This month’s featured image is my signature image and has been written about in the past. However, this month’s Story has a much different “back story”. I’ve had essentially 3 passions in live, Family, Photography and Baseball, in that order as an FYI. So, to be able to use my photography as a means to support my grandchildren gives me the greatest of joys. 8 images have been have chosen for this promotion, including this month’s featured image. Each are available in a very specific and limited-edition size, signed and numbered by me. Details for all Photography Rewards are linked in Blue: Photography Rewards. The purpose of this Blog begins below. The remaining images in the photography rewards details follow the short explanation of the opportunity awaiting my granddaughter. But first…

   Ansel Adams famously said “Dodging and Burning are steps to take care of mistakes God made in establishing tonal relationships”. The point is, virtually every photograph I make requires contrast and tonal adjustments in the darkroom printing stage, one print at a time! Modern technology has progressed where digitally corrected high resolution scans of my original negatives can produce full size negatives to be used for the Silver Gelatin printing process in the darkroom. The ability to produce identical wet processed Silver prints the first time and everytime is what allows the promotional pricing for the images I have selected to assist my granddaughter in raising funds for the opportunity detailed below.

   Tessa Porch is my granddaughter and I have organized a GO Fund Me campaign to help fundraise the necessary costs for her to travel to Italy for an opportunity detailed here.  I am making available a selection of my photographs, 4 Black & White and 4 Color.  Each photo is printed in limited editions of 20 per image, along with 3 artist’s copies of each image.  More specific details on photography rewards are contained by clicking the linked Rewards page below.

   Tessa has been invited by legendary UConn standout, and now coach Kara Wolters to play in a basketball tournament in Italy this summer.  Tessa will soon begin her 5th year playing AAU basketball around the New England and Mid-Atlantic states. After playing in the Nike Tournament last year in Chicago, this year she will travel to Washington DC to play in the Junior Nationals, again with an older team.

   Tessa’s Mom played college basketball and co-captained her team at Roger Williams University in Rhode Island.  Her Mom continued to coach youth basketball for several seasons following college.  Tessa’s Dad for years played in a men’s basketball league.  As a result, Tessa developed an early attraction to the sport.

    Tessa eclipsed all the hype after only one season of Jr. High school basketball due to COVID cancelation.  Middletown High School plays in the double L division against the largest schools in Connecticut.  Tessa’s high school Freshman basketball season was split between 14 & 15 years of age.  Her high school basketball career took off early earning game high honors with 20+ point performances in 2 of her first 4 high school games.  While still a 14 year old Freshman she earned female Athlete of the Week by the Connecticut Insider poll.  Throughout the season she was ranked as one of the top Freshman girls in the state.  Tessa turned in her best game for the state tournament, again taking game high honors with 23 points, in a loss to an older Danbury team.  She would finish with 262 points as a freshman including 6 game high honors.  Following the season she was chosen to the Central CT. All Conference team.  She excels in the classroom equally as well earning High Honors for every semester the recognition is tracked in Jr. High school and now High School.  She is well prepared for the opportunity to compete at the international level in her age group.

    Please consider supporting Tessa’s continuing basketball career by visiting either of the two linked in Blue pages at the beginning of this Blog. Presentation details and pricing on photography rewards are contained in this Blue link Rewards. Because of the number of higher quality images the web page may take a bit longer to be visible. All funds raised go entirely to funding Tessa’s travel, accomodations, tournament and full time interpreter in 3 different areas in northern Italy for 10 days this June and July.