• Last night I hosted an art show for 10 student photographers whom I worked with all summer. Their photos are phenomenal. This was not a “kid art show”. They are all fantastic observers with a keen eye for composition. They learned aperture, ISO and shutter speed. They can tell you when golden hour is, how to get a shallow depth of field and the best way to chase light, shadows and sunsets. I am so proud of their work and it was very rewarding to share something I have loved since I was their age with this dedicated bunch. They even indulge me in tales from the darkroom. Their work is for sale, many of them sold pieces last night and the show will be up until Sept 30. I’m happy to show off their work, so stop by. And the question for everyone else is, do you want to take pictures or make pictures? There’s a difference and this crew makes pictures worth checking out. Oh and it’s way better to see them in person and talk to these young people about their work. Art is an experience. I’m so thrilled to have shared this art infused summer with them. Please give these artist a shout out in the comments...a thumb’s up, a double tap, a hell yeah, whatever you’ve got. #pleaseandthankyou
    Last night I hosted an art show for 10 student photographers whom I worked with all summer. Their photos are phenomenal. This was not a “kid art show”. They are all fantastic observers with a keen eye for composition. They learned aperture, ISO and shutter speed. They can tell you when golden hour is, how to get a shallow depth of field and the best way to chase light, shadows and sunsets. I am so proud of their work and it was very rewarding to share something I have loved since I was their age with this dedicated bunch. They even indulge me in tales from the darkroom. Their work is for sale, many of them sold pieces last night and the show will be up until Sept 30. I’m happy to show off their work, so stop by. And the question for everyone else is, do you want to take pictures or make pictures? There’s a difference and this crew makes pictures worth checking out. Oh and it’s way better to see them in person and talk to these young people about their work. Art is an experience. I’m so thrilled to have shared this art infused summer with them. Please give these artist a shout out in the comments...a thumb’s up, a double tap, a hell yeah, whatever you’ve got. #pleaseandthankyou
  • A year ago, yesterday, Matt (my husband) was airlifted to Denver after a major motorcycle wreck. He thought he hurt his shoulder, instead ended up in a trauma 1 ICU for 4 days. It was a horrific experience with a not-so-short recovery. He’s ok. He’s very lucky to be ok. Yesterday I took 5 students to an air show- missing the irony of names on this precarious anniversary of sorts. Names like the “ghost squadron”. I snapped this pic of a WW II life raft without even realizing that last year we all needed a life raft. I remember m illy own temptation of wanting to ring the code blue elevator button in Denver health to alleviate my own mounting anxiety. I restrained myself, pulled it together, soldiered on. Then I fell apart a bit this year. Vacillating between massive gratitude and exhaustion, which came out more like anger... I am grateful that this Labor Day weekend was sans life raft. I am grateful I got to hang out with my fab photo students at the air fest and my fab family on paddle boards. I’m also eternally grateful to the road bikers who called the ambulance, the Stramboat ER crew who put me at ease, the helicopter crew that flew him down, @tararicesimkins for reminding me to notice the sunset as I drove my kids 3 hours in a panic, @peacelovepetcare and @monicavalentine for taking care of Luna, I’m grateful to @jennif.loud for being on the scene and for taking care of my kiddos. @will.ungar and @caroline.ungar for helping shop for backpacks, going to the movies and taking care of Twinnies @denverhealth for being filled with incredible doctors and the most caring and brilliant nurses. I thank Jennifer Figge for s’mores on the roof, @pwloud for the comfy place to land and @moments.with.me and @1.werd for taking care of us when we got home. And I’m grateful to @strawberryhillstudio for loving tomato sauce and fantasies about sledgehammering motorcycles. My gratitude list goes on. I’m tearing up just thinking about how loved on we were/are. I’m grateful for Matt for persevering and being back to his old snarky self. Oh and I’m grateful to @statefarm for totalling the bike. #triumph
    A year ago, yesterday, Matt (my husband) was airlifted to Denver after a major motorcycle wreck. He thought he hurt his shoulder, instead ended up in a trauma 1 ICU for 4 days. It was a horrific experience with a not-so-short recovery. He’s ok. He’s very lucky to be ok. Yesterday I took 5 students to an air show- missing the irony of names on this precarious anniversary of sorts. Names like the “ghost squadron”. I snapped this pic of a WW II life raft without even realizing that last year we all needed a life raft. I remember m illy own temptation of wanting to ring the code blue elevator button in Denver health to alleviate my own mounting anxiety. I restrained myself, pulled it together, soldiered on. Then I fell apart a bit this year. Vacillating between massive gratitude and exhaustion, which came out more like anger... I am grateful that this Labor Day weekend was sans life raft. I am grateful I got to hang out with my fab photo students at the air fest and my fab family on paddle boards. I’m also eternally grateful to the road bikers who called the ambulance, the Stramboat ER crew who put me at ease, the helicopter crew that flew him down, @tararicesimkins for reminding me to notice the sunset as I drove my kids 3 hours in a panic, @peacelovepetcare and @monicavalentine for taking care of Luna, I’m grateful to @jennif.loud for being on the scene and for taking care of my kiddos. @will.ungar and @caroline.ungar for helping shop for backpacks, going to the movies and taking care of Twinnies @denverhealth for being filled with incredible doctors and the most caring and brilliant nurses. I thank Jennifer Figge for s’mores on the roof, @pwloud for the comfy place to land and @moments.with.me and @1.werd for taking care of us when we got home. And I’m grateful to @strawberryhillstudio for loving tomato sauce and fantasies about sledgehammering motorcycles. My gratitude list goes on. I’m tearing up just thinking about how loved on we were/are. I’m grateful for Matt for persevering and being back to his old snarky self. Oh and I’m grateful to @statefarm for totalling the bike. #triumph
  • Nothing unravels my stress faster than a gorgeous morning photo walk ... today I hung out with two of my favorite photogs and took pictures of hay bales, old bikes, bridges, blueberries, crosswalks and Corvettes. A random assortment that reminds me that, for me, life is a visual feast! I live in a gorgeous location, yet I love taking pictures of the crosswalk (pictured here). I never run out of photography subjects. Everything looks pretty interesting to me. Photography helps me get lost in the little stuff, I notice the details better and printing gives me almost as much of a thrill as the darkroom did. Thank you to my students who make me laugh out loud and laugh at myself. Your work inspires me. And I have so much fun at every.single.photo camp session. Translation: It was a great morning sesh with @ahager24 and @xtb_photography ... their show (along with my other students) is on Friday, Sept 7th , at my studio. Adult classes are coming soon. I’ve got a list running for those who have said they are interested in taking a class with me. Can you comment here if you want me to let you know when I’ve got adult class dates? I’ll have an in person and online version. Let me know which one is of interest to you. Thanks all...
    Nothing unravels my stress faster than a gorgeous morning photo walk ... today I hung out with two of my favorite photogs and took pictures of hay bales, old bikes, bridges, blueberries, crosswalks and Corvettes. A random assortment that reminds me that, for me, life is a visual feast! I live in a gorgeous location, yet I love taking pictures of the crosswalk (pictured here). I never run out of photography subjects. Everything looks pretty interesting to me. Photography helps me get lost in the little stuff, I notice the details better and printing gives me almost as much of a thrill as the darkroom did. Thank you to my students who make me laugh out loud and laugh at myself. Your work inspires me. And I have so much fun at every.single.photo camp session. Translation: It was a great morning sesh with @ahager24 and @xtb_photography ... their show (along with my other students) is on Friday, Sept 7th , at my studio. Adult classes are coming soon. I’ve got a list running for those who have said they are interested in taking a class with me. Can you comment here if you want me to let you know when I’ve got adult class dates? I’ll have an in person and online version. Let me know which one is of interest to you. Thanks all...
  • Captain Jacey took me sailing today. She’s 12 years old and this was her 3rd day of sailing all by herself. I have no idea how to sail and had anxiety we might have a repeat of the sunfish debacle of 1978... no need to worry. She was a confident sailor. She directed me with ease. Cleat the sail, mommy. Pull the center board, we’re upwind now... the telltales are straight, coming a bow... she told me how much she loves sailboats because they’re so quiet. She told her wave riding twin to move her cute little butt because we had the right of way. People over sail, sail over motor. I’ve learned so much from the kid. Dedication, perseverance, courage and heart. She flipped on day one. But it phased her only as a celebratory milestone to becoming a true seaman. She has always known who she is and what she loves and she’s not afraid to get tossed over along the way. And this week I got to just marvel at seeing her in her element, bask in her shine and get lulled into total relaxation, today, by her new favorite pastime. When I’m worried about venturing into new waters, flipping my sail, I’m just going to think of Jacey. She’s not afraid to work hard, learn, observe and then just go for it. And then she rights her sails after a setback. I want to finally have my creativity classes come into existence...getting started can feel like there’s no wind, and it’s all just stagnant, but a boat tethered to a buoy just bobs around pointlessly. You have to brave the waves and wait for the wind. How about you? What do you want badly enough you’re willing to risk going overboard?
    Captain Jacey took me sailing today. She’s 12 years old and this was her 3rd day of sailing all by herself. I have no idea how to sail and had anxiety we might have a repeat of the sunfish debacle of 1978... no need to worry. She was a confident sailor. She directed me with ease. Cleat the sail, mommy. Pull the center board, we’re upwind now... the telltales are straight, coming a bow... she told me how much she loves sailboats because they’re so quiet. She told her wave riding twin to move her cute little butt because we had the right of way. People over sail, sail over motor. I’ve learned so much from the kid. Dedication, perseverance, courage and heart. She flipped on day one. But it phased her only as a celebratory milestone to becoming a true seaman. She has always known who she is and what she loves and she’s not afraid to get tossed over along the way. And this week I got to just marvel at seeing her in her element, bask in her shine and get lulled into total relaxation, today, by her new favorite pastime. When I’m worried about venturing into new waters, flipping my sail, I’m just going to think of Jacey. She’s not afraid to work hard, learn, observe and then just go for it. And then she rights her sails after a setback. I want to finally have my creativity classes come into existence...getting started can feel like there’s no wind, and it’s all just stagnant, but a boat tethered to a buoy just bobs around pointlessly. You have to brave the waves and wait for the wind. How about you? What do you want badly enough you’re willing to risk going overboard?
  • The pencils have spoken ... tell me what is it that you want to make happen? I’ve got unlimited ideas and very limited hours in the day. But I’m committed to making big things happen this year ... first up is The Life Feast (photography/creativity/positive psychology online workshop). Second is the podcast ... Third is a Creative Caffeine mastermind. Fourth is a photography retreat here in Steamboat ... Fifth is potentially a photography/writing/painting retreat in Italy with a dear friend and incredible artist (next summer-ish). Oh and some gratitude gravy, PHOETRY and right brain resolutions thrown in for good measure.... help a multi passionate (i.e. way too many ideas) kind of person. From the list I just shared, which one piques your interest? Thank you! 🐒🧠
    The pencils have spoken ... tell me what is it that you want to make happen? I’ve got unlimited ideas and very limited hours in the day. But I’m committed to making big things happen this year ... first up is The Life Feast (photography/creativity/positive psychology online workshop). Second is the podcast ... Third is a Creative Caffeine mastermind. Fourth is a photography retreat here in Steamboat ... Fifth is potentially a photography/writing/painting retreat in Italy with a dear friend and incredible artist (next summer-ish). Oh and some gratitude gravy, PHOETRY and right brain resolutions thrown in for good measure.... help a multi passionate (i.e. way too many ideas) kind of person. From the list I just shared, which one piques your interest? Thank you! 🐒🧠
  • A little moment of PAWse, is good for us all :) ... the Twinnies have tasked me with sending photos of their pooch every day while they are at camp. Here’s my favorite from today’s photo shoot with ms. Luna... she’s waving all the way to Minnesota! I need ideas for creative puppy poses ... @strawberryhillstudio told me to put her in sunglasses in their bedrooms... trying on their clothes. Love that! Help! What other funny puppy photo ideas do you have for me?
    A little moment of PAWse, is good for us all :) ... the Twinnies have tasked me with sending photos of their pooch every day while they are at camp. Here’s my favorite from today’s photo shoot with ms. Luna... she’s waving all the way to Minnesota! I need ideas for creative puppy poses ... @strawberryhillstudio told me to put her in sunglasses in their bedrooms... trying on their clothes. Love that! Help! What other funny puppy photo ideas do you have for me?
  • Happy birthday to this guy, happy birthday to the USA...
    Happy birthday to this guy, happy birthday to the USA...
  • Who you gonna call? ... in search of everyone’s favorite phone quotes from songs and movies for my kids who are in awe of this relic we just saw on our road trip. Comment with your faves, por favor.
    Who you gonna call? ... in search of everyone’s favorite phone quotes from songs and movies for my kids who are in awe of this relic we just saw on our road trip. Comment with your faves, por favor.
  • I love love love love love these photos by @gracieeeeeeeeeeeeee at my #photocamp! #aspentrees #steamboatsnaps #steamboatsprings #perrymansfield
    I love love love love love these photos by @gracieeeeeeeeeeeeee at my #photocamp! #aspentrees #steamboatsnaps #steamboatsprings #perrymansfield
  • How cool is this? A white moth morning at our house. I love that photography helps me remember to pause and notice the little things. I love that my kids (who pointed this little guy out) help me soak up all of these interesting little vignettes of our life. I love that if you google “white moth” you get a very cool and appropo spirit guide message on a Tuesday morning. Hell yes to all of this and more.................................. “It is possible you have been hiding from something in your life and the moth is here to bring it into the light. To draw you to the light, just as moths are drawn to the light. It is also possible that some of the mysteries in your life are about to be revealed. Let the moth be your guide out of the darkness and to the light. Just as butterflies go through an intense metamorphosis from caterpillar to adult, so too do moths. The moth spirit guide is here to help guide you through your time of transformation from a young person (in either spirit or mind) into a full-grown adult able to spread your wings and take to the sky. Perhaps you are embarking on a new career path, or a new family path. Perhaps you are outgrowing your old self to make way for the new. Let the moth spirit guide wrap you in its loving cocoon and show you the way to redemption.” 🦋
    How cool is this? A white moth morning at our house. I love that photography helps me remember to pause and notice the little things. I love that my kids (who pointed this little guy out) help me soak up all of these interesting little vignettes of our life. I love that if you google “white moth” you get a very cool and appropo spirit guide message on a Tuesday morning. Hell yes to all of this and more.................................. “It is possible you have been hiding from something in your life and the moth is here to bring it into the light. To draw you to the light, just as moths are drawn to the light. It is also possible that some of the mysteries in your life are about to be revealed. Let the moth be your guide out of the darkness and to the light. Just as butterflies go through an intense metamorphosis from caterpillar to adult, so too do moths. The moth spirit guide is here to help guide you through your time of transformation from a young person (in either spirit or mind) into a full-grown adult able to spread your wings and take to the sky. Perhaps you are embarking on a new career path, or a new family path. Perhaps you are outgrowing your old self to make way for the new. Let the moth spirit guide wrap you in its loving cocoon and show you the way to redemption.” 🦋
  • Way of the peaceful postal worker ... I don’t know who maintains these lovely leafy creations at our local post office, but they make me smile every time I pick up my mail. #peaceout✌ #peaceplant #gratitudegravy #postal #postoffice #steamboatsprings #plantlovegrowpeace #plantlove 🌱🍃
    Way of the peaceful postal worker ... I don’t know who maintains these lovely leafy creations at our local post office, but they make me smile every time I pick up my mail. #peaceout✌ #peaceplant #gratitudegravy #postal #postoffice #steamboatsprings #plantlovegrowpeace #plantlove 🌱🍃
  • Apparently this is what Luna thinks of Cabaret ... 7 shows in a row, 1 flower and she destroyed it. Guess I’m in trouble with my fur baby :(
    Apparently this is what Luna thinks of Cabaret ... 7 shows in a row, 1 flower and she destroyed it. Guess I’m in trouble with my fur baby :(