Never Ender Winter Collection 2012

Thank you to all these lovely models for your time, efforts and cooperation!  

You all made my job very easy.  

Thank you to Melanie and Amber of Never Ender for believing in my creative vision.  

{Pace}

A chance meeting...

"I AM PROVIDED FOR"

... this is one of many mantras that supports me when I feel the weight of the world caving in.  It sits, in black writing, on my living room mantle.  It is something that I know deep in my soul and something I forget very easily.  

It is a good reminder for me to keep near.

Every once in a while the universe provides me with a very tangible experience in this lesson...just when I need it most.  The anxiety within my heart, soul and mind is calmed and set anew with the simplest of gestures.  This particular gesture came in the form of a simple phone call from a woman needing photographs for a professional portfolio.  This was an entirely unique opportunity {not your average business card photo shoot}...I was thrilled, elated and anxious.  How was I going to create a pilates portfolio for someone when my knowledge of the art began and ended in a single semester at the university?  I am roughly familiar with pilates poses and technique and by no means an expert.  In between all my mind's anxiety leading up to the shoot {where is the perfect backdrop, what time will the lighting be at its best, what kind of poses is she going to want me to photograph, how will I direct her when I know very little about the art form}, this image kept appearing in my mind.  It was an image that calmed me and helped me to believe that I could do this and, of all the photographers in the Reno/Tahoe area, she had chosen me for a reason.  This reason came to me the moment we met.  She was warm, genuine, spunky and funny with a smile that put me at ease.  Needless to say, we were fast friends and had a fantastic time getting to know each other on the drive up Mt. Rose Highway to Tahoe.  The day became even more magical when we arrived to this particular beach in perfect timing for the light {I got the tip on this beach from a high school senior boy whom I photographed the day before...thank you, Sal!}.  No sooner or later could we have began the shoot, it was synchronicity at its finest!  We laughed, gave thanks to the sun and the water for its everlasting beauty, climbed boulders to reach privacy, and got pretty wet {at one point I was standing in the lake, water up to my waist, in the outfit I had worn}.  It was the most exhilarating shoot I have ever experienced!  Another nod from the universe came when we were headed back down the hill to Reno.  In conversation about my experience/career in photography, including my fears and anxieties as well as my passion for the art form, she gave me the reassurance I was seeking deep within my soul... the need to feel like I am on the right path.  She reminded me of my unique vision and intuitive understanding of light... and I was set at ease.  Thank you, April, for coming into my life.  You are an inspiration to me! 

{Namaste}

This is THAT image...

 

Footprints on my heart... (sneak peek)

These two dynamic children have left many footprints on my heart.  I have known them since before they could walk, have cleaned their spit up from my shoulder, changed the dirtiest of their diapers and have read them countless stories to sleep.  I have been a teacher to them, all the while they have taught me so much.  They have shown me some of life's greatest gifts and reminded me to savor the present moment.  They have gracefully grown to be thoughtful, creative and passionate individuals.

  I feel so blessed to have somehow been a part of their family.

{I just love this photograph of Francesca!  She has always looked up to her big brother...and he can always get her to laugh.} 

Reiss, who is super athletic, mentioned that he wanted a poster-sized photograph of all his sports gear.  Together we created this photograph that incorporates all the sports he loves to play.  So much fun!
I mounted a large print of this photograph on a 3/4" standout board that will soon be hanging above his bed.  He's so excited about it which is so rewarding for me.