Turning Tides Retreat - Shoot

In my post yesterday, I referred to getting to shoot footage of some friends and I'm so excited to get to share the video today from the sessions we shot!!

But more importantly: the reason for the shoot was because Christy, Lauren, and Jessica are going to be doing a retreat for photographers in August called Turning Tides Retreat!! It sounds amazing and I for one can't wait to go!! :)

They are each wonderful photographers, successful business owners, and honestly, just a TON of fun to hang out with! I know it'll be a weekend well worth it and I'm excited to see all the great things that come from it!

If you CLICK HERE, you can learn more about the retreat and sign up!

Taking in the Moments

We were sitting at dinner.  Friends were laughing.  Sharing stories.  The waiter was refilling a waterglass...and I looked over to see my friend looking down with a faint grin.  Thinking...

He glanced over at me and I asked, "What are you thinking about?"

His grin got bigger and said, "I'm taking it in.  The breeze from the fan.  The sound of the fork hitting the plate.  The creaking of my chair.  Laughter...

Sometimes I like to just stop.  Take in a moment.  Fully...soak it all in, because life passes too quickly, and I want to remember the details and really feel them.  Do it. Just close your eyes. Just for a moment."

I closed my eyes and listened...I could hear the cooks in the back, laughing as they worked.  I could feel the texture of the napkin I was holding.  I breathed in and as I sit here right now, typing this post...I can remember it all.

Since that night, I remind myself now and again to stop.  Just for a couple seconds.  I take it in...all of it.  I found myself doing that last week as I was given the privilege to shoot some video for my friends and a project they've been working on.  As I was watching them, I stopped.  I could hear the seagulls, I saw a man walking his dog...I could feel the mist hitting my face and dampening my hair.  I felt the sand that had gotten in my shoes...I could hear Evan talking.  The girls laughing.  I find myself taking in those moments a lot. Even more recently as I look around at so many friends that have become a part of my life just in the past year.  They're people I can call if I need to talk.  I look up to them.  I care about their success and I know genuinely care about mine.

I whispered a quick, "Thank you" as I often do after I 'stop'...and knew that I am an extremely blessed individual to be surrounded by so much love and genuine friendships.  

I can't wait to show you some video I got from the day, but until then, here are a few shots...

Project 10: Self

Starting this month...for, well...I'm not sure how long to be honest (ha!)...I've joined a group of some fun photographers in something called "Project 10".  We're given a word and on the 10th of each month, we have to post 10 images representing that word (basically, a glorified Tamigrami)...

This month, the word was "self" and thinking it'd be easy, I put it off til...uhem...yesterday.  Uh, let me tell you, "self" is a REALLY hard word to shoot!  Do I take 10 pictures of myself?! No. THANK. You.  Do I take 10 pictures of things I like? Things that define me? Oh my...suddenly, my psychology degree was kicking in and I concluded with a resounding, "Yikes!!"This was such an extremely uncomfortable set of images to shoot...you know you're camera shy when you make yourself nervous! :)

So, time being my best friend in that I only had 20 minutes to shoot, I decided to shoot what was around me since that was probably a pretty good indication of my "self"...at least for today.  Thank GOODNESS I was eating hummus and peas for lunch and not pepper popcorn...not like I EVER do that. :)

When I put the collage together, I thought, "Yeah, that seems about right"...I always go bare footed.  Sometimes one sock on one sock off...yeah.  I'm a sucker for all things with flashing lights, buttons, and apples, I hold my camera weird, my hair started off in a top knot (and lets be honest, ended in one too), I'm obsessed with Rifle Paper Co., I keep a note from my mom by my desk, I'm a bit of a preppy dresser as is exaggerated by my peter pan collar today, I love handwritten letters and invites, I was eating hummus which I already high-fived myself for, and yes, I hate getting my picture taken...

To see more of the photographers doing the Project 10, head on over to Kasey's Blog: http://www.kaseyrothphotography.com/