Rene was kind enough (and brave enough) to help me out on one of my learning experiences! In case you couldn’t tell (because she’s tee-niny) she’s expecting a little babe soon!

ps-can you guess where we were???

I unwrapped myself from my children at 5 am and snuck out to the car to drive to the airport. The conference was in Newport Beach, California, near Los Angeles. I flew out two days early to spend time with family and friends (I’ll blog on this later!). Escalate Live was attended by photographers from across the country as well as thousands of people online who watched it live.

I had the honor of personally meeting and speaking with Jasmine Star, Jessica Claire, Dane Sanders, Jerry Ghionis, Becker, David Jay, Jeremy Cowart, and Julianne Kost.

More than anything, what I took from the conference (besides aspiring to be amazingly talented and take beautiful pictures) is to be FOR each other as photographers. Sort of a “pay it forward” mentality…or in Becker’s words “A rising tide raises all ships”. Or at least I think he said that.

I want to build relationships–no, friendships–with other photographers. I want to help photographers others succeed. I want to learn from them. I want to help my client’s let their light shine. I want to give back. I was so impressed by how all these photographers in their own way, continually give back–to other photographers, to their communities, to those in need. Reminds me of Phil. 2: ³Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. ⁴Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.

The question I keep turning over and over in my mind and one which I haven’t quite figured out is: I am passionate about my faith in God…how do I combine this with my passion for photography? I have some ideas, but would love to hear yours too, if you have any. Feel free to comment!

Let it shine!

me and J*

Be sure to head on over to www.iheartfaces.com to check out all of the beautiful face entries this week!

When you need a little push for inspiration here are a few ideas that might help you.

ps: become my fan on facebook! It would make me happy and would inspire me (show some love)

1. Take a drive-I love just hopping in the car and cruising around town…I’ll see an old building with amazing textures, or a field that’s begging for someone to lie down in, or an old church that needs a little TLC.

2. Watch a Movie- New, old, CGI, animated. Look at the compositions and lighting. Some of the best and brightest are in Hollywood. I recently had a friend teach herself to photoshop people into Avatars…incredible!

3. Go to the City- Head into the nearest City. Take pictures of lines, and structure and texture. I love to people watch…take pictures of the interesting characters lurking around the city (be safe, of course).

4.  Go to the Zoo- Get some pictures of the animals. Look at natures patterns and textures. It can be difficult to get a great shot at the Zoo because of the enclosures. Thinking outside the box will be rewarded.

5.  Go to the Race Track or Running Track- Whether its dirt bikes or nascar, baseball game or soccer match. Take your camera. Maybe rent a longer lens. Practice shooting something fast. If you have never tried panning this could be a great time.

6.  Go to Photo.net, iheartfaces.com, ilovephotography.com, istockphoto.com, etc.- Get an account head to the galleries. Browse the galleries or forums. Make sure to look in different categories than you usually shoot.

7.  Take a trip to Barnes and Noble- Get a coffee (or hot chocolate in my case), check out a few magazines–and not just the fashion ones! Then head over and look at some of the books–whether it’s about photography or gardening…find something with pictures that interests you. (Yes, I’m telling you to only pick up a book with pictures! Remember the days when you had to choose one with only words!?!) Pick up something like a book on composition or lighting. Buy it.

8.  Browse iTunes or head to the video/music section in Barnes & Noble- Looking at CD/DVD packaging is sure to inspire you. Look at the lighting, the branding, the story that is being told. How can you use this with your clients? Listen to the music, let the music itself inspire you (see previous post about the saxophonist!)

9.  Watch the top 10 or 20 countdowns on MTV or VH1- Music Videos are on the cutting edge. The lighting, the outfits, the angles and locations. Watch the story and how its presented to each market.

10. Compete in a photograph Contest or Competition- You will have to examine your work.  Make it better and present it.  This is a great way for self discovery. Check out what Google’s found here.

11.  Different Lens- Shoot with a lens you barely use or have never used. If you mainly shoot prime, choose a zoom (and vice versa). I’ve even rented lenses to gain inspiration (and to test them out for future purchase).

12.  Different Camera- If you are digital shoot something analog.  If you are analog shoot something digital.  Poloroids, Holgas, Lomo, are a great place to start.

13.  Help someone- As a photographer you have a wonderful gift.  Find a non-profit, an organization you believe in and donate your vision.

14.  Play with Textures- Find interesting things with varying textures.  Peeling paint, Rust, Concrete, the list is endless.  Many of these can be considered a work of art.

15.  Use the Textures- Use the textures as overlays in Photoshop.  You can change your photography into something different and unique. Totally Rad actions and Jesh de Rox have some great textures.

16.  Go Macro- Shoot something small.  Look at the little things you pass by and ignore and forget about–from the caterpillar you smashed on the way inside to mastering the art of perfect eye focus (can you separate their eyelashes?) .  Open your eyes you will be amazed.

17.  Play with Colors- Go out and shoot anything colorful.  Bring them into Photoshop and saturate them some more–recommend Kevin Kubota’s Fuji Color action.

18.  No Color- Shoot anything as long as its not color.  Be mindful of what makes a great B/W. I like contrast…some don’t. Try it out and see what you prefer.

19.  Take a Photography Class- Get some instruction, learn how others see.  Great places for instruction are Local Community Colleges or Professional Workshops. For the Athenians reading this, try the Lyndon House Arts Center or UGA.

20.  Go to an Art Museum- Everything in the Art Museum will inspire you.  Learn how painters think, it will help your photography in ways you can’t imagine. Better yet….

21.  …Paint something yourself- Let loose with the paintbrush. Let out your emotions and feelings on canvas. You will feel invigorated and inspired.

22. Get a Model- Make it worth their while–give them something in return for their time and beauty. Play with clothing, props and locations.

23.  Shoot self-portaits- Thinking of all the unique angles and ways of shooting with expand your mind.

24.  Make some Photography Friends- I am always inspired by others work. Search on facebook or google to find other local photographers to meet up with over coffee. Talk about what inspires you rather than business. (But don’t get caught in the “he/she’s better than me” trap! Let it inspire you, not discourage you).

25.  Join a photography Organization- Join an organization for support and friendship.

26. Read the Manual- It’s not just Photoshop that can do all sorts of things that you don’t know about. Your camera probably has more settings and functions than you know… or know what to do with. You might find a lot of new ideas in the middle of your camera manual.

27. Shop at a Farmer’s Market- You never know what you might find at a flea market. At a farmer’s market, you know you can find colors, spheres, people and displays. And dinner too…oh, and Stephanie and Jeni.

28. Do Something Totally Outrageous- Ever told yourself “That would never work?” Well, here’s a “what if…” What if it did work? Go ahead, surprise yourself. Shoot someone jumping on a trampoline. Snap the bottoms of your feet or your toes (ewwww…). Do something outrageously silly… and see if it works.

29. Tell a Story- Good pictures always tell a story. So try thinking of a story then go out and create the images that illustrate it. That could be the story of your family, a narrative describing a community or even the birth of a child. Find where your story begins then use your camera to follow it through to the end.

30. Change your Angle- Try shooting while laying on the ground or hanging off a ledge (safety first, of course).

How can this face not inspire you!?!

There are so many ways to be inspired–whether you are a professional photographer or just a parent taking pictures of your children! Have fun with it! These are memories you’ll keep a lifetime!

Some of the thought provoking questions Dane asked at the meeting were: Why did I start taking pictures? and….What am I in the game for now?

It was like he was reading my mind about certain things…he talked about getting off automatic and being intentional about photography (and I’ll say LIFE). He stated some assumptions he had about us that are deep truths, if we would only believe them.

1. You are NOT what you do.

2. You are NOT what you have.

3. You are NOT what people say about you.

4. You just ARE.

He talked about not giving in to fear…fear of failure, specifically…the fear of standing out.

The truth is, I really like who I am. I am totally quirky and nerdy. I laugh too loud, dance too much, sing off-key, do too much, want too many kids, do too little laundry, have too many books, etc…

ps. I definitely cried in front of all those strangers (~50) after sharing my story to Dane…haha. Typical.

Here are 20 truths about me (no assumptions here). You can totally laugh at me (or get totally grossed out)…and I don’t even care!

1. People describe me as: silly, fun, feisty, supportive, assertive, faithful, inspiring, creative and initiative. (Those are the good ones, at least).
2. My faith in God is the one thing that’s kept me happy & hopeful…and at peace…during the storms I’ve endured.
3. One of my favorite things to take pictures of are hands and feet, ironically (see #16).
4. I enjoy picking my childrens’ noses. I know it’s gross, but whatev. It’s better than them eating them.
5. I’m in love with LOVE. Love for God & Jesus, love for my family, love for my friends, love for those hurting & helpless. All you need is love.
6. I am a night owl. I struggle to go to bed before midnight (and usually can stay awake until 2 am).
7. I’m the person who has a hard time saying “No”. Mainly because I just enjoy doing lots of stuff and serving lots of people.
8. I married a man (who was the best husband) with cancer, and am now a widow. When asked if I’d do it again…absolutely.
9. I LOVE teeny-bopper movies. I’ve seen Clueless, the High School Musicals-and many more-way too many times to count. Slightly embarrassing.
10. I’ve laughed so hard I’ve peed my pants (more than once).
11. One of my most favorite things to do is snuggle with my children…and get big kisses that involve the “Mmmuuuuwwwaaahhhh” sound.
12. I despise brushing my teeth and blow-drying my hair. (I still do these things, I just would rather not do them).
13. I HAVE to read before I go to bed. It’s like some genetic flaw(?) that I have. Thanks mom. (ps-I just love to read in general).
14. I secretly wish I was a professional singer/dancer. I still dance and sing…all the time…but I’m just no good.
15. I’m a Twilighter. Team Edward all the way…until I watched New Moon and was tempted to change teams.
16. I despise my feet. End of story.
17. I {heart} being outdoors–hiking, snowboarding, backpacking, rock-climbing. It makes me feel close to God.
18. I love being at the lake/ocean, but am TERRIFIED of getting in the water…Overactive imagination (aren’t there alligators in all lakes?)
19. I really like chocolate. I just bought a Hershey’s Symphony bar today (but restrained myself from eating it all).
20. If I could travel anywhere in the world, it would be New Zealand…who wouldn’t want to go here?!?

Dane Sanders having a conversation with us.

Tonight my younger counterpart, Gayle, was supposed to come over for a fabu dinner, but I got dissed (jk Gayle…I’ll forgive you…soon). On the menu tonight was Tilapia Tostadas. They were amazingly de-lish. They had cheese, black beans, feta, avocado, tilapia seared (?) with jalepenos…yummy. We ate them with corn and red peppers. Well, I ate them. The kids, including Reagan, ate bean and cheese quesadillas. I sent Gayle’s portion over to Jason across the street. They made his tummy happy.

Nights like tonight make me miss Spencer. Cooking is not my gift…or at least, not my natural one. It always made me feel like a great stepford wife when I cooked a good meal (even though he always ate what I made, no matter how bad it turned out…even the leftovers…gross). Spencer would have enjoyed tonight’s meal and gone to bed happy and full….and would have never gained a single ounce….haha. Good times.

Hoping your day was filled with things that made your heart happy.

PS-I also took the most fun and silly exercise class tonight–ZUMBA. Boys, don’t go. Girls go! It’s so much fun! Dancing, shaking your hips and booty to some great music! I’m hooked.You know I’m always up for some dancing and singing (even if I’m off key and an octave below everyone else!)

ps-my plates make me happy...don't hate

yummy feta, avocado, black beans, tilapia, jalepenos...

So, here, in pictures I give you George’s infamous Gumbo. Can you smell it from your computer? The tantalizing blend of spices, herbs, rue, veggies, chicken and sausage (no seafood here…yuck!)….ahhhh….I think I’ll go back for another bowlful tonight.

ps-I have plenty of leftovers for anyone interested in coming over to join me And no, I’m not posting the recipe! HELLO!?!? It took me years of begging to get it, and you think I’m just going to give it away?!?! Go beg him yourself! Here’s a recipe I found online. Never made this one though.

Oh, and while the gumbo was simmering the kiddos and I were playing the most incredible game…ever. Just Dance for the Wii. Had way too much fun. Must remember to purchase a Wii (did I just say that?!?! Me, buy video games? What is wrong with the world?)

Thanks George and Denise! Had a blast! Romans 12:12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

*somehow I forgot to get a picture of the finished project…shame. I think it was because I was so focused on eating it at that point. sorry *

Regardless of what you call a piano-player, I’m still doing it. Going after number 13 on THE LIST. I’m still in like pre-kindergarten in terms of my skills. I can read the basic lines of music and am still learning what all the funky little doohickies on the sheet music mean.

It brings me joy and peace (hence the song I played). I wouldn’t call myself a natural…I’m not one of those people that just sit down and start whipping out these dramatic ballads…only playing by ear. Those kinda people make me sick. Well, sick with jealousy I suppose.

Here’s a little snippet of my most recent recording session in the studio. And by studio I mean my living room and the recording is done by my 5 year old…who shamelessly tries to make me mess up multiple times. That little jokester. Gotta love her.

Eph. 5:¹⁹Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, ²⁰always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Hoping you find  joy today