For those of you who follow my blog, you know these cuties. These are my nieces, Charlotte and Isabel. I’m spending the week in Seattle and yesterday we went to the park for a bit and I brought my camera along. I can never get enough of these faces.
I’m not a runner. By any means. You can ask anyone. I spent 10 years not running due to a knee injury and orders from my doctor not to. He recently changed his mind. He gave me the green light, said to take it easy, and to listen to my body. So, what do I decide to do? Run a half marathon. I’m crazy like that. I couldn’t help it…..it was a bucket list thing.
I spent the last three months training. What seemed impossible only a few months ago became a reality this past Sunday. I ran my first half marathon. And I’m hooked.
Was it difficult? Oh. My. God. Yes. I couldn’t run for 5 minutes straight a year ago. It took time and patience and dedication. But I did it. And I’ve rarely been this proud of myself. My time didn’t matter to me, all that did was that I start running at the start line and finish at the finish line. No walking. And I DID it! (Too bad there’s a lady mostly blocking me in all of the shots if me crossing the finish line.)
If you have something you’ve always wanted to do but you’ve been too busy, too scared, too lazy, too ANYTHING. Just stop. Stop and ask yourself, why am I putting this off? What is stopping me? Confront your fears and GO for it. Because I can’t even put into words how rewarding it is to turn around at the end, after all the hard work, and say, “Yea. I did that. And I did it for me.” Not for anyone else.
Thank you Milosci for taking pictures and documenting this for me.
Now that things have slowed down I’d like to post some of the weddings I’ve had the privilege to second shoot this summer. This is a wedding I shot with Cary Pennington. It was a ton of fun and a beautiful day. Erin and Sean were married in Temecula, California and had their reception at Callaway Vineyards. It was a gorgeous wedding. Erin and Sean couldn’t stop smiling all day, and in turn, neither could I. I just can’t help myself, I love people in love.
Thanks for having me along Cary!
I don’t climb anymore, but I love it when my brother comes to town and I head out with them. I love spending time with Mark and Tim while they climb. While Tim was home for break they went out to Santee and Jess tagged along too. It was a great afternoon that ended with a double rainbow. I’d have to say that hands down, the best part of the day was when Jess shimmied up one of the climbs, with let’s say, some interesting beta. I caught Tim in the best barrel laugh and with the biggest smile I’ve ever been able to capture of his. Love. Who could ask for a better way to hang out with her brothers?
So I’m going to share something with you that might be too personal. If that’s not your cup of tea, get outta dodge.
Exactly a year ago this week I was diagnosed with severe anxiety and depression and for those of who haven’t had experience with this, it is the deepest darkest hell you could imagine. You feel like you’re at the bottom of a black pit surrounded by sheer walls with no way to climb out. So many people go through this and no one talks about it, as if it’s something to be ashamed of. I reject that notion.
BUT…that was a year ago. And I am happy to report that while this has been the most difficult year of my life to date, it has also been the best.
How did I start a business while all this was going on? Simple. I had to. I don’t think people truly understand that I live for what I do. I didn’t have a choice. Just because the timing sucked didn’t mean that I wasn’t going to give it a shot. And I’m so happy that I did, you know why?
Because every person I met this year, shot, networked, shared a drink, danced, laughed, cried, or ate with helped piece me back together. Was this a cake walk? Heck no. Would I do it again? In a minute. Because for every moment that I wanted to curl up into the fetal position and give up, there was another equally awesome moment to keep me going.
I truly live for the love I get to capture everyday. It makes my heart soar. It’s as essential to me as breathing.
So if you’re reading this, I want to say thank you. Because you helped put me back together. You gave me a reason to smile and warmed my heart.
All my love to my Milosci and my family for your love and support during this most amazing and difficult year.
Below are some of my favorite moments from this year.
Thank you to Cary Pennington and Melissa McClure for letting me shoot with you this year. I’ve learned so much from both of you.
Chris and I met up this summer for the first time and bonded over Australian potatoes at the San Diego County Fair. First of all, if you’ve never had those, shame on you. And second, have you ever met someone where you just have an instant connection and you can talk about anything? That’s how I felt like with Chris. She’s the sweetest person ever and lucky for me, Ada came with her that day. Ada is the coolest three year old you will ever meet. She loves Joan Jett, Star Wars, the Beatles, and anything having to do with space. She’s cooler than me. The four of us met up at Torrey Pines State Reserve and I shot away in the ooey gooey light while the three of them do what I think they do best…love on each other. They’re expecting their second soon and I couldn’t be more excited to meet the little one!
I’ve known Robin since college, so when she asked me to photograph her wedding, I was so honored. Sam and Robin are the epitome for why I do what I do. There is so much love for the other in just one glance from either of them. They were married at Ft. Vancouver in Vancouver, WA and their wedding was so beautiful. It was a day full of love, laughter, and tears. At one point during the ceremony all of the bridesmaids were bawling. There wasn’t a dry eye in the house during their vows (me included)! They danced the night away in each others’ arms and surrounded by family and friends. Who could ask for a better wedding day?
My love and congratulations to Robin and Sam. I wish you a lifetime of love and happiness.
I LOVE this family! I met up with them at Torrey Pines State Reserve and we spent the evening wandering the trails and laughing with the kids. I hopped in their mini van at the bottom of the park and we drove up to the trails. I knew I was going to hit it off with them right away because The Lion King was playing in the back seat. Can you say meant to be?! Sharon and Jason are so much fun and such amazing parents to Mickey and Ethan. And by the way, how CUTE are these kids?!
Thanks S Family for a fantastic evening!
I love my niece and nephew. To pieces. We were able to stay with them for the week of Thanksgiving and today on our last day the kids decorated the Christmas tree. We miss them so much now that we live in San Diego and don’t get to see them as much. I loved our time with them and am sad to leave.
