afterthoughts: photography

have you ever felt like you have invested time and energy and life into something you love, something you're passionate about, only to have it stolen out from under you by someone?

how does it make sense to anyone that when you part ways with someone, suddenly all you know and all the connections you've made are hijacked by that other person...especially when its not even truly an interest you share?

I have spent the last 4 years of my life creating connections, and absorbing tips and information, like a sponge, and forging friendships with people at the top of their craft from whom I have so much to learn. and now I feel like that foundation is being yanked out from under me, stolen even, by someone who has no right to do so. how is that fair? (yes, I'm aware...life isn't fair) I continue to glean everything I can from those connections while at the same time feeling stabbed in the back by so many of them. I cannot even begin to explain the hurt, and frustration I feel. it's enough to make me seriously consider where I have placed my trust, and to whom I look for advice, both business wise, and "elsewise..." and the path my life is taking.

***I'm sorry...I really just needed to vent my frustration. It's been weighing on my for a week or so, and I've become a semi-grumpy (mostly just quiet) person because of it.

Wow! I just realized it's been almost a month since I've blogged! I'm so far behind! Since Brian and Britt got married got so much has been going on! Zach and I went to Palm Dessert with Caeser and Linda and the girls for a little bit of a respite in our busy schedules, we went to a rodeo in Norco with Alex & Rachel, and Brian & Britt. We've had dinner with Brian and Britt @ their new place. I went with a friend of mine to pick out possible engagement rings for her. Zach and I went up to Santa Barbara Labor Day weekend to hang out, and spend some us time together...and we even got to see fireworks! We went to an angels game.....and it feels like something else too, but maybe I'm forgetting. Hopefully I'll be able to put up pics from most of those things, but it seems like my p&s is having issues, so we'll see.

I'm really excited! I have a friend with whom I grew up whose engagement session I get to shoot this weekend! Jolie was the winner of the Miss Los Angeles County Pagent, and I went to elementary school with her! We were in Brownies (little girls girl scouts) together, and have all kinds of crazy stories about growing up! I'm soooo excited! I was able to meet her coffee yesterday, and catch up a little bit about the last 8 years of our lives, and we had so much fun! I'm really looking forward to meeting her fiancé Josh.

In Studio 22 at church this fall we are starting a new series called Kingdom Culture....I'm super stoked about it! The high school department is going to to be partnering with the Jr. High and college departments to be a student ministry-wide series. We'll be focusing on Matthew 5 and how we can live out God's desires for us in this kingdom. The high school room is going to be re-vamped into an awesome "urban-esque" mood with photographs, and art and some sweet wall displays. Check back soon for more details, and to see images of the awesome room transformation, and even better, hear (or read) the stories of how God is working in students' lives!

OOO!!! In other news, my new site is up! It's not NEARLY finished, in fact, I haven't even put galleries up yet, but it's up and running, none-the-less! Thanks to David Jay's ingenuity and his Showit Sites team! Special thanks to Andrew Barlow of the tech team! I was having issues, and he worked really hard to get everything solved, and working properly! Zach and I are working on developing a new logo for me...something really reflects my personality. We need to fine tune some of the details, but hopefully the finishing touches will go quickly, and it will be unveiled soon!

I lead the freshman girls in Studio 22 with two other young women, Wendy, and Britt. Well, I still live at my parents house, which means that my house is still a prime target for Toilet Papering! And, leave it to my wonderful freshman, they got me good! I drove in right as they were starting, so of course they scattered like cockroaches in the light, then a little over an hour, they showed up again! I was JUST falling asleep, and heard the faint "ppffftt" tearing of the TP. I got out of bed, walked to the front window, and watched as my front yard was transformed into a world of white. After they left, I went outside and grabbed a couple shots on my iPhone cam of the damage, and cleaned it up before it had a chance to soak up the water from the grass. At least they love me! right? :)