Cedar Island 2015

I made my first trip of the year out to Cedar Island with Alycia and Norma last week. They had been wanting to go for the longest time and they were like giddy kids at Christmas when we set up the excursion. As soon as we crossed over the bridge they said, in unison, "The road!".

We got a few shots on the marsh road. Traffic wasn't that bad but I wanted to get to the beach before the sun got too high. We got to play on my favorite tree. The horses from the ranch were out so we got as close as we could for some shots with them. 

It was a great trip and the girls had a blast. Plus being able to sunbathe fully nude was a new experience for them. Guess that's what happens when no one comes down to that end of the beach for about 3 hours.

Nubian Unicorn

I love when Em comes by. Her skin and her shape always photograph well. Plus she's always an eager subject and fun to work with. 

Negative Space

As the weather warms up the closer to the beach I get and the many beautiful forms that want to follow me there. The freedom of the openness, warm water, warm sun, warm sand...you get the idea. Then there is the sound of the water. Such a beautiful, soothing, healing sound. Soon, Lord Neptune, soon. 

Voyeuristic Tendencies

"Any photographer who says he’s not a voyeur is either stupid or a liar."

-Helmut Newton
 

The friends we keep

It's not often I get to hang out with another photographer and just go make images just because. When Maddy still lived up here we ventured out a few times.

Maddy

She with her digital, me with Frank (my RB67). Just two friends enjoying each others company, talking about life and seeing what we could create on that day, if anything. I got a few around the lake we were shooting at but I had fun getting shots of her doing her thing. I need to get off my butt and go visit her, and many others, in Florida. 

The light and the struggle

Some things can't be forced. There are times you have to surrender yourself to the world and "listen" and "see". We all translate light differently. The struggle is how to express it. 

The path is not always clear

No matter how you prepare life keeps you on your toes, constantly challenging you. You think you'll never succeed at anything or get to that "mythical" place of contentment. Survival is the success. To keep breathing, to keep fighting, to always get back up and do it with a smile. 

"...but words CAN hurt me"

All it takes is one word to crumble ones happy. Jealousy and pure spite makes us spit the most venomous of words at people. We do it to people we don't know, friends and family, our children. These things stick with us. We may forgive but can never forget. 

Happy Birthday, Elexa

On 3/14 Elexa finished another lap around the sun and she has the glorious legs to show for it. Another year, another birthday shoot. No Cedar Island this year. Mother Nature was being quite crabby so our plan is to go up there on my birthday in July. Plus it will be warmer. Till then... 

My favorite scarf of hers. 

A certain level of understanding

Not everyone I work with is comfortable in their skin. Some don't see themselves as beautiful, feminine or attractive. There is one attribute I feel that the majority want or are looking for is confidence. 

Deanna, Hasselblad 500CM, Ilford HP5+ 

That ability to look in the mirror and say "I got this" or "Screw them, I'm fabulous" but society and our peers have a wicked way of beating some of us into submission. Trying to help someone in that situation is never easy and never a quick fix. 

Being told you're different can have bad connotations but that's what makes us unique and life less boring. We are sponges from the day we are born till the day die and we all see beauty differently. We are beautiful to some and not all and that's ok.