It was time to clean out my iPhone ( a.k.a. my diary)  Past adventures SXSW, Coachella, The Salton Sea, SF, babysitting my niece.

Cia, a fellow photographer, contacted me for help with a little project she has been working on.  It’s called L.E.G.S (learn.empower.give.support) An excerpt from the artist statement:

“Independent and strong women stand on their own two feet, our legs give us support, they ground us, empower us and they wrap around our lovers gently. They are something to be grateful for. I am looking for everyday women who want to be a part of something larger than themselves and give back to other women. L.E.G.S. mission is to empower women through other women’s experiences. Along with the photo each participant will include a moment when they’ve had to overcome hardship be it abuse, addiction, homlessness or anything that they feel strongly about. Coming out stronger in the end is the positive example I want to highlight.”

The problem? She needed images for her own “legs.”  I was happy and honored to be asked to help with such a positive project. Check out her website and the organization she is working with Courageous Woman.

My iPhone is my new diary. I love the idea of a diary. I don’t know how many diaries I started as a kid and I never finished. They all started hopefully… with the intention I would write about my life. The first few pages would be filled with my newest crush, my bratty sister and all makings of that teenage angst. Then the diary entries would be less and less filled until it consisted of blank pages. I wasn’t a writer and never had the patience to sit and write. I was too busy swooning over a boy!

A few years back did my 365 project. I took a picture a day for a year and I really never stopped. I seem to take a picture every day still. One – I am a photographer and I can’t help but take pictures, Two – I have my iPhone with me all the time (as it seems most of the world around me does!).   I realized that this diary is something I can keep up. Not because I had to, but because I wanted to.  I record my life through pictures not words. I look back at all my little images and it brings me back to locations, emotions and people in my life. For me, an image is more powerful than words and a perfect way to preserve my memories.  So…..

Dear iPhone, look what I have been up to.

“Dwell in possibility”- Emily Dickinson

I am a big fan of “the list” ! There is nothing more satisfying than crossing off or checking an accomplished task.  With the New Year here everyone has their resolutions. Sure I could make a resolution to use that gym membership I have been paying for, or maybe not eat chocolate every day… things I should be doing and say every year.

This year I am making my Top Ten Shoot list. These are shoots I have been thinking about and never end up doing. Some are personal, and some for my portfolio.  I want to push myself creatively and I want to dwell in the possibilities.  Just take a simple concept and shoot it “outside the box”. The list might not be completed in 2012 but that’s okay. I  will be posting the shoots as I do them.  So excited to share them and see what I an check off!   Here is to a creative and Happy New Year!

As I frantically searched the internet for it, my heart was pounding. I was so mad and – let’s face it – I get a little obsessed!  There it was… my image, one of my most beloved images had been used in a blog and not just one blog, but it was used 446 more times according to the Google image search!  The kicker?  The photo credit was not mine, or there was no photo credit used at all.  Then I started writing everyone who used it.  I was sick.  This was my image and no one knew I took it!

My image was used from Bloggers to Tumblrs to Pinteresters.  It seemed to make it around the world from China to Chicago, France and Japan.  People changed it and converted it into horrible colors. They wrote about how thankful they were for their new jobs, their family, friends, and their lives.  Then it hit me… it was actually staring me in the face.

I’M THANKFUL FOR TODAY

Really?!  I thought, “Are you actually going to write 446 different people about this picture?” As I clicked from one site to the other I began kinda smiling – That’s my image!  One of my most beloved images inspired so many people and was used 446 times!  Who knows how many readers saw my image and were inspired.  I had to let go and be grateful. Grateful I have a love and a passion for this art and it is my job. I have the means to travel (NY where the image was taken) with amazing friends. Not to mention my boyfriend Jeff who brings me down to earth when I can’t see anything else (Thank you – you were right).

I will chalk this up to experience and just be Thankful for Today!

“America has only three cities: New York, San Francisco, and New Orleans. Everywhere else is Cleveland.” – Tennessee Williams

A woman once said, ” Under all that humidity you can feel this city’s soul.”  Stepping off that plane it hits you. At first I did think it was the humidity (which I love) but then I realized – you can feel “it” in the air. That thing that makes a city special.  There are so many layers to New Orleans and I tried to absorb as much as I could in the few days we were there. This place is so rich in culture and history – a lot like its amazing food. There have been so many influences that have marinated  for a long time to come up with this unique flavor. It’s in the architecture, music and food – and all of it is delicious!  Another thing I love about this place is the people – so kind and warm. Total strangers passing by on the street with a “Good Morning” or a “Hello!” It makes you want to be more friendly – it’s contagious.  You can still see the devastation of Katrina here too but there is a true sense of community when seeing and hearing about how much work has been done to put this place back together. I really cannot wait to make it back.

Some highlights: Cochon for lunch, a second line in The French Quarter, swamp tour , beignets at Cafe Du Monde, Saint Louis Cemetery , Rebirth Brass Band at Howling Wolf, Katrina Museum

” Tell me what you eat, and I will tell you what you are.” – Anthelme Brillat-Savarin

If you have read any of Michael Pollen‘s books or have seen the documentary Food Inc , you know this country has serious food issues.  The issue? We do not know what is in our food or where it comes from. And most of this “food” people are eating isn’t even food at all.  It’s a food-like substance and chemicals. I personally am very passionate about this subject.  I like to know what I am eating and where it comes from…  if it was treated humanly and what is the environmental impact. Which brings me to an amazing dinner I went to the other night.

Outstanding in the Field has been putting on dinners with this farm-to-table philosophy in mind for over 10 years now.  Not to mention their dinners live up to the name – outstanding!  The dinner takes place at a local farm, field, or beach. For each dinner they work with a local chefs, farms and wineries to bring awareness to this subject. The amazing dinner I went to this past weekend was at The Devil Gulch Farm in Nicasio, CA. This gorgeous farm is home to wine grapes and asparagus, and raises rabbits, pigs, and sheep.  The dinner started with wine in the vineyard.  They talked about the farm’s history and its mission. Then we got to take a tour around the farm. We saw the animals they raise as we heard about how the farm works. It is interesting to know that our dinner was in the fields maybe a few days ago. Our final destination was the massive dinner table waiting for us in the stable. There we dined on all the gifts this area has to offer. This is truly an amazing experience. It’s eye opening to see how much our food system has changed and how detached from the source of our food we tend to be nowadays.  This dinner is truly special and something I look forward to every year.