to the North Pole

Seeing as christmas is drawing near it seemed only natural my family take a trip to the North Pole. This year, we even brought the dog along. I haven't partaken in the purchasing/decorating of the Christmas Tree in years so I was happy to take an active role.

I brought along my camera to wander under the tents protecting both the sweet smelling trees and sweaty smelling floridians alike. (Some of us may have forgotten deodorant today) I wish I brought my camera around with me more often. New Years resolution, maybe?




We got the new LED christmas lights that rock up to 88% less energy then the classic variety. They also keep cooler, which I'm quite sure the tree is thankful for.



The new lights light up the tree in a whole new way. I'm feeling pretty lightened up too. I dig the christmas spirit; glad I came home for the weekend.

say CHEESE

I love cheese. All cheese. White, yellow, blue... I don't discriminate.
Recently my main squeeze has been gouda. He's goud to me.
OK, the whole blog won't be a cheesy declaration to my love of cheese.
I'm really here to share some recent favorite photos
So, here we go: this is the last month or so of weddings in visual review:






I'm really enjoying wedding photography. People trust me to make art out of their reality, it's great.
But nothing beats photographing friends; they give me so much creative control I can create my OWN reality.
I prefer my photographs bend the truth, my friends don't seem to have a problem with that.
Here are two such friends, Busey & Laura


But, lately the biggest jump out of my comfort zone has been a dentist's portrait (for an upcoming magazine cover!)
I'm learning to pay more and more attention to the technical and to take my time when its offered.

I've also found in the last month I've shot manual full-time. I try to rock the aperture or shutter priority but always end up clicking back into M. I've really started to crave that control. I'm happy my camera gives it to me. I'm even more happy that my camera and I continue to grow together in a forward motion. Oh, and the cheddar it's been generating is nice too.

Balance from Malaysia

My sunglasses hid tears as I checked the mail today. Matt and I were arguing on the phone as I flip-flopped back to our apartment. The buildings in our complex are being renovated; the 'whizz' and 'whee' construction noises interrupting my already flawed ability to listen. Between all the heat and noise I wasn't paying much attention to what I was doing. I assumed the package I was carrying was CD jewel cases I'd ordered.

It wasn't until I was home that I looked at the suddenly curious box. I hadn't ordered CD cases from Malaysia. THIS WAS MY FIRST SWAP PACKAGE! Months ago I'd found this blog, Gimme Your Stuff, and began talking to two people about exchanging cultural goodies via snail mail. My first swap had arrived. I decided it best to put the package aside until my emotional tornado passed. So, Matt came home: we talked, we hugged, we did all the things couples do when they realize how much they love each other, and how stupid they'd been to get so angry (It was a fight over DISHES after all!).

When my lovely love left for work I sat down with the box that had traveled around the world to see me. I carefully unwrapped the beaten up gift (its long travel has been a rough one) to find an assortment of wonderful goodies. Karen (life-muses) had put together a beautiful package and I couldn't be more thankful that it came on the day I needed it most. It was the perfect pick me up. :) Here is a photo of all the fabulous trinkets inside. I have a photo of the things I sent her as well, but don't want to post that until she gets MY package! (don't want to ruin any surprises!)



Thank you universe for being balanced & funny! And thank you Karen for putting a smile on my face all the way from Malaysia!