YESTERDAY!

The past two days have been amazing. I got the opportunity to assist Annie at a Vanity Fair shoot! It was absolutely the most incredible thing I have ever done. In two days I have learned more in photography than I did at school. Seeing the amount of work, time, and care that went into absolutely every detail was so incredible inspiring. The reason I was so excited to be there was because I was getting to witness someone work, who truly cares, so deeply about what they are creating. Being around that was incredibly inspiring.

I know that is the feeling i want to have... to know what I am doing is what God has planted a passion in my heart to do. So many times we think that we have to do what we can to make a large paycheck. No. Money will come and go, and after all, it's not what makes you happy. God has given us each passions, planted deep within our heart, and if you do what he has gifted you with, and given you an urge to do... then you can truly love your work. It hurts me to see people who are in positions that they could care less about. Leave that and do what you love! I want to see everyone I know and love do something that they are passionate about! I think we have all figured out, no amount of money will ever be enough, so why do we try and suffocate our dreams for that larger paycheck. It just won't work and you can never be content living that way.

Whoa, sorry about the preaching... I just want to see each and every one of you do what you are truly passionate about. GO and do it!

My Television Debut!

Ok... so I went to the Jimmy Fallon show the other night and had the time of my life! It was so funny, and the roots were absolutely incredible. They put on a practically 30 minute concert before the show. I am not sure why i become incredibly lame as soon as i am on tv... or maybe I am always that way. You know I wish i were up there dancing with him! ha.

HORRAY!

It just might have happened! I might be going on a shoot! I sure hope so. I will just be going as an assistant, but I could learn so much! Hopefully this works out. I will certainly keep you all updated.

I am sorry for the lack of photos lately! I have been staying in working on my new logo and identity system so when I get back i will be all ready to get busy! Here is a look at my new logo!

Ahhhh.... The Olden TImes

I was doing a little research for an upcoming shoot... VERY excited about this one, and stumbled upon this video. I couldn't take my eyes off of it. The most incredible thing happens when they dance together. I sure do wish we lived in these times! This generation can be so lame. ha.

This is the quote from the author of this video that I really appreciated...

"So many young people have commented favorably on this clip, expressing a longing for the romantic time of the 1930s. It was a hard time for many, the Great Depression. Films like this were a way for poor people to escape grim reality for a few hours inside the cinema, to catch a glimpse of the glamorous world of the rich and beautiful.

Today people long to escape the mediocrity and awfulness of modern taste - violent blockbuster movies, unintelligible actors, loud pointless soundtracks (you could hardly call it music). Artistry and talent has given way to mediocrity and the cult of celebrity.

Now is the time for young people to abandon crowded gigs and nightclubs where they prance aimlessly, waving their arms in the air, deafened by the noise. Go to an old fashioned ballroom dance, with a band that doesn't rely on amplification and plays real tunes. There you may meet the person of your dreams, to hold in your arms and talk to. "

Please Enjoy!

New Year's Day Polar Bear Plunge!

Hello all! Wayne came back to NYC with me from Christmas break and we had a great time! It is here that Wayne learned that New York is the people watching capitol OF THE WORLD! I love to people watch, and this place is the mecca of all people watching venues. Wayne and I were looking for something to do on New Year's Day, so I found out they were having the Polar Bear Plunge at Coney Island... WE WENT! There were the craziest people there that I have ever seen. Thousands and thousands of people out in the 13 degree weather there to plunge into the icy waters!

I began to wonder, what type of person might do this.... then as I scanned around the crowd, I quickly realized. Let me give you a sample of Coney Islands finest...

Please get in the water sir... no seriously, right now.

This was by far my favorite outfit of the day! After the plunge, those were some soggy diapers.


Speechless...

I chose to post the picture where the people are blocking our Viking friends... you are welcome.

After all that beautiful sightseeing, Wayne and I went to famous Nathan's hotdogs, and it was incredibly delicious! We had a great time!

Happy New Year Everyone! I know I am a little late, but it still counts right? So much has happened in the last year, all kinds of stuff, fun stuff, inspiring stuff, hard stuff, everything. And at the beginning of last year... I would have NEVER expected to have been in NYC, ever. I have learned so much from being here, and cannot wait to apply it to my portfolio. Thanks for all your support everyone, and i hope this year is amazing for you as well!

Oh... and something that made me so very excited. I was featured on a blog called Design Work Life! Here is the link. I was so honored and excited to be on here and thought I would share it with you guys!

My Parents Trip To NYC!

After many canceled flights and layovers, my parents finally made it to New York! I was so glad! I went to pick them up at 11:30 PM Sunday night, talk about red eye flight.... and we all talked for a bit and went straight to bed. The snow was unbelievable, but we kept on trudging through to see the city. We went to Central Park to see the amazing snow and frozen ponds. It was really beautiful there. We made it to Chinatown, Little Italy, Soho, The Museum of Natural History, Rockefeller Center, The Today Show, Christmas shopping on Fifth Avenue, Christmas Mass at St. Patrick's Cathedral, THe museum of Metropolitan Art, Bark, a Brooklyn hot dog restaurant, Saw the Phantom of the Opera, Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.... and that is not even everything. WE DID A LOT!

Here are some pictures of us in Central Park, it looked amazing i the snow.


Bundled up to get on the ferry to see the Statue Of Liberty and Ellis Island. It was soooooo cold... so very cold. I couldnt feel my jaw for most of the day. The picture below is one of my favorite pictures of mom and dad... I don't exactly know why, but i love it.

Here we are on Liberty Island with the Manhattan skyline behind us!

Mom and dad admiring the statue.

As we were waiting to get on the ferry to Ellis Island, a lone bird decided to approach the crowd and beg for food. Someone gave him a piece of food.... so naturally another bird came, then a seagull, then a team of seagulls swarming our heads! I had just watched Alfred Hitchcock's "The Birds" so this was not a good moment for me. They were dive bombing our heads, so naturally I decided to just take pictures... got some pretty cool bird pictures despite the attack.



This was outside the ferry window on our way back to Manhattan. I thought it looked pretty cool.

Afterwards, we went to see the Phantom of the Opera and it was amazing! The set was incredible, really a very cool play.


Well, we had planned to go home on the 23rd, but got a call saying that our flight was mysteriously canceled to Chicago, while all other flights to Chicago continued on. Needless to say we were pretty bummed out... me especially. We went home and made some cookies and went to bed. The next day was Christmas Eve so we went Christmas shopping and ended up having a wonderful day... we wanted to be home, but made the most of it! I am so glad we did, it was a great day.




Home bound! We went home and Krista and Jon greeted me with a Cherry Lemon Sun Drop, how i have missed thee. It was wonderful. We went home and the Christmas festivities began, it was so great to be home again.

THe picture below needs some explaining. Krista and I leave this toy with each other each time we visit each other. He is usually hidden in laundry detergent, a box of sugar, in my socks, in my pillow, and once in the shower. You never know where he is going to turn up! Mom and dad brought him with them so I photographed him here! Dad suggested we make a snowman out of Shrek baby, so we did.... Here he is!


Wayne is here now and we are headed to the Polar Bear Plunge at Brighton Beach so I will post pics of that soon!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!