e said he needed a few photos from my portfolio. I said I was kind of busy and a wee bit stressed, so if he could wait, I'd owe him one. JD said he couldn't wait. Frustratedly, I sat in my office and my mood filled the air with charcoal fumes. I wasn't having a good day and a few things occurred in the morning that made me want to shout at my email inbox, Yeah, well, I didn't like you any way! And your head smells like brussel sprouts!
I was in a funk.
I emailed JD the requested photos and I apologized for my mood. I wrote I appreciated him and explained life can sometimes move too fast...I guess sometimes I can remain in a constant state of SPRINT!
Over lunch, JD asked how I was doing. I smiled. Everything that matters--truly matters--is wonderful. We have a roof over our heads, food in the fridge, a fabulous dog, my mother is healthy, our families are happy, and we're moving toward our dreams. Life.Is.Good. Yes, there are moments when life throws a curveball, but if what matters most remains intact, I'll be fine. Regardless of what my inbox throws my way.
In case you're having a brussel sprout-smelling day, feel free to watch this video. It made me laugh until I cried.
Kisses and Disses : Revolving Doors and My Bed
02.25.09
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h yes. Yes. It's that time again. This week's installment of Kisses and Disses comes right before I'm about to leave for an afternoon shoot. I'm headed to Santa Monica and the cloudy weather is just stunning...although it does make me want to curl up with a cup of tomato soup and read instead of being on the road again. Perhaps I'll make it back with enough time to do it all. And if anyone says anything about the peculiarity of tomato soup, I'll throw a tomato at you! ;)
This week's DISSES go to...
*Me. Yesterday I got caught in a revolving door. No, really, I was caught. The automatic door kept pushing my clavical deeper into the stationary door and I look to JD in a state of panic. I was literally stuck. He pushed the emergency release button and an alarm sounded. Once the pressure of the automatic door released, I squeezed past. Major, major diss for being so uncool.
*The scale. I'm sure it's broken. It must be. OR ITS A LIAR!
This week's KISSES go to...
*Alaska Airlines. I adore this airline! Every time I fly Alaskan, I have the most pleasurable experience. I arrived 25 minutes early to Portland and the make things better, the flight attendant gave me an extra snack bag of pretzels. They love me!
*Natalie Portman. Yes, as in the actress. After I flew home from Portland yesterday, JD and I drove to Los Angeles to visit his sister at Children's Hospital. Jade, JD's eight-year-old sister, has special needs and underwent surgery and was hospitalized by the time we arrived home. Thankfully, she's doing well, but as she recuperated in the children's play zone, I saw Natalie Portman in a nurse apron singing and laughing with the kids. She cleaned toys and wiped chins...all while keeping her head down and not creating a stir. She was just as beautiful as she is on the movie screen, but her heart made her stunning.
*My bed. The past couple weeks I've slept in hotel beds more than my own. When I crept into bed last night, I stretched out like the Vitruvian Man and soaked it all in.
Happy Wednesday!
Professional Photographers of Oregon
02.24.09
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hen I was 10 years old, my twin sister and I were taken out for our birthdays. John, a family friend, took his daughter and he treated us three girls to a late-lunch at one of the fanciest restaurants I had ever eaten. Olive Garden. We sat at a window table--over looking scenic views of the 60 Freeway--and I gazed around the restaurant in complete wonder. I rearranged my ironed jeans (because, really, you MUST iron your jeans for fine dining) as I sat in the pleather chair. When the waitress took our drink order, John raised his hand and hushed our pleas for soda. The girls will have strawberry daiquiris...without the alcohol, of course. He then winked our way as if we were sharing a secret.
It was the first time I'd ever been allowed to order anything but water at a restaurant, and as I slurped the bright pink confection, I happily slipped into a sugar coma. At that moment, I felt like the luckiest girl alive. With my brown eyes just above the lip of the oblong glass, I smiled. And the sounds of freight trucks on the 60 Freeway filled the air.
Last night, I sipped on camomile tea and watched cars fly down 28th Street in Portland, Oregon. Sitting in Papa Haydn's, mixed desserts filled the table and JD and I toasted to a wonderful day. I had the pleasure of speaking at the PPO Conference and I was delighted to teach such an AMAZING group of photographers. From the moment I walked into the ballroom, I was treated like an old friend and welcomed into their club immediately. I can't say enough great things about the leadership, the organization, and the energy of this group!
JD and I walked down 28th Street with our hands pushed deep into our coat pockets. As we window shopped--and I dreamed of donning a apricot colored dress in a boutique window--my breath danced in the air like filigree. We ducked into Papa Haydn's to escape the cold and share dessert. I couldn't decide what dessert I wanted and went back and forth what felt like a million times. JD then told the waitress he'd like to order four desserts...I want to make sure she can taste the best Portland has to offer.
It was the first time someone had ever ordered four desserts just to ensure I could taste each of them, and as I nibbled on each confection, I happily slipped into a sugar coma. With my brown eyes just above the lip of the tea cup, I smiled. And the sounds of flying cars of 28th Street filled the air.
A special thanks must go to Andy of Front Street Photo for being a wonderful host and taking the above photo. He also gave me a gift bag on behalf of PPO and in it a few attendees wrote thank you notes. I was SO touched reading such kind words and my heart melted on my way home. I LOVE PORTLAND! :)
Jaclyn and Mark : Anytime
02.21.09
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s it just me or is anyone else who attended WPPI in Las Vegas last week STILL trying to recuperate?! I'm not even exaggerating, I think I have an 82-year-old soul trapped in a 20-something year old body. While most everyone was off partying until sunrise, I was usually tucked in bed with a protein bar watching the Antiques Roadshow on PBS. And I'm STILL struggling backing into life away from clanging slot machines, cigarette smoke, and the hope for 21...how you others forwent sleep and partied is beyond me.
Speaking of early mornings, I had a lovely morning shooting Jaclyn and Mark of Jaclyn Marie Photo on the Las Vegas Strip. They flew out from Kansas City for the session and I'm so thankful for their willingness to be models for the Shoot Posse. Jaclyn and Mark are two of the kindest and sweetest people I met at WPPI and the love they share for each other is quite evident. We'd never met before the morning of the shoot, so while I worried they might be overwhelmed with the abundance of 20+ cameras clicking in their faces, they totally brought it. Hard.
I'd also like to personally thank the Shoot Posse for their sheer fabulosity. There were moments during the shoot when I begged God for a black hole to miraculously steal me away from fears of inadequacy, but I somehow remained intact. And--much to the love and support of The Posse--I'm thankful. We faced harsh circumstances (a quickly rising sun, being accosted by a drunk, bleak shooting backdrops), but everyone just laughed alongside me...or maybe at me. Either way, I'm humbled to have instructed such a talented group of people. Seriously, I've seen some of their photos and I'm blown away!
Here are a few of my favs from the shoot....
A few minutes into our shoot, I asked Mark and Jaclyn to follow me into an intersection...well, because...what says ROMANCE like speeding cars?! It was about 45 degrees and freezing, but this amazing couple didn't flinch a bit!
As I've been looking at other blogs, I find myself LAUGHING at how terrible I looked the morning of the shoot. Like, WHY DIDN'T ANYONE HAND ME A BRUSH? Or a new head of hair? I was kinda mortified at some of the pictures floating around on the web, but--ehh--oh well. Here are a few photos of me and JD in action...
Thanks to Kristen Leigh
ell, I'll be. Today I woke up and realized my little photography blog was voted as the winner of PPA's Fresh Blog Contest! Hollllllla! I, of course, had nothing to do with the win since all YOU did the voting, so three cheers to my blog readers for making me feel so blessed. Seriously, I never dreamed of making the connections with readers as I have and I'm incredibly rich having you in my life.
I've been thinking of ways to express my thanks, but I don't know how. If you have any ideas, leave them in the comment box and I'll see what I can do! :)
In other news, I'll be speaking in Portland, Oregon THIS Monday, February 23, 2009. The ever amazing team of the the PPO Convention has put together a fabulous event and I'm so honored to be speaking! If you're in the area, I'd love to meet you in Portland at the convention! Many thanks to those of you who've written and offered to take me and JD out to dinner...y'all know how to make a girl feel welcomed! Unfortunately, it's a turnaround trip for us, but we'll be there rocking it out all day!
If you'd like to check out a pre-interview PPO completed, definitely check out their blog!
