12.12.12

Take a million photos and video on 12.12.12? Why not?! 12.12.12 happens only every 100 years. If there was a day to document this was the day.

I was inspired by Xanthe Berkeley to document this special day by creating a time capsule. A capsule which would contain photos and video of my day. The WHOLE day, from start to finish.
So I'll be working on the capsule over the next few days, weeks, years. Stay tuned...

more scenes from the city

The start

My celebratory night out started with the amazing view above. Imagine getting ready with a backdrop like that.
It definitely set the tone for the magical night that was waiting for me.

Sweet City

Cross number 32 off of the 40 by 40 list: Spend a night in San Francisco.

I always knew I was going to leave the city. I had lived there for about 8 years and it was my home. However I knew I couldn't live it up forever and that one day I would move away to plant firm roots somewhere else. The time came and I left the fog horns, the hills, the no parking (boo) and the nightlife (food, cafes and bars for days!) to move to a small town in the East Bay.

I love my home now (we can talk about that love another time) however I still miss the city. I miss the unknown that it brought every day. I miss the sights and sounds. The energy. So for my birthday I knew a city getaway would be the perfect treat.













Next up, the twinkle of the city at night...

40 by 40

Because I love a project. Because 40 is a big number. Because there are many firsts I still have yet to complete. Here is my 40 before 40. I have one year to check these off. No pressure. It's all fun and I'm looking forward to each and every one.

1. Shoot a day in the life
2. Bake a pie (from scratch)
3. Go camping
4. Live in a house with a garage and backyard
5. Photowalks (more. yes. please.)
6. Get to know Lightroom
7. Take a class 1/8 - 52 weeks of now you!
8. Invest in a new lens
9. Update my website
10. Get a facial
11. Do 40 consecutive push ups
12. Clean out my closet, no messing around!
13. Cook a turkey
14. Print out and frame my photos
15. Create garland/banner/bunting
16. Buy artwork and hang
17. Go to food truck meeting Done and yum!
18. Backyard (or patio in my case) party
19. Watch Casablanca (this will be a first)
20. Picnic fo reals
21. Go to the drive-in
22. Balloon photo shoot (it's going to be good)
23. Learn guitar or ukelele. 1/6 - Taking ukelele classes now!
24. Date night once a month
25. Family photo
26. Take 20 portraits
27. Grafitti (if it's tasteful is it still illegal?)
28. A day of spreading happiness
29. Visit the http://www.cabazondinosaurs.com/
30. Spend time in Tahoe
31. Interview my parents (nothing heavy BTW)
32. Spend a night in San FranciscoSee here, here and here
33. ConcertSaw Keane at the Warfield read more
34. Pay for the person behind me in line.
35. Bake and deliver to friends and neighbors.
36. Athletic event (Giants/A’s/Warriors/Raiders/etc) 4/19 Giants vs Padres
37. Make a loaf of bread from scratch.
38. Do 5 pinterest projects (why pin if you don't do?)
39. Color run http://thecolorrun.com/
40. Sunrise photoshoot

Sending Love

Wrapped and ready to go. Sending love from across the miles to a very special person on her birthday today. 

My Life Exposed

Last month I had the honor of being featured on Tracey Clark's Life, Exposed at Cafe Mom's The Stir.

The site is updated weekly with images and words from some of the web's most creative and talented photographers that also, just happen to be parents.

I was asked to share photos of our family's everyday life. The images I selected were from our recent summer vacation. A vacation where lots of discoveries and memories were made. Take a look and visit my Life, Exposed.

The end of Summer

While fall has just started I'm still lingering over my favorite summer moments
(all from instagram). You can find me at username smallroots over there as well.

Visit my instagram stream »

 

 

 

poolside

Poolside sights from Maui, Hawaii. ALOHA.

Me and Now You Workshop

I've been seeing so many inspiring self portraits that I feel the need to document my own journey here. I recently took a 6 week self-portrait course guided by Kristin Zecchinelli & Meredith Winn. Their NOW YOU workshop was incredible. They provided an online community where photos and stories could be comfortably shared. Boundaries were pushed and new ways of seeing ourselves emerged.
Me as an Object
It's not easy to take a self portrait. You're always going to pick at this or that. What I found that helped me get through this process was to use my self as an object, not so much as me the person, but as an item in a photo. This seemed to help.
Quiet and Alone
During this process I found that I really appreciated the quiet moments I took to complete my assignments. Finding a spot, finding the perfect light and the sound of "click" was a nice retreat.
Moments and Me, NOW, are important.
Lastly I learned how important it is to get the moments NOW. Now is now. I am me right now and this is me. If I wait too long to find the me that I think is THE me then I'm missing the me now (I realize that is a crazy sentence).

There is lots more to say about what I learned from this experience but I'll leave it at the above for now.

Thank you to Meredith, Kristin and ALL of the other ladies in the class who put themselves out there, who shared their stories and who shared their many different perspectives of what a self portrait can be.

NOW YOU
http://nowyouworkshops.wordpress.com/