New.

Finally figured out the slide show feature to my Zenfolio site. Here are pictures in the 'Nature' folder. All these photo's can be bought right from Zenfolio, and sent right to your home. Enjoy.

The War of Art. (Random)

I haven't been a very faithful blogger this month, I have been doing alot, just not documenting it very well.  Half of my upstairs is being worked on, so I'm living in one room, while my things reside in another.  It's a bit crazy here, and its been super hot this July.  All this to say, I have been lazy with these blog posts.

So here is what i have been doing in July. First of all, watching the Women's World Cup. I love soccer, and I love the team that played in this cup, i try to follow the WPS, but its hard because they usually don't broadcast the games, and I don't live near any of the teams.  But I get caught up in it, and it reminds me of being on a team like that at CU, and it makes me pretend I was a part of it.  So i'm adding two things to my "things to do before i die list", 1) attend a world cup.  2). meet Hope Solo.  I used to play keeper, and Solo is just so good its unreal. Even Bad Ass. sorry, but it had to be said.  I LOVE her cockiness/confidence.  I could go on, but you get the point.  I recently joined twitter, and am now "following" most of the women on this world cup team.  One player, on the day of the final posted, Romans 12:1. This is my act of worship. 
Which is totally right, and made me love them even more!

 

Ok. I just finished this book called, The War of Art : Break through the blocks and win your inner creative battles.  I had read about this book on a number of different photography blogs, and had to read it.  It's all about battling resistance within yourself, and doing what your called to be doing.  This was an incredible read for me, as I am struggling to see how this photography business will work for me here.  Now, more then ever, I am convinced of what my calling is.  In one chapter he talks about how when we were born, nobody came out as a "tabulsa rasa" or a blank slate. Each of us came into the world with a unique personality and identity.
In other words, he says ' We came into this world with a specific, personal identity. Our job in this lifetime is not to shape ourselves into some ideal we imagine we ought to be, but to find out who we are and become it.'  I think this is so true, and how often do we find what we are truly meant to do, and how often do we just assume what we are doing is it?  Can everyone really say, this is my calling, I know what I am doing is what God put me here on this earth?  I hope when this life is all over, we all look back and say, 'yep, I was doing what God had intended for me, and ya know what?  I LOVED every minute of it.  Isn't that what God wants for us?  He delights in giving us our deepest desires.


I have been dying for some storm pictures, maybe later this weekend i can go sit at the beach and wait.  I took these tonight. not so much storm, but still kinda cool. 

Ok i'm done ranting, and if your still reading this, thanks for sticking with me.  :)  One last thought thought, about the book.  The last three sentences of the book really put it into play for me, " creative work is not a selfish act or a bid for attention on the part of the actor. It's a gift to the world and every being on it. Don't cheat us of your contribution. Give us what you got.


I'm gonna bring it. 

New Site!!

I am in the process of getting a website up and running, but in the meantime, I have this new site to show some work and allow people to purchase some photos. Check it out!

http://rawphotography15.zenfolio.com 

Happy Thursday !

Just for fun : Karyn Johnson

I would like you to meet Karyn, we have known each other since we were kids.  We went to youth group together, and middle school (the awkward years for a lot of us). We never completely lost touch, but went to different colleges, and at different times came back home to both live with our parents. 

Karyn and I went to take some sunset pictures in June, and a guy on the pier asked if we were doing senior pictures.C'mon, we don't look that young. So it's been a joke that we were going to do some 10 year reunion pictures. (10 yeears!!! crazy.)  I recently bought a new lens, and i wanted to use it while scoping out some new spots.  So naturally, Karyn was my first choice to model for me....being that we would do some fun "senior picture" ideas, only better.  So here are some of my favorites from our outing. 
 

  Karyn hardly goes anywhere without some starbucks!  :)

 We love the beach, even though Karyn works way to much, and doesn't get there very often.

  

Flashback Friday: Glory Days

So I realize that I'm writing this after midnight, so technically its not Friday, but just work with me OK?   People talk about their college days like they were the best days of their lives, and for some, they were.  I'm hopeful that my future will be just as great, if not better then my college days.  I will always cherish my college days, they were the best 4 years yet.  College soccer, roommates, staying up all night, cute boys, life was good.  I was lucky to be able to play soccer at Cornerstone University, with amazing women whom mostly are still my close friends.  Amy Dierken ( Buskard) and I were in the same hall freshman year, as well as teammates.  We went through four years together, and she since has gotten married, and had three kids.  We had the chance to get together tonight, after four years of not seeing each other, it was so nice to just sit (walk) and catch up.  We walked through Grand Haven with our smoothies talking about our college days, how much life has changed since CU, and our coaching experiences.  No matter how much life changes and gets into the way, Amy and I are able to just laugh and hang out like the old days.  It was like no time had gone by, we were just two college friends in GH, laughing about everything and having a good time being girls. 

This picture is one of the many like this...freshman year, we boxed, made chicken and dumplings, and watched alot of movies.  Unfortunately, this is before my digital camera stage so i don't have a lot of pictures on the computer to share.  

I loved my soccer/college days, but what I love most is the relationships that have remained strong even 6 years later. Even though we all live in different area's of the USA. I know that if I ever needed any of them, I have at least 20 girls who have my back. 

Dierken Destroyer-  I loved seeing you tonight, may we not go 4 years without getting together again.  Next time, i'll come to you.  ;) 

Engaged: Josh & Jessica

I went up to Ludington to take some pictures with Josh and Jessica.  I knew Josh when we were in youth group together at Bethel Baptist Church.   They are getting married in October, and I'm so excited to be a part of their day. Even though it was a bit chilly, Ludington proved to be a good spot for engagement shots.  Here are some of my favorites.

  

Flashback Friday: Tim & Tracy

I have three older brothers. When Tim got engaged to Tracy, I told them I wanted to take their wedding pictures.  My argument: " I don't dance, so I would be taking pictures anyway."  Well it worked.  It was the first wedding I did pictures at, and it was a blast.  Here are some of my favorites.

 

This might be my favorite picture, the first look. :)

 

 

Happy Friday!!