Memorial Day

A few weeks ago Greg asked me if I had heard of this new iPhone App that takes pictures and makes them funky looking. I was curious because I get panicked when I bring my camera out bc, ever the New Yorker, I feel as though someone might steal it. I know, it's a little ridiculous considering now I wave to my neighbors as they drive down the road and i don't even know them.

But alas I downloaded Instagram and I am in love. I used this past weekend and was able to capture my nephew's first dip in the lake.

Needless to say he's a cutie.

Happy Tuesday!

The sign...

S I know I haven't posted in over a week. Bad me. But in all honestly, it's been a rough week. Between work drama and then a close family friend passing away, photography kind of fell by the wayside. So to recap:

Photo Club Critique:

Well this did not go as I planned. In a way, it didn't go anywhere. As we reviewed the photos being projected, the other photogs offered their two cents. I was growing steadily nervous trying to remember the iso and shutter speed. Finally, my photo was posted. I did my "schpill" trying not to stutter. Then... silence. No one offered any advice or even sound. Needless to say I walked home a little disappointed.

The Email:

Wednesday brought on a case of the blues. I felt in a rut. I'm trying to get my name out there, even trying to get a few more second shooting gigs but nothing. Its been feeling a little like maybe I'm not on the right track. As much as greg and my family love my pictures and can't help but feel maybe there a little bias. As I scrolled through craigslist trying to not be so negative, I noticed I had a new email.

A groom had emailed to see if I was available next year. Holy. Guacamole. He had seen my ad on Craigslist. Now I haven't booked anything but part of me felt that this was a sign that yes i'm on the right track.

I watched Oprah's Master class episode a few weeks back and she said this:

"I say the universe speaks to us, always, first in whispers. And a whisper in your life usually feels like 'hmm, that's odd.' Or, 'hmm, that doesn't make any sense.' Or, 'hmm, is that right?' It's that subtle. And if you don't pay attention to the whisper, it gets louder and louder and louder. I say it's like getting thumped upside the head. If you don't pay attention to that, it's like getting a brick upside your head. You don't pay attention to that—the brick wall falls down. That is the pattern that I see in my life and so many other people's lives. And so, I ask people, 'What are the whispers? What's whispering to you now?'" — Oprah

I got my whisper.

My personal Rapture...

Tonight I'll be having one of my photos critiqued for the very first time. Tonight is judgement day.

I have been dreading and excitedly anticipating this night for two weeks now. Once a month I join a group of photographers at the local library to discuss techniques and other photo related things. This will be the second time I'll be going and the first time I will actually have to speak. Not that i was thinking I'm better then them, Last time i was scared out of my wits. there are times when i sit in front of my computer thinking i'm crazy to try to be a wedding photographer. Then there are times where I sit there and say " I rocked that out!"

Tonight there will be professionals judging my work and ultimately letting me know if I have what it takes to continue.

Hopefully it won't be too bad and i won't run out of the room crying. it's almost like offering your baby up for all the world to judge.

Crossing my fingers that my baby won't be too ugly.

To all the survivors out there....

This weekend has been one of reflections about the choices we make and events in life that make us question everything. On Friday Greg and I were asked to photograph a Relay for Life Event in Petersburg, VA. A lot of people asked me why I would waste my gas on a volunteer event and I won't even be able to use it for my website. The answer is simple. I do it not only to make each survivor feel special but to help me remember how lucky I am.

We were set up to photograph at the entrance by the survivors table where they would register and receive a purple shirt (the one above). Halfway through a girl around 10 years old came running up to the table smiling. To be honest I was expecting her to be accompanying a parent or loved one who battled cancer, instead she gave her name. Her father proudly told Greg how she had been battling cancer and a lung transplant since she was diagnosed at 10 months. The way he spoke about her and how she still keeps fighting could've brought tears to anyone's eyes. Despite all of this she was all smiles and ready to walk with her family by her side.It's moments like that where you realize life can always be harder and can end sooner then you hope.

To some extent we are all survivors. Whether its a physical condition or emotional, you can't do it alone. Petersburg's Relay raised about $86,000 and had hundreds of survivors, family, friends and community members show up to prove that there really is no such thing as too many birthdays.

Happy Sunday <3

Why I love weddings...

A lot of people have asked me why do I love weddings so much? They then go on to list all the reasons why weddings are an exuberant waste of money. To some extent they are right. I've seen couples go into debt trying to have that platinum wedding experience. But I don't love weddings because I like to see how tall the cake is or if the bride went with an over the top gown. I love them for a whole different and sometimes rarely acknowledged part.

This weekend I had the opportunity to second shoot a wedding with Jenn from The Creative Light studio. (Any brides in the Ohio area look her up!) The couple, Matt and Katie, were the about the best couple any photographer can ask for: Relaxed, easygoing and fun.

It was during their bride/groom photos right after the ceremony that the light bulb went off. This is why I love weddings. You could see in their eyes how much they loved each other. It was radiating off of them! The way she whispered to him "my husband", the way he held her while they posed, it all reminded of why I love weddings.

Weddings aren't just a huge party with an open bar (if you're lucky). Its about two people who were lucky enough to say I found the person I want to grow old with and that through thick and thin we're in this together. Call me a hopeless romantic but those moments, those looks are why I love weddings.

Dance like no one is watching...

who doesn't love the beach? We were hanging out when I saw this young girl, could not have been more then 14, just drop her stuff and whip out her hoop. She was dancing and hula-ing at the same time with no music. And while watching her I realized what ever she heard must have had an amazing beat because girlfriend was working it.

It was a great reminder that we all need to be brave enough to dance to our own beat and be true to ourselves. Not to mention rock out the tye dye look every now and then.

*hugs*

A stormy weekend...

Storms have a way of freaking me out. No, seriously. I've always considered the fact that storms have this awesome power. if you ever wanted to feel small in this world, watch the sky during a storm.This was the view from Greg's parents farm. It was during a lull between all the rain that was being dumped.

i couldn't help but think that god was giving me a metaphor for my life at the moment. It may seem that nothing I do is going right. It may seem like all I can see is negativity and obstacles, just like all I saw where black clouds over the mountains. It may even seem as if it might never end. But it will. Just like the lull provided a little bite of sunshine, I will get to where I'm going. Might get crazy, I might get soaked but it will be worth it.