Cheers to 2010

Hayden Valley, Yellowstone National Park 2010

I think there are so many blog entries out in the interwebs that start with "I haven't been good about updating this blog." Let's just both give a nod of recognition and move on.

2010 brought a lot of changes for me personally and professionally. The more I've embraced my own photography the more opportunities and changes I've been presented with. I'm now a contributing photographer with Redux Pictures. I'm really excited about this partnership and how nice they have been to work with so far. Travel continues to be a major part of things: Atlanta, St. Thomas, New York, Tennessee, St. Louis, Wyoming and of course Montana and parts therein. That won't be changing next year and I'm looking forward to putting together the schedule in the coming months. You can also expect some changes to the website and new work as well. But as far as this year goes I got to spend so much time working on projects I really care about and seeing people I love. If those two things continue into next year I can't wait.

Here's to 2011 - cheers to you and yours. I hope the end of the year brings happy memories to you and excitement for things to come.

Isn't it pretty to think so?

Since 2001, I've lived in Georgia, France, South Carolina, England, Tennessee, and Montana. When I left college in 2004 I thought I'd be living in France right now working on whatever it was I was supposed to be working on. Turns out, life went a little differently and now I'm working on whatever it is I'm supposed to be working on in Montana. A little different, but pretty none-the-less.
The funny part of it is, in all of those places I was always ready and planning on being in the next place. The next fence over, the next job, the next thing. It hasn't been till recently that I started to get more comfortable with the idea of being right where I am the moment that I'm there. But that place is more like my actual seat than my current longitude and latitude. I'm not sure if that's really all that healthy but I'll take what I can get.
I realize that I've been struck with a certain kind of wanderlust that only a few a really hit hard by. I'm one of those lucky ones. Lucky in that I know I won't stop wanting to see just what's over the horizon. Not-so-lucky in that the members of my wandering club seem to dwindle more and more the closer I get to "adulthood." The farther I look down the line the more I see marriages and babies and responsibilities and bills. And I'm not against those things, it just seems to me a easy way to get trapped in one place. And one place was never on my itinerary. My feeling on the that life being fantastic was more "Isn't it pretty to think so?"

So it has come to a surprise to even myself to be walking further and further down that path. The trick, so far it seems, is to have a great travel companion. Or at least one who is understanding of needing to go those few extra blocks, have that extra drink, or stay out a little bit longer. Just a little. So today, with less than a week before I head out again into the world of airplanes and long lines and unknown roads, I'm thankful for that understanding. Here's to that extra drink with a lifelong travel mate.

blur of joy

Today is the first day I've had more than a little time to myself to do whatever I want. No deadlines. No rushing around. Just some quiet time with fresh, Montana snow falling out my window. After dozens of airports, hours of travel, and just generally working my tail off...this is an uber-treat. I'm planning on taking some time to focus goals for 2010 and organize some myself from this past year. But today, I'm so grateful to just have a little downtime.

This has been a year of tying up loose ends. I made some scary changes that are really paying off. I've started doing more work I actually love and less work I can't stand. I got engaged. My grandmother passed away. Friends/soon to be family welcomed a new baby to the world. I was able to spend lots of time with close friends and family that I often never see. I traveled more than I have since I left Chattanooga (Atlanta, New York, Jekyll Island, Arizona, Salt Lake City, Vancouver, Seattle). I'm even embracing Montana winter. So the following photos are the last breath of wrap up before the new year. 2009 seems like a bit of a blur right now but a warm, happy, laughing blur.









That's a good blur in my opinion. Happy end of 2009 ya'll.

Jean Barham ::: 1918-2009

The day my Grandmother died there was a magnolia tree out the window of her room. The sun was hitting it just right and there were Camillias in bloom. If she had been concious, she would have pointed out to me how beautiful the blooms were, or how much she loved watching the birds taking baths in the puddles outside. She wasn't concious, and pretty soon - she wasn't with us anymore.

I was the only person in the room when she passed away. I feel very grateful to have shared those last moments with her. She has been an integral part of the last 27 years of my life, and anyone who knows me well can attest to this. I was lucky to have a firey, independent, and sometimes kooky woman like her in my world.

A few days after she died my Dad recycled her classic Chevrolet Caprice. That car has been as much a fixture in our driveway as my Grandmother was in our lives. For the last several years it has been sitting inoperable at my parents home. My Grandmother couldn't drive anymore but she wasn't going to let them take the car away. So it sat in the driveway. Over the years it was the car she carried her crafts in, hit a Fed Ex truck with, carried her to and from the grocery store, and made sure she made it to Thelma's Beauty Parlor for hair appointments.


I really couldn't believe I would come back to my parents home and not see it there.
So before they towed the car out of the driveway I took a couple of photos. This Thanksgiving I will be so thankful for having been able to share so much of my life with a wonderful, frank, stubborn, and sometimes crazy driver like my Grandmother. She will be missed.

last moment in last best place

a pretty little night

lipscomb three

love day 2009

So it's Valentines Day. For all you romantics out there here are some sweet pictures of some sweet couples. I'm not a huge Valentines Day girl but part of me can't help but be partial to a day devoted to love. What a nice break from winter, depressing news, and the like. So on that note I give you two happy couples who are lovely to be around. The first one is one Lido caught this past fall of our friends in Atlanta. The second one is from an engagement shoot I did at the end of last year.



If you are really feeling romantic you can check out more photos of happy couples at modwest photo. I'm really excited about this new opportunity to photograph couples, their weddings, and their families in a modern, romantic way. Enjoy!

the best ever

It was so nice to be with my friends over the holidays. So to my ladies out there thanks for an awesome month in Atlanta! I miss you girls.

love and the classic city

I had a chance to do an engagement shoot back in Athens, Georgia today for an old college friend and her fiance. They were a pleasure to work with and it was great to hang out and catch up on our lives a bit. You could tell they genuinely care for each other and Athens was a great background to play with. Thanks for a fun afternoon guys and look for an email this week with your proofs.

lightness from above

Everything is blooming most recklessly, if it were voices instead of colors, there would be an unbelievable shrieking into the heart of the night. -- Rilke

take it to the bridge

So I can't get enough of these photos from Emily's wedding. Not because I think I'm that awesome of a photographer, but because it was just the BEST time. I could have hung out with everyone so much more.

I think we should start an "Emily's Wedding Fun Reunion" that meets every five years. Then I'd get to see all these great people at least twice in a decade. :)