This summer, one of the things we did in Costa Rica involved hanging hundreds (and I mean hundreds) of feet over the thick canopy of trees of the jungle and ziplining over 10 kilometers.

And I. was. terrified. Having my limbs dangling by a series of cables and clips wasn’t on the bucket list of my life…(or at least, I didn’t think so?!) But once I got through the first few ziplines, it became crazy fun. Soon our whole group of 25+ people, including myself, were hanging upside down, twirling midair, completely awed by the beauty of what around us. How brave we had become in such a short time!

But it was taking that first step off the cliff that brought me to my edge. No comfort zone allowed here, and definitely no going back. I had to trust, breathe, and try to enjoy the feeling. And what lied on the other side of the adventure was absolutely exhilarating.

So, today, I challenge you to do something—one thing—that scares you. Because, I assure you, what’s on the other side of that road before you is worth the risk.

I’ve spent much of the last few weeks reflecting on this past year. Evaluating what worked. What didn’t. And how to move forward with intention and purpose.

Last year blew my mind in every expectation! It was absolutely beyond my dreams. I came face to face with some of my fears, personally and professionally. Peeled back layers of self-judgment and doubt to reveal a life-changing perspective of freedom and confidence. I met and photographed people’s stories and documented their lives in a way that a few years ago had only held a candle of thought in my mind. Now, it’s a full-blown bonfire. I could not be more humbled and proud of the many, many gifts that 2010 gave me.

But. There is still SO much work to be done. While all of this was blazing around me I oftentimes felt myself fumbling in the dark. Arms outstretched, tripping over stuff on the floor, trying to find the best way to continue moving toward my definition of success. Because in the beginning, I thought I’d just see what happened instead of moving forward without a goal in mind. Which led me to people like Fay and Karen and Jeff. I’ve since realized the fatal error in that regard :: those kinds of steps forward aren’t really steps if you don’t know where you are going.

I’ve had a lot of things come up recently that have brought me to one word :: one word that has invited itself into my life. I listened quietly, kept my eyes and heart open for this word to present itself. My intention is for it to guide me and my heart to ensure that each step forward has purpose toward the goals I have in mind.

I have BIG aspirations for this year. BIG, people. Like monster-truck size. Some personal, which I’m excited to share, and some focused on enhancing your photography experience. And having clarity of mind and heart is one way to get there. Knowing why I’m going where I am, its purpose for you, and the joy it brings along the way is going to make this year our best ever. Together.

While your jaws are gnawing on those turkey legs, give your brain something to chomp on this week too.

In the wake of the conversation that last week sent me slightly a-shakin’ in my boots…I am finding clarity. Who I am and why it makes me the right photographer for you. How we fit together, like chocolate chips and cookie dough.

As such you might see a few changes here on the blog, my website, and my Facebook page.  It’s exposing. I’m giving you 100% me. Raw, real, authentic, honest. Just like my images. Some will like it, others might leave it. But I can’t deny the person who I am and let only the art do the talking — I’ve come to realize it’s important for you to know who I am, too. Because, really, I’m fun. I like to laugh. I make your portrait experience fun, comfortable, and stress free.

And it’s kind of fun too. I think this is my new favorite self-portrait. It takes me back to nearly eighteen months ago at Me Ra’s Discovery Workshop and the self-portraits we shared. A lot has changed since then. Oooooh boy, a lot.

Love me or leave me….at least you can say you know me.

It was written in permanent marker on the exposed air duct of the sorority that I called home while in college, tucked in the corner of the basement of the century-old house where art majors dumped all their “stuff”. Drafting tables, markers and Diet Coke cans littering the floor, a testament to the late nights finishing projects and dreaming up new ideas. It read:

That simple statement has motivated lots of change in my life. And continues to. But I never said it was easy. After all, who likes things to be different? It’s uncomfortable. It’s unknown. It’s unpredictable. But as a metamorphosis, it’s inevitable and necessary….one of the few things in life that we can count on.

I met with a colleague on Monday while in Denver and our conversation has since left me squirming in my seat. The kind of wiggly, ate-too-many-Skittles-and-have-to-sit-still feeling. Because it was all about change – BIG change. How the photography industry is changing. And how, in the process of evolution, tough decisions have to be made. And leaving some things by the wayside. But, like the concept itself, is inevitable and necessary for greater opportunities to be discovered. Because they’re out there.

And you can’t stumble on anything when you’re standing still.

I love the look of a macro lens for so many reasons. Its buttery-smooth softness. Its ability to get so up close and personal with an object. Just brings a whole new dimension and life into an image. And, really, when you’re talking about a wedding or other significant event, it’s the details that bring it to life. It’s those little things that make our lives really unique – the details and little stories in every day that don’t always have the opportunity to be brought to life.

Oftentimes you’ll see a macro lens used for something like this :: (even after almost eleven years, the hubs’ ring doesn’t look too beat up…)

So, I set out the other day with that intention in mind :: to highlight a 2-3 things around my home and life that don’t always have the opportunity to shine. And what better lens to showcase them with than a silky smooth 105mm 2.8 macro lens?

1. I wish I was a foodie. Instead I’m a wanna be stuck inside a lazy cook’s body. I like the idea of cooking…and my shelf of cookbooks will tell you exactly that. That I like the idea, but not the actual effort of doing it. But I love summertime fruit…all those sweet juicy berries.

2. The little man gets his share of opportunities for photos, but I find I’m always trying to tell the story with his eyes. This time, I went for toes and his silly grin.

3. Like #1, I can grow plants but I’m better with ones that are slightly, let’s say, self-maintaining. Because I’m also a lazy gardener inside a Martha Stewart body. (if we’re being honest, then let’s be honest. ) So I tend to choose ones with lots of big, beautiful color that won’t completely fall over in a heat wave like the one we’ve had this summer (with too many 100º+ days to count!). I think what’s funny about the below image is that you can see so clearly that my flowers aren’t perfect, with a few droopy heads and some crispy edges. But they are bright and colorful, which really comes across here.

I discovered how much I like a macro’s versatility — its ability to get up close and personal (dust on the saucer of the berries) but also its capacity to take a little wider look at things without being too wide (flowers). But it also taught me not to be afraid of little details – and seek them out in every moment.

I came across this the other day and found it incredibly thought-provoking.

How do you look at daily situations? What if you chose not to be overcome by them, but rather see the issue as an uplifting experience? I can think of a hundred ways this applies to my life — how about you? What would you do differently today, tomorrow, etc. using this as your mindset?