Bruno.

A couple of weeks ago as the setting sun fell on northern New Mexico and just before I stuffed myself with tacos and sopapillas at one of the better Mexican food restaurants of my life, I met Bruno. There he was, statuesque and sitting straight up on the curb in front of a motel in Cuba, NM. He was so large and still that I did a double take and insisted we turn the car around to make sure he was real. Sure enough, as I quickly unloaded my camera from it's bag and proceeded to take his portrait, he ever-so-gently came closer, nestling against my leg. I don't know why he was there or who he belonged to, but I named him Bruno in honor of the meal I was about to eat - a long awaited meal after being in my hot car all afternoon with no AC. It was the end of a mini vacation of sorts - a few days at a resort in Bernalillo where I took zero photos and got a pretty memorable sunburn by the pool. I've been bad at leaving my camera at home or not ever taking it out of the bag on a trip. So thank you, Bruno, for inspiring me. The camera likes you.

seriously delightful.

I have been so fortunate in my photo career to have clients who are just as much of a fan of me as I am of them. In the case of Robert and Kelly it was no different. They are the couple behind Serious Delights Bakery (inside Natures Oasis grocery store in Durango, CO.) Not only do their creations look like works of art, but they are so delicious and are made with as many organic, local ingredients as possible. And if you're gluten free, don't sweat. They've got you covered. Be sure to grab a fruit danish and a loaf of bread at the Farmer's market every Saturday from May-October.

Lucky for me, these guys were returning customers. I took pictures for them in 2011, which you can find hanging on the bakery walls, Facebook, and their new website. But as their business has grown, so has their product line and web presence. So when my friend Clint at J3Media started designing their new website, Robert called me immediately for some updated photos. The wonderful thing about Robert is how much he appreciates what I do as an artist and he always gives me complete freedom to make the bakery my home while I'm there. The thing about bakeries that fascinates me is that there's a preciseness and science involved in everything they make, but at Serious Delights there's an ease and dance-like flow to the rhythm in which bread is rising and frosting is being spread. Few words are said, as everyone has a job and a quiet understanding of what that means. Maybe it's the methodical practice of working with your hands. Or maybe, just maybe, it's the strawberry french toast Robert cooked up for all of his employees the morning I was there. As he so carefully dusted each plate with powdered sugar, I couldn't help but feel so happy to be a part of the magic this little bakery creates every day.

Check out their new website, Facebook, and instagram.

over the weekend...

This weekend, for the second time this year, I lost my voice. It happened in February when I had a bad case of laryngitis. This time it started with getting a little sick and then BAM - I couldn't talk. To my friends it's hilarious, resulting in lots of jokes about me sounding like a squeaky 12-year-old boy. A few other people said it was very hipster of me, as if I'd planned it, only so I could sound more and more like Zooey Deschanel (after all I do already have the bangs.) And then there were some that said it was sexy, like a jazz singer who smokes cigarettes and drinks whiskey into the early hours of the morning. I on the other hand found it mostly annoying and painful. But to my surprise, each time this happens, it turns out oddly refreshing to try and not talk. It forces me to be more observant and listen. It forces me to be with my thoughts, instead of covering them up with the usual chatter. And in this case, it forced me to stay mindful behind my camera. After starting my morning with the farmers market and free breakfast, I changed into a sundress and headed downtown to hang out with some of my favorite artist friends and photograph an art CSA party for a Durango artist collective. This spontaneously lead to an evening north of town by a creek with friends, beer, my dog, and a quiet forest. It was a perfect intro to summer, and a perfect evening to not say a word if I didn't want to.

Thanks to Scott for being my willing subject, and to Durango for being so damn beautiful.