Why I Stand Out

Everyone wants to be different, to be noticed, to be important, and to stand out. But how can you do that when you follow all the rules? If everyone follows all the rules, then everyone is the same and no one stands out, ever.

Aristotle, da Vinci, and Michelangelo (along with many others) have thought outside the norm, have done things differently, and therefore have revolutionized the way we see and understand things now—even if, at the time, they were rejected.

I'm the type of girl who will stay within my boundaries, but I will stretch my boundaries to the very limits that would normally push others over the edge. I'm limber, I don't fall off edges.

I'm not a rebel in any dangerous way, but I rebel against the adulterated ideas that have become society’s norm. One of those adulterated norms being digital photography. So many people say that film photography has died and gone away. I feel sorry for these people because they don’t see and feel what can be right in front of them! I love the look, feel, sound, smell, and taste of film (without using taste buds). I love the thought provoking process of film. I love that film can do what digital only tries and almost always fails to imitate.

Photography started out as a hobby for me when I was a teenager; I used it digitally and I didn’t know what I was doing, but I liked it. Now, film photography has become this love affair for me, and I don’t see anything wrong with that! I photograph and produce unadulterated works; works that exist in nature and the beauty of individuals, and often people don’t seem to see these works in everyday life. In my images, I do my best to embrace these unadulterated works. I love and embrace the truths the world has always held, but is quickly forgetting.

Unadulterated photography is like a curved blade inside of me. The photography sticks in me and stays in me. If the photography is ever taken out, it leaves a very memorable mark. This is what I want my images, my photography to do. I want it to stick and stay in people, and if it leaves the people, it leaves them with a very memorable mark.

Sweet Rock

rock slide. slide swirl. swirl cone. cone head. head strong. strong bad. bad boys. boy toy. toy car. car mechanic. mechanical pencil. pencil pusher. push up. upsi-daisy. daisy duke. dukes of hazard. hazardous material. material girl. girly sweet. sweet rock.

Rock climbing at Trafalga in Lehi, then Sweet Tooth Fairy in Orem. Fun and Yum.

BYU vs UCF

Last Friday I went to the BYU vs UCF game with Jared. It was so much fun. Jumping up and down, screaming out of joy, and cupping my hands to my face out of frustration at the occasional fumble just doesn't cut it in a home theatre. At the game is SOOO much better!

And check out that sunset beyond the stadium!

The Girl Who Chased the Sun

This passage comes from one of my inspirational photographers--Becky Earl. You can see her post (complete with wonderful images) here.

The other morning before the three little ones had woken up, (Justin was gone already for the day) my oldest, Sadie, came into my bed and nuzzled into my arms. This is rare because Sadie can out sleep anyone in our home. But I was happy she was there.
As we laid in bed she asked, “Wanna know what I dreamed about?”
“Of course,” I said.
She told me she chased the sun through her entire dream. Confused, I asked her to explain. She said, (maybe a little annoyed at me) “I ran across the whole world trying to catch the sun before it went down.” To indulge her, or maybe to indulge me, I closed my eyes as she told me what she had seen. And as I listened, for a small moment, my life, felt a little bit like magic.
I could see the golden glow on her dirty blond hair from the sun setting. I could feel the wind on her face as she ran as fast as she could to catch that sun. I could hear the echos of her squeals of laughter and see her outstretched arms trying so hard, just for one moment, to touch it. I could feel the ground beneath her bare feet as she ran unwarily.
I asked her if she ever got tired and she responded, “no, I just kept running and running.”
I could see the animals, the ocean, the trees. I could see the open plains filled with tall grass with the wild flowers swaying as she run by.
I saw her world as her five year old self would. It was this big beautiful place full of magic and wonderment. It was safe.
I then asked her if she ever caught that sun before it went down. She smiled and even giggled a little bit at me and said, “Nope. It just went down.” She wasn’t disappointed. She didn’t even sound frustrated or defeated by it. She just accepted it, almost as if she knew that would be the outcome the entire time.
And then, there it was. My light bulb moment.
It wasn’t about actually catching the sun before it set.
It was about the chase. It was about the adventure. All the things she had seen and felt, is what made her dream exciting and memorable and maybe even a little bit silly.
And next week this five year old child that lay cuddling me in my arms will be in Kindergarten. And before I know it, will be trading in her dollies and dress ups for nail polish and boys. And my girl who chased the sun across the earth will be gone.
And so, no longer do I want to focus my thoughts on the outcome.

I want to chase the sun.

And I don’t want to worry about ever catching it in the end. But enjoy the breeze on my face and the ground beneath my feet. I want to relish in my life and every second that passes by.
I will embrace these times when we have no money. I will love the cereal dinners and ramen noodles for lunch. I will appreciate the long nights up with the babies and the early rising mornings…with the babies. I will let the kids run in the rain and play in the mud and not worry so much about the mess that ends up in my house. But focus on the happy memories they will make in their childhood.

I will not forget what it was like to be a child!

Because before I know it, that sun will set and all I will have to look back on are these moments. These crazy, chaotic, full of life, moments.

A Day with Kayla

I had such a fun time out with Kayla two Saturdays ago. We went to Wing Nutz then to The Sweet Tooth Fairy. Both are so good! Both these places are located in the little strip mall place NE of University Mall. I enjoy walking around there and grabbing a Sweet Tooth treat.

While we were out n about the BYU vs Ole Miss game was happening. Provo was barren! There were few cars on the roads, and retail was nearly dead. We went to Wing Nutz for the purpose of not only getting some yummy in our tummies, but also to watch the game. After we left the strip mall with lots of yummies in our tummies, we ventured to American Fork for more errands. On the way home from AF, we were listening to the game on AM and just chattin it up -- as we usually do! All of the sudden, the radio seemed to get a little more excited about something. So we hushed real quick, turned up the radio, touchdown!! We started screaming and cheering in my car!

Kayler, I had so much fun talking and laughing with you. I love when you and I get to go out and have some fun.

Love you, Kayler!