Ignite Philly is part of a worldwide network that entertains and enlightens people in 5-minute bursts, and they're striving to highlight great ideas coming to life in Philadelphia. A dozen or so presenters get 20 slides at 15 seconds each to leave the crowd with a new idea. There's a $5.00 cover charge for the event, it's always sold out, and they give away all the money (to one of the presenters from the previous event). Oh, and everybody drinks beer. I'm a big fan (of beer, sure, but especially the phenomenon). Be on the lookout for upcoming events, but in the meantime, here are a handful of photos I shot at the last Ignite and a link to more info (and more photos). http://www.ignitephilly.org/

This is a shot of Ed Bacon, urban planner, "Father of Modern Philadelphia" ( also father of Kevin and the other Bacon Brother and sisters) from my first ever photo assignment, I think it was for the South Philly Review? Ed really liked this one.

I put together this gift certificate for a client who booked a photo session with her expectant friend's future baby.
While the booties, blankets and plastic toys were appreciated, this gift allegedly had her "absolutely flipped-out with excitement."

 Cornered the gracious and legendary Schoolly D in the Green Room at Johnny Brenda's recently.

I do a lot of shooting for colleges and independent schools.
Here's some recent art and science related stuff, which tends to have more visual interest than reading, writing, and arithmetic...I mean computers.

Another kid portrait, just in time for some holiday.
I like shooting kids, unless they've been trained by their parents to pose.
They never explain that another photographer once told them which was their good side.
They tell you they're hungry instead of just being inexplicably cranky.
They're not overly concerned with their crow's feet, puffy eyes, winter weight, or a bad hair day.
OK, they can be a little squirmy, but I can relate to that.

Shot this yesterday. A friend of his Mom's asked me to divulge the "standing trick", and so I'll share it with you.
I explained that it's a matter of simple persuasion. I convinced Charlie that there was no logical reason to continue pretending that he didn't have the ability to stand, and that he'd be likely to attract a more mature girlfriend if he'd put on a tie, develop a nonchalant stance, and flaunt his awesome toes. That kid owes me big time.

Tomatillos: Exquisite and delicious, they're like the Lady Gaga of produce, only more rustic, OK maybe the Ellie May Clampett of green groceries, but rougher around the edges, so let's call 'em the Bea Arthur of fruits mistaken for vegetables? Hey, how 'bout a little help over here? In any case, they photograph well.

A post-Halloween reminder: Next year, if you intend to gorge on the stash as you dash madly from porch to porch in an overheated froth of chocolate frenzy, consider carrying a spare plunder bucket, one for candy and one for... well, you get the idea.