Because Its What You Love.

It has been quite the roller coaster for me lately. In my commercial class this week, my teacher went off on a rant about how no matter what you are shooting, you need to take time to shoot something just for you. He told us that, for him, he shoots flowers. He isnt very good at it, but he does it because that is what he loves to shoot. This is important because when you do what you love as a job, you start to lose yourself in always having to do it and not doing it because you want to. I think that this really hit home for me. I have been so caught up in everything that has been going on in my life, that I forgot to stop and take a breath to take pictures that I love. So much of my photography lately has been for school or for a job and it wasnt until my teacher made the point to always remember why youre doing what you are doing, that I really realized that this is what I have been missing. I love photography. I love capturing people. I love stopping time, because so often I have no control over what I am spending my time on. Today, although this was for an assignment, I felt in my element. Happy to be doing what I love. Stopping time. Andolyn, Joe, Justin, and Sarah were all awesome models today, and getting the time behind the camera that I got today was such a great feeling. Thank you, you guys. For coming through for me with these shoots. Its people like you that make me love what I do, and letting me capture you reminds me why I am doing what I am doing. Enjoy.

California Boy.

This is from an old assignment earlier in the semester that I havent had a chance to post yet. Ryan helped me last minute with the assignment when my other model bailed, and really pulled me through for this shoot. Ally was a trooper, we had her running up and down the streets for a while trying to get the right shot. By the end she was so tired that her tongue was hanging out of her mouth, but she loved being the center of attention. Ryan is a Cali boy through and through, long boarding with his dog like the beach is right around the corner, livin the dream. Enjoy.

In Your Dreams.

This week I had an assignment for my make up class called fantasy. Originally I thought that the teacher had specific requirements on the style that he wanted us to shoot with, but midweek he sent out an email to clear up some confusion that a few of the other students had with the assignment guidelines. While it was a good thing that I could change up from what he had shown for examples of the assignment, it was also a bad thing because that meant that I had no idea where to go with this assignment. Bryanna had volunteered to sit for me when I showed her the original pictures, so I decided to go to her and see what she thought we could do. The first thing she came up with was this idea and I went with it. Once again, she helped bring everything together for me and it came out much better than I could have done by myself. My mom helped with some of the outfit when I came to her with what Bryanna had come up with, and this was the result. Thank you Bry, for helping me to kick ass on another assignment for this semester and for being the easiest and best model I have ever dealt with. Shoots with you really make my job to get awesome portraits all too easy. Once again. Enjoy.

Check Out My Kicks.

This weeks assignment was a product shot with a model. Showing that its not always just about who is being shot, but what is going on around them as well. I wanted to go with a double whammy, making it a good product but also having an awesome model. I was stumped for a while, not knowing what to shoot or how, and then this idea hit me. Bryanna was up for another shoot for me, and as she is a runner this set up was perfect. Because in all honesty, wouldn't you be wanting to buy a pair of shoes if you looked this good wearing them? I would. Enjoy.

Glam It Up.

I have learned a lot of things in school that have really improved my photography up to this point. But one thing that they don't teach you to really appreciate, is a good model. I often run into the issue of the best way to pose my models for school assignments and I think that this was one of the best shoots that I have done in a while because Bryanna knew what she was doing. I didn't have to say much to her and I was able to get these beautiful photos of her while still learning several new things from someone who has more experience with posing than I do. Even though she has been a little under the weather this week, she was willing to glam up for this weeks assignment for me, and made my job all too easy by being such a great model. Sparkly heels, sequined dresses, and a stunning model make for a happy photographer. Enjoy.

Living In The Wrong Era.

School is back in full swing, and I will be posting most of my assignments for class again. Im finding that the further into classes that I get, some of the assignments are duplicates. This was another "clone" assignment where I had to take an image and duplicate it in the best way that I could. Chris helped me out here and dappered up so that I could duplicate the top image. As always, it was quite the learning experience for me. I am happy with the image that I was able to get though, and Im glad that I was able to learn so many new things. Enjoy.

Magic Of Their Own.

Little Makayla here came into the world on July 21, 2013. There were a few complications, but she was a little fighter and came out healthy and strong. She is adorable and so sweet. Little girls just have a magic of their own. Enjoy.

Boys Are Awesome

Grayson is getting so big, I can barely believe it. Seems like just yesterday he was born and in less than two weeks he will be six months old. So young, and already on his way to being one of my favorite models. He too has been brought into the project that I am working on. But let's be honest, how could you not fall in love with that face? I guess you guys will have to keep close watch on what I am working on to see more of his cute little self, won't you? Enjoy.

Sometimes You Need To Remember Why You Started.

Photography has always been a passion for me. I picked it up when I was sixteen and needed an outlet to put myself into that wasn't school or sports. Something that was all about me. When I picked up that first camera, it clicked for me. I loved being able to stop time. My life was so crazy, with so much going on all the time, and finally being able to slow down and capture moments that would never change was such a big thing.

I have been in school for photography for two years. While I do love that I am learning so much about photography, there always comes a point in each semester where I get fed up with being told exactly what I need to shoot and exactly how to shoot it. A few weeks ago I was online looking at some photography blogs and I came across a project that really caught my attention, and really reminded me why I have put so much time into all of this. In one of my classes last fall that I had to write an artist statement about myself. I had my sister in law Raelene help me write it because when I actually have to write something, especially about myself, I cant seem to get it out right. When we were done writing it, it was perfect. I don't think that I could have written about myself, and about my photography, any better. I love photography because I love capturing people. Once you take that picture, it doesn't change. That moment is forever. And photographing people who are inspiring to me, helps me get better every time I pick up a camera. It was reading my artist statement, and the project that I stumbled upon, that took me out of the terrible rut that I had gotten stuck into with the never ending school assignments that weren't always what I wanted to be doing. While I don't want to give too much away on this, this here is the beginning of my project. I feel like I have found something to really inspire me again to love photography, to want to pick up my camera, and to capture people.

Stay tuned, as I know you all will, because great things are coming. I don't want any of you to miss it. Enjoy.

Spin Me Right Round.

Night photography is proving to be quite the challenge for me. I am not a big fan of landscape photography, and a lot of this class is just that. Long shots, lots of driving, and a ridiculous amount of waiting to see what I am shooting. And as you all know, I am a people person. The las few assignments have allowed me to shoot with models and after I finish those assignments it really shows me that expanding what I am learning to shoot can be a really good thing just as much as it is a frustrating thing for me. I had a very different idea for this shot but it ended up not working how I had hoped that it would. Shooting with my best friend really helps me out because he is able to put in ideas that I wouldnt have thought of on my own and, amazing shots like these are often the results. Thank you Michael, for always being up for being my model and helping me see things from a different point of view. Working with you is good for me, as if 18 years of friendship hasnt already shown me that, but I dont say thank you as much as I should. Lily, thank you for being willing you get up from your comfortable spot in the middle of the street to get me this shot. Sparks always fly with you and Michael. Enjoy.

Downtown Dapper.

One thing that I appreciate about my group of friends, is that I have some seriously good looking friends. But, there is more to life than being ridiculously good looking, right? I'd like to think that having a good photographer to capture you being ridiculously good looking is, and that is where I come in. Ryan here dappered up for some shots I needed and Im really happy with what we got. His hair is did, shirt is pressed, and who doesn't love a guy with a nice bow tie? Downtown Henderson. Enjoy.

Oh, Love.

Frank and Ana met up with me today to get their engagement pictures done. We went to Nelson and I had a great time shooting their pictures. They were great sports given the bright bright sun and ridiculous wind. It was fun getting to do their pictures and I cant wait to capture their wedding as well! Once more. Enjoy.

With This Ring.

Cindi-loo got married last Saturday. I had the honor of being her photographer and it was a beautiful ceremony. I have known Cindi since middle school, so we have quite the history. I loved that I was there to capture these moments for her as she starts the next chapter in her life. Dominick is a great guy and he got very lucky when he found Cindi. I am so happy for the two of you and I hope the very best for you as you being your lives together. As always. Enjoy.

A Little Bit Of It All.

It always makes me feel awesome to pull of a great shoot. To get that one shot that just pulls everything together. I have been having a really rough few weeks, and it isnt even close to being over yet. But I have some awesome things to focus on lately. My family who has been there to support me through all of the terrible things I have been dealing with. No matter what, they tell me that I can do this and I will come out on top if I stick with what Im doing. My friends who are there to be my models with assignments even though I have been a recluse for my own needs. And all of you, who show me that people are watching what I am doing every time that I post on my blog. People are looking to see what I am going to do next. Life has been an insane whirlwind. Photography holds me together and shows me that I will be good at something if I keep to it. Here I have Adrian, Emeryck, Richard, and even one of myself. Thank you to everyone who keeps with me through my crazy, beautiful life. Enjoy.