Two Wheels To Work: Meet Branson and Aubrey

Branson has been a bike commuter for about 20 years, and now commutes 8 miles each way with his 3 year old son Aubrey in a bike trailer behind his fixed-gear bicycle. He says bike commuting has helped keep him in shape, reduced his carbon footprint, and has given him another cool thing to share with his son. Aubrey has quickly become a big fan of cycling, and now has his own "big boy bike" with training wheels!

Branson says cycling has made him a happier person and has allowed him to experience places and things that he never thought possible. Most recently, cycling took him to France for his second participation in the once-every-four-years Paris-Brest-Paris 1200 Kilometer bike ride, one of the oldest cycling events still regularly taking place. He completed the over 750 mile course in good time- riding a fixed-gear, of course.

When asked what advice he’d like to give motorists, Branson says “We’re human beings too- look after us, as you would want us to look after you." If you see him and Aubrey out on the road, slow down, give them a wave hello and plenty of space when passing.

Two Wheels To Work: Meet Esther

Esther started riding a bike about 9 years ago after her doctor suggested exercising to help reduce the risk factors for Type II Diabetes. Now she does a combination car/bike commute, driving to a shopping center parking lot in the morning before cycling the final 6 miles to work.

Esther became a below-knee amputee in a pedestrian-bus collision during gradeschool, and says her favorite piece of commuting gear is her sparkly prosthesis cover. She'd like motorists to be more aware of cyclists on the road and know how wide their vehicle and mirrors are. Her advice to anyone who would like to try bike commuting? "If I can do this, you can do this!"

If you see Esther out on the road, give her a friendly wave hello and at least 3 feet of space while passing!

Two Wheels To Work: a new project

Every morning millions of Americans get up, get ready, and head out the door on their way to work. Most do so in cars, some take mass transit, but a few commute to work by bicycle. The people trapped in their cars usually see the cyclists as obstacles in their way, not as fellow human beings heading to work. I want to show the faces of these bike commuters- show that they are fathers & mothers, sons & daughters, husbands & wives, brothers & sisters, just trying to get where they're going like everyone else.

I'm photographing commuters on their usual route- whether it's quiet neighborhoods, bike paths, or busy city streets. They're wearing what they usually ride in, spandex or regular clothes. Some have fancy road bikes, some single speeds or fixies, and some city bikes or cruisers. So far I've photographed six sessions and I have eleven more on the way!

Shoot for Healthy Pet Magazine

Here's a selection of images from a shoot for Healthy Pet Magazine at the Orange County Animal Shelter. This is an amazing facility, and I had lots of fun spending the day with them.

Wake County Schools

Here are a few shots from a recent editorial assignment on the Wake County School System:

Model Testing

Ronda and her family were some of the models on the Tryon Palace production down in New Bern. She's new to modeling and wanted to get a few more shots for her portfolio, so we did a little shoot in downtown Raleigh.

Shoot for Yoga Journal

Just a few images from a shoot at Wrightsville beach for Yoga Journal. Apparently balancing on the sand is difficult. Who knew?