Zoe Got Her Ear's Pierced!

It was an eventful weekend ...

Miss Zoe got her ears pierced!

She had been asking for several weeks, and we kept bringing it up, without any pressure of course. She would say no, get scared, and back down but this weekend she finally worked up the nerve to get it done.

Here's a cute little video of the happenings.

p.s. if you YouTube "Zoe Gets her Ears Pierced" there are like a thousand videos like this! Cra-cra. Who knew I was so unoriginal...

-marc

The Burger King Commercial

Did you know Indie and I are famous? That's right - little celebs right here in your midst and you didn't even know!

Last summer Zoe had an audition for a commercial. The 3 of us went and Zoe nailed it. She was so cute during the audition, answering all the questions asked, giggling, and stealing the show. She got a call back.

At the call back, she froze up. "What's your name?" Nada. "How old are you?" Nada. The directors and people were confused - where was the first audition Zoe? But no worries, she was two, I wasn't too concerned. We thanked everyone and started to leave.

Before we could make it to our car however, a producer ran out and ask if Indie was available to work. I said she was, and they wanted her to audition. Granted, this is an audition where I was playing her father so it came naturally to both of us. Indie KILLED it during her audition and she got the part.

A few months later, a couple fittings here and there, and Indie and I have our own trailer on a multi-million dollar national commercial. :) It was a really fun day, exciting to be on the other side of the camera for a change, and we're still seeing residual checks for it. Indie's got her own little can't touch til she's 18 bank account and we're still beaming from ear to ear over the experience.

Can you find us in the video? You gotta look close!

Cheers,
-marc

Mom's 60th Birthday

Today was my mother's birthday.  She would've turned 60 years old today.  Wow...  That's crazy.  :)

My mom passed away on August 25th, 2005, almost 6 years ago, from Ovarian Cancer.  She was a wonderful wife, a perfect mother, and a beautiful woman.  She raised me and my two brothers to be strong, caring and loving gentlemen.

There isn't a day go by that I do not think of my mom.  Little Zoe Marcia is a constant reminder of how my mother raised me, and I strive to be just as good a parent as she was to my brothers and I.  I often think, as I'm changing yet another diaper, or down on my hands and knees cleaning up another lunch, or when I'm doing other mundane parental tasks, that my mother did this for 3 children!  If she could do it - so can I.

Death is a part of life.  And it's funny to be reminded of someone's death ... on their birthday.  I've said it before and I'll say it again (with tears in my eyes), "With time, it doesn't get any easier, but you do cry a little less".

A crazy connection, Stacey's mother, who is also a beautiful, strong and caring woman, turns 55 today!  Our mom's had the same birthday!!  Weird, huh?

Enjoy those around you.  Especially your parents.  Tell them you love them today, because you never know when they'll just randomly be gone.

Peace,
-marc

Hiiiii....Byyyyyee....Hiiiiiii.....Byyyyeeee

Zoe's favorite words right are ... "Hi" & "Bye".  It's a fun process going out in public, because she will say Hi and Bye to EVERY SINGLE PERSON we see!  Homeless ppes, Armenians, whites, males, transvestites, young and old ... no one is safe from the greetings and salutations of our little girl.  

Quarter Life Crisis

Doesn't every 26 y/o who has a blog at some point create new post with the title "Quarter Life Crisis"?  While I can't afford to go out and buy a new ferrari (cuz we had to purchase a new fridge ... that took all my car money away!) I can tell the world what the hell is going on inside my crazy brain.

I want it all.  I want to do it all, rather.  And I want it all too.  I want to shoot music videos.  I want to create an album ... yeah, like a music album!  I want to be a professional painter.  I want to move to Australia.  I want to own the Canon 5D Mark II with dozens of lenses of my choice (that will happen one day soon).  I want an iMac, a new external and internal hard-drive.  How can a person focus?  How can an ARTIST focus?

I've heard "pick one!", but why?  Why do I have to be just a headshot photographer?  How boring is that?  I wanna shoot weddings, and newborns, and sexy models too!  I want to paint - and I want to show those paintings to the world!  One day I dream of my artwork being showcased in the Getty Museum just down the road...that's not bad, right?  Or is it bad for business?  Am I confusing my market?  Who IS my market?

I mean, we're good.  Zoe's full, and content, with a crib she's happily sleeping in under a roof.  We have a fridge with food in it, and I'm typing on a pretty sick computer.  We've got a nice car that gets us to Target where we can always buy more toilet paper ... so why do I worry?  Honestly, my wife brings in most of the money for the time being, but honestly, I bring in a significant amount too.  So ... so what?

Ha... I don't even know what I'm getting at.  I just finished a book about Zen and just being.  And I am ... just being.  I do what I want, when I want.  I even live streamed a painting the other day.  Does that mean that I'm going to put down my camera and only paint for financial gain?  No.  Even though I've thought about it.

I've cut out several vices in my life that have plagued my creativity and productivity and I think that's where all this extra energy and ideas are coming from.

I don't care if I tweet too much, or if I Facebook too much.  Even though, sometimes I wonder if I do.  But I can't worry about if I'm doing something wrong all the time - that's a waste of time!  I opened up a tumblr account the other day.  Why?  I dunno - I wanted a place to post my iPhone pics ... even though I'm a part of The Best Camera project and Twitpic.  I'm not even confused! ... I'm just presented with so many awesome options that I want them all!

And like I said, I'm only 26.  Thankfully.  I've got A LOT to do and hopefully (knock on wood) I've got a lot of time to do it.

I'm going to start calling myself a visual artist.  I photograph.  I paint.  I draw.  I make websites and flash designs.

What now?

Peace,
-marc

Zoe Turns 1, Dad Turns Old!

I know, I know.  I've been leaving you hanging.  Every single day you've been getting online to see something, a picture, a video, a simple sentence about Zoe's birthday - and I've been leaving you hanging.  I know, I feel the pressure.  So let me make it up to you by posting a cute video of us on the carousel.

Let me explain that Stacey did not hold back for this party.  It was Zoe's FIRST birthday party ever!  We had every excuse to make it as fun and elaborate as we wanted.  It was like our wedding all over again.  Weekends were filled with shopping ... which we won't get into - but I'll just say that it turned out BEAUTIFUL and everyone had a great time.  We had our awesome photographer, Emily Photo, photograph the day so I won't even bother you with the very few iPhone pics I took.  I will share the link as soon as we get it.  DON'T WORRY, OK!  I WILL SHARE THE PICS!  ;)

Um ... what else is new ... Zoe had her first year check up today, and all is well.  She's advanced, thanks to me.  ;)  JK LOL.  ;) 

Also, big congrats to the Winn family for their successful entrance to the cutest little boy I've seen since Jaxon, Elijah Michael Winn!  He's sooooooo cute.  Can't wait to meetchya little guy!

Alright - the laundry is folded, I gotta go pick Stacey up from work.  Anyone wanna donate a car?

Much love!

-marc

The Launch of Blackwell Photography!

A few days ago, August 23rd, to be exact, Stacey and I launched Blackwell Photography!  We have combined photography forces to create a trinity of photography services, including but not limited to actor's headshots, musician portraits, and wedding celebrations!  We're super excited to be starting out on this very exciting adventure, and encourage you to check out Blackwell Photography's Blog.  It may be just as entertaining as this one.  And you'll probably get more photos of celebrities and less pictures of Zoe.  Until Zoe is a celebrity.  Then I won't know what to do!  :)

We're really, really excited, and even offering a launch special.  Go check it out!  Share with your friends, and support a dying art - photography!  We always appreciate your continued support.

Years pass.  Does it get any easier?  I continued to say no.  But you do stop crying as much.  Today is the 5 year anniversary of my mothers death.  It's really difficult still, and I assume it always will be, but the other women in my life make it easier.  Stacey is the best wife and partner a guy could ever ask for.  She's always understanding when it comes to the mom subject, and now that she is a mom - she gets it from a very different perspective.  Zoe too, middle name and all, reminds me of my mother daily.  I sometimes imagine that my mom used to look like Zoe when she was 11 months old.  My mother would LOVE these ladies in my life, and vise versa.  I think, no ... know, all 3 of us are better people because of Marcia Blackwell.

Zoe's 11 months today too!  It's a crazy week!



Stacey organized a walk this evening for my mother and some friends are on their way over to take a little walk around the neighborhood and grill out.

I feel like I've been posting a lot of stuff in the past 3 days.  Tweets, Facebook posts and links, blogs here  and there.  It's all for a good cause, trust me . . . and I've been holding back!

Alright - love you guys!

Peace,
-marc

Mom Got A New iPhone Camera App

So you get to see the pictures!  ;) 

"Little Cutie"

"Dancin' Queen"

"Mom Let Me Play!"

We went to a BBQ at our friends, and Zoe's friends, house yesterday.  Remember the cute twins of Rudy and Jenny's?  They had the BBQ and mom was camera happy.  Lucky us!  

New Header!

Check out the new header, yeah? Waddya think? I'm lookin' pretty good, huh? Don't mind that gorgeous baby in my lap, look at the lighting, and photoshop work done on that image. True genius. Yeah yeah, her tutu is super cute, but look at the placement of the bottles! I know, I know, her eyes are the prettiest eyes next to her mother's, I know... but look at the saturation and additional grain on the photo - great technique!

Oh yeah, the baby is cute too. ;)

She's sleeping. So I have a second. And yes, adding a new header is blog worthy.

Peace,
-marc

Zoe is 9 Months Old!

Holy cow!  Zoe has been around for 9 months!  Crazy, huh?  And for half of that time, she was in my care!  My mom would be so proud.  Not only have I kept myself alive and healthy for the last 9 months, I've also kept another human alive and healthy!  :)  Of course, I had a little help ... like, from Z's mom, and our friends, BUT I DID MOST OF IT!! ;) Haha, just joking.  I do understand what it means when they say "It takes a village to raise a child".  Our village of friends have saved our butts several times over, and we appreciate each and every single one of you who helps and supports our little family. 

Today we're taking ZB to the Doctor, which she hasn't been since her 6 month checkup.  Convenient that her 9 month is on her actual birthday! 

Here's a little video of videos from June!  Hope you guys enjoy.



Stay tuned here and Facebook/Twitter for exciting news coming from our family in August!  This is the first place to mention any such idea ... so feel special!  You'll know a lot more later.

Peace,
-marc

I'm Like My Family

A lot has happened since I last blogged.  June rolled around, I turned a whompin' 26, and my oldest brother Todd and his beautiful wife Jill celebrated a wedding anniversary.  Which one?  I couldn't tell you.  I could text him and ask ... then pretend like I knew all along ... but I think it's something like 9 years?  I'll text him now, and see if he replies by the time I'm done writing the blog, and I'll let you know if I'm correct.

It's 9:29 am, on a Friday, and Zoe and I have already been out and about.  In our sweats, no less.  We got coffee and a very exciting official City of Los Angeles Information Update Form.  I'll fill you in more on this as the months progress ... but it's exciting stuff! 

Brb...the babe's cryin'. 

...

Ok, and we're back.  The little monster is asleep in her swing, full and as content as ever.

More and more, as I get older, (haha) I find I'm just like my mom.  The amount of love that I have created, since Zoe has been born, has been incredible.  That love has over flowed and spilled over into Stacey and my relationship, making it the best thing that has ever happened to me.  I see this as my life has changed.  I am more selfless, I am responsible and attentive for the needs of my family, and I only want the best for those I love.  To know you are loved, as much as you love, if not more, is simply amazing.  So when Stacey and Zoe smile at me, when we are all hugging and playing, my life couldn't be better and I know this.

Other than the love stuff, life is good!  Stacey's working hard at her 9-5, and I'm crankin' away scheduling weddings right and left, shooting headshots, and working on the business of makin' business! 

Hope you all are well.

Peace,
-marc

8 months ago today a monster was born.

Just kidding...she's not a monster.  Yet.  :)  It's hard to believe that 8 months ago today Stacey was as big as a whale, and I shoved her in the car and drove over the hill to a Beverly Hills hospital where a one very beautiful baby girl was introduced to the world.

It's been an exciting 8 months!  A lot has happened!  Stacey was at home for while during pregnancy leave, but then went back to work.  Zoe has started eating baby food, she's crawling all over the place, her vocabulary and vocal pitch have changed, and she's even starting to stand up, but only for a few seconds at a time.

Stacey and I have gotten closer and have fallen more in love, thanks to time and this little bundle of joy.  Zoe and Stacey still stop traffic by their stunning good looks, and it's fun to be surrounded with so much happiness all the time.




Here's to the next 8 months!  :)  Thanks for reading and watching!

Peace,
-marc

Life As A Dad In Los Angeles

 

Last night I realized my life as a father here in Los Angeles is probably a little different than most dads.  I'm already different than most dads in the fact that I stay home and work all day with my child, but this little difference makes me feel some-what like a "cool" dad. 

Last night, around 8 o'clock after Stacey, Zoe and I got done eating we began the evening bedtime ritual.  It was a bath night, so we did the whole shabang.  Bath, lotion, playing, reading and then the crib.  It was just another night at the Blackwells, but very special in it's own right.  As I was sitting there with my girls, pleasant music playing, lights dimmed soft, everything was very quiet and calm.  I knew this was about to change.

Once the ladies were almost asleep I packed up my camera gear and headed down to good ole' Hollywood to photograph a band at the infmaous Whiskey A Go Go.  (You know, the place where the Doors were made famous, or whatever?)  Driving down the Sunset Strip, looking for a parking spot that didn't cost $15, and finally getting into the Go Go for free all started the crazy loud part of my evening.

There was a really cool band (Preach Unique & the Cloud 9 Empire) on before the band I came to photograph (Soma).  I snapped a few really cool pics of them, and got to meet and chat w/ the lead signer afterward.  Then Soma was on and they rocked the house.  This band blows my mind every time I see them.  It's not typical music I would enjoy, but live they put on such a killer show that I've started to get into their music.  Head banging, rock jam band is how I would describe them.

After the show we were standing around Sunset Blvd. and I was waiting to get paid when the band realized they had some how lost someone in their transportation and needed a lift.  I offered our SUV and we crammed drums, amps and guitars all around the stroller and car seat.  :)  I drove to one of the band member's home and dropped off the stuff, had a beer, hung out with the guys and headed home.

It was a great evening.  One I really appreciate.  My wife is super cool letting me go out on weeknights, even if I am working.  I hope for many more like these.

Sunday Mornin' Singin'!

On YouTube I titled this video as "Sunday Morning Singing" - here, I feel a little more Missouri-ish, so I took off the g's.  "Mornin' Singin'" ... with a twang, is how that should be read.

Lately we've been graced by the musical talents of our to the day 7 month old child.  It doesn't matter if it's Michael Jackson on the big stereo or the blender, Zoe loves to sing along.  Right now she's actually sleeping through High School Musical 1, her first introduction to her Uncle's big screen musical debut.  I think I slept through it the first time I was forced to watch it too ...  ANYWAY - We're getting distracted.  This video basically speaks for itself, and where it doesn't I added text.  So enjoy! 



Happy 7 month Birth Day Zoe Marcia Blackwell!  Mom and Dad love you very much!  :)

Peace,
-marc

2 video posts in as many days?  What's going on?!  Stay tuned ladies and gents - our baby girl is growing up quicker than I can blog.  She's already gotten an iPhone, crawls around the house, and does basic arithmetic.  (Have I used the arithmetic joke here before?  I use it all the time...) ;)

This Girl Hates The Camera

 As you probably already know, our child hates the camera.  Anytime we take it out, or pull up our iPhone cameras she gets so unhappy and starts to cry.  She will hide her face and crawl the opposite direction.  (Have I mentioned she's kinda crawling?) 

So, even though she's so camera shy, we want to try our shot at modeling!  This is an unofficial official call-out to anyone who is a baby agent or knows a baby agent. 

We used to think that everyone told new parents that their baby was beautiful.  Lately however, like, for the past 4 months, we just think our baby actually is beautiful.  People stop us on the street, literally on the street, to tell us our baby is "sooooo pretty" and "should definitely be a model".  We've caused stroller jams in the middle of the mall of mom's swooning over our baby.  We feel like Zoe is a celebrity!  We used to laugh, smile and say thank you when someone told us our daughter was the most beautiful baby they had ever seen - now we ask "Do YOU know a baby agent?" 

And not to be ... mean, or anything, but we've seen some not so pretty babies.  ;)

So if you or your mom know a baby agent in Los Angeles, send 'em our way.  We only have a few photos of her, but I'm sure we can come up with something.  And maybe one day Zoe will be used to getting her picture taken. 

Peace,
-marc

10 Minutes In The Life Of Zoe

I haven't blogged in a while, so here's a catch up.  For all the time you've missed reading my blog you can catch up right now.

Here's a 10 minute video randomly shot of Zoe.






Peace,
-marc

We Kept Her Alive For 6 Months!

Happy 6 Month Birth Day Zoe Marcia Blackwell! 

I keep waiting for someone, anyone, like a guy in a Tuxedo with a big million dollar check and a camera crew to knock on our door and yell "Congratulations!  You've kept your daughter alive for 6 months!"  But so far ... no knock.

The above picture is Zoe today, celebrating her 6 month birth day by getting an ice blended cherry mocha latte from Starbucks.  Mmmm buddy, did she like it!  The picture below is Zoe Toes in her crib, which is now lowered because someone was found standing up in it.  And she likes her new little low prison.  It's perfect for individual play time because we know she's safe.  Today I found her like this, just chillin. 

And how would this blog post be complete without an approved image of Mama and Baby!  When Zoe got her coffee drink this afternoon we went to Mom's work to see her.  This kid, Zoe, stops people in their steps.  Random strangers will tell us how beautiful she is... and she smiles and coos her thanks.

And a fun video from the Mac Store today when Zoe and our friends went to get eye brows threaded.  That video coming soon.  ;) 

Alright!  Have a good one!

Peace,

-marc

6 Month Check Up

Alright, so this is totally a dad post, but Zoe Marcia had her 6 month check up today.  That's right, tomorrow she turns 6 months!  CRAZY!

She's healthy and advanced the Dr. and nurses told us.  She's a whoppin' 26 inches long and 15 pounds and 8 ounces thick.  Right on track to be a perfectly happy and physically normal child! 

That's all.  :)  Proud dad, signing off.

Peace,
-marc

Zoe Stands Up For Health Care!

I was going to give my take on the whole Health Care Reform ordeal, but I've chosen to keep most of my thoughts to myself.  Ya see, I don't know very much about the thing ... except for the speaking points the President has made in the last couple of weeks.  So I'm keeping the debates on this issue to a minumum frankly because I don't know enough about the thing.  Let me just say that I proudly voted for Barack Obama because I knew he was the right man for the job.  He, and his staff, and the people who made this bill become a law are a helluva lot smarter than I am.  And that's why I voted for him ... so I don't have to make all these tough decisions.  I will trust those I put in power to do the job I want them to do.  And while I might not agree with every single detail or decision, I will be positive and optimistic about our future.  Besides, I don't want to, (or someone else to) have an ulcer while angrily debating and have to use the health care system sooner than needed.

One more point, and I'm done - and I'll let NPR in the background of this video explain the rest of how I feel ... When Zoe was born and Stacey and I needed to get her on insurance she told me "Marc, we need to work harder to make more money to put both you and Zoe on Health Insurance."  We agreed, worked harder, and we're both on happily insured.  We didn't need no reform ... but some people might.

OK.   Really, I'm done.  But what are your thoughts on the new law Obama signed today?

Peace,
-marc

Zoe Goes To The Beach!

Peace,
-marc