I’ve done about 8 hours total of research on this entire subject, and I think I have finally come to some good conclusions. I’ve read numerous reports and articles coming from both sides, and here is what I think. When presented with anything, it’s REALLY good to take a good look at both sides and see what the harshest critics are saying. Not only will it make you all the more wiser, criticism should help any company or non profit, whether said well or not. I’ve found most of the criticism uninformed, here’s why.

Is it a good cause?!

Overall, its a really good thing that they’re promoting. If someone came into my house, killed my brother in front of me, mutilated my face, and made me kill my parents, I would hope that SOMEone would fight for me and stand up for justice. If everyone I knew just sat back and watched, saying that if they were to help they’d be interfering with the “law,” that’d be a pretty sad society.

What about all the other evil armies and people in the world??

So, just in case you needed to be reminded, there is a LOT of evil in the world. Everywhere you go actually, you’ll find evil. People don’t like to see the world how it is and its filled with too many horrifically bad people to count. And just because there’s “far worse” evil things going on (even right now), does it make it wrong for ONE organization to go after ONE thing that really matters to them? I don’t think so. In fact, I think it’s our calling as humans to do such a thing. Because if everyone did something like Invisible Children is with the heart they’re doing it with, then the world would be a much better place.

What YOU can do.

Bottom line, if you don’t like the way they’re doing things, then go start a company or non profit that you think WILL do the right things. If you’re going to bash IC, then I hope you’re making a lot of effort to help the poor and needy. Because if you aren’t… then why are you complaining from behind your computer at all? Why say anything?

It happened so long ago, why bring it up now?

Just because this all occurred 20~30 years ago, the worst of it being 10 years ago, does that mean nothing should be done about it now? Sure, don’t paint Uganda as helpless and a horrible place – which the video imo doesn’t do at all. I’m going there this summer and I know it’s going to be beautiful on top of being safe! If we capture him and get him tried because of all this, I’d say that’s a huge success for Kony 2012 and Invisible Children.

I don’t like IC’s spending habits.

So if you don’t want to support Invisible Children with money, you want to give the money to a nonprofit that’s more on the ground. That’s awesome, you can still support their cause! Frankly, the $30 is worth it bc I don’t want to spend the time to print out all their pamphlets (which they’ve allowed everyone to download for free), but you actually don’t have to pay a penny to support stopping an evil person.

It reminds me of the quote… “It’s one small step for man, but one giant leap for mankind.” Hopefully this inspires many more to do similar things, with or without the 100 million views on YouTube.

What good does something like this ACTUALLY do??

At the VERY LEAST, I’m sure all of that time and research I put into this made me 100x more knowledgeable about the history of Uganda and whats been going on there. THAT my friends is immensely valuable – and if that’s all IC ended up doing for everyone that watched the video, that alone would be enough to call it successful.

At least we can ALL say we’re smarter than Rush Limbaugh. He said Obama sent in troops to Uganda to kill the LRA Christians trying to protect their country. Hahahaha….

And then it was his turn to try to catch the garter. ALMOST got it, but the winner had a little help… he would have had it otherwise. Oh well, you just need one, right?!

Ma man.

A city where raw steel meet the pacific ocean, where steel planes fly along with the flight of nature. Love it here!!

A HUGE thank you to Colbie. I have always been one of her biggest fans and she is truly one of the sweetest people I know. A musicians life is amazing in so many ways, but most people don’t understand the hard aspects of being a famous musician. Very long days for months on end, the pressure of staying fresh and new, endless hours in the studio, and the craziness of going on tour. However, somehow… Colbie ALWAYS has time for her fans and is incredibly sweet to them. I’ve known a good amount of musicians that just blow off their fans and get “so over” saying thank you – and for the 4 years or so that I’ve known Colbie, she’s never been rude or mean to a fan.

She has integrity, character, love, passion, and is so talented with her music and writing. She loves her boyfriend with all her heart. She’s funny, smart, and loyal. It’s an honor to be her friend and I am truly grateful for her friendship – thanks Colbie for always believing in me and trusting me with some important events in your life. And with all that, I present to you the official album cover for her third album, “All of you”

Photo by Christianne Taylor and Josh Newton by Josh Newton Photography

A HUGE shout out to Christianne – she helped me out sooo much that day and was a true friend throughout the whole experience. She helped with so many of the logistical aspects of the day and was so much fun to have around! Thanks Christianne, wouldn’t have been able to do it without you =)

So then two of my clients in 2010 (Brittney and Thomas‘ wedding) that I photographed in Santa Barbara saw that photo on my website and decided to make their own! How cool is that?? And check out her recreation, I thought it was pretty awesome =)

Can’t wait to see what my clients come up with for this year!! SO sweet

And just for fun, here’s an album cover that I got to shoot for Andy Grammer!! I love photographing for musicians and I just photographed an album cover shoot for Colbie Caillat – can’t wait to show you guys those pics when her album comes out in May

And if you’re interested, check out his video here =) It’s pretty sweet! You can see some of the photos I took in the video, look for what he puts up on the wall!

What makes Alaska even better is I have the BEST clients in the world… who are up for anything! Seriously, the coolest. April and Zac are good friends from high school and literally rocked it out. Enjoy the pics, thanks you too! Can’t wait for December =)

I shot this at an amazing place in Colorado Springs – the Garden of the Gods! Such an epic location, I especially liked that they are mimicking the ‘kissing camels’ in the background =)

I absolutely love my brother Tim and his wife Ali… they are my best friends in the whole world and I am so blessed by who they are and what their relationship is. They are beautiful inside and out and I couldn’t be more excited to have them in my life forever Love you both tons and tons, can’t wait to see you and hang out this year!