Facing My 30's Fearlessly!

In a few short hours, I will be crossing the threshold of my tumultuous twenties and stepping into, what I know will be, my burgeoning thirties. Unlike many other people passing this milestone, I won't be entering my thirties plagued by hesitation or crippled by reservations. Quite the contrary, actually.

For the first time in my life, I feel like I am exactly where I am supposed to be, barreling down a path that I'm not afraid to conquer. It's scary, yes. But I'm not scared.

I'm also not feeling unsure or confused about what I should be doing with my life because I know, and I'm doing it. It's been staring me dead in the face for longer than I care to admit, but I wasn't ready to fully engage with such "risky" endeavors until now.

In the past seven months (since I was laid off), there have been some major transformations taking place to prepare me for this next phase. Being pushed into doing something that I wouldn't have mustered the courage to do on my own has turned out to be the greatest gift I could have ever been given.

Since I've been away from the confines of an oppressive office environment, I have realized that the talents I possess shouldn't be squandered. Instead of quickbooks and spreadsheets, I should be utilizing my camera and other skills to demonstrate what it is that I am really capable of creating.

Along with awakenings, this time has been for healing, too. Emotionally, physically, spiritually and mentally, nothing has been exempt. I have emerged an entirely different person, one who is happy, confident & motivated. And I'm feeling more determined than ever to transform my long-held dreams into a reality.

So, no, I'm not scared of facing the vast amounts of amazingness that lies ahead of me. Okay, so, maybe I'm actually terrified. But you know what?! I'm going to do it anyway :D

This is me saying that I'm willing to do what it takes to make it happen, all while embracing the unknown with reckless abandon. I want you to know....I want the universe to know....Hell, I want to shout it from the rooftops! I'm not afraid of the BIG BAD 3-0! Bring it :P

You know what else I want to shout from the rooftops? That, I love you. You, meaning, all the beautiful people who support me and believe that I have something special to share. Thank you from the bottom of my heart, it really means the world to me.

Related Links:

• A Reminiscent Roundup: Oahu, Hawaii {This is where I was last year on my BIRTHDAY!}
• Wordful Wednesday

A Reminiscent Roundup: Oahu, Hawaii

This time last year I was gearing up for a solo journey of epic proportions. I knew before making the trek that it would undoubtedly be a life changing experience, although little did I know exactly how great of an impact it would really have when all was said and done. The islands magical influences can have quite an effect on the unsuspecting traveler who has never been that far away from home. Particularly so, when you're not used to being that far away from home alone!

Most of my time on the island of Oahu, Hawaii was spent in quiet contemplation as I embarked upon adventures on my own that consisted of many different activities. I had no specific goals or a rigid itinerary before getting on the plane. Now that I think about it, there was one specific goal I can recall having, which was to just let myself be. I felt no pressure about doing or seeing as much as I could in the 5 short days that I was there; I was more interested in taking it easy and actually relaxing on this brief respite.

A near perfect balance of tranquility and activity was how I managed to spend my days. And the jet lag helped me to make the most of my time by not letting me sleep past 6am. It was somewhat frustrating at times since I wasn't going to bed until 2 or 3am. I suppose that sleep would be on the bottom of any persons list when you have a tropical paradise waiting to be discovered right outside your door.

I already blogged about most of my trip to the island, but I'm in the mood to revisit this soulful sojourn since I'm feeling sentimental. Links to the previous posts can be found at the bottom.

In my sporty red Jeep, I covered every corner of the island. By far, the most scenic drive to take a ride I found was Highyway 83. This joyride hugged the turquoise shores of the Pacific Ocean for nearly the entire stretch. If you can imagine, I had a hard time keeping my eyes on the road! While I immensely enjoyed spending time on the islands open roads, I did make quite a few pit stops along the way.

One of the most amazing encounters led me to the Byodo-In Temple. Located in the Valley of the Temples, at the base of the 2,000 foot Ko'olau mountain range, is the replica of a 950-year-old Buddhist temple in Uji, Japan. One can't help but be overcome with an extreme sense of peacefulness while roaming the grounds of this magnificent complex. I was early and lucky enough to be one of the first visitors, so I had the temple to myself, which greatly enhanced my experience. It was very hard to leave; I could have stayed there all day had that bus of tourists not shown up.

For my actual birthday, a friend and I attended an authentic Hawaiian-style luau where we stuffed ourselves with delicious food and watched some highly entertaining performances. The four hour long feast for the senses was a rip-roaring good time that I really wish I could repeat for this year's birthday.

A trip to Hawaii wouldn't be complete without spending time in the great outdoors, and I'm not just talking about sandy white beaches either. Snorkeling, was a pastime that I found myself thoroughly enthralled by. It was my first time catching a glimpse of the aquatic life in their natural habitat. I floated along the surface in a constant state of awe as I spied on the sea creatures, it was so much fun swimming with the fishes. 

To keep from getting too waterlogged and to survey what was beyond the sea and sand, I also ventured upon other outdoor recreational activities. While on the island of Oahu, I managed to complete two pretty popular hikes to satisfy my urge to commune with nature. The hikes I did were like night and day with one tucked deep inside a lusciously verdant rainforest, while the other was situated inside an extinct volcanic crater. 

Manoa Falls was the first trek I did to see an impressive 160ft waterfall. The second one, called Diamond Head crater, was nowhere near the gentle grade I experienced earlier at Manoa Falls. Diamond Head was a lot steeper and required several staggering stair climbs to reach the top, but the long range views do their best to make up for the massive amount of sweat lost in the process. The hikes were definitely a great detour from the usual island activities and offered some awesome exercise too.

This trip down memory lane makes my heart ache as I really wish there were a birthday trip this year, too. I mean, I'm coming up on the Big 3-0 and this is the first birthday in 4 years that I won't be heading somewhere outside my usual surroundings. 

I promised Cody, though, that we would spend my birthday together this year, and I wouldn't want to let him down. It's not too much of a compromise, though, because I want to be with him as much as he wants to be with me; although that doesn't stop me from yearning for us to be somewhere new together.

At least I have these beautifully vivid memories of Hawaii to carry me through until my next journey! 

Original HAWAII Blog Posts:

• Celebrating my Birthday Hawaiin-style!
• 6 Sights to See on Highway 83 (Part 1)
• 6 Sights to See on Highway 83 (Part 2)
• A Place of Peace & Serenity: Byodo-In Temple
• Honolulu's Most Popular Hikes

A Casual Collection of Charleston Charm

 

Hope you enjoyed this silent montage of other interesting encounters we had while exploring downtown Charleston, SC. It's extremely easy to fall in love with that city as there are endless treasures to be discovered along the way. Want to read more? Visit the links below :D

Related Links:

• 20 Reasons Why I Love Charleston, SC {A list of the places we ate, drank and experienced} 
• Going Coastal in Charleston, SC (Raw Footage) {A montage of moving pictures! a.k.a. video}
• Photo Essay: Underground Art in Charleston, SC

20 Reasons Why I Love Charleston, SC

If there's one thing you can count on when it comes to visiting Charleston, SC, it's that you couldn't possibly run out of things to do. It has been named one of the Top US Destinations by many different publications many times over, and for very good reason. It's no wonder that the charm of Charleston manages to captivate so many people because it really is an amazing place to spend time. There's so much to do, in fact, you might have trouble deciding where to start! To make things a little easier, I've compiled a list of my favorites to share, so that it may help you figure out what you might like to see and do while in town.

{Eat}

• Hominy is Not Hype: Arguably the best shrimp and grits in the state, maybe even the east coast, can be found at Hominy Grill. I didn't have much to compare them to since it was my first time having this quintessential southern breakfast, but it was delicious! If you're feeling really brave you can try the super tasty Big Nasty biscuit w/ a fried chicken breast, cheddar cheese & smothered in sausage gravy. It was a scary beast, but it was awesome! 207 Rutledge Ave., 843.937.0930, hominygrill.com
  
  

• Happy Hour Hideaway: In the heart of Charleston's historic district is a great place to hideout for happy hour. Pearlz Oyster Bar offers a variety of oysters and other fresh and local seafood for those who have a penchant for shellfish. If slurping down sea creatures isn't your bag, you might like their corn fritters ($2.95). They weren't like other fritters I've had, theirs were more like hush puppies, but they were still yummy. 153 East Bay Street, 843.577.5755, http://www.pearlzoysterbar.com

• Where Seafood Reigns Supreme: This place is more of an institution than it is a restaurant with the history of this family-run business going back to 1890 when they operated a wholesale company. Over the years, that has changed and they now run Hyman's Seafood and Aaron's Deli from the same location. It is an extremely busy place, and rightly so, because it's been voted the Best Seafood in the Southeast by Southern Living Magazine for the past 9 years. The food was excellent, the prices were very reasonable and the portions were enormous. One of the owners came walking by at some point wielding a pan of the absolute BEST hush puppies I have ever tasted in my life. No joke! 215 Meeting Street, 843.723.6000, http://www.hymanseafood.com

• The Icing on the Cake: Due to a freak flood in downtown Charleston, we had to wade through knee deep water in order to get our slice of cake before saying farewell to the city. The dessert offerings change on a daily basis, but we tried the Brownie Sundae Cake, which was shamefully decadent. Kaminsky's is a tasty escape that has an entire display case of sweet treats that could keep you full for days! You don't want to miss it. 78 N. Market St., 843.853.8270, http://www.kaminskys.com

{Drink}

• Jump Start your Day: City Lights Coffee is situated in a small yet cozy little corner and is the perfect place for slipping in to fuel up with a frappe. Although, if a froufrou drink isn't your cuppa tea, they have an extensive list of other coffee related items to help power your day. 141 Market St., 843.853.7067

• Savor the Flavor: A great reprieve from the summer heat was found at Teavana. The free samples offered out front were a surefire way to get you through the front door of this unpretentious tea utopia. It would have been a lot better had there been more than two stools to pop a squat for a spot of tea, but the wall of flavors made up for the lack of seating tenfold. 304 King St, 843.723.0600, http://www.teavana.com/
  
  
• Southern Spirit: Before our trip to Charleston, I had never actually tried Firefly Sweet Tea Vodka let alone knew that it existed. It only took one drink, though, and I was hooked! 6775 Bears Bluff Road, Wadmalaw Island, SC 29487, http://www.fireflyvodka.com/
  
  
• Bar hopping with a bunch of strangers was a lot more fun than I thought it would be. Our gladsome guide was highly knowledgeable about the history of Charleston and told stories of, not only the pubs we visited, but some of the buildings we passed and the ghosts that haunted them. The Charles Towne Pub Stroll was the tour we chose to tagalong on because the price was right and the reviews were stellar. $15 per person (does not include the cost of drinks) 78 Broad Street, 843.345.9714, http://www.pubstroll.com/index.html
  
  
• Sneak a Drink: Yet another establishment dating back to the 1800's, The Blind Tiger Pub was in operation during Prohibition. Today, this former speakeasy (or “blind tiger”) is the closest thing to a dive bar you'll find in Charleston – we visited quite a few. The patio out back offers seating amidst ruins from an old building that further adds to the charm of a lovely outdoor space. 36-38 Broad Street, 843.577.0088

• Shiver me Timbers! One of the bars/restaurants we stopped at during our pub stroll, called the Buccaneer, houses one of the largest collections of authentic pirate memorabilia in the USA. Pirate tales were told during our tour of this tavern while we munched on a bowl of sweet potato chips ($5). I sipped on a Crazy Arnold ($7) made with cucumber infused lemonade and Firefly Sweet Tea Vodka, their spin on this southern cocktail will totally knock your socks off. 5 Faber Street, 843.805.5065,  http://www.thebuccaneerrestaurant.com 

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{Stay}

• 5 Nights for the Price of 1: Conveniently located 10 minutes outside of Charleston is a great place to save money on accommodations. That is, if you're not afraid of mosquitoes and extreme heat! Ideally, campers looking to save some money won't be crazy enough to camp in the dead heat of summer like we were, but James Island County Park offers a high class camping experience at any time of year. The 643-acre recreation facility has more than any normal campground offers with a waterpark and a climbing wall on top of the other amenities.

We opted for the primitive sites at $25 a night and set up our tent in a shady alcove on a huge lawn. It was really nice to find that the bathrooms in the primitive camping area had AC, and we could pop in and cool off as needed. Needless to say, we didn't spend a whole lot of time at our campsite, because we were too busy checking out the rest of Charleston, but it was a great homebase and saved us a ton of moola! 871 Riverland Drive, 843.795.7275, http://www.ccprc.com

 

{Detour}

• Sun and Sand: Fondly referred to as the “Edge of America”, Folly Beach is a great place to kick back and relax for a day of fun in the sun. The sandy beaches are long and narrow, but there is plenty of room for beach goers to stretch out. This destination is top choice for tourists and locals because the ocean views aren't spoiled by large highrises and remains mostly undeveloped. Parking can be found at Folly Beach County Park for $7 per car (we didn't have to pay because we were staying at the state park!). They also have outdoor showers, restrooms, picnic areas and a snack bar. 1100 W. Ashley Ave., Folly Beach, 843.588.2426, http://www.follybeach.com/

• Taco Time! After a day of playing in the waves on Folly Beach, we headed over to the local taco shop affectionately known as Taco Boy. I can't say that nearly $4 per taco is a great deal, but my Grilled Fish & Carnitas Norteno Tacos were both full of flavor and they left me pretty satisfied. 15 Center Street, Folly Beach, 843.588.9761, http://www.tacoboy.net/
  
  
  
• Tree Hugging: Having survived countless catastrophes over the last 1400 year, the Angel Tree still stands tall. Actually, I take that back, it's not tall, it's stubby at a height of only 65 feet. While the height of the majestic Angel Tree might not be impressive, the 25 foot circumference and gigantic limbs stretching 160 feet are. It is thought to be one of the oldest living things east of the Mississippi. Getting there does require a short drive from downtown, but admission is free. 3688 Angel Oak Rd, Johns Island, 843.559.3496

{See & Do}

• Delightful Details: Charleston is comprised of many historic buildings and homes that are best appreciated by foot. One of the most enjoyable activities was simply wandering around in search of whatever catches your eye, which is nearly everything. Don't be afraid to stray from downtown, though, as time seems to be steadily standing still in the picturesque neighborhoods surrounding the city as well. It is well worth the effort and exercise necessary to reach them in order to get a glimpse of the well-preserved past.
  
  
• A Walk in the Park: At the edge of the city you will find a landmark promenade stretching along the shore called White Point Gardens, it is also referred to as The Battery. From the center of town, it does require a trek for those traveling on foot, but you won't be disappointed by the beauty that awaits. The shear grandeur of the Antebellum homes lined up along the river was a little alarming. Honestly, I really don't know what people do with that much house, but they sure were beautiful to observe from the outside.
  
  
  
  
• Set your Feet Free: When you think your aching feet can't take another step is when you're likely hoping that a rickshaw peddler comes your way. The modified bike has a cozy caboose perfect for two and is a great way to get across town without having to hoof it manually. Plus, it's much more humane than loading up in a carriage with 14 other people to be pulled by an overworked horse. I much rather humans suffer instead :D ($9 ask for Joey) Charleston Rickshaw Co, 843.723.5685, http://charlestonrickshaw.net/
  
  
• Open Your Eyes: Found in odd places these urban pieces of art break free from the confines of a typical brick and mortar gallery. Okay, so they're vandals, but I still think it's cool. If you are watching closely while walking around town, these fragments can be found where you least expect them, and in many different forms. We had fun hunting for the elusive OBEY stickers and spotting the many spray painted quotes stenciled on miscellaneous surfaces.
  
  
• It's raining, it's pouring: After a heavy rainfall it's common for some of the city streets to transform into canals. I never knew that an impromptu flood could be so much fun to wade through. I'm sure that the last thing in the world that should be considered a fun time would be when the streets of downtown Charleston are flooded with cars under water and wot not, but it was. I may have enjoyed it too much! The locals acted like it was normal it happens so often. For me, it was like getting a snow day. Ending our trip on a wet note was definitely one of the highlights, especially since I had never been in such a situation before.

• Tiny Tidbits: Other moments we treasured while gallivanting through Charleston included walking along the old cobblestone streets that are still in use, inspecting the intricate designs found in ironwork on fences and elsewhere, unexpectedly falling into hidden alcoves where we gladly got lost & forgetting where we parked our car (there are LOTS of parking garages, too!) on more than one occasion (It's true, we didn't learn our lesson :D).

So, there's my list of some of the things we did while on vacation in Charleston, SC. It doesn't cover everything, but it's pretty dang close! I do have more pictures to share, however, if I posted all of the ones I'd like to share, this post would be a mile long. No lie.

RELATED LINKS:

•  Going Coastal in Charleston, SC (Raw Footage) A montage of moving pictures! a.k.a. video
• Photo Essay: Underground Art in Charleston, SC
• A Casual Collection of Charleston Charm A photo montage..
• Wordful Wednesday 

Charleston

James Allen Newborn Session {Boone Newborn Photographer}

I've come very close to totally chickening out. While I want nothing more than to share photos from the sweet newborn session I was lucky enough to capture, there is this little voice that is being really critical and mean. Trying it's best to force me into holding back as I sometimes do. It's insane how one moment I can feel quite proud of what I managed to leave the shoot with, and the second moment I'm having doubts about how good they turned out. This going back and forth in my mind isn't allowing me to fully appreciate what it was I actually accomplished.

Quelling that tiny voice isn't always easy for me, but I'm making the decision NOT to let it steer me in the wrong direction. Of course, my first time taking newborns photos didn't turn out exactly the way that I envision, but that is to be expected. How else are we supposed to learn and get better? I realize that with this experience it will prepare me for my next newborn photo session and beyond.

Like with baby James' parent's photo shoot, I took the time to scour the internet for posing ideas. The difference with this would be that props would also be included, and we'd be working inside, but this was the least of my worries. One of my biggest fears was actually handling the baby. Now, I've been taking care of other newborns and toddlers since I was about 12 (babysitting), so it's not that new to me. I can change diapers and feed them with no problems. However, I haven't actually had a newborn model for my camera yet.

At 10 days old, baby James was super sleepy, and it didn't take long for us to get him to the edge, so that I could take over. I sat around and talked with the parents for about 30min while they fed and rocked the baby. It felt like much longer, but when I looked at the time I started taking pictures only 30 minutes had lapsed. By this time, I had already set up the ottoman next to the window where we would be taking photos and picked out the blankets we would use. Big white boards were also placed around to help lessen shadows. At times, Sharon or Mike held a smaller whiteboard when necessary. It was a group effort, for sure.

After the baby was almost asleep, they handed him over to me. At first, I was really apprehensive about positioning the baby on his stomach. The last thing I wanted to do was suffocate the little one! Before I started shooting away, I wanted to make sure that he was good and sleepy, so I waited about 5 minutes after putting James on his belly before going snap happy. I did my best to channel my inner baby whisperer and let him stretch and squirm as much as he needed. It wasn't long before he was out cold!

I really couldn't have asked for the session to go any smoother. The baby slept nearly the entire time only waking up toward the last 30 minutes or so. The only accident we encountered was when I put him on his back, and he proceeded to pee down the front of my t-shirt. It happened so fast, I barely had time to react! We were all laughing our butts off pretty hard, but I didn't miss a beat. This surely won't be the last time I'll get tinkled on!

It was amazing how we could move him and change blankets without the baby flinching one bit. I thought that my luck would run out at any moment, but it never did. He was a perfect little angel! I sincerely hope that Sharon and Mike will be pleased with the result of the newborn photo shoot. They should really be the judge, because I am being way too critical at this point. Seriously, I've looked over the images probably 20 times now. In my heart of hearts, though, I believe that they will love them once they see those pouty little lips and pinchable cheeks. Of course, I want to present them with images that I love too, but, ultimately, they are the ones that I need to win over. Them and the Grandma's :D

It might seem like I may be revealing a little too much of the behind-the-scenes thoughts about I how felt throughout the process, but this is part of my journey. I really want to share in hopes that someone else wanting to do the same might find comfort in knowing that everyone has to start somewhere. I must confess that once I got there and was in the moment, all of the worries and fears I felt prior to the photo shoot seemed to disappear. Now, they did show back up after the shoot, but I had a much easier time dispelling and overcoming them at that point.

Total, I spent approximately three hours from the time I got to their home until I was done taking pictures. That's how long I was figuring it would take from the beginning based on what I read beforehand. It was a great experience working with baby James, and I truly appreciate having the opportunity to capture such tender and precious moments in his life. A big HUGE thank you goes out to Sharon and Mike for believing in me and my abilities to pull this off. I seriously can't thank you enough.

What a cute little smile. It was probably just gas, but I'll pretend it was a smile :D

Related Link:

• Sharon & Mikes' Maternity Session (The Parents!)
• Wordful Wednesday 

Sharon & Mike's Maternity Session {Boone Maternity Photographer}

 

Approximately 2 1/2 weeks ago I had the pleasure of shooting my very first maternity photo session. This was a huge deal for me, especially since this is something I would like to continue to do. I am extremely grateful that my friends Sharon and Mike gave me the opportunity to capture this special time in their lives. The fact that they put their trust and faith in me to do a good job really does mean the world to me. Before I took their photos, I didn't really have anything to show since I primarily shoot nature and travel type photography these days, so they were going off the fact that they like my other photos and believed that I could produce something just as well for them. Just thinking about that makes me all warm and fuzzy.

I did my absolute best to be as prepared as I could possibly be, because I definitely didn't want to let them down. The weeks leading up to the big shoot had me scouring the internet for posing ideas. I even drove by their house around 6pm (the time we planned to shoot) to get an idea of where the light was hitting and what areas around their home we could use for backdrops. I felt pretty stealthy doing my drive-by, good thing neighbors didn't see me passing through three different times back-to-back. The many ideas I generated prior to the shoot were all written down, so I wouldn't forget anything. Even with the loads of preparation I did before the shoot, the worst problem to overcome were my fears of not leaving the shoot with images that they would love.

I reminded myself over and over that I know how to use my camera and that I am pretty adept at how to utilize light to my advantage, but I still felt slightly overwhelmed by the fact that these precious memories were in my hands. I imagined the process step-by-step, how I would guide them, where we would go and I comforted myself with the notion that they would probably be just as nervous as I was. What made the process a little easier was the fact that they were my friends and I already knew them as a couple. However, that still didn't change the fact that I had some major emotional hurdles to overcome.

The night before the shoot, I gathered all my gear, made sure my lenses were clean and my batteries were charged. I planned the following day to be as stress-less as I possibly could, so that I wouldn't be all worked up come the appointment time. Cody was an exceptionally wonderful cheerleader throughout this whole process as well. I'm a lucky lady to have a Cody :D

For the most part, I felt pretty calm and relaxed when I arrived at their home for the photo shoot. Once they were all ready we went outside where I lead them to one of the locations I had scouted out a few days before. I held back with the crazy shooting and really tried to carefully consider exactly what I was capturing before clicking the shutter. Seriously, I didn't want to leave there with 500 pictures to sort through! 

While I may have felt apprehensive about telling them how to pose and where to move this hand or that hand, I definitely found my groove and tried to keep things moving. It was also my goal to keep them happy and laughing throughout the course of the shoot as well. They were a lot of fun to work with, as I knew they would be. I really couldn't have asked for a better couple to work with for my first time.

All in all, I ended up with approximately 14 photos to present them with that I was very proud to share. It was quite an experience to say the least, one that I hope to have the opportunity to do again in the very near future. Even though I over-prepared for this photo shoot, I still learned quite a lot during and after shooting that no amount of preparation could have taught me. My preparation beforehand made things so much easier, though, and I felt like some things could have spiraled out of control very easily had I not done so. It was an extremely scary, but deeply fulfilling experience that will definitely help me going forward when the next person decides to place their faith in me.

I must have done something right, because I was invited back 2 1/2 weeks later to take pictures of their precious newborn baby! The newborn photo session was this past Friday and it went splendidly, too. I'm feeling pretty official since he christened me with his urine. Yup, I got peed on. It was awesome :D haha Newborn photos coming soon (maybe tomorrow)!

Related Link:

• James Allen Newborn Session

Travel Quote: Journeys

It has been one busy month. Not that I'm complaining because I obviously enjoy being on the go. In the past few weeks we have taken a trip to Charleston, attended the Music on the Mountaintop Festival and hung out with friends at a house on the lake for Labor Day weekend. 

In between those adventures I have also been busy trying to stay on top of schoolwork (graphic design studies) and fit in a few projects of my own. One of which included my very first bonafide photo session. The maternity session went very well and I couldn't be more pleased with the results. I hope to share once the clients have had the chance to look them over. Tomorrow, I get to do the pictures of their new addition, which I am equally excited about!

So, yeah, I've barely had time to breathe. And, really, there's no end in sight until winter hits. That's when I'll hibernate (maybe). This morning I woke up to do yoga on the porch with 55 degree temp. Apparently, we will still have some summery temps with highs of 80 for a little while, though. I rather like the cool nights and chilly mornings with sunshine sprinkled in the middle.

Fall is right around the corner. It is one of my favorite times of year, but I'm also happy that winter is on the way. We've had such an action packed spring/summer and I'm ready to slow down a little bit and catch up.

Just a quick note: There's a watermark at the top right hand corner of my photo. After finding yet another one of my images being used without my permission or proper credit, I finally decided it's time to add one. It physically sickens me to find my photos being used by someone who doesn't have the courtesy to say, "Hey, this is who took it."

I really don't know how I've found them being used,as many times as I have, but it also makes me wonder how many I DON'T find. This time, I decided that Ive learned my lesson and that if I continue to let it happen, it's my fault. I know that adding a dumb ol' watermark won't absolutely prevent people from using them, but it may make doing so a little more difficult. I want to share. I don't want to hoard my photos for fear that someone will use them and pass them off as their own. Those people suck, btw. Seriously. So, yeah, I added a watermark.