PORTRAITS: JOI

This is how is it all started. A simple wall post on May 14^th 2012. 

That was nearly two years ago. 

Yes, it took us two years to accomplish her senior portraits. 

Hey, better late than never, right?!?!  

Joi was one of my best friends when we were children. We have some good memories of being small together. 

As cliché as it may be, documenting this big moment of her life felt very trivial. 

It was a realization to reality; that we were no longer those children we once were. 

We both have grown up.  

I loved getting to hang out with her again.  

Years later, it was like nothing had ever changed. Friendship knows not of time, people.

Joi is a self-proclaimed Hippie.

 I love that about her. 

She has a rocking vibe, mesmerizing eyes, and a hilarious personality. 

She is truly beautiful on the inside and outside. 

Joi is a very gifted talented actress. I have faith that she will accomplish great things through her passions. 

She'll be HUGE one day. 

So I got her autograph now, before she gets too famous. It will be worth lots one day! 

We stumbled across this temple and flipped with excitement. 

It fits Joi and her personality perfectly. 

Isn't she the coolest?!?

Don't you just love her GORGEOUS eyes?!!?

What would a photoshoot be without a selfie?!?

I had a blast taking her Senior Portraits. Thank you so much for letting me match this moment of your life  with photographs! 

PORTRAITS: Jordan

Seeing things in the right light is an age old expression, nevertheless, it holds true, especially for photography, literally and figuratively. As a photographer I am a light seeker; I want to see something extraordinary through my lens and when I do it's always special, wonderful, and magic. In a very literal sense, I am trying to see things in the right light so that they please me, are interesting to me, and give me the pleasure of appreciating them.

When I take portraits I’m always closely watching.  I am watching and waiting for something to happen- something natural, nonchalant, and beautiful, but most importantly, something real. Like a hunter. I am a stalker. My pray is beauty. I am looking for aliveness. What I am always aiming for when I take a portrait is connection. I am looking for an expression, a mood, a breath, a touch, a certain or particular something that reveals the spirit, the thoughts, the feelings and the soul of the person I am photographing. This is something that is hard to do. It is not always achieved, but when it is, it is pure distilled magic.  

For my shoot with Jordan, I was fortunate enough to capture all of those things. I’m completely in love with what I was able to capture about her! I’m incredibly proud to show the world her photographs. 

The Power Of Simplicity

Sometimes simplicity speaks volumes....

Simplicity is something that I am always aiming for as a photographer. 

I don't always get there. 

Sometimes I miss the mark. 

But its the ultimate goal. 

I'm not sure what in society has taught us that art must be hard. 

That it must be complicated

or busy. 

While that may be true, 

For me, art is simplicity.

Its easy. 

It expresses truth. 

Art is the small things. 

Its the breath of love.

The power of truth.

The voice of the mind, heart and soul

And the beauty of liberation that comes with all those things. 

I believe, Art, at its core is the beauty of simplicity. 

For this image, I wanted to challenge myself. 

I used my old camera, and my kit lens because they are nothing fancy. 

When it comes down to it, its not about the gear of what was used, 

but the feel, the mood and the message of the final piece. 

I took three separate images. 

One of my model, Taylor. 

And another one for both pieces of fabric. 

(Which are actually sheer curtains, I might add) 

Then blended the three shots together. 

All the elements of this photograph were simple. 

So simple was the finished product.

However, because of the simplicity of it all...

This image speaks.

It's powerful. 

I love it. 

It's dark...

Mysterious

Beautiful. 

When you leave art to its own devices,

you are left with nothing more than emotion. These emotions are what makes art. 

They are what tell the story. 

Never underestimate the power held within the simple things. 

For the simple things are the big things. 

SENIOR PORTRAITS: Cara

Over Thanksgiving I got to spend a week with Cara and her wonderful family.  We managed to shoot some senior photographs in the woods where we were camping. 

Cara and I have been friends since we were babies. I am grateful that I have made a true friend in her! She has a kind heart and her love for others is obvious! I LOVE the shots we got together. I think her confidence, beauty and strength all shine through clearly. Thanks for letting me photograph you! So beautiful, right?!?!

Seriously, how cool is she?!?!

Thanks to Cara's awesome brother for grabbing this shot of us. 

Quest For Beauty...

"I have a compulsion to capture, to hold moments in my hand for future examination to make stories out of them. Perhaps, this is what it means to be an artist- the desire to create beauty and stories out of all the threads of our lives" - Andrea Scher

Almost always, what drives my adventure of photography

is the quest for beauty.

There is something within me that is so naturally

drawn to the miracle that is lines,

shapes,

proportions,

textures,

and colors.

Often this involves frolicking in the woods.

Spending time in nature is a gift.

It’s a time to refresh,
reenergize,

refuel

and remember.

When time is cherished, nature manages to nurture-

nurture my sense of wonder

and my humility.

I know I am in the presence of the ancient forces;

I am in the company of magic.

And that, just might be the most potent gifts of all. ;)

While spending a week in the woods,

I found this perfect and breath-taking tree.

These photographs do not do it justice!