Crossroads...

Congratulations on surviving this weekend's storm.  If you lived elsewhere, rest assured, it sucked.  Some people are still cleaning up but Albany is mostly back to normal since we didn't get hit nearly hard enough.  Gloom and doom aside, I had a fun weekend and I hope you did as well.  Today's picture of the week is a sincere and humble request for feedback.  I'll explain-I'm at a crossroads with photography.  Those of you who really know me know that I tend to rush things.  However, in my defense, my passion for photography and the doors that have already opened seem to be running faster than even I could have imagined.  So here I am, about to make some serious, long-lasting decisions and I find myself at a crossroads:

 
I found this on my (almost) daily walk at lunch and snapped a photo, thinking it was a bit humorous.  Up until that point I had no idea what I was going to write about today (my first writer's block, yay!).  I saw this and it was perfect.  So this here is the dilemma...do I continue on at a steady and leisurely stroll, enjoying every minute of it and feeling absolutely no pressure or risk, or do I start running, experiencing the adrenaline rush and risk of injury?  Hmmmmmm...

That's really all I have to say.  Some wise guy once said, "with great risk comes great reward" and I'm probably over-dramatizing this but for having an extremely low risk tolerance this is a big deal for me.  I guess my ultimate plea is that I will have a "Lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path"-Psalm 119:105.  I need some light for the next few steps and for the long-term as well.

Questions, comments, smacks upside the head...I welcome them all.

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-Tim

The power of a symbol

I've been married to my beloved for almost three months now...ages I know.  It feels as though I've known her my entire life, wait that's true, and I feel as though I've loved her just as long, wait still pretty true, and I can't wait to spend the next 80+ years figuring out how to love her even better!  I know that there will be rough times lasting a day, month, even year-we all go through storms-but I also know that the Sun never fails to come back.    I recently joined a photography group where there is a weekly assignment to challenge our skills and force us to think creatively.  The latest one was shooting a subject by candlelight, and while my submission wasn't the most creative or complex, to me it meant far more than a simple picture.  Allow me to share my thoughts...

I realize that not everyone who is married wears wedding bands.  I'm not here to promote or fight that...I do believe however that every married couple carries symbols in their life that physically represent the commitment they've made to each other.  In my life, these rings are one of the most basic and permanent symbols of Kayla and I's commitment and love.  The rings stay with us always and are not easily removed...in my case the ring is a certain metal that is near impossible to cut off...so it really doesn't go anywhere!  These were lit with just two candles and when I look at this I see God's spirit illuminating and keeping us throughout our lives.  Without Him, we are in complete darkness and certainly won't shine or sparkle!  His light brings out that internal beauty and is what keeps us and will keep us.  Sure, there will be times when the love might dull down a bit but it will never be in complete darkness because that light will never fade.  The thought that I want to leave with you this week is this...what symbols have you put in place to remind you and your spouse of the commitment you've made to each other?  Do they need some more of God''s light, do they need a little shining up, or maybe both?  Take a minute to remind yourself and your spouse of that commitment and pray that God sheds just a tad more light on it.  Have a great week!

-Tim

New direction!

Happy Monday!  New week, new challenges, new opportunity....and new inspiration!  After speaking with a writer friend of mine, who just started a new blog as well (she's awesome and will you will enjoy her posts...http://cynthialovely.com/), I've decided on a weekly theme.  Every Monday I'll post a picture with a short description or story or whatever for all to enjoy.  At worst, you will be entertained by my ploys to entertain you, at best you will love the photo and my writing will improve!

Ok!  Here it is...

This photo means quite a bit to me.  A picture is worth a thousand words right?  I'll try to keep it to 100 ;) Back in 2010, a military family moved here from the South and started attending my church.  Right from the start they were friendlier than most Northerners, especially for not knowing anyone!  My wife (fiancee at the time) and I spent some time with them and immediately became solid friends with the whole family.  They were a home away from home for Kayla and treated her with love and kindness during the most stressful times of planing a wedding and going to school.  They continue to be close friends even with the busyness of our wedding, there daughter's wedding, and countless other activities that sometimes keep us apart.  I stopped by their house on Saturday after dropping Kayla off at work to catch a few football games with the man of the house, Joey.  He's a die-hard LSU (geaux Tigers!) and New Orleans Saints fan and I like them too.  It's also amusing to watch him get all bent out of shape during the game when it doesn't go his way.  Well, Sis. Manos had decorated the outside of the home with some pretty awesome Fall decorations and I just had to have a mini-shoot.  The light couldn't have been better for it being 1pm (it got way better at around 5, maybe those pictures will come next...) so click click click went my shutter.  This was my favorite shot not only because of the lighting and color, but also because it embodies everything this family is about-welcoming people into their home with unconditional love.  They have truly blessed myself, Kayla and countless others in the sometimes not-so-friendly Northeast.  I'm thankful that God has placed them in our lives and hope that they feel as welcome in my home as I do in theirs.

I hope you enjoyed the photo and story of the week!  Come back next Monday for more...

Dale and Grace's Engagement Shoot

Fall is in the air!  Wait did I already say that...oh well, it's even more true now that it's getting chilly and the leaves really are starting to explode into bright reds, oranges, and yellows.  My friends from church wanted a fall wedding and also some engagement photos to match.  Their colors are very Fall-esque, but unfortunately for them it turned out to be almost 80 degrees and humid on the day we met up!  They got through it though and the pictures came out great!  I had so much fun with these guys and, as always, learned a great deal on the spot!  I've been doing quite a bit of reading lately to gain some knowledge on photography but I think I learn the most when I can apply that knowledge out in the field.  I love looking back on the photo I've taken and thinking about how it happened and how I could've improved.  Anyway, here's some of my favs...enjoy!

Love the reflections off the water...

I love this one!!

And the kiss...

 Relaxing at SPAC...

Awesome smiles guys!

Hey Bo!!

The framing was perfect...

Since Dale is from Wyoming, we couldn't finish this off without a shot with Ghost!!