Black Plastic and Thick Glass

One of my dear friends is graduating college!
... and I had the privilege of shooting her graduation portraits.

Wedding planning has been consuming every thought and spare moment of every day lately and this shoot was a much needed break.
I just can't explain what happens when that camera is in my hands.
For a brief moment I lose my flesh. I lose my worries, my concerns, my opinions, my struggles..
I take shelter behind black and something happens deep within my soul.

Grass is greener, skies are bluer, smiles aren't forgotten, and pain is not unseen.
I take shelter behind black plastic and thick glass and wait for God to meet me there.
There He takes my hand and opens my eyes, showing me what He's made, what He sees, what He wants seen.

I've been given a gift and I've wasted a lot of time doubting, worrying, and feeding my insecurities with it rather than thankfully taking it, shaping it, and growing it.
Handing photography over and letting God take it to a level that will impact, effect, and infect people with glory for God has always been a dream but I've never been ready to take that risk. Afraid of failure, I've never been ready to hand it to Him and trust Him to make it happen.

Well.. I'm done. I'm handing over my fear, my doubt, my anxiety, my insecurities.
Life's too short and God's too big.

I don't know what's around the corner and what role photography will play in my life
but this I am sure of... It's His to do with what He wants. And I'm ready for it!

Can you say BEAUTIFUL?
Thanks Aub for letting me capture your sweet beauty.
Love you forever xoxo

Living in a Field 4

A storm is a brewin'

Sneak Peak: Luke & Lauren

Officially my favorite photo shoot ever.

Here are a few teasers... but trust me..
you aint seen nothing yet!
These two are fabulous and fierce! More eye candy to come...

Anza Borrego Desert

Here are the shots from our second photo adventure.
We started out on a designated trail but soon set off to hunt for more flowers.
We attempted to let the GPS guide us to coyote canyon. I have never been able to enjoy the luxuries of GPS.. In fact, I think they're down right annoying.
They coax you into believing they have it all under control.. then, once you put all your faith in them. BAM! They go and get you lost. It's like they know you are mindlessly following their directions and are amused by seeing how far off course they can take you.
But in this case, it worked out for the better.

After a little off roading in the Lexus we ran into all kinds of flowers untouched and full of color.
We found ourselves on the desert floor, swimming in dancing wildflowers surrounded by mountains made of rich red dirt while thick puffy clouds floated above us letting the sun peek out every now and then to kiss our cheeks.

What a day.

^^^ Grandpa unloading gear while Brett plays with the ants!! lol

A little late..

I have an amazing Grandpa. He is so much fun and we are so much alike in so many quirky ways. We both have an unhealthy passion for all things Disney. My Grandpa took me to my first hardcore rock concert.. I believe the name of the concert was Bloodfeast. He wears awesome jeans and know awesome things. I think I inherited my love for photography from him. After my Grandma died we went through tons of pictures and in so many of them my Grandpa was found in the background meddling with the camera. Fast foward about 35 years and it's the same scenario. Family gatherings, BBQ's, graduations... there's Grandpa, in the background meddling with his camera. We have started going on photography adventures together and these are some of the shots from our first adventure. We went another adventure last week. I'm going to try and get those pictures up tomorrow but in the meantime here are the ones from last time. We had so much fun meeting and chatting with all the lovely people of OB

This woman was F-I-E-R-C-E. Fierce.
She was ripping the head off her fish and de-boning them all by hand!
She loved the camera attention;)

This bird wouldn't leave the fierce woman's side. He was enjoying the freshest sushi in town!
(Note the fish blood on his beak. Ew.)

Anyone that knows me well enough knows my love for old people.
I love them. I think they are the cutest, sweetest people on earth.
This man was walking the street picking up all the bits of trash.
So sweet.

This guy had some amazing art ideas.

This guy rocks.I love the rose on his handlebars and his bright yellow flag!

We are having so much fun on our photo adventures. Brett joined us on the last one. It was an amazing day and I can't wait to get the pics up!