Las Vegas

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Photography: Women Are…

“You may live in the world as it is, but you can still work to create the world as it should be.” —Michelle Obama

For the month of February, my model was my dear friend Angy. We met in the fifth grade and became instant best friends. I’m grateful for her endearing trust in me, her incredible ability to always push forward, and her steadfast faith. She’s been the friend who always believes in big visions, reaches out when things are impossible, and never gives up on herself or others (me included).

Despite having a dreamy location, Red Rock Canyon outside Las Vegas, I struggled with light. We arrived just a bit too late and worked hard until I couldn’t see to take another shot. I brought my new flash, but I didn’t know how to use it. You’ll see an accidental shot at the end, and the effect is cool, but I couldn’t recreate it if I wanted to. Not yet! I’m looking now for an online class to take on tricky lighting. I’d love to abandon grainy shots for good.

Preparing for this shoot, I took a posing class, and Angy was a fantastic model. She trusted me to guide her through poses, even if they felt a bit awkward at times. I’m learning a lot about angles and creating triangles in my poses. It felt good to lead her and pretend confidence, even when I wasn’t sure we were getting usable images. What do you think? Do you have a favorite?

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What makes you proud?
The depth of my relationships, and the quiet privilege of sitting in the audience and witnessing my daughters step into who they are becoming.

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What makes you feel brave?
That flutter of butterflies in my stomach is my compass. When something feels both thrilling and terrifying at once, I know I am standing at the edge of something meant for me.

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What gives you hope?
Every morning the sun rises quietly, without announcement or applause, offering the world another chance to begin again. And I hold a steady faith that, beneath it all, people are inherently good.

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  • The photos above were taken with my Olympus E-M1 MarkII, using a 14-150mm lens and edited with Lightroom Classic.
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Photography: Road Trip and Update

After years of regularly posting and commenting here, I think I’ve reached a place of burnout. I haven’t been fully present like I used to be. It’s not fun.

To get myself out of this slump, and at the advice of my wonderful writer’s group, I’ve decided to self-publish my 52 short stories into a collection available by Christmas. Having a physical book, my book, in my hands will be a dream come true. I need this to move forward.

In the meantime, thank you to those who continue to show up and cheer me on. Your comments are what keeps me going. I hope you’ll consider ordering a copy when it’s available. I can’t even tell you what that would mean. I’m giddy thinking of it.

While I do the hard work of making it happen, here are some photos from my recent road trip. Let me know if you have a favorite and have a fantastic week.

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#14, my friend’s dog Paris. Isn’t she the cutest!

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  • As always, all photos were taken by me with an Olympus OM-D and edited with ON1 Photo RAW.
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Photography: Hunter’s Moon

Forget about everything else and be right here. Look at the way the full moon rises, timid and then quickly. Bold. Look at the way the Joshua Trees grow. Each branch jutting off the main tree is from an injury. They make broken look beautiful. You do too.

Let’s remember this moment and make more. Many, many more.

“What draws people to be friends is that they see the same truth. They share it.”
—C.S. Lewis

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It’s not like me to be spontaneous. I like planning, making lists, and being as prepared as possible. Last week I decided at the last minute to visit my childhood best friend in Las Vegas for her birthday and got ready in three hours. It was a perfect, beautiful, enjoyable, and fully unplanned whirlwind of a few days capped off by the appearance of the Hunter’s supermoon. My heart is so full.

Most of these photos were taken at the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area. However, the last few photos were taken on the drive back in the morning. The last photo is the moon setting as the sun rose close to Newberry Springs, CA.

As always, all photos were taken by me with an Olympus OM-D and edited with ON1 Photo RAW. Let me know if you have a favorite and have a wonderful week. Only two full moons left of the year. Wow.