Sun Setting on Q Street

I really enjoy walking around the Avenues. It is an older side of the city, just east of downtown. The houses have so much character, and when I discovered this Cafe nestled in a neighborhood, I couldn't resist shooting it.

I really have a thing for framing shots with tree branches, and as I hav been looking back through my Film contact sheets, I realize I did the same back then. I think it adds nice texture.

Memory Grove

Luke

Boston

I think it is a pretty known fact that New England is unbelievably cold in the Winter time, but one doesn't understand how true this is until you experience the temperatures bordering on freezing, mixed with a cutting wind. 

I must say, it did add to the experience. Although two days in Boston doesn't allow for a very objective opinion of the city, I was glad to find the "T" (the subway system) to be easy to navigate, and people to be quite friendly and glad to help a map illiterate girl from Salt Lake City.

Photographing the city was challenging, however. The first day the sun was so direct, and the air so cold that my fingers felt stiff. The second day a lovely overcast helped diffuse the light, and that is when I felt like I got a few nice images. I must say, it was a good experience to have the challenge of shooting not-so-isolated subjects. 

Elena & Richard

Elena & Richard had me shoot their engagement photos when I was studying film photography in Arizona. I was so nervous, as I couldn't see how well (or not well) I did until after the rolls were processed. 

Overall the shoot turned out well, and I gained a new appreciation for the beauty of desert landscape.

Outside of the City of Salt...

This is the Great Salt Air, where I went to my first concert, located between Salt Lake City and The Middle Of Nowhere. 

Learning

This is Dad in his office at his home, surrounded by his books. My dad has always encouraged learning, which is something that I have always carried with me no matter what life has thrown my way. I remember being a young child, opening another book to read, feeling excited about the adventure that was in front of me.

I have been thinking so much lately about what empowers me. With stresses and decisions to be made day after day, how do we as human beings, and also ourselves in our own unique situations, remain hopeful and optimistic about the future when sometimes it all seems like so much? What empowers me is strengthening my knowledge, to feel educated maybe by just reading a book on my own, or pursuing an interest academically that I feel passionate about. Armed with this, I feel resilient. 

Wondering if it Cuddles...