I Accept

I've had a fantastic past couple of days and figured it's time for a new post. The thing that has been missing in my life is the ability to accept others help. I will help anyone who asks, most of the time cutting into what I need to do to be there, but when it comes to accepting others help I don't do it. I've gotten better at it in recent months but for the most part can be extremely stubborn. Unless you have some type of degree in whatever subject being discussed, I'll probably dismiss you, politely of course. Honestly, even if you do have a degree, I may dismiss you. This is my way of flowing and to keep doing what I want, how I want to do it. I honestly don't have many vices. I eat healthy for the most part, exercise, don't smoke (anything ;)) and drink moderately when I have time :). My biggest issue is distraction. When the going gets tough, the tough gets distracted. I do this many ways. For many years it was unhealthy friendships, then came along social media, and most recently online games. Things have changed recently for me in an awesome way. I'm now sharing a super cute studio space in Solana Beach with some other really cool photographers and my personal life seems to be really on track and moving in a great forward direction. I'm excited about the future. While I'm not giving up social media by any means, I'm just not playing any of the games or spending as much time as I use to. So, if you want to contact me then you still can on fb, text, email etc. and to all of my game friends, if I let our Words with Friends game expire, don't respond to Draw Something, or don't catch your most recent facebook post, please don't be offended. I'm not blowing you off, we are still friends, but this anti-distraction journey begins yesterday.

Some recent images totally unrelated to the post :)

Inspiration

In one of last years posts I had mentioned my best friends mom, who says "Life gets in the way of plans." I've been a little bit of a mess of mixed thoughts and emotions this past year and any real plans I had from the previous year fell to the wayside. What I realize now is that we get in our own way when life changes. I've had a year of wondering what is right, wrong, true, false, if I really care or not...... I've gone back to square one...or have I? It wasn't until just a couple of weeks ago when I looked at how many notes I've written about various subjects, ideas, life experiences, etc. how incredibly inspired I've been this year. There are many types of artists who know exactly how to turn this inspiration around and immediately create. I don't know if it's the family distraction or the fact that "I am new here" that it took me so long to realize how to transfer what I viewed just as "something I do" into something I've created. Maybe this next year will be my most productive yet :).

"If it ever made you smile it was worth it."

Listening to: Ten Thousand Words, The Avett Brothers

Goodbye 2011....

2011 was an interesting year from first glance. Interesting is the best word to describe it. It seems so many people this year have had their fair share of ups & downs. Hopefully 2012 will hold more ups, but then again I've learned a lot from 2011. Some good, some bad, but as I've always said "I'm new here." Last year my resolution was to photograph something at least 2-3 days a week, and once a month, take in an art show of some sort and see live music. Maybe I'll stick to those. I really am looking forward to 2012.

Listening to: Wilco, What's the world got in store

A few of my favorite photos from 2011

Having Fun With The Sun

Inside the Crystal Cathedral, Anaheim Ca.

The "back yard" of an antique mall in Orange, Ca.

I wish I could remember the quote that I once heard another photographer say, but it was something like "You cannot spend the amount of time we do watching light and not be effected."

I just love that because it's so true. I think it makes you more aware in general of everything around you. Aware of the beauty that surrounds us all, no matter where you are, there is beauty.

These images were captured New Years weekend when I went trekking around Anaheim and Orange, Ca. with my husband, and my friend Dewin Barnette, a fabulous writer (http://www.dewinsblog.blogspot.com/) and photographer.

I'm not sure why it was this day that most of my images were backlit with the sun, but I was just drawn to it and having fun with it. We had just had a lot of rain but this was a beautiful weekend, with clear blue skies, and a bright shining sun, but very cold for us Californian's and Floridian's.

I'm definitely a sun lover especially if it's a bright sunny beach day. Often when I'm outside, especially in the water, or I'll even lean my head out of the car window (yes, like a dog), face the sun, close my eyes, take a deep breathe and block everything out but the feeling of warmth on my skin.

Oustide the Crystal Cathedral, Anaheim, Ca.

A theatre turned fellowship hall at the Orange Circle, Orange, Ca.

Seasons Greetings!

Holiday Portrait Sessions & Seasons Greetings







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Mayson

This photo session was so much fun. I love photographing people, especially people who love the camera. We had such a great time with this shoot that we could of spent several hours shooting.