The internet is one big bad tangeled web.  I've been contributing to that digital mess of mass information confusion highway since the late 90's.  Today, with my over zealous creative brain coming up with so many ideas and having so many different platforms to chose from, I've found myself on every other corner of the internet.  So, consider this a little map of my art on the world wide web.


www.blackwellphoto.com 
First, and foremost - the reason I always say I'm always on the internet.  Being a stay at home dad, I do most of our work via the web.  E-mails, video conferences, and social networking all make up my day as well as taking care of a 1 year old woman.  So Blackwell Photography's website is the #1 place to find me online.  It is the core of internet presence ... the reason I'm even here, blogging!

Blackwell Photography's webpage is an idea Stacey and I conceptualized one day in the park.  It's a combination of our work.  The Trinity of websites, as I like to call it.  Her portfolio can be found at stacey.blackwellphoto.com, where as mine can be found at marc.blackwellphoto.com.  Our wedding page is it's own seperate site located at weddings.blackwellphoto.com.  That leads to the other subpages, blog.blackwellphoto.com & photos.blackwellphoto.com, where you can view galleries and purchase downloads and/or prints.

Leading into the "social networking sites" in a minute, but still sticking to business.  You can find Blackwell Photography on Facebook by clicking that link.  Twitter, Yelp, Myspace, Tumblr, too.

My personal Facebook site is dedicated to blogs I post here, random status updates, and also a place to share news/blogs/photos/& stuff.B.  It's an overall gathering place for your MB fill.  If you're a Lucas Grabeel fan, or a Drew Seeley fan - you aint gettin' through to this one unless you're super cool.  Haha!

My Twitter page is more laxed and I like to have more followers.  The more the merrier - for some reason...  It's a little more raunchy and fun.  I still promote Blackwell Photography through it, but now with the new BP Twitter, it'll more be a home for letting you know I posted a picture of Zoe somewhere.

My Twitpic is a photo site dedicated to my every day blog kinda pictures. Photos of my hot wife and I going out on dates, to shots of me on a movie set.  Whateva.

My tumblr is a place to post iPhone pics.  Anyone with an iPhone needs 1 dedicated place to upload those pictures to for years.  It's the only way to create a good archive.  And after many attempts and many different photo sharing sites, I've grown to like tumblr for my iPhone viewing needs.

Of course, this blog at Blogger is an old journal of written madness.  It dates back to 2006, so I'll keep it around for a while even if I don't post to it on any regular schedule whatsoever.

Every once in a while your father in law makes you proud.  This is one of those times, so I'm reposting some pictures he took!



This guy has got it figured out too.  Not only has he been doing Santa for years, it's been a way for him and his family to not use credit cards at all for Christmas!  The money he makes goes directly to presents.  (And now I'm a benefactor of that too!) ;)

If any of you are friends with Stacey on Facebook, you already know.  Or, if any of you are friends with us in real life, you already know...




Stacey and I are expecting Baby Blackwell #2!!

Yup!  We are building the Empire, ladies and gentlemen!  Only 7 more to go!  Just kidding ... who knows how many.  But here - I'll answer some of the questions you may have...

Didn't you just have one? (aka, was this planned?)  Yes, yes we did!  Thanks for the reminder.  The babes will be 21 months apart.  We want to have our children close together for a number of reasons, so this works out perfectly!

Do you know if it's a boy or girl yet?  Nope!  Stacey will be 13 weeks along and you don't find out the gender until 18 weeks!  I'm crossing my fingers for a boy. ;)

What are you going to name him?  Him you say?  Well, we have a few names picked out, but we'll keep that under wraps until he/she arrives.

How the heck are you gonna handle 2? Good question!  But I've learned after handling one, if I can do that, then I can do anything!  I'm Super Dad and Stacey, Super Mom.  We aren't worried any more than we should be and are excitedly planning the future of our growing family!

We are going to the Doc later today for an extensive ultra sound and checkup, but everything so far has been great!  The babe has a steady heartbeat, and he/she is making Stacey hungry, nauseous and tired, which is a good sign!

I just wanted to share!  I've been meaning to for a while, but we just figured the online world would figure out in due time.  This is the time!  :)

Cheers!
-marc

Doesn't every 26 y/o who has a blog at some point create new post with the title "Quarter Life Crisis"?  While I can't afford to go out and buy a new ferrari (cuz we had to purchase a new fridge ... that took all my car money away!) I can tell the world what the hell is going on inside my crazy brain.

I want it all.  I want to do it all, rather.  And I want it all too.  I want to shoot music videos.  I want to create an album ... yeah, like a music album!  I want to be a professional painter.  I want to move to Australia.  I want to own the Canon 5D Mark II with dozens of lenses of my choice (that will happen one day soon).  I want an iMac, a new external and internal hard-drive.  How can a person focus?  How can an ARTIST focus?

I've heard "pick one!", but why?  Why do I have to be just a headshot photographer?  How boring is that?  I wanna shoot weddings, and newborns, and sexy models too!  I want to paint - and I want to show those paintings to the world!  One day I dream of my artwork being showcased in the Getty Museum just down the road...that's not bad, right?  Or is it bad for business?  Am I confusing my market?  Who IS my market?

I mean, we're good.  Zoe's full, and content, with a crib she's happily sleeping in under a roof.  We have a fridge with food in it, and I'm typing on a pretty sick computer.  We've got a nice car that gets us to Target where we can always buy more toilet paper ... so why do I worry?  Honestly, my wife brings in most of the money for the time being, but honestly, I bring in a significant amount too.  So ... so what?

Ha... I don't even know what I'm getting at.  I just finished a book about Zen and just being.  And I am ... just being.  I do what I want, when I want.  I even live streamed a painting the other day.  Does that mean that I'm going to put down my camera and only paint for financial gain?  No.  Even though I've thought about it.

I've cut out several vices in my life that have plagued my creativity and productivity and I think that's where all this extra energy and ideas are coming from.

I don't care if I tweet too much, or if I Facebook too much.  Even though, sometimes I wonder if I do.  But I can't worry about if I'm doing something wrong all the time - that's a waste of time!  I opened up a tumblr account the other day.  Why?  I dunno - I wanted a place to post my iPhone pics ... even though I'm a part of The Best Camera project and Twitpic.  I'm not even confused! ... I'm just presented with so many awesome options that I want them all!

And like I said, I'm only 26.  Thankfully.  I've got A LOT to do and hopefully (knock on wood) I've got a lot of time to do it.

I'm going to start calling myself a visual artist.  I photograph.  I paint.  I draw.  I make websites and flash designs.

What now?

Peace,
-marc

I know, I know.  I've been leaving you hanging.  Every single day you've been getting online to see something, a picture, a video, a simple sentence about Zoe's birthday - and I've been leaving you hanging.  I know, I feel the pressure.  So let me make it up to you by posting a cute video of us on the carousel.


Let me explain that Stacey did not hold back for this party.  It was Zoe's FIRST birthday party ever!  We had every excuse to make it as fun and elaborate as we wanted.  It was like our wedding all over again.  Weekends were filled with shopping ... which we won't get into - but I'll just say that it turned out BEAUTIFUL and everyone had a great time.  We had our awesome photographer, Emily Photo, photograph the day so I won't even bother you with the very few iPhone pics I took.  I will share the link as soon as we get it.  DON'T WORRY, OK!  I WILL SHARE THE PICS!  ;)

Um ... what else is new ... Zoe had her first year check up today, and all is well.  She's advanced, thanks to me.  ;)  JK LOL.  ;) 

Also, big congrats to the Winn family for their successful entrance to the cutest little boy I've seen since Jaxon, Elijah Michael Winn!  He's sooooooo cute.  Can't wait to meetchya little guy!

Alright - the laundry is folded, I gotta go pick Stacey up from work.  Anyone wanna donate a car?

Much love!

-marc

Recently I purchased a remote controlled helicopter. I believe my inner child is now complete. I haven't had this much fun since my brother got me a water powered car when we were little.


Stacey likes to shop, and I need to find a way to entertain myself. Here's one time we didn't get kicked out. ;)

Shout out to Sister Suz! Much love to you and Eli!

Peace,
-marc

A few days ago, August 23rd, to be exact, Stacey and I launched Blackwell Photography!  We have combined photography forces to create a trinity of photography services, including but not limited to actor's headshots, musician portraits, and wedding celebrations!  We're super excited to be starting out on this very exciting adventure, and encourage you to check out Blackwell Photography's Blog.  It may be just as entertaining as this one.  And you'll probably get more photos of celebrities and less pictures of Zoe.  Until Zoe is a celebrity.  Then I won't know what to do!  :)

We're really, really excited, and even offering a launch special.  Go check it out!  Share with your friends, and support a dying art - photography!  We always appreciate your continued support.

Years pass.  Does it get any easier?  I continued to say no.  But you do stop crying as much.  Today is the 5 year anniversary of my mothers death.  It's really difficult still, and I assume it always will be, but the other women in my life make it easier.  Stacey is the best wife and partner a guy could ever ask for.  She's always understanding when it comes to the mom subject, and now that she is a mom - she gets it from a very different perspective.  Zoe too, middle name and all, reminds me of my mother daily.  I sometimes imagine that my mom used to look like Zoe when she was 11 months old.  My mother would LOVE these ladies in my life, and vise versa.  I think, no ... know, all 3 of us are better people because of Marcia Blackwell.

Zoe's 11 months today too!  It's a crazy week!



Stacey organized a walk this evening for my mother and some friends are on their way over to take a little walk around the neighborhood and grill out.

I feel like I've been posting a lot of stuff in the past 3 days.  Tweets, Facebook posts and links, blogs here  and there.  It's all for a good cause, trust me . . . and I've been holding back!

Alright - love you guys!

Peace,
-marc

Being a parent means you think of everything. I post this as a blogger entry due to the fact that I think "my readers" will understand more than just my twitter followed and facebook friends. When you have a child, all thought proccess gear towards the child. One adult has to be around Zoe at all times. Stacey and I can't just run up to Ralph's for a quick late night dinner. Not to be morbid, but what if the big earthquake of California hits when we are inside and we get trapped I side. Not cool! And this may seem as an obvious "duh!" to some of you, but these thoughts are still new to me. I haven't done anything like locking Zoe inside our apartment without a cell phone or keys ... Wait, yes I have. :). All I'm saying is, when you have a child, and get married, priorities change amd you stop thinking about only yourself, and really notice the impact your decisions have on others. Or at least that's what I've learned. :)

Good night.

-marc

On Sunday, I'm the DP (Director of Photography) for my first music video! To shoot the video, we borrowed a Canon 5D Mark II and an array of cool lenses. This is the first time I played with any of it, and I decided to share! :)

Have a good one!

Peace,
-marc

Well, I just dropped Stacey off at the airport for her 4 day adventure to New York City.  Zoe and I are on our own!  OH NO!! I'm crying - I'm so sad, I don't know what I'm going to do!?  HOW WE WILL EVER SURVIVE?!?! Just jokin'...

So far it hasn't been much different than a week work day ... but maybe that is because I just dropped her off less than 2 hours ago.  We will see how it is on day 3.  Stay tuned, I'll probably turn to my trusty dusty friend called Blogger since I don't have a the mother head's physical shoulder to cry on.  *Sniff*

I need to reinvent my style.  Yeah, my clothing style.  Tighter jeans, cooler shirts, hats, accesorize.  OMG, my wife has changed me.  I know this would sound gay coming from any other man, but I'm married and have a kid - I can wear whatever I want!  She, my wife, got me a purple hoodie the other day, and I call it my Justin Beiber Hoodie.  So WATCH OUT! 

Random.  I know.

Um ... there's so much to say.  So much to tell everyone.  Who all reads this anyway?  Stacey's parents?  I know you guys are there, how's it goin'?  My dad - hello dad.  (I've been trying to use a thesourus, can you tell?) And Margaret of course, what's up?  Blake?  My middle brother ... are you there?  Todd?  My wiser third, are you there?  I know Aunt Anne is reading - hello!  And Stacey checks this often to see if I've posted pictures she hasn't seen.  ;)  Hi baby!  Aunt Suzanne?  Are you still on the Internets?  The Garvins, or at least preggo Jessica is reading - how's it goin'?  Who else reads this?  I got 30 "followers" and I don't know half of you.  Say hello!

Then maybe I'll write more!  For now - it's time to play w/ my baby.  Weekends are all about Z.  I do have a photoshoot later, but that's it as far as work goes today.  I've been workin' hard all week - now it's time for a little baby attention.

Peace out,
-marc

It's been busy at the Blackwell household.  Not that life wasn't busy enough already, but once my living social deal went through business has shot through the roof!  Calls left and right, from living social peeps to new customers finding me via Google.  I've been downloading, proofing, editing, exporting, and uploading photoshoots in between diaper changes, babysitter interviews, oil changes and the rare movie and a beer night w/ a friend. 

Stacey's staying on to of her game as a mother, wife, full-time employee, friend, and photographer as well.  She's such a trooper!  Comin' home at nights to play with Zoe, feed her, give her love and attention, bathe her, and put her to sleep - and she still has time to play with me, feed me, give me love and attention, and, uh, er ... bathe me? .... nevermind.  ;)  She's going off to the Big Apple this weekend, leaving ZB and dad home alone!  I see lots of movies, loud music, and park time in our future!  We'll miss our mommy, but will be just fine!  (Don't you worry honey...)

I've been working on a lot of things, of course the photoshoots coming in, but one in particular, with Mr. Drew Seeley .  We did a 3 day shoot, adventuring from my studio, to his home, to a posh pretentious hotel in Hollywood, to a club in West Hollywood, to the middle of some random streets in LA.  Lots of photos were taken for his debut album, The Resolution.  We're in the process now of creating his album cover, building a story-like inside booklet, and preparing for a big launch of his fresh music!  This is what being a photographer is all about.  Handling every single process of a photoshoot, from the concept, to the outfits, to the post production, to the final product.  Very fun stuff, and such an honor to be working with Drew.  A genuinely nice guy, a good heart, and genius creativity brewing at every moment. 

Alright - everyone has been wanting to know what "the exciting news is".  You thought we forgot, huh?  Well ... I will tell you this; it's big.  It will change our lives and yours.  The world has never seen anything like what we're going to show you.

But you will have to wait.  Not too much longer though.  ;)

Peace,
-marc

Check out: http://livingsocial.com/deals/2927-professional-photo-shoot-for-99 - TODAY ONLY for your chance to get a steal of a deal on a photoshoot with yours truly!

Here's what they have to say:

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You know your headshot needs to stand out in casting, but a professional photography session can cost hundreds of dollars you don't have. Today's deal is a steal whether you're looking for work or just searching for the ultimate rockstar portrait for your band's new website: Pay $99 for a two-hour shoot with Marc Blackwell Photography, a $250 value. You can choose whether to shoot in studio or on location for a session that includes two looks, an online proof gallery, and a complimentary 8x10 from a photographer with the Tinseltown seal of approval. Blackwell has published a book featuring photos of the stars from "High School Musical," and Amy Paffrath from "The Daily 10" lauds him for his edgy and original headshots. There's never been a better time to revamp your image.

So you get to see the pictures!  ;) 

"Little Cutie"

"Dancin' Queen"

"Mom Let Me Play!"

We went to a BBQ at our friends, and Zoe's friends, house yesterday.  Remember the cute twins of Rudy and Jenny's?  They had the BBQ and mom was camera happy.  Lucky us!  

Here is my 2 cents on the whole immigration subject flooding my Google Reader for the past couple weeks.  Now, I'll be the first to admit I'm not very educated on the subject, I just see what I see on Facebook and Twitter and what I hear on Nation Public Radio.  But as I see it now, this is where I stand.

If you're an ILLEGAL immigrant ... you shouldn't be in this country.  Right?  I mean - there are ways to become a LEGAL immigrant, so do that!  This is not just an United States issue, I think it should be this way wherever.  Stacey and I dreamed about going to Australia a long time ago, and to do so, we would have to apply, be accepted, and pay some fees to become Australian citizens.  Sounds fair.

So, Arizona passes this law that says if you are interacting with the police, they have the right to check your immigration status.  What's the big deal?

If I get pulled over, say, in Arizona, an officer is going to ask for what? - my identification, my driver's license.  What does this prove to the officer immediately?  That I'm a US Citizen.  If I didn't have one, boom - grounds for asking for immigration status.  If I am a LEGAL immigrant, and I've done everything I'm supposed to, and I have my papers on me, no big deal.  We have to carry our drivers license everywhere, how hard is it to carry another piece of paper that proves you are a legal immigrant?

People have been talking about how this gives officers more opportunities to discriminate against Mexicans, or people of a specific race - but we all know this happens anyway.  This really doesn't change that unfortunate factor.

The benefit of this law being passed, as I see it, will help control who is coming into this country, legally and illegally.  We don't want ILLEGAL immigrants in this country.  We will accept ANYONE in this country (at least I will, I guess I can't speak for all America), but you hafta do the work to get here.  If you don't, and a cop asks you for proof of status, and you don't have any - deportation sounds fine to me. 

Peace,
-marc

I'm going to rant a little bit.  I'm not as fired up as I could be, nor as I have been about this subject, but I just read yet ANOTHER blog post from yet ANOTHER photographer to, yet again, OTHER photographers on HOW TO BE a "professional" photographer.

I'm sick and tired of "photographers" trying to teach the rest of the world how to be photographers.  Every other photographer you find on the net these days has a blog, or a podcast, or a book on how to be a photographer.  "Here's how I do it - follow these easy steps and you will be a successful professional like myself!"  It's all a facade!  If you were or are a successful photographer you don't have time to write seminars, create online classes, and write photos for dummies books!

I'm all about helpin' out the next guy.  An amateur comes to me with questions about getting into the business, I'm more than happy to share with him what I've learned in my experience.  I understand it's important to influence new photographers correctly so the market doesn't suffer, but this is getting ridiculous.  I mean, it's like being a professional race car driver, and telling your competition what you've done to your car to make it faster.  "Here, take my clients!  And my income, and all my ideas!  For free!"  Essentially what's happening, right?  I've fallen trap to a few of these photographer's gimicks.  I understand, drive more traffic to your website and you might get a few more gigs a month.  But at what cost are you willing to get those extra couple gigs.  The cost of creating a bigger cesspool of guys with cameras?  At giving false hope that anyone and everyone can be a photographer?  At driving the market down as more and more amateurs pretend to be professionals?  You're hurting yourself as a photographer and photographers in general.

If you're working enough so that you think you can give others advice on how to works just as much, you don't have time to write a blog every day.  You just don't!  If you're on Twitter more than you're behind your camera, some thing(s) are NOT right.  If you think Facebook is the only way to market your photography, you gotta pull your head outta the south end of a north bound horse.  Photographers have an unhealthy obsession with social media and they're exploiting the beautiful world and business behind photography with it.

Wanna be a professional photographer?  Good for you.  First, don't steal my customers.  Second - work really hard!  Really dive into the art and techinique of photography.  Learn that first.  You won't succeed if your photos suck.  Then learn some business, because what everyone will tell you, some more often than others, is that you hafta run a business to be a professional photographer.  Now...before I start being hypocritical, I'm gonna end by saying this;

You're a photographer?  Great!  Now show me photos you've taken.  Write me a news-letter once a month showing me everything you're working on, take videos of your photoshoots, create photo books, post iPhone pics on Twitpic, I don't care, just be photographical!!

Peace,
-marc

The oldest versions of the Blackwells traveled from the middle of nowhere Alabama to the big city of Los Angeles, all to see the youngest version of the Blackwells.

I think my dad has been out to L.A. 4 or 5 times now!  Margaret has been out at least 3 times!  They love it out here, but we can't quiet convince them to move here.  ;)  Yet.   How great would it be?  Zoe would learn math and we'd always have a babysitter!

While they were here we all did a lot!  We saw the Santa Monica Pier and 3rd street promenade, went to the beach in Malibu, went hiking at Runyon Canyon and ate a lot of good food!  Zoe also learned how to moo (thanks grandpa!) and she's doing long division! ;)

I took a break from Facebook and Twitter for 7 days, and it was wonderful.  I don't feel like I missed a thing, or like anyone missed me!  While social networks are great, it's important to keep perspective in the real world and stay focused on what's REALLY important.  There's no need to fill your brain with useless information like your friend's friend getting a sandwich at Subway.  My brother Blake said it best "someone's hatin' that it's Monday, and someone else is lookin' forward to Friday!"  Sums it up pretty well!

We had a great time with the family, and now it's back to business!  We have very exciting news to announce to you when the time is right - we're just getting all our ducks in a row.

Hope you all are well!

Peace,
-marc

Stacey and I talk about how my #1 job is being Dad. I like to call it being a "family man" because that encompasses everything I do, father, husband, maid, etc. But you get the point, I'm a dad first. I'm a photographer for trade, but my priorities shifted when little Zo-Toes came along.

The best part of being a full time dad is the fact that you get to take naps! Some may considers this lazy, or unprecedented, or think naps are for wimps, but I disagree. (If you have kids, you know exactly what I'm talkin' bout) I learned the napping technique from the master at the whole family job thing ... my mom. And boy did she take naps. Every single day, when I went down, she went down. I assume she did the same thing w/ my brothers too. I mean, I've only got 1 kid, and I want to take naps all the time - she had 3, she must've been 3 times as tired! So I learned it from the master, and I'm glad I did. :) Cuz sometimes, when that little eating, crawling, walking, talking monster passes out, all you wanna do is cuddle up next to her and pass out too, even if it's only for a few minutes.

This all being said, right after I took a nap.

Peace,
-marc

Check out the new header, yeah? Waddya think? I'm lookin' pretty good, huh? Don't mind that gorgeous baby in my lap, look at the lighting, and photoshop work done on that image. True genius. Yeah yeah, her tutu is super cute, but look at the placement of the bottles! I know, I know, her eyes are the prettiest eyes next to her mother's, I know... but look at the saturation and additional grain on the photo - great technique!

Oh yeah, the baby is cute too. ;)

She's sleeping. So I have a second. And yes, adding a new header is blog worthy.

Peace,
-marc

Holy cow!  Zoe has been around for 9 months!  Crazy, huh?  And for half of that time, she was in my care!  My mom would be so proud.  Not only have I kept myself alive and healthy for the last 9 months, I've also kept another human alive and healthy!  :)  Of course, I had a little help ... like, from Z's mom, and our friends, BUT I DID MOST OF IT!! ;) Haha, just joking.  I do understand what it means when they say "It takes a village to raise a child".  Our village of friends have saved our butts several times over, and we appreciate each and every single one of you who helps and supports our little family. 

Today we're taking ZB to the Doctor, which she hasn't been since her 6 month checkup.  Convenient that her 9 month is on her actual birthday! 

Here's a little video of videos from June!  Hope you guys enjoy.



Stay tuned here and Facebook/Twitter for exciting news coming from our family in August!  This is the first place to mention any such idea ... so feel special!  You'll know a lot more later.

Peace,
-marc

Where do you go when you want to talk about everything?  In my case, everything I'm doing.

I'm a dad.   Where to begin there?

I'm a new husband ... well, fairly new.  That's a lot to talk about in itself!

I'm a photographer.  I run and maintain a business, with hundreds of clients, just as many websites, blogs, Facebook Pages, and Twitter accounts.

I make websites.  Really cool sites for really cool people.  I could create a new blog to write about what I do with that.  (I probably will).

I mean, there's taxes to worry about, insurance, laundry, feeding my family, bath time, friendships, advertising, diapers, target runs, playing and so much more!

There's so much to do, so many things to create, so many people to talk to, so much to teach my daughter, so little time to tell my wife how much I love her.  Sometimes I don't know where to start.  But I create that list, the list that never ends, and I jump somewhere in the middle of it and come out the other end with a new list, but feeling more accomplished.

I say that I'm glad there's a lot to do.  If all these goals and accomplishments were achieved already, what would there be to live for?  I don't think I'll ever retire.

Why would I?  I love what I do.  Allllllllllllllllllllllll of it.

Peace,
-marc

A lot has happened since I last blogged.  June rolled around, I turned a whompin' 26, and my oldest brother Todd and his beautiful wife Jill celebrated a wedding anniversary.  Which one?  I couldn't tell you.  I could text him and ask ... then pretend like I knew all along ... but I think it's something like 9 years?  I'll text him now, and see if he replies by the time I'm done writing the blog, and I'll let you know if I'm correct.

It's 9:29 am, on a Friday, and Zoe and I have already been out and about.  In our sweats, no less.  We got coffee and a very exciting official City of Los Angeles Information Update Form.  I'll fill you in more on this as the months progress ... but it's exciting stuff! 

Brb...the babe's cryin'. 

...

Ok, and we're back.  The little monster is asleep in her swing, full and as content as ever.

More and more, as I get older, (haha) I find I'm just like my mom.  The amount of love that I have created, since Zoe has been born, has been incredible.  That love has over flowed and spilled over into Stacey and my relationship, making it the best thing that has ever happened to me.  I see this as my life has changed.  I am more selfless, I am responsible and attentive for the needs of my family, and I only want the best for those I love.  To know you are loved, as much as you love, if not more, is simply amazing.  So when Stacey and Zoe smile at me, when we are all hugging and playing, my life couldn't be better and I know this.

Other than the love stuff, life is good!  Stacey's working hard at her 9-5, and I'm crankin' away scheduling weddings right and left, shooting headshots, and working on the business of makin' business! 

Hope you all are well.

Peace,
-marc

Amidst the barbecues, sales and drinks I try to really think about what Memorial Day means.  I appreciate the courage our soldiers had/have when they go to war.  I appreciate the men and women who have lost their lives for what they saw as the most important thing.  I appreciate the families who have suffered by giving up time away from their loved ones, or who have lost a loved one.  My heart goes out to you all.  I remember the sacrifice.

But just a reminder to everyone reading, war does not have to exist.  War is man made and horrible.  We can be a world of peace.  It is possible.

I know I'm not the only one who thinks so.  IMAGINE PEACE.


Peace,
-marc

Just kidding...she's not a monster.  Yet.  :)  It's hard to believe that 8 months ago today Stacey was as big as a whale, and I shoved her in the car and drove over the hill to a Beverly Hills hospital where a one very beautiful baby girl was introduced to the world.

It's been an exciting 8 months!  A lot has happened!  Stacey was at home for while during pregnancy leave, but then went back to work.  Zoe has started eating baby food, she's crawling all over the place, her vocabulary and vocal pitch have changed, and she's even starting to stand up, but only for a few seconds at a time.
Stacey and I have gotten closer and have fallen more in love, thanks to time and this little bundle of joy.  Zoe and Stacey still stop traffic by their stunning good looks, and it's fun to be surrounded with so much happiness all the time.




Here's to the next 8 months!  :)  Thanks for reading and watching!

Peace,
-marc

Last night, around 8 o'clock after Stacey, Zoe and I got done eating we began the evening bedtime ritual.  It was a bath night, so we did the whole shabang.  Bath, lotion, playing, reading and then the crib.  It was just another night at the Blackwells, but very special in it's own right.  As I was sitting there with my girls, pleasant music playing, lights dimmed soft, everything was very quiet and calm.  I knew this was about to change.

Once the ladies were almost asleep I packed up my camera gear and headed down to good ole' Hollywood to photograph a band at the infmaous Whiskey A Go Go.  (You know, the place where the Doors were made famous, or whatever?)  Driving down the Sunset Strip, looking for a parking spot that didn't cost $15, and finally getting into the Go Go for free all started the crazy loud part of my evening.

There was a really cool band (Preach Unique & the Cloud 9 Empire) on before the band I came to photograph (Soma).  I snapped a few really cool pics of them, and got to meet and chat w/ the lead signer afterward.  Then Soma was on and they rocked the house.  This band blows my mind every time I see them.  It's not typical music I would enjoy, but live they put on such a killer show that I've started to get into their music.  Head banging, rock jam band is how I would describe them.

After the show we were standing around Sunset Blvd. and I was waiting to get paid when the band realized they had some how lost someone in their transportation and needed a lift.  I offered our SUV and we crammed drums, amps and guitars all around the stroller and car seat.  :)  I drove to one of the band member's home and dropped off the stuff, had a beer, hung out with the guys and headed home.

It was a great evening.  One I really appreciate.  My wife is super cool letting me go out on weeknights, even if I am working.  I hope for many more like these.

My eyes are blurry.  Tears gently fall down my face.  I don't know how long this crying period will last.  They usually don't last long.  Just long enough for my emotions to surface and then life sweeps me away again.

Death is a funny thing.  And you think we would be more accustomed to it, being that it happens alllll the time.  But maybe it's just as strong as birth, in the opposite sense, that we'll never be used to it. 

The joy you feel, the happiness you experience, and the love that floods your soul when you experience the birth of a loved one is stronger than anything.  Stronger than the sadness, hopelessness and despair when a loved one passes away.  But both feelings are probably the most intense emotions I've experienced.

A friend died a few days ago.  We don't know how yet, or, I don't at least.  And people are still writing on his Facebook page.  "We'll miss you",  "...Was loved and will be missed", someone even posted their favorite memories.  I get it - but I don't get it.  Maybe I like to grieve in silence, alone. 

Damnit .... my eyes are filling up again.  Why does this happen?  I ask not in a "why, I don't understand" but in a "why does it hurt so bad" kinda way.  I get it, people have to die in order for more people to be born.  But does it hafta be so dramatic?

I don't really know what else to say.  The circle of life continues to shake me around like a little rag doll and not explain itself.  Maybe one day I'll figure everything out.  And then I'll be dead. 

Peace,
-marc

I sign every e-mail the same way.

Peace,
-marc

It's how you know it's from me.  I like to think that by adding a simple positive word, such as "peace" into every e-mail adds just a little bit more change to the world.

I mean, think of how many e-mails I send!

Peace,
-marc

A year ago tomorrow I was the luckiest man in the world.  Today, I still hold that title.  I took the girl of my dreams and changed her name.  I told her, and the world, that I wanted to spend the rest of my life with her and only her.  A year later, a baby later, a whole helluva lot later, we've made it! 

Everyone says the first year is the hardest.  And I won't deny that, but I think it's also the best.  (Even though I think next year will be better, and the year after that, and after that ... )  :)  Stacey and I have gotten closer than anyone I've ever  connected with.  She is my best friend.  She is my rock.  She makes me the man I am.  She makes me a better person.  When I'm weak, she is strong and vise versa.

Stacey also has risen to hold the title "Best Mom In The World".  And it's a crazy title to be given by a Blackwell.  5 years ago I was shaving my head, taking pictures of flowers, and sending my mom all sorts of goofy stuff to tell her how much I appreciated her on Mother's Day.  5 years ago I had a mom.  Today, I have a mother of my child.  The circle of life continues to amaze me.  A life is extinguished and another life is lit.  Without Stacey, without Zoe, my life and heart would have an empty hole that my mother had always filled with love.  Stacey has stepped up, in honor of Marcia, to fill that spot and shower me with unconditional love. 


My late mother and my wife would've been besties, I'm convinced.  They would've been able to sit around a kitchen table, sipping tea and laughing about all the Blackwell boys.  I could go on ... but it's best not to dwell in the past.


Here's to the best wife I have ever had.  :)  I love you Stacey Nicole Blackwell.  You are my best friend. 

Here's to the best mom that I know!  Zoe and I love everything you do for us, and we will always be trying to show you how much we love you. 



Mush!
Peace,
-marc

On YouTube I titled this video as "Sunday Morning Singing" - here, I feel a little more Missouri-ish, so I took off the g's.  "Mornin' Singin'" ... with a twang, is how that should be read.

Lately we've been graced by the musical talents of our to the day 7 month old child.  It doesn't matter if it's Michael Jackson on the big stereo or the blender, Zoe loves to sing along.  Right now she's actually sleeping through High School Musical 1, her first introduction to her Uncle's big screen musical debut.  I think I slept through it the first time I was forced to watch it too ...  ANYWAY - We're getting distracted.  This video basically speaks for itself, and where it doesn't I added text.  So enjoy! 



Happy 7 month Birth Day Zoe Marcia Blackwell!  Mom and Dad love you very much!  :)

Peace,
-marc

2 video posts in as many days?  What's going on?!  Stay tuned ladies and gents - our baby girl is growing up quicker than I can blog.  She's already gotten an iPhone, crawls around the house, and does basic arithmetic.  (Have I used the arithmetic joke here before?  I use it all the time...) ;)

Zoe loves the camera.  I don't know if it's the little red light that turns on when we're recording or if she's truly a "ham"* already and loves to show off for the camera.

So here's a fun little video of Zoe and I playing on the floor one day.  Look how she chases the camera!  :)



Hope you all are enjoying your weekend!

Peace,
-marc

*A ham is defined by Stacey as knowingly goofy.

The gaps between blogs gets longer and longer.  I've seen this before.  I've been here many times.  With so many things in my life.

I get fired up.  I'm excited!  Without setting a goal to do something everyday, because in my 25 years of existence I've already figured out that doesn't work, I silently vow to blog as much as possible.  And it goes great for a couple weeks, maybe even months.  But then a decline becomes apparent.

Why does this happen?  You avid bloggers - how do you do it?  Especially those of you who blog every day.  What inspires you to record life in the form of electronic words and pictures?  What keeps you coming back to post information about your families life to strangers?

Sometimes I don't WANT to tell you what I'm thinking.  Sometimes I don't want to let you know what Zoe is doing.  Sometimes I don't want to show you what we're up to.  I treasure our privacy, and cherish certain moments that just shouldn't be shared with the world.  Sometimes I feel if I blog it will be fake, only to appease those who want constant updated content.  Like I have to make something up like ... uh ... oh I dunno, I did the laundry today.

I will always have this blog.  How often I blog - that's another question.  If you go back through the archives you will see there are spurts of blogging a lot ... and then I'm gone for a couple months.  But I'll always be back.  I'll always allow you a little glimpse into our lives, whether I know you or not. 

Have a good one!
-marc

 As you probably already know, our child hates the camera.  Anytime we take it out, or pull up our iPhone cameras she gets so unhappy and starts to cry.  She will hide her face and crawl the opposite direction.  (Have I mentioned she's kinda crawling?) 

So, even though she's so camera shy, we want to try our shot at modeling!  This is an unofficial official call-out to anyone who is a baby agent or knows a baby agent. 

We used to think that everyone told new parents that their baby was beautiful.  Lately however, like, for the past 4 months, we just think our baby actually is beautiful.  People stop us on the street, literally on the street, to tell us our baby is "sooooo pretty" and "should definitely be a model".  We've caused stroller jams in the middle of the mall of mom's swooning over our baby.  We feel like Zoe is a celebrity!  We used to laugh, smile and say thank you when someone told us our daughter was the most beautiful baby they had ever seen - now we ask "Do YOU know a baby agent?" 

And not to be ... mean, or anything, but we've seen some not so pretty babies.  ;)

So if you or your mom know a baby agent in Los Angeles, send 'em our way.  We only have a few photos of her, but I'm sure we can come up with something.  And maybe one day Zoe will be used to getting her picture taken. 

Peace,
-marc

I haven't blogged in a while, so here's a catch up.  For all the time you've missed reading my blog you can catch up right now.

Here's a 10 minute video randomly shot of Zoe.






Peace,
-marc

Ladies and Gents,
  If you follow me on Twitter, (@marcblackwell) you already know that I've been cast to play Jimmy The Rocketman's older brother in High School Musical 4! His name is Johnny the Rocketman and I played basketball before Troy even got to East High! 

CAN'T WAIT FOR THIS AMAZING EXPERIENCE!!

Peace,
-marc

APRIL FOOLS!  :)  Obviously this was an April fools joke for yesterday.  Wonderful how many people fell for it though.  Made my day!  You all rock.  
Have a good one!
-marc (4.2.10) 

Alright, so this is totally a dad post, but Zoe Marcia had her 6 month check up today.  That's right, tomorrow she turns 6 months!  CRAZY!

She's healthy and advanced the Dr. and nurses told us.  She's a whoppin' 26 inches long and 15 pounds and 8 ounces thick.  Right on track to be a perfectly happy and physically normal child! 

That's all.  :)  Proud dad, signing off.

Peace,
-marc

One more point, and I'm done - and I'll let NPR in the background of this video explain the rest of how I feel ... When Zoe was born and Stacey and I needed to get her on insurance she told me "Marc, we need to work harder to make more money to put both you and Zoe on Health Insurance."  We agreed, worked harder, and we're both on happily insured.  We didn't need no reform ... but some people might.

OK.   Really, I'm done.  But what are your thoughts on the new law Obama signed today?

Peace,
-marc

Not gonna lie, I went to a party tonight.  A St. Patty's Day Party.  Several people told me Stacey should win a "Wife Of The Year" award because she's so cool and let's me go out on a whim. 

But the interesting thing was ... going to a party (the first, probably, since Zoe was born, WITHOUT Stacey) ... and telling people "I have an almost 6 month old child at home ... with my wife!"  It's super cool!  A good friend of mine, Brent G. has 2 sons ... around 9 and 11 and they're cool as all get out.  So is Dad.  He's the guy that inspired me to get my tattoo.  He has a tattoo of each of his boys name on each of his wrists.  Anyway - tonight was the first night I've been to a party and someone asks me: "What do you do?" (a very typical LA question) and I responded: "I'm a dad".  Boy how that took people for surprise.  The next question?  "How old are you?"  I love it.  It's fun.  And it opens up opportunities lost by the generic responses people are used to getting.  They see something real.  Love, a father's love and a husbands love.  I and try to explain it to them ...  I doubt most of them understand.  But they listen... at least more than they used to.

I feel old ... but in a good way.  I want to teach this world to love, such as I do.  And whether it's one party at a time - I'm out to conquer the world and let everyone know they don't have to spend their lives in confusion, anger, and pain - they can love and be loved and it's a beautiful thing! 

I love my family.  More than anything else in the world.  When I came home tonight, I couldn't have been happier.  Kissing my wife in bed and kissing my baby in her crib.  It's wonderful.  Much more powerful than passing out wasted drunk not knowing what happened.   Although that was fun too, in it's day.  But now - the meaning of life has changed, and the meaning of life is love ... and I love it. :)

Peace,
-marc

We live in an apartment complex that has 2 washing machines and 2 dryers.  There are probably 30 units in our building and I would say 75% of everyone here use the sock eaters.

Today was just another day in the life of a stay-at-home-dad, it's laundry day.  I've been doing laundry since 9:00 this morning (it's 1:04).  Every 52 minutes my iPhone alerts me that the laundry is dry and it's time to put another load in. 

But here's my question.  I was on my way to do the 5th and 6th load of laundry and when I got to the room I noticed a bag of clothes ... waiting ... lonely in the room.  I had 2 more loads to do.  2 washing machines... What do you do?

Do you only use 1 of the washing machines and take twice as much time to complete the laundry, giving the other person an opportunity to use 1 machine and maybe also take twice as long.  Or do you throw both of your loads in and continue because the person wasn't there and timely like you are with your iPhone.  Maybe the poor person doesn't have an iPhone ... wouldn't that be sad?  But anyway ... What would you do?

I'll tell you what I did after I see your responses.  :)

Have a good one!
-marc

I hope you all have a good weekend.  This week FLEW by!  We're excited to chill and work a little bit.  I've got 4 photoshoots in the next 3 days so we'll see how much blogging will get done.

We're excited to spend the weekend with mom though!

This picture was taken by our friend Mike Masten.  He's a really good photographer.  Not professionally, but he's got an amazing eye and can produce some cool images when he gets behind the camera.  He's also a pretty decent chef when he puts his mind to it! 

Alright - time to start the weekend!  Y'all have a good one.

Peace,
-marc

I want to think bigger. I want to create something that's never been created before. I want to make millions of dollars.

I want to photograph what I want, when I want, and how I want. I want to think of ideas not inside my head right now. I want to photograph with film, with the best cameras and the best editing software. I want to photograph celebrities. I want to be in demand. I want my photos to be selling for thousands of dollars a piece. I want people to know of Marc Blackwell as a house hold name. I want people begging, crying, and in demand of my photographic skills.

I want to know everyone, photograph everything, and create art unseen by the world today. I want to change the world with my imagery and help people see the world in a different way.

I will think bigger. I will create something that's never been created before. I will make millions of dollars doing what I love.

I will photograph what I want, when I want and how I want. I will think of ideas I haven't before and will photograph with film. I will possess and use, daily, the best cameras and the best editing software of the highest of quality machines. I will be in demand. I will sell my photos for thousands if not millions of dollars a piece. I will be a house hold name. I will have people begging, crying and doing everything possible just to get in front of the lens.

I will know everyone, photograph everything and create art that's never been seen and can't be matched. I will change the world with my imagery and help people see the world different and hopefully more beautifully.

I am thinking bigger. I am creating something that's never been created before. I am making millions of dollars doing what I love.

I am photographing what I want, when I want to and how I want to. I am thinking of ideas I haven't before and will photograph them with all kinds of cameras, film and digital. I am in demand. I am selling my photos for thousands if not millions of dollars. I am a house hold name. I do have people begging, crying and knocking on my door to photograph them.

I do know everyone and am photographing everything. I am creating art that's never been seen before by mankind. I am changing the world with art and helping people appreciate and see beauty like they've never seen it before.

Peace,
-marc

It's just a typical Saturday in the Blackwells. We were sittin' around, wonderin' what to do and our stomachs were growlin'. We decided to take the fam to my favorite place, In-N-Out. While this is nothing exciting to Los Angelians, you out of towners (especially you Grandpa Gregg!) will love this. :)

Being a nerd, of course, I filmed it.



Hope you're enjoying your weekend!

Peace,
-marc

Thank Goodness It's Friday!  Not that it really means anything for me.  I have a shoot tomorrow, but it does mean Stace Face is home and it's her turn to wake up during the night to feed ZoToes!

Here's a fun picture from today and a video from the other day.

Zoe loves passing out in her swing.  The video is a little long, but definitely cute.  I hope I don't get any copyright violations with the song playing on Pandora in the backgound.

Have a great weekend!



Peace,
-marc

Sometimes I find it difficult to blog.  I have a very broad audience, from old college buddies to friends of my late mother. My family reads this as well as my colleagues and peers.  I know complete strangers check this out every once in a while and little young High School Musical fans scour for any photos of my friends.  I have Stacey's friends in Oklahoma and random Facebook people reading whatever I write.  That makes it difficult to come up with subject matters enjoyable for everyone.

I remind myself that I do not write for only YOU.  I write for myself.  To make a situation last forever by putting it in words is like taking a picture.  I get it.  I don't blog to please anyone.  And perhaps this is deeper than just writing blog posts, but I don't always feel like I can be myself and write what is really going on.

For example; when we got our tattoos I was made aware that some people were not happy with that.  "We're parents, we need to be more responsible with our money, do you want Zoe getting tats?" - we heard a lot.

Or when I tweeted that I was enjoying an adult beverage ... I feared a negative response.

Or if I say a bad word ... that one always scares me.  :)

Perhaps it roots to my upbringing that certain things are wrong and should never be done.  I've lost a lot of those ideas that certain things are bad but I still want to be respectful to those who feel that way.  Blogging about day to day goings ons people have can take what they want and make up their own story for your lifestyle.

And I'm learning more and more that people are malicious.  Some people are just plain mean and ugly.  They will talk bad about you no matter what you do.  I've learned to ignore these people, but I know it's still around and having a blog just opens up more opportunities for people to judge and criticize you. 

And after writing this the little voice in my head is stronger and louder saying "Who CARES what they think?!  You're an adult, you have a wife, a child, a career and you can do/blog whatever you want."  Why is that so hard sometimes?

Peace,
-marc

A photographer friend of mine let me borrow what's called a Tilt/Shift lens.  It's a beautiful piece of glass that allows you tilt the lens up and down, left or right and shift the same ways.  It provides unique areas of focus and cool affects to what would be flat photos.  Like the photo above.

I'll only have it for a little while but watch for it to be used a lot.  I'm already in love with it!

There's a lot that I want to get to further my career in photography.  Photography is a great profession because you get to have a lot of toys.  It just takes time to acquire them.  Here's my list:

Grey Cards
Light Meter
4+ New Lights
Canon Speedlight External Flash
Wireless Trans receivers
Canon 7d
Extra Battery Pack
50mm f/1.4 Prime lens
70-200mm Telephoto F/2.8 lens
TSE 24mm Lens
TSE 45mm Lens
TSE 90mm Lens
Wide-angle zoom lens - 16 mm - 35 mm - F/2.8
24-70mm f/2.8L USM AF Lens2 White Umbrellas
1 Large Softbox
2 Small Softboxes
iMac (the best of the best and biggest of the biggest)
4 16 gigabyte memory cards
10 1 Terabyte Firewire External Hardrives
Lightroom 3.0

I think that's about it for now.  :) 

Much love,
-marc