An Introduction

"I'M NOT TELLING YOU TO MAKE THE WORLD BETTER...I'M JUST TELLING YOU TO LIVE IN IT. NOT JUST TO ENDURE IT, NOT JUST TO SUFFER IT, NOT JUST TO PASS THROUGH IT, BUT TO LIVE IN IT. TO LOOK AT IT. TO TRY TO GET THE PICTURE. TO LIVE RECKLESSLY. TO TAKE CHANCES." -Joan Didion

Self Portrait

I feel that I should introduce my photography in a more detailed sense, seeing that this is a photography blog. I have been snapping photos for as long as I can remember. People often ask me where I got the inspiration to start taking photos. Well, growing up, do you remember that one parent at every social, sporting, schooling, or general event that just HAD to take pictures of everything, with every angle, every person, etc? That parent was and still is my Dad. From him taking a photo of me and my sister on the first day of school for 18 years to being the "professional photographer" at things like family weddings, events, or school dances...I guess I just decided I wanted to try it out too. I started out on the family camera that although seems somewhat desired for some photographers today, required film. Throughout the years of growing up, I upgraded to small digital cameras until my 18th birthday when I was given a truly amazing camera.

And, now, I am a photography major and photojournalism minor aspiring to learn everything I can about snapping these little moments in life. 

I shoot with a Nikon DSLR 5200 which has an 18-55 mm general lens. However, I often prefer to use a Telephoto lens which is 55-300 mm.

Although I am still learning the basics of lighting, ISO shutter speeds, f-stops, etc..I find passion in discovering new angles and views through the eye of the lens. My desire for all my photos is for them to contain meaning and depth. 

It's A New Year, But Does That Really Mean A New Me?

"BEHOLD THE TURTLE. HE MAKES PROGRESS ONLY WHEN HE STICKS HIS NECK OUT" -James Conant

^^ Ashtyn Mead, my older and wiser sister ^^

Today I am finally sitting down to write the first entry to my new blog. So yes, I suppose I too am sticking my neck out. It's the second day of 2015 and I have managed to firstly, start working out and getting in shape again, which is an extraordinary accomplishment for some people like myself. Secondly, I finally, after months of questioning it, created this blog for my photography. 

Although, I realized something in this process. Why is it that it takes a brand new year to inspire, drive, and improve people's lives? After all, January 1st of any year is just another day, today, tomorrow, or yesterday, just like any other day. However, I sit here realizing that I too have fallen under this curse of only being productive and lively and bettering my daily life when there is an excuse for it, for that matter being a new years resolution. Anyways, I suppose I am putting this into words to remind myself and others that any day of the year can be a new start, a new you, a new outlook, a new life. I want passion and inspiration to fill my life constantly. And I suppose that this New Years Day has put that voice into my head.

Any who, I am a photography student at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, AZ where it is currently 2 degrees with 6 inches of snow on the ground and quite shockingly...I can't wait to go back. I am home in Scottsdale on winter break and quite honestly it is a bit boring. Being at school gives me the environment to constantly want to "stick my neck out" and be that turtle. So, hence my new blog..Yay for sticking my neck out!