Chicago Street Studio Project Portrait

Photography by Thomas Marlow.

Believe it or not, this photo was shot out at O'Hare Airport, shortly before Ira had to catch a flight to Sweden. You wouldn't guess it from the photo, but Ira was worried about missing her plane and a bit camera shy during our quick photo session.

Thomas Marlow happened to be at the airport today shooting photos for his Chicago Street Studio Project, which I'd read about in a Chicago Reader article a couple months back. In fact, I'd traveled downtown to The Silk Road Oasis on September 30 to have my portrait taken, but Marlow had already pulled up shop. (The trip was not wasted, however, as I ended up catching a noontime performance by Yo-Yo Ma and the Silk Road Ensemble, but that's another story). So, I was particularly pleased to spot him and his portable studio at O'Hare and to be able to get my picture taken with Ira.

Marlow's biography is remarkable. He'd never shot portraits when he began his project, which is being sponsored by the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs. I suspect that when he wraps up this project, he'll have plenty of potential clients seeking professional portraits.

Happy Anniversary Ira!

A quick shout out to my lovely wife, Ira G, otherwise known as Irina Dmitrievna Rasmussen Goloubeva, on this, our first wedding anniversary.

It’s been a fabulous first year of marriage, and I really wish we could be together today. Although our academic commitments prevent us from doing so this year, in the future we'll have to do all we can to secure March 20 for ourselves.

I miss you sweetheart! Spring Break ain't really no break this year, not least because you're gone. Do some extra relaxing for me, ok.

Love,

Eric

Irina on Wheels

Irina on Wheels
Originally uploaded by erasmus.

It's such a crappy day outside, rainy and cold, that I thought I'd post this fabulous photo, which Cris Smith shot during a much more comfortable day earlier this fall.

It was Sunday, September 26, to be exact, and Cris and Jeff were back in town for the weekend. Jim, Jeff, Ami, Ira, Seth, Finn and I were leisurely hanging out in Winnemac Park in the last couple hours before Jeff and Cris flew back to Nebraska.

I just spoke with Ira a few minutes ago on the phone, which is what made me think of this photo.