Over the last few years, taking pictures has increasingly become my second career. The support of my first has allowed me to create an economic environment wherein I’m free to be choosy about what I shoot. I have the luxury of a day job. To take advantage of this situation, I’m trying, at least in a few fundamental ways - my artistic morals, I suppose - to keep my photography true, absent of outward pressures.

This past week, my wife and I saw Seal in concert, thanks to a friend I’ve known since my college radio days (ed: omg - I sound so old.). We are taking some pictures for his engagement soon and since I wouldn’t take his money for the session, he offered two tickets for the show. We had ourselves an old-fashioned double-date.

In my short-list of artists, those whose releases I would buy sight-unseen, no questions asked, Seal is a card-carrying member. In watching this show and from my understanding of his career from the early 90’s Crazy until now, I get the impression that Seal is an artist who continues to present a true message.

I’m still on the lookout for a message, I’m not sure I know where this new gig is taking me yet. But when I listen I to music like Seal’s, I know that it’s possible to make it happen on your own terms and in your own words. That’s the kind of success I want in my life.

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While I’m not big on the manufactured holidays, I am pretty cool with moms. When you eventually refer to your wife as “your mother” while talking to your kids, Mother’s Day becomes about her too. If you’ve got any kind of normal (er, suburban american) life, your kid’s mom is pretty busy and probably doesn’t get as much attention as she deserves. Sometimes I get reminded about how important this mom is to me and how I could be doing a better job of letting her know that - and sometimes I get reminded very directly and painfully. Go listen to Ray LaMontagne’s “Can I Stay”.

Seriously.

Go.

Here (Though you really need the whole song).

I’ll have tissues ready when you get back.

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