Simple Pleasure

Whenever I go anywhere tropical one of my favorite things is the fresh fruit Mmmmmm. With all the weather being up and down i needed a true summer tropical pick me up. 

It is amazing how something so simple brightens your day so juicy :)

Say Cheese

Say Cheese and some kids are right on it but most will give you a strained face that's not so attractive lol. Kids know when you want them to do something and they feel the tension of your expectations. I deal with this all the time when shooting and get asked by parents, "don't you get frustrated". Over the years I have really stuck to the philosophy kids are kids they have good days and they have bad and each and every expression is adorable in it's own right. Everyone has expectations for their child and the perfect smile, even for me I always have this great idea of what I plan to shoot or capture all planned out but realistically...... it's not up to us. Some of the cutest pictures are the ones were there goofing around, pouting or plain just being them. I can be the most inpatient person in the world but when it comes to shooting I have limitless patience the best thing you can ever do is stay calm and wait it out. When kids are put on the spot they freeze or rebel but when they can play and just relax it's amazing what they will do!  ;)

Spring Please

Mmmm I can smell the flowers, my favorite thing to start spring off is a trip to the greenhouse so excited! I have never been more ready for spring and summer. Sun dresses, sandals and of course super cute shoots outside in the grass. Oh how I love enjoying the beautiful sun and feeling the grass between my toes. I have placed my summer goddess stones out in hopes.

 

Bring it on even the Birds know it. 

Love My Clients

I am truly so lucky and thankful to have incredible clients with both my professions. I came into work a couple days ago to find these lovely flowers on my desk. Now they sit on my counter and brighten my day.

Prop Madness

Took some time last Friday to get out and about (get away from the computer time). Driving with the tunes blasting is one of my favorite ways to get away and lift my energy quickly (Booster Juice in hand of course Mmmm). 

I decided to stop and tour some stores, now with most you would look at clothing or new shoes not this girl (don't get me wrong I love new shoes) but I found myself lost in prop madness (like a little kid at Christmas). 

With a big smile on my face and a spring in my step these awesome new additions made there way to the studio.

 

 

Even the seasoned get nervous

You would think after all this time I wouldn't get nervous, wrong. When it comes to wedding consults I always get nervous. I can sell anybody just about anything but when your selling yourself, your work, when your the product line the game changes and the consult is only the writing on the outside of the box. Same goes for weddings themselves, I always get nervous the night before doesn't matter how many I've done or how prepared I am each one is so different, now comes the time to see if the box you bought has anything good inside. 

I was told a long time ago when your passionate about what your aiming to achieve it will always give you that feeling. You realize and know each one is unique and strive to make it the best, that feeling should never go away. 

You never want to here a photographer say oh I got this, 

done it a hundred times.

 The consult is the box, my drive and passion the day of the product and the photo's the results. It puts a whole different perspective on it. The last thing I want is to be a generic product.

AJ

Out of shape!!!

Anyone who has known me over the years, has watched me go up and down in weight. With doing photography being in shape is important and it can take it's toll if your not. I was really starting to notice how out of shape I was when doing my last wedding as well as my energy and drive was low. For me it's not just about weight, but hey who doesn't want to look good, for me it's about being full of energy, healthy and in shape. I like knowing at the end of a shoot or wedding I gave it my all full tilt.

"I don't just want to walk I want to bounce!"

I am back at it again and it is truly harder every time you stop and start again but I'm determined. I'm eating healthy, watching my calories and working out at least 5 times a week. Every morning otherwise it won't get done.Today I did ZWOW#9 I love that girl.

Just got to get them on that's' the first step

AJ

Alot has led me here

To fill a few in and to maybe give some insight into one of the things that has led me here. 

"Caution sad moment but with a happy ending."

2012 has been a very interesting year thus far. I started this year out on a new journey, a fresh start if you will. Planning to make many changes, adjust my view and truly fulfill my life. Easier said then done, I know, but I had goals and was on a mission. I was off to a rough start but pulling along with each down there was an up. I was trying to stay focused and count the positives as fast as I could. I pulled from the strength and encouragement of those around me and most of all my parents. Then in early February, I lost my father suddenly and all that I was creating and planning halted.

It has been an interesting battle ever since. I use interesting because all though it has been very hard and a sad time there has been also many realizations as well. I have never been at a loss for words or actions but at that moment everything disappeared and my world stood still. I quickly realized the rest of the world did not share my sudden break in movement and became very lost in the whirlwind that spun around me. I clung to every sense of purpose I could find but found that with each task it was not helping, just temporarily distracting me.

I took a break from my life in hopes of making some sense of what had happened and of what was to come. I found much comfort in those that surrounded me and shared their thoughts and condolences. Though many times I found myself wanting to say "I will pass that on" as it couldn't possibly be me they your talking to. We never think of being in that situation truly it's always someone else that it happens to. For me I have always been use to being there for others whether in a time of need or to just brighten up there day. There is nothing more foreign then needing people to be there for me. I have had my low's like anyone else but one thing I have always been good at is bouncing back and there was no bounce left for this situation.

As I stopped and look around at all those greatly effected you realize however greatly you are intertwined by your shared  love for something or someone the effect and feeling is truly so different with each relationship. This realization can truly at a time like this leave you feeling alone in the company of many.

My Dad and I had a different relationship right from the beginning and of lately it was only getting better and stronger. We have made some great memories, had some incredible talks and even butted heads from time to time, of course we did my dad was strong headed and strong willed and  well I'm his daughter so double dose. But no matter what we were close and I looked to him for guidance, comfort, approval and a good dose of reality when I was off in the clouds.

With each day after there was ups and downs happy moments, sad moments, laughter and tears. The day leading up to my dad's funeral I scrambled to write to be able to say something that would have purpose and do justice in honoring my father and with each touch of the pen to paper nothing. I was still blank I panicked, worried even got angry at my lack of thought. I decided that I would say nothing and just be blank as that was all I seemed to know how to do. As I sat in the church so many thoughts and feelings rushed in and out but there was this one feeling of certainty that kept pushing at me. As the minister nodded to me I nodded back with out any doubt in my mind I was speaking. I spoke that day though I could not really tell you what I said even if I tried it wasn't about being purposeful or doing my father justice it was about me and him pure and simple. He was with out a doubt with me every step of the way at that moment and I thank him for that.

Since then it has been a constant battle to find my creativity and inspiration but I have had good days and bad. I even debated quitting photography all together (Gasp). Through all of this there has still been that constant push a push filled with energy and life the same push I felt the day of the funeral. A constant reminder that I can do this, that there is still a purpose, that I have passion for life and creating and that my dad walks along side me. 

It is so easy to just rush through life and forget to reflect and bask in it all so this will be my time and my reminder to stop and recap. My time to talk and share with my Dad, with myself and with whoever chooses to read.

Happiness start's with a smile

How this is going to work

I am not sure truly why, but I am so very excited either way. This blog has no real specific purpose it will be random. It will give a glimpses into my life, what I experience, adventures I might have, things I enjoy and thoughts and feeling I have, in all different aspects with ups and downs but all in all a true reflection of me and my random journey. I have always loved writing and sharing maybe someone else will enjoy reading and following. Take from it what you will feel free to comment and join along.

 B.C. 2011