The Human Experience

This is exactly what life is all about for me.

This is how and what I see as I look out into the world.

Life is too short to allow opportunities of growth to slide by.

Go out and live it the exact way God intended for all of us to live it.

For me, I have been given so many blessing my whole entire life- the material things mean so little to me- human connection, love and clarity of self is most important.

Vivian Maier

A friend of mine who knows I love photography sent this link below to my facebook page- It definitely struck something in me. For the past 6 months or so, I have not felt compelled to go out and do any shooting whatsoever. Aside from shooting photography, I also write a great deal about my surroundings and where I am in my life. I literally have a library of entries. Yet just like I am having difficulty to go out and shoot, my pen has not made and entry in my "journal" in many months. I have completed a few portraits here and there, along with a few weddings- which of course I love. But it is not where my passion is.

When really thinking about it, it is obvious that Graduate School really played a role regarding the artistic block that I am experiencing. This story that I have posted inspires me to get back into documenting my world around me.

This story is about Vivian Maier a nanny/ photographer whose negatives were discovered by a curious buyer at an auction. When this discovery was made, it was apparent that this curious buyer had found something that was special and needed to be shared with the public. Her work, from what I saw is amazing. I will stop there and let the youtube post speak for itself.




I included a sideshow to really get more of a feel for her work.

Update: I "Climbed the Canyons!"

Two weeks has passed since I partook in the bike trek. My world has been pretty hectic so I have not had the time to blog about my experience. I finally have space and time to write.

To begin with- Romma (my bike partner) and I texted each other the night before about what was to come. We both had spent the day relaxing at our homes, stayed off our bikes and saved our energy for the next day. Prior to ending our conversation, I made a confession to her that there could be a chance that I will not be making it the entire 30 miles- not that I wanted to be pessimistic but I just had to be honest. Aside from driving my jeep I don’t think I ever done anything for a consistent 30 miles.

The bike-a-thon began at Girsh Park in Goleta at 8am. We all did not leave the park till about 8:15am. We were given directions on a pocket sized piece of paper along with markers on the road that pointed us in the right direction. I amazed myself... Not only did I complete the trek but I really enjoyed it as well! The scenery was breathtaking and I enjoyed the challenge of completing the trek. Without a doubt, I would do another bike-a-thon. Romma shared with me that she was really proud of me….as was I! We kept up a good pace….ended the trek at about 11:45am. Yah for Romma and I—We did it!

Looking back, I do not know what I was thinking……after I finished I went to shoot a wedding. I committed to the trek then later was hired to shoot the wedding. I couldn’t back down on both- God forbid.

Climbing the Canyons!

Perhaps I’m just a glutton for a punishment….only time will tell.

My friend Romma and I are heading out tomorrow morning to Climb the Canyons--- all on my bike through Santa Barbara and Goleta. It’s a bike-a –thon that is happening to raise money for Alpha. A number of my residents at hillside house attend day program at Alpha so I felt it was only right for me to support the cause.

Yesterday I received my Alpha jersey; my first biking shift that I had ever owned can’t wait to sport it! I have been riding to work and going on various treks around town. I have been saving oodles on gas which has been just one of many pluses. Biking to and from work has been such a great way to begin and end my day.

Do wish me luck! After I finish this Trek- I am off to shoot a wedding. Since everything in town is so close by: it all is very doable. Only thing- I will need to rest up today, carbo-load this evening and take care of my body during the journey. Take a look at where all I will be heading! I can't wait!

Last but not least.....please donate and support Alpha Resource Center! We are the Hillside Gals....you know, employees of Hillside House in support of Alpha. I suppose I should not hope to get voted as the best name for the duo Romma and I are! Photos to follow- Thanks for stopping by! More to come......

In the name of Love and Appreciation: Happy (husband) Father's Day to Shaun

Her name is Mandy. She is the backup singer for The Eaglefeather Project ( see post below). After the night of shooting, I rushed home and created the disk full of shots taken of the her and the other band members. Being out there with my camera working once again felt so good. It's been far too long! I have missed it. There is so much joy when I work however the real joy was seeing the expression on my clients' face as she expressed how much she liked the shots. I was asked to help her out in creating a father's Day present for her husband (of 20 years.) I was happy to. I produced the shots for her, quickly I headed to Starbucks, edited what I needed, burned them on a disk and headed out to make prints. Meanwhile Mandy, headed out and bought the perfect frame. All this in one day. The pressure was on. Her frame held 8 shots. With her patience, I produced the shots she wanted and she created the gift. I was eager to see the finished product. There it was, it turned out great! Here are the shots she picked as her collection for her husband.

The Eddie Eaglefeather Project

I'm back!

NO, I did not drop off the face of the earth. I guess I would call it a leave of absence from my Blog. Researching, writing and editing my thesis has been monopolizing my time and energy. That combined with work, travel out east for the Holiday's and trying to meet all the deadlines for all of the above has caused me to prioritize what needs to be done. Unforntunetly blog writing came last. The good news is that I have been just as busy working shooting portraits for clients. So it has been a roller-coaster to say the least!

The Christmas Holiday's have come and gone. For me, it went by way too quickly. I spent quality time with my niece, nephew and my parents which was most enjoyable. Watching movies, reality television and overall enjoying the time spent. Having this quality time with my family has been a long time coming. Blessings are opening right and left of me- for that, I am just taking it all in and feeling so grateful in the process.

Today being the last day of 2010, I walk through with great satisfaction. To start off, I handed in my thesis to both my editor and Thesis adviser. I am exactly on schedule and feel great about it. That, coupled with tomorrow being my Birthday- things just could be or get any better.

Tonight, spending time with close friends and cheering in the new year! Tomorrow- of course, a birthday party for me......You couldn't possibly think I would let the day go by without properly honoring yet another year of life! While it's hard being so far away from family, it gives me so much comfort to know that I am close to my "family" here in Santa Barbara.

So here's to 2011!!!!! Happy New Year!!!!!!