Michael J. McCrystal
  • Archives
  • February9th

    For several years now I have been going to the annual Monster Truck rally at Raymond James Stadium with my son. Of course there is a large number of photographs made during each of these events. This year I started playing with the idea of creating stop motion video from the images I created there.

    Why do I do this? Because it is a challenge, it is new for me and it is fun. I remember working with photographers early in my career who didn’t love photography as they once had. Most would be honest and admit it was because they had stopped “playing” while they created images.

    I do a lot to make sure that does not happen to me.

  • September18th

    Monster Jam 2009

    Monster Jam 2009

    Several years ago I attended my first monster truck rally. To be perfectly honest I went with my son who was 4 at the time. He loved all things big, noisy and truck. This was the perfect event for him. I wasn’t sure how long he would last being such a little guy. At the end of the night I had to carry him out the door sobbing for “more trucks…” A tradition was born. We have been back each year since. He loves the trucks and the noise and the power of it all. I love being with my son and the opportunity to photograph something radically different. I am always amazed at this type of experience. If you haven’t attended one of these events and you have a truck obsessed little boy, you might want to give it a try.

  • September17th

    2009-07-07_13-13-22

    During the week I spent this summer in the Dominican Republic I was struck by the great contrast between the beauty of the county and the poverty its people live in. It is hard to even grasp. The village of Bombita is a tiny dot on the map with little in money or resources. This little place is right on the edge of the sugar cane fields that serve as the primary employer for its inhabitants. Life in Bombita revolves around faith, the Community Partners School and this Aqueduct that feeds water to the fields. Children play, clothes are washed… everything happens here.

    This week has really helped me to see just how fortunate I am. Taking my daughter with me was an amazing experience for both of us.

    Michael J. McCrystal
    McCrystal Image Photography, LLC
    Tampa Wedding Photography