A photo journal comprised of my thoughts on motherhood and other life happenings, as well as some of professional work as a photographer. Southern California is home.
I shared some words over on The Ma Books. You can read them here. I’ve said it before, but I’ll say it again… I really enjoy everything The Ma Books stands for. Such a great and supportive space.
I’ve updated my website, which is something I feel like I’m doing every few months. I’ve added some featured sessions and moved around a few things. Many thanks to Janet for her help and expertise.
Willy has been on Lexapro now for a few months. When we were in Joshua Tree, he shared that he’s the happiest he’s been in ten years. He hasn’t had any severe anxiety issues in a while. It feels good, for both of us.
I happened to stumble upon this video for Gucci. I’m by no means a designer kinda gal, but the video is just stunning. I’ve watched it several times.
I’m working with Janet on some new designs for The Bee & The Fox. Hoping to have them out within the next month. I’ll also be selling at the Mermade Market here in Dana Point in May. If you’re in the area, you should check it out.
I saw a psychic. She swears there’s a little girl on the horizon. She also said she’s going to be a spitfire. I’m not sure I believe in psychics, but I am sure that if we were to have a girl she would be a spitfire.
This lady was on Oprah and says she understands baby language. Supposedly they say five different words. She’s pretty convincing and makes all of who have mothered children and dug deep into the grab bag of tricks to soothe a crying baby look like fumbling idiots.
How did you fall into motherhood? Was it something you longed for since a little girl, something you fell into, or something that you didn’t think you’d love but turns out you do? I found this article, “Opting Out of Motherhood” interesting. I was that little girl who was always playing house.
I was over on Mozi Magazine’s blog as a featured photographer and shared some tips on family photography and shared some images of one of my favorite families to photograph. You can check it out by clicking here.
The Subtle Art of Not Giving a Fuck. Have you read it? It’s brilliant.
Hooper participated in a jog-a-thon at school. In the days leading up to it, he told me he did not want to run. I told him he didn’t have to. When it started, however, he scrunched up his nose and furrowed his eyebrows (mad face in full effect) and off he went. He didn’t stop despite limping part of the way because he said his leg hurt.
Have you heard about the dog in Seattle who rides the bus, by herself, to the dog park? Her owner describes her as an “urbanized dog”.
I met Tish, who was all kinds of sweet. She captured some images of our family that I know I will treasure forever. I will be sharing them here shortly. If you haven’t checked out her work, you should. I was blown away. So much talent.
I love learning about new and different things other photographers are doing. Like this guy.
Seriously in love with the ‘We Are All Uncool’ campaign. I shared several ‘uncool’ facts about myself on instagram.
Claudia Rose, a wonderfully talented photographer from the UK, reached out to me and shared an interview with me on her blog. You can read it here. I am such a fan of her work, if you aren’t familiar with her yet, you should check her out. Such an honor that she even notices anything I do.
Some of the images I shot for Sweet Threads and Tori Hendrix were featured over on Mini Style Blog. You can see the post by clicking here.
I was waiting for Willy and the boys outside of a Renaissance Festival in Arizona when this couple walked past me and into the festival. I was drawn to them immediately. When Willy made his was to the entrance with the boys, I mentioned the urge I had to photograph them. I thought there was a chance I’d find them until we actually entered and realized that the grounds were huge; my chances of coming across them again was like finding a penny someone dropped for you in a mall. We watched the whip show, ate some food, sat for part of a comedy show, met up with some friends, and killed hours just walking around. At the end of the day, we made our way back to a pottery booth near the entrance where I had bought something but left it there for easy pick-up once we were ready to leave. And there they were.
I grabbed the girl gently by the arm and positioned her next to her boyfriend and recall saying something along the lines of, “I’m going to take your photo, I don’t even care what you say”. Numbers were exchanged and the next thing I knew I was photographing them alongside a river. She wore the same flower crown she had on when I first saw them. That evening, we all became friends. I photographed them again the next time I was in Arizona.
And now, the images live in a published magazine.
Publication aside, because that’s not what it’s about, it goes to show that if you’re drawn to someone – for whatever reason – you should reach out. I’m not always so ballsy. In fact I’ve become a coward more times than I’ve had the balls to approach. But the last two years or so, as I’ve matured (I chalk it up to maturity, anyways) I’ve asked myself “why the hell not” and replaced self-ridicule with an I-don’t-give-a-damn mentality. I think that along with the rise in handheld phones / computers, we’ve lost the art of conversation with strangers and I personally would love to make the extra effort more often. I sat down in my seat on our flight to Utah, for example, and the entire row of people next to me were looking down at their iPhones. Perhaps it’s a separate topic. Point being, people are really special. It’s one of the parts I love about photography the most; it gives me a reason to walk outside of my comfort zone. Camera hanging from my shoulder or not, I’d like to think I’d still make the effort.
I challenge you all to start a conversation with a stranger sometime this week. I’ll do the same.
And because I dig the layout of the spread, here they are, in Mozi Magazine. The images of them above are from when I ran into them at the Renaissance Festival.
