I couldn’t have asked for a better way to kick off 2012 then by combining my three passions in life: Family, Photography and Sailing. My father and I have been dreaming and scheming about this trip for the past 8 years and we finally turned it into a reality. The time was spent sailing to and exploring new locations each day, scuba diving off the boat, snorkeling, kayaking, reading, playing cards and laughing a lot. I am thankful for my family and blessed to have shared such an amazing week with them.

Jen Edney Photography has teamed up with RDQLUS Creative for an Extreme Makeover! Here is a sneak peak! To learn more about the project and the creative mercenary behind the scenes click here! Complete redesign of site coming soon!

Jeff Mullin’s life was drastically altered July 22, 2011, in a horrible car accident near his hometown of Clinton, Mo. Mullins suffered two collapsed lungs, a lacerated liver and 13 broken bones including his collarbone, shoulder blade, femur, pelvis and nine ribs.

At the time of the accident he was given a 10 percent chance of survival. With the incredible support from the bowling community and his family, Mullins is expected to make a full recovery.

Jeff’s life plays out like a version of Ground Hog Day, the only changes being in who comes to visit him that day, an occasional outing and what’s for dinner. He begins his morning watching Price is Right followed by Las Vegas waiting for his sister Amy to bring him his coffee and cereal. He often wakes up around 3 or 4 am and cannot go back to sleep. “The worst thing about going to bed early is I wake up at 2 or 3 and just want to roll over and go back to sleep, but I can’t roll over.”

“ I can pretty well move myself, just need someone to move my legs with me.”

Jeff’s sister, Amy, is one of his 3 main caregivers. She has been with him everyday since his accident and usually stops by several times a day. She acts as both sister and nurse, bringing him coffee and breakfast in the morning as well as cleaning his wounds or giving him his shots. “She always has a great big smile every time she has a needle in her hand…I joked around telling people she would throw it at me like a dart!”

Jeff’s day varies from calm and quiet to hectic and crazy, especially when his niece and nephews stop by after school. “I love it! It takes my mind off of me because they are so damn active. Sometimes it’s stressful with all the action but it helps ease the pain.”

Peyton, Jeff’s nephew, challenges his uncle to a wheel chair race.

Mornings are pretty quiet. Before Jeff’s accident he was very active during the day working, playing golf or bowling. “I really miss golfing and bowling, being active. It would be really nice to be able to get up and get my own drink of water, it would be a blessing if I could fend for myself right now. ”

Cheyenne stops by most days after school to see her uncle Jeffy. “She’s my special one.”

During a lunch outing to Raymond’s Family Restaurant Jeff is greeted with a warm welcome by members of the women’s bowling league. His dad says, “he’s got a harem of 70-year-old woman. I think they’d love to take him home for a pet.”

The Strike Zone community put on a bowling fundraiser to raise money to help with Jeff’s medical expenses. They raised almost $4000 during the two-day event. “WOW! That’s how I felt. I was pretty overwhelmed and pretty speechless, it about made me want to cry that everyone would do that for me.”

“This experience has made me stop and think a bit and made me appreciate the day to day things I’ve been able to do. The normal daily stuff sucks now. ” Jeff needs help with simple tasks like going to the bathroom, getting a drink of water or taking a shower.

Jeff lost his mother 10 years ago to cancer. J.D, his father, is very upbeat saying, “I’ve been through this before, but this time there is a positive outcome.” Jeff enjoys his father’s company and the father-son duo have a healthy camaraderie. His dad jokes, “I told him next time he pulls something like that, I’m gonna kill him!”

“She’s been my partner in crime all my life,” said Mullin about his sister, Amy. “Ever since I can remember she’s been here everyday. We just always crack up while doing everything to take the pressure off.”

77 year old Minoru Saito has finally arrived back in Yokohama Harbor after nearly 3 years of sailing ‘the wrong way’ around the world. He now has completed his 8th solo circumnavigation and holds the records for “the oldest-around alone” and “oldest westward solo circumnavigation.”

I had the opportunity to meet Minoru when he pulled into the Royal Cape Yacth Club in Cape Town, SA for repairs. Thank you, Minoru, for your inspiration to your country and sailors around the world!

To read more about Minoru Saito’s journey click here: http://www.saito8.com/

Driving back from brunch yesterday with my family I noticed an event going on at Scheels in Omaha so decided to stop and take a look. It was the final round of the  Super Retriever Series competition. They were opening it up for the Fun Jump where any dog can try it out so I decided to stay and photograph. It was a great time watching the dogs and their owners, some were ridiculously excited about jumping into the water and others, well…not so much. I will definitely bring my dogs next time! Check out their site for more information http://www.superretrieverseries.com/

Every morning I go to swim Chris greets me with a warm smile, little wave and Oxygen in hand. He never misses a day in the pool. Chris is 83 years old and has survived 4 rounds of cancer including throat, pancreatic and lung cancer. Today Chris is cancer free. He swims 12 lengths everyday, stopping after each one to use his oxygen. He began swimming 15 years ago when the pool opened and says, “This place has kept me alive!” – Thank you Chris for inspiring me everyday!

Below are some images from my latest delivery with American sailor Brian “BJ” Caldwell.  We sailed through the North Pacific from Hawaii to Point Roberts north of Seattle on the Canadian Border.   Overall the trip was pretty mild with light weather conditions, averaging over one-hundred and fifty miles a day through-out. We had about 5 days of sun, stars and moon before a fog bank settled in that didn’t lift for over 10 days.

The main objective of this trip was to discuss BJ’s projects he has lined up for the next few years. We also did some product testing/shooting for Hobie Polarized Sunglasses. Many nights were spent brainstorming and discussing new technical ideas for later photography innovation in documenting these projects. Stay tuned for more updates and announcements over the next few months!

For 2 weeks my friend and fellow photojournalist Eric and I traveled across the Industrial Midwest from Omaha, NE to Buffalo, NY. We wanted to document the changing landscape, illustrating the decay but hoping to find signs of revitilization. A few days into the project we realized we needed to shift focus to the people. Amidst the blocks of abandoned homes and decaying buildings we witnessed first hand the incredible hospitality that the Midwest is known for. Below is a sample of images illustrating the people, the rays of light we found amidst the dying landscape. To view full gallery click here!

I was fortunate enough to be able to sail aboard Medicine Man for the 64th Newport to Ensenada International Yacht 2011 race this past weekend! The 125.5 nm race was full of great times, birthday celebrations and variable weather. It was a long race finishing with a corrected time of 22:51:17. Between shooting, playing sewer rat and celebrating Cap’N Bob’s 70th birthday it made for an interesting 2 days. Thanks to Bob Lane and the rest of the guys on Med Man for letting me come aboard!

To view the full gallery click here!

To view the full gallery click here!