I have always been fascinated by photography. I have spent countless hours studying photographs of people, while considering the angles, the lighting, and the editing the photographer used. I love the fact that photography has the amazing ability to transport us to a different time, or place with one single shot.
It was not until I started blogging that I decided to take photography more seriously. With camera in hand, I started experimenting with photographs of my apartment, of friends, and family. It was after experimenting in this way that I realized my passion for photography. I have no formal training or background in this field, but I realize that passion can open your eyes to the impossible, so not only did I invest in the proper equipment I also spent the necessary time to learn everything I could to enhance the skill it takes to be proficient with this passion.
I enjoy, and appreciate the opportunity to photograph bloggers, couples, influencers who make an impact in their profession, families, and also lifestyle type setting. I take an individual approach to each person I photograph. I make every effort to embrace and highlight the focus of what they are trying to convey to their audience with each session.
I look forward to working together and capturing the potential magnificence of your moments through my eyes and the lens of my camera.
The other day I was running late to class. I had my headphones in and was just focusing on getting from point A to point B as quickly as I could. I was about half way when I realized, standing in front of Église Saint-Sulpice de Paris (where Da Vinci’s Code was filmed) which I pass every morning, that I wasn’t embracing the walk or the buildings around me. I was always rushing to get to class on time – with headphones in and my eyes fixated on the path below me. It was in that moment that I realized I needed to slow down, breathe, and take it all in. I couldn’t tell you the song that was playing through my phone but I stood in the middle of the Église Saint-Sulpice and did a 180 degree turn. I didn’t care if I was late to class, I was going to take the time to appreciate my surroundings. I don’t know if it was the music, the church, or the fact that the scenery was just that beautiful but I began to tear up. I felt so small in that moment but so complete. It was exactly where I was supposed to be at that exact moment. The feeling was overwhelming!
I believe it is so important to take in all that is around you. You might not be in Paris (where everything seems to be beautiful) but there is beauty all around us, we just have to take the moment to see it and appreciate it. Today, I hope you can take the time be still, breathe, see, and appreciate. It really is a powerful feeling!
Embarrassing fact: I worked out in t-shirts from my sorority up until a few weeks ago. With the array of different retailers basically hocking activewear down our throats it is surprising I escaped unscathed. However, maybe this was one battle I should have lost. I never thought you needed to look “cute” to workout. Don’t you just get sweaty? I know my argument is dumb but I truly didn’t believe in the idea of investing in workout wear (minus a great sports bra) until recently. What turned me? A few things. I realized that workout wear is now one of our closet staples. Like denim it has become a part of our lifestyle. We wear them when we run errands, hanging out with friends, and even out to eat. I invest in cute clothes to go out so why wouldn’t I invest in something decent for my everyday attire too? Another thing that started to change my mind a few months ago is how cute my friend Krystal always looks in her gear. Even if she doesn’t wear it to the gym, she always looks effortlessly cool and put together. Knowing that the tides were changing I began to look into active gear as a wardrobe staple. I looked at all of your traditional places and was either turned off by the price or the style. So the search continued.
The other week I headed to the new Lou & Grey store at Northpark. I had heard nothing but the best about this brand so I was really excited to check it out. I had been stalking them on Instagram and online for weeks so I already had an idea of what I wanted when I was there (those looks coming soon). However, what I didn’t expect is to see active wear that had me completely in awe. There was a small selection but every piece was perfect. From the mesh sports bra (which I have worn daily and is so cool), to the scoop t-shirt (which is made from the softest material), to the rain jacket I thought would be perfect for Paris. Everything was so incredibly spot on that I couldn’t resist buying one of each.
Usually I would NEVER go sleeveless. I just don’t dig it. Right now anyways. But the cut of this top mixed with the sports bra was so flattering and too good not to rock the sleeveless look. The leggings are light-weight but thick so you can wear them and not worry about any see through moments. I also think they look like regular pants so have been wearing mine with tops and flats and have received numerous compliments. I really can’t explain how much I have worn this outfit since I bought it. I think I finally found that “Krystal” active wear look! Thank God! The outfit is so cool in person even my husband said I looked hip/great! Win win!
If it seems I have been MIA on the blog lately, it is because I have! I have this constant struggle between working on the blog and my photography. The blog is my baby and something I love but I always wanted the blog to take me in a direction where it could grow into something else. Let me just say, and maybe I will be wrong in this, but I never wanted to be the person blogging forever. I always wanted an out. So when photography picked up I went with it. And the past few weeks it has PICKED.UP. Because I am leaving for the summer everyone is trying to stock up on photos, which I love. Not because of the money but because I truly love to learn and enhance this skill. And the only way you really improve is practice. And it helps that I absolutely love every single person I shoot. Being that this was a dream of mine, I have said yes to every job that has come my way which leaves very little time for blogging or anything else.
While this is something I could have only dreamed of it hasn’t left any time for other avenues of my life. For one, thinking of my Paris trip. I know if you follow me on Instagram it would appear I have been thinking of the trip for weeks. Wrong. My sweet husband, who is supporting me on this trip in every sense of the word, is getting a bit concerned. Not only have I not looked at my french in weeks (which I have to take a language test on my first day), I have also not thought of plans, packing, logistics, and getting affairs settled in Dallas before I leave. For example, I needed to take my laptop, which I haven’t used in years, to the Apple store to get cleaned and add memory. Have I done that? Nope! Am I running out of time? Absolutely! Sometimes there really just aren’t enough hours in the day!
I am a firm believer in the idea that EVERYTHING happens for a reason. Hell this Paris trip is living proof, however I do know that things don’t always fall into place and that I need to take the time to organize and plan. There is are a lot of emotions (and money) going into this trip so it is time I buckle down and make it my priority. The past few weeks I have learned that I need to say no when I have other areas of my life that need attention. But isn’t saying no one of the hardest things to do, especially when you are saying no to something you love? I am a Libra and we are always working on the art of balance. Something I have clearly not figured out yet! But I am taking pages from my husbands book and taking this week to really figure out this trip, sort my affairs, and practice some french. I do have a handful of photography jobs but nothing that I feel I can’t handle. I hope to update the blog as much as possible this week and this summer but if I can’t I hope you bare with me (and know that I will eventually return)!
If I am not updating the blog I can always be found on Instagram, Snapchat (sothentheysay), or Facebook
