Being an original...

Not just in the photography world, but in all walks of life, we are told to be original. As those words echo in the back of my mind, I see a world of imitators and wannabes. I'm not judging anyone and I never said imitating was a bad thing. Child learn by imitating, my children still do and for that reason I try to be very careful about what I do.

I sit here today at my computer screaming inside, frustrated at this crossroad that I find myself at. I know that I am unique, my husband thinks sometimes too unique. I want to brand myself and wear a banner showing everyone who I really am, I read books about finding my special and unique brand. I am constantly running into people who fearfully hide their knowledge, not wanting to share it, fearing it will make them less unique. I know that in Art classes in school we are to copy the masters, but in photography, some of the 'Masters" don't quite want it to go down that way.

Greatness is a gift, but I think there is also a responsibility to help others be great too. No other person in this world can do something creative, just like you, because we create with our hearts and experiences. No two people have the same everything, God made sure of that :)

I feel like I am alone in this photography world (Sarasota), my kindred spirits thousands of miles away in California. My friends that I've never met, get me, funny how that works. They are honest, witty, vulnerable, humble and very talented in this place of captured moments of time that I love. Someday we will meet and will feel an immediate connection. I can't wait for that day :) Until that day, I stand alone, being me in my own quirky way, seeing what I see and how I see it. One moment of truth at a time.

This is NOT your little brother's kickball...

I was asked as a favor to shoot the 2010 Southwest Florida Regional Kickball Tournament. I accepted the challenge, not because I have never had the pleasure of photographing kickball, but because I haven't seen a kickball since the 6th grade! What really drew me in was that this was kickball for adults.

I had flashbacks to 6th grade, remembering my "special spin" I would put on the ball. I remember kicking with all of my heart, only to fall flat on my butt and never even touching the ball. I remember silently praying to not be the last pick and grinning from ear to ear when I wasn't. I was nervous. I was picturing the people on past teams, now grown up, pointing and laughing at me...still!

I thought about what kind of insane person would want to "go back" and play kickball? Obviously all the athletic guys and tomboys that made it look so easy. People that couldn't possible make it in real life that they felt they needed to succeed somewhere and kickball was it. Now I wasn't really sure what to expect.

When I arrived, I was relieved to see normal, healthy, okay somewhat normal people having a blast! Now, don't think they weren't competitive, because they were VERY serious about their kickball. They had rules and matching shirts and trophies...oh my!

At the end of the day, I found some of the nicest people I've met in Sarasota, who really can play some kickball and have a blast doing it. It was a great time, so great that I was rethinking my childhood failures at kickball and thought I might give it a go. There's always next year ;)