Looking the part of a woodsman

I'm three days into a growing a beard, and the first vestiges of the dreaded itching have reared their pokey heads. But I must persist. To explain why, let me back up.

Being competitive has always been a hallmark of my personality. It's how I've gotten a lot of things done; someone says I can't, so I do. Either that or someone outright challenges me. That's how I became a distance swimmer. My coach threw down a challenge to exceed what even I considered possible, and I did. Competition plays a big role in my photography, too. I see others' work -- or my own -- and am determined to do something better, capture more compelling moments, use light more creatively, get closer, shoot smarter.

So, when my boss and a coworker at my day job challenged me to grow a beard, it was game on. They each put $25 on the line that I wouldn't do it. Upping the ante, a lot of people don't think I'm capable of growing a beard. I have no idea why. Do I look young? Very much so. Am I hairless? Very much not. Have a I never grown facial year? I very much have. So I've got a two-fold mission here: 1. Win a bet, and 2. Prove that I am indeed post-pubescent.

Here's where the scruff stands at three days in:

Just call me Dan of the Mountains.

This will be a long, itchy ride, but I must persist. Hopefully it'll all be over in a couple months. We'll see. In the meantime, if anyone knows how to cut the itch that kicks in after about a week, for the love of God tell me.

- Dan

Photos of Mia's first birthday party in Virginia Beach

Capturing honest, candid photographs of kids can be tough. I forget that sometimes. I got a reminder courtesy of my wife's goddaughter, the adorable Mia, who had her first birthday party in Virginia Beach a couple weeks ago.

Kids squirm, move unpredictably, sneak off, squeeze through small spaces and generally make themselves tough to keep up with. This isn't news to you parents, but not having kids, it's a lesson I re-learn every now and then. I didn't shoot a lot that day -- spent more time just mingling with friends and family. Nonetheless, here are a few highlights.

Mia's first taste of cake. Took her a minute to wrap her head around the concept.

But once she got the idea, she seemed to dig it heartily.

Grandma shares a moment with the birthday girl.

It's like she's passing the torch of babyhood on to the next in line.

There's a lot of history here. These three guys having conversations like this for decades. Note the rum and coke in the foreground, a staple of their gatherings.

The award for best gift went to grandpa, who knocked it out the park with the Radio Flyer wagon. They're not in this shot, but it has wheels fit for off roading. Win!

Birthday girl buckles up for the ride.

It's hard to tell who enjoys these things more, the tots or the adults.