facing the giants

Thursday, March 31st, 2011

Encouragement, inspiration and a few goose-bumps to accompany; this is worth it. (more…)

how important it really is

Thursday, March 3rd, 2011

I watched a seminar last week by a (now) favorite photographer of mine: Jerry Ghionis. He was talking about the precious value in the images we take for our clients which I’m not sure I really captured until I heard how he explained it.

A grown man holds up a snapshot taken 32 years prior. It is sized 2in by 2in (more or less the size of a wallet photo) and its color is faded. The paper is wrinkled and torn at the edges. He keeps it in his wallet and obviously close to his heart. The image is of him with his father… a father that he hardly knew. His dad died when he was 3 years old.

If I took this snapshot of his and ripped it to shreds right in front of his face, do you think he would tell me, “it’s just a piece of paper?”

If it were you, what would you do?

I think, as I became a mother, all of this became a big deal to me as I realized how truly precious it is to “hold” a moment that is extremely fleeting– in my hands forever. Think about it–the ability to recapture a memory is amazing. If only we could truly transport ourselves back in time and re-live some of these incredible moments we experience day to day! The blessing of photography is that we can use our photographs to help us as our memories fail over time. We use images for everything… and now-a-days, we very rarely HOLD those pictures in our hands. We see them on our phones, our iPads, our computers, our TVs but not as often anymore on our walls. One reason I love these canvases so much is that they are (huge) reminders of where I’ve been and the road I’ve traveled along. I can re-experience all of these moments which are almost as special to me as they were when they happened!

“A picture is worth a thousand words” but its SOOOO much more than that. It is more than getting dolled up for a camera. It is more than pretty pictures. It is preserving a space in time… for future generations. Photography tells a story. It speaks! And THAT is what is absolutely priceless about it all. Priceless images– the ones you would run back into a burning building to save. Like the man with the snapshot of his father: what would you do for THAT image in your life? My answer for my own memories is: just about anything. And I think its probably your answer too.

life is sweet. savor it,

new favorite

Thursday, September 2nd, 2010

Horse lovers…you guys have got to visit this blog!

http://www.wylie-eventing.com/

Leslie is an eventer, instructor and trainer in Knoxville. She is also a freelance writer so you can bet that her posts are full of fun and are incredibly well-written. But that’s not why I am addicted to it…her sense of humor

and frequent updates (sometimes multiple posts a day) keeps me coming back for more. And its something we all as riders and horse lovers relate to…days in the life of our equestrian pursuits. I have no doubt that once you start reading, you won’t stop. And you’ll think Leslie is your best friend (or you’ll want her to be at least!) because of her kind, candid spirit. Its a fun blog to read and, for me, a great break during the day. Go check it out! And enjoy!

inspired: katy

Friday, April 16th, 2010

This week in my inspired series I want to feature a very special photographer whose work I have admired over the past year and I’m just giddy to share with you all. Her name is Katy Southern and in addition to sharing my new-found occupation, she is also a sorority sister of mine from UT. Her love for the Lord is awesome and its so inspiring to see her talents being used to share His love with others. Recently she took a trip to Honduras. Prepare to get goosebumps… (more…)

inspired

Thursday, April 8th, 2010

I want to take time to share other photographers who inspire me in my own endeavors. (more…)