Resolutions

I was watching The Today Show this morning and Dr. Oz was on telling people that one of the best ways to help stick to your Resolutions was to a) write them down and b) tell people about them. So this is me doing that. ;-) And here they are...

1) Educate myself on what I feed my family and take action in changing how we eat. I'm already getting lots of good tips on how to make changes. Last night Kyle and I watched Food Matters on Netflix. It was a great watch and definitely a good start. But it also left me wanting more. So here are some books I'm looking into:

Unhealthy Truth

Food Rules

Defense on Food

2) Run at 10k. I was going to just say "get into shape" but that was so vague and setting myself up for fail. So I thought a more definite goal would be to run a 10k in May. There are a number to chose from so I hope to register in the next month or so. I've already started back on Couch to 5k (and pre purchased the Bridge to 10k for my iphone). I'm SUPER excited to get into running shape. I grew up as a soccer player and being in good shape was always just a given. So being so out of shape has been hard on me mentally.

3) Grow out my hair. But you already knew that one. ;-)

4) Along the lines of #1, but still different... be more intentional about our meals and grocery shopping. This means making weekly food schedules and shopping with intention for those meals.

5) Quite time in prayer and in the Bible. Its so easy to get lost on this one and let it go by the wayside. My Pastor recently said "if its important to you , you will make time for it." That struck a major cord with me because at the time I was in the middle of watching Grey's Anatomy on Netflix. I had watched almost 4 seasons in 3 weeks. WHAT THE? I had to admit, at the time, Grey's was more important to me that time with God. So, I really am working on changing that.

So that's them! I have mini resolutions too, like doing the dishes after each meal and keeping my side of the bathroom clean but I don't believe that "not being a slob" should be a resolution as much as it is being a good wife and roommate to Kyle. ;-) He's been asking me to be better at these things for 5 years, its time to start doing that.

Now... off to get working on these!

JANUARY: Grow Hair, Grow!

Oh hey... I'm here! Bringing ye 'ol blog outta hibernation for a little bit. I've been wanting to grow out my hair for a while now... nothing drastic, just a little bob that goes past my chin. But its SUPER daunting to start the process of growing out my hair when the sides were practically shaved just a month ago. But I'm fiiiiiinally passed the shaved point.. and thought it might be fun to document my hair growth journey here.

When deciding to grow out my hair, I'm so easily swayed with not wanting to deal with it and then chopping it all off again. So this is hopefully going to keep me moving forward on setting the goal and keeping with it. I'm hoping to post at least a monthly update as I grow it out for the next 6 months. My hair grows pretty fast and I even went back on some good multivitamins that seemed to help last time. So HOPEFULLY in 6 months I will have a nice little bob! But we'll see. ;-)

Now, onto the pictures of my current hair situation. I'm still not quite to the point where I would normally get a hair cut, even though its been almost two months (I can go MONTHS between cuts)... so I defintley wouldn't consider this as part of the "grow out process." Its just the starting off point.

From the front:


From the sides:


The original hair cut was based off of this picture I found on Pinterst of Ginnifer Goodwin.


But its been a couple months, so as you can imagine, two months ago, this cut was much shorter. ;-)

I think the hardest part to get past is the whole side burn situation. When they start to grow out and get too long to be in front of my ears, but too short to go behind... that's the point I always just forget it and cut it all off again. So I think there will be a couple month period of knit hats and head bands. Just the excuse I needed to Etsy shop. ;-)

Anyway... so that's it!!! Riveting stuff, right?

Film - 2nd Roll

Shooting film has been a LOT of fun for me. It is a completely different way of shooting. Sure the same technical rules apply but learning to be more intentional with my images has been a change of pace for me. With digital, I could seriously shoot 700 images from one engagement session (!!) and come away with about 70 that the client will see. Often times I'm just shooting like crazy while the client is interacting and hoping for just one good image that has both of their eyes open and hope they look cute. And when my camera shoots like 8 frames per second... eventually I do get that shot I'm looking for. And while I still don't think that's a bad way to get genuine moments between a couple, there are other times where I know I could slow it down and just really think about the shot before I shoot it. And if I know I got it... I just need to STOP taking pictures of that moment and move on to something else.

Film has kind of reminded me of that. I am only shooting it for personal use and that is the way I intend to keep it. My wedding style does not lend itself to film. But I think as a photographer, challenging myself and learning new ways to shoot is definitely going to help me in the long run. It keeps my mind fresh and it really does change me.

This roll is only my second roll of film and I know its nothing fantastic, but here are some shots from it. This roll took me almost 4 weeks to finish. But last night I put in a 3rd roll and finished the entire roll in just a couple hours. Rowan and I were just hanging out in the backyard and I was snapping away. I'm excited to get that roll back later today. I also think I want to try black and white too. ;-) Ooooh... but color is so pretty!!!

DAY THREE: My Favorite Place to Be

For those of you who have followed me for some time, wether on my old blog, on Facebook or on Twitter, you know the personality of my child. He's a wild child. He's not a snuggler. He doesn't slow down. He doesn't just lay his head on my shoulder. Not even when he's sick.

However... over the last month all he wants to do is read books. He grabs my by the hand and walks me upstairs to a stack of his books and picks something out for me to read. And in his sweet little voice he says "read book?" And for the next hour he'll sit on my lap while I read him his favorite books. Its amazing. Its heart warming and its my absolute favorite part of any day.

DAY TWO: What I Wore Today

DAY ONE: Self Portrait

30 Day Photo Challenge

So, a bunch of us girls on Twitter all decided to start a 30 day photo challenge today. I'm not usually one to participate in these because sometimes I feel like they aren't that "challenging." The main challenge for me is finding time to take a one specific type of picture each day. Which to me feels more like work than fun. But after seeing a particular list thats been floating around, I felt like I wanted to do it.

I can't promise that each picture will be taken that day. Honestly, I KNOW each picture won't be taken that day. I fully intend on knocking out multiple pics in one day (aka. when I have a baby sitter)... then just posting them on the corresponding date. I know that isn't part of the deal, but that's how its gonna have to work for me. So you deal. ;-)

So anyway... all that to say, here is the list and I hope to post Day One a little bit later today. ;-) And once I confirm who's all doing the challenge, I'll post links to their blogs/tumblers as well. Happy shooting!!!!

I am me.

As a photographer, I often get inspiration from other photographers. Most of the time awesome photography just pushes me to keep creating and defining myself. But there are also those times when the self doubt sneaks into my thoughts.

"I would never have shot it that way."

"Why can't I see the world like they do?"

How do you keep those thoughts from coming in? I understand that I am not them... and that is a good thing. I understand that what makes me unique (hopefully) is ME. But sometimes I wonder if I am unique enough. Unique enough to create something that people want. Unique enough to create something that people will pay a premium for. Unique enough to continue and be successful.

Keeping my fingers crossed that I am and that I will continue to be.

#15 A Photo from my Childhood

Just like the post says...

Enjoying some ice cream.




My family was stylish!




I LOVE this picture of my mom and I. I so badly wish Rowan would fall asleep on my chest like this.

#11 Favorite thing right now

Netflix.

I know Kyle and I were probably the last people on the face of the planet to get Netflix. But we got it. And we love it!! Mostly because of the online streaming!!!

So far I've watched countless movies... as well as Rowan has been able to have some of his favorite cartoons available immediately. But I think the best part for me are the tv series I've never seen before. I've already watched all of Arrested Development (can I just say WHEN is the movie coming out??) and My So Called Life. I can't believe I had never seen My So Called Life!!

We are now on Rescue Me. ;-) This is going to make the television off season much more enjoyable!!

My First Roll of Film

I picked up my first roll of 35mm film today. I kind of rushed through the roll because my eBay purchase only had a 7 day return policy. So I felt the pressure to power through the roll and get it developed... just in case something was wrong. And although the pictures are nothing spectacular because they were just taken around the house, I'm so excited over the color and feel of them. To many of you... they look like just snap shots. Because they are. The film isn't nearly as sharp as my digital camera... and there was no additional editing after I got the roll back. Plus, Costco (yup... I got them developed at Costco) forgot to scan the images on a CD so these have been scanned from my much lessor quality scanner at home. Either way. They give me the warm and fuzzies.

#9 Last Item Purchased

Personal projects. All creatives need them. With out them, our passion, that we've turned into a job, would simply return to being just a job. I don't often get the time to work on personal projects. Partially because it requires a baby sitter... but mostly because I haven't had any good ideas for decent projects lately.

My last project was probably 9 months ago. I loved it and it literally consumed me. But that's the thing with personal projects. They stir up passion. And if that passion is not being fed, then it will leak into my professional work. And what good of a photographer would I be if I lost passion for my work.

Anyway... I've been really feeling the need for a new project. And I've finally settled on trying out film!! Yeah!!! So today, after a few ichats and emails with other photographer friends who I know have already dabbled in it... I settled on a Nikon FE.



Then after doing some quick searching it appeared eBay was my only option. Ugh. I hate eBay. It gives me anxiety. I found a number of Nikon FE's on eBay... 4 of which were ending within the next few hours!!! I made some grave mistakes on the first two cameras. I placed bids with about 10 minutes left and then the price got to high... so finally on the 3rd camera (which actually also came with a 28mm lens too... when the first two cameras were 'body only') I placed my first bid at 10 seconds left... AND I WON!! And I spent $10 less than what the first two cameras closed at!

So... holla!!!!

But the best part about buying a Nikon is that I can use ALL my current lenses on it!! I doubt I'll be putting on my massive 24-70 on this camera, but my 50mm 1.4... OH YES!!!

Anyway... in 3 weekends Kyle and I are going on our FIRST weekend trip away from Rowan!! We've both been away from him separately, but never together. So we're heading up to Kernville with our good friend Joel and Erica... and its going to be a photographic hoopla!! Joel is a photographers as well... and I think I've convinced him to dust off his Canon ae-1 and shoot some film with me that weekend. I'm so excited and I can't wait to see the results!

Soooooo... that was my most recent purchase. ;-)

#10 Fifteen Facts About Me

#1 I have a hard time getting interested in reading a book if there isn't some sort of romance/love element to it. It doesn't have to be the main focus, but I feel like it needs to be there in some context. Like The Hunger Games. Just finished that series and REALLY enjoyed it.

#2 I'm afraid that after I lose weight from working out and eating right, my stomach will still never be the same and I'll always have to wear Spanx in order to feel comfortable. My stomach was so huge the day I delivered that I'm afrait its beyond anything that working out and eating right can fix. Meaning, I will probably never wear a 2 piece bathing suit again.

#3 I find my dog really annoying. Which breaks my heart. But he jumps and barks and is impossible to control when guests are over. He used to be my "child" before Rowan... and now I often find myself wondering if I'd be mad at myself if we just gave him to a good home. But Kyle would never allow it. But the dog hair on our wood floors is DRIVING ME CRAZY. Oh... and he is also $80 or more to feed each month.

#4 I struggle with feeling "original." And feel like people think my style (both with my own self and my photography) is just a cheap copy of somebody else's.

Wow... lets move onto more happier things.

#5 If I could live off one meal for the rest of my life... it would be Nachos. But pizza would be a close second.

#6 I'm OBSESSED with this season of The Bachelor... and I really really really want Emily to win.

#7 I drink a LOT of black coffee. And I would rather hit up a gas station for black coffee than going to Starbucks for something expensive that just tastes burnt to me.

#8 My side of our bathroom looks like a tornado hit it... and it drives Kyle crazy.

#9 I can't pick a favorite Girl Scout Cookie. But my top favorites are the Tagalongs, Thin Mints, Trefoils & Samoas.

#10 Sometimes I miss living in Bakersfield, but then I go back and visit... and I become so thankful Kyle and I never moved back. Because it was (briefly) an option. Now, I just miss my family.

#11 I am super paranoid about wrinkles... so I have been using anti-aging moisturizers for YEARS. I mean, like 8 years. So far so good... but I honestly don't know if its as a result of expensive face creams, or just staying out of the sun, or good genes.

#12 I LOVE makeup. And while I have no problem going to the store with out makeup, I will never, under any condition, go out in a social setting with out makeup.

#13 I often miss my long hair... but know its just not the look for me. Nor do I ever want to deal with growing it out again.

#14 I think I would be comfortable and capable of living on the East Coast... New York maybe.

#15 I still occasionally Facebook stalk some guys I used to date.

#8 The Last Thing I Bought

If I'm being honest... the last thing I bought was a car full of groceries. But a) I don't have a picture of it and b) that's pretty darn boring.

Buuuut... at my last trip to Target... amongst the diapers, baby whipes, birthday cards, wine, and beauty products... I bought a new book. The Hunger Games. I've been hearing lots of good things about it... and I was fully expecting on buying it on my iPhone. I've been come addicted to my iBooks... already reading 5 books this year. But for some strange and frustrating reason, iBooks doesn't carry The Hunger Games books. So I went back to reading a good 'ol fashioned paper book. I'm about 1/4 of the way in and its already got me hooked. I can't wait to finish it this weekend. Oh wait... its only Tuesday. I'll probably finish it tomorrow. That's how I get with books.... I can't put them down once I start.

Emo & #7

I hate feeling low on myself. For the most part, I am generally a confident person. Minus a small issue with my weight... that I'm working on. I feel like my style really says something about who I am. Creative, outgoing and slightly off beat.

However, there are those days when I come across a picture online and realize, I will never be "that girl." The girl with the flowing long locks and the legs and waist she never has to work for. The girl that doesn't have to work at being pretty because she looks just as good with out makeup as she does with makeup. And the girl that always gets described as "so beautiful" when somebody is talking about her.

99% of the time... I'm happy with me. But that 1% still has the ability to sting... and make me want to go eat a plate of nachos.

Me... in the last hour of an 8 hour day shooting a wedding.

Me... right now, with out makeup and in an old t-shirt.

I actually didn't plan on making this #7... me with out makeup. But it kind of turned into it. So here is a REAL picture of me with out make up... and zero "iphone changes."