At Least.

"You get older and you learn there is one sentence, just four words long, and if you can say it to yourself it offers more comfort than almost any other. It goes like this....Ready?"

"Ready"

" 'At least I tried.' "


The above quote is from Sisterhood Everlasting by Ann Brashares. When I read those four little words it felt like they were directed right at me. It hit me right in my core. Hard.

Sometimes I feel so out of my league in this crazy photography industry that I wonder if it is worth the effort. To try. To put my photo's - and essentially- myself out on a platform for others to see. What if I fail?

I am coming to realize that fear of failure isn't a good enough reason to give up. To not even try.

I still may not know what my future in photography holds; but, after this summer of pushing myself to grow and become better and share myself and my photography - I can definitely say:

"At least I tried."

                                                                                                                                                                  Taken September 2009.

So True.

I love these words. I love the idea that every day we are essentially creating who we are - and that we have the power to decide - through our thoughts and actions - who that person we are creating is.

 

Backyard Beauty: Unexpected Places

Sometimes capturing a good photo is about great lighting, interesting composition, and a beautiful subject.

Sometimes, it is just being in the right place at the right time. Really, just sheer luck.

I was out at the golf course in Carman last week when I felt compelled to stop the cart by a group of trees. As soon as I stepped off the cart, the most beautiful butterfly landed on the tree closest to me. I was lucky enough to have my camera ready and snap this photo.

Here's to sheer luck and finding beauty in unexpected places.

Fuel.

"You have to live your life, I think, because that's what fuels your art." - Michelle Branch

Beautiful. I love this video and what she says about living your life and balancing it with your art form. I'm not yet at the point in my photography journey where it is my full time career; but, I hope to keep this in mind when it one day becomes that.

I love the idea of using your own everyday little moments of life to inspire and fuel your art - whether it be photography, writing, singing/songwriting - I think the outcome is that much more genuine, authentic, and real. Being present and in the moment and not letting it all pass you by.