Chris Kwant

Ready for action…

…with super heroes on the scene…

…and paddle slingers showing off their skills…

…the gladiators entered the arena, prepared for some pong, and some ping… Some “ping pong” – better yet – “water pong” action…

And though the action of the ping pong tournament was fierce…

…sportsmanship prevailed on this fine April evening in the Centennial High School gym and cafeteria…

…and more than that, a greater purpose prevailed during this clash of the ping pong playing personalities – helping other people.

Thousands die, all over the world – ever day – because they don’t have clean water to drink. And because of these “gladiators of the pong” coming together to have some fun, and raise some money – a well will be established in Africa that will provide a doctor with clean water for his 200 bed hospital, where there was NONE before. You heard me – no clean, running water in a HOSPITAL. (In the middle of this picture, you can see the doctor’s sister fighting back the tears as they discuss the dire situation of her brother back home…)

If this angers and stirs you as much as it does me, and you’d like to do something – check it out for yourself (http://www.waterforourworld.com/) and see how you can get involved and make a difference. It won’t only change the lives of those you help, but it may just change yours too.

Well, one thing is for certain – I road in style today during my “trip down memory lane”, as evidenced by these cool senior portraits of Louis and his 1967 Ford Mustang in Downtown Glendale. Not only was I happy to capture some pictures of a ”boy and his car” – but to sneak a ride in it too. ”Hey Louis, you’re going to pull this around the corner to a house one block down with a white picket fence…<I pause, sensing my opportunity> You know what, why don’t I just ride with you so I can show you where to go, and we’ll make my lovely assistant (my wife) and your mom walk.”

Yah – I did that.

Why, you might ask? Well, it’s simple – “nostalgia”…

Long story short… When I was about 12-13, my dad and I started working on restoring a 1965 Ford Mustang in our garage. I remember, distinctly, helping to scrape the seven layers of paint off one of the doors that had obviously been replaced with a “junk yard model” after some body damage was done, placing putty – sanding – primer coating…and doing it again until it was perfect. I recall using the “Dremel” cutter for the first time to enlarge the opening in the dash to install the radio, getting down on the ground to look underneath, etc. It took us months, but I remember the tedious labor fondly like it was yesterday. Louis spent some similar quality time with his dad, restoring this car (and another one, to boot) – and it made me look forward to a time when maybe I’ll get the chance to do the same sort of bonding with my son and/or daughter.

Enjoy the car – the “boy” (man =) – and the pictures of both. It was a pleasure hanging out with Louis and Connie today. Louis is every bit as nice as he was the first day he entered my fourth grade classroom all those years ago, and I wish him all the best as he heads off to college and “pre-med” school.

I have known Beth, Bill and Kim now for over ten years. Kim was actually in my choir at Christ Church of the Valley over ten years ago (when she was in the third or fourth grade, I believe) and she is now a senior! Wow! It was awesome spending some time with all three of them this evening to do some senior portraits, and then heading to dinner afterwards. I really enjoy doing portrait shoots in general – but this one was all the more special because it was personal as well as professional.

Best of luck in Iowa, Kim!!! You’re an awesome young lady, and my wife and I are glad to have you in our lives!

It isn’t often that we get snow in Phoenix and when we do, it never really “sticks” or stays on the ground. Therefore, you can imagine our excitement when my wife and I found out that we could drive just an hour and a half “up the hill” (during our Spring Break) to Prescott where there were almost two full feet of snow on the ground! We got even more excited when we found out that our good friends the Starrs were going to be up there with their kids – so we made a day of it!

Special thanks to Mr./Mrs. Starr up in Prescott for opening up your house to a bunch of rowdiness (and the kids weren’t all that tame either It was a great day, and I don’t think our family will ever forget it. Enjoy some pictures, everyone!

Kayla and her dad make a run down the hill. I dig Brian’s manly expression – bravo Brian, bravo…

OK – after going through two hundred pictures, I realized Brian’s wife (Andrea) managed to be in only one. That took some real effort, didn’t it Mrs. Starr?

Josh and Noah were having a blast! They went over and over again… Separately…with each other… etc. The expressions were hilarious!

I think this one speaks for itself =)

Don’t ask me how I know, but I’m thinking this “run” might not turn out well for Gracie…

See what I mean?

Noah – again…

Noah… AGAIN… (hey – he’s my kid, and this is my blog – OK? =)

Noah and me…

Josh…

My wife, and both kids. Note the contrary looks on my two children’s faces…

Notice the snow coming up in Rae’s face… I don’t think she liked that much (as was evidenced by the crying as soon as the shock of the actual ride was over =)

Kayla rode in style…always upright, prim and proper (although, I hear that wasn’t the case the day before with her cousins)

Noah and Josh… AGAIN…

The Starr Kiddos…

My family…

I am BLESSED.

I had an absolute BLAST doing a special three generation shoot today – and to top it off, it was the first portrait shoot I have ever done that was “just for the girls”. No guys allowed!

Unfortunately, there are a lot of “fly away” hairs to contend with an “all girls” shoot (especially with some gusty windy here and there) – but it was well worth it! Here are some preliminary results… I think you will smile as much as I did. =)