Readjust in a resolute manner.
Resolutions are tricky mainly because we RARELY complete a resolution. I do not do resolutions anymore. Instead I look at my life and I see what I can adjust to make my life a little happier, healthier with more wisdom and spiritual growth. I create goals and try to accomplish them. January is a time to readjust what you've been doing (if you need to) and to pick out goals for the next year to accomplish in a resolute manner. (Definition of resolute is simply "marked by firm determination.")
What I did last year is I posted twelve goals for myself to accomplish in 2012. I ventured back to that blog post to see how I did. I didn't do half bad, of course some of the "goals" were not to hard to accomplish. For instance number one on my list last year was to turn thirty. Good job, Aubrie! I turned thirty with out even breaking a sweat. Number two on my list definitely made me sweat, even if it was in water. (You still sweat when you are in water by the way.) I joined a masters swim team and I have been swimming for almost a year now.
I failed at a couple of goals as well. I did not finish another triathlon or aqua bike. I'm not really sure If I drove better this year either. I am STILL reading "Crazy Love," it's been on my night stand for a year. (It's heart wrenching and hard to read.) Number nine's "Rafting" could have been better, I only took the blow-up kayak out once. And I still need to venture down a few highways to check off number ten.
I am fairly happy with how the last two goals turned out. I have been published in 1859 every issue this year (and they moved to six issues a year.) Plus I was published in Portland Monthly and I had an image featured on the front cover of The Gorge Magazine. All in all I'll copy a famous saying in that "you win some and you loose some."
Sooo... for 2013 I thought I would keep my goal list, of course bumping it up to thirteen goals this year. However, instead of thinking of thirteen brand new goals I am going to move the "failed" goals from 2012 over to the new list and I want to still accomplish them. It's good to set goals, it's even better to accomplish what I've set out before me.
Here we go- 2013 BABY! (The first four are from 2012 and the last nine are my new goals.)
1. Aqua Bike (from 2012): Triathlons might be a thing of the past. I hate running. I do enjoy swimming and biking, hence an aqua bike. Yes, they do exist.
2. Rafting (from 2012): I feel like taking my blow-up kayak out one time did not really count. Let's up the ante and go for three times this summer!!
3. Roads (from 2012): I did not drive across the two highways I wanted to mark off on my map, so they are back. Highway 228-20 from Sweet Home to Black Butte Ranch and highway 126 from Springfield to Belknap Springs area.
4. Drive Better (from 2012): Driving better really has a root problem. The root of the problem is I am a procrastinator and I am always running late. When I am running late I think that driving like a bat out of hell will some how magically give me back those precious minutes I lost doing whatever it was that made me late. So really, I need to work on being on time and then I will be the worlds best driver... okay and I probably shouldn't follow to close, pause at stop signs or put my make-up on while driving.
5. Editorial/Magazines: The prime goal for 2013 is to get into as many magazines as possible and really work hard on my editorial portfolio. I still want to be in every issue of 1859 and I now want to be in every issue of The Gorge Magazine plus have at least two or three assignments in Portland Monthly. I am really trying to get into Touring and Tasting, Mix and Sip NW!
6. Food Photography: Food photography falls on the heels of the previous goal. I think food/drink photography is huge for editorial and I really want to improve on my food photography skills. I am currently reading Plate to Pixel (mini goal- finish the book) and I might look into taking a class as well.
7. Read: I want to read at least five "classic" novels. Right now I am reading Jack Kuraoc's "On the Road." Once I am finished with that book I want to read Catch 22, Pride and Prejudice, one of Hemingway's books and the fifth book I am not sure yet... I'm thinking about Huck Finn or rereading The Great Gatsby. Along with the classic list I want to finish reading books I have started and not finished; including "Crazy Love" (from 2012's list) plus "Storytellers" and "Hot Shoe Diaries."
8. Geo Cache: Dave and I like to drive, we like to hike and we have a GPS dealy-thing. (It's Dave's, I clearly don't know what it is called.) So I figured we should try geo caching.
9. Country Line Dance & Two Step: I'm a country girl- I should know how to line dance. David even said he would take the classes with me. Hopefully next time we venture out to Dukes we'll be able to hit up the dance floor.
10. Nationals: US Master Swimming Nationals is this May and it just happens to be at my old stomping ground, eh, pool. IUPUI was where all my big swim meets were held and I would love to go back and swim in the pool as an out-of-shape adult swimmer. A lot of things have to happen to accomplish this goal. First I need to make the cut times, second I need to train for the meet (or vise-versa train for the cut times), third I need to be able to afford to fly into Indy. We shall see. (An additional swimming goal is to go to practice at least four times a week, every week.)
11. Yoga: I like yoga. I have a yoga instructor and I get private lessons from her. She has me working on what we call my "magic three" poses that I need to do pretty much every day. So... I want to do yoga every day, even if it's just for ten minutes.
12. Writing: I like writing. I'm not good at it. I need to practice, so I probably should write more. I want to be able to write better blog posts for my photography blog and I want to be able to write up little "love stories" for my couples and intertwine that with their wedding albums. I randomly started writing an awful novel for like, I don't know, teenagers or something. Still- it's fun and and its good practice so I need to continue writing it. I also would like to take some writing classes to polish up the old writing skills.
13. Spiritual Life: As a Christian I am always trying to deepen my walk with God. I have a few simple things I want to work on this year to keep my faith growing. First- I am reading through "My Utmost for His Highest." It's a daily devotional read, every day it just has a verse and a couple of paragraphs to read and think/pray about. Speaking of prayer- I always need to up my prayer time. The last thing will be difficult with David's schedule but I would like to join a small group within our church at Branches. (And of course I am continuing another year, my fourth year, volunteering at Pregnancy Resource Center.)
Showing posts with label 1859. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 1859. Show all posts
1.13.2013
3.25.2012
Three Decades.
Three decades down. It's hard to believe I'm thirty. You have to think back through your life a little bit when you hit a milestone, of course when you turn 10 or even 20 I don't think you care as much. In fact when you turn twenty the only thing you really think about is that you have one more year before you're legal to drink. Something happens over the next10 years... in a very basic sense, you grow up. I mean really there are a lot of major life occurrences that happen in those ten years, at least that was the case for me. So in the celebration of my birthday and the fact that I like lists I thought it would be appropriate to look back on some of my fondest moments, big decisions and a few accomplishments (big and small).
1. Birth. Coming into this world on 3.25.82 around 7:30 AM. (An accomplishment more so for my mom and dad, but I thought it was a good start to my list.)
2. Bike Parade. We had to decorate our bikes and ride them around the block, a grand accomplishment for a 5-year-old. I had my best friend by my side, rocking her Kool-Aid mustache, Sarah Redwine (Keifer now). She is actually probably one my greatest accomplishments because we were best friends that day and thirty years later we're still great friends.
3. State Swim Meet. Honestly all my state swim meets we're great and I think I should be proud of being a talented swimmer. My favorite state meet though was my first. I was one of two 8-year-olds in the whole state that made it for 50-yard-fly. I remember seeing my name written in light bulbs across the huge score board and standing up on that swim block that was larger than life. I think the obsession started there. I wanted to swim, I needed to swim and so I did for the next 9 years.
4. Harris Heat to Indiana Sting. A group of girls that one day put on these bright purple uniforms and called themselves an All-Star Team. We were good. The great thing about this "team" was not that we were good for one season but that a big core group of us played every year together from about 10-years-old all the way through our senior year of high school. We might of had different names and different colors but the cleats that hit the infield didn't really change. I can see Yo-Yo at shortstop, Monica behind first, Toni covering third, Missy (or myself) on the mound, Mary and Bene in the outfield. We had a lot of great games and moments together.
5. Ain't Going Down. I specifically remember spending days, even weeks memorizing that song by Garth Brooks. Not sure why it made this list, but it did.
6. Swanson Summers. I spent two summers life guarding at Swanson Pool with one of my high school best friends, Melissa. I just remember those summers fondly.
7. 1:03. I had a 1:04 in the 100 fly for about two years straight... I still remember the meet where years of hard work finally came together and I let go of that time and finally hit a 1:03 in my favorite event. (My high school swim seasons definitely shaped my life and I'm grateful for those years I spent day in and day out swimming.)
8. Minolta X-700. My first camera. It was (and still is) the best Christmas present I've ever received. It lit the fire for photography... and that flame is still burning.
9. Skipping & Climbing. We all have our teenage moments where we throw caution to the wind and pretty much do what we want. I know I have a handful of stories but the two that stick out in my mind were skipping math class to hit up the rope swing along the St. Joe river. (You can read this post where I talk a little more on that adventure.) And of course the one and only time I've been arrested.... for repelling off a water tower. :)
10. Photojournalism. A stranger actually picked my degree. Okay, not really. But I don't have an actual name of the person that looked at me and said "You should go for Photojournalism." To whoever you are, thank you. It was one of the best decisions I made. Not a lot of people figure out what they want to do their sophomore year in college, I was grateful to be one of those few.
11. BC Klan. God, I had great friends in college! There are so many memories from college that it's hard to narrow it down to one. The BC Klan (later turning into the Linden Place Klan) is really just another way of saying I had a great, fun, fabulous group of college friends. I miss them every day.
12. Relationships. I wouldn't be the woman I am today with out the many, many relationships I had. My first kiss with Brian K. Mark H.- the first guy that ever had a MAJOR crush on me, I finally gave in after about a year or so. Tracy- ohh, Tracy... there's almost too much to say with that one. Camp Birch Hill flings... like Joe and Shaun. Sean Compton- oh my! hahaha. Jose! God, what was I thinking? Even the relationships that never came about... David G, Chase T, Geoff B. All those dates and kisses and break-ups and heartaches and everything in between.... definitely shaped me, I'm sure of that.
13. Camp Birch Hill. It was by far the greatest job, ever. (Okay, that you can have as a 20-year-old) I met some amazing people that I am still friends with today. I was able to visit the NE part of our country and I just saw and did some amazing things. It was one of the greatest times in my life.
14. Grateful Dead. There are many things I could have put to "explain" my early 20's. A little walk down Shakedown Street probably says it all. I had some wonderful times being a lil hippie.
15. New Years Eve. They happen every year, but one in particular stands out to me. I can see my college Klan all decked out to the nines (at least for college kids) with my apartment decorated in some sort of cheap-NY-style, singing "Tiny Dancer" with champagne glasses in hand.
16. Internship. I had an internship at the Muncie Star Press. It was my first real taste at being a photographer, a paid photographer. I loved it... and I still love it.
17. Graduating. I think I have to put this... I know a lot of people graduate college these days. I am proud of myself for getting a B.A. in Photojournalism. I'm glad that I was part of a lot of organizations like NPPA and the Daily News. I was glad I made all those wonderful friends and had some amazing experiences at Ball State. And then....
18. Oregon. I moved to Oregon. I graduated and decided that I would pack up my little Toyota and drive 2000+ miles across the country to a state I really knew nothing about. (The road trip with my sister is a fond memory.) Obviously I loved it otherwise I wouldn't be writing this post from my home in Portland, Oregon six years later.
19. Camera World. My first job in Oregon, I was a lab tech at Camera World. The job introduced me to some great friends and it made me grow up and take on some responsibility. Plus, of course, I met David there.
20. Sushi. I ate Sushi for the first time with David on one of our dates. I know it seems kind of silly but I think that was the start of trying a lot of new things, especially when it came to food. I love all types of food now and trying out new restaurants... it's one of my favorite things to do.
21. Lukah! Whether it's the first time that dog walked through my first apartment in Gresham, or when Lukah started to live with David and I over in St. John's or when the paperwork arrived in the mail officially declaring him MY dog, whichever moment you wanna pick to be #20 is fine with me. Either way he's the greatest dog and he just simply makes me happy.
22. Wine Tasting. It started one day with a Chateau St. Michelle Riesling. It's grown into knowing the differences between a Syrah and a Shiraz (really nothing, except the "z" one is from Australia) and being able to pick out things like "cloves" in a spicy red or "grapefruit" in the nose of a white. I love wine tasting.
23. Capturing Grace Photography. Starting my own business has been really fun and definitely an educational experience. Ever since I started the business it has been just that... fun and a lot to learn! I'm always learning and growing and there isn't one shoot or one day with a camera in my hand that I regret being a photographer.
24. Grace of God. The day I gave my life to Jesus was and forever will be the greatest decision I've ever made. The day David and I were baptized together was a wonderful moment in our lives together.
25. July 18, 2008. The day we were announced as "Mr. and Mrs. David LeGault." I love my husband. And quite frankly I could have made the wrong choice of where to live, or what to do for a living, but as long as David would have been part of the final product I know I would be happy.
26. Volunteer. I volunteer for the Pregnancy Resource Center. There are a lot of things that people like to stand for and believe in and I think everyone should pick one and help the cause. I'm against abortions and I found that the work that PRC does is a positive way to stand up for what I believe in with out having to stand in some brutal picketing or have a screaming match with someone who is pro choice. I enjoy volunteering there and being one of God's working hands.
27. Coach. Becoming a coach has been such a blessing already. I love coaching high school swimming and I'm looking forward to next year already.
28. Triathlete. A great thing to check off the ol' bucket list. I enjoyed training for the triathlon and competing. I look forward to doing it again.
29. 1859 Cover. It's one of those things that you can look back and say "I worked for this" plus you can look forward and say "Great things will come become of this."
30. Living. Living, loving, breathing, failing, succeeding, working, resting, enjoying... living. Turning 30 and not saying "boo-hoo, I'm old" but instead looking forward to my next three decades.
Skipping,
Aubrie
3.01.2012
Imagination Overload
Is an over-charged imagination a good thing or can it be harmful to, let's say, one's spirit?
I know, you probably just went... "What?! What is she talking about?" For starters it's an odd question and might not make sense to you at all. I am sure a lot of people are thinking the words 'imagination' and 'harmful' do not belong in the same sentence.
So I'll skip the jibber jabber and cut to my point. I have a very BIG imagination which leads to all sorts of ideas, odd thoughts and TONS of day dreams. If I were to keep little note pads everywhere and write down all the things I think of and shared them with you I think you would find me to be a little crazy. (Crazy in the good kind of way though, I promise none of my thoughts are morbid... except when I day dream about my funeral.) My imagination has concocted about 20 different novel ideas, literally novels, like fiction books you read. All of them romance- go figure. In another life I'm pretty sure I was a fiction writer.
So how is this harmful you ask? Well I'm wondering if my day dreams and big, bright ideas let me down sometimes. For example... I day dream a lot about getting into different magazines with my photography. Like the editor at Sunset Magazine calls the editor at 1859 and asks if he knows of a good photographer in Oregon. Of course (since this is MY day dream) Kevin (editor) says that I am the best and gives the editor my contact information. Before you know it I'm hitting the front cover of Sunset.
My day dream prompts me to some sort of action that might make that lil dream a reality. Of course I'm sensible enough to know that the editor of Sunset is not going to contact Kevin and even in the RARE case he/she did I'm pretty sure I would not be number one on their list. So I know I need to do something else to get their attention. So I looked into what magazine editors like to receive as far as promotional items from freelance photographers. I made such promotional items, I made a list of magazines to mail to and now I will sit back and hold my breath.
What's happening though is I've got myself so psyched up from all my day dreaming that I think all these magazines are going to call me. (So now we've gone from just Sunset to like 12 different magazines.) I'm now day dreaming of Mix contacting me and the editor at Portland Monthly saying "This is the girl who had that awesome front cover on 1859... she wants to shoot for us!"
What happens when every single one of those promotional photo cards gets tossed in the trash? Or better yet, not even opened? What happens when my day dreams don't turn into reality? Will this kill my spirit? Will it slowly, over time, bring me down to the point where I don't listen to my dreams anymore?
It's not just my photography business. I swim. I practice 4-5 times a week, I enter in a few meets through out the year. My day dreams do not consist of me having a great practice or a best time in my 50 fly. Noooo.... my day dreams are taking me to Nationals in 2013 back to my old stomping ground, Indianapolis IUPUI. I'm swimming in Nationals. All of my friends and family are there watching. I'm seeded first in one event and second in another. I'm talked about on the TV and the radio. They talk about how pretty my butterfly is and how fast my flip turns are. I swim. I win. I go out and celebrate with everyone. It is actually very possible for me to swim in Nationals in 2013. Partly because you don't necessarily have to qualify. It's possible that my mom and dad would come watch... maybe my sister and maybe a friend or two. Everything else is just hype in my head though.
Am I letting myself down or am I holding myself to unattainable standards?
I'm pretty sure I can't suppress my imagination nor can I cut out my day dreams. I've been like this since I was a little kid. I just hope that I don't get lost in my world of day dreams and that I know the difference between my outrageous dreams and reality. I hope that I keep trying and that those dreams don't break me.
...Here's hoping one of those magazines contacts me... and I swim at Nationals. ;)
Skipping,
Aubrie
I know, you probably just went... "What?! What is she talking about?" For starters it's an odd question and might not make sense to you at all. I am sure a lot of people are thinking the words 'imagination' and 'harmful' do not belong in the same sentence.
So I'll skip the jibber jabber and cut to my point. I have a very BIG imagination which leads to all sorts of ideas, odd thoughts and TONS of day dreams. If I were to keep little note pads everywhere and write down all the things I think of and shared them with you I think you would find me to be a little crazy. (Crazy in the good kind of way though, I promise none of my thoughts are morbid... except when I day dream about my funeral.) My imagination has concocted about 20 different novel ideas, literally novels, like fiction books you read. All of them romance- go figure. In another life I'm pretty sure I was a fiction writer.
So how is this harmful you ask? Well I'm wondering if my day dreams and big, bright ideas let me down sometimes. For example... I day dream a lot about getting into different magazines with my photography. Like the editor at Sunset Magazine calls the editor at 1859 and asks if he knows of a good photographer in Oregon. Of course (since this is MY day dream) Kevin (editor) says that I am the best and gives the editor my contact information. Before you know it I'm hitting the front cover of Sunset.
My day dream prompts me to some sort of action that might make that lil dream a reality. Of course I'm sensible enough to know that the editor of Sunset is not going to contact Kevin and even in the RARE case he/she did I'm pretty sure I would not be number one on their list. So I know I need to do something else to get their attention. So I looked into what magazine editors like to receive as far as promotional items from freelance photographers. I made such promotional items, I made a list of magazines to mail to and now I will sit back and hold my breath.
What's happening though is I've got myself so psyched up from all my day dreaming that I think all these magazines are going to call me. (So now we've gone from just Sunset to like 12 different magazines.) I'm now day dreaming of Mix contacting me and the editor at Portland Monthly saying "This is the girl who had that awesome front cover on 1859... she wants to shoot for us!"
What happens when every single one of those promotional photo cards gets tossed in the trash? Or better yet, not even opened? What happens when my day dreams don't turn into reality? Will this kill my spirit? Will it slowly, over time, bring me down to the point where I don't listen to my dreams anymore?
It's not just my photography business. I swim. I practice 4-5 times a week, I enter in a few meets through out the year. My day dreams do not consist of me having a great practice or a best time in my 50 fly. Noooo.... my day dreams are taking me to Nationals in 2013 back to my old stomping ground, Indianapolis IUPUI. I'm swimming in Nationals. All of my friends and family are there watching. I'm seeded first in one event and second in another. I'm talked about on the TV and the radio. They talk about how pretty my butterfly is and how fast my flip turns are. I swim. I win. I go out and celebrate with everyone. It is actually very possible for me to swim in Nationals in 2013. Partly because you don't necessarily have to qualify. It's possible that my mom and dad would come watch... maybe my sister and maybe a friend or two. Everything else is just hype in my head though.
Am I letting myself down or am I holding myself to unattainable standards?
I'm pretty sure I can't suppress my imagination nor can I cut out my day dreams. I've been like this since I was a little kid. I just hope that I don't get lost in my world of day dreams and that I know the difference between my outrageous dreams and reality. I hope that I keep trying and that those dreams don't break me.
...Here's hoping one of those magazines contacts me... and I swim at Nationals. ;)
Skipping,
Aubrie
1.03.2012
Eleven to Twelve
The first week of January is always bittersweet. A lot of people, including myself, tend to look back at the year that has passed with sweet memories most of which will never occur again. We also look towards the year to come with anticipations, goals and a hopeful heart that we can top the previous year.
I had a great year and I wanted to recap some of my favorite moments. Of course doing it in a list fashion, because I dig lists. A lot of people go with "Top 10" but I find it only appropriate to do my list of "Top 11" moments for 2011... in no particular order....
1. Memorial Day Camping Trip. Not only was the camping trip a lot of fun but we met some lovely people at this camping trip that are now dear friends.
2. State Champs! My first year coaching high school swimming was a lot of fun. To be honest I really had nothing to do with our boys winning state, but I was happy to be part of the team and I was very proud of Adam (head coach) and our hard-working boys.
3. Nutcracker. At the ripe age of 29 I finally saw my first performance of the Nutcracker. David and I watched the Oregon Ballet perform this wonderful Christmas tradition at the Keller auditorium.
4. 3-Year-Anniversary. We might not have done anything HUGE for this anniversary but just having another year with my wonderful husband is grand enough to be on this list.
5. Hawaii. David and I took a trip to Kauai in March with my parents. It. Was. Awesome.
6. Triathlon. I competed in my first sprint triathlon.
7. La Grande. We celebrated 4th of July in La Grande with friends, wine tasting, steak dinner, hiking and fireworks.
8. Josh Radin. I love him and his concerts. The Starks and I saw Josh perform in March at the Crystal Ballroom. Always a good time... Josh Shot.
9. 1859. This year was a big year for my editorial work. December 2011 was actually my first publication in this magazine... July was my first photo story and coming up....
10. Eagle Lake. My husband got his first full taste of summer in Indiana. My favorite part was spending the day at my uncle's lake house. We celebrated my nephew's first birthday, went jet-skiing and I went tubing with my sister. It reminded me of past summers in Indiana and was a great time spent with the best family ever.
11. Carpet! Ahhhh, we finally got new carpet in our house. It looks and smells so much better. :)
I am looking forward to 2012. Every year brings new memories to cherish and new goals to check off your list. I have a few of each in mind so to go with the mantra I have for this blog post I thought I would write a list of 12 things I'm either looking forward to or that I would like to accomplish this year.
1. Turning 30!!! Maybe I'm not looking forward to turning 30 and saying goodbye to my 20's (because my 20's were spectacular) but I think the celebration will probably be a good one this year. ;)
2. Swimming. I joined a masters swim team, The Barracudas. I am excited to be on a swim team again, to get back into shape and to race in a few swim meets this year.
3. Family Visit. This is actually happening in less than a week... my mom and my aunt Lee Ann are coming for a week to visit. It should be a fun girl time... and interesting too because it's January and you have to creative with things to do in Portland in the winter.
4. Drive Better. My husband will probably poop his pants when he reads this. I would like to allow myself enough time to get to my location and not be in such a rush that I drive like a ding-bat.
5. Pinterest. What? I can't have a goal involving the latest and greatest website? LOL! Seriously though I think the site allows to create, make, bake, purchase or do a lot of things that maybe you wouldn't think of yourself. So my goal is to do 12 things that I find from Pinterest.
6. Triathlon. I would like to compete in another triathlon or maybe even try an aquathon out as well.
7. Crazy Love. It's a book my sister got me for Christmas. I'm going to read it.
8. Chicago Wedding. My college best friend is getting married in Chicago this July. I'm excited to witness this great occasion and be at a wedding in the middle of the summer that I'm not responsible for the photography. To sit back and relax during a wedding is an odd thing but I'm looking forward to it. (Plus another trip to the windy city!)
9. Rafting! David and I have two types of rafts/boats. One is a blow-up kayak and the other is a raft-boat type of deal. Anyway I would like to actually put them in the water and use the heck out of them this summer! Plus I would like to go white water rafting this year (Rogue??)
10. Roads. My Oregon map looks better and better every year. This year I have a few specific roads I would like to mark off. Highway 228-20 starting in Sweet Home and going to Black Butte Ranch area is one and the other is Highway 126 staring in Springfield and going to Belknap Springs area.
11. 1859! ...and my first Front Cover! My first front cover will come out in January, it should be on the stands any day now. I'm looking forward to seeing the magazine and of course shooting this whole year with 1859.
12. Magazines/Photo Biz. I would like to get into at least one more major magazine this year. I really enjoy the work that the Columbia Gorge magazine produces and Sip NW magazine. Those two are both on my list for sure. Do you think Sunset magazine is ready for this girl yet? I am looking forward to this year with my photography business. It's growing and it's making more money- yay. I had 6 weddings booked before the new year and I hoping to grab a few more. It's going to be a great year in the photo world!
I had a great year and I wanted to recap some of my favorite moments. Of course doing it in a list fashion, because I dig lists. A lot of people go with "Top 10" but I find it only appropriate to do my list of "Top 11" moments for 2011... in no particular order....
1. Memorial Day Camping Trip. Not only was the camping trip a lot of fun but we met some lovely people at this camping trip that are now dear friends.
2. State Champs! My first year coaching high school swimming was a lot of fun. To be honest I really had nothing to do with our boys winning state, but I was happy to be part of the team and I was very proud of Adam (head coach) and our hard-working boys.
3. Nutcracker. At the ripe age of 29 I finally saw my first performance of the Nutcracker. David and I watched the Oregon Ballet perform this wonderful Christmas tradition at the Keller auditorium.
4. 3-Year-Anniversary. We might not have done anything HUGE for this anniversary but just having another year with my wonderful husband is grand enough to be on this list.
5. Hawaii. David and I took a trip to Kauai in March with my parents. It. Was. Awesome.
6. Triathlon. I competed in my first sprint triathlon.
7. La Grande. We celebrated 4th of July in La Grande with friends, wine tasting, steak dinner, hiking and fireworks.
8. Josh Radin. I love him and his concerts. The Starks and I saw Josh perform in March at the Crystal Ballroom. Always a good time... Josh Shot.
9. 1859. This year was a big year for my editorial work. December 2011 was actually my first publication in this magazine... July was my first photo story and coming up....
10. Eagle Lake. My husband got his first full taste of summer in Indiana. My favorite part was spending the day at my uncle's lake house. We celebrated my nephew's first birthday, went jet-skiing and I went tubing with my sister. It reminded me of past summers in Indiana and was a great time spent with the best family ever.
11. Carpet! Ahhhh, we finally got new carpet in our house. It looks and smells so much better. :)
I am looking forward to 2012. Every year brings new memories to cherish and new goals to check off your list. I have a few of each in mind so to go with the mantra I have for this blog post I thought I would write a list of 12 things I'm either looking forward to or that I would like to accomplish this year.
1. Turning 30!!! Maybe I'm not looking forward to turning 30 and saying goodbye to my 20's (because my 20's were spectacular) but I think the celebration will probably be a good one this year. ;)
2. Swimming. I joined a masters swim team, The Barracudas. I am excited to be on a swim team again, to get back into shape and to race in a few swim meets this year.
3. Family Visit. This is actually happening in less than a week... my mom and my aunt Lee Ann are coming for a week to visit. It should be a fun girl time... and interesting too because it's January and you have to creative with things to do in Portland in the winter.
4. Drive Better. My husband will probably poop his pants when he reads this. I would like to allow myself enough time to get to my location and not be in such a rush that I drive like a ding-bat.
5. Pinterest. What? I can't have a goal involving the latest and greatest website? LOL! Seriously though I think the site allows to create, make, bake, purchase or do a lot of things that maybe you wouldn't think of yourself. So my goal is to do 12 things that I find from Pinterest.
6. Triathlon. I would like to compete in another triathlon or maybe even try an aquathon out as well.
7. Crazy Love. It's a book my sister got me for Christmas. I'm going to read it.
8. Chicago Wedding. My college best friend is getting married in Chicago this July. I'm excited to witness this great occasion and be at a wedding in the middle of the summer that I'm not responsible for the photography. To sit back and relax during a wedding is an odd thing but I'm looking forward to it. (Plus another trip to the windy city!)
9. Rafting! David and I have two types of rafts/boats. One is a blow-up kayak and the other is a raft-boat type of deal. Anyway I would like to actually put them in the water and use the heck out of them this summer! Plus I would like to go white water rafting this year (Rogue??)
10. Roads. My Oregon map looks better and better every year. This year I have a few specific roads I would like to mark off. Highway 228-20 starting in Sweet Home and going to Black Butte Ranch area is one and the other is Highway 126 staring in Springfield and going to Belknap Springs area.
11. 1859! ...and my first Front Cover! My first front cover will come out in January, it should be on the stands any day now. I'm looking forward to seeing the magazine and of course shooting this whole year with 1859.
12. Magazines/Photo Biz. I would like to get into at least one more major magazine this year. I really enjoy the work that the Columbia Gorge magazine produces and Sip NW magazine. Those two are both on my list for sure. Do you think Sunset magazine is ready for this girl yet? I am looking forward to this year with my photography business. It's growing and it's making more money- yay. I had 6 weddings booked before the new year and I hoping to grab a few more. It's going to be a great year in the photo world!
11.10.2011
Style- Part I
Believe it or not I am up late again waiting on something...not a television show this time though. I am actually waiting on my dishwasher to finish. No, not to dry them and put them away. I'd be warm in my sheets right now if that was the case. I need a certain dish to put my turkey/bean chili in for lunch tomorrow. I know what your thinking... why didn't I put on my 50's underpants and wash the dish by hand? That's actually a good question. A very good question. And to be honest I guess I didn't think about that until I started telling you that I'm waiting on my dishwasher. Maybe subconsciously I wanted to waste time on the web again. I did play with Pinterest, geesh! And now here I am blogging again. I'm seeing a trend.
So what's on the docket tonight? More regrets? No sir. Something totally different and yet I guess you could say it's still part of "figuring oneself out," which I am sure understanding your regrets falls into that category as well.
Style: "a particular kind, sort or type, as with reference to form, appearance or character."
Style and branding are the two things on my mind tonight. I have a feeling that I will use my personal blog to explore this so that I can apply it to my professional life and photography business. Let's face it- I can't discuss what type of photography style or what my "brand" is all about on my photo blog. My clients would wonder what in the world I'm doing. You're probably wondering what in the world I'm doing too. I mean if you know me at all you know that I've had a photography business for years now. So why would I concern myself with style and branding right now? Well basically because I did my photography business back-asswards! I had a photojournalism degree...skipped town and headed off to the West Coast and somehow got involved with wedding photography...which turned into portrait photography...which led shortly to sport photography (what?)... and then finally I landed with a business called "Capturing Grace Photography" where if you go to my website you'll see that I literally have 6 different portfolios (weddings, families, engagements, seniors, editorial, landscapes.)
So you're thinking that this is where I tell you that I have narrowed down my photography and that I will only be shooting ______________. Wrong.
I made my own quote up the other night (I hope it becomes famous one day- like where you'll see it painted on weird wood and then you'll see a photo of it and then people will pin it. ya.) ...Damn. I don't think I can remember it now. Okay... I don't remember the first quote, but I do remember what I ended up with (I geared it more towards my actual website/business.) "My passion is photography, my focus is you." In other words I don't want to JUST be a wedding photographer. But, at that moment, when I am shooting a wedding that's what I want to be focused on, you, my client. I don't want to JUST photograph families, but you better believe that when I am that I will be passionate about them.
I get why I am suppose to have a focus, a style, a brand. I get that if I focused on one genre of photography that I might have quicker success. (Who wants fast success? I love having two side jobs. That was an ironic joke, just in case you missed that.) But quite frankly, I don't care. Because my passion is truly photography. Photography is complex, it's involved, it has genres and each genre has a category and each category has a style and each style has different manipulations. I love it all. I love landscapes- like mountain photos that you say "wow" when you see it. I love black and white prints. I love "art" photography even if it's weird. I love Polaroids. I love people. Hell, I even like animal photography. I could do with out kittens and go more towards Polar Bears and Moose though. I don't stop into a lot of art galleries unless they have photographs. I don't buy books that have horrible images on the front covers. I can't handle seeing empty frames in people's houses. In fact when I do, I offer up one of my photographs to fill it until they print whatever was suppose to go in that frame. I love photography. So with all that said, I'm not going to fill in that blank.
I am however, going to narrow it down a little. So here is my large "focus." People & Places. I know, I know, that covers a lot. But- I did leave out Things. I will not do product or commercial photography. When I speak of "Editorial" photography, to me that does not include commercial. Although in the large scheme of things commercial could be listed under Editorial. I still am not going to do commercial photos or products. Editorial, to me, means that it's going to publish in something tangible that people read, like magazines.
People: engagements/weddings and families. Notice anything? I dropped senior portraits. I like doing them, but let's face it, I'm not a studio. I don't get a lot of business doing seniors and even though there are some cool kids out there that want unique shots from an on-site location session...their parents don't. lol. That might not really be the case. However I think weddings, engagements and families are enough to fill that love for people photography.
Places: I will never not photograph landscapes or "pretty pictures." It's what got me into photography and it's what I'll die doing.
Editorial is a combination of both people and places. (That's probably why it's my favorite.) So I am trying to focus a lot on the editorial side of photography right now. Keeping fingers crossed and knees to the ground that some more magazines (like 1859) ask me to photograph for them.
PHEW! I actually went off track a little. I thought I would talk more about my actual photography style- I even picked out words and phrases and all sorts of random crap to share. But atlas my dishwasher is done and I need to hit the sheets. I guess this was good because I finalized what type of photography I will focus on. My next blog post I can wrap my head around my actual "style" that I will do/use. Until next time...
Skipping,
Aubrie
So what's on the docket tonight? More regrets? No sir. Something totally different and yet I guess you could say it's still part of "figuring oneself out," which I am sure understanding your regrets falls into that category as well.
Style: "a particular kind, sort or type, as with reference to form, appearance or character."
Style and branding are the two things on my mind tonight. I have a feeling that I will use my personal blog to explore this so that I can apply it to my professional life and photography business. Let's face it- I can't discuss what type of photography style or what my "brand" is all about on my photo blog. My clients would wonder what in the world I'm doing. You're probably wondering what in the world I'm doing too. I mean if you know me at all you know that I've had a photography business for years now. So why would I concern myself with style and branding right now? Well basically because I did my photography business back-asswards! I had a photojournalism degree...skipped town and headed off to the West Coast and somehow got involved with wedding photography...which turned into portrait photography...which led shortly to sport photography (what?)... and then finally I landed with a business called "Capturing Grace Photography" where if you go to my website you'll see that I literally have 6 different portfolios (weddings, families, engagements, seniors, editorial, landscapes.)
So you're thinking that this is where I tell you that I have narrowed down my photography and that I will only be shooting ______________. Wrong.
I made my own quote up the other night (I hope it becomes famous one day- like where you'll see it painted on weird wood and then you'll see a photo of it and then people will pin it. ya.) ...Damn. I don't think I can remember it now. Okay... I don't remember the first quote, but I do remember what I ended up with (I geared it more towards my actual website/business.) "My passion is photography, my focus is you." In other words I don't want to JUST be a wedding photographer. But, at that moment, when I am shooting a wedding that's what I want to be focused on, you, my client. I don't want to JUST photograph families, but you better believe that when I am that I will be passionate about them.
I get why I am suppose to have a focus, a style, a brand. I get that if I focused on one genre of photography that I might have quicker success. (Who wants fast success? I love having two side jobs. That was an ironic joke, just in case you missed that.) But quite frankly, I don't care. Because my passion is truly photography. Photography is complex, it's involved, it has genres and each genre has a category and each category has a style and each style has different manipulations. I love it all. I love landscapes- like mountain photos that you say "wow" when you see it. I love black and white prints. I love "art" photography even if it's weird. I love Polaroids. I love people. Hell, I even like animal photography. I could do with out kittens and go more towards Polar Bears and Moose though. I don't stop into a lot of art galleries unless they have photographs. I don't buy books that have horrible images on the front covers. I can't handle seeing empty frames in people's houses. In fact when I do, I offer up one of my photographs to fill it until they print whatever was suppose to go in that frame. I love photography. So with all that said, I'm not going to fill in that blank.
I am however, going to narrow it down a little. So here is my large "focus." People & Places. I know, I know, that covers a lot. But- I did leave out Things. I will not do product or commercial photography. When I speak of "Editorial" photography, to me that does not include commercial. Although in the large scheme of things commercial could be listed under Editorial. I still am not going to do commercial photos or products. Editorial, to me, means that it's going to publish in something tangible that people read, like magazines.
People: engagements/weddings and families. Notice anything? I dropped senior portraits. I like doing them, but let's face it, I'm not a studio. I don't get a lot of business doing seniors and even though there are some cool kids out there that want unique shots from an on-site location session...their parents don't. lol. That might not really be the case. However I think weddings, engagements and families are enough to fill that love for people photography.
Places: I will never not photograph landscapes or "pretty pictures." It's what got me into photography and it's what I'll die doing.
Editorial is a combination of both people and places. (That's probably why it's my favorite.) So I am trying to focus a lot on the editorial side of photography right now. Keeping fingers crossed and knees to the ground that some more magazines (like 1859) ask me to photograph for them.
PHEW! I actually went off track a little. I thought I would talk more about my actual photography style- I even picked out words and phrases and all sorts of random crap to share. But atlas my dishwasher is done and I need to hit the sheets. I guess this was good because I finalized what type of photography I will focus on. My next blog post I can wrap my head around my actual "style" that I will do/use. Until next time...
Skipping,
Aubrie
7.08.2011
Epiphany. (mini.)
You ever get the feeling that maybe your skipping rocks in the right pond, but the stones you keep picking up are all wrong?
That was a sad attempt at a metaphor... trying to explain how I feel about my photography business.
Let's back up. I fell in love with photography because I was introduced to a famous guy, you may know him, Ansel Adams. (If you don't please google him right now! You should know who this man is.) He photographed landscapes and had the most beautiful black and whites. He also photographed people in their surroundings, beautiful environmental portraits. After that I received my first camera and I was hooked. The first thing I photographed... landscapes. (Or really at that age is was more like pretty pictures in my back yard and the field down the street.) I took a few high school photo classes, and was awarded for one photograph... a landscape shot. Went off to college and my first year I won another award for an infrared image of a Michigan Lighthouse. Enter photojournalism. I loved photojournalism... but I always wanted to photograph more of the fluff pieces. One of my fellow college photo-pals once asked me why I always photographed pretty pictures and landscapes. I told him I enjoyed it.
So I probably could go on and on and give you the whole list of photo gigs I have had... photojournalist, sports photographer, wedding photographer... but the one that has always stayed is Landscape photography.
So I am flipping through people's web sites and I am always drawn to outdoor adventures and food and wine and people enjoying their surroundings and (of course) beautiful landscape imagery. I think to myself- "I can do that." It seems to come naturally for me.
So here I am trying to beat my head in the wall trying to learn different poses and edits and having meetings with awful people just so I can be a wedding photographer. So are you ready for my epiphany... I know what your thinking... your thinking I am going to say I quit being a wedding photographer. LOL! You're totally wrong. I still love photographing weddings, don't get me wrong. Who wouldn't? Plus... ummm, it brings in the mula! No, I won't quit being a wedding photographer. But my mini epiphany is that maybe I need to concentrate more on my editorial work and my landscape photography and stop beating my head with weddings.
For the past three years I have only had about 6-8 weddings a year. It hasn't really increased a lot. I receive more compliments on my landscape photography than I do anything else. Plus... it's my favorite! I am not ashamed anymore- I LOVE photographing oceans, sunsets, waterfalls, foggy mornings, bridges and yes... flowers! If I could I would photograph bigger mountains, grizzly bears and dolphins. I belong on the cover of 1859 and Oregon Outdoors and Wine Press and...dare I say it, National Geographic. I probably won't ever land a spread on the Wedding Knot.
It's almost as if God is saying... please be a photographer, keep doing it, just focus more on what you are suppose to photograph! And all of a sudden I am skipping rocks in the right pond and nothing is sinking.
Skipping,
Aubrie
PS. Do you like how I had this little epiphany literally two days before I enter the busiest part of wedding season? It's okay, cause I still love weddings and I will always love wedding photography. I am allowed to have a second favorite. :)
That was a sad attempt at a metaphor... trying to explain how I feel about my photography business.
Let's back up. I fell in love with photography because I was introduced to a famous guy, you may know him, Ansel Adams. (If you don't please google him right now! You should know who this man is.) He photographed landscapes and had the most beautiful black and whites. He also photographed people in their surroundings, beautiful environmental portraits. After that I received my first camera and I was hooked. The first thing I photographed... landscapes. (Or really at that age is was more like pretty pictures in my back yard and the field down the street.) I took a few high school photo classes, and was awarded for one photograph... a landscape shot. Went off to college and my first year I won another award for an infrared image of a Michigan Lighthouse. Enter photojournalism. I loved photojournalism... but I always wanted to photograph more of the fluff pieces. One of my fellow college photo-pals once asked me why I always photographed pretty pictures and landscapes. I told him I enjoyed it.
So I probably could go on and on and give you the whole list of photo gigs I have had... photojournalist, sports photographer, wedding photographer... but the one that has always stayed is Landscape photography.
So I am flipping through people's web sites and I am always drawn to outdoor adventures and food and wine and people enjoying their surroundings and (of course) beautiful landscape imagery. I think to myself- "I can do that." It seems to come naturally for me.
So here I am trying to beat my head in the wall trying to learn different poses and edits and having meetings with awful people just so I can be a wedding photographer. So are you ready for my epiphany... I know what your thinking... your thinking I am going to say I quit being a wedding photographer. LOL! You're totally wrong. I still love photographing weddings, don't get me wrong. Who wouldn't? Plus... ummm, it brings in the mula! No, I won't quit being a wedding photographer. But my mini epiphany is that maybe I need to concentrate more on my editorial work and my landscape photography and stop beating my head with weddings.
For the past three years I have only had about 6-8 weddings a year. It hasn't really increased a lot. I receive more compliments on my landscape photography than I do anything else. Plus... it's my favorite! I am not ashamed anymore- I LOVE photographing oceans, sunsets, waterfalls, foggy mornings, bridges and yes... flowers! If I could I would photograph bigger mountains, grizzly bears and dolphins. I belong on the cover of 1859 and Oregon Outdoors and Wine Press and...dare I say it, National Geographic. I probably won't ever land a spread on the Wedding Knot.
It's almost as if God is saying... please be a photographer, keep doing it, just focus more on what you are suppose to photograph! And all of a sudden I am skipping rocks in the right pond and nothing is sinking.
Skipping,
Aubrie
PS. Do you like how I had this little epiphany literally two days before I enter the busiest part of wedding season? It's okay, cause I still love weddings and I will always love wedding photography. I am allowed to have a second favorite. :)
6.28.2011
Rants, Recipes and Perfect Gigs
Yes, I change my personal blog a lot. I feel like I always need something that fits me and whatever "fits" changes a lot. So here it is- my new (old) blog... "Skipping Rocks." I wanted to go back to having a blog that I could write about anything, not just triathlons, not just photography and not just God- but everything. I was thinking of a new title and Skipping Rocks just came to mind. The playful act we do when near a river reminds me of life. Sometimes we skip, sometimes we sink.
I wasn't sure what to write in my "first" post. I re-read the "about section" off to the right and thought I would write about those three things I mentioned, after all they must have been on my mind.
RANT: If you decide to go out to dinner, then please, tip your server. No we do not make a lot for our hour rate, yes we need your tips to make a living. No, 10% is not okay, even if Oprah did say so. Only pay 10% if your server was horrible, never stiff. She may just be having an off day or there are a NUMBER of things that could have been why your service was poor/slow...like the kitchen staff perhaps. If you tip 15% that's better, but really you should give at least 18% if your service was good. If your server was top-notch than 20% is definitely deserved. And my last little bit on tipping... if you rack up a $100 tab and there is only 3 people than you should still tip accordingly. It's not my fault you ordered a bottle of wine, appetizers, entrees, salads and dessert... yes, I got all those things and refills for you. Throw me a $20!
RECIPE: Mixed salad greens, chopped avocado, slivered almonds, chopped pears and feta cheese crumbles- toss together. Dressing: 1/3 cup oil, 3 Tbs. red wine vinegar, 1 1/2 tsp. sugar, 1 clove garlic, 1 1/2 tsp. mustard, salt and pepper. All I will say is... YUM!
PERFECT GIG: I got my first assignment from the magazine, 1859. They are going to pay me to drive around the country side of Oregon to take landscape photos, etc. They are paying for my hotel, food and gas. It is seriously like a dream job and I can't wait!
Skipped,
Aubrie
I wasn't sure what to write in my "first" post. I re-read the "about section" off to the right and thought I would write about those three things I mentioned, after all they must have been on my mind.
RANT: If you decide to go out to dinner, then please, tip your server. No we do not make a lot for our hour rate, yes we need your tips to make a living. No, 10% is not okay, even if Oprah did say so. Only pay 10% if your server was horrible, never stiff. She may just be having an off day or there are a NUMBER of things that could have been why your service was poor/slow...like the kitchen staff perhaps. If you tip 15% that's better, but really you should give at least 18% if your service was good. If your server was top-notch than 20% is definitely deserved. And my last little bit on tipping... if you rack up a $100 tab and there is only 3 people than you should still tip accordingly. It's not my fault you ordered a bottle of wine, appetizers, entrees, salads and dessert... yes, I got all those things and refills for you. Throw me a $20!
RECIPE: Mixed salad greens, chopped avocado, slivered almonds, chopped pears and feta cheese crumbles- toss together. Dressing: 1/3 cup oil, 3 Tbs. red wine vinegar, 1 1/2 tsp. sugar, 1 clove garlic, 1 1/2 tsp. mustard, salt and pepper. All I will say is... YUM!
PERFECT GIG: I got my first assignment from the magazine, 1859. They are going to pay me to drive around the country side of Oregon to take landscape photos, etc. They are paying for my hotel, food and gas. It is seriously like a dream job and I can't wait!
Skipped,
Aubrie
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