Some of my favorite shots are from the Myan villages along Lake Atitlan... Most of this series were taken on the island of San Juan and San Marcos. They had the most amazing mural art there... The color and impact of the walls along the streets, left me in Awe!
Still editing my over 1200 images from my Guatemala trip and will be posting some from Belize too, coming pronto! Hope you enjoy!
Life will never be the same for me after this birthday trip...that's how profound traveling to another land and culture can be...I've never left the U.S. except on my honeymoon sixteen years ago, for a week in Cozumel... Traveling is something I've dreamed of doing my whole life. Well, Leave it to mi Suprema Amiga, Carlita to make it all happen, she planned the most incredible trip, where we hit all the sweet spots in Guatemala and Belize in just 12 days! Guatemala was so adventurous, vivid, and vibrant with color and the most incredible ART! The green misty hills and magnificent Volcanoes, of La Antigua were so spectacular they almost didn't look real to me...I woke up to a whole new world, and felt a curious exhilaration about seeing and discovering the beauty of this place...We climbed to the top of Pacaya which was so fun and hella of scary! We saw the Ruins of Tikal, which literally took our breathe away! The smell of the Jungle was so fresh and fragrant and super charged with nature making you feel so alive and strong! Then Pana Lake where we stayed at the Casa Del Mundo, and visited the islands of San Juan and San Marcos, was the most heavenly lake that I've ever seen...and the most peaceful place. We had some tough times too... there were a couple of times on the collectivos and chicken bus that I actually thought hmmm,... we might die here,... but we made it :.) Out of all the marvelous splendor that I soaked in with all my senses~ the most beautiful part that I shall never forget, was meeting all the amazing and wonderful people. Witnessing and capturing their beauty touched me so deeply...and I can't wait to go back and see you all again. Muchos Gracious to all our Amigo's, Amiga's and Guides who helped us find our way ~ Dios me Guia~
Seniors, get your custom Senior announcements until June 1st. Get 50 ~ 4x8 slimline announcements with envelopes using up to four of your favorite images, with creative design and set up fee for $145 bucks! Check out Amie Cline's announcement from Foothill High School. Congratulations Class of 2008!
I recently had a wonderful opportunity to take a trip with my best friend Carla to Atlanta, Georgia, and I am so grateful she was with me on this journey... Well, not many people know this but, I actually lived in Tennessee with my Grandparents for a few years as a child, and I'm kinda partial to the South for that reason. Since I haven't seen my Grandparents, in a long time... I decided to visit them! It was the most beautiful experience, I had no idea how touched I would be to see them. My Grandpa is turning 90 this year and will be going for the Guinness world record for being the oldest man to hit both the highest and lowest notes on the octave scale. It was like angels singing, so amazing to hear... My Gram's is incredible, she has devoted her entire life to teaching nursing all over the world-She's been to over 100 countries- WOW!...She's scary sharp, and has a memory like an elephant: I don't know maybe it's that water she drinks from the Blue Hole, a sacred Native America spring, we drank from while visiting there. I loved seeing my Aunt's, Ruth, and Lucia, and my beautiful cousin, Jessica, who is now a High School Senior! I felt so welcomed and loved it was a perfect visit.. and got to see a Little Debbie truck,(I used to live on Nutty Bars :) and the Chattanooga Choo Choo on our way out...But, our last stop was an antique shop in Chattanooga called, Never No, where I met the coolest dude, and he just made me realize that, You Never do Know about life Y'all..but be ready to say YES!
I Recently attended the Senior Portrait Artists Convention in Tucson, Arizona,...It was sooo AWESOME!!! Check out these pics I took of the Models there! For all of you seniors who are interested in gettin' into Modeling this is an amazing opportunity to break into the bizzness' You will be shot by some of the best photographers in the country and get tons of photos to build your portfolio! I learned so much there, and have so many cool, groovy ideas for my Seniors this year! Check out spamodels.com to see more details on the Spa Model Program. Any Seniors photographed by me, are eligible to be entered into the Spa Model Search, and at least one finalist per studio can be selected to Model in next years convention which will be held in Red Rock, Nevada Jan 4-7Th 2009...All my seniors who enter, will receive a free zed/comp card made up by me, and will have it posted on the spamodels.com website...So come on, whatcha' waitin' for, Let's get ya on your way!
We've been so lucky to have spent Christmas and New Years, in Oahu with my Sister and her Family for the past two years. My Sis's kids, Alec, and Sabrina, are clones of our Parents...(which is a trip!) and little Katie, is the spittin' image of my Sis! We had the most exhilarating and relaxing time, snorkeling, hiking, sailing, drinking, and surfing our hearts out. The boys and I were taken as locals and treated very kindly. I evidently resemble some princess who was very into Peacocks, and Jimmy did fairly well there for a Haole;) We loved the Island life, and really felt so relaxed and alive there... we never wanted to leave. A Photographers paradise, it was hard for me not to go loco taking photos of everything... To all the beautiful people and places that touched our Hearts and Souls, ALOHA & MAHALO!
When I think about what I'm most proud of and most thankful for, I think of my Nephew, Anthony... He has overcome some of the worst odds in life, and has found his way through, where most would have been lost. He is now spending his second Christmas stationed in Iraq. Our greatest wish is that he and his new wife Amanda, return home safely. They visited us during their two week leave in Aug/Sept. And, of course, we had to do a photo shoot:) I'm also including some pics from his Marine Graduation, and a few he sent me from Iraq...I found this poem, the author is unknown, I want to dedicate it to all our Soldiers away from home at Christmas. Anthony, we love you and miss you more than words can say...
A Different Christmas Poem
The embers glowed softly, and in their dim light, I gazed round the room and I cherished the sight. My wife was asleep, her head on my chest, My daughter beside me, angelic in rest. Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white, Transforming the yard to a winter delight. The sparkling lights in the tree I believe, Completed the magic that was Christmas Eve. My eyelids were heavy, my breathing was deep, Secure and surrounded by love I would sleep. In perfect contentment, or so it would seem, So I slumbered, perhaps I started to dream. The sound wasn't loud, and it wasn't too near, But I opened my eyes when it tickled my ear. Perhaps just a cough, I didn't quite know, Then the sure sound of footsteps outside in the snow. My soul gave a tremble, I struggled to hear, And I crept to the door just to see who was near. Standing out in the cold and the dark of the night, A lone figure stood, his face weary and tight. A soldier, I puzzled, some twenty years old, Perhaps a Marine, huddled here in the cold. Alone in the dark, he looked up and smiled, Standing watch over me, and my wife and my child. "What are you doing?" I asked without fear, "Come in this moment, it's freezing out here! Put down your pack, brush the snow from your sleeve,You should be at home on a cold Christmas Eve!" For barely a moment I saw his eyes shift, Away from the cold and the snow blown in drifts.. To the window that danced with a warm fire's light Then he sighed and he said "Its really all right,I'm out here by choice. I'm here every night." "It's my duty to stand at the front of the line, That separates you from the darkest of times. No one had to ask or beg or implore me, I'm proud to stand here like my fathers before me. My Gramps died at Pearl on a day in December," Then he sighed, "That's a Christmas 'Gram always remembers." My dad stood his watch in the jungles of ' Nam ', And now it is my turn and so, here I am. I've not seen my own son in more than a while, But my wife sends me pictures, he's sure got her smile. Then he bent and he carefully pulled from his bag, The red, white, and blue... an American flag. I can live through the cold and the being alone, Away from my family, my house and my home. I can stand at my post through the rain and the sleet, I can sleep in a foxhole with little to eat. I can carry the weight of killing another, Or lay down my life with my sister and brother.. Who stand at the front against any and all, To ensure for all time that this flag will not fall." "So go back inside," he said, "harbor no fright, Your family is waiting and I'll be all right." "But isn't there something I can do, at the least, "Give you money," I asked, "or prepare you a feast? It seems all too little for all that you've done, For being away from your wife and your son." Then his eye welled a tear that held no regret, "Just tell us you love us, and never forget. To fight for our rights back at home while we're gone, To stand your own watch, no matter how long. For when we come home, either standing or dead, To know you remember we fought and we bled. Is payment enough, and with that we will trust, That we mattered to you as you mattered to us."
