Bridge and Burn - Jason

The truth is that our finest moments are most likely to occur when we are feeling deeply uncomfortable, unhappy or unfulfilled. For it is only in such moments, propelled by our discomfort, that we are likely to step out of our ruts and start searching for different ways or truer answers.
- M. Scott Peck

When it comes to my photography, I have always let my heart lead. While this may be ill-advised as far as business goes, I have never been able to create my work under any other circumstances. My approach in much of my work is tied to a very emotional place; a place where pieces of who I am can surface and show their light.  

Don't get me wrong, I'm not out there making irrational decisions purely based on the whim of my emotions. I often find myself trapped between the tug-of-war between the heart and mind, an emotional realist, always seeing two sides of a coin. I see the realities of the world, but I let my instincts guide me.

Recently I allowed myself to follow those instincts. I have felt a shift towards a new world of creation and it is not one I will allow myself to ignore. In turn, there has been a shedding of layers, layers that played out there roll and must provide the space for the new to grow.

As some of you may have already read, I have officially allowed myself to step down from photographing weddings. A decision that has been marinating for more time than I may be aware of. But the right decision all the same. There are still many corners of the photography world that I am creating in, but this one occupied more space than I could give it any longer. But it will not be released in vain. I will be moving forward working alongside businesses that are creating and providing products that represent strong ethical values and a belief in quality craftsmanship. This new path has already brought forth multiple collaborations with companies that I feel proud to have partnered with and have left my yearning for more, so much more. 

At that, I am happy to share with you the images created in my latest collaboration with Bridge and Burn out of Portland, OR. And a huge shout out to my dear friend and fellow photographer, Jason Wasinger, for being an excellent model, and always an amazing source of support. 

Cheers to you all for following along! I am forever grateful for all of you that continue to support my work, and I can't wait to share with you all that is to come along in this new venture. 

A New Journey

“When you do things from your soul, you feel a river moving in you, a joy.” 
-Rumi

You know that feeling when your limbs feel tingly, your senses become heightened and you suddenly find yourself questioning everything around you?

Your instincts tell you something is approaching but it is just out of sight. Until it reaches you, there is no knowing how long you will have to wait. 

Ah, but once it collides with you, and you know it was worth the waiting, the peering around corners while time slowed to a creeping pace. 

For months, I have been feeling this waiting, unsure of what I was even waiting for. And then it happened, the mystery solved. 

Change was approaching. A big change. 

It started off as a joke. Very quickly we realized this was no joke, but merely the form in which this opportunity presented itself to us. We both knew this was a path we must follow. All the pieces were falling together. So it was now or never.

We are moving. To California. To a cabin. In the Sierras. 

At the end of November, just after Thanksgiving, we will load up a Uhaul and our Subaru and begin this new journey. 

For one year we will be living at the cabin my family has owned since I was just a little kid. It is a place that I hold very dear to my heart and where many of my childhood memories occurred. Through all of the changes and moves I have been through in life, it is a place that has been constant. A place to go back to. My childhood home. 

I am beyond excited to be introducing this wonderful place to Noah and for him to get to experience the magic of this mountain world that I have loved so dearly throughout my life. From the lakes, rivers and boulders I explored growing up to the mountain that I first learned to ski at. 

We will also now be within a few hours drive to the majority of my family. Something that hasn't been possible for me for over 15 years. On average, we see my family twice a year if we are lucky. This will allow for so many more visits with the ones that I love and to help nurture our relationships in a way that we have been unable to from such distances over the past years. 

I have so many hopes and dreams for our family to come from this opportunity!

This move won't be without its challenges.

Ben will be working remotely and will require him to return to Portland every 4-6 weeks. The closest airport to us will be over 2 hours away. The closest town with a larger grocery store is a 40 minute drive. Costco and Trader Joes will become a luxury being an hour and a half away. We will be living in the snow for the first time in 4 years and with a toddler. It will be all three of us being under the same roof, all day, every day. No more leaving to go to the office, nanny time, quick play dates, or visiting our favorite brewery down the street. This is going to require some serious hobby seeking, spending time outdoors as much as possible, and a whole lot more cooperation from all of us. So much more of our life, like going grocery shopping, will take planning and preparation. Ultimately, we will learn to live life with intention. 

I will also be leaving the city where I have been building my business. My hopes are to be able to expand into California and build a new community and create new connections. But I also hope to return to Oregon as often as possible to visit and be available to my wonderful friends and clients here. Maybe I'm being overly ambitious or creating business-suicide, but I can't help feel its worth the try. 

For a long time Ben and I have talked about living in an area that is more remote and allows us to be more in touch with nature and the outdoors, and teaches us to rely on and support ourselves. This is going to be a big test of trying out that dream. While we don't plan to stay at the cabin forever, we hope that this is going to give us a very clear idea of the priorities we want in creating a home for our family, wherever that may be.

In the end, there will be many challenges to face (some we haven't even thought of). Yet, the possibilities and opportunites that come with this choice feel endless. We have no idea where this journey is going to take us, but the future feels bright. I know in my heart that this path is right.