Larry Wilcher...rest in peace...3/17/2011

Larry Wilcher was a fixture at Fort Boonesborough, Kentucky. His friend Bill Farmer brought dirt from the cabin where Wilcher set up as a trader. The pouch went into the coffin.

Several hundred friends laid the beloved Larry Wilcher to rest today in Liberty, Casey County, Kentucky. No more words are necessary.

Larry's passing...

Larry "Heavy" Wilcher died just before midnight on March 13, 2011. Funeral arrangements are pending, and will be posted when obtained.

He ain't Heavy...Larry Wilcher

Melanie and Larry captured in a private moment during a Fort Harrodsburg history event this year. (Photos copyright John Bramel)

Things have gotten tougher for Larry Wilcher.

Known throughout the close-knit historical reenactment community as "Heavy,"

he got not so heavy after cancer wrote its name on the pages of his life log.

A fixture as a trader at historical events and a personality as good and strong as tent canvas,

Larry's battle with cancer has been tough. His efforts have been as strong as a 42-inch Colerain blackpowder barrel.

Now he'll have to get stronger.

He learned this week that, despite his efforts and all the trials, cancer has dealt him a major setback. Instead of revealing some very personal information on the worldwide web, you can write Larry's lifelove, at mkkuntz@hotmail.com, and she'll send you updated condition status.

In short, doctors are trying to get Larry well enough so he can get out of the hospital and go home.

You know Heavy. I know Heavy. When he gets to the house he's going to reload that barrel--this time with a double-charge of powder and buck-and-ball--and he going to take aim, again, at defeating this thing. His aim will be true.

You can help steady that aim with a simple gesture: Send him a get well card. Mail it to Larry Wilcher, 1146 Shelby Street, Junction City, KY, 40440. Melanie and Larry's strong family who are surrounding him as I write this will make sure Larry gets that card. Heck, you owe it to him for all those great trader deals he's given you over the years.... .

I know his mind: He's got Fort Boonesborough  trade faires and events he's got to get ready for. "I'll be set up in the first cabin to the left as you come through the front gate."

See you there, pardner.

Bad weather...no problem

Cody and his brothers, who served as best men.

Storms battered down on Cody Boone and Christy Edelen's wedding day this past weekend.

It simply didn't matter.

We moved inside the Marion County house that Cody helped his dad build...themselves...by hand...using horses to pull the logs from their woods.

A stunningly beautiful bride. A dashingly handsome groom. An incredibly beautiful home.

Wow.

Joanne and I filled the place with studio-quality lighting, because everywhere we looked it was picture-perfect. The overall shot with Cody was done with a specialty lens, a distortion-free 12 mm Nikor lens we use for architectural jobs...and shots like this one.

As usual, click on the image to make it bigger.

If you're lucky, in about a week Christy will give you the password to see all the online images...almost 400 of them.

All images copyright BRAMEL PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY

Senior Superlative Part 2

WCHS Senior Superlatives Part 1

Each year I shoot and produce a project for the Washington County High School Yearbook. It's big fun for the kids. It's big fun for me. Here, in no particular order, are the 2011 Washington County High School (Kentucky) Senior Superlatives.  Click on the image to bring it up larger. Each one should be self-explanatory.... .

Kendall Taul just can't stand the wait

Kendall was in the studio this week (www.jbphotosource.com) and Joanne and I did his senior pics...he's a 2011 Marion County High School (Kentucky) senior. Altho his proof book won't be finished until another few days, he wants a sneek peak.

Here you go, Kendall. This kid is first-class. Joanne and I have know him like...well...forever. Yes, he's Beverly's son.

Here's the track shot larger so you can see the Photoshop CS4-applied "wind" filter. Click on the pic and it'll get even larger for you. There are five studio lights at work here, and I left the senior ring in color. This image would make a great locker poster, which we offer.