Break

Another one down! I just finished another session at brooks and I am feeling really good about that. 10 months until graduation. 10 months until graduation. 10 months until graduation. It can't come soon enough.

So, I am on break this week from school. My plans are to conquer the gym. I am going to tear. it. up. Summer is just around the corner and I really really want to get over my phobia over wearing shorts. The only remedy is to tone up. I'm gonna run like Forest Gump!

I'm going to be turning 27 in August and to be be honest, it kind of freaks me out. I'm almost 30? How did that happen? I revealed my age to one of my classmates last week and he looked at me in shock. He told me that he thought I didn't look much older than 21. That made me happy. Still, sometimes I analyze my face and notice things that just weren't there before. Freckles on my nose. Wrinkles on my chin. The horror! Anti wrinkle cream is now part of my daily routine. Maybe I can preserve myself like Demi Moore? She looks amazing



Ummm, she is 47! Damn.

Soccer shots

You know what I love about photography? Well, there are many things I love about it. I love how it captures a moment in time. I know that when I look at old photographs I recall who I was at that point. I remember the feeling of that day. I remember the smells. I remember the interaction I had with people on that day. Pictures that you perhaps just glanced over when first captured can take on a new light throughout your life.

I took some shots of the soccer team that Dan, my boyfriend's brother, coaches. I'm not really an sports action shooter, but I gotta say that I loved shooting them. I hope one day these girls look back on these pictures with fondness and realize that this is when the world was wide open to them.

Self Promo

So, the newest school assignment calls for two photographs that speak to your style and vision. Subject matter was open, but it just had to be something that interests you. Basically you had to photograph your passion.

Some students at my school know EXACTLY what they want to photograph. Some are completely engrossed in fashion or food photography. As of late, I am having a photography identity crisis. I don't know what sort of commercial photography I love to shoot. Anything that pays the bills?

So, for this assignment I took the fine art approach. Maybe I found my answer. Here are the two I submitted

Moving on..

Patrick and I moved to a new place this weekend. We are very happy with the new place mostly because it doesn't feel like we are living in a shoebox anymore. The old place was much to tiny. We even have a patio.

I think I'm becoming an old lady, and enjoying it thoroughly. I planted some plants and spread some Morning Glory seeds along the fence in our patio. I'm excited to see if life will sprout. It was therapy for my heart and soul. Finding balance is always a chore for me, and I think that gardening is a good start. I am always needing to remind myself to take a moment to just be instead of freaking out about what I need to accomplish and the lack of time to do it.

My abuelita has been on my mind everyday, all day lately. I make homemade flour tortillas to feel closer to her. They are pretty close to tasting just like hers. I even planted some spinach today. I'll keep you posted on it's progress...

Inspiration needed

I seriously need to update my website. I seriously need to start shooting more. I need to find more time. Time. Time. Time. Where art thou?

On another note, I just finished my first and hopefully only semester at Santa Barbara City College. I have mixed feelings about this experience. I enjoyed being on a campus that had the full spectrum of what you would experience from college. Huge library. A sprawling campus that overlooks the ocean. A wide variety of classes to fulfill your every interest such as: green building, culinary arts, hospitality, a strong marketing program, a diverse art department, a hospitality program, a mini Brooks photography program ect. The possibilities on this campus are endless, and I appreciate that. However, I have become quite accustomed to our session system at Brooks Institute. You're in and out in 7 weeks. It's over before you realize just what hit you and the sleep deprivation has it's rewards much more quickly. SBCC works like most other community colleges on the semester schedule. It nearly killed me. I give many props to the people who attempt this on a regular basis. My attention span was tested. Yet, I prevailed.

I look forward to returning to Brooks with two additional classes under my belt. For 2011 I will present my game face. I am determined to transfer into graduate status by the end of the year. When that moment arrives, I can only imagine that I would feel as if a huge weight is lifted from my shoulders.

Sometimes I have moments of doubt. I question myself. I question my priorities and my motives. As far as my degree is concerned, many would argue that you don't need a B.A in Professional Photography to be a noteworthy photographer. I would argue this too. Sometimes I do. On occasion I ask myself why I take on what I do and if it's even possible. I ask myself why I need this degree to go out and attempt to conquer the world?

If it came to that point where I knew without a doubt that I would not be able to do what I need to do to finish this godforsaken expensive school that I love and found refuge and passion in, I would throw in the towel and give thanks for the challenging run. At this moment, I feel that if I stay focused this degree is within my reach.

And my reasons for needing this degree? If I'm honest with myself, I know that this is one of the most important things to accomplish in my life. I have dreamed about going to college to get a degree since I was a little girl. My teachers were always telling me that I had talent and potential and after awhile I started believing them and believing that I would do great things. For awhile, I lost that in me. I lost the desire to do great things and I mostly felt lost. The older I get, the more I try to grasp on to my childhood aspirations. Since I have been dreaming about that degree for much of my life, I know it's something that I need to do for me.

So, here is to the final stretch. I will cherish these last classes at Brooks. I have a feeling that someday I will look back to this time in my life os one of the best.

It's going to take a whole lot of positive thinking.

I really need to write more on this blog so that I don't bombard one post.



Isn't this image beautiful? Not mine. Such possibilities....©Tom Chambers

Strange dreams

This website has been haunting my dreams. I take naps during the day since I can't really commit to 6 hours of sleep at a time. All day I've been dreaming about client websites. I'm excited to add this into my business. Now each client will have a personal website page to go to to view their images and share it with their family and friends. This will be a free gift to all of my clients. The wheels are in motion, my friends.

The graveyard shift

I'm at Hotel Santa Barbara and taking full advantage of a big pot of coffee. Norah jones mix on Pandora is greeting my ears. I've been catching up on my internet musings for the last hour. Facebook. Blogs. Craigslist. Twitter. Email. As much as I sometimes complain about working the graveyard shift, I am very grateful for it. It's allows for an open schedule during the day and time to catch up on things during my work schedule. Essentially, I am paid to babysit the hotel while I complete my homework and make plans to take over the world.

I can't complain. Working the graveyard shift has allowed me to stay in Santa Barbara while continuing to pursue my education. And, I don't think I am that much of a zombie. anymore.

Halloween is coming up soon. I hate wearing costumes.