These are my favorite photos from attending NASCAR this weekend. Even though my ears are still rattling from the sound of the cars, it was a blast. My favorite part was using the radios we rented to tune-in and hear the drivers and pit crew talk to each other. The entire photo slideshow is posted on my flickr.

I also shot 2 video blogs and posted them to YouTube. I went behind the scenes in the garage’s -AND- captured what it’s like on race day, at the Kansas Speedway.

The spring weather in Kansas City this past weekend was absolutely gorgeous. It was criminal to not be outside doing something (it was that nice). I had my camera with me when I was walking on the Plaza, and I noticed the numerous beautiful blossomed dogwood trees everywhere. I captured just a few shots with the dogwood trees during my afternoon walk.

**UPDATE**, it appears that I might have incorrectly identified the trees in the photos. We’ll just say a “tree enthusiast” sent me a kind-hearted email telling me that these are actually Bradford Pear trees, not Dogwoods. I fully admit and acknowledge I could have been wrong, I don’t claim to be an arborist! Thanks Mr. Anonymous.

One of my goals for 2010 is to take 1 creative photo each week. This has been a fun ongoing challenge for me, with mixed results (i’ve taken some really bad photos, and some good photos). Stay tuned to the blog for more photo blog posts in the future.

I dragged my friends outside for 10-minutes during the snow this weekend to take some quick pictures. I wanted to practice, practice and practice. This is one of the many things a friend of mine, Rebecca Peters has taught me. I’m thankful of her +other great friends who motivate me to get better and better and the things I love to do. The photos I took are on my flickr account.

One of my best friends, Adam, gets serious for a photo.

My roommate, wears these boots- and I like the colors on them- so i wanted to try using them as a focus for a shot.

Self portrait. I’m pretty sure the neighbors thought I was crazy when I was out standing in the snow taking this shot.

Here are a couple favorites from photos I snapped this weekend while @The Lake of the Ozarks. A college friend had a bachelor party and it was a great excuse to head down to enjoy the not-to-hot-outside-but-still-sorta-warm-enough-to-swim weather. I’m a fan of going to the lake in the summer because I grew up in Springfield, MO and my parents had a place at Table Rock Lake. Check out the photo below with my friend Brittany- I took a series of pictures and patched together her back dive into one photo neat-o huh?

It is early March, yet I was lucky enough to get glimmer of sunlight and warmth here in Kansas City — perfect for some photo taking. Two people that I consider are my best friends; Scott and Allison recently got engaged. If you’ve seen my flickr photostream, you’ll notice I’ve really been diving into getting better at my photog skills. Now I’m FAR from being a professional, in fact I’m totally getting started in this whole thing. However, one thing that’s been reiterated by every person who’s been kind enough to give me advice: practice, practice, practice.

So that’s exactly what I’m doing.

I really enjoy capturing emotions of people in my photos. I find it both a challenge and a huge reward when I’m able to get that perfect shot: photography that not only looks great — but more importantly tells a story. So check out the entire slideshow of round 1 of the engagement photos I took of Scott and Allison (who, by the way, are gorgeous people to begin with!).