Collage Finished: Check

I started this collage back in December with my friend McKenzie. We had good intentions of doing the whole project in one evening. Clearly, that didn't happen, since I just completed mine yesterday. After six months, success!

Fleur de lis images have become icons in New Orleans; they're everywhere. I'm sure you've seen them. It took me almost four years to even begin to accept the prevalence of this image in my city, so I'm still a little surprised that I used a fleur de lis in this collage. I'm not sure why....it just happened.

Enough talk...here it is. McKenzie, if you're reading this, I'm ready for a new project. :)

Joe the Incredible

I'll do almost anything to get the shot, but Joe will do anything to get the shot.

He climbs for a living, so it wasn't too far fetched when I encouraged him to scale this wall. I'm sure he'd already thought of it first. (Hopefully no moms are reading this...if so, just pretend like I didn't encourage this type of behavior.) He did so with ease, and he was able to get some photographs from above. Since I was physically not capable (and I like my life) of doing the same thing, I just took pictures of him climbing.

Joe, you're a beast! I guess Dave gets some points for climbing to the top too. Good times!

Maggie

I've known Maggie for almost four years. She moved here about a year after Katrina when everyone else was moving away and things were still not yet normal. We've been friends ever since. I was delighted to finally steal her away from her studies for awhile to have this great shoot on the North shore, courtesy of Joe's idea to drive there.

Amazing light is one of those things that just makes me want to never stop shooting or change locations. We experienced some really great light closer to sunset that was to die for...not literally. If so, how would I keep taking pictures? :) Maggie was wonderful, and I feel like these really capture some characteristics of who she is - strong, focused, passionate, and fun. Thanks for taking time out of your busy schedule, girl; I really appreciate it!

It's Dave

New places were visited, cool buildings found, bricks were scaled, pipes were climbed, and fun was had...all with our friend Dave.

I have no more words for tonight; I know how unusual that can be.

FYI

I'm still editing from this weekend. Joe is faster than me...I freely admit it! Check back tomorrow for pictures of either Maggie or Dave, not sure who yet!

Foundations.

1 Corinthians 3:11-14

For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man's work. If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward...

This morning I didn't have power at work, access to the internet, or the ability to retrieve my files from our server; as a result, I broke out the Bible...and the scripture above is what stuck out to me.

Jesus is the foundation of my life, but what am I building on top of that foundation? What materials am I using? What is the motivation of my heart as I build?

I was reminded that we can have plans, ambitions, and goals for our lives, but if God isn't in them, where does that leave us? If I'm tested with a trial by fire, what will be left? As I stand in the ashes, will I still have hope?

The quality of my life and work will be exposed in what remains after the fire.

Hannah

Hannah is Joe's cousin, and I had a great time taking pictures of her. She has the most amazing blue eyes and a fun style. She's comfortable in her own skin and that resulted in some sweet, casual portraits. The shoot was only enhanced because we used the roof of her dad's French Quarter apartment. Good times!

Thanks Hannah! I had such a hard time choosing my favorites, so I'm posting more than I usually do.

Sixty

I grew up tagging along with my dad to our camp for fishing, trawling, setting crab traps, etc... I admit it; I'm from a family of outdoorsman. My dad even taught me to water ski when I was eight on the lake near our camp. I grew up in some part there, with my dad and all his buddies.

The great thing about my dad is that he is still friends with those same guys from high school; they see each other regularly and get together for special events. I only keep in touch with one person from high school, so these guys amaze me. Some of these same guys were in attendance at my dad's sixtieth birthday party, along with neighbors, friends, and family.

Road Trip!

We drove to Venice, Louisiana on Saturday. Not because of the oil spill and not because there's anything special there; it's a marina full of boats for goodness sake!

However, my good friend Megan wanted to drive to the southernmost portion of Louisiana, so we did. It was good trip with some super fun girls. I convinced them to dress cute, so we stopped for pictures all along the way.