Tribute to Kevin Fick - Incredible Father, an Amazing Friend to All, Always involved...

Over the past few years, I have had the privilege of working with Kevin Fick and his family on multiple occasions, and each time was uniquely memorable. On top of being a great client, Kevin was also my older cousin. So I wanted to take a second and write a tribute to him, as well as share some of the photos that we were able to create together.

An Incredible Father...

First and Foremost, Kevin was a family man. Anyone that knew him knew that he was crazy about his 3 girls, and that he would do anything for them. In fact, when I have asked people to describe what kind of person they knew Kevin to be, they always responded with the same thing, "He was just such an incredible father to his daughters."

This was apparent to anyone who saw him at the end of the day at Eastern, walking down the hall with his "sidekick" Katie-Bug

Aside from his immediate family, Kevin was always very close with his parents and extended family as well. He has always been one to participate in all of our family functions, and was ready to help out if there was a need. (Those of you who knew him know that he was always ready to help others) Several years ago, he moved to a house right up the street from his parents, and he and his dad built his beautiful log cabin together.

An Amazing Friend to All...

Personally, I remember Kevin as the member of the family that always jumped at the opportunity to help out someone in need. I know that this is a random example, but a few years ago, I had a family member pass away unexpectedly and I did not have a way to get me and my 4 younger cousins to the funeral the next day. I sent out an email to the family and within minutes I heard back from him volunteering for me to use his van. I always really appreciated that. 

Do you have any stories like that about Kevin? Post them in the comments below and I will make sure that his family see's them.

Always involved...

Lastly, those of you who knew Kevin know that he was a man that was always involved in the community. One thing that many people do not know is that he was 4-H leader, and really enjoyed working with his club. He also genuinely loved his Job at Eastern High School, and would often be known to stick his head into classrooms just to see if there was anything that he could do to help out. He was also very present at all of the after school functions, and always had that camera of his in hand.

Do you have a message that you would like the share with Kevin's family and friends? Post it in the comments section below and I will be sure that it gets to them.

Service Information

If you would like to come and pay your respects and visit with the family, the Calling hours will be 12-2 this Saturday at Bethel Worship Center in Tuppers Plains. (The Big Church with the Blue Roof on top of Eastern Hill) The Service is open to all and will immediately follow the calling hours at 2:00 PM.

There will be no graveside service, but Sonja would like for everyone to join the family after the service to have food and fellowship in celebration of Kevin's life.

For directions to the church, please visit www.bethelwc.org

Also, Sonja is requesting that rather than sending flowers that you make a donation to the Eastern High School Athletic Boosters in Kevin's Name instead. You may send them to the following address:

 Eastern High School Athletic Boosters

38850 St. Rt. 7

 Reedsville, OH 45772.

Pass it On...

If you knew Kevin, please pass this story on by clicking the little blue "Share" button at the top of this post to share it on your Facebook profile with your friends. Please join us in celebrating Kevin's life by passing his story on.

God Bless,

B

www.BrandonBartee.com

(888) 914 9965 

(Call me if you have any questions)

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Justhost50off a video by twelve11photo on Flickr.

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brandon@1211photo.com

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Engagement Photography in Athens, Ohio with Amanda Nolan

Photo Shoot Specs:

Session Type: Engagement

Location: Court Street, Athens, Ohio (Rooftop of Broney's)

Date: Monday, June 6th

Time: 7:00-9:00 pm

Crew Size: 2

This past Monday Evening, I had the honor to work with this couple at an incredibly unique photo shoot. Amanda hired us back in the spring to photograph her wedding in October, and I have been looking forward to this shoot ever since!

We met in Athens, Ohio, and headed to the rooftop of Broney's Bar and Grill on Court Street! What an amazing shoot! Here are some photos: 

That is all for today! Just got in from a long drive to DC. 

In other news... New Website (and Blog) launch in 5 days!

Only the Best,

Brandon Bartee

www.1211photo.com

P.S. - If you like these photos, or if you know Amanda and Alex, then click the little blue "Share" button at the top of this post!

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Celebrating a Victory with an American Hero | Aaron Brooks Photoshoot

Today I got a great honor.

This is Aaron. 

Aaron is a Veteran of the Iraq War.

... a true American Hero.

Aaron has been a friend of mine for a while now, so I jumped at the chance to work with him! I was even more excited when I found out why....

While in Iraq, Aaron lost a fellow soldier and good friend in combat.

He was devastated.

As a result of the pain, he found himself addicted to Heroin shortly after returning home.

...but now things have changed. 

Aaron made the decision earlier this spring that he would not be defeated by drugs. He decided that he was going to have victory no matter what.

He was tired of letting substances control him.

As of today, he has officially been sober for 3 months.

Aaron hired me to create some portraits for him to commemorate this day, and I could not be more honored.

(We went to buffalo wild wings to celebrate after the shoot)

:)

If you or someone that you love is struggling, let Aaron's story give you hope.

There is hidden strength to fight inside of all of us.

Together - we can overcome anything.

If you know Aaron, or if you were inspired by his story, then click the little blue "Share" icon at the top of this post to share it on Facebook. Join me in congratulating him on this great victory!

If you would like to congratulate Aaron personally, leave it as a comment on this blog and I will give it to him myself.

Join Me in Honoring Him Today.

God Bless America.

~Brandon

www.BrandonBartee.com

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The Best Girlfriend Ever | The Coolest Thing Ever | See My New Haircut

So it is May 22nd - and we are still here. So either we missed it... or the whole thing was a (another) hoax...

Anyway - on to cooler things to talk about.

So... In case you did not know. My girlfriend is an artist.

AND... she is the best girlfriend in the world. 

(Like seriously - Stop looking - because I already found the best one)

Anyway - we have been talking about what true portraiture is, and we came up with this definition:

Portrait: An image that represents the sum total of who a person really is.

So... she stole a photo that I had taken of myself that day, and thought about all of the things that make me, me (I am sure that I said that wrong), and after about 5 hours in photoshop... she came up with this:

A Portrait of Me (All of me)

If you look closely - you will see:

Me - Pretty Awesome Right?

Georgetown - My favorite neighborhood in DC, and the namesake of my new wedding company

My Brand - If you look closely at my left eye - you will see my logo

My QR Code - If you don't know what that is - grab your iPhone - download "QR Reader" and scan this image:

My Life Verse: Revelation 12:11 (Hence the name 1211photo)

My First Camera - If you look at the upper left corner - you will see a camera lens beloning to my first ever camera, the Pentax k1000 (Circa 1983)

Sean - The person in this world that inspires me the most.

Rana - Of course she included a photo of her self - she is in the middle of my lens :)

And about 20 other things.

Anyway...

A 16x20 Canvas Print of this is on its way to my house right now as we speak.

Why do I mention all of this?

To prove to you just how awesome my girl really is...

(did I mention that she just graduated from college last week?)

... and to let you know that if you are interested... I am pretty sure that you can commission her to create one for you...

(Seriously though, wouldn't it be ridiculously cool to have a canvas in your house that represents your family 100%, and that would remind you of some of your most precious memories together every time that you walk by it???? And that will last for generations to come? And that people will OOOOHH and AWWWEEE over when they come to you house???)  -I think that is all...

So yeah - here is her contact info: Rana@Ranamarie.com

On a different note...

I cut my hair off today. I think I like it - but I would love to know what you think :)

so tell me.

That is all.

~Brandon Bartee

PS - I am not just trying to sell to you - I really do love my composite piece from Rana - and I think that you will too. I honestly could not be more thrilled.

PPS - If you liked this post, like Rana's Work,  or think that one of your friends would be interested in commissioning one of these, please hit the little blue "Share" button at the top of the screen.

PPPS - How many of these can I put on here before it is tacky?

PPPPS - Check back tomorrow for some more photos from my "Do you ever get tired of Just Pretty" shoot with Susan McGowan.

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End of the World May 21st | Harold Camping Prediction | Macho Man Randy Savage

This is Harold Camping

(Photo taken from http://www.jesus-is-savior.com)

So - it is 9:51 pm (at least when I started typing this) on Friday, May 20th, 2011.

7 days after my 23rd birthday.

1 day after my moms ?? birthday.

1 day before the end of time?

Now before I start - Yes I do realize that this has just about nothing to do with photography - but in case you have not noticed, I blog a lot about what is on my mind.

So anyway - if you have not heard - Harold Camping has been all over the news lately about his prediction of the end of time being some time tomorrow.

Do I think it is true? Maybe.

But probably not. 

But that is not the point of this post either.

My point is that whether or not tomorrow is the end of time for everyone on earth, it might be the end of time for you - or for me. I know that is a morbid thing to say - but it is true. We are not guaranteed our next breath.

So live your life TODAY is if it were your last ever.

Remind your family exactly how much you love them.

Right a wrong.

Get right with God.

Help someone without reason.

Do something that you have always wanted to do, but never have.

Start that website you dream about.

Make today that "someday" that you are always talking about.

(Image borrowed from http://www.wrestlingvalley.org/wwe/macho-man-randy-savage/)

In case you don't know - the crazy guy with the obnoxious belt is Macho Man Randy Savage! (Wrestler)

He died in a car accident in Tampa, Florida earlier today.

When he woke up this morning - he had no idea that today would be his last on earth.

When is your last? 

It could be today. Could be tomorrow. Could be 80 years from now.

But we don't know.

So live every day like it is your last...

I leave you with this.

See you Sunday!

~Brandon Bartee

www.BrandonBartee.com

If you liked this post, please click the little "Share" button at the top of the page! 

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Do you ever get tired of "Just Pretty"? | Edgy Portrait Photography

Do you ever get tired of pretty?

I mean don't get me wrong... this girl is stunning...

Very Stunning.

This is Susan - and she is looking into pursuing a career in modeling in the near future.

When she booked me for this shoot, I was very excited because she has a very strong and dynamic look to her. Her past photo-shoots have been very "Cute" and almost "Elegant."

I had the idea to show the world a different side of Susan.

The Edgy side of Susan.

The dark side. :)

I think we pulled it off.

What do you think?

Do you want to show the world your edgy side?

Contact me for booking information.

~Brandon

www.BrandonBartee.com

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(Seriously - I want to get to know you)