Another Year, Another Day, Another Life

What an awesome summer it's been. As it draws to a close, and the weather gets a little colder, I find myself reflecting on things past, and things that will be. When I decided to start doing photography full time, and all together, leave behin the things that made me feel bad about myself behing me, I had no idea what it would help me discover about myself. Having this time, to do something I'm passionate about for a living, has really been a healing process. I don't think I'm all the way there, but every day, I feel like I'm a bit closer. In the last few months, I've had a lot to ponder. There's been up's and downs, and lots of questions in terms of life itself. I've been shooting all kinds of different subject matter, and learning more with each shoot and about the wonderful people that I have the honor to work with. This Saturday, I will be 33 years old. I think I've finally come to the point of not caring, besides - 3 and 11 are my favorite and lucky numbers - so it being a multiple should mean that this will be my favorite year ever! My last shoot involved taking pictures of a beautiful baby boy named Jack. His parents, are a same sex couple, and some of the nicest people you would ever meet anywhere in life. They are successful, and kind, and decided they want to be parents. When they asked me to take pictures for them, I was excited since they are both good friends, and that I was able to capture memories and moments for them. Having breakfast with a friend the morning after, who is also a photographer, I was shocked and appalled to learn that some photographer's - even in modern 2012 society and culture, REFUSE to take pictures of same sex couples..... I know. Seriously. It hurts to think there are such ignorant jack wagon's in this world. I'm not here to debate anything, simply to state that no matter how old I get, I guess the world never surprises me that much. And that's the sad part. I also recently took photos at a couple’s 50th Anniversary party. What amazing people and an amazing family! We live in a day and age where people are un-committed to everything. From brands of cereal to the outfit they are going to wear to work in the morning. We've become so impatient and have an overwhelming need for immediacy that we forget that true commitment lies in perseverance, understanding and compassion. You just don't hear enough about that anymore. The last thing I want to discuss is death. Recently, a friend lost his mother to her battle with cancer. The pain of loss, of losing someone so close to you - is a pain and emptiness most people would never want to feel. There's such finality to it. Life has that predictable and disappointing ending. And the most annoying part of all is that while someone close to us passes, like my father did in 2006, outside of your world, and existence - the world keeps on going. People don't stop. Some dick in L.A., the moment I heard my dad died, was making a toaster waffle, and upset the setting wasn't dark enough. As much as we want the world to stop for us in our grief, in our troubles, it doesn't. Kind of humbles you a bit. Hold the ones you love reach out, don't be too proud, and don’t be hateful and angry… life, in the grand scheme of things - lasts but a blink of an eye.