The "We're Just Gonna Wing This" Wedding: Pure Love

"You have to grab moments when they happen." -Denzel Washington

When I was asked to photograph two of my best friend's wedding, to say I was nervous, apprehensive, feeling a bit out of my league was an understatement. My answer, "As long as y'all are okay with my 'we're gonna wing this' style!" Her reply, "That's the whole style of the wedding so it's perfect!"

THE BIG DAY

Thrown together in just a few weeks not long after the engagement, the Big Day has come! And whoops!! The spot that we scouted the week prior in City Park was accounted for by the time we arrived. But nevertheless, with great optimism and determination we stumbled upon the best spot in the park. It could not have worked out any better! Once we were all set, it was time to give the bride the go ahead to head our way. Awaiting her arrival, giggling, smiling, spatting jokes, shaking with nerves, she finally turned the corner walking our way while the groom faced my camera anticipating the long awaited first look. If I didn't have a camera in my hand capturing this moment, I would have no doubt cried tears of joy! She was perfect, he was smitten, and the rest is history!!

Thank you Craig and Miranda Desmarais for putting your trust in my abilities, and for including me in your very memorable and special day. Your intimate and unrefined wedding is one that has played many times in my own dreams, and I am so grateful to have been able to witness your relaxed and positive demeanor towards such a pure statement of love! All my love, enjoy!!

Some Notes To Take Away:

1.  I’m not a wedding photographer, but we already knew that lol.
2.  I’m my own worst critic, but again, I already knew that.
3.  I did learn some new editing techniques, but I’ve got so much more to learn.
4.  This has prompted me to look into some photography classes so I can perfect this part of my creative craft, because I know I’m capable, I just need to be one with my camera.
5.  It's hard to mess up when you have such perfect subjects!!!! I thoroughly enjoyed photographing them. So much love in each photo!
6.  Always believe in yourself. "If someone says something to you that's positive, you should probably try and find a way to believe it as opposed to dismissing it....their perspective, their objectivity is probably closer to what the truth is than our own self-awareness." -Paul Klein

When Inspiration Strikes: Mardi Gras Letters

Since the start of the New Year, I have experienced an abundance of affirming signs that I am headed in the right direction. The most recent change I've become aware of in my day to day activities, ACTION! As a creative person, ideas run through my mind.... all day, every day. Sometimes, they can be exciting! Other times, it can be overwhelming, stressful, causing my already loose and sensitive anxiety trigger to go off and sore thru the roof. In the past this would stop me dead in my tracks. I would become stuck. Unsure of how to move forward. And before I knew it, another day had gone by with worrying in the forefront and nothing to show for the day. Change is not easy. Habitual practices you and your mind are used to, don't just go away over night. And frustration happens. But in time, I've grown to learn and understand that we all have the ability to take control, to make the things happen we want to come to life! 

This quote struck a cord with me a couple of weeks ago: "If someone says something to you that's positive, you should probably try and find a way to believe it as opposed to dismissing it....their perspective, their objectivity is probably closer to what the truth is than our own self-awareness." -Paul Klein. The moment I heard this, I started to think of all the times others complimented me, and more times than not I looked for a reason to dismiss them. I was CHOOSING NOT to believe the greatness God had already set before me, because I had been struggling with being blinded by the illusion "if this were to happen, then I'd believe it." Blinded by my own sense of self-awareness, or what I thought it was. The age old philosophy, BELIEVING IS SEEING, I am just now starting to understand. And if I could choose not to believe, then I can most certainly choose to BELIEVE!

Through the many positive affirmations I conduct throughout each day (I could write an entirely different blog on this topic alone lol!), taking action has proven to be the game changer for me. Seems so simple right? Get an idea, then do it, duh. If only it were that simple for me. Perfectionism, it's a soul sucker. And I don't recommend it to anyone.  Feeling the need to execute perfectly the first time out, or not at all crippled me almost every time. So instead, I started to focus on, "What is my intuition telling me to do today, not my to do list, but my gut? What will fulfill my soul today?" And by following this step, almost every time I felt accomplished at the end of the day. I started acknowledging the small tasks that got me one step closer instead of focusing on what is left to get done. Otherwise, it'll drive you mad and that list will never end.

So now, when inspiration strikes, I ACT! No more hesitating, no more stalling, no more overthinking. If it's not how I thought it would turn out in the end, more than likely it turned out even better. And the best part, execution leads to more execution and leads to even more execution! And before you know it, you've created a plethora of creations that people just can't get enough of and continue to want more!

So, wonderfully creative being:
• What actions will you take today?
• What is your intuition telling you to do?
• Feeling stuck, overwhelmed, stressed? What small task would make you feel accomplished for the entire day?

Remember to enjoy the journey, believe in the process, and follow your intuition!

Mardi Gras Letters:

I've been meaning to write some long overdue hand written letters for some loved ones of mine. And inspiration struck! Why not send hand painted Mardi Gras themed cards to go with the holiday!?! I had a packet of watercolor paper greeting cards stashed away waiting to be used, broke out my favorite palette of watercolors, and got to work. And voila!! A couple of hours later, I've got some beautiful hand painted cards for my recipients to enjoy! Something so much more personal for them to cherish. 

Each card creating it's own personality, to match that of the receiver. One of the BEST parts about creating, when someone receives your work of art and it lights up their day! The joy you see in their eyes. Unfortunately, I won't actually see them open their cards, but I can already feel the warmth from the anticipation. They say the quickest way to receiving is by giving. And once you give, you'll want to give more. 

Peace, love and happiness!! Go out and have a magnificently creative day!

Love Letter to God | My Serenity in Seven

LOVE LETTER TO GOD

There comes a point in everyone’s life where you reach a crossroads, and you’re forced to face it. And then you’re given a choice. To dwell upon what has suddenly changed, or recognize the opportunity as a blessing, embrace the change and allow God to lead you through. “For with God, all things are possible.” -Matt 19:26

At the end of 2014, many aspects of my life completely changed around me. I had wrongfully lost my job, the only relationship I had known since I was 16 finally ran out of any juice it had left and ended, and my health condition was the worst it had ever been. I weighed in at my heaviest at the time, was suffering a severe case of hives for 8+ months from chronic stress and minor depression, and overall always feeling weak and fatigued. Looking in the mirror, I had hated who I had become and cried out, “why me!?”

In times of turmoil, it’s hard to see the why in situations. And sometimes we don’t receive the answers we want, or any at all. But if you take the time to silence your mind and open your eyes, you’ll see the signs are all around you. The answers are right in front of you. Of course, everything is clear in hind sight. But it’s there that you find yourself, your worth, the truth. And you know from that point on you’ll never be blinded from your destiny. Hind sight is a beautiful thing. It makes you stronger, wiser, and gives you the power to move through life the way you’ve always wanted. I always knew what I wanted out of life, healthy lifestyle, positive attitude, loving relationships, and ultimate happiness. Don’t we all!?

The years leading up to my pivotal downfall, I was introduced to “The Secret,” which I believe helped change and save my life. I began using the Law of Attraction to bring me to where I am today. You see, I, and I alone, attracted everything into my life through the virtue of my own thoughts, including the times of hurt and pain. I can sit here and write words of blame towards others, towards the environment I was surrounded by. But by doing so, I’d miss the lessons God was putting me through. We ALL have the power to steer the course of our own life. 

“Yes me!” I screamed. I NOW have a story to tell. I have a purpose. A talent to share. A personality meant to spread its wings and uplift others. I opened my eyes, ears, and heart and accepted what was. Forgiveness wasn’t easy, but I finally let go of what I did not have the power to change. In fact, I didn't change, I just stopped being who I wasn't meant to be, and started living as the person I was meant to become. I stopped surrounding myself with those that did nothing to lift me up, who served no purpose in pushing me along in life, that offered nothing but judgement towards me and others. “Sometimes the people around you won’t understand your journey. They don’t need to, it’s not for them.” I finally accepted I didn’t need anyone’s approval, for I am a perfect child of God and He had already given me His approval to live the life I was born to live.   

Change isn’t always easy, letting go can be hard. But if you put your faith and trust in Him, beautiful and miraculous things will happen, in ways you may never even imagined! I’ve learned to be thankful for my past, for without having past events to learn from, I wouldn’t be where I am today. I am now the healthiest I’ve been in years, getting stronger by the day. I’m surrounded by a motivating environment of uplifting people that have done wonders for my confidence and belief in myself. My dream career is manifesting faster than I thought possible, and even stumbled across another business venture with an incredible company called Chomp Nola that is changing people’s lives daily. And am now in a loving relationship with an incredible God given man, who has shown me so much about myself and the world and couldn’t be more blessed and grateful to have him in my life. ALL of this just one year after what felt like the end.

Everything begins with YOU! You have the power to make things happen the way you want in your life. Your only duty is to BELIEVE!

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2015 HIGHTLIGHTS: 1. Sold my first original piece of artwork.  |  2. Moment I realized I can accomplish anything if I just put my mind to it.  |  3. Blessed and grateful to have met my better half, my motivator, mentor, love and to have him in my life.  |  4. Had the best finish yet at the Girl Power Triathlon 2015.  |  5. Moment I got the keys to my studio!  |  6. Had my first solo show as a professional artist thanks to Unity Church of Metairie :)

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MY SERENITY IN SEVEN

On my journey to self discovery, Unity Church of Metairie had a large impact in the way I view life. In a world of judgement, loss, and change, we often feel stuck and alone. But with God’s guidance anything is possible! Serenity of Seven is a representation of transformation, a renewal of life. Seven paintings, seven words, seven letters. Seven, the number of completeness and perfection in God’s creation in the world. He always finishes what he starts in our hearts. 

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Serenity of Seven series, now available for purchase at Unity Church of Metairie.

1. REBIRTH - The start of a new life.

2. REBUILD - The process to finding the real me.

3. RETHINK - Reflecting on the changes in my life.

4. RESPECT - Because if I don’t uphold respect for myself, who will?

5. RENEWED - I have a new sense of self.

6. RECEIVE - Everything I’ve attracted into my life is finally falling into place.

7. REJOICE - I get to live MY life!

The beauty about words is they can be interpreted in all ways that have the most meaning to you. No one way is the right way. They express what it is we’re each feeling, experiencing, thinking, believing. Serenity of Seven is meant to uplift the viewer in a way they feel brings them to a better, healthier state of mind.

I had the honor to display my first series at the opening of Unity’s newly renovated “Spiritual Art’s Collective” as their first featured artist at 3939 Veterans Memorial Blvd, Metairie, LA 70002. You can now view them during church hours. They are available for purchase through the church. Please feel free to contact me or Unity Church of Metairie ( 504.885.7575 ) for details! 

Namaste and God Bless!