I’ve known their guitarist Jesse Sample for a couple of years.  I’ve heard his poetry and always kind of hoped he’d put the work behind his talent and find his niche.  There is definitely a place for an artist with his voice.  But there was a moment on set when he picked up an acoustic guitar, and Nick started to sing when the hairs on my arms started to rise, and I knew they’d found something special.

These two have a great rapport, and it was a sincere pleasure working with both of them.  I’m not sure which of their web locations is the most frequently updated, but definitely google “7th Squeeze” and check them out!

At that meeting I met the individual who would become responsible for the logo and identity transformation that’s taken place across my materials over the past month.  Her prices were reasonable, and her portfolio clean and professional, but more than that, there was something about her I liked.  She seems to really enjoy what she does, and that passion is contagious.  I went into this process with apprehension, but she made it an adventure!

Fortunately for me, I had the chance to provide services for her as well.  She contacted me in search of a photograph of herself for an image she wanted to use in her materials.  Something that could represent standing out from the crowd.  So Juan Lopez and I met her in her home, and did a photo shoot that was a ton of fun, and yielded what I think is a pretty nice image.

If anyone’s looking for a graphic designer, she’s worth giving a call!

Here are a few of the images from that wedding.  I may post more later, as it was a really visually interesting event, but I wanted to share some of this great couple.

I heard a voice speaking on the phone, the tone stood out to me as someone upset, and it became clear he was speaking to the police.  The subject of his discussion was visible about a half block in the opposite direction.  A man had a cat on a leash, the cat was tangled in the leash in such a way that when the man walked, the cat was essentially being dragged behind him.  The man on the phone had a friend with him, and both of them were becoming increasingly upset watching this happen.

The man and his cat were in the direction I was already headed, and as I approached I could see that this man was either disabled in some way, or very intoxicated, possibly both.  The woman he was using a walker, had no teeth, and also appeared to be mentally challenged in some way.  I was almost in earshot of the couple when the two men who had been on the phone hurried past me toward them, they looked angry, and I was concerned their intentions might not be entirely peaceful.  I understood their anger at seeing this cat in it’s unfortunate state, and I was concerned things may turn violent.

My work with Mark and his film about a non violent movement in Mexico called In Lak’etch has taught me about the danger of using force or violence, even in an attempt to stop violence.  And how the forces of community, familiarity, compassion, and accountability are much more powerful tools.  I didn’t know any of these people, I wasn’t part of their community, but I wanted to have compassion for all of the people involved, and had in my hands my camera, a tool of accountability.  So I stepped a few feet away from where they were speaking in a position I was sure they could all see me, and held my camera to my face, making it clear I intended to photograph whatever was about to take place.

It didn’t start well, the two men were yelling immediately, and the individual with the cat was belligerent and combative.  Any appeals to kindness for the well being of the cat were lost in the anger of the encounter, and the two men decided they were going to take the cat from the man until the police arrived.  Incensed the cat’s owner attempted to strike one of the men, swinging one looping punch at his face, it was a sad attempt, missed, and only served to anger the man, who threw him to the ground and stood over him.  This was the moment I feared, but rather than kicking the downed man, or assaulting him further, a gesture was made toward me, “we have witnesses, you just attacked me, that guy has you on film”.  The owner of the cat stayed on the ground, defeated, but not beaten.

Make no mistake, despite my reputation for not being terribly fond of cats, I would not wish harm to one, nor do I endorse the way this animal was being treated.  I consider the anger of these men approaching him to be righteous anger, from a place of compassion for a creature who could not speak for itself.  It was a noble intent, but the humanity of the offending party was lost somewhere.  Witnessing this made me reflect on the ideas Mark presents in his film.  How would this have happened if these men had known each other, or if one of the people passing knew him?  How would this have been different if the value of the individual mistreating his cat were held as highly as the value of the cat?

But that’s not all I get to see:

• The incomparable TK
• Dave Sperandio of Vocal Source with Jeff Thatcher of Rockapella
• Carl Taylor of Liquid 5th
• The always entertaining Mr. Tim
• Some amazing masterclasses
• Two nights of amazing a cappella performances featuring talent from both college and professional groups

These are of course only a small sampling of the hundreds of images viewable and purchasable at:

The SoJam Events page at LivingFiction Pictures

And only a handful of memories from a fantastic weekend.  If you’ve ever been, come back, if you’ve never been, come next year!

Learn more about this amazing talent HERE

Svengali and Spa Virgo can be found at, 225 Lark Street, Albany, New York 12210.  Call 518.462.0560 to set up an appointment, tell them Michael sent you!

Here are some photos I took of these beautiful people!