My friends are cooler than yours.

Read more »

From October 17 - October 27th I had the opportunity to serve in Cebu City and Bohol in the Philippines through my church's international organization, GlobalX. The original purpose was to serve teen victims of sex trafficking and prostitution. However, the trip became much more than that when on October 15th, Bohol was badly damaged by a M7.2 earthquake. The team I ventured overseas with also served in Bohol, delivering water, rice, and other necessities to 400 families affected by the earthquake. The memories of my new friends at Quest Community Fellowship, the girls served by Welcome House, the families displaced by the earthquake, and the OSY served by Urban Kamalig will forever live in my heart. I fell in love with their easygoing demeanor, their infectious laughter, and humble hearts.

Right above the images I have placed a couple of links for any of you who are interested in giving toward relief efforts to the Philippines after the devastation of super typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan). My friends were spared, but true to their character they are concerned for the well being of their fellow Filipinos who are without water, food, or shelter where Yolanda hit the hardest. Unfortunately, I cannot be there, but I can do my best to get my friends and associates here in the States on board. Literally, even five dollars can help! Our money goes a lot further there than it would here.

Samaritan's Purse Philippines Emergency Relief

Intersect Philippines (Les and Sarelee Tilka of Quest)

Read more »

After a long hiatus I am finally getting back into the swing of things here in Atlanta. So to kick off my return to photo blogging, I will be coming back soon with photos from my most recent mission trip to Cebu City in the Philippines. Due to the recent natural disasters the Philippines has been getting a lot of press lately, even here in the States. It is so crazy to think that I just missed a 7.2 magnitude earthquake AND the super typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda).

The trip (in pictures) will be posted soon!

Read more »

I just cannot stay away. Plus, I decided it was time to visit some of my old supervisors from my work study days and plan a future lunch date. I enjoyed catching up with some of my favorites and hearing that I simply don't age. Nope...sure don't. He he.

Read more »

What I remember most about my first day of "unemployment" is a fun impromptu visit from my Scottie little sister Lathasia who hails from Houston. I haven't seen her since she graduated from our alma mater so I was delighted that I had an opening in my usually busy schedule to spend some time with her. She got to see my new home and then we kicked it in East Atlanta. Oh and she had one hell of a time in my backyard. I love her happy spirit!

Read more »

I'm so behind on posting images lately! I thought with the absence of a typical 9 to 5 that I would have more time for this, but it has fallen a bit to the wayside. So here are some shots from my friend Keonda's portrait session that she had with me at the very start of September. It had been quite some time since I photographed her, and she got a discounted rate for making a donation to my mission trip to Cebu City to work with sex trafficked young women.

I loved everything about her outfits, and she gave great energy despite the heat and humidity which so often characterizes Georgia. Check her out!

Read more »

In the midst of a flurry of last minute life path changes I squeezed in a quick shoot with former Scottie, Amanda. She was in Atlanta for just a short while before beginning a new academic year at a different university, but wanted some photos of her around the beautiful campus to remember it by. I had to literally meet her at sunrise and then rush to my (now former) day job. It was worth every minute. Here are a few from her session. More will be posted on Facebook soon.

Read more »

This past Saturday, I took a trip up to Big Canoe with my GlobalX team that will be travelling to the Philippines this October. It was nice to get away from the hustle and bustle of Atlanta, as well as get to know each of these amazing women a little better. I was especially glad that for just one weekend I could take a break from harassing people for donations since I EXCEEDED my 50% fundraising mark by the deadline! Here are just a few shots from the weekend - nothing too personal, as we are going to have a team specific blog soon. We enjoyed the natural beauty of Big Canoe, played games, cooked dinner / dessert, and shared our personal testimonies. We ended it with a big bang when one of our ladies walked outside to see a flat tire. However, her boyfriend proposed to her later in the day on Sunday so it all worked out. :)

 

Read more »

My friends and their sense of humor...

Today is a special day to me for a number of reasons. The first is that it is a Sabbath, a day of rest. It is the day I take each week to SLOW DOWN and reflect on the week gone by and re-enegerize for the week ahead. Second, I just so happen to be one year closer to 30 (never mind my dyslexic friend who swapped the candles to tease me). Third, I read a devotional this morning that spoke particularly loudly to me. It comes from Jesus Calling by the missionary Sarah Young.

August 18

Expect to encounter adversity in your life, remembering that you live in a deeply fallen world. Stop trying to find a way that circumvents difficulties. The main problem with an easy life is that it masks your need for Me. When you became a Christian, I infused My very Life into you, empowering you to live on a supernatural plane by depending on Me.

Anticipate coming face to face with impossibilities: situations totally beyond your ability to handle. This awareness of your inadequacy is not something you should try to evade. It is precisely where I want you - the best place to encounter Me in My Glory and Power. When you see armies of problems marching toward you, cry out to Me! Allow Me to fight for you. Watch Me working on your behalf, as you rest in the shadow of My Almighty Presence.

Revelation 19:1, Psalm 91:1

This speaks to me so deeply because I am in the cusp of a major transition in a few areas of my life including my career. My day job has been particularly stressful and an increasingly unjust work environment. As much as I would love it to be a smooth transition out of there I know that it simply isn't possible. Nevertheless, I know that God will be with me in the midst of this upcoming process, and will be with me when I come out of it. My hope and prayer is to have more time to devote to photography...something I have long wanted. Life is too short to waste it in places and around people who seek only to rob you of all you are worth. So here's to another birthday and a new year.

Read more »