Tuesday, March 15, 2016

Bloom Where You're Planted

A couple of years back, I embarked on a journey in a direction completely fresh from the path I'd been taking. I gave up everything that made my life what it was and decided to start over completely new. I was bored and needed to find something, although admittedly I had no idea what.

The transition's been the most awesome experience I could have given myself. It's true what they say about doing things on your own, about jumping in feet first, and about the amazing things you learn about yourself when you clear out the negatives in your life and consciously work toward figuring out what you truly want.

These days I find myself living in Okotoks, Alberta, in the midst of the worst provincial recession in over 30 years. Things are frustrating, but I remind myself daily that this was my choice and that of all the problems in the world, having too many options of what you can do with your life isn't the worst. So I take at least one step forward every day and try to keep my focus by doing the things I love: namely, of course, photography. 

In and around Okotoks, there is no shortage of opportunities for that. Southern Alberta is GORGEOUS! But don't just take my word for it. See for yourself:

Romantic sunsets.



  

And evenings when the Rockies seem to light on fire!
 



Cool, spectacular views.





 ...and on every edge of town, prairie that seems like it could stretch on forever.



 


 It's the land of chinooks and cowboys,



of exploring sweet country gates


and of walking on riverbeds.


It's where humans and nature have made their peace...



...large and small alike.


 It's the land of the majestic Rockies.


 

And the land of the great...



... big ...



sky. 



 And that sky generally has something to say.




 On this particular day, it was feeling a little dramatic.



 I don't know what it is in particular, but I LOVE this shot:






Random gorge carved by glaciers and once roamed by dinosars? Yeah, there's a couple of those kicking around.




And in the midst of it all, just off the highway, a proud and thriving town!



 So while I'm unsure where the next step will take me, I'm grateful to have been given the opportunity to come back to this: for a bed to sleep in and a familiar face, and for family and friends who have had my back, no matter how near or far they may be. <3

 


"... Most of the time it's just too difficult, too expensive, too scary. It's only once you've stopped that you realize how hard it is to start again, so you force yourself not to want it. But it's always there. And until you finish it, it always will be..."  -unknown



Sunday, January 31, 2016

Round 2

In early February, despite knowing full well that I, indeed, fail at everything that is disc golf (as shown here), I was back at Tom Pearce Park, discs in hand. It was a more productive round for me than the last, which isn't saying much, but I think I learned a thing or two. Plus, I got a few more great photos to boot!

But first, I would like to state for the record that THAT *points to the centre of the photo below*...


... is a disc in a tree. And no, it wasn't me that put it there. ^.^
So there's that.

While I'll spare you the photos of the tree-shaking, tree-climbing, tree-shaking-while-climbing disc rescue mission, I will show you these... just a few of my favourite shots from a fun and relaxing day at the park.




Saturday, January 30, 2016

Emily

Completing my trifecta of American househusbands and their awesome daughters (in case you're just tuning in, parts 1 and 2 can be found here and here) are the goofy and delightful duo of Chase and Emily. The dynamic between these two is truly something to behold: they somehow transitioned from in-depth discussion of the entire Star Wars series and the obscure personality traits of comic book characters to Emily's vision of owning and operating a food truck and the logistics and preferred menu thereof (bacon-wrapped steak anyone?), all within the 20-minute walk from the house to the park. By the time we arrived, my stomach was growling (mmm... bacon-wrapped cupcakes...) and I knew I was going to need something a little bit out there to keep my mind focused (bacon-wrapped.... bacon? YES!)

Fortunately, something a little 'out there' was not difficult to bring out with these two.

Smile for the camera? I don't think so.


Even the dog is making a face!


How about now?


Ahhh... perfect. 
As perfect as bacon-wrapped shrimp would be right now... 

but I digress.
She's practical AND pretty!



and I love how she looks in black and white.




And then it's back to dad for something a little more playful.
As playful as... bacon-wrapped gumballs????


This little mind is going places. When, at nine years old, you can have a brainstorming session on food truck logistics and where, when, and what your target demographic might be best served (bacon-wrapped tacos!), then you bet there is nothing going to stand in the way of big dreams and even bigger accomplishments.
And I look forward to trying to get her to smile for the camera
every step of the way.


Sunday, January 24, 2016

Once Upon A Time

Once upon a time, in a land far far away, there lived a beautiful princess and a handsome prince...
 
Okay, so it was last August in Grants Pass, Oregon, and I'm not even sure if the princess was actually even living there at the time, but seriously, theirs is a 'how we met' story that would make you believe in magic potions (bar shots), white knights on gallant steeds (cab drivers in red taxis), and fairy godmothers (also known as Amanda's mom).

Fast forward to the end of January, 2016, and my camera and I had the distinct pleasure of trying to capture some of the palpable magic that seemed to surround the new 'royal couple' in my life: Zak and Amanda.

We started in the neighbours' backyard, where he may or may not have actually attempted to carry her off into the sunset.


A magical kiss...


...and a bit of the happiness that some of us can only read about in fairy tales.


Our next stop was an enchanted forest, also known as All Sports Park, which I'd had no idea up to this point existed just up the road from the house.

 
I love


the way


they laugh. <3



There was also a wooden bridge to cross, Billy Goats Gruff style...


 ...but there was no fear of the trolls underneath: just the gallantry up above.


Again, once they stopped laughing.


 Look at the way he is looking at her!!!


And this? 





No words needed.
*swoon*

Our last stop was a little place Zak knew. It wasn't exactly a palace, but it was bewitching in its own kind of way. I loved it!




I had so much fun with these two. The way they gel is enviable, and their ability to transition from a serious romantic moment to fits of laughter and back again makes them absolute perfect subjects in front of the camera. I look forward to the next chance we get to spend a few hours together, and to being the one to capture their journey as their story moves forward toward Happily Ever After.