More portraits were added this morning to the hollakmedia stock library.

For example, this image is ready for print and / or digital use.

It is rights-managed, model released and can be licensed here.

Among other things, one of the biggest problems that faces the Central Valley of California is “brain drain.”

It is a term that describes the mass exudes of educated, talented, motivated, young creative talent that leaves the Valley for bigger, better, healthier, more lucrative, more metropolitan markets — never to return and taking their skills and disposable income with them.

Another term centered around this same topic is “boomerangs.”

This term describes the opposite affect. Boomerangs are individuals who grew up in the Central Valley and left to get a higher education, ultimately to return to the valley, bringing their skills and professionalism with them.

The Fresno Business Journal is tackling the boomerang concept in a specialty pub and they asked me to shoot it.

It was a real honor to work on this project.

First, I was able to meet some really caring people (Elliott, Tim and Allison) who have moved back to the Central Valley in order to make it a better place to live. The area is better off with them here.

Next, the staff at the FBJ (Melissa, Tracy, Jeanette, Dan, Kate and G-man) is awesome too — pure professionals. Looking forward to working with you again and seeing the finished product.

I’m probably the last (Apple) person to upgrade to 10.5, but I have finally come around.

This was my Saturday afternoon as I stayed indoors with friends and watched Fresno State in the College World Series (CWS).

The upgrade from 10.4.x to 10.5 took a while, but in the end, I couldn’t have asked for a smoother transition. Everything worked as it should have. If it hadn’t, I was gonna be tore up from the floor up.

Next up, Snow Leopard.

After a long day of shooting assignments it was good to end on a laugh.

It was my last assignment of the day and as I walked back to my truck I noticed the sign that was pointing towards the parking stall opposite my truck.

No, I’m not parked in the stall the sign is labeling, but it did make for a funny moment at the end of my long day out in the Fresno summer heat.

It’s probably not that funny, but I tell you the 100+ degree heat can really mess with your sense of humor.

Shooting a few assignments in Fresno’s Tower District.

I think it will hit 101 here today.

Even with the heat where it is, I can’t seem to focus on shooting.

Not having anything to do with the heat actually. Something a little more depressing.

McClatchy just laid off 1,400 employees today and there are rumors of more, including shutting the entire paper down in the next town over (Clovis Independent).

Two McClatchy photogs were axed here today (from the south valley bureau of the Fresno Bee).

Maybe tomorrow will be a better day. Only supposed to hit 100.