Gingerbread Man

Week 51

Gingerbread Man

December 22, 2010

Half-eaten, you can still see the care that was taken in creating this festive gingerbread man I've decided to call Ralph. I met Ralph last week as I was shooting the Christmas parties at two group homes of a Bay Area recovery program, Advent Group Ministries. Ralph initially had bite-marks where his ears belonged, and by the end of the party, had been eaten along the edges, just a chomp away from becoming Ralph the ginger-bread torso.

I can imagine that some of the kids at these homes feel the same way that Ralph does. Created with care and beauty, a one of a kind, each one of them; life had bit and nibbled away at the edges to the point where they didn't feel whole, and needed to escape their reality.

It was an honor to be able to photograph the celebrations; to watch and capture the surprise and laughter as they opened an abundance of gifts, donated by local businesses and philanthropists to bless these kids, many of whom have rarely if ever known a "normal" Christmas experience.

I don't know every kid's story, and don't pretend to be able to understand the complexity of their lives up to now, nor the paths that lay ahead of them. I do know that there is a big difference between Ralph and each one of these kids. Ralph will never be whole again. These kids have a chance to rebuild and work through the troubles they've encountered and the decisions they've made, and emerge not only healed and whole, but with a chance to build amazing lives and make choices toward that end.

One of the more beautiful things that I was privileged to see this Christmas season, the staff and leaders of this program have humbly dedicated their lives to picking up, dusting off and firmly but lovingly setting these kids on a path to sobriety and wholeness. Truly, noble calling.

image taken with Canon 5DMII, 24-105 4L lens, 1/30sec @f4, ISO 800

'Tis the Season

Week 50

'Tis the Season

December 18, 2010

In this holiday season, its easy to see the ways people celebrate, often because it's on display on their lawn. Some do it with candlelit bags or nativity scenes, others with neon santas, reindeer, and apparently, pinwheels. I'm not being critical of the home above, mind you. I actually admire the clear dedication, time and energy it must have taken to construct such a display. I don't share the sense of style, but the sheer volume of lights is impressive.

I wonder what would happen if most of us dedicated the same time, energy, and money that it took to put on this array to finding ways of giving to those in need? A blanket drive for the homeless. Putting a couple dates on the calendar to serve in a shelter, or volunteering for a day with an organization fighting injustice here or abroad....

There are many reasons people celebrate this season. For me, it is the birth of Jesus. For you, maybe a significant event in history, your heritage and culture, or simply a time to be with and appreciate family.  Whatever you are celebrating, may it be joyful, may it be peaceful, and may you take some time to think about and serve someone next to you. You'll both be blessed by it.

image above taken with Canon 5DMII, 24-105 4L lens, 1 sec @ f11, ISO 100

Explore!

Week 49

Explore!

December 7, 2010

These days, when I make plans to go and see some spectacular aspect of nature, I generally have some photography-related goal in mind. Every time I go though,  I'm reminded that just being there is its own reward, that the experience of seeing and exploring is worth the trip on its own accord, even without a single photo. I'm simply fortunate enough to have a camera I can bring along....

On a recent trip to Natural Bridges SB, I captured incredible photographs of this last standing bridge at the beach, as well as some truly humbling sunset images. The image above, however was one that especially struck me. This man was showing his little daughter of 4 or 5 around the beach, exploring the rocks, and no doubt, the sea life to be found in tide pools in the nooks and crannies of this giant formation. They were out there to share an adventure, explore and experience the creation they are a part of.

I've nudged you in prior weeks to get out and enjoy the world around you, to find adventure in your surroundings, and I'd like to say again... GO! There is so much out there, and it's not far. You may be in your living room right now reading this post, and I can guarantee you that within 30 minutes or less of where you sit is something incredible to see. Maybe it's a forest, maybe it's a beach or an old farm or park. Perhaps it's an urban discovery waiting for you to stumble across. Either way, I urge you to stand up, put on a jacket if it's cold outside, find someone to share the adventure, and put one foot in front of the other to see what you can find. 

Image taken with Canon 5DMII, 24-105 4L lens, 1/25sec @ f5.6, ISO 400

Misha

Week 48

Misha

December 4, 2010

I don't like cats. Ok, let me re-phrase that. I don't like cats. It's not because they don't have every right to roam the earth as any other animal... like dogs for example. I could blame this on my father, who also doesn't like cats, but I won't claim a hereditary disposition against cats. Rather, it's that one can't really control a cat. Not in the way that you can control dogs. With dogs, you see, you teach it to obey. You teach it to fetch, to lay down, heel, and play dead. You know your dog loves you and wants day after day nothing more than to please you, it's owner. Not the cat. With cats... it's more of a role reversal, really. You end up being the one that fetches.  Cats may or may not like you or even tolerate you on any given day. I round out this thought with the confession that I myself have never owned a cat. The closest I've come is pictured above. Her name is Misha, and it's my brother's cat. I've fed her twice. She's a nice cat. Besides the time she tried to bite me.  My second confession is that I don't really dislike cats. I don't want one, but I don't dislike them. In fact, I've come to appreciate some things that they have to offer. 

Cats are helpful to think about when looking at a life, I think. Like cats, we can't control much of life, and that which we think we can control, we're wrong about. It seems rather, the more we let go and appreciate what is given to us and presented to us day to day, the more we tend to enjoy life. In other words, recognizing that I am not in control = happier, more fulfilled life. I don't believe this is the full equation (by any means), there will definitely be some arguments about this, and there is much to be said for who or what you believe is in control. But I think it starts with recognizing that it's not "me". Not just intellectually recognizing this idea, mind you. Most of us can "agree" that we aren't in control. But deep down in your gut recognizing. That place where we get mad at traffic and our computer. That place where we leap to judgment of someone not because of some merited character flaw, but because they don't agree with us, and we can't change their mind so we make up some bogus association in our mind that allows us to dislike them.

Recognizing that we are not in control doesn't mean that we don't care. It doesn't mean that we don't plan and steward what is given us responsibly. It doesn't even mean that we don't get mad or frustrated. I think it means that we are able to look at what is happening in our lives, in our days, in individual situations, and know that its not our job to be in control. Only to behave toward others as we'd have them behave toward us. When we learn this, I think we make tremendous strides forward in a joyful, peaceful existence.

Let a joyful life come to you. It will if you're patient. It will if you feed it no matter what and provide an environment it can thrive in. It will when you stop trying to control it. At least that's the first step.

image taken with Canon 5DMII, 50mm lens, 1/80 sec @ f1.8, ISO 400

Moments

Week 47

Moments

November 23, 2010

One of the many things I love about taking pictures for a living is the cool moments I get to capture. I know, I know... it probably sounds a little trite, but seriously - I get to be part of some of the most amazing moments in people's lives. I get to create images that help show businesses in their best light, and I get to bear witness to the beauty of creation. I get to make a part of history what in the past was relegated to memory.

The image above is a great example of what an honor and privilege I've been blessed with. A dear friend's fiance called me and asked if I'd be willing to capture his proposal to my friend. OF COURSE! was my answer :). One of many images from this incredible event, these two amazing people will now have a record of this moment that they can pair with their memories as they look back on their journey together. I dig it. 

Happy December everyone!

image taken with Canon 5DMII, 70-200 2.8L lens,  1/60sec @f2.8, ISO 1600