Acknowledgments

Although only one name appears on the spine of this book, it takes a team of dedicated and talented people to pull a project like this together. I’m not only delighted to be working with them, but I also get the honor and privilege of thanking them here.

To my amazing wife Kalebra: This year we’re celebrating our 20th wedding anniversary, and I’m more in love, more crazy about you, and more thrilled that you’re my wife than ever. Besides being a world-class mother, a gourmet chef, an artist, a singer, and a brilliant businesswoman, you’re just about the coolest person I’ve ever known. I still can’t believe that you chose me, and I’ll spend the rest of my life working to make sure you always feel you made the right choice. I love you, sweetheart.

To my wonderful, crazy, fun-filled, little buddy Jordan: If there’s any kid on the planet who knows how much their dad loves them, and how proud their dad is of them, it’s you little buddy (even though, now that you’re 12, I’m not supposed to call you “little buddy” anymore. Well, at least not in front of your friends). You were wired at the factory to be an incredibly fun, hilarious, creative, positive, sensitive, super-bright, yet totally crazy kid, and I love it. But I have to admit, as much fun as I have at our nightly Halo 3 battles on Xbox LIVE, last week when I dragged my amp and guitar up to your room, you sat down at your drums, and we jammed on an extended version of Bon Jovi’s “You Give Love a Bad Name,” I knew at that moment that if it was possible to have become a luckier dad than I already was, it just happened. Dude (I mean, son), you rock!

To my beautiful “big girl” Kira: You’re totally blessed with your mom’s outer beauty, and also something that’s even more important: her inner beauty, warmth, compassion, smarts, and charm, which will translate into the loving, fun- and adventure-filled, thrilling, drive-it-like-you-stole-it kind of life so many people dream of. You were born with a smile on your lips, a song in your heart, and a dad that is totally wrapped around your finger.

To my big brother Jeff: A lot of younger brothers look up to their older brothers because, well...they’re older. But I look up to you because you’ve been much more than a brother to me. It’s like you’ve been my “other dad” in the way you always looked out for me, gave me wise and thoughtful council, and always put me first—just like Dad put us first. Your boundless generosity, kindness, positive attitude, and humility have been an inspiration to me my entire life, and I’m just so honored to be your brother and lifelong friend.

To my best buddy Dave Moser: Do you know how great it is to get to work every day with your best buddy? I do. It’s awesome. Thanks my friend—you are the best.

To my in-house team at Kelby Media Group: I am incredibly blessed to go to work each day with a group of uniquely dedicated, self-motivated, and incredibly creative people—people who mean much more to me than just employees, and everything they do says they feel the same way. My humble thanks to you all for allowing me to work with the very best every day.

To my editor Kim Doty: What can I say—this book is dedicated to you! Writing books is never easy, but you make my job so much easier by keeping me on track and organized, and for staying absolutely calm and positive in the face of every storm. One of the luckiest things that has ever happened to my books is that you came along to edit them, and I’m very honored and grateful to have you making my books so much better than what I turned in.

To Jessica Maldonado: You are, hands-down, the Diva of Design, and I owe much of the success of my books to the wonderful look and feel you give them. What you do brings my books to life, and helps them reach a wider audience than they ever would have, and I’m so thrilled that you’re the person that works these miracles for us (signed, your biggest fan!).

To Cindy Snyder: A big, big thanks for helping tech and copyedit all the tips in the book and, as always, for catching lots of little things that others would have missed.

To Dave Damstra: You give my books such a spot-on, clean, to-the-point look, and although I don’t know how you do it, I sure am glad that you do!

To my friend and longtime Creative Director Felix Nelson: We love you. We all do. We always have. We always will. You’re Felix. There’s only one.

To my Executive Assistant and general Wonder Woman Kathy Siler: You are one of the most important people in the building, not only for all the wonderful things you do for me, but for all the things you do for our entire business. Thanks for always looking out for me, for keeping me focused, and for making sure I have the time I need to write books, do seminars, and still have time with my family. You don’t have an easy job, but you make it look easy.

To my photography assistant and digital tech Brad Moore: I don’t know how I would have gotten through this book without your help, your work in the studio (shooting so many of the product shots), your advice and input, and your patience. You’ve only been here a short time and you’re already having a big impact. I’m so grateful to have someone of your talent and character on our team.

To my buddy RC Concepcion: My personal thanks for reprising your gig from volume 2, and stepping in to help get the studio shots done for this volume. You are the Swiss Army knife of digital imaging and design.

To Kim Gabriel: You continue to be the unsung hero behind the scenes, and I’m sure I don’t say this enough, but thank you so much for everything you do to make this all come together.

To my dear friend and business partner Jean A. Kendra: Thanks for putting up with me all these years, and for your support for all my crazy ideas. It really means a lot.

To my editor at Peachpit Press, Ted Waitt: Do you know what a joy it is to work on a photo book with an editor who’s also a passionate and creative photographer? It makes a huge difference. You get it. You get me. I get you. It’s a beautiful thing.

To my publisher Nancy Aldrich-Ruenzel, Scott Cowlin, Sarah Jane Todd, and the incredibly dedicated team at Peachpit Press: It’s a real honor to get to work with people who really just want to make great books.

To all the talented and gifted photographers who’ve taught me so much over the years: Moose Peterson, Vincent Versace, Bill Fortney, David Ziser, Jim DiVitale, Helene Glassman, Joe McNally, Anne Cahill, George Lepp, Kevin Ames, Eddie Tapp, and Jay Maisel, my sincere and heartfelt thanks for sharing your passion, ideas, and techniques with me and my students.

To my mentors John Graden, Jack Lee, Dave Gales, Judy Farmer, and Douglas Poole: Your wisdom and whip-cracking have helped me immeasurably throughout my life, and I will always be in your debt, and grateful for your friendship and guidance.

Most importantly, I want to thank God, and His son Jesus Christ, for leading me to the woman of my dreams, for blessing us with such amazing children, for allowing me to make a living doing something I truly love, for always being there when I need Him, for blessing me with a wonderful, fulfilling, and happy life, and such a warm, loving family to share it with.