Reflecting on things I did in 2011

Instead of making a resolution each year, I like to set goals or just write down what I would like to accomplish in the year to come.  When I turned 39, I set out to accomplish 39 goals during the year and amazingly enough, I completed almost all of them.  I try not to beat myself up too much if I didn't do something I intended to do or not do.  So here we are on the last day of 2011...it's a reflective type of day (oh lookie, even a literal photograph for you) for some and for others, they just want it to be over for the chance at a fresh start.

This year, I intended to set out and write down 40 goals but each time I thought about it, I set out to do something else instead.  The nice thing about blogging important things or thoughts you might have is that you can go back and see what you were thinking at the time or remember what you did.  As I get older, it's nice to be able to look back on the computer instead of having to use my brain to remember what I did.  I can barely  remember what I did yesterday.

Based on cheating and looking back at my blogs, here's a list of 30 things I accomplished in 2011 (from January through today) You can click on the highlighted part to read the entire story if you feel like it...

1. I went bowling with my friends on a rainy day

2. I wrote a list of the best iphone photography applications

3. I wrote out my best tips for traveling with your dog

4. I sorted through Family Photographs

5. Met two strangers in person (In Mexico) that I met online a year prior

6. Threw a surprise party for a friend and pulled it off!

7. Watched a street fight 

8.  Had photographs published in the March issue of Trailer Life Magazine

9. Ate a date shake

10. Photographs made two spreads and my first cover of Airstream Life Magazine

11. Attended the Modernism Week Vintage Trailer Rally in Palm Springs

12. Did a photo shoot with two roller derby girls

13. Photographs published in a "camping with your dog" (including self portrait of me and Max in Yosemite) article in Dog Fancy

14. Was selected as the artist for the newly built transit mall in the heart of downtown Long Beach. 

15. Selected to be the official photographer of Alumapalooza for the second year in a row.

16. "Dissolve" was selected to participate in the Art Of Photography show in San Diego

17. "Brothers" was selected as a finalist in the Photographer's Forum "Best of 2011" hardcover book

18. Tackled the garage and finally let go of emotional things

19.  Photograph was selected for the Cover for Airstream Life Magazine's Fall 2011 issue (including a spread of 8 portraits inside)

20. Went to my brother's wedding

21. Photographs licensed to publish on Airstream, Inc. website

22. Documented the protesters of Occupy Los Angeles

23. Photographed the people of Downtown Los Angeles

24. My "Bingo Culture" series was featured on Lenscratch website

25. "Dissolve" chosen for the Dreams exhibit at the Center For Fine Art Photography

26. "The Wedding Guest" was chosen for the Portraits Exhibit at the Center for Fine Art Photography

27. My blog was selected to teach American Slang in a textbook in Sweden.

28. I wrote my story of the past three years and it was published on Salon.com

29. I wished Leonard Knight a happy 80th birthday at Salvation Mountain

30. I found out via video that I was selected to participate in Onward Compe

I am so thankful for the things I was able to accomplish in 2011.  I wouldn't have been able to do any of this if it weren't for the people in my life, and the people I came across in my life.  Since there were too many photo shoots to mention, I put some of my favorite photographs I took in 2011 in a video.  I hope you enjoy it as much as I did putting it together.  

I look forward to what 2012 will bring!  Happy New Year everyone! xo

Documenting a Photographer's Bridal Self Portrait

The past year I’ve been saying yes to opportunities that normally I would question or instantly think of reasons to say no to. Putting fear aside, I decided that saying yes would lead to growth and if anything, an experience you wouldn’t have had the opportunity to experience if you said no.

A few weeks ago, I received an email from photographer, Susan Sabo that simply asked if I was around the following day to help her on a shoot.  We’ve been facebook friends for a while and I’ve only met her briefly one night but I didn’t think twice to say yes without question.  I didn’t know what she wanted me to do or what the shoot was about but I figured that if she reached out to me, she needed the help.

After I said yes, she told me she was working on self portrait series for the following year titled, “be the bride 2011.” She’s a wedding photographer and wanted to step in the shoes of brides she shoots to understand what it’s like to actually be the bride.

She asked me to meet her at the local park in the city to help her take her self portrait.  She set up the shot and equipment and my job was to help her get ready and essentially, push the button.  When I arrived at the meeting spot, I parked next to her car and wandered around a bit to look for her.  I had no idea what the shot would be like but I started looking by the creek and by trees in the area thinking that she would take a photograph of herself in your typical beautiful lush green surroundings.  I was wrong.

I texted her and asked where she was hiding and she text back telling me to go to the public restrooms.  She was in the bathroom setting up for her self portrait with her wedding dress hung up on the restroom stall and the camera set up and facing the toilet.  This was not your typical bridal scene.

I asked to take photographs to document this experience and she agreed.  I snapped away as I was helping her into her gown and handing her props she brought to use for the scene such as bubble gum, cigarettes, magazines and her bouquet. You know, everything a bride needs for the big day.

As she describes, her speciality is “off beat” weddings.  Also, she likes to go big in her self portraits.  She says, “because frankly, I’m not ready to go home.  It’s not about getting attention or getting a rise out of the viewer; it’s about doing it right, being true to my concept and not letting the fear that someone may not like it keep me from shooting it exactly the way I want.”

For that reason, I admire what she is doing.  She doesn’t care if the final image is shocking to some viewers because it’s her vision and she is holding true to who she is and wants her brides to feel the same way.  They don’t have to stand there looking into the sunset if that is not the person they really are.  It’s all about being true to who you are as an individual and having the photographs from your wedding reflect that.

Saying yes to help a photographer realize her vision was an experience I won’t soon forget.  It’s a good lesson to learn that whatever you want to do, you should do it.  It doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks.  Be brave. Be yourself.  Don’t care what people will say or what everyone else is doing. You are the only person you have to live with twenty four hours a day so make it authentic to you.

Alumapalooza 2010 Slideshow

I wanted to show the photographs I took at the Airstream gathering in Ohio last week, but I had too many to post in a blog.  Instead, I put together a slide show of some of my favorite moments in photographs.  I had a great time and I look forward to seeing everyone in 2011!