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If you wish to leave a comment or want to contact me please do so using my email:

HoltbyPhoto@gmail.com

I am phasing out my Denver email:

Holtby@DenverPhotography.com

but that website still has all my personal work:

DenverPhotography.com

and is also linked to:

HoltbyPhoto.com

(If your interest is primarily biographical, and you want to see what my early adventures were, be sure to view the older posts on this blog. They go back seven decades to my childhood.)

ALL PHOTOS ON THIS SITE ARE
COPYRIGHT PROTECTED:
Do not reproduce without my permission!

To see an archive of our personal artifacts,
as another way to peek into our history,
go to:  mholtby.blogspot.com

More of our travels go to:

1Planet1People

I now have a studio on Whidbey Island in Washington State

and am working on a photo book: the Whidbey Beard Project

WhidbeyPhoto.com

OCTOBER 16th, 2024: WEDDING

 

I'm delighted to announce that Pamela and I were married at the Coupeville courthouse last Wednesday. Following the ceremony, her father remarked, "Now that you're married, you have to live until you're a hundred," which he has achieved. This aligns perfectly with my personal philosophy: "Live large, and long!" Cecil had the honor of giving the bride away. Pamela's cousin, David Hundley, captured the moment in a photograph, accompanied by his wife, Abigail. Joining us were my daughter Lisa, my brothers Matt and Jeff with his wife Jennifer, and Pamela's sister Phyllis. We celebrated with a small reception at our new home, attended by Francie and Bill, Julie and Bob, and Greg Thomas. Echoing the sentiments of a timeless song, "Here we go again - taking a chance on love."

SEPTEMBER 2024: SITKA, ALASA

 Did a trip to Sitka Alaska to go out on the boat called "Cat Daddy" with Neil McDermitt, owner of Whale's Song Expeditions. We were primarily interested in observing the humpbacks bubble net fishing. This is a process where a group of whales makes a circle of bubbles that the herring think is impenetrable. Then they go to the bottom and rise to the surface scooping up the little fish on their way up. The bubble netting occurred in Angoon Bay. It is quite dramatic! During our eight days on the boat we observed 110 whales.

I also had an opportunity to watch the entire process of purse net salmon fishing, a fascinating procedure for having never before seen it. However, the fish weigh so much they damage each other in the net and aren't ultimately on our dinner table. That happens with fish brought in one at a time on a long line. 

SEPTEMBER 2024: MOVING

So Pamela and I could live together we bought a wonderful home in Coupeville, still on Whidbey Island but 20 minutes North of where I lived before. It has a large wood shop which will become my studio, and a large garage part of which will become Pamela's studio. Now there is plenty of room for all our artwork, and a walk-in closet for all Pamela's clothes. We love the house. The only downside is the five acres that need to be mowed and a lot of landscaping including a "secret" garden with an orchard. My timing wasn't great as I had the Vietnam Vets project underway and had already committed myself to the trip to Alaska. But we made it all work.

 

JULY 2024: VIETNAM VETS

I started a new project of photographing Vietnam vets, each holding a photo of themselves "in country" during the war. This is for the Whidbey Island Veterans Resource Center to mark the 50th anniversary of the fall of Saigon. Unfortunately, after doing just eight portraits I had to postpone work on the project as I sold the house with my studio and moved up the Island to Coupeville. I have potentially an even larger studio there but haven't yet had time to put it together.

 

JUNE 2024: WHIDBEY ISLAND, WASHINGTON

 

Most of my blog posts are about my travels around the world. I have been to 47 countries, done a dozen African safaris, visited with at least that many tribes, and been all over Asia as well. And yet it is so nice to come home. I live on Whidbey Island, which is NW of Seattle, up a gravel road with a pond out front, and surrounded by tall trees. There is plenty of wildlife in my backyard. I just took this photo yesterday. This fawn was just born, along with his twin. He's visited me several times and is experimenting with what is edible.  Deer inhabit a range of just a half to 3 square miles. I have 6-8 deer who visit me so regularly they all have names, and I've watched some of them grow up. 

APRIL-MAY 2024; TANZANIA

 This trip involved 22 days of game drives, and was both a challenging and rewarding experience. The challenge was due to the weather. It rained when we first got there and soaked the roads with ruts that were filled with water and mud. We got stuck several times, but with two vehicles one could tow out the other. Except for one time in remote Serengeti when both vehicles were mired in the mud for seven hours with lions around us. We finally were yanked out by a large tractor and didn't return back to our tents until 2am.

Trip highlights included an instance when three large male lions, presumably brothers, initially were sleeping on a kopje (granite outcropping). Then a fourth brother fought with another lion who apparently wanted to join the boy's club. The three on the kopje stood up and all started roaring. It was very loud and very impressive. And resulted in my best photo on the trip.

A second highlight was a visit to the Kiloki Boma where myself and two others received a traditional Maasai welcome, and an invitation to photograph them during and after the event. 

I have posted on YouTube a copy of the photo album I put together showing my best photos of the trip. I also have two versions of my visit with the Maasai, one short and a longer in-depth one.

Links:

Slide Show Version of my Trip Photo Album: Tanzania: A Month on Safari (youtube.com)

Maasai Welcome Short Version (1 minute): 1 Minute Maasai Welcome (youtube.com)

Maasai Welcome Long Version (7 minutes): Maasai Welcome (youtube.com)

 

MARCH 2024: PORT TOWNSEND, WASHINGTON

 Did a weekend getaway in Port Townsend, staying downtown at the Monarch Hotel, built in 1895.

We visited the soda fountain on the main street (Water Street):

We visited the waterfront but two of the three days it was very windy.

Actually, the highlight of the trip was meeting Milo Redwood, a local artist that we ended up hanging out with everyday at his studio & gallery. Milo is an abstract acrylics painter, a philosopher, and a good listener. Several of his local friends also came and socialized as well.

FEBRUARY 3rd, 2024: CECIL'S 100th BIRTHDAY

 

Cecil is Pamela's father, and he had a hugely attended birthday party, hosted by his church. He danced with one of his granddaughters, played with his ukulele band, soloed on his harmonica, and showed himself in great form! Cecil lives independently in a house two blocks from Pamela. He is still driving, and still trucking along.

The top photo is just of those people related to Cecil, and the bottom one is most of those who attended his party.

 

Cecil on his harmonica solo.

JANUARY 2024: CUBA

 

Pamela and I were part of a small group on a tour with Jim Cline Photo Tours. It was the first time Pamela had gone along as well, and despite not being a serious photographer, she had a great time and did end up taking some good pictures.

This is Pamela in one of the classic convertibles.  We were on our way to the famous Tropicana nightclub pictured below. It was once owned by mob boss Meyer Linskey. After the first number an empty table right in front was filled by four big guys who promptly all lit cigars and drank rum. They sure looked like a wise guy and his three bodyguards.

We also experienced Afro-Cuban Dancing. As well as having two ballerinas to model for us from the National Cuban Ballet troupe.

We left Havana and went to Vinales, and Trinidad visiting the tobacco farms, and photographing companeros who showed off their cock fighting roosters, and offered me a chance to ride a horse - my first time in forty years. I was thrilled to find I was quite comfortable being back in the saddle again.

VIDEOS:

I have completed two 3 1/2 minute videos of our time in Cuba. 

One focuses on the profusion of music we encountered: 

and the other illustrates the variety of live dance we experienced: 

I hope you will watch them!

JANUARY: THE BOOK IS DELIVERED

 

FINALLY!! After a project first started in early July, 2022 the “beards have landed”! The Whidbey Beard Project features multiple portrait shoots with men on the Island with interesting beards. The book’s subtitle is “Beyond the Cover” and features captions with the photographs that give the reader some idea of who the person is beyond their facial hair. The book’s theme is “Don’t judge a book by its cover – until you’ve read the book.”  I sent it to China for offset printing to insure that the highest available quality, which is part of why it took so long to complete. The book measures 11 1/4” x 12 1/4” and is 74 pages, including 71 portraits: a proud and proper coffee table version! It is a finalist for the North Street Book Award, an International competition. Featured in the book are men from all over the Island, from Clinton to Oak Harbor: men you inevitably know, or readily recognize. Here is a one minute video clip of some of the portraits featured in the printed version: https://vimeo.com/809267159
 
The books are available at the Moonraker Bookstore in Langley, or directly through me. If you want to pick up one, or two, or half a dozen call or text me to make sure I’ll be home: 303-396-3818. Or email me with a day and time you’d like to come by and I’ll confirm. The cost is $64.95 + 8.8% sales tax. If you want it mailed to you add on another $8. I’m set up to accept credit cards, Venmo or Zelle, and you can also order through my website: sales - Michael Holtby's Studio (whidbeyphoto.com). If you contributed to the GoFundMe page at $70 or more the only additional cost to you would be mailing expenses. I’m looking forward to your visiting my studio, and sharing in this exciting event!

DECEMBER 2023: BOOK RECEPTION

 I had hoped to have my book by the time of this reception, or at least before Christmas; but it has been shipped by container ship and is not due to arrive here until January 2nd. I have two expedited copies that came from China via air so I know how they turned out:

Nevertheless, we had the reception for the book: Beards: Beyond the Cover on December 8th and it was well attended by fifty family and friends. So Pamela and I read captions and I projected the book on a large screen. We were hosted by the Universal Unitarian Chruch of Freeland, WA and also in their foyer were nine large canvases of some of the portraits.

And a large number of the beard brothers attended, some in the costume they wore in their portrait.

OCTOBER 2023: COSTA RICA

 

This was a photo workshop lead by Joe McNally and Tamara Lackey, both very well known, accomplished photographers. Joe is known for his use of supplementary lights on location, and brought a number of light modifiers for us to try out. We alternated between photo shoots with professional models and wildlife excursions. It was the rainy season so we often used the afternoon rains to be indoors doing classes and critiques.

This is Danielle, my favorite model, that I had the opportunity to work with for a longer period of time than other models. She spoke very good English, and is a fulltime professional.

The photo below was shot in the hummingbird garden at the El Silencio Hotel in the Cloud Forest Region. Unlike hummingbirds around a feeder these birds flitted between hundreds of flowers, rarely perching for more than a few seconds.

SEPTEMBER 2023: LANGLEY SOUPBOX DERBY

 One of my favorite photos of 2023 was the one above, caught at the "decisive moment" just as this contestant, Matt Chambers, was about to crash. Note the anticipation of the disaster by the kid in the upper left. This has been an annual event since 1972 and the first race was sponsored by the Soup Coup restaurant on First Street. The restaurant no longer exists, but the Derby lives on, being very well attended by the community of Langley on Whidbey Island.

JULY 2023: TWO PARADES ON WHIDBEY ISLAND

4th of July Parade: 

This is a relatively small, rural parade in Clinton Washington on South Whidbey Island. The kids bring bags because everyone throws candy. It is like a Halloween haul for them. Lots of creativity, costumes and enthusiasm.

Two minute video slide show: https://vimeo.com/843322470

Gay Pride Parade in Langley.

At the beginning of this year a photograph I took of Matilda the Pirate caused some controversy when exhibited in the Oak Harbor Library. Somehow a guy with a purple beard and fake boobs was going to corrupt young people. Here on the Southend of Whidbey Island he was prominently marching in drag and enjoying the parade which included both the mayor and police chief of Langley. Inclusivity & acceptance was the mode of the day, and everyone was having fun!

3 minute video slide show: https://vimeo.com/843707869

MAY 2023: PERU

 This trip goes beyond Machu Picchu, and focuses on the indigenous people of the country whom we found open and friendly. Some people make their living posing for tourists, but only want the equivalent of a quarter or fifty cents to pose for photographs.

 I am posting two links to more: a digitized version of the photo album I composed of the trip:

https://vimeo.com/831334566

And a video of Peruvian dancing both professional and amateur:

https://vimeo.com/831329606

APRIL 2023: SKAGIT VALLEY TULIP FESTIVAL

Pamela and I went overnight in La Conner, WA to be at the Tulip Festival first thing in the morning. When we arrived, it was very cold and windy. We didn't stay long. A week later it was a totally different story when I went with the South Whidbey Photo Club. It was so warm and sunny I didn't wear a coat. The parking lot was full and there were many people there. I heard several foreign languages, and the Chinese were in great attendance with their wives and girlfriends dressed to the nines to model for their photographer partners, or for selfies on a pole. I think there must have been a tour bus bringing them. That said, the Roozen Gaarde is so large I was able to get these photos without the tourist crowds. 

MARCH 2023: WEEKEND GETAWAY IN BIRCH BAY, WASHINGTON

These are Dunlin birds, part of the sandpiper family. They travel in synchronized flocks that burst into the air like an undulating cloud. This was a flock of several hundred, and they can get to be ten thousand. They are migratory birds, and are only in Birch Bay for part of the year.

 

Visited Semiahmoo Spit on Blaine Harbor where a large salmon cannery used to be. It is now abandoned leaving this fishing boat (and the building behind it). At one time the cannery was a big operation - until they fished out the salmon. At the time it seemed like they were so plentiful no one thought it could happen. I discovered a small museum there where I was the only visitor and had a personal tour by a volunteer named Brian who explained the history of the cannery and salmon fishing in the area.

JANUARY 2023: WHIDBEY BEARD PROJECT IN THE NEWS

Here's the link to the video: Beards are back on this Northwest island | king5.com

NOVEMBER, 2022: SEQUIM, WASHINGTON

 

Pamela and I did a getaway weekend in Sequim staying in a B&B which was a caboose. It was great fun, but Sequim itself wasn't particularly unique. It has a reputation of getting the least rain in the Northwest, and has become a retirement community - with no particular character. It has a Costco, and Home Depot and looks like suburbs anywhere in the USA. We much prefer the Victorian homes and architecture of Port Townsend.

NOVEMEBER, 2022: LIFE ON WHIDBEY ISLAND

When I moved to Whidbey Island my brothers said there were two things I'd need: a chainsaw, and a generator. On November 4th at 10pm I needed both.

We had a terrific windstorm, preceded by softening the ground with rain. The 60mph wind came in the opposite direction from usual, and trees were pulled up by the roots. The truck pictured here fortunately wasn't mine. The owner also lost 42 trees.

I lost a half dozen trees, my Dish TV was totaled, and a branch speared a hole through my garage roof. Larry, a neighbor had a truck windshield & back window shattered, as well as the hood and cab top dented. He winters in Arizona so I covered it all with a tarp. One large tree could have crashed into my house, but instead blocked my driveway and sheered off part of my madrona tree. My brother Jeff and I spelled each other with my chainsaw and cleared a path to get my truck out. The next day Dylan (of the Whidbey Beard Project) came and cleared the tree the rest of the way out of the driveway. Jesus' crew came and spent two days cleaning up all the downed branches, leaves, and logs; which cost $2,040. I also had to have Jesse, a professional arborist come and take down one of my large poplars in the driveway which was leaning across the road. It was a tricky removal that cost me another $886. We were without power for three days.

Dylan with his large chainsaw making short work of the fallen tree.