
Thoughts: Waiting for Helena Francis to die...

John Craig Media ~ Youtube Channel

Its official I have a Youtube channel...the only thing missing is people watching it.  Be sure to check out my playlist  "Marketing Films" & "Soul Scrubber Series".    

Also looking for interesting people to add to my Soul Scrubbing Series...pass along suggestion of people who you would like to see.

Moment

Current Reading: On the Shortness of Life by Seneca
Current Music:  Love is Hell by Ryan Adams 
Mood: Want to go outside and play
Smells: Coffee
Temperature: 57 degrees going up to 72, bring on the outside fun!
Thoughts: Life is short, Art is long

Things I think About When You are not Listening ~ Life With NMO

This is what I think about when you are not listening.

I am a highly energetic person who is trapped in a body that is continuously fatigued.   It hurts when I stand, I lose my balance when I walk, I feel normal when I run...until I stop.

My brain sloshes from right to left inside my skull. Always right to left. My vision becomes a jumpy freeze frame as if an old film 35 mm film projector has bounced off track. This experience repeats then fades aways as if the breeze brings relief.

At all times I am alone, even in the company of others.  As if I am a character in a Murakami novel. What bothers me about this surreal state of being is that Murakami characters are always the boring quiet type; why an energetic person relates so well to his writing...I am not sure.

I am the everyday invisible man going on a journey alone. Moving forward on a pilgrimage to the mecca of me. With paths of discovery of how to live with this monster within. I am lost. Incessantly looking within ever so deeply asking myself the same question. The answer never comes...

Constantly watching others look past me trying to see my monster. Pour me another drink and I'll tell you my story. You can nod along and then tell me how good I look. I love this part, for no matter how deep my monster may hide my ego stands up and looks you straight in the eye. I am alone even during conversation...smile, nod, move along.

I should go see a doctor, but I won't. I do not want to be placed back into an MRI tube nor do I wish to have vials and vials of blood taken from my arm. I do not want to hear another kind nurse tell me a sad story about her last patient. I have as of yet to heal from all the previous harm that my past doctor visits has caused to my psyche.  The beat goes on and I turn to the next page.

Russian roulette, preventative medications, kale, bourdon...salvation or purgatory?

Trust me, I am only deep enough to be shallow. A drunk barstool prophet preached those words to me. I will never forget it. This is the truth of me: inwardly I am a scared-pessimist-poor me-take me now Jesus type of person.  Most people that I meet are depressed on the outside, and I question if they are happy on the inside? An odd juxtaposition.

What I miss most in my life is being embraced by reality, for mine is at all times in flux as if I am walking on the cliffs of insanity.

My disease progresses as my health progresses. The seasons change.

30th Short Film ~ Dahlia

This is my 30th film in two years since getting into cinematography.  Go on the journey of one woman passion for the dahlia flower. Relax, enjoy & share...

Behind The Scenes

Location: Renaissance hotel rooftop downtown Pittsburgh. Be sure to check out Elizabeth's blog here for more.... 

Moment

Current Reading: Colorless Tsukuru by Haruki Murakami 

Current Music: The Beatles 1962 -1966 (vinyl)
Mood: run, run, run
Smells: Kale smoothie
Temperature: 69 degrees 
Thoughts: Spirit original meaning “Breath” - Holly original meaning “clean”

Lesson Learned ~ Life with NMO

About a mile and half into the run she asked me, “Daddy, why do you run?” “Because I can.” I tell her.

October 2013 I was supposed to run in my first marathon. February of that same year I had an NMO attack. The attack took away my ability to run, barely leaving me with the ability to walk. October 2013 came and went. My dream of running in the Chicago Marathon faded along with the numbers on the calendar that year. Slowly I rehabbed. I got better as the season changed colors.

September 1, 2014, the unofficial start of autumn, I ran in my first race since my setback.

I say the words to her, "Heart of a servant - strength of fighter. That's what keeps me going. My desire is for you to know that it's possible. That everything is possible. Dream big and do the work." I have always fancied myself as a street philosopher. Here I am preaching to an eight year old little girl who is running simply because she can.

Telling my daughter that I have a disease that was not going away and did not have cure was my biggest fear. Then one day I received a handwritten letter addressed to John & family. The letter was written from a kind woman who herself was raising a son with NMO. The letter was a thank you for the writings I have done on NMO. She went on to express her gratitude for me sharing my journey publicly. The letter filled me with joy and tears. The letter was the bridge (the gift) on how to tell my daughter why daddy got sick for long periods of time.

About a half mile before we cross the finish line my daughter tells me “Let's run for NMO. It's not about winning the race, it's about completing the race.” Yes little one. I pat her little bum and we run until we cross the finish line.

Chicago marathon can wait. This was the best run of my life.

You do not need to be strong enough for whatever life throws at you…..You need to be compassionate enough to be of service to it. Lesson learned.

If you like what you just read and would like to read more I keep an updated page on Medium.com with all my writing on Neuromyelitis Optica. Please share with those who you think will benefits from the writings. 

https://medium.com/@craigphoto/latest

Moment

Current Reading: Meat is for Pussies by John Joseph
Current Music: Ashes & Fire by Ryan Adams
Mood: Future thinking
Smells: Laundry detergent
Temperature: 71 degrees 
Thoughts: Living with a ghost, waiting for it to die…..

Moment

Current Reading:Creativity, Inc by Ed Catmull
Current Music: Aerial Boundaries by Michael Hedges
Mood: Zapped
Sound: Fan, feet & drum beat
Smells: Coffee
Temperature: 70 degrees
Thoughts: Impermanent is unreliable.

Family Photo + One Giant Ego

Last week two good friends of mine (also fellow photogs) updated their personal headshots. This kicked me in my butt to go and update mine. It has been at least four years since a new photo of me has appeared.

Since I am married to the world's greatest beauty portrait photographer, achieving a new pic would be easy. Flash her a smile with an offer to by drinks afterwards and bam you get an updated photo.

Since, I am also a good student of the craft, she handed the camera back over to me with a set of instructions on how she would like to be photographed.   Bam, updated Elizabeth photo (damn she's hot!).

We go home and bask in our extreme good-looking-ness, proceed to talk about what a beautiful creation we have in our daughter. Open up photoshop and stitch together a new family photo.

A photo of you is important, do not forget that. Go get one done!

Moment

Current Reading: Cycle of Lies: The Fall of Lance Armstrong by Juliet Macur
Current Music: Pure by Michael Hedges
Mood: Feel good
Smells: Clean air
Temperature: 69 degrees
Thoughts: What I will ask of you is do you have a "kind plate?"

Abstract Photo ~ Ambient Art

This might be my favorite photo of all time. It is definitely my fav as of now.  What I love about abstract photograph is that, without a defined subject you can find yourself in it.

Ful·fill·ment ~ Short Film

As with all the films in this series the film is best enjoyed in full screen with the outside world turn off. If this film resonates with you then please share it with the people in your life who need to hear this message.

This is #7 in the series. Ful·fill·ment

Photo of the Week ~ Ambient Art

Photo of the Week

Moment

Current Reading: Spartan Up by Joe De Sena
                               Paradise in Plain Sight by Karen Miller
Current Music: Morrison Hotel by The Doors
Mood: To many beers yesterday
Smells: Trash
Temperature: 71 degrees
Thoughts: There is no hand book on how to be a human being never mind a guide book on optimal health with a chronic disease…I think I will right one.