Not for the Faint of Heart

Over and over, in photographers blogs that I read, they challenge me with the question “why do you do what you do?” Like it is the big overpowering question, the quest in life, and if I can answer that, then all of my fears, qualms, wonders, struggles in having a photography business will be solved.

And I sit there and think, “well, damn.” I don’t have a good answer. That’s just what I do. Does that mean that I am not really a photographer? I won’t succeed because I have no passion? I’ve been doing photography a long time, do I just not care anymore?

I mean, I love colors, and texture, and composition. But those things aren’t really earth moving. This is really a question I’ve been struggling with for a long time. And it’s scary to admit that because I want to be one of those people who is totally inspired, and totally an artist, and totally 100% confident in their choices.

But then I see things like this. And I remember why I pursue photography. Because it is powerful.

Well, it can be powerful. It can display emotions—happiness is mostly what I see when I take pictures. But It can also show sorry. And hope. And tell a story.

I stumbled upon this slideshow a couple of months ago. I thought about posting it then, but it was so emotional for me, I didn't. But I've been thinking about it a lot lately. And I’m just warning you, I sobbed when I watched it. So if you are tender of heart, it might not be something you’re interested in viewing. 

It is a photographic documentation of the funeral of Gavin Norton, the baby of Natalie Norton, a photographer who lives in Hawaii. And it seems like a very odd thing that she asked her friend,  Jonathan Canlas, to photograph the funeral of her little one. But I think she did because she understands the power of photography. And she wanted the story of the love of her little boy to be told.

Thanks to Our Dads

I saw this, and immediately thought of Ryan and I. Oh, it's so true. The one that really got me was the green room part.

So, in honor of fathers day coming up, I thought I would pass it along, and pass along a giant THANK YOU to our fathers who teach us how to install doors and tell us to open our gates so that our house doesn't flood. We appreciate you and would be lost with out you. Love, ely

Who else is excited????

Can't wait! In the meantime, I'm going to read the new Meyer's new short story, The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner. You can read it for free on her website until July 5.


Yeah, I own it. I love twilight.

Oh the Things I could Do....

Sometimes (okay, most of the time) I wish that I were more adventurous. I wish I wasn’t so practical (stop laughing Ryan, you know what I mean). Because there are so many things that I would do if I weren’t scared. Here is a list.

Buy a cute retro RV and open a snow cone and cupcake moving shop. I’d call it “ely’s sweet eats.” There are some really cute examples on Green Weddings Shoes.

I’d be a wedding visionary. I won’t say wedding planner, because we all know my organization skills are limited. But I’d design these big ideas and themes, down to the type of J.Crew Cardigan that the bride wears in the pictures (that I take of course).

(sorry internet, i don't remember where I found this pic)

I’d buy a cool farm house in the country that people could rent for parties. I’d design, decorate, make invites, take pictures. I’d lug my mom around and she could cater. It would be a one stop party stop. But it would be the event of the year, and I would only allow one per year so that I could prepare and recuperate.

I want to do letter pressing. I have a letterpress, but it kind of intimidates me. Look at this adorable set by Flora and Fauna Press!

I would also design a windows for Anthropologie. But I only want to do this once. I think that’s all the creative that I can do for them. This one is made out of books!

I also thing commercial photography would be really fun—like photographing for a magazine. Like Martha….then I would get to see her store room….I may try to just move in there.

 

(pics founds here)

Now, if I could just get someone to work on that cloning process so I could have about 5 of me, I think I could handle all of that….

Lessons with the Left Handed Calligrapher

Remember how I said that there was one more exciting thing that I had to share about our trip to Dallas? Welp, here it is!

I took calligraphy lessons! Ryan and I are big believers in learning. Not necessarily book knowledge, but continuing to invest in things that we are interested in. We think that it help to keep us more rounded, interesting and happy people. Ryan wants to take cooking lessons, I think that's going to be next summer's investment, and I'm very excited to give him tests in the subject :)

But this time it was my turn-- and I chose calligraphy. Well, actually it chose me. I was reading one of my favorite blogs, and Nicole Black's work was featured. She is the very talented Left Handed Calligrapher. 

I had been looking for someone to teach me, and was so pleased to find that she lives near Dallas! Hundreds of miles closer than other calligraphers that I have admired. So Nicole sat down with me for an hour and a half and taught me the basics of calligraphy. She is absolutely incredible. It's like magic oozes out of her hand and makes beautiful art forms.

And one of the best parts of the lesson, too, was connecting with another young business owner. I really felt that we were in similar parts of life and in our business. We chatted for another half an hour about websites, and design, and all sorts of things we were learning about being young women who own a business. I felt like I walked away feeling like I had made a great connection with another creative person. What more can you ask for in a lesson?!?

Here is some of Nicole's beautiful work she so graciously did for me:

So amazing! I HIGHLY recommend her for any of your handwritten needs. She does anything from addressing envelopes to calligraphing (is that a word??) and letter-pressing invites. I should have taken a picture of her business card, it's a stunning blind emboss signature on a crane paper (i think...). I'll have to take a pic and post it sometime soon.

And here is some of my not so pretty scribbles, but I'm working on it!

Maybe someday I'll have some magic ooze. But for now I'm excited to have learned something new, and met someone I admire.

Our Memorial Day Weekend

Yes, I am aware that I am a week behind. But, man, what a crazy week it has been. We are getting ready for a giant conference at work, so I was working 10-12 hour days, then coming home to edit pics-- so you will have to excuse me for being a little late.

Anyhoo, Ryan and I made the journey down  to Dallas over memorial day weekend to visit our plethora of friends who all made a mass exodus to the Big D these past few years. Seriously, 85% of our friends moved there. But, I suppose I shouldn't complain because it's not like they moved somewhere super inaccessible for us (::AHEM:: Lindsay & Ben, Lori...). And it is rather convenient that we can visit them all at the same time.

Lots of fun, here are some highlights from the weekend:
Making ice cream with the Fendersons:

One of my favorite things about making ice cream with the Fendesons is that they are hard core. No pansy automatic ice cream maker for them-- they are old school. The boys hand crank the adorable, vintage ice cream maker they have.

It was delish. Not just finger licking good, but nose and chin licking good, too.

We also had the pleasure of attending little Kate's 1 year birthday party. Super cute. You can check out more pics of her on the pro-blog soon!

I also had one more exciting thing happen on Memorial Day weekend, more about that to come!