really just want to start this post by saying thank you. I can't really explain the web I managed to weave in the past few weeks, but there were a few moments when I looked out the window of my Las Vegas hotel room last week and asked myself, What did you get yourself into?! Because, really, that's how I felt. Once, on my ninth birthday, I took a huge bite of cake and when I realized I wouldn't be able to swallow it, I spit it up and started crying. I had, quite literally, bitten off more than I could chew.
Twenty something years later, I felt the same way.
Except there was nothing I could do but simply walk onto the WPPI stage...and not spit up. I gave a presentation on Monday afternoon, entitled The Anatomy of Lips and Clicks : How People Talk About Your Business, and I was lucky enough to be surrounded by an amazing group of photographers. To those of you who attended, I'm going to say it again: thank you.
Many thanks to Regis Chen for being an amazing friend and documenting many memories...
I was extraordinarily thankful to have DJ Flashdance set the perfect mood...I loved his music and it helped calmed my nerves as I sat back stage and reviewed my notes...
I was honored to spend the afternoon with over 2,000 photographers and it's something I appreciate more than I can express...
Many thanks to WPPI for allowing me to stay afterward and talk to those who had questions and just wanted to chat more...
More than anything, I feel lucky to have connected with people who shared their lives and stories...it's one of the greatest benefits of my career.
Happy Wednesday!
Good Reads
02.28.12
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ometimes you read a book and it changes you. In the past two months, I read two. I consider myself to be very lucky. I'm not reading as much as I'd like to, but I try to squeeze in at least a chapter or two a day to ensure my brain in coated in things that keep me balanced. Like pretty words strung together that feel like the tails of many colorful kites. For all the jokes I crack about my obsession with reality television, I'd trade 12 hours of Real Housewives for 10 minutes of a good book.
Here are a few of my recent reads...
theFIX : Day One
02.27.12
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here's a reason I got sick...there's a reason I stayed sick...there's a reason I AM SICK. I don't know what that reason is, exactly, but one thing for certain is that it has me at the mercy of others. I'm largely independent, fiercely opinionated, and thick-skinned, but when I get hit with an illness, my body just doesn't merely give in, it lies prostrate and begs to universe to trample it.
JD has carried me up stairs, Ashley got the bus permits, Jenny contacted venues, Andrew packed the bus, DJ bought us dinner...and I? Well, I've been holed up in a hotel room (yes, JD and I are off the bus because I don't want to get anyone sick) for the past three days trying to be okay with things being un-okay. The good news is that I woke this morning and finally felt a turn for the better.
More than anything I'm writing on this early Monday morning to remember what this moment feels like. The excitement for starting a new adventure with theFIX, the unparalleled support from White House Custom Color, Adorama, and Showit, and--above all--appreciation for my health. I'm indebted to an amazing crew for pulling together and making it possible for me to meet many amazing people on the road.
Here's to new adventures and I hope to see you soon!
Friday Randomness : Dr. Seuss + Dancing Queens
02.24.12
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ast night JD carried me upstairs, brushed the hair from my eyes, and promised it'd be okay. He knew I was stressed, but somehow managed to pick up all the pieces I dropped and carried on. The antibiotics had yet to kick in, so I coughed until I cried. No crying, he said, we're going to be fine. As we weave our way through California into Arizona this morning, we are fine. Just as he promised.
JD managed to pack our bags for a month, load our gear, organize our toiletries, and intentionally omit the miniature suit case of dog clothes I packed for Polo. Now, I don't know what this really means (I might be wearing a mix of hot mess clothes because I didn't pack myself), but what I do know is we've officially hit the road for a wild adventure.
I've been feeling pretty down about my sickness, but this video made me laugh. Out loud. As soon as I'm healthy enough, I'm so going to add this to my workout...
Speaking of totally random bouts of laughter, I can't help but appreciate a little bit snarkdom...
Sometimes I wish I could use this emoticon and people would know exactly how I'm feeling...
I'll end with this lil note from Dr. Seuss because, really, he has it going on and this'll be my mantra for the month...
Happy Friday!
Malibu Engagement : Laura + Adam
02.23.12
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ne might say he waited three years to finally get a drink with her, but that's the nutshell version. In actuality, Adam regularly visited his local Starbucks, ordered a drink, then left. That is, of course, until he caught the eye of a petite barista behind the counter. Whenever Adam walked in, she whispered how cute he was, but kept her distance. After a few small exchanges, Adam walked in and asked Laura out for a drink. She stammered for words and vaguely explained things were complicated (and keenly omitted she was only 19 years old).
Adam went his way, Laura moved to Chicago, Adam moved to a new part of town and found a new Starbucks. Three years later, Laura returned home and returned to the purr of the espresso machine and donned a green apron. One afternoon, Adam walked in. Laura saw him from a distance, still as handsome as she remembered, and quietly said hello. Three years after he asked her out for a drink, he asked her out one more time...and this time she said yes. They've been together ever since and are creating a perfect life. Together.
Laura and Adam are planning their wedding in Riviera Maya, Mexico this May and I'm honored to be a part of their special day. We met in Malibu for their engagement session and I couldn't have had more fun. Here are a few of my favorites...
I knew Adam and Laura were great people to begin with, but I saw just how awesome they were the day of their engagement session. When we arrived to the location they chose for the shoot, things didn't work as they anticipated, so we quickly created a new plan. A new plan that meant we'd simply pull off to the side of the road in Malibu for engagement photos. I've never done that before, but it was a new adventure and I LOVED every minute of it!
Laura...really? Go on with all your gorgeousness...
One of the reasons I particularly enjoyed this session was because it dealt a new set of challenges I wasn't prepared for, and had to quickly adjust my thinking. As we walked through Malibu, we noticed this lot and simply entered through an open gate. The property manager said we weren't supposed to be there, but he'd let it slide this one time. HOLLLLLLA!
It was very bright and unseasonably warm last week, but Laura and Adam looked like pros...
After a quick change, we discovered a walking path (okay, it was more like a overgrown bush adjacent to a mountain), that yielded the most amaaaazing light. Ever. I was in love.
Rawr.
I'll end this post with this happy photo...it perfectly showcases everything Laura and Adam are: happy, in love, and perfectly matched for each other.
To see more of Laura and Adam's Malibu engagement photos with Holley Maher music provided by The Music Bed, feel free to CLICK HERE or simply watch it now:
