lauren + joey

I've thought about this photo so many times since taking it. I loved the night of this wedding rehearsal just as much as the wedding. I loved the way the waning daylight subtlety gave away to the softness of Lauren's creamy, white skin and the slight twinkle in Joey's eyes as he looked at her. It's moments like this that remind me why I'm a wedding photographer. Because it's not even about the wedding, or the wedding day- it's about the two people that found love. It's about how somehow, amid all of the other seven billion people in the world, 

they found 

     eachother.

Today was gray. It was the perfect gray for making coffee and having a slow morning. It was the perfect kind of gray for watching a couple episodes of "United States of Tara" (my latest obsession) in my pajamas, followed by yoga, and a long shower. Afterwards I washed dishes and "piddled", as my mom would put it, about the house unpacking summer clothes, browsing Pinterest, and talking to a friend on the phone. And it was the perfect kind of gray day for a hike. After reaching the top of Smelter today I sat above town for almost 4 hours watching the tiny cars hum below me and had some good conversation. I love Sundays. I love Sundays as much as I love homemade bread, massages, sushi, booking weddings, movie dates, dinner parties, sunny afternoons in the park, late night chai, best friends, and Durango: all of which I had this week, and most of which I didn't photograph. (Whoops!) I did however photograph a couple sleepless nights at 3:00 AM as the twinkle lights above my bed grew bright and then dimmed, in and out, softly. And I also took some head shots for a friend who was trying out as an extra in a Johnny Depp movie. He's in town supposedly, and it's all people are talking about. This week ended a lot better than it began. I'm so thankful for the people in my life and I'm loving the warm weather, even if the sun is hiding. My heart is anything but gray.

MADE HERE ::: Palmetto Art Center ::: Palmetto, FL.

I had just walked off the plane at the Knoxville airport and was looking for a middle-aged man with glasses that was picking my friend Claire and I up for his daughters wedding rehearsal we were shooting that night. The weekend hadn't even started and I was already exhausted. The months and days leading up to Lauren and Joey's wedding were a handful. And honestly, I think at that point I was even more tired just thinking about the work that was ahead of me in the months to come. Upon leaving Knoxville I would have three weddings to edit. I needed to find a house and second job in Durango, plus plan my trip home from Florida to Colorado. I needed to pack for my trip to NYC and said trip to Colorado and prep the house for my friends I was house sitting for that were returning in a short couple of weeks. And little did I know at the time that my dog would also be having surgery in the midst of all of that future craziness.

It was at that moment, as I scanned the terminal for my bride's father that I got a call from Gretchen, owner of the Palmetto Art Center in Palmetto, FL. She wanted to let me know that I had been hand picked (invitation only) to be one of a few artists to hang my work on the walls of the art center for a one-day holiday arts and crafts show. It was going to be the 2nd annual "Made Here" show celebrating local artisans in the Manatee County area, and allowed the public a place to eat, drink, listen to live music, and shop locally for the Christmas holiday. I was so flattered. The opportunity was too good to be true and I knew immediately I couldn't turn it down. It was an inexpensive way to gain exposure in Florida (hoping to come back for weddings), meet and network with other artists, and hopefully sell some prints. However, I also immediately got even more overwhelmed. With only a month until the show, where would I find the time?

I look back at the month of October (and November) and don't know how I survived. Somehow in the middle of all the madness I managed to put together pieces for the show AND design, print, cut, and package fine art calendars to sell as well (all in a month's time.) I didn't sleep much. I was fully aware I had taken on too much, but I didn't care. I didn't have time to sit and worry even if I wanted to. Instead I immersed myself and dove head first into everything. It felt good to be so busy and overwhelmed with creative projects. I knew come winter things would slow down and I would only WISH I were that busy again.

My work was hung in the kitchen area because food and beverages were to be served all day. The rest of the space (which is beautiful by the way) was packed full of booths and tables selling prints, baked goods, jewelry, pillows, ceramics, re-purposed vintage clothing, knitted hats, etc. There was even a video installation playing in the back room. It was a a good time. I want to thank Gretchen for her kindness, and for becoming a friend over the process. I also want to thank the girls from Sweet on Main for loving my photography enough to invite me along for the ride. And a HUGE thanks to Jimmy and Cindy for two very late nights helping me problem solve and hang my work. I don't think I could make enough mac-n-cheese to ever re-pay you. Plus, a shout out to the lovely people at Cork&Copper for decorating the event in such a creative, festive way. You can see some of my pictures from the event on their website and on Facebook.

Unfortunately (for me) but fortunately (for you) I still have some of these prints for sale from the show!

Everything available is printed on professional luster paper, signed, and framed into a glass clip frame, ready to hang on your wall. All frames are 12x18". Price does not include shipping. Please contact me by phone, email, or Facebook with questions or to purchase.

FRAMED PRINTS FOR SALE!

The following prints are available:

$65 each or two for $110

I think of myself as a healthy person. I also know that I'm someone who can practice extremely good will power when I need to. But this week was a little contradictory to both of those things. I started running again every other day, and doing yoga. I also grew sprouts and mixed up a couple salads full of quinoa, kale, nuts, and fresh veggies. I spent a couple hours one evening soaking at the local hot springs, and took plenty of time to enjoy the insanely beautiful weather, laying on a blanket in the park and taking my dog for really long walks. This same week, I made two loaves of banana bread, one of which I intended to share, but you can guess that never happened. I also went out for drinks on several occasions with friends, and completely indulged one night on pizza. And I didn't argue when my friends insisted I be the one to take home the leftover slices, which I ate for breakfast the next morning. Another night I gave in and bought a box of cookies at the grocery store. There's a reason I don't normally allow such a thing to regularly be in my kitchen. (It's two days later and the cookies are gone.) And as I type this, it's 2:30 on a Sunday afternoon and I am still in my pajamas and have barely left my bed all day, except to snack. I was supposed to go on a hike, but the weather is less than ideal. 

I feel like for every healthy thing I do, something unhealthy cancels it out, like cookies and laying in bed. I love indulging in life. I guess it's just all about balance. Did I do good at balancing it this week? Probably could of done better, but hey, at least I'm enjoying life and seizing moments. At the end of the day that's really all that matters. Here are a few iphone and camera photos from my great week:

Here's the recipe for the kale salad pictured above. It's one of my favorite, easy recipes lately. And to save yourself a step the kale wouldn't have to be sauteed. I just prefer it a little wilted and to eat the salad warm. :)

::: Chickpea Kale Salad :::
(adapted from The Stone Soup)

1 can of chickpeas (garbanzo beans)
1/2 to 1 bunch of kale, depending on size (I like the curly leaf varieties)
1 tbsp of fresh lemon juice
3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
freshly grated Asiago cheese (or Parmesan. I just prefer Asiago.)
salt & pepper to taste
red pepper flakes to taste
garlic powder (optional) to taste

Wash kale leaves and remove stems/ribs if too course. Chop into fine slivers. Saute in a pan on medium heat with a little bit of olive oil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Cook just enough to slightly wilt and remove from heat. In a large bowl, mix together the olive oil, lemon juice, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper to form a dressing. Stir in the chickpeas. Add the kale, mixing to incorporate the dressing. Grate cheese over bowl and mix together. Taste to adjust seasoning. Add more grated cheese on top for serving!