About

Did I take photos of you?   Because I take many photos each week, the sorting and post processing work slows me down.  If I’ve taken photos of you recently and you don’t see them, don’t worry.  You’ll just have to check back every now and then. 

Want me?   Do you want your event to appear on Epic Status?  I’m highly motivated by deals, like two free admissions/etc.  See my email address below and make me an offer I can’t refuse.

Who is this guy?   I live in metro Des Moines, IA in the United States with my lovely wife Cherish.  My photos are mostly taken from the central Iowa metro area including the cities of: Des Moines, Urbandale, Clive, West Des Moines, Waukee, Grimes, and Ankeny. 

Why do I do this?   While in college I worked in graphic design at a copy shop.  My background in graphic design led me to a general appreciation for photography.  Since my hand drawing abilities are easily surpassed by any toddler aged child, Photoshop and photography are my only opportunity to be creative in a visual aspect.  Later on in life, after becoming addicted to viewing updates at other more interesting photoblogs, I started pondering the thought of creating one myself.  In January of 2007 I started the website and many evolutions later, here it is. 

Equipment:   Currently I use a Nikon D-40 DSLR.  My lenses include a Nikkor 18-55mm and a Sigma super wide-angle 10-20mm.  As for flashes, I own two SB-28’s and one SB-400 external flashes.  Prior to March 5, 2007 I was using a Canon Powershot point and shoot camera.

Why do many photoblogs look different?   As you can see, this is not a compilation of my very best shots taken out of context, like many photo blogs are.  You will see my best and my worst photos here.  Also I post photos in a page layout with multiple photos per page.  This allows me to better narrate as you move from picture to picture.  Also your finger doesn’t wear out from clicking next and scrolling down fifty times for each post.  The downside is that people with dial-up internet slower than 56k are going to struggle to view anything. 

Can I buy a high quality full size photo?   Yes, I sell original digital photo files shown here or complete sets of all pictures taken at an event, all at a very reasonable price.  Email me for pricing information.  I can provide a low quality preview for you to see before you buy anything.

If you are considering a complete set including all pictures not shown here, you need to contact me as soon as possible.  As time goes on I go back through sets and delete shots that I consider to be average, but that doesn’t mean that you wouldn’t love them.  Example: I take 500 pictures one night.  I’ll keep 200 that are decent or better.  15 get posted on the website.  A couple months later I’ll delete some of the pictures that weren’t my favorite and I’ll be down to 100.  Then a year later I’ll go back through and delete more to reduce that day’s photos to 50.

The photos will be digital computer images saved in a high quality Jpeg format readable by both PC’s and Mac’s, they will not come printed.  All originals are 6 mega-pixels and usually from 2-3 Mb in file size.  I always have many photos for each one that gets posted here.  Those that are published to the website are picked based on what I like and usually the composition and action captured, not necessarily to get the best shot of any particular person. 

All purchased images will be provided as originally recorded by the camera.  If you would like the colors and lighting levels adjusted, there will be additional charges.  This is something you can do yourself but the quality will not be comparable to what I can do unless you’re an expert. 

All photo files sold remain under some copyright restrictions unless the sale includes purchasing additional rights to the photo.  Unless an agreement exists, purchased photos may not be used for advertising or by any business or association.  Rights for these uses will be sold at an additional cost. 

Saving pictures from this website:  Since I can’t reasonably prevent it, you may use the low quality images from this website for personal uses and even print them if you like.  Because all photos here have been severely reduced in quality to help them download faster, they will print either tiny or blurry.  Consider purchasing the original from me for high quality prints.  You may not use these for any advertising or by any business or association.  You may not use these photos on any other website unless I approve after you contact me regarding the details and specific URL of placement. 

I’d like to advertise to the Des Moines metro: Email me to inquire about advertising your business to central Iowa and beyond.  I offer competitively priced online advertising to fit your needs.  From designing your advertisement to custom placement, look no further.

Contact Me:   If you would like to contact me regarding anything from hate messages to advertising inquiries, please send an email to nick at epicstatus.com

 ”There is nothing worse than a sharp image of a fuzzy concept.”  Ansel Adams 1902-1984