b. mo foto: your personal paparazzi

My daily checklist

2008-06-15T09:37:00.000-07:00

Got dressed...check. Put on makeup...check. Went to work...check. Ate lunch...check. Get marriage proposal...check, check.

Yep, I've gotten my marriage proposal for the year. A man asked me at work on Thursday if I wanted to run away with him and get married. It was unexpected. All I did was unlock the door to the back and let him go the restroom. I blushed and told him I'd pass but thanks for the offer. It seems that things in GA are looking up. For better or worse I have an admirer:).

The God-given ache

2008-06-03T16:16:00.000-07:00

I've been thinking a lot about friendship lately as you can see from my previous entry. I've been to see the Sex and the City movie and I watched as women of all ages came in together to share a moment of life with each other.

The more I observe the world around me, the more I am convinced that God truly did create us with hearts that ache for deep, authentic community. I'm beginning to realize just how much I crave it since I am in the absence of it myself. I had such a wonderful group of people in Dallas that loved me, understood me, and were willing to give me feedback even if it was hard. I was also blessed to be surrounded by amazing people growing up and all through college. I guess I've been showered with true, heartfelt friendships.

Today, I sit here in Georgia in a lonely coffee shop (not Starbucks...this town is too small) with my lonely cup of peppermint tea and wonder if I'll find any connections like I had in Dallas. I've turned into somewhat of a homebody. For those of you that know me know that this is grossly out of character for me. I can't decide if I'm changing in my old age or just adapting.

I tell you one thing I know...I begged God to give me some fabulous, Godly women here to love me where I am. Isn't that the heart of community and isn't that at the heart of what we all long for? Carrie Bradshaw might put it this way, "No matter where in the world you go, your heart is always with those you love and theirs with you. And when you return, they'll be there with all the love in the world."

Ann Margaret

2008-05-18T09:19:00.001-07:00

This is Ann Margaret. I shot her parents wedding and Harvey Miles below is her cousin. She was such a trooper. She has a horrible ear infection the day we did this (but we didn't know it). She hung with me and we ended up getting some great shots.

I'm looking forward to taking pictures of her again in October after her new baby brother joins us.

Harvey Miles

2008-05-11T19:11:00.001-07:00

Meet Harvey Miles. Let me just tell you that this was a super fun shoot. This guy is so full of energy and ideas. He was willing to do anything and I bribed him throughout the shoot telling him I would take pictures of him playing in a stack of tires.

He was jumping, climbing, and standing still for momentary lapses in between. He was such a joy. I think he could be a model.

Happy Mothers Day

2008-05-11T13:00:00.000-07:00

This mothers day is a different one for me. I'm living at home with my mom this year for the first time in probably 12 years. I just want to take some time to honor her.

My mom is such an amazing woman. She's been through so much in her life and she's a survivor...a strong woman. She poured this strength into me my whole life. She inspires me to speak my mind, live my life with passion and go for my dreams.

She stands behind me and pushes me to exceed my own expectations. More importantly, she believes in me whole-heartedly. She is the main reason I'm beginning to live my life as a real life photographer. She sees my ability and gifts and knows that God's heart for me is to pursue photog.

She is the voice in my head telling me to go for it and the strength in my heart whispering that my gift to God is my photography. I owe my past, present and future to her. Thank you for making me who I am today!
I love you!

Don't end your sentence with a preposition

2008-04-23T16:42:00.000-07:00

I thought I'd share my favorite birthday card with you. This is from my best friend and we're both sticklers for correct grammar. Not to mention that we would have a conversation like this:).

I still can't believe that I'm 31. I truly believe that this year is going to be a year of blessing. I can not describe how wonderful it feels to know that God is blessing me to do what I was created to do to bring Him glory. I look forward to sharing the year with you!
Be free!
B

The Smiths

2008-04-14T22:15:00.001-07:00

These are my friends The Smiths. I love this family. I met Brian and Melanie through Discovery and we became fast friends. They actually bid on a photo shoot from me and won. It took some time to get it together, but I think we had a great time. I enjoyed shooting them. They were fun and up for ANYTHING!

My First "F" as a Southern Belle

2008-04-14T11:12:00.000-07:00

I just had a conversation with my Memaw and she is , "Mortified that her granddaughter born and raised in the South doesn't know how to make biscuits or cornbread".

I pride myself on being a Southern Belle (I was in a Debutante Ball for heaven's sake), but apparently my future rests on these two things. My mom and Memaw are wondering how they failed me and my future spouse and children because I can't pass on such a heritage.

Tonight I'm tackling cornbread. I think there's still time for me to gain my crown and get a shiny Southern Belle "A".

A Must See Movie

2008-04-12T22:53:00.000-07:00

I just finished watching The Darjeeling Limited and I highly recommend it!

It's the story of the spiritual journey of 3 brothers in India. It's full of hope, humor and dark comedy. The cast includes: Owen Wilson, Jason Schwartzman, and Adrian Brody.

I laughed, I cried and ended with a renewed sense of who I am. For me, it's a picture of the long journey to freedom that I travel daily. It's easy for me to want to be "fixed" quickly but healing truly takes time.

It's the journey filled with the laughter, tears, and ironic comedy that make the healing so much sweeter on the other side. Check out the movie and see where it takes you!

Be Free!

The Time is NOW

2008-04-10T18:44:00.000-07:00

You know, life is strange. I spent the last 9 months of my time in Dallas with mounting anger towards God. I couldn't understand why He had closed the doors for me to work with Frontiers to pursue photography and then not open doors for me to do that. My heart was broken and I felt like God was withholding my dreams from me.

Hindsight is a funny thing. Here I am 4 months into life in Georgia and it all makes sense. God had to move me to Georgia for Hid dreams for me to become a reality. I couldn't have pursed a new photo business in Dallas.

About 3 weeks ago after reading an entry on Scarlett Lillian's blog about waiting and having faith in the waiting for God's heart and purpose for you, I surrendered my heart, my dreams and my plans for my business to God. I realized that without He and His blessing that nothing about my photography made sense.

This week has been overwhelming. Funds have been released to me to purchase branding, a customized blog, a customized website AND a brand new pimped out 17" Macbook Pro. Ross at Flosites is the talented design genius that I've chosen to put my trust in. Check them out!

It's indescribable to explain what it feels like to be standing on the cusp of God's heart and dreams for me. I know that NOW is the time. It's an incredible feeling to see the thing that you know you were created to do to glorify God come into being.

I've taken several leaps of faith and God met me in each leap. I praise Him and worship His goodness and grace that WE are living out OUR dreams. What a great God. I know He's smiling on me and rejoicing over me with every release of the shutter. What joy! What peace!

The Opats

2008-04-08T22:44:00.001-07:00

I met the Opats through a friend and I shot Isabel's 6 month portraits. I moved from Dallas and they tracked me down in Georgia because they wanted me to take her 1 year pictures. I had a blast with them. We walked around downtown Southlake (which Meredith scoped out for me) and went to town.

It's always a venture doing kids pictures but Isabel was a champ. She hung in there with us and I think we got some killer shots of she and her parents. Here are some of my faves from the day.

Casey Richardson

2008-04-05T16:41:00.001-07:00

Meet my best friend Casey. She is the strongest, most amazing woman I know. If I'm ever in the midst of a tornado, I want her there with me. She has held my hand and me for that matter through some of the toughest times in my life. This is one thing I can give back...pictures to make her see how beautiful she truly is.

I made a trip to Dallas a few weeks ago and she agreed to sit for me. We had a lot of fun. She even agreed to pose in the rain...and play in a fountain (and it was chilly). That's true friendship! Case...I hope these make you feel as beautiful as you are!

Patrick Ryan Clarck

2008-04-01T13:11:00.001-07:00

This was my first show to shoot. I felt like William from Almost Famous as I walked to the back door to get my VIP wrist band. It was such a blast to shoot the concert. Be sure to check out the pictures of he and his wife in the post below.

Patrick is so talented! Check out his music on My Space here. His website will be up and running soon. Stay tuned for that:http://www.patrickryanclark.com. I predict that he'll get signed very soon. I'm no psychic but I know and love good music. We'll see.

Patrick and Gretchen Clark

2008-04-01T12:56:00.000-07:00

I absolutely love shooting this couple. I've shot them a few times and you can just tell how much they love each other. I want to be like that one day. Ya'll keep loving each other well.

We snuck out behind The Granada after Patrick's show to take a few shots. Patrick was reluctant at first but I'm glad we did it. I think we got some good shots.

I heart YL

2008-03-31T19:48:00.000-07:00

I have launched a new phase in my life. I moved to Georgia in December and as I drove down the main strip in this small town, I was greeted by 2 friendly letters in green and white,YL. I immediately smiled and felt some ray of hope that God truly had brought me here. So I met with the area director and I'm pursuing life as a Young Life volunteer leader. Let me assure all of you that this is uncharted territory for me!

Here's a story to demonstrate:
One night at Club I was walking around giving out raffle tickets to everyone. I see these two kids standing in profile chatting with each other. I walked up to them, as cool as I could muster and say, "Hello ladies can I get ya'll a raffle ticket". They turn to look at me and one of them is a guy (with really long hair). I felt like I was about 2 inches tall in that moment. It never ceases to amaze me that a 15 year old can make a 30 year old woman feel like an idiot (I am here to alert you that it happens every week).

I go back every week because I believe that reaching the youth of the generation can change the world and the nations. It's so hard for me. You could put me in a room of internationals from every country under the sun and I'd be in my element. Yet a room filled with 60 teenagers scares me to death. I'm determined to be myself and reach out to these that some have given up on...some who will never grace the steps of the church even if I look like a dork a million times along the way. Here is more information on Young Life, I encourage you to check it out and see how God is moving among high school and jr. high students around the globe.

"I love Jesus but I drink a little"

2008-03-27T11:11:00.000-07:00

Thank you Annie Laurie for posting this on your blog. I laughed harder than I have in a while. To enjoy my friend, Annie Laurie's site click here.

Click here for 6 minutes of fun! It will be the most fun you've had today. If you have anything funnier than this...please by all means let me know. I need to laugh these days.

I want this lady to be my friend. I think my stomach would hurt because I'd laugh so much!

Home Sweet Georgia

2008-03-10T16:28:00.000-07:00

These are shots from a recent exploration of my new surroundings in Georgia. Be afraid...the shots of the chairs and trash are from someone's front yard. So glad no one came home and saw me reveling in their trash. How do you explain to someone that you find their junk beautiful?

Titles listed below each photo:

Bubba's Lounger

Paved Paradise?

Erector Set circa 1982

Trash Tie Dye

Arm Rest

Diagonal

Shiver

For Courtney Goolsby

Pointing Inward

Slippery Slope

Direction Home

Tres Triangles

Danger

Lonely Swing

Jackson Polluck

In the Distance

Barren

Sticks and Stones

Angles

Distortion

Products on line

2008-03-09T18:58:00.001-07:00

This will be a quick post. I just wanted to let everyone know that my landscape photography is being sold at Mississippi Gift. Please check out their site here

I recommend trying their cheese straws, caramel icing and of course checking out the photography. Also, check out their blog to keep you updated on what's new here

Where is Mr. Darcy?

2008-02-29T09:42:00.000-08:00

Ok, so I'm a hopeless romantic. I absolutely love Jane Austen. So, I watch Pride and Prejudice at least once a month. I find myself with chills at the end of the movie as Darcy comes over the hill in silhouette with the light from the dawning day behind him to come for his love. Then I find myself wondering, "Where is my Mr. Darcy"?

True these were different times but where has romance gone. Are we left to settle for free drinks from sketchy men or do we get to participate in this seemingly ancient ritual of the passionate pursuit? I think that this idea of romance is so foreign to us as women that we find ourselves in shock and sometimes horror when a man tries to romance us.

I'll tell you what I love about Mr. Darcy. For me, the picture painted is one of my Savior. Darcy goes to great lengths to make right the offenses against Lizzy. He goes to greater lengths to save her family name. His pursuit is a small comparison to that of Christ for us.

Christ made right ALL of our wrongs, embraced us into his family, and he is the master of all romance. I find myself wondering at times will I ever find love in my life. Repeatedly God brings me back to the fact that he is my ultimate love. I don't have to settle. There is a Mr. Darcy for me but until that time comes I will continue to fall in love with the creator of romance. So, girls, here's to hoping, living life, and loving the One who gives life.

Be Free!

Ode to My Moleskine

2008-02-27T20:53:00.000-08:00

For all of you bloggers, you probably journal. I love it...I always have. My most favorite journal is hands down the black, unruled page moleskine (pronounced moleskin). It's a classic that Picasso, Hemingway and other famous writers and artists used. So, here I am years later trying to live out that tradition.

Why I heart my Moleskine:
--I can dream without boundaries
--I can vent, pray, and let loose with no judgment or fear
--If I make the occasional grammatical error no one cares and IT'S OK!
--I can ramble on & on & on & on &...you get the idea
--it's safe
--I can tell myself who I am and who I want to be. Right now I am reminding myself that I am beautiful and I want to be a star in the photo world.
--I connect with God in it's pages...powerful inspiration, prayers and meditations fill its pages
--It's a visual log of
1. Pictures of my favorite things
2. Pasted inspirations of photos that move me (these come from Vogue,W, The Knot, and any fashion magazine)

For those of you who don't, I encourage you to go for it. Even visual journaling will inspire you to greatness. Embrace the greatness inside...open your journal and let loose!

Here's a glimpse into a few pages of my Moleskine:

Oh, The Delta

2008-02-21T20:07:00.000-08:00

So, I went back home to The Mississippi Delta after almost two and a half years and it was great! As I pulled into The Delta over the last hill Phil Collins "Take Me Home" came on (no joke). I got nostalgic immediately. I decided to compile a list of things I love and hate about my homeland...so here goes:

Things I heart:
--dirt roads...I want to listen to Lucinda Williams "Car Wheels" as I swerve and get layers of caked red dirt on my car.
--old churches tucked away in the middle of nowhere. They are all so rich with history...many of them built by slaves and they intrigue me.
--Mauri Logan at Mane Tamers Salon. There is truly no better haircut within a 3,000 mile radius! She has her PhD in hair (yes, it's possible). She is doing the hair for the Versace and Ralph Lauren shows during fashion week. Go see her, it will change your life and spoil you forever!
--random juke joints in unlikely places. I want to go in so badly but get too scared.
--miles of unending cotton, corn, soy beans, and rice. It's so soothing to me.
--I love the decay. Very little changes although things continue to decay and get older. Little new comes, but the old gets more beautiful with the passing years.
--tradition like cotillions, debutante balls, southern belles, southern gentlemen and rednecks. Nothing in the world beats it!
--I love being able to drive to the middle of nowhere and be somewhere unique.
--little towns in between the suburbs of the suburbs of small towns with a population of 1,000. You small town folks know what I mean!
--I love driving far away down some random dirt road and parking my car in a cotton field and looking at the stars at night. You can see 100's of shooting stars a night (beware of human size mosquitoes).
--the musical history of the Delta Blues. It makes me proud to call it home!
--ultimately, it's home. No matter where I go, so many memories are there.

Things I hate:
--I hate that there's such a past of racism and oppression.
--the human size mosquitoes that can and will take you away and kill you
--hot, humid days where you never seem to get dry
--there's still a caste system. I guess that's present everywhere, but that doesn't mean I have to like it
--I absolutely hate that there isn't good public education available to people. No one should have to pay for a good education and that's not the case there.
--the rumor mill...no secret is EVER safe!
--Roebuck Lake and it's inches of algae...I can not believe that I skied in that
--the railroads that still divide

So, there's more to love than hate. If you're going that way, let me know. I can tell you some great places to go!

Ryan and Kellie Berry

2008-02-21T09:54:00.001-08:00

Kellie is one of my dearest friends from college. We lived together for 2 years. She got married in May and wanted me to take pictures at her wedding, but I couldn't. They got married the same day as my brothers graduation from medical school. It was so hard not to be there.

I got to meet Ryan for the first time on my trip home to MS. I literally had 7 shots of them and then my batteries died. Let me just say that Ryan was ecstatic. He hates having photos taken. I think this is a great shot.