Slowing down

I'm no fortune teller, but I can tell you how I imagine my life 10 years from now. I do not know what the future holds though. I don't even know what today has in store. All I am sure about is this very moment. 

To be honest, I find that all of my moments seem to end all to quickly. Way more quickly than I would like them too. I hate this! Things are just moving so fast. I just need a breather. Could I please take 5? or 10? or 15? In fact, could I please have a large Iced Tea, while I am at it? Live is moving at the speed of light and it's not getting any slower. While it's fun and I'm enjoying it, sometimes I just want to take a step back. I find myself wanting to enjoy the small moments in life. Those beautiful moments. The ones of going to get Ice Cream, a warm imbrace, family life, love, connection, the laugh out loud moments, time spent with friends, and everything else. But it's hard to remember to live in those moments when your always thinking about what's coming next.

 Life is short, way to short to have regrets.  So i'm slowing myself down. I'm don't want to be moving so fast that my life fades into blurry images. This is such an amazing part of my life and I want to remember all of it! Even the little moments, because the little moments will be my most cherished memories later. I'm slowing down to soak in every single little detail. I'm slowing down so that I can be grateful for the small pleasures in life.  I'm slowing down to be happy, so I can truly be greatful for everything that surrounds me, to live in the moment that I am put in. 

Here are some photos I took a few days ago. I love their beauty! Yes, they are blurry. I felt like they fit this post perfectly! Enjoy! 

Take a minute to breathe and relax and be grateful for all the beauty that surrounds you. 

Black and White, Part One

"Black and white are the colors of photography. To me they symbolize the alternatives of hope and despair to which is forever subjected" ~ Robert Frank
The statement above is true. So very, very true! For me personally, black and white are the colors of photography. They really do symbolize the alternatives of hope and despair to which is forever subjected. 

There is just something about black and white photographs that I absolutely love. They have such extraordinary beauty and an unexplainable power that's truly amazing. I love it! I'm so passionate about this subject. :) I definitely think that black and white is my signature as a photographer. I do it often, probably to often. But I feel that is it my greatest strength and I'm really proud of that. 

I'm starting a new project. I can't tell you it's name, mainly because it doesn't have one yet. :( I'm just making a collection of black and white photographs. This is part one. I will add to this collection slowly. I will be blogging them as I go through it though. I am really looking forward to seeing the my collection grow. 
Enjoy.

Metamorphosis.

It was one of those mornings. One of those magical mornings, perfect lighting, birds singing, and a nice breeze. I was feeling very inspired but very vulnerable with my emotions. So much in my life has been going on. A lot of changes have been happening. Life just seems to be moving so fast. Faster then I would like it too. 

For me, taking self portraits is therapeutic. It documents a split second of my life. A second that I can never get back. It allows me to remember that second. How I was feeling, what I was thinking, what I looked like. It allows the world to see in intimate view into who I really am. Something that is rare and wonderful. 

I took these self portraits a few mornings ago. I was really scared about sharing them with the world. They are really personal and I don't like showing my vulnerability. After I finished up and got the images up on the computer, I was miffed to discover these shots and how they made me feel though.

I feel like one chapter of my life is ending which makes me sad. Very sad. But another is starting. A chapter that makes me feel happy. I'm growing up. I'm becoming an adult. I'm getting more freedoms, becomming more independent. I'm no longer a child. That saddens me. I'm saying goodbye to carelessness and not having responsibilities. With that comes insecuritites. And fear. Lots of it. Fear of failure. Fear of being rejected as a person and as a photographer.

I'm going through a metamorphsis. I'm not who I was six months ago. Everyday I'm growing, maturing, learning. Learning about life, love, who I am, what I am, what I believe.  I'm learning not to be affraid, to let go of fear. I'm learning its o.k to be confident in my self and work. It's o.k to make mistakes if I learn from them. It's o.k. to have moments of weakness and pain.

I'm starting a journey. A journey thats going to be long. I don't know where it's road is going to take me or what it's going to put me through. There will be good times, but there will be hard times too. But I am ready! I'm ready for all the ups and downs. For the smooth and rocky pavements. For all it throws at me. I can do it! I can beat it! I can over come it!

What you see is not always what you get. Take the time to dig a little deeper. The only thing I can do each day is try. I can try to be all the things I want to be and everyone else wants me to be. If I fall short in your eyes, please know..I tried. I did the best I could do and that is all that should ever be asked of anyone. Take a minute to breathe and relax and be grateful for all the beauty that surrounds you. 

~The guy behind the camera

Chase. 

  

Ashley.

                        This is Ashley....

Ashley is a dear freind to me and has been modeling for me for awhile now. She is crazy talented at what she does! Ashley and I do photoshoots weekly. We are always talking about the things we want to try next or how we can top what we just did! She is always willing to do what ever crazy request I have. (Not to mention, Ashley has had the chance to interview with several big modeling agencies here in Dallas. Though she hasn't found the right one yet, I know she will eventually.) We are always so eager to get together and take pictures and we always have such fun too. Since she has been such a faithful model to me I thought she deserved at least one blog post. 

Peek a boo..

In an attempt to spice up shooting a bit Ashley suggested we throw in this awesome bike. I love the way it matches her dress! Great choice of props Ashley!

Awesome shades, vibrant blue hair, and a rocker chick vibe. Oh yes, this is just the way I like my models!

Moody lighting is definitely my thing! I love it! Especially while photographing someone or something. It's what I always try to aim for when I set up the lighting before pictures. I never thought I'd get such intensity though. I love it!

One evening Ashley and I found ourselfs at the most amazing venue ever! Lucky for us I had my camera. I got it out as fast as I could and we took tons, and tons, and tons, of photos.

I love that the venue had such a dirty and grungy feel to it!

Ashley is rockin the chair!

 

I love the way the light falls across her face!

The light was breath taking. It was such a dream to photograph there. Love the lens flair.

The eyes are the window to the soul. It's a shame I can only see half of Ashley's soul.

Thank you Ashley for being such a wonderful model and friend. I look forward to all the photoshoots to come!

You know you're a photographer if...

I'm sure all of the photographers out there will get a kick out of this! I know I had fun writting it!

 

 

You know you're a photographer if...

You are frequently greeted with “What are you taking a picture of?!?” instead of “hello.”

 

 

You know you're a photographer if...

When at a car dealership, you translate the price of a car in your head to “Six 5D Mark II’s.”

 

 

You know you're a photographer if...

Your carry-on is heavier than your checked bags.

 

 

You know you're a photographer if...

You measure distances in millimeters.

 

 

You know you're a photographer if...

You know that 1.4 is bigger than 2.8.

 

 

You know you're a photographer if...

You have(or thought about) naming your pet dog or cat "Ansel."

 

 

You know you're a photographer if...

When picking a travel destination, photo opportunities are a primary criteria!

You know you're a photographer if...

There aren't any pictures of you having fun during holidays, vacation, etc.

You know you're a photographer if...
You go to see friends (without a camera) and when you arrive they ask you if you are feeling ok.


You know you're a photographer if...

You see a sign that says no photos and your first thought is to get a picture of the sign.

 

 

You know you're a photographer if...

You refuse to attend "no cameras allowed" events.

 

 

You know you're a photographer if...

You’d rather buy the shirt that more closely resembles 18% gray.

 

 

You know you're a photographer if...

You have a special glove you keep for winter with the tip of the index finger cut off.

 

 

You know you're a photographer if...

The first thing you do when you wake up is to look outside to see what white balance to use.

 

 

You know you're a photographer if...

There is a tornado warning and you head outside to see if you will be lucky enough to get a really cool picture instead of going to the basement.

 

 

You know you're a photographer if...

You say, "I shot my kids today," and it doesn't mean what it sounds like.


You know you're a photographer if...

You can get away with flashing your grandma.


You know you're a photographer if...
You've learned you can bend, squat, turn, slither, run, jump and sit in positions you never thought were ever possible when you have to get that shot.


You know you're a photographer if...
You fall and your first thought is "save the camera."

 

 

You know you're a photographer if...

The phrase "you must have a great camera" makes you scream.

 

 

You know you're a photographer if..

You have experienced or are guilty of the above statements.