Edition VIII
www.beyondthewanderlust.com
Editor-in-Chief Jessica Klaus
Artist’s Stories
Baring Your Passion P 10
Blushing Gardens
Cancer with Faith P 18
Page 24
A Community United
Page 38
A Simple Life P 30
Capturing Bare Portraits P 44
Cities in Color
Breaking From Mainstream P 58
Page 52
A Letter to My Daughter
Page 76
Finding Myself P 64
Lauren Parker, of Lauren Grayson Photography, currently resides in Ohio with her boyfriend and four year old son. While her background is in special education, she made the switch from educator to full time entrepreneur when opening her studio in 2013. Currently her favorite session to photograph is a close tie between maternity and birth. When Lauren isn’t working, she loves traveling and yoga.
Stacey Muniz, of Soul Threading, is originally from Chicago - a city girl at heart - currently living in Gainesville, Florida. Happily married to a supportive husband, with whom she has 2 kids, Stacy and her husband share very empathetic hearts. They love Jesus, traveling, the adventure, the escape and the beauty. That’s where photography comes into play. Nostalgia, documenting life - holding still a memory - is what they’ve found to keep them sane. Soul Threading is their photography business, and here - where ever that may be - they photograph anything that has love and feeling.
Dannie Melissa Wit, of Abeille Photography, is a Seattle native who spent much of her adolescence enjoying the vast, natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest. She’s an artistic, natural light photographer, with a deep passion for documenting the journey of life. Based out of Seattle, Washington her days, and arms, are filled by trying to balance her business, while managing a loving home for her husband and three rambunctious littles. Headshot by: Kristin Hallak Photography
Kelly Jacobi, of Kelly Jacobi Photography, is a photographer based in Concord, North Carolina. Living with her husband and three wild boys, Kelly seeks to record their life in an honest and emotive way. Balancing the mother and the artist, she captures each moment not always as they were but as the way they felt. She is delighted by the simple things and believes the beauty is in the details.
Latasha Haynes, out of Tacoma, Washington, is the founder of The Blink Conference, co-owner to Ike and Tash Photography and Motion, and founder of Her Success is Not My Failure. Latasha is married to her husband, Ike, and together they have a joyful daughter, Wisdom.
Jasmin Pickens, of Sugar & Lace Studio, is an international natural light photographer. Jasmin was born and raised in Germany, followed her husband to Hawaii 4 years ago, where she discovered her love for photography. She now resides in Indianapolis, IN with her husband and two kids. Jasmin also offers 1 on 1 mentoring training on posing and lighting for woman.
Jamie Scott, of Jamie Nicole Scott Photographer, is a soulful natural light photographer based out of Lafayette, Indiana. When she’s not working as the Education Coordinator for Beyond the Wanderlust, she is taking care of her three little girls, seeking inspiration from the sky or indulging in a nice strong espresso. She enjoys shooting environmental portraits of her children but her greatest joy comes from teaching them how to be humble under the stars.
Ashley Parsons, of We are The Parsons. C.S. Lewis once said, “in literature and art, no man who bothers about originality will ever be original: whereas if you simply try to tell the truth (without caring two pence how often it has been told before) you will, nine times out of ten, become original without ever having noticed it.” I am a woman who lives wide open - connected to my dreams, my pain, the Spirit, and primarily concerned with telling the truth. These are the places I find not just the hope and freedom to live, but the space to create something real. Headshot by: Archer Messenger Photography
Crystal Keyes, of Crystal Keyes Photography, is an Indianapolis, Indiana based wedding and family photographer. Crystal’s true passion is to capture unscripted, emotional and real moments. When she is not photographing clients, she can be found adventuring with her husband, Jase, and their daughter, Lu.
Ana Rosenberg, of Ana Rosenberg, is a photographer, artist, mother of two, located in Lodi, New Jersey. Ana is passionate about creating timeless, emotional imagery and loves when things are a bit different, unusual or odd. Ana sees herself drawn to flaws in photography such double exposure and blur. Ana is the happiest when she lets go of the conventional notion of “perfect.”
Melissa Hines, of Melissa Hines Photography, is a documentary photographer that lives in Kansas City with her husband and three boys. She created the Cities in Color Project, as a creative outlet to fall even more in love with the city she now calls home. This project has been a great excuse to get out to all of the coffee shops that Kansas City has to offer.
L etter
from the
Editor
Heading into winter is a vulnerable time for myself. The color of mother nature is fading into cooler temperatures and muted landscapes. The holidays bring us much joy and happiness - promise of better days to come. But after the hustle of the family dinners and late night gatherings, I am left with despair. For my body craves the light on my face and the wind in my hair. I count the moments until the days begin to shine again once more. Winter can be a harsh reality, making us face the uncertainties that lie within. As Ashley, from We are the Parsons, talks about in her article, Finding Myself, I need winter to refocus my center. Because when all is stripped away, we focus on our true self. I hope for you this winter is continued joy and peace, as you find your meaning. After the holidays have left us and old man winter settles in deeper, you find inspiration within these pages; and before we know it -
spring will once again bloom.
B A R I NG YO U R P A S S I O N by: Lauren Parker of: Lauren Grayson Photography
A
few months ago I went to a photography conference in Texas searching for answers. I was about to begin my fourth year in business, exhausted and uninspired; I was feeling a complete disconnect with my work. Somewhere along the way, I lost sense of what it was that filled me with excitement and made me want to be a photographer. Something life altering happened at that conference, but you have to know what got me to that place to begin with.
to create beautiful, unique and emotive work
I had been fortunate in my business with fast growth the first year. Before I knew it, my days were busy with clients requesting images they had saw from other photographers and various websites. In addition to that, there were many other artist’s work I enjoyed. Each time I found a new favorite, I wondered if this style was now the direction my work was meant to go. While I tried to stay true to myself, I found it difficult. Trying to blend the client’s wants from mainstream media with my search for a style was challenging and somehow unfulfilled. My client’s demands left me feeling cheap and burnt out. But then, wasn’t that my job to give them what they wanted and provide them with the service they requested? Eventually, I felt as if I was merely facilitator commissioned to give them someone else’s idea of what is or could be a beautiful moment. To find myself in the position of running a successful studio, while being so unhappy with the current work I was providing to clients, was disconcerting. I had loved my images at one time. I even thought that once I found a style - a niche and a look - I would be set for life; this would be my art. Yet I was finding that the more I felt I found this style - my niche and my look - the more lackluster my images were and more frustrating my days were becoming.
So it was in this large room in Texas, with a few hundred other photographers, that the speaker began to tell a story. She talked about a client she worked with, another photographer, who had hired her to photograph her maternity portraits. The speaker said she was surprised that this photographer had hired her because her style was so vastly different from her own work. The speaker’s style embraced a messy film look filled with movement and raw imagery, while the client shot beautiful, clean and structured images. Her questions were valid, “what could I possibly give you and why would you even choose me?” The photographer simply replied this single line that still rings through my head daily as I work: “I just want to feel something when I look at my photographs.” The moment the words left the speaker’s mouth, it was like a flood gate of realization opened up within me - the total light bulb moment. Yes, that was what I had been yearning for - Feeling; Emotion. The response quickly became a beautiful haunting to me. I realized I had been working tirelessly for the past four years for money. And that while being successful was nice, my work was no longer fulfilling. I had forgotten the reason I became a photographer, the reason I ever picked up a camera in the first place - to create art. Business is such an important part of being successful but I had quit looking at myself as a portrait artist. It was time to get that back. I flew home and decided to do a few personal sessions. Sessions fully created, styled and imagined by me, for me. I let my creativity take over and it was completely liberating. To shoot what I wanted again, and actually enjoy shooting, was the most freeing experience I had, had in a long time. I embraced my visions and ideas. I took action not only with changing shooting, but even with changing around my editing style. I pushed myself outside of my comfort zone and was about to turn my business upside down. While all of this was such a freeing moment, I would be lying if I said it wasn’t just as equally terrifying. Taking my business that I had babied, coddled, loved for so long and completely try to reinvent it, telling people that I would no longer partake in boring portrait sessions, with stale posing and cliché props. Instead, I would be venturing into a world unknown to me with my photography. Expressing my deepest desire - to create beautiful, unique and emotive work, without worrying which clients I would lose and who would hire me for my authentic visions and abilities; absolutely nerve-wracking. I worried of failure and allowed fear to creep into me here and there. But, then I had another realization - if doing what truly fueled me as an artist was unappealing to some, I didn’t care. If I lost clients and money, that was okay. I was baring my artist’s soul to everyone watching. I was nervous and excited at the same time. I was ready. I was no longer willing to stifle the passionate fire I had for true art pieces, for portraiture that made me feel something. Ignoring my fears, I moved forward. I dug so deep down into my artist’s soul learning more about who I am as an artist and the type of imagery that really moves me emotionally. I began to realize so many things. It makes me laugh today to think I felt that “once I found my brand” and “my ‘look’” that I would be set for life. I realize now, that as humans and as artists, we don’t necessarily find something that makes us tick and stick with it for life. We grow, we change and we evolve. Our life experiences fuel our passion and we are ever evolving in our creativity and emotions. I also recognize that when we bare it all to those viewing our art, we may lose those people who do not appreciate it, while attracting those who do. We don’t only attract those with a deep appreciation for our passion, but we will also excel ourselves because we will be following our true heart’s desire.
C ANCER WITH FAITH by: Stacey Muniz of: Soul Threading
A close friend of mine went through a powerful transition
- cancer. Luckily the cancer was found early and they were able to remove it, without doing chemotherapy. Recently we sat over a cup of coffee and talked about the details of her journey.
What was your prior history before you were diagnosed? My mother and grandmother both had breast cancer, so my doctor recommended that at 30 I started with yearly mammograms. At the age of 35, I had a core needle breast biopsy that did not show to be cancerous, but from that point on I was closely followed going through MRIs and ultrasounds as precaution. I discussed the possibility a few years ago with my husband about having a prophylactic mastectomy due to my family history. Afterthought I decided not to but last year I went ahead with a genetic testing and had the BRCA testing done. This October, when I went to get another annual exam, my radiologist erred on the side of caution, and recommended that I have a biopsy. I am ever so grateful, for early detection found the cancer. I did not have to go through chemo and for my own peace of mind, I decided to go ahead and have a bilateral nipple sparing mastectomy with spacers for later reconstruction.
During this process where did you go for healing? Outside of pain medications, my faith in Jesus Christ is what brought me through this journey - this transformation. Alongside that, I received incredible support and love, and an abundance of prayers by my family, friends and church family. My husband and I have weathered many storms during our 23 years of marriage; infidelity, infertility, and international adoption being three big ones...so this was just another chapter in our book of life. I could not do this journey without the hope of Christ. For the first time I was able to help my friend with my talents I have been given. I knew this was something I wanted to do - for her. Together we created a work of art, as she is truly stunning. I have been so inspired personally by her strength and humility through this process - to let herself be seen in a difficult time, in a difficult way. She was able to open up to not only me but to herself as a way of reflection. Being able to use photography, in this way, will forever shift the way I view life. For these photos show her being real, raw, and bold - a transformation of growth.
and we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. - Romans 8:28
Know
the
Facts
• If you’re 40 or older and have an average risk of breast cancer, yearly screening mammograms should be part of your healthcare. - Breastcanceer.org • A breast cancer (BRCA) gene test is a blood test to check for specific changes - mutations - in genes that help control normal cell growth. Finding changes in these genes, called BRCA1 and BRCA2, can help determine your chance of developing breast cancer and ovarian cancer. - WebMD.com
B LU S H I NG G A R D E N S by: Dannie Melissa Wit of: Abeille Photography
on a rainy morning, in the middle of a evergreen surrounded property
Florist and Model: Elizabeth MUAH:
Gaudet Erickson of Olive + Pine Floral Design
Anita Munson of Makeup, Brows and Lashes Oh My Jewelry:
Dress: Phuong
Julie Stull of JES Design Studio
Minh Nguyen of Dream Dresses P.M.N. Location:
Vashon Island in Washington
A SIMPLE LIFE by: Kelly Jacobi of: Kelly Jacobi Photography
First day of a high school advanced English class we were asked to write down one word
that was going to guide our year. I immediately, without any hesitation, wrote down the word simple. I wasn’t going to over think and second guess myself - I was going to keep it simple. While classmates were brainstorming, the instructor proceeded to talk about how this year would be anything but simple. She went on and on but I only heard this first sentiment. I couldn’t believe out of all the words in the English language, this was the one word she chose to focus on and single out. She spoke about this word with almost a disdain and resentment. I casually covered my paper. I shrunk back into my seat. I was embarrassed. I even felt guilty. But I didn’t erase my word. I knew somehow this was the right choice. I didn’t speak of simple in the same way she was describing it. It meant something more to me.
Honestly, and maybe ridiculously, I have thought back to this moment for many years after and still feel guilt. What did this say about me? I thought that choosing simple to describe myself and my approach meant I was lazy. I thought that maybe simple meant that I didn’t want to try or wanted an easy way out. But I always gravitate towards it; I always come back to this concept. Those words, bare and unassuming, grab at me; they pull me in. It wasn’t until recently that I owned what simple meant to me. I see simple as a tool; simple can be powerful; simple is stripping down to bare bones and being transparent - nothing to hide behind; simple is baring your soul; simple transcends the surface - speaking to the soul.
I believe that being able to bring a layer of complexity into something that is innately simple is compelling. There is a beauty that lies silently in the humblest of forms. As artists we are uniquely equipped to show the strength, passion, and emotion in what is easily overlooked by so many - as easy or basic. A simple message that can be universal. It draws us all in and allows the viewer to strip the layers back to view the intricacy that is hidden below the surface, if they know to look for it; it’s the kind of message that waits only for the observant.
This is what I aim to bring to my photography and especially to the portraits of my boys. What could be more simple and yet as powerful as a portrait. I do not look for elaborate set ups; most of the time I just let the moment unfold in front of me while I follow their lead. It is just them and me; it is the light and the shadows. The simplicity develops into a lucid connection - intermingling of emotions and memories. When they are sitting down in front of me there are no expectations of what the end result will be. I want to create with them; I want them to be an active part of my art with me; I am an observer and a creator. Some of what emerges when we sit down together is this is their here and now - a window into who they are at that exact moment.
What surfaces are my reactions, my emotions. Either way I can guarantee this is not the easy way out. This is ripping off all of the layers and lying bare in front of you. This is me as a woman, as a wife, as a mother, as an artist. Somewhere along the way, we made life more complicated than it needed to be. We decide that there are no values unless they are complex and intricate; but simplicity is pure; it is the unadorned; modest offerings of an artist. We bare our souls this way when we create. We give everything of ourselves and of our subjects. For me there is no other way. Today I own the simple choice. Today simple is the word I choose to guide my art and my life.
simple is baring your soul
A C OMMUNITY UNITED by: Latasha Haynes of: Ike and Tash Photography and Motion
I
t has been a pleasure to watch as our industry has embraced the idea of a true community; one for all and all for one - supporting each other’s businesses to thrive. In a lot of ways it has given people a reason to believe that this industry is supportive and full of collaborations.
This idea of community is not only necessary but also pivotal in continuing to create an industry that is conscious to grow, with different unique strengths, driving it forward. It helps us to be innovators; it creates conversation about new ways of thinking and doing things; it develops leaders; and homegrown spaces for intimate conversations that can happen consistently over and over again. But even in all community has to offer, it can often come close to a line of division - where many still sit looking in, wondering where they fit and if there is room for them at the table. We can become complacent in our own idea of community, unaware that we have created a space that excludes people, that we don’t even realize what we deem as community really appears as more of the same. No one wants to be on the outside looking in, because we as humans all have the innate urge to fit in, to be a part of something. As a community that should be at the core of what we stand for supporting and creating spaces, representing the entire community and supporting healthy conversations around diversity. I have seen great debates on why intentionality isn’t necessary and the focus should be on the skill level, and although I agree with all of that, couldn’t we be intentional more? True community, at its best, represents the whole. This means that any person who searches can find a person who looks like them; a person who can relate to them; a person who shares the same struggles or the same triumphs; they are able to find themselves among the crowd and make a connection. They are challenged to grow and to become better, to offer solutions that are beneficial as a whole. As true community addresses the challenges and provides real solutions for all of it’s members - so that the members feel valued and a part of the conversation. True community shows diversity in leadership, not just in race or gender, but also in the areas that define who they are. They are open to opinions, even in contrary, and mindful to consider how those opinions might affect them. At the beginning of the year, I had the opportunity to take a mini vacation to Lake Tahoe with eleven other talented and inspirational senior portrait photographers from all over the United States. Each of these women is gifted and are cutting edge in what they do. Initially, I was nervous because I didn’t know any of the women in real life and had no idea what to expect - when women come together, it’s always interesting what can come out of it. When I was picked up from the airport by four photographers I had never met - we had only shared a few encouraging posts back and forth on social media - I knew that it was going to be an amazing weekend. There was such a fun energy, instant hugs, laughs and excitement for what was ahead.
Over the course of those four days, in the cabin at Lake Tahoe, I learned so many things. God originally put this concept in my heart last September after attending and speaking at Karen Stott’s Pursuit 31 Conference. Karen and I had been great friends, so close that she helped throw a baby shower for my daughter, Wisdom, before she was born. Time had gotten away from us and we weren’t able to connect as much. She had really flourished with her Pursuit ministry and God gave me things to carry out on my own. It was the one of the first times, over these past couple of years, where I was faceto-face with the great impact that she had made and I was so proud of my friend. Although life had gotten busy, and we weren’t able to as often come together, I could see that her dream, her heart’s purpose, had come true. I remember when this was an idea and now is impacting woman around the world; and I was so, so proud. Her success was her success; my success was my success; and standing before her audience, sharing what God had put in me, didn’t take away from what she or I was achieving, as we were both inspired by how God had given us wings to grow. Being in Tahoe reminded me of that moment. No person in the room was better than anyone else. We all had so much to learn from each other. We all shared the same fears, frustrations and insecurities. We all had “aha” moments and everyone was so humble. Her Success Is Not My Failure - her success is my success too - that is what God kept stirring in me. Your only real competition is yourself! People can’t compete with your anointing. They can’t add nor take away from you. What would happen if we decided to embrace and believe this? What would happen if we showed love when we were impressed; rallied behind each other’s causes; believed the best in each other; answered questions when they were asked; closed our ears to gossip; and greeted people at face value without pre-conceived notions? What would happen if we decided to actually believe this to be true - making the decision to act on it? What an incredibly caring, comfortable and inspiring industry we would all be able to rest in. I had a little taste that weekend and I know it is possible. There is room for all of us to be great because #hersuccessisnotmyfailure. One of the best things that came out of this trip was the opportunity to meet two of the girls I was competing against for a national “best of” competition. Ideally, competitions are created and often turn people against each other - having a divisive nature. But this competition, put on by Denim and Grace, only brought us closer. Those women who I met in competition have become two of my biggest cheerleaders and I am so grateful. We often referred to this friendship as the Tahoe Twelve. These are some of the most talented and amazing woman I know. My career has forever been changed by their support, love and encouragement. A candle that lights another candle doesn’t take away, it simply shines brighter - let’s choose to shine bright. Run your race with blinders on and know I’m cheering for you all the way!
we all win, when one wins. when we are all thriving
we all do better,
C A P T U R I NG B A R E P O R T R A I T S by: Jasmin Pickens of: Sugar & Lace Studio
T
he beginning of life is beautiful and bare. As we grow older we feel the need to surround ourselves with more. We clutter our lives with things we don’t need - distracting us from seeing what’s really important. Creating a bare portrait is taking away things that don’t belong, to create a simple, more authentic portrait - without the help of props. All focus is on the person in your frame. While I love all beautiful props, for my boudoir I prefer to keep it simple. Less is always more. There is beauty in simplicity. Keeping it simple will remove all distractions, leaving the woman to become your only focus.
Finding Beauty There are different ways to find beauty in photos - to focus solely on the woman in front of you. To create this authentic look means to go back to the origin, to take away everything that distracts and disturbs the clean expression. By doing this you will create a more intimate environment with the person in front of your camera - it’s all about the woman in front of you and letting her shine. Every woman has her own unique beauty. There are no standards for beauty. Beauty comes from within and is a light that shines from the eyes. It’s your job to find this when you connect with her through your camera. When I am shooting, I am always trying to connect through conversation. Getting to know your client before your shoot is important so she is not awkward in front of the camera during the session - making it easier to reveal her inner self. Making a connection with your client allows for natural beauty to shine through, that was already there.
Creating a Bare Element Working in a simple shooting space will bring you the element of bare. When shooting find simple elements such as a white wall, a basic backdrop or diffused window light - to let the focus be solely on the woman. Without any distractions such as jewelry or props, have her stand or sit in front of you, focusing on her eyes and their emotion. A woman’s emotions are laid bare in her eyes - find this. While working in your simple shooting space, create the mood for your images, to focus on your connection. A connection with your client is far superior to that of technical perfection. Portraits without a connection become lifeless.
Finding the Light To enhance the light in your space look to find a plain wall. This can occur both indoors and outdoors get creative! When working outside an overhead shade is ideal or a wall with shade provided. In studio, you can create this same look, with a light a few feet in front of the wall. If you find your shooting space doesn’t have a wall you can create one with painted poly boards or use a plain colored backdrop. Stay away from bright colors as this will away from the feeling of simplicity. If you don’t have a wall, you can make it with painted poly boards or use a plain backdrop in a neutral color. I would not recommend any bright colors to create this look because it will take away from the feeling of simplicity.
Posing By creating a bare shooting element, posing becomes the sole statement to create an authentic moment. With strong posing, strive to create a look that appears natural with her body language. The best way to achieve this is to know your client and with practice. By showing your client what you want her to do, she will feel more confident, with putting her body in motion. Remember to keep the connection with your client; put down your camera when speaking to her. One of the most important aspects of a portraits are the woman’s hands. Be aware at all times during your session that the hands are not pointing in an off direction, are not too stiff, or pointing directly at the camera. Another difference when creating a minimalist portrait is to put motion within the hair. Need ways to create motion? Try to use a blow dryer; Flip the hair; Have her dance. Tension is also lessened when the woman can place her hands in her hair - a great tip for short hair.
To create a bare portrait the woman does not need to be nude or in underwear, but she can wear any outfit of neutral tones. Avoid extreme colors or patterns, as they will remove the focus away from the woman. As she laughs or looks away, you want the image to be real and organic. When looking at a portrait you want it to be intimate, personal, authentic. Bare portraits evoke a feeling - a feeling that you create.
real. authentic. raw.
C ITIES IN C OLOR founded by: Melissa Hines of: Melissa Hines Photography
First Place
by: Sonja Stich of: Sonja Stich Fotografías When I took this photo it was almost dark. So I pushed my ISO to 3.200 and shutter speed to 1/13 as I wanted to capture the beautiful colors of the sky, the night blue and the orange shine from the city in the background. I took this photo on the occasion of a meeting with friends at the beach. It was a typical Spanish summer evening even though it was already November. The adults chatting and playing guitar and the children playing regardless of the time of the day. Headshot by: Sue Wetjen Artist Bio: Sonja Stich, of Sonja Stich Fotografias, is a German photographer, living in Spain, with my family. The new environment and wonderful light inspires her to take photos every day. Sonja loves to take photos on the streets of Barcelona and to document her children’s imagination and their joy of discovery. Above all, Sonja’s interest is to capture the connection between people and their raw emotions.
Second Place
by: Tess Runion of: Tess Runion Photography I took this image on a Friday off of work. I wanted to start holiday shopping and was having lunch with a friend, enjoying time to myself. My Fridays off are often peaceful and they rejuvenate me after a long week of kids, activities, reality; and where I go, my camera goes. I had orange on my mind with our Cities in Color project so I immediately stopped when I saw this. A simplistic and calming feel to this shot - I loved how the leaves marked the last breaths of Fall, turning this somewhat ordinary moment into my Friday story. And who doesn’t love Crate & Barrel! Artist Bio: Tess Runion, of Tess Runion Photography, lives in Richmond, Virginia. She is a lifestyle, family photographer and storyteller. Tess is a wife and mother of 3, inspired by her family, good friends, good wine and a good photograph.
Third Place
by: Stacey Repinski of: Stacey Repinski Photography I took my son, Jake, to downtown Anoka, MN with me one afternoon so we could spend some time together. I asked if he could help me find some orange as we walked around. We stopped at an antique store where he loves to buy old coins. After leaving the store, Jake and I spotted an orange wall by another shop. This image will always remind me of our adventure that day which also included root beer and Crazy 8s. This project has really opened my eyes to the colors around me. Ordinary and everyday things can be inspiring! Headshot by: Erin VonRuden Keogh Artist Bio: Stacey Repinski, of Stacey Repinski Photography, is a photographer living in Mineeapolis-St. Paul metro area. Stacey and her loving husband together have four beautiful children; Jake (8), Alli (6), Maddy (4) and Evie (19 mos). Stacey documents her work with her Nikon D610 and absolutely loves it! For Stacey, capturing her kids childhood moments through her lens is one of her favorite things to do and Stacey hopes they love her images as much as she does some day.
Other Highlighted Images:
by: Lisa Cook of: Divine Nature Photography
by: Christa Paustenbaugh of: Christa Paustenbaugh Photography
by: Laura Davidson
From the Founder, Melissa: At the end of every month, I offer the Cities in Color project community a chance to vote on the next month’s color. November was chosen to be orange and I was excited for the challenge! With the exception of construction cones, I hadn’t really noticed a lot of orange in Kansas City before. But that is part of the point of this project - to open our eyes to the previously unnoticed beauty all around us! It turns out that when I was paying attention, I did notice the orange around me. It wasn’t obvious, but rather was in the details of the city. This serves as yet another reminder to slow down and pay attention to what is around me. I’ll let you in on a little secret, now that I’ve spent a month looking for orange in Kansas City, I’m still noticing it in the details all around me - which makes me smile.
B R E A K I NG F R O M M A I N S T R E A M by: Jamie Nicole Scott of: Jamie Nicole Scott, Photographer
What makes me feel honest can oftentimes make me feel too different to en-
dure. Baring myself is to shed away layers of who I appear to be so that I may embrace what makes me authentic. Accepting my childhood is something that has shaped not only myself but my art - made me not ashamed. By accepting my past I am still left vulnerable and that can be terrifying. But by baring myself I am being real and understandably that is not for everyone. We are all real in our own ways but being bare in a creative industry is a difficult but freeing process indeed.
Revealing humanity in our work is embracing it all – the good, the bad, the positive, the negative, the perfection, the flaws, the hope, and the despair. Confronting ourselves helps to develop and connect your art to people on a real level. Most of us yearn for exactly that but some of us are guilty of capturing what we feel looks mainstream because that gives us validation. I do not want to imply mainstream is bad but it can be a box. It is a box I’d like to see you break free from and bare your soul in ways that you never even saw coming. So, how did I bust open that box and stand tall with my work? I document what makes me feel human. I have an obsession with the sky – it humbles me. To me there’s nothing more human than our tiny existence against the biggest backdrop – the sky, and essentially, the universe. I don’t see the sky as a limit but rather a place to transcend and if there’s one thing I aim to do – it’s to surpass everything I was taught to believe and photograph something I’ve never seen before. I’ve always loved shooting silhouettes but was afraid of the acceptance they would have in the mainstream; for no one would document them exclusively.
In 2013, I was creating a silhouette mini session but brought it down because it didn’t fit the mold of what success looked like then. But here I am, two years later, and shamelessly marketing them - while feeling great about it. I stopped caring if my differences were not being accepted; I set myself free from self-imposed expectations. While I have broke free of mainstream I am still always perfecting my craft - the color, the composition, the exposure - because those always need improving. But my focus of my photos have transcended. Why is it so hard for some people to break through the need to fit in? I can only speak for myself but I have a diagnosed obsessive compulsive - an anxiety disorder. I am, and can be, a people pleaser but when it comes to my work, I had to stop documenting what the popular pins on Pinterest told me to. I decided to embrace my humanity and use it like a fuel to my art. If your art stands a chance at standing the test of time, you must confront it with some kind of humanity. So I dare to ask you - what makes you feel human?
as artists, we are at a constant push and pull between making our work communicate to the masses, while still making it unique to ourselves.
F I N D I NG MY S E L F by: Ashley Parsons of: We are The Parsons
T
here is a familiar ache that starts to creep into my home this time every year. The spring, summer, and fall have come and gone. The adventures, antics, and magic they held are going away with them. Then the winter comes and presents itself as something altogether different. Winter is bare. Each year I bite my nails and lament the fact that the sun will go down earlier, the wind will hold an unbelievable chill - my creative spirit trapped indoors, looking out the window to leaf-less trees and colorless skies. The lack of vitamin D, the inability to exercise outside, and my skin gets as pale as the folks on Downtown Abbey. My real uneasiness comes from knowing, when everything else is bare, I see myself for what I really am - my life for what it truly has become.
never deny yourself a chance to experience uncomfortable grace
Last winter was as bare as ever, the empty landscape, and ever-present chill gave me an opportunity to see myself more clearly, once again. Amidst running our own business, having a beautiful family, living in a lovely and unique old home, teaching classes to other photographers, leading workshops, and dropping a bunch of weight - leading me to start a weight-loss movement for women, I was empty. Increasing numbers of followers, attention, and success couldn’t mask that. I got to the middle of each day and felt ill-equipped to meet the rest of the day’s challenges with vigor. I was unique in my social media usage because I managed four - yes, four - Instagram accounts at once. Two of those were for work, one was leading a movement I accidentally started for women who wanted to lose weight and embrace their identities, and one was “purely personal.” In all truth, though, how “purely personal” can our motivations be when we are sharing our lives under the thumb of gaining and losing followers? We inadvertently have all become our own marketing campaigns, at one time or another. In retrospect, I realize I was unique in having four accounts to manage but I don’t think I was unique in the percentage of my day that was wasted mindlessly on social media.
I got to the end of the winter and felt disconnected from every real thing in my life that mattered. Despite posting delightful photos that made it appear as though all our family did was sit around in beautiful natural light talking about life, I had missed countless opportunities to connect with my kids and really look them in the eyes . Although my stream made it look like we had the best of everything, we were up to our eyeballs in debt as we tried to keep up an image that would impress and inspire. Even though our business required us to participate and care for our clients, I wasted so much time that the inbox was never fully responded to, the images were always being delivered late, and I had lost my drive to make photographs on a real camera. And then there was me. Somewhere in the noise of all of the hats I wore and persona I took on, I didn’t actually know who I was and what I was really doing here. I will always be thankful for the bare winter of 2014-2015 because it led me to the exact place I sit right now. At the end of that winter, we took a vacation with our kids. We had family who had purchased a little cottage, in a tiny mountain town in Colorado, and they offered it to us. We knew it was a place where we could go stay for free, and we had heard it was “very simple.” In a life of constant approval seeking, simple sounded just great to me. I signed off of Instagram, proving just how seriously I took my pseudo “public relations” role, and we drove West for a day, ending up at the place that would change our lives forever. The cottage was, indeed, simple. Two rooms, no television, no dishwasher, no clothes dryer, no internet and no cell phone signal - made this place seem about as Amish as the people who rode their horse drawn buggies past the house each day. The primitiveness of the cottage both scared me and called to me, letting me know there must be something really good on the other side of this discomfort. We walked around the quiet little town, read books, took naps, ate massive cinnamon rolls made by the local amish women, hand washed every dish, and breathed the air. We had long talks about concepts so easily forgotten in this culture, like legacy, purpose, divinity. We had been living our days wastefully thinking they would magically all add up to good and rich lives, then being surprised when we felt hollow at the end of a week, month, or year. The cottage was where we made the decision to quit social media for a year. The cottage is where I started writing again, with more drive and focus than I had in years. The cottage is where we started to feel like a family again, where we started to give more face time to our boys than our phones. The cottage is where our identity as beloved creatures made by a wildly creative God began to sink in deeper than our number of followers. The cottage is where I believe, when we grow much older and are telling the story about our lives to our kids and grandkids, things were forever altered. Quitting social media created a new kind of “bare” landscape inside of my heart. Like I said before, when everything else is stripped away, you can see things as they are. The blindfold fell off and I was able to see how the very best of my creative, relational, and soulful efforts had been spent wastefully on social media platforms. Without a place to get the immediate gratification of making a photograph and sharing a few words to go with it, I actually had to make photographs for the earnest love of creating and write words for the dedication to a craft. Instead of stalking people or being emulated, I had to learn that real friendship involves the messy, imperfect art of conversation, listening, forgiveness, and dedication. Instead of posting some pithy spiritual quote on Instagram, I actually had to sit alone with the God I
claimed to know, and explore what it looks like to be still, to meditate, to listen, and to be loved based on existing - not performing. The bare landscape of this past year has lead to more than I ever hoped or imagined. It turns out, within myself, there was a bright and vibrant creator longing to be free, to make things without the voices of comparison and envy shouting at her all day. The past year has brought an abundance of new, unleashed creativity. These creative projects have come in the form of traveling to tell more stories, making and producing our very own podcast - The Boredom Experiment on iTunes, writing snail mail to anyone who writes - P.O. Box 32875 Kansas City, MO 64171, mentoring other photographers & creatives on a one-on-one basis, making a home online for photographers to learn and continue to grow - dontgiveupproject.com, writing personal projects, dreaming up a new workshop, and even the latest offering - writing a ten day detox for other creatives to ditch the noise for a little while and engage in the art of simplicity. That last project on the list brings me a lot of joy and anticipation. I can’t help but think that, with all the unexpected joys my family and I have found in this new landscape, the way to embrace a creative and purposeful life is to embrace the bare landscape of the soul, and whatever it may bring your way.
A LETTER TO MY DAUGHTER to: Crystal Keyes by: Crystal Keyes Photography LLC
To
My Amazing Daughter, When I think about this year I am filled with so much joy. You are starting to grow into your own little person. You have so many talents, character and most of all love. As you grow older the more challenging it becomes for me to protect you. From what once stacking pillows on the floor in fear you would roll off the couch or protecting you from falling down during your first steps,
is now me trying to console you during heartache and playtime accidents. No matter how old you become I promise to always be here for you; to protect you; to make you as proud of me, as I am you. This year we have had so many adventures! You started your first official year of preschool. You lived your dream of competing with your cheer squad on the big stage and receiving a medal for it. You turned 5 years old and also learned how to do a cartwheel. You conquered your fear of the water and by end of summer you were jumping off the diving board; becoming quite the little water bug. You rode your very first roller coaster over and over and over - with your hands proudly in the air. My daughter, my girl, you have made me so proud. When I look at you I think, “how did I get so lucky? What did I do so right to deserve a kid like you?” And one day I hope to think you will feel just as lucky to have me. When I think of the future for you I think of the endless possibilities. You, my sweet girl, can do anything you set your mind to. And though it may sound a bit cliché, it’s because I know you and know it is true. Today your dream is to be a rock star, and as we drive in the car, I hear you tapping and humming to the tune of your favorite John Mellencamp song - my heart is so full. I am so proud of you for never giving up. You will listen to something on repeat to get the lyrics just right and it really shows your determination. I know that same fire will travel with you throughout life. It is fun to watch you continue to grow and develop your own style, your own personality.
As you grow you will be faced with challenges. Though it doesn’t matter what the challenges are, it is the way you choose to deal with it, that will truly define you as a person. I have chosen to raise you to be happy, to be kind and to be thankful. I have chosen to raise you to know the sky is the limit. It’s not because I am naive and live in a fairytale world, it’s because I believe it. You know how you can look at someone and know that person is destined to do great things? That person, is you. Not a day goes by that you don’t amaze me. Never stop trying. Never stop wishing. Never stop believing. I promise to always be here to guide you, to help you and most of all - to unconditionally love you. Though you are only a mere 5 years old, your soul is wiser than its years. You are kind, talented and a free spirit. You are my best friend.
love forever, your mama
DIRECTORY Ana Rosenberg Lodi, NJ anarosenberg.net Ashley Parsons We are the parsons Kansas City, MO wearetheparsons.com Christa Paustenbaugh Christa Paustenbaugh Photography APO , AE christapaustenbaugh.com Crystal Keyes Crystal Keyes Photography LLC Noblesville, IN crystalkeyesphotography.blogspot.com Dannie Melissa Wit Abeille Photography Seattle, WA abeillephotography.com Jamie Scott Jamie Nicole Scott, photographer LLC Lafayette, IN jamienicolescott.com Jasmin Pickens Sugar & Lace Studio Indianapolis, IN sugarandlacestudio.com Kelly Jacobi Kelly Jacobi Photography Concord, North Carolina kellyjacobiphotography.com
Laura Davidson Johnson City, TN Lauren Parker Lauren Grayson Photography Akron, OH laurengraysonphotography.com Latasha Haynes Ike and Tash Photography and Motion Tacoma, WA Lisa Cook Divine Nature Photography Monument, CO Melissa Hines Melissa Hines Photography Kansas City, MO melissahinesphotography.wordpress.com Sonja Stich Sonja Stich FotografĂas Barcelona, Barcelona Spain sonjastich.de Stacey Muniz Soul Threading Gainesville, FL soulthreading.com Stacey Repinski Stacey Repinski Photography Blaine, MN staceyrepinskiphotography.zenfolio.com Tess Runion Tess Runion Photography Midlothian, VA tessrunionphotography.com