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WELCOME!


follow Nate Mathai Photography at http://twitter.com/natemathai

Hey everyone! Welcome to my new and improved blog/site! I have merged both my website and blog into one place so it can serve as an easy-to-remember, one-stop shop for the most up-to-date happenings in my work and, basically, my life. There will be no more posts to the old blog, so make sure you update your bookmarks and RSS feeds to keep up! I have imported all the old posts here as well, so now there’s no need to keep yourself linked over there.

Below you will see the most recent information with what’s going on with me through my blog. And for those who are looking for a bit more information about Nate Mathai Photography, you can use the navigation above. I hope you all enjoy the new look, and I look forward to connecting with you all in some way, shape, or form. Oh, and leave me some comments! It makes me happy :) God bless…

[mail] | info@natemathai.com

[10.13.08] Monday Night Recap

  • [Bulls] On Thursday night, I caught the Bulls first preseason game.  I was thoroughly amazed at how little I knew about who was on the squad.  To my surprise, Roger Powell was picked up for the preseason squad!  Powell went to U of I and was a part of the amazing run in ‘05.  Time to reminisce the greatest comeback in NCAA tournament history (I’m a little biased, maybe):

    If he earns a spot, I’ll have a reason to really follow the Bulls more.

  • [Julie and Mark] On Saturday morning I was out for an e-session with Julie and Mark, and blessed with some beautiful weather! Here’s a little teaser:
  • Julie and Mark's E-Session in Chicago, IL
    Julie and Mark's E-Session in Chicago, IL

  • [Bears] Wow…we should be 6-0.  Granted, as I watched the first 57 minutes of the game, I didn’t expect us to win.  But Orton pretty much ran the 2-minute offense to perfection driving down the field for the score to put us up by 1 with 11 seconds left.  Who would have that a squib kick leaving 6 seconds, and a pass down the sidelines leaving 1 second on the clock would be enough to get the Falcons in FG range.  Blasted Jason Elam.
  • [Cowboys] Anyone watch the game?  Now that was even more kicker madness.  To end regulation, Folk has an opportunity to tie the game for OT, but gets his kick blocked.  BUT, the Arizona coach called a time just before it, so he got another chance - and hit it to force OT.  Then after a poor offensive drive, the Cowboys are forced to punt near their own endzone…AND THAT GETS BLOCKED AND RETURNED FOR A WINNING TD!  My goodness, football was crazy yesterday.
  • [Chicago Sports] It’s been a painful year.  First the Cubbies throw out an amazing season.  Now every Sunday the Bears are toying with my emotions.  I’m not too excited about the NBA season - I’m seriously going to be having some heart issues or emotional trauma.
  • [Fantasy] It happened again - my RBs do not perform (combined they give me just over 5 points).  And the week where it actually makes a difference if my kicker puts up 10+ points, he puts up 5.  Now I need the Giants D to put up 25 for me tonight…or I go to 1-5 for the season.  It’s slightly embarrassing that I post about this.  Oh, and insult to injury?  My stud QB Romo is expected to be out for 4 weeks with a broken pinkie.  Wow.
  • [Made of Honor] So my fiance was in town this weekend, so we were able to hang out in between the busy-ness of both of our schedules on Saturday night.  She normally picks the movies we rent (we alternate if its in the theater), and this time she picked “Made of Honor“.  Normally I can handle romantic comedies of sort, but can someone please create a new storyline?  It was semi-entertaining the first few times…but come on.  Where is the creativity people?
  • [What are you looking for?] I know I post many random things especially on Mondays, but if there’s anything you guys have a question about, feel free to ask!  No guarantees I can answer everything, but I’d still be willing to give it a shot if you’re interested.  So if you do have a question, feel free to post it in the comments below, or just shoot an e-mail to info(at)natemathai(dot)com.

NMP Challenge

Alright, I’ve posted the next challenge for October, so check it out.  It’s a shortened month (since I posted this late), but it’s a simple one.  Self-Portraits.

And from September’s challenge, here’s a submission from Taffy…he sent in both his texture as well as an image he used the texture with…

Keep pushing your creativity people…happy shooting!

Who Would Shoot Me… (Jasmine Star)

I posted before about how I would start posting occasionally who I would love to have shoot my wedding if there were no restrictions whatsoever.  So, if there was no restriction on money, time, availability, etc., I want want each person that I post about (and many more, actually) to shoot my wedding together, because they all would bring something that I truly admire or want.  In actuality, this is a combination of who I would want to shoot my wedding as well as who I’m inspired by in the industry.  (side note:  the photographers are listed in no particular order, except for the last one being my actual photographer.  I love you all equally :) )

Ok, so for the inaugural post, I would want Jasmine Star.

Jasmine has one of the most amazing stories (which I will probably butcher trying to explain it) that I’ve heard.  She started out in law school, and in searching for her own wedding photographer found a passion in the industry.  She then went full force in learning, and in less then a year became BluDomain’s Photographer of the Year…and she is only finishing her second full year shooting!

Jasmine’s images are very crisp and clean, but what I love most about her is her copy.  This girl knows how to write!  I follow so many blogs (near 100, I think) and for many of the photographers I skim the text but the way she writes pulls me in.  It is so clear how invested she gets in her clients - understanding their story and seeing the love in the relationships.  Although I’ve never been a huge reader, I’m a sucker for quality type.  So that coupled with her amazing images make her an obvious choice.

Check out her work:  blog | site

Indo-Pak National Basketball Tournament

I remember going to my God-parents place, and folding and stapling the programs together.  I remember going to the tournaments watching the bigger guys play some highly competitive games, and shooting around during time outs and halftimes.  I remember doing a toned down play-by-play for a couple games and keeping stats.  Oh, and I remember getting free t-shirts for a couple years too!

In 1989 my cousin Matt Alex started the Indo-Pak Basketball Tournament in Chicago, as a response to the need for a quality, competitive and respectable basketball tournament catering to the Indian and Pakistani demographic.  Over the years, it had grown much larger than some might have expected, with people traveling from all over the US and Canada to play in the Chicago Invitational, as well as satellite tournaments being held in other cities.

This past July, celebrated its 20th year hosting the tournament, and I was able to capture a bit of the action throughout the weekend.

Indo Pak National Basketball Tournament
Indo Pak National Basketball Tournament
Indo Pak National Basketball Tournament
Indo Pak National Basketball Tournament
Indo Pak National Basketball Tournament
Indo Pak National Basketball Tournament
Indo Pak National Basketball Tournament
Indo Pak National Basketball Tournament
Indo Pak National Basketball Tournament
Indo Pak National Basketball Tournament
Indo Pak National Basketball Tournament
Indo Pak National Basketball Tournament
Indo Pak National Basketball Tournament
Indo Pak National Basketball Tournament
Indo Pak National Basketball Tournament
Indo Pak National Basketball Tournament
Indo Pak National Basketball Tournament

Along with celebrations, it was a bittersweet moment at the end when Matt announced that, after 20 years, he was stepping back from the overall logistical responsibilities of running these tournaments and handing over the reigns to a new set of leaders.  There were many heartfelt words of thanks and tears shed during these final ceremonies.

Indo Pak National Basketball Tournament
Indo Pak National Basketball Tournament

Much respect to the Maryland 5 Pillars who (true to form) took home the title yet again.

Indo Pak National Basketball Tournament

It was my joy to take part in the 20th anniversary of this tournament, and I look forward to another 20 years of quality basketball in the future!

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