Early April 1997, I did a raft trip down the Colorado River for a complete remake of Finley-Holiday's Grand Canyon National Park video. In my 20 years of photographing our National Parks, this was a highlight. I didn't put in at Lees Ferry but instead began the trip at Phantom Ranch (halfway point) and went down river 120 miles to Dear Creek. I needed scenes of the Bright Angel Trail so I hiked in with my betacam video camera to Phantom Ranch and spent the night there. I met the raft the following day. After 11 miles with the camera and tripod over my shoulder I was glad the next 120 would be by raft. Besides carrying in what I could I had mules bring down over 80 pounds of equipment for the trip.
These two pictures of me were taken by Carol Hemminger, one of 9 other guest on the raft. Notice the grip I have on the strap I used to hang on to during the rapids. This was quite an experience going thru some of the rapids, looking thru a viewfinder and not seeing the big picture. Like riding a bucking bronco - blindfolded. The trip was a huge success. I began filming on the rim during the fall of 1996 and after the river trip spent over a month working on top, then returned late summer of 97 for an additional month to finish up. Winter was filmed a couple years ago and when completed this should be one of Finley-Holidays best videos. Look for it summer of 1998.

From the Grand Canyon to Graceland. Not all the work I do is of National Parks. I've done films on Mount Vernon, Montecello, Colonial Williamsburg and Washington D.C. to name of few. Graceland was a unique experience as this was the first video ever done on Graceland. This was an all out production with dollys, booms and enough lights to make the inside like the outside. The finally video includes a tour of Graceland, mixed with concerts, home movies and interviews of Elvis.I was assisted by Brent Armenta, Mike Brass and writer/editor Marsha Hall. We began work at 5:00pm after the last tour entered the house and worked untill 2 or 3 in the morning. The Graceland staff were great and food was spread out on a table for us each night. I filmed all the rooms that are on the tour as well as the museums and grounds.
These two shots are in the dining room. The upper picture is a shot of Elvis's perspective at the dining room table. The picture to the left is Brent and I studying the monitor prior to the shot. The video monitor is our most valuable piece of equipment on location as we are able to study and see exactly what we are getting. Sure bets the old days when I worked with film.