KODAK MOMENT of the Day

Cant go to the beach so surf the street.

The moon rises over Assawoman Bay in Delaware as the light of the setting sun fills the twilight sky with color.

When I heard about the #TheFrontStepsProject, I knew it was something I wanted to do, and it felt like it had to be on #film. Film for me is the epitome of an uncurated and often imperfect snap of reality, and it seemed like the only way for me to honestly capture this time in history. It was a special few days before the shelter in place, mostly because social interaction felt so needed, and it was rare to have an excuse to see a friendly face. With that said, it was important to me that everyone involved felt free to express their current state as it was, I didn't want anyone to feel pressured to put on a happy face if they were feeling the weight of the world, and I didn't want people to pretend to be sad and scared if they were enjoying this time with loved ones and weren't in a darker place.

"The #TheFrontStepsProject is incredible. I was thankful to squeeze in some families before the Mandate to stay home started here in #Hawaii. For my project, I did the shoots for free and in exchange, I just asked that they make a donation to the @bgca_clubs of Hawaii. I was excited to make an impact in my local community doing something that I love. Thankful that we were able to reach families and community members that I (alone) would not have been able to help."

https://linktr.ee/kclostetter

“When I heard about this #TheFrontStepsProject, I knew it was something I wanted to do, and it felt like it had to be on #film. Film for me is the epitome of an uncurated and often imperfect snap of reality, and it seemed like the only way for me to honestly capture this time in history. It was a special few days before the shelter in place, mostly because social interaction felt so needed, and it was rare to have an excuse to see a friendly face. With that said, it was important to me that everyone involved felt free to express their current state as it was, I didn't want anyone to feel pressured to put on a happy face if they were feeling the weight of the world, and I didn't want people to pretend to be sad and scared if they were enjoying this time with loved ones and weren't in a darker place.” 

"The #TheFrontStepsProject is incredible. I was thankful to squeeze in some families before the Mandate to stay home started here in #Hawaii. For my project, I did the shoots for free and in exchange, I just asked that they make a donation to the @bgca_clubs of Hawaii. I was excited to make an impact in my local community doing something that I love. Thankful that we were able to reach families and community members that I (alone) would not have been able to help."

It was important to me that everyone felt free to express themselves!

"The #TheFrontStepsProject is incredible. I was thankful to squeeze in some families before the Mandate to stay home started here in #Hawaii. For my project, I did the shoots for free and in exchange, I just asked that they make a donation to the @bgca_clubs of Hawaii. I was excited to make an impact in my local community doing something that I love. Thankful that we were able to reach families and community members that I (alone) would not have been able to help."

Capturing this time in history, one family at a time.

Taken in Frederikssund, Denmark.

4 generations come together which includes my mom and grandmother. 

I just love the silhouette of the dogs and their walkers.

I took this image at my happy place in Dwight, Ontario. My wife's family has a place up on the lake at we do not do up there often enough. This is from out 2008 trip.

Marley at 9 weeks playing in the backyard.

The art of being happy lies in the power of extracting happiness from common things. 
~Henry Ward Beecher

Me, my wife and son went mountain hiking in Iceland

A memorable morning on the sands at the Point of Ayr in North Wales

As the hot evenings of summer drew closer to fall, I couldn't help but relish those lazy warm evenings.

Coronavirus time

This picture was taken in Guangzhou, China, one week after my wife and I adopted our daughter Samantha Mae through the "Wide Horizons for Children" adoption agency. Adoption is an amazing thing...one second you're "childless" and the next you're given complete responsibility for another life...for the rest of your life. To me, this picture shows the power of unconditional love.

A photo to bring a smile to your face!

What feels like the end, is often the beginning. Class of 2020 I’ll have an ending to remember. 

This picture is special because it was my youngest son's wedding.

Every summer we go to a small island in the Wadden Sea. It's like one big empty beach and it is very beautiful and quiet.

Sunrise over the Atlantic Ocean and the beaches of Hunting Island, South Carolina.

It takes me to the stress-free wonderment of summer!

This was a real moment before my daughter’s wedding captured by our awesome photographer. Looking at this photo I can still feel how I felt at that moment. Even after marriage a mother’s love never ends. ❤️

It portrays the love and trust between the two. At the horse barn during riding lessons. This picture warms the heart of anyone that sees it. True display of love and trust between horse and rider.

Graduation Memories

I took this shot in Bar Harbor, Maine.

My brother Ariel is graduating from the University of California at San Diego with a Bachelor of Sciences degree in Mechanical Engineering! He aspires to be a design engineer in the automotive or aerospace industry. He loves his classic Mazda RX-7, good food, making music and hopes to travel the world one day. 

I am beyond blessed to have had the opportunity to graduate from the illustrious ranks of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. God only knows the hardships I have faced throughout the process, but he gave me the perseverance to make it through. Being a transfer student to a school where I didn’t know anyone forced me to step out of my comfort zone and I’m forever grateful. I joined organizations, studied abroad, interned and created amazing bonds that I will cherish for a life time. UNC Charlotte has shaped me into the person that I am today and I will forever hold that in my heart. I want to thank my friends and family for the support along the way. Although my path may not be set in stone yet, it’s definitely set in motion and I’m ready for the journey. ???

Looking back on it now I never thought I would make it to this point. From working 2nd & 3rd shift 40+ hours a week and barely any sleep during the day, to fighting my depression and anxiety. I look back on all the obstacles I have overcome and couldn’t be prouder of myself and the man that I have become, because if you asked me a year ago I would’ve told you I wouldn’t have made it. I look at my future with optimism and faith that God will see me through anything just as he did with this exact moment. I have no clue where life will take me, but I will continuously chase my dreams with all I have in me. Wherever the world is about to take me, I’m ready.

Heres to champagne pops to celebrate graduation. Taelor is graduating from Oregon State University with two degrees, in Business Management and Agriculture Food & Business Management.   

He chose The University at Buffalo for the academic rigor and the ability to graduate with a dual major in aerospace and mechanical engineering. He also walked on to the football team and spent 5 years on the team, with his class being the first in school history to win a bowl championship. And he was able to get a job in his major during a pandemic. Oh, and he is a childhood cancer survivor (diagnosed with leukemia at the age of 4). To say His parents are proud of him and all of his accomplishments is an understatement! Way to go Austin, UBSEAS Class of 2020!

This is Dr. Megan Castner. She received her Doctorate In Audiology from The University At Buffalo on May 15, 2020. This graduation day looked much different than expected. Although she wasn’t able to cross the stage and celebrate with her classmates. It was just as exciting! She walked across our deck with her 8 sided tam in the pouring rain and was greeted with a parade of honking cars. What a joyous day it was!

Proud of my Senior! c/o 2020

Daemon Betts, graduate of JLA in San Antonio, Tx. Finished his senior year early, back in January, just in time to celebrate his 18th birthday! 

Remembering

Our daughter Natalie just graduated from the university at Buffalo with her BS in chemical engineering.  At UB, she was also captain of the dance team and executive officer of the thunder of the East marching band. She will be starting her job this Fall with General Motors in Rochester. 

My daughter Maycie had been chasing frogs all afternoon on Memorial Day. She finally caught one at the end of the day and it was the brightest one around. This was taken at her grand dad's house, back by his pond.

Zachary is a senior at Churchville Chili High school. He plans to study computer science at SUNY Alfred in the fall.  In 2019 he was selected for the AAU National Karate Team to travel to Slovakia to represent the USA in the WUKF World Championships. He proudly brought home a gold medal in kata!  

My dog, Bella, does not like taking a shower. But she took it and felt she was clean!

It captures the British countryside during Summer

I am a graduate in the Class of 2020 from The University of Alabama. The years a person spends in college is some of the best and toughest times in a person's life but the tough moments teach the greatest lessons. To reach the milestone of graduation is a major accomplishment no matter how a person gets there and that is the magic of graduation. 

As with any pic of my kids, this is special because of that. I took this in the local elementary school playground. My daughter loves hopscotch and the little drizzle of rain made it more appealing to her. Just made for a cool feel of a picture.

This picture was inspired from a local singer, Diandra Arjunaidi and every time I look at it, it reminds me of her song.

Every time I look at this photo of my husband and our first grandchild, I am reminded of how sometimes the best photos are pure luck. I could not have predicted that at the very moment the shutter clicked she would give me such a look of contentment and happiness at being in the loving arms of her "papa." Just like in life, in photography, sometimes the best moments are unplanned.

Taken one fine day in May at dawn. It shows the lighthouse at Penmon Head and Puffin Island -- just off the Island of Anglesey in North Wales.

This cat has provided a discrete amount of fun to me and my girlfriend during our winter holiday in Marrakech. Thinking to get a bit away from the rush of the Medina, we found refuge in this old park, found this cat - who started posing for us but would not let us cuddle him. Or better..me! It reminds me of a wonderful day spent in Morocco.

In the peak of summer, when the scorching heat of the sun wilts trees and man equally, there stood a flower seller, his hands filled with colorful fresh flowers and his lips stretched in a wide smile. He was such a cheerful sight to see that one could not help but stop to take a second look at him.

My son played "tag" with the waves while on vacation in South Beach, Miami this past year. He was disappointed he couldn't swim as the waves were too large, but that didn't stop him from having a great time!

At the beach with my friend, taking pictures during sunset

Mya's photo shooooot!

Sliding away our cares in this beautiful fall weather, if you're from Texas you know what we mean!

#TBT

This photo is special because my student is learning to shoot film. While I was jumping rope, she shot this well-timed shot. I love it! She is very happy with her capture.

This is a view looking west of the West Pond and Lower Manhattan as seen from the south side of the West Pond Trail at Jamaica Bay National Wildlife Refuge
 

A sailboat makes it way past St. John in the USVI as the sun sets. 

Just having fun over the summer. My son is my pride & joy. 

While vacationing in Newport, RI I was amazed to have myself the setting sun a passing sail boat capture the perfect days ending!

My son-in-law, grandson and a friend at the shore. It was at that 'golden' time............sunset.

Hi! My name is Brooke Clemmons and I am a kindergarten teacher in Panama City Beach, Florida. I snapped this picture after decorating my car for our school parade!  It had been months since seeing my students due to the coronavirus and I thought decorating my car with lots of bright balloons would bring a BIG smile to their faces! It was such a great time and exactly what my teacher heart needed! Thank you for reaching out!

Sincerely,

Brooke Clemmons

Trying to watch TV with my six month daughter