Discovering my beautiful hometown.

As a San Diego native you would think I had seen it all in my beautiful hometown, but there are so many jewels I have not experienced yet. Yesterday I went to Lake Hodges and couldn't believe I had never been there before, it was absolutely gorgeous. The colors were brilliant, the air was fresh and I could hear the birds chirping up a storm. I even saw my first snake in the wild, whoa!!! Boyd and I had a wonderful time, me with my trusty camera and him with his drone,  we walked and reveled at the beauty around us.

As I walked along the dirt path I was reminded of how much time I spend in front of my computer and not enough time outside enjoying mother nature. When there is this much beauty in my own backyard why would I deny myself these simple pleasures. The camera has given me a window into a world I took for granted. When you take the time to focus on using all your senses the word "peace" comes to mind, I am home.

"How did you two meet?"

Every Alzheimer's photo shoot has been great, but this one was extra special for me. I walked in and started asking questions like I always do, but Barbara said something to me that started a conversation with not only myself, but also with my husband. I LOVED that they had so many photos on the walls, Barbara offered a tour around the house and I was so happy she did. She said, 

"You know why I love photographs so much...they help keep my brain active. When I am on the phone with my husband I look around the house as I am speaking to him. When I see an image of us on the wall together I immediately miss him and want him to come home to me." 

This has stuck with me ever since she said it, I was moved beyond words. As a photographer I think one of the things that sets me apart is that I look beyond the surface and love to go deeper. I have this feeling when I leave a Alzheimer's shoot. I see the look he gives her when she's not watching, I hear her laughter when he says something funny and I feel their love and my gratitude ten fold...I was meant to be here.

A conversation with my husband following this encounter was pretty amazing because it encompassed the power of imagery in relationships. Whether they are 25 or 75 I ask the same question, "How did you two meet?" The common thread between all these couples is their love story. Whether I am able to see a young couple starting out or meeting one that has been together for 40 years, I am delighted to know that I can be apart of capturing their journey together.

Sometimes you just need to stop the car and take the shot.

I was driving home from a family photo shoot and noticed the beauty of the landscape around me. The sun was coming down and the light was warm and inviting. I decided to pull over and grab my camera. It was a gorgeous day and the way the light danced on the flowers and trees I was pulled in. I took this shot in an instant but now I have it forever. It will always remind me that when I take the time to appreciate the world around me I have nothing but gratitude and peace.

Life has become so fast and many of us try to cram in as much as we can in a day to feel a sense of purpose. Over the last few years I have been on a personal journey of understanding what has brought me to this place. This blog is an opportunity to share my journey through the lens.