I've moved.............

My new site is up and running to include my new blog.  Please visit me at www.inspiredcanvasphoto.com.  Also to come, Adornment Wedding Photography.  Do you have a friend or family member in need of a wedding photographer? Give me a call at 757-589-1848.  I also do maternity, newborn, special events and portraits.

Remember:  The race is not given to the swift but the one who endures to the end.

Until, next time, be blessed!!!!

Gifted Hands - Dr. Benjamin Carson

I don't know where to start.  There's so much I can say about Dr. Benjamin Carson. If I had to choose one word, it would be Inspirational.  This guy is the real deal: no nonsense, genuine, brilliant and grounded.  The things I loved about Dr. Carson is his humble beginnings and his astounding faith in God.  He spoke to a packed audience at the Douglas Wilder Center for the Arts at Norfolk State University. I loved how NSU reserved the up close and personal seats for grade school kids and college students.  Everyone's eyes and ears were on Dr. Carson. Did he say roaches? Dr. Carson talked about living in poverty and how the determination of one strong mother pushed him to become who he is today. If you haven't seen the movie Gifted Hands starring Cuba Gooding Jr., I would like to encourage you to see it at least once. It'll inspire you to be a better you.  Dr. Carson said "use the talents you have to elevate others".  These are words to live by.

Newton's Cradle Revisited

My daughter and I visited the Virginia Science Museum in Richmond during her spring break.  We were able to snap a few good pictures during our visit.  I really like this one of Newton's Cradle.  It took me some time to post something about this picture.  I guess because I wanted to write something philosophical that may some how inspire the wonderful people who follow my blog.  I definitely did not want this post to sound like a lecture on the Conservation of Momentum and Energy.  FYI:  Although required in high school, physics was something I avoided in college like the plague. 

I know we are all familiar with Newton's Cradle.  We've seen one either in class, on an executive's desk or we may have even received one as a gift. Initially, we are a little intrigued at how this thing works.  You swing the ball on one end, release it hitting the next ball.  The force from that travels through the balls in the middle which causes the last one on the other end to swing outward.  In order for this to work, each ball has to be equal in size and weight. Pretty straight forward and after a while, boring.

Let's defy the law for a second.  We have on our cradle a diverse group of shapes of different sizes and weight.  We pull back the shape on one end and release it; however, instead of the one shape on the end moving outward, other shapes are doing their own thing as well. In my eyes, this is more exciting than seeing the same thing happen over and over and over. 

The difference between the two cradles is diversity.  That is how our world is.  Without diversity, life would be the same color, the same culture, the same music, the same movement--simply put BORING.  Diversity brings a little excitement. God created us differently for that purpose.  So as we travel along life's journey, let us embrace diversity.  We need to rid ourselves of ethnocentric views and know that to embrace other cultures does not diminish our own.   Let's face it, we are one big family and that makes the world a beautiful place.

Down Memory Lane

The older I get, the more I appreciate family. I've developed a sense of belonging. I find myself wanting to know a little bit more about my family history. Well one day, I wanted to shoot abandon buildings for a local contest.  The day was perfect for  photography. The sun was out and the weather was just gorgeous.  My dad knew exactly where to go for this project.  So he decided to take me to a place in Chesapeake Virginia where my grandfather worked in the fields when my mother was a young girl.  My mother talked of a store on the property where they shopped.  That store is still standing today. 

It meant so much to me that day to actually stand on the same property where my mother stood over 50 years ago.  The most wonderful part about all of this is that my mother is still living.  I'm able to share a piece of her past with her and that does my heart good.

Transparent

What makes a wonderful photographer? Some may think it's the photos that are produced.  Other may think that it's the professionalism of the photographer.  Well I've learned today that being transparent is key.  Giving others the opportunity to see the real you.  Share your passion and your heart today. You'll be glad you did.

Oh Joy!

Giving birth can be very exciting. The fear, morning sickness, swollen ankles and not to mention the expansion of the human body can not diminish the joy of birthing a little human into the world.  I had the wonderful opportunity to take pictures of lovely moms-to-be in all their splendor. 

One of the most exciting aspects of photography for me is sharing intimate moments such as these with someone.  For a couple of hours, wonderful people allow you into their world to capture their sentimental journey. 

I am grateful to God for giving me a heart for people.  Photography fundamental #1: A heart for people is necessary to capture the very essence of life.  I hold true to that not only in my personal life but every time I am behind my camera.

Baby Brother

During a recent photoshoot orchestrated by my baby brother, I decided to take a few shots of him while waiting for the main attraction to arrive.  While taking photos, I recalled how he was as a child. Who would have thought that this hyperactive, mischievous kid would become this wonderful man. At age six, he jumped from the head of the bed to the foot, hitting his head on the foot board.  I may not remember the number of stitches on his forehead but I vividly remember him walking down the hall with blood all over his face. To my surprise, he didn't have a clue that he had a gash in his forehead.  While my siblings and I were freaking out, he finally realized that something terrible had happened.  At that particular moment, the brave little boy who was afraid of nothing, had an ounce of fear.  Wow, how time flies.  Although the scar is a little noticeable, I can only see a baby brother who is now a wonderful husband and father.  

Spring Is In The Air

I am so ecstatic. Spring is in the air.  The flowers are blooming, the birds are chirping and the weather is getting warmer.  This is my favorite season of the year.  A season to refresh the mind and the soul.  A season to get out and explore the many possibilities that only Spring can offer.  This is the year for new beginnings.  Let your creative juices bloom into a masterpiece of a lifetime.

Slow Down and Smell The Roses

Last year, I placed everything that kept me busy aside. Except for my family of course.   I realized that I've been missing so much by signing up for every community service effort, making promises to other people that actually kept me extremely busy and working overtime.

During my 2010 year-end reflection, I realized that I like being busy.  So, for 2011, I will carve out time to enjoy the things I love to do.  Photography, canvas painting and traveling. I will even learn how to swim this spring. This is my year to creatively gift myself to my community.  Stay tuned!

Wounded Glory

A few days ago, I was roaming around the community in search of  a waving flag in the deep of the night.  I belong to a photography club and thought it would be great to enter Old Glory in a photo contest.  After shooting several shots, I downloaded the pictures to my computer.  All of the photos, this one caught my eye.  I didn't notice the rip until later.  My sister thought it was symbolic and my father blurted "Wounded Glory".  I thought about our history: our native Indian brothers and sisters, slavery, all the wars, economic depressions and 9/11...after all of these momentous occurrences, we still STAND!  Bless, oh Lord, Our Country. 

God's Canvas

Oh What Joy! I decided to meet a few people in the photography club for a sunrise on the beach photo shoot. At first, I was a little hesitant. Who in their right mind would get up early on a Saturday to take pictures? Not only was it early but it was so COLD!!!! However, for some strange reason, I was very excited to attend this meetup. While talking to other photographers at our location and getting in a couple of shots, I began to fall into a trance. For a moment, it was just me and my surroundings--the clashing of the waves, the seagulls and beautiful blues, reds and oranges. It was enough to overwhelm my senses; however, at the same time the view and the presence of God was very serene. God, the artist that He is, has blessed me tremendously. I can see, hear, smell and touch. I refuse to take any good thing for granted.

Unconditional Love

Jade

The love a pet has for its caretaker is baffling.  I can leave the house for ten minutes and return to dancing dogs with tails wagging and tongues licking.  Why is that? I won't question it.  I"ll just enjoy it while I can.  One thing for sure...life is short. So I'll take the unconditional love from whomever or whatever wants to gift it to me.