When you awake to loud claps of thunder, it’s a pretty good sign that the day is getting a stormy start.

PENSACOLA FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHER | YOUR LIFE AS ART

You know the feeling when it seems as though you just became adjusted to something, and you’re settled in — only to learn that it’s all changing, again?

PENSACOLA FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHER  |  YOUR LIFE AS ART

There’s a book that was released, recently, that I’m reading (well, actually listening to) slowly, in order to process and ponder it all. The book is Present Over Perfect, by Shauna Niequest. But, I really wish I had read it 30 years ago.

YOUR LIFE IS YOUR ART  |  DESTIN FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHER

I love this new tv show called, This Is Us.

It’s real life, but in an insightful way. It doesn’t sensationalize relationships like the so-called “reality tv".

A do-er, with a sincere heart.
That’s only part of what people come away with when they have the chance to know, and interact with Victoria. 

All the way from Idaho. That’s a long way, y’all. As in a 30 hour drive. As in 2,050 miles. It’s far, far away from the Florida coast.

Stormy Setback - A Beach Photo Session in Destin, Florida

Living in Florida, we always say, ‘give the weather a minute - and it will change’.  And indeed, it does.

Things always change. 

Yet when we look back on “when” photos were captured, it evokes emotion, with the memories, of what life was like at that time… good, or not-so-much.  

In the 60-90 minutes I have to visit with and shoot a family session — I can tell so much in that time frame about them. It’s so much a part of what I love about a session… getting to know the family, and staying in touch to (hopefully) document their story going forward.

The moment I saw this family approach me on the beach, I knew there was something special about them.

When the pieces all come together, the vision is clear.
It’s a statement that makes sense when we go through a time of floundering, and wondering, what we are supposed to be doing with ourselves.

Your vision and voice are revealed in what you create as a photography creative.

Where are the brakes? Can we slow this thing down? Why does it go by like a whirlwind?

You know how things left unattended in the outdoor elements lose the luster and vibrance that they once had?

It’s been a few months since the last post. Didn’t plan it that way, but it happened — and there’s not much explanation behind it, other than my friends Ebb, and Flow.

As a young adult, and newly married, (decades ago) one of the greatest blessings of that time in my life was a Newlywed group that met together every Sunday before worship for “Sunday School”. 

Early on in my business career - something clicked and registered with me, that I’m forever grateful to have recognized so early.

Let me disturb you for a moment. Maybe longer.

Because being disturbed can not only take us out of safety and security, but in the process rescue us from the same safety and security that (conveniently) holds us back.

Thank you.

We have had the pleasure, and privilege, to call you neighbors and friends for 25 years at our home-away-from-home in Florida. The times - and tales - we all treasure on Little Sabine Bay speak volumes about the people, and the place we all love, to live life. 

Change the frame. Look with a different lens.

You know how you can see a scene or an object from a distance, and think that is one thing, and then once you are closer, you realize it’s something altogether different? 

You enthrall me. 

As a community, I admire and highly respect your commitment to simplicity, family, fellowship - and real communication. No doubt, there are challenges living in a society and culture that is so different, but in a way, very free-ing — because you’re under no pressure to conform. 

Blog? At 57, and after 30+ years in business?

Seriously?!
Start a blog now?
At my age?
Why? And about what?!

We seem to love a good reason to celebrate, outdoors. 

And why not? As things are, we spend far too much time focused on work and staring at our phones. Having an event that is worthwhile - to take time off, or plan a holiday around - is well worth the fanfare. 

One such celebration is the annual Blue Angels annual airshow on Pensacola beach. Those of us who've watched them for years fondly call them "the Blues". And these remarkable pilots are heroes in our eyes. Their dedication, and commitment to perfection in precision is nothing short of incredible to watch. The show never disappoints, but sometimes the weather can be less than cooperative. However, that wasn't the case this year. 

Everything was near perfect. 

> VIEW AND READ MORE IN THE PHOTO JOURNAL

...And how it lit up my world.

If you’ve read other posts, you know that my photography journey began over 30 years ago, several years before children, in fact. It was “back in the day” of 35mm film photography. Reflecting back, the care I took to get the better shot, because with film, you only had so many images available on each roll, and it was deflating and expensive to take several similar shots — only to save a few worthwhile prints from each roll. 

What a difference it made going from film to digital, on so many levels — it’s a mammoth conversion.

LOOKING TO THE SKIES - PHOTO JOURNAL

The ultimate creative.
To be enthralled with the ever-changing skies, is not unusual around Florida, because we can see so much of it, from most any location. The state is so flat, and there’s just water almost everywhere you turn. Of course, when you’re on the water, there’s always the sky complementing the view.

> Read and See more in this week's Photo Journal

There’s something about the sand, and our toes in it.

We have this in common when it comes to sand. When on the beach, we have sandy toes. And we dig our toes through the sand. Shoes don’t matter, here. They don’t even work well, here.
In fact, when we hit beach, shoes are shed, and shunned.

How to turn Passion into Purpose

30+ years for a photographer-in-the-making. It’s been my passion for a very long time — a part of life that brings great pleasure, and fulfills a love for art and creativity. It gives prolonged enjoyment and appreciation for the captured image in time, of treasured or ordinary moments. Of all I’ve done in life or business thus far, this beloved hobby has permeated every aspect of the journey.