This first photo (left) is my FAVORITE. I don’t know why the whole frame didn’t get exposed..but I don’t even care. The imperfection of it is what amazes me. I could never re-create this photo exactly how it came out with digital or even film for that matter. It’s one of a kind, and that blows my mind.

The photo on the right was shot on a Yashica EZ Zoom70. I picked up that camera at a Goodwill for a dollar or 2. Thanks Goodwill

Thanks to them for having me setup the photobooth! It was a lot of fun (as you can tell..below)

ps- I’m still trying to name this beast. Help me name it and I’ll hook you up with all sorts of free goodies!

Enjoy!!

Email me [jhuskin@gmail.com] to book your shoot today. Starting at $150.

BTS / Light Setup Shot..This was at 3 pm in broad daylight. One of the perks of using big flashes when you have them available.

I’ve always wanted to make a “Top Ten-Best of” post on here. Last year I REALLY sucked at blogging and all those old posts were thrown in the trash when I started taking this thing seriously about 8 months ago.

Here we go..into the lists! I would say something like “The opinions stated on this post are not the views of the entire www.joshhuskin.com company”…BUT I am the entire company. So they are 100% my opinions. Deal with it

Top Ten Albums of 2011
I quickly got my feet wet in photography by shooting bands/music.  I’ve always played music, loved music, lived music, etc.  Ever since I ran an all ages venue in San Angelo, TX (RIP The Phoenix).  I’ve also been on many many tours with Lie and Wait (RIP) and played in The Graces(RIP), Altus(RIP) and now Eightfifteen.  So when I got my first entry level DSLR, testing out lighting techniques on my friends…who all were in bands…made the most sense.  They were my guinea pigs.   So, in a nutshell, every day consists of me listening, tapping, singing, air drumming along to music.  These are the Top Ten Albums that I did those things to in 2011.

1 – The Get Up Kids, “There Are Rules”
I feel like it’s necessary to put this album #1..since I have a Get Up Kids tattoo on my wrist and since they are one of my favorite bands of all time.  Also, ever since There Are Rules came out it has been in rotation at least three times a week.  It’s perfect from start to finish and even better live.  I went to see The Get Up Kids play at Emo’s in Austin when they were on tour for There Are Rules and it was amazing.  I’ve seen so many good shows at Emo’s…sure going to miss that place when it’s gone.    Favorite Track: Rememorable

2 – Rival Schools, “Pedals”
It’s not a coincidence that both of my favorite records of 2011 are bands that got back together after a long break.  I’m still stuck listening to music that came out 10+ years ago.  Does that mean I’m getting old? I waited a LONG TIME for Pedals. 10 years to be exact. United By Fate(2001) is easily in my Top Ten records of all time.  This year with help from a couple rad friends we learned a handful of Rival Schools songs to play at the Annual Hallow’s Eve Cover Show.  It might have been one of my favorite sets to play (It’s a close tie with Jimmy Eat World)    Favorite Track: Shot After Shot

3 – O’Brother – “Garden Window”
I have to give credit to Alex Gibbs for O’Brother making it to my list this year.  For the past 2 months I have listened to this record every morning on the way to work at full volume. It’s how I get my day started now.  I have seen O’Brother live a couple times at The Ten Eleven when they toured with Dignan.  On Garden Window they have turned the volume up to 11 and the intensity up to 12.  It’s perfectly heavy and melodic at the same time.  It also made a great soundtrack for our Behind The Scenes video.  Favorite Track: Poison!

4 – David Bazan – “Strange Negotiations”
This record was an instant hook for me.  I love anything David Bazan touches.  This record starts off perfectly with “Wolves at The Door”.  The vocal pattern at 1:17 is perfect, the drum fill to start the song is perfect and the line “You’re a goddamn fool, and I love you..yeah I love you” is perfect. Too much perfection.  It doesn’t stop there either. Bazan keeps it up throughout the whole record. There isn’t a song I don’t like on Strange Negotiations. Favorite Track: People

5 – Sohns – “To Ward it off and Drown it Out“
I’m pretty proud to put this record in at #5 on my list.  I’m proud because I have became close friends with the members of Sohns.  I probably saw them play at least 15 times before I even heard To Ward it Off and Drown it Out.  Sohns is known for their loud and aggressive “in-your-face” live show.  Once I was able to jam this record it all made sense.  I would highly recommend giving it a listen if you have only seen them live.
Favorite Track – New Reasons

6 – Into it. Over it. – “Proper”
This record is a perfect blend of “90′s midwest emo” with  more modern hooks.  I was a big fan of the singer, Evan Thomas Weiss’, previous band The Progress.  I never got to see The Progress live and sadly I missed Into it. Over it. when they played in San Antonio this year.  I won’t make the same mistake twice. Next time they come through, I’ll be there ready to sing along.
Favorite Track – Descretion & Depressing People

7 – Ryan Adams – “Ashes and Fire“
This record came out on October 11th, so I haven’t had much time with it yet. But I know it’s already going to be a keeper.  It has one of my new favorite Ryan Adams tunes on it…”Lucky Now.”  When I first head this song I was in the car headed to shoot a wedding and I went back and listened to it four times in a row.  In my book, it’s an instant classic and such a well written song. If I could write 1 good song for every 35 good songs Ryan Adams writes I would have a flourishing career as a professional musician.  Much Respect. 
Favorite Track – Lucky Now

8 – Polar Bear Club – “Clash Battle Guilt Pride“
Looking back I can’t believe I saw Polar Bear Club open for Gaslight Anthem at a 250 capacity small venue here in San Antonio.  I had been following PBC ever since their first EP, The Redder the Better, came out in 2006.  I always get stoked when they put out a new record..because I’m never disappointed.  One of my favorite shows I ever booked was Crime In Stereo, Polar Bear Club, Broadway Calls & The Swellers.  Too bad San Antonio didn’t appreciate it at the time.  I got to see some of my favorite bands in front of 30 other people.  No regrets on booking that show.  I loved every minute of it.
Favorite Track – Killin It

9 – Saves the Day “Daybreak“
I was a little skeptical about this record before it came out. I knew it was the first record without David Soloway.  Also the rhythm section left to go back to doing Glassjaw full time, Manuel Carrero (bass) and Durijah Lang (drums).  I have to say the records they are on together are some of my favorites from a drummer’s standpoint.  With that being said, I wasn’t let down at all.  I think Chris Conley has put together another solid group of musicians to play his songs.  The songwriting is still catchy and interesting.  I have to come to an understanding with some of my favorite bands that have been playing for 10+ years. I know they will never write that same record that they did in 1999.  I feel like a lot of people are still stuck on “That’s not as good as Through Being Cool”.  I don’t think we will get another record like that, but Daybreak is still a great listen from start to finish on it’s own. 
Favorite Track – Let it All Go
Top

10 – Foundation – “When the Smoke Clears”
This band can do no wrong.  Every record gets heavier and heavier and I love all of it.  Judging from 8 of my Top 10 records from this past year, it would look like I only listen to indie music.  But hardcore is still some of my favorite music. I listen to hardcore almost everyday, but I listen to records that came out 10+ years ago.  Foundation might be the only current band that would get my old ass to mosh at a show. And yes, I know my favorite track is off their EP on Triple B Records. That song kicks ass.
Favorite Track – Never Stops Raining

My Top Ten Favorite Photography/Photographer Blogs to follow from 2011
In no particular order, here are the blogs that I skip right to when I see them in bold when I open Google Reader.
Link on the left takes you to their blog, Link on the right is the RSS feed link.

Redux Pictures – rss
The Image is Found – rss
Jonas Peterson – rss
Carly Bish – rss
Ryan Brenizer – rss
Diy Photography – rss
Fstoppers – rss
David E Jackson – rss
Damn Ugly Photography – rss
Alex Gibbs Photography – rss
Two Pair Photography – rss

My Top Ten* Favorite Photos I took that were published in 2011
Either these are in my favorites, cause I like how it turned out or they were my favorite cause I had fun shooting them.  I’ll let you decide
*I picked 12…whoops

This is my favorite shot of the night. No matter how many players are battling around the goalie and how much chaos is..they ALWAYS have their eye on the puck. Their job is to always know where the puck is at ALL times. I love how you can see the concentration in his eyes.

This one barely slipped by Dov Grumet-Morris..