No one knows what it means, but its provocative.

Photography is glamorous.

It was easy. I am comfortable here. Everyone can do it, but not everyone does. I complain that photography is a lot of work when I am getting paid because I don't want it to be my job. The older I get the more time is worth to me and that is part of my complaint. Yet I have made work out of photography to help me pay for my equipment. It was a grind just to sustain the equipment pull and the insurance in the beginning, and it is still a grind to generate revenue to stay up to date. I can only imagine the stress if I needed to make a living and support a family with it. I am spoiled. I know.

When I first started in photography, I had an attitude that was more of a learning desperation. Of course the types of photos I was taking were much less glamorous. It was about the experience with limited resources. Now, yes of course, I could dedicate a portion of my disposable income towards photography equipment and call it a hobby. The path I began on has evolved through focusing on acquiring professional equipment and achieving a professional image. This path has been rewarding, and has led me to a much more glamorous sides of photography. Professional work and opportunities created by sharing my aspirations with others have helped me to achieve that photography allure.

As I age, my time becomes more valuable. I enjoy my free-time and don't push myself as hard as I did when I was younger. I have relaxed. That is not to say I don't work hard. I have just focused more on enjoying my free time and developing better relationships than sacrificing that free time to achieve something different through working. I still appreciate the value of investing time and consider that all good things require time to grow and nurture into great things. I respect sacrifice. I understand the weight of where I spend my time means that I will not be spending my time on something else. Now as I get married and begin to focus on our home I realize the pull of things and time required increases with age. The plans and the dreams expand and I am reminded to keep my perspective on the push and pull of these things. I choose now not to allow them to run my life or my marriage.

While this post and the pictures do not match from a visual perspective, the accomplishment of setting up a studio and providing the equipment to make these shots possible has been a labor of love. It represents to me a step of progression in my photography and a freedom that I have pursued outside of the grind. Its a small step, but it is a journey and not a race. I have chosen to walk this path aware of my time with balance and sacrifice in mind, but not at the cost of losing valuable relationships. I hope that if you have followed me on my journey that you can enjoy the photos that have come from it.

Friends in Love

Friends in love. Knowing they will serve God. Inspired by their journey. Grateful to witness.

Brittany and Anthony will affect more lives than they may know just by chasing after God. Pouring the love they receive from Him out to all those around them, may their cups be multiplied in their relationship with one another.

I am proud to have met and witnessed such growth in both of them not only as friends but also as a roommate and teammate. My life has been truly blessed by them.

I hope these brief moments do their journey and their relationship justice, and I am sure there will be many more opportunities for their love to be shared. I am super excited to see these two as a married couple and I know they will run hard after Jesus together and their relationship will bring glory to God.

In hearing their hearts desires over the years and watching them grow up from college to now in what seemed to me as very dramatic fashion, their love and their journey seem so perfectly matched. Now as they support, encourage, and challenge each other, it is clear to me of their love and dedication.

Anthony and Brittany, I ask God to continue to anchor you to His love and provide for you, and bless your ensuing marriage as you go out in to this world together and bring Glory to God's Kingdom on Earth as it is in Heaven!

Congratulations!

Melanie

A friend of mine, Melanie Rinaldi, whom I dove with when I was in college recently retired. She asked me to take some photos to capture her in her peak shape and abilities as an athlete. I have been fortunate enough to witness Melanie work so hard for so long and work through injuries, and be her friend through it all that I know the strength she has displayed rubs off on those around her. Just to hear of her journey from the point I met her is inspirational.

In tribute to the start of the Olympics I am making this sports post. As athletes from all over the world come together to compete at this level, I am reminded of the blood, sweat, and tears that these individuals endure to get to that point in their athletic career. I have been fortunate enough to rub elbows with Olympic athletes and see their dedication and commitment first hand. It is not just the personal effort and drive of the individual but the team, the family, and the community of supporters that contribute to their success. I am grateful to be a part of that community and have friends at these Olympics. I am excited to watch them compete!

Enjoy the Olympics!

Jaime + Diana

This beautiful wedding, was one of the first times I had to deal with an extremely strict priest who warned me that if I moved outside of my square, he would ask me to leave. I think I actually enjoyed the restrictive nature of this ceremony because it challenged me. If you follow my blog, you know I love being challenged!

As you can see, this couple was extremely photogenic and for our outdoor portrait session they really allowed me to take my time and get some really great portraits. Clients who love pictures and want to take pictures are the best! Diana was such a trooper during our portrait session to get all of these beautiful shots despite of the pending storm, and the extremely windy conditions. I hope you enjoy our efforts because to me this was well worth it.