My friend and immensely gifted jazz musician Reginald Cyntje wrote a blog titled "Dreams" and I felt it was appropriate to syndicate his post here. To read the full blog, please visit http://cyntjemusic.wordpress.com.

At 12, I had a dream that I will one day become a great trombonist and share wealth with family and friends. I awoke surprised and energized by my dream. Each morning before school I would practice, again at lunch, after school then at home. Music was not a natural thing for me. It did not come easy so I worked hard. I was on a mission to learn and grow.

In the 11th grade I signed up for a Life Arts Class that talked about self love. In this class we talked about daily affirmations (a far fetch thought for a high school junior). The instructor of the class was also a jazz vocalist. My purpose was being presented without me grasping what was happening.

As I grew musically, I became more fascinated with jazz. While in high school my main focus of study was European Classical music but American Classical music caught my attention. I have discussed this in other writings. As I indulged in the jazz idiom along with reggae and calypso I met many enlightened beings that talked about something deeper than the technical aspect of creating music.

As a kid, I dreamed the impossible and in some ways made it happen. When I transitioned into adulthood and started seeing harsh realities of many I respected I did not invest in the dreams the same way I did as a kid. I second guessed myself and lost the confidence that I had regardless of opposition. Since that time I have seen growth and experienced hardship but I have not lost sight of my dream.

I discovered that when I focused all my energy and remained positive the dream became a reality. It was hard to do at times because I created a reality that contained distractions and less than inspiring circumstances.

One night I had a discovery. I was performing on stage and a musician and his wife approached me and said I inspired them. That evening I played from my heart and felt love and inspiration in the music. More importantly, the audience felt what I was feeling. I discovered that I can move people, not with tricks, but with sincerity.

The chatter of negativity in my mind quickly disappeared as more people approached me and spoke of similar experiences. The more I believed the more people I touched. When I had those moments of disbelief the result was not the same. The lesson…believe all the time.

Having this dream led to other dreams which include opening an Arts school on the island of St. Thomas (USVI), recording numerous works that inspire, creating wealth for future generations and building community.

Growing up, I was inspired by musicians and community activist. My destiny…to do both.

When you aspire to do great things you must DREAM BIG. My dreams remain constant even when others don’t believe or can’t see. I have FAITH and TRUST that I will reach all my goals.

Will you do the same?

You may also find Reginald on various social networks:
http://www.myspace.com/reginaldcyntjegroup
http://www.twitter.com/cyntjemusic
http://www.linkedin.com/in/reginaldcyntje
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=64276984651

Labels: Blog, Jazz, Justin Schuck, Music, Reginald Cyntje

Check out this video I put together. It's a compilation of work I've done through the years. Some of the grainier images were ones I shot on film. For a lot of my older stuff I only have low-to-medium-resolution files so if you're watching in HQ, you might notice a difference.

Anyhow, check it out. The slide show plays to Daft Punk's "Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger." (Check out another cool YouTube video called "Daft Hands"

Labels: Advertising, Gallery, Justin Schuck, Justin Schuck Photography, Video

I just wanted to share with you a site I'm working on for custom jewelry designer, and friend, Tim Briscoe. His work under the label "Baubles by Briscoe" is both whimsical and elegant. Check out the site at BaublesByBriscoe.com, become a fan on Facebook, check BBB out at TheAlexandriaLife.com/baubles-by-briscoe-alexandria, and follow him on Twitter.com/TimBriscoe.






Where you can find Tim Briscoe and Baubles by Briscoe online:
http://www.baublesbybriscoe.com
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Baubles-by-Briscoe/76234629859
http://www.yelp.com/biz/baubles-by-briscoe-arlington
http://www.thebethesdalife.com/baubles-by-briscoe-bethesda
http://twitter.com/timbriscoe
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=27tl_tYzcP0
http://vimeo.com/4587503

Labels: Baubles by Briscoe, BBB, design, Facebook, JSDS, Justin Schuck, Tim Briscoe

In July 2006, accompanied by my friend Cliff who grew up in New Orleans, I embarked on a photographic expedition to cover the city a year after the devastating storms of 2005. Hurricane Katrina and the resulting catastrophic levee failures resulted in countless deaths and destruction totally more than $100,000,000,000 (that's $100 billion) in damage. Whole neighborhoods were wiped away as the city's poorest residents were left to fend for themselves.

A year later the devastation was still visible. At times I was overwhelmed by the scope. There wasn't a parish not touched by the storm. While my overall experience was positive, I am still struck by how much has yet to be done.





Song: "Hide and Seek" by Imogen Heap

To learn more about how you can help the city of New Orleans and its residents, visit the following websites:

"Mama D" Dyan French on MSNBC - Watch the video! You'll recognize her from mine.
Common Ground Relief - Solidarity, not charity
New Orleans Musicians Relief Fund
Unity of Greater New Orleans - formerly Unity for the Homeless

Labels: America, Help the Homeless, Hurricane Katrina, Justin Schuck, Justin Schuck Photography, New Orleans, Photo, United We Stand, Video, Volunteer

Hey guys,

I put together a little video explaining a bit more about Guerrilla Photo Shoots and where my idea struck me. Check it out on Vimeo or YouTube!






Learn more about Guerrilla Photo Shoots on the GPS Blog, on the GPS Facebook Group or by following @GuerrillaPhoto on Twitter. Be sure to tell your friends! (The first Guerrilla Photo Shoot will take place in New York in May. Check the Facebook Group or the blog to learn more!)

Labels: Art, Blog, Boston, GPS, Guerrilla, Justin Schuck, New York, Photo, Shoots, Video, Vlog, washington dc

Even though I am just getting over Swine Flu (just kidding—it's really just a horrible cold), I thought I would get on my web cam to vlog and tell you a bit more about my business and why you need to hire Justin Schuck Photography for your next portrait, special event, hotel, product catalog, real property or editorial assignment. The video features music by Yogstar.

On Vimeo:

Justin Schuck Photography - Asking for your business from Justin Schuck on Vimeo.

On YouTube:

Labels: Advertising, Blog, business, design, JSDS, Justin Schuck, Justin Schuck + Company, Justin Schuck Photography, New York, Twitter, Video, Vlog

We're coming up on the best time of Spring, and Summer's just around the corner. There are loads of reasons to hire a photographer, be that for an engagement portrait, an advertisement, a website, or for personal use.

Only a professional photographer can give your business the edge your it needs to effectively compete in this economy. Only Justin Schuck understands how

Give Justin Schuck Photography a call today: 301-300-1350

I've put together two graphics as part of my new spring marketing push. Check them out:




Justin Schuck Photography, since 1997
JustinSchuck.com / Facebook / Flickr / Twitter

Labels: Advertising, Justin Schuck, Justin Schuck + Company, Marketing, photography