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Archive for the ‘Stuff To Think About’ Category

All For Kate

Posted in 2013, Businesses You Should Know About, Current Events, Events, Giving Back, Personal, Stuff To Think About, Volunteering, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on February 4, 2013 | 3 Comments »

I usually reserve this blog to talk about my photography, but today I’m writing about something different. It’s a very important topic that’s especially close to my heart.

My friend Kate has stage four melanoma. She’s 26 years old. Over the last four years, it has spread to various parts of her body; including her heart, liver, back, hip, sacrum, adrenal glands, and – most recently – her brain. Cancer in her sacrum has resulted in a fracture of the bone, forcing her to avoid any high-impact activities, including her absolute passion: running. Kate finds her inability to run the most challenging part of her cancer fight yet.

In September, my friend Steph and I discussed getting a small team together to run the LIVESTRONG half marathon on behalf of Kate. If she can’t run this one, we wanted to run it for her. At the time, we thought Kate’s closest friends and relatives would join us. Little did we know, Team Kate was about to turn into something much bigger than we could have ever anticipated.

To date, we have over 100 registered runners and have raised over TWENTY FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS ($25,000!!!) for LIVESTRONG. It makes me choke up to think about what this means for cancer patients and caregivers nationwide. Chills.

Let me tell you something about Kate: she is a fighter. My relationship with Kate is so important to me. She is truly one of the most genuine, selfless people I’ve had the pleasure of knowing. I would do anything to help her, or provide some relief for this situation. And that’s exactly what I’m trying to do by participating in this half marathon on February 17th.

For a powerful piece about Kate, her fight, and Team Kate’s efforts (including photos from our recent runners brunch), read what fellow runner Sean Maguire had to say on his blog.

We are running as Team Kate to show our support for an incredible woman, cancer fighter, and friend. I appreciate everyone’s support of our team as we make a difference in the battle against cancer, and lift up Kate. So, if you can, I ask that you donate: $5, $10, $100 … every little bit helps. It would mean the world to me and all members of Team Kate. Thank you.

Love,
Katie

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Happy Birthday, Robbie!

Posted in Music, Baby, Maternity, Personal, Family, Absurdly Adorable, Stuff To Think About, Events, Editing Soundtrack, 2012, tagged , , , , , , , , , on October 8, 2012 | 3 Comments »

I’m pleased to announce my best friend (Christine) and her husband (Ryan) are the proud new parents of a little boy! Robbie came into the world today – a perfect 7 lbs, 10 oz! Happy birthday, baby Robbie! Congratulations, Christine & Ryan.

Robbie and his parents live far away. That said, I want to chronicle October 8th from the AUSTIN, TEXAS perspective. Just a few tidbits for me to remember this day vividly.

| October 7-8, 2012 | Austin, TX |

Robbie:

  • On your birthday eve, I was making chili stew (with gluten free, hatch-chili cornbread!) and sipping wine when your mom let me know she was on the way to the hospital. At this point you were one week overdue. We were excited. Baby time!
  • The next morning, I woke up wondering why I hadn’t received any news overnight. Turns out you liked taking your time.
  • Greeted a beautiful fall day with highs in the 70s, lows in the 50s. A dream come true for us Texans!
  • Exchanged text messages and phone calls with folks (Katie, Laura, Mom, Debra, Christine, Ryan, Matthew) awaiting the good news!
  • Finally got an update from your Aunt Katie in NYC — you were born! 12:47pm ET. Healthy, happy, so cute.
  • Checked the calendar – ACL (Austin City Limits Festival) is a mere 4 days away. Future music lover?
  • Called Debra (your grandma!) on the phone. She and your grandpa are over the moon that you’re finally here.
  • Finally heard from your mom and dad via text… they’re deliriously happy (we all are!)
  • Final observations: from what I can tell so far, you look a lot like your dad but have your mom’s eyes. :)

Kid, it’s been a few hours and you’ve already made the world a better place. That’s gotta be some kind of record. Looking forward to meeting you and squeezing your little cheeks (not too hard, promise).

Love,
Katie

Robbie gets to meet his “Aunt Katie” (that’s me!) at Christmastime. I’ll definitely take  photos in December. Until then, I dedicate this song to little Robbie Scott. I love you, baby! Welcome to life!


Ball Park Music {It’s Nice To Be Alive}

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Staying Sharp

Posted in 2012, Businesses You Should Know About, Clientele, Documented Events, Events, Stuff To Think About, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , on October 4, 2012 | Leave a Comment »

Confession time: I have a personal motto.

“In order to be successful, you must first surround yourself with successful people.”

A wise person shared it with me a long time ago. Ever since, it’s served me well — in college, in my career, in my relationships with others and more.

During Get Smart , the phrase echoed in my mind over and over again. As I documented the day’s activities, I couldn’t help but marvel at the incredibly talented individuals all around me. First of all, these people took time out of their busy schedules to teach others, to learn from each other, to help one another… all special sacrifices I admire very much. Secondly, these seasoned professionals get it. They believe in taking risks, hard work and staying sharp. The Austin community (especially the professionals in this town) never fails to astound me.

The panelists were insightful and attendees were attentive note-takers (whether it be by pen & paper, laptop, cell phone, iPad… you name it and I saw it!). Since the lovely ladies of AWC Austin hosted the event, the rooms were full of mostly women. However, a few nice gentleman came and contributed to the sessions in the form of presentation or audience participation.

Staying sharp is oh-so-important for everyone! Careers aside, the bottom line is it’s crucial for personal growth and development. These folks understand the significance, and are definitely doing their part to contribute to the community’s success – individually and as a whole. Did I mention they’re also good looking and know how to have a good time? The proof is in the pictures!

Sad you missed out? Never fear, Get Smart will happen again next year. Be sure to register when the time comes!

Cheers to a successful event Julie & Cristen!

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Anything Could Happen {Editing Soundtrack}

Posted in 2012, Editing Soundtrack, Her Side Project, Instagram Love, Music, Personal, Stuff To Think About, tagged , , , , , , , , on August 29, 2012 | Leave a Comment »

I am loving Ellie Goulding’s latest song: Anything Could Happen. It’s inspiring (as is Ellie). My personal takeaway from listening is that anything really can happen… usually you  just have to be patient, and/or try your absolute hardest. For me, it’s been conquering my running program. I like to play this song at the end of a long, sweaty run. Victory is mine! ;)

This video is too cool. I love the incorporation of both fans and Instagram.

It goes without saying, this has definitely been part of my editing soundtrack as we leave summer behind and sloooowly make our way into glorious Fall.


Ellie Goulding {Anything Could Happen}

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Brave

Posted in 2012, Music, Personal, Really Random, Stuff To Think About, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , on May 30, 2012 | 1 Comment »

On May 17th, I had a tonsillectomy. I know what you’re thinking: not very much fun (it wasn’t). I’m still recovering.

In between naps (I basically slept 24/7 last week) and drinking copious amounts of water, I watched TV. I have bedrest and television advertisers to thank for introducing me to BRAVE. I’m so glad this movie was made!

I don’t know if it was the medicine, my love for red hair, or my fascination/respect for Disney/Pixar; but every time this commercial came on I became overwhelmed with emotion!


Brave | June 22

Maybe I’m just a sap. ;) Regardless, this movie is definitely on my must-see list this summer.

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Marketing Ploy or Bizarre Cinderella Story?

Posted in Businesses You Should Know About, Personal, Really Random, Stuff To Think About, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on December 12, 2011 | Leave a Comment »

You decide.

“To the angel who rocked my world last night.
While in heaven, I forgot your number and name.
I don’t have any pictures but here’s my drawing of her. 
I want to see you again.
Meet me at BookHolders (which is in Dobie Mall) at 6:30pm.
I will be the hunk with a fresh wad of cash.
(Sell your books there too so you have cash for drinks).”

As seen on the Drag. Austin, TX. 12.10.11

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Moments to Remember

Posted in Baby, Clientele, Family, Stuff To Think About, tagged , , , , , on October 11, 2011 | 4 Comments »

I’ve written several posts about the importance of capturing memories. Life gets busy, and goes by too quickly. We all need photos to help keep our memories alive. For this very reason, I always encourage frequent family portraits.

I consider the following shoot one of the most important ones I’ve done to date. Just two weeks after their son was born, this father headed overseas for work for the next twelve months. This was really the only opportunity for a family photo shoot for the next several months. So many emotions: parents for the first time, meeting and loving their newborn son, growing in their relationship as a couple and family of three; but facing some harsh life realities and a long time apart. I’m glad we were able to capture these important moments leading up to such a big transition for these wonderful people.

I love the simple, clean look of these photos. At-home sessions are awesome because they depict real life in real environments.

I’ll end post with a note from the mom after she reviewed the photo shoot results:

Thank you again for capturing our family, I am truly grateful to have photos of these early days.
A thousand times you’re welcome.

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Love & Appreciation

Posted in Businesses You Should Know About, Colleagues, Family, Her Side Project, Personal, Scenery, Stuff To Think About, tagged , , , , , , , , on February 14, 2011 | Leave a Comment »

In 2007, I moved to Fort Worth, TX. For the first eight months I worked for the weekends, when I’d jump in my 300ZX and race down I-35, (safely) two and a half hours away from my destination: friends, family and places in Austin, TX.

My spirits lifted each time I came home. I didn’t have to be doing anything special, I was just happy to be surrounded by nature, music and of course, familiar faces.

I eventually grew to love Fort Worth, made tons of friends that I will always cherish, and fostered a sincere appreciation for Billy Bob’s Texas. You really can’t find anything like it anywhere else. The following two years were spent learning to love the community I was a part of, and visiting home just occasionally, instead of all the time.

In November 2009, a welcome job change came my way. I was suddenly faced with a decision: choose to stay in DFW, or move back to Austin.

It alarmed me how undecided I was. In many ways I had grown to be a new person in North Texas, had many friends I did not want to leave and several aspects of both Dallas and Fort Worth left to explore. Would a triumphant return to Austin be everything I thought it would be and more? Was it a fantasy in my mind that would quickly evaporate as soon as responsibilities set in? Even worse still, would the photography business I’d successful built in DFW come to a screeching halt in a creative, competitive city like Austin where everywhere you turn there is another photographer? Torn, I really didn’t know what to do.

After spending time with my colleagues in Austin the choice seemed obvious. I have always made it a priority to surround myself with successful people, and these folks embodied everything I wanted to be and more. I was eager to learn from my managers and colleagues and knew the best place to foster this growth was right smack dab in the middle of the Live Music Capital of the World.

That was a little over a year ago. Moving back to Austin was the right decision. This Valentine’s Day, with messages of love, appreciation and friendship swirling around us, I stopped to think about what I care about the most. There’s so much, but here’s a small snapshot:

  1. The city for which I have unrequited love
  2. My wonderful roommates
  3. Anne’s cat, and my fourth roommate, Potamus
  4. A challenging, thrilling career
  5. My close relationship with my family
  6. My neighborhood
  7. The ability and privilege to photograph happy, beautiful people
  8. Live music, especially Alpha Rev
  9. You! My wonderful readers who I appreciate so very much

Happy Valentine’s Day, friends. If you haven’t yet found what or the place that makes you tick, I encourage you to relentlessly pursue it until it is yours.

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The Reasons Why

Posted in Baby, Family, Her Side Project, Katie Was Here, Kids, Personal, Stuff To Think About on August 30, 2010 | 6 Comments »

“Why are you a photographer? What got you started?”

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been asked these questions. For a long time, it was hard to come up with an answer I felt truly encompassed all the reasons why. Photography means a lot to me and the passion didn’t just develop overnight (no pun intended).

When something means so much to a person, as Her Side Project does to me, it is no longer just another thing to analyze and explain. It’s personal. To label it, brand it, explain it, is one of the more difficult things I’ve had to do. However, I’ve known for a long time that it needed to be done.

So I did some soul searching. I went through old images. I re-read blog entries. I desperately tried to figure out where this passion stemmed from. I know I started seriously taking pictures in college, but couldn’t pinpoint one photo shoot in particular that stood out as a turning point. The light bulb moment isn’t clearly defined or easily identifiable. In fact, I’m not even sure it exists. So what was it? What kept me going? What keeps me going now?

And then it hit me.

I have a passion for capturing people at various stages of their lives. I never want a mother to forget what it was like to be young, chasing after a crazy, dirty little two year old kid. A man, after recently proposing to his future bride, needs to remember what it felt like in that short timeframe, gazing into her eyes with the promise of forever lingering in the air. A baby, curled up safe against her father’s chest with mom’s hand resting softly on her back. These memories are fleeting and might be forgotten without photographs. Life will change, it will never be like this again. Sure, there are even more good times ahead and things to eagerly anticipate, but any phase of life isn’t forever.

More than looking at an old picture, I want the photograph to serve as a time machine, immediately transporting whoever is looking at it back to that moment. This theory primarily applies to the parents and adults photographed, something with which they can reminisce. However, it’s also for the babies and kids who may have been pictured, but are too young to remember the circumstances. Compelling pictures provide a glimpse into the past.

I know personally, without photographs, there would be a void in my life. One of my favorite pasttimes is digging through large cardboard boxes loaded down with pounds of pictures – some yellowed or with worn edges – of my parents when they were young, of my little sister when she was born in the hospital, of me playing in our old backyard.

Without these photos, who’s to say I’d even know about these moments at all? I am so blessed to be able to look back on photographs that capture who we were, who we are, and serve as a snapshot of who we might still become.

The list goes on and on.

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Believe you look good, TODAY.

Posted in Stuff To Think About, Variety on May 20, 2010 | 1 Comment »

I am a big fan of Kristin Armstrong’s blog: Mile Markers. It’s featured on Runners World website, a place for people who run or just think about running (…), but Kristin’s blog is so much more than that. She intertwines her thoughts on spirituality, fitness, her personal experiences with friends/family and various events to eloquently explain her take on this thing we call Life. She is so, so gifted.

Her most recent post was about photography (specifically, how people view themselves in photos.) It’s too good not to share. Please enjoy the following excerpt from the wise and talented Kristin Armstrong:

“An interesting thought occurred to me about photographs.

Have you ever noticed the way people, particularly women, look back at old photographs of themselves and are wistful?  “Oh, I looked so young then!”  “Look at my skin!” (*sigh*)  “Good grief, I was so skinny!  And here I thought I was heavy at the time!”  “Awww, look at us, just gorgeous.  We had no clue.”

No one ever really mentions that just as we had no clue at the time, there might exist the possibility that we have no clue right now.  Captured moments of today are the wistfulness of tomorrow. I guarantee that just as we can look back at a photo from ten years ago and appreciate ourselves, ten years from now we will look at a photo from today and think the same damn thing.  How come nobody brings this up?  Wouldn’t this awareness bring us a certain measure of peace?

Can you imagine the liberation if we could just appreciate ourselves right now?  Who we are, where we are, what we look like?  If we could just look in the mirror long enough for a basic once-over and a smile-wink and be done with it?   If we were too content and confident to critique?

…

Savor yourself.  Cut yourself some slack.  Appreciate your beauty.  Wink at yourself in the mirror.  Tell your husband he has nice buns.  Tell your wife she’s hotter than she was yesterday.  Tell your children how you see them.  Tell your parents thank you.  Remind your friends who they are.

After all, ten years from now, right now will be ten years ago.  Moments are like fireflies.  You are a runner, so go chase them.  Cup them carefully in your hands and watch the glow seep through your fingers.  Don’t miss it.”

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