Monthly Archives: March 2017

When I first started to travel to Ireland, the country wasn’t known for their excellent cuisine. My initial eating experiences there was… “boil it till it’s gray and add some potatoes.” Wow, have things changed in the Emerald Isles! @firehousebread was one of my most enjoyable eating experiences ever in Ireland. If you’re ever in Wicklow I highly recommend stopping in for some of the best breads in the entire world!

I was told this places called the 40 foot was one of the most popular swimming places in Ireland. Really? The seas were angry that day my friend. Very, very angry!

As we emerged from the dense pine woods overhead, I had to capture the beauty of this electric green moss setting.

Gray skies, blue church.

Gray skies, blue church.

Getting my inner Ragnar Lothrok on as I view the snow scatters hills where they film the TV show the Vikings. Truly majestic scenery.

His name is Tony Drummond and he is the harbor master in Bullock harbor. He has worked in the same small harbor on the front lines of the Irish Sea for over 50 years. He was a truly memorable character and it was a joy to be in his presence.
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I loved him the moment I heard him say… “I don’t need a fookin scientist da tell me dares global warming. I see da fookin changes every day. Every day.”

A Lannister always pays their debts and Kuster always gets his shot.
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Although I had to go back to the castle a second time and hold a very awkward position for a very, very, very long time for no one to be in the frame and the light to be right but…. I got the shot I wanted.
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Let the photo Games begin again today.
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#MysteryTrain# #jjinstarail
#jjindublin #irishrail #stpatricksfest

Malahide beach or walking on the moon?
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#stpatricksjjinstarail #jjindublin #jjinstarail #malahide #MysteryTrain2

His name was Patrick. He was kind. He could tell a great story. He was full of cheer. In a sentence—he was perfectly Irish.
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#MysteryTrain2
#stpatricksjjinstarail #jjindublin #jjinstarail #malahide

Conformity is for cowards. Galway Instameet. #irishrail #jjindublin #stpatricksjjinstarail #selecthotelsofireland

Sometime words are not necessary or adequate. Galway Cathedral. #stpatrickjjinstarail #jjindublin #jjindublin #mysterytrain1

PG-13 post so cover your kids eyes or feel free to scroll past this post if you have a delicate disposition.
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So….rolled out of O’Neils bar and saw a huge line of people people waiting to ahhhh…. how do I say this…caress/grab this female statues boob. “What the heck is happening here” I though to myself? Everyone, females, males, old and young we’re all waiting their turn.
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Little did I know that this was the famous Molly Malone statue of Dublin. When I asked a few local folks about this women/statue, I was informed she was a some what famous lady of the night. Plus, kept some famous customers in Dublin. Today she/ the statue is affectionally known as “the the tart with a cart.”
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The funniest thing is that the statue was initially in a different location in Dublin and was moved in front of St. Andrews church to stop the occasional breast exam that Molly was encountering on a daylily base. Regrettably her new location increase the activity.
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What happens in Dublin says in Dublin. However, perhaps it’s time for confession. If anyone else has different version of Mollys story I would love to hear it.
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#stpatricksfest #jjinstarail
#jjindublin #irishrail #selecthotelsofireland @stpatricksfestival

@stpatricksfestival was amazing. Now off to the bars for a pint at #ONeilsBar Please don’t hold any of my next posts against me if they are totally incoherent.

Although he might not always be happy about it….I always like to get a good portrait of @joshjohnson whenever we travel together. What do you think of my @stpatricksfestival portrait of him? #jjindublin #stpatrickjjinstarail #jjinstarail

Social media matters and it is changing the world for the better.
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Most TV news shows would tell you that social media is destroying the world and disconnecting all of us. Although I’m sure that is true in some cases, my experience has been quite the opposite. Social media has allowed me to meet, connect and develop friendships unlike any other aspect of my adult life.
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As I took @joshjohnson out for his first pint of @Guinness and fish and chips at #LeoBurdocks, I couldn’t help and reflect how this funny little app called @instagram allowed me to connect with Josh, make tons of new friendships, help create an amazing @jjcommunity develop a business and travel the world. Crazy thing is that Josh and I worked together for well over a year before we even met in person. We finally met in person at a photo conference in Brazil similar to the one we are launching in Dublin this week.
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As Josh typed on his phone traditional Irish music played in the background. Pints clinked, friends laughed and not one person in the bar knew that Josh was posing and communicating with over 600,000 people across the globe.
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To me social media is like the modern day pen pal. It is so powerful. I’ve seen people be more comfortable sharing their feelings on social media then to their family and friends. This willingness to be really authentic with others allows people to connect in a very deep and meaningful way. These friendships and connections can not and should not be trivialized.
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The next time you see someone tapping away on their phone in a coffee shop, on a bus, or in bar, remember— that person could be having one of the most intimate, thoughtful, and meaningful communications of their entire week. #BarCornerConversations
#irishbarmoments #jjindublin

There something so calming about seeing a shamrock on your planes engines every time you open window shade!

They say the moment you step on an @aerlingus plane you are stepping on Ireland. Reminded me of this portrait I shot of my friend and business partner @joshjohnson Can’t wait to see him in Dublin for our four days of events…. two huge mystery train Instameets with Irish Rail on Saturday and Sunday. A big photo workshop on Monday and Instagram for business confernece on Tuesday. Next stop @selectireland of Dublin to celebrate @saintparickdayfesrival in style. Wheels up and here we go @jjindublin

Some day I am going to print a photo book of all the dashboards I have photographed over my lifetime. #DashboardDecorations. What people put on their dashboards and the combinations of those items alway intrigues and fascinates me. #ThoughtsFromTheShotGunSeat

“There are two ways to spread light: From a candle, or the mirror reflecting it.” —Edith Wharton

Greeted by the heavens above.

This is the Filipino selfie I was capturing with several of my little buddies (including my best buddy Gilbert) when @butterfly109 snapped a photo of the young girl just below and out of my frame. So fun to see how the same moment can be captured so radically different. Miss the joy all of the children bring me when on my trips.

Right now. Florida really looks good.

Monkey see, monkey do.

Kerosene severally burns or kills more women and children every year than are diagnosed with HIV and TB combined. —World Bank.
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My sincere thanks to the entire @wattsoflove team of 18 people that traveled to the Philippines last month and helped us continue our fight to eradicate this incredibly dangerous, toxic and expensive lighting source.

Great photography encourages the viewer to want more and invest their most valuable commodity— time.
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My thanks to all of you have encouraged me, left a comment or said something to me in person about my work. I do sincerely appreciate the time you have given me over the years to read my posts and view my images.
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Although most will never travel to the place I have gone, I am always aware that IF I capture something authentic and IF I get a post right, the story of the people I am photographing can and will make a difference in a world that has left most of them largely without a voice.

Every smoker has a story in their eyes.

Interior design by Spirograph. If you know what Spirograph is, did you also have a Light-Bright?