A Sunday Adventure

I work at a camera store, so I look at photographs all day, every day. I see amazing images that I couldn't possibly have the patience to take. Sometimes I'm just lazy; I don't wait for the perfect lighting or have my camera with me at all the right moments.

At the store, we have this image of an old church to display the different sizes that we print, so that way the customers have a visual for what they're ordering. One of our customers finally explained how to get to this old church, so I went out there a few Sundays ago.

Let's just say, it wasn't as big as I thought it would be, and it's in much worse condition than when the picture we have on display was taken. It's it practically falling over. Maria came on this adventure with me to see what we could see. She actually braved the inside of the church, where I refused to enter. She kept telling me that the floor seemed fine, and I just laughed because I was intent on keeping all my limbs unbroken.

It was a blast enjoying a gorgeous spring day, riding with the windows down, listening to the music loud, and taking lots of images...it doesn't get much better than that.

Like to Read?

As I mentioned earlier this week, I discovered a bookstore in the French Quarter. It's called Arcadian Books & Prints. It must have been the beat up exterior that initially drew me to the store, and then I saw the sign for "free books." Of course I had to further inspect what books the store was giving away for free...on the off chance there might be something I'd want.

However, then we went inside, and I was completely overwhelmed. It was cramped and dusty, and I immediately started sneezing. Being allergic to dust is really a downer sometimes. As you'll see from the photos below, there are mounds and mounds of books with seemingly no order at all. Two people cannot occupy the same space inside or even pass each other. Despite that, the guy working there assured me there was order in what I saw as chaos. It was also one of the most charming places I had been to in awhile. The charm was really in the chaos and history all stored up in one amazing place.

If you like to read, you should stop in and explore the collection. I'm sure you'll find something that you MUST buy and take home. If not, accompany a friend who will purchase a book; I know my friend April did. Or, you may just find a "free book" on the stoop that's perfect for your collection.

A Glorious Day

A couple of weekends ago, my friend April came to town. I was stoked for her to be hanging out with me. She was my roomie when we lived overseas, and we haven't seen each other much in the last 6 years.

On Friday, we went out and walked all around the Quarter. As usual, I brought my camera along and took pictures of our adventures on that perfect, cool, and sunny day. It was the most amazing weather...I couldn't get enough of it, but after about five hours we were done.

We went into the coolest little bookstore too, but more of those pictures later this week.

Eliana

I've known Brooke since we were kids. We went to the same dancing school, had mutual friends, and also went to college together. I helped her prepared for her wedding four years ago by designing her invitations and painstakingly sealing each one with waxy. I was there at 4 in the morning to assist with last minute details for her sunrise wedding ceremony...I'm a dedicated friend, what can I say? She's a good friend and totally worth it.

She and her husband had their daughter, Eliana, back in October. They just moved back here to be near Brooke's family, so we're getting reacquainted. Plus, I had the joy of shooting Eliana's three month portraits. The weather didn't cooperate, so we took shelter inside and made the best of it. She's adorable, and I promised Brooke not to talk about how sharp her fingernails felt on my face when I held her for the first time. :) I'm looking forward to the six month session outside somewhere...until then...

 

Lydia the Great

I've really enjoyed getting to know my new friend, Lydia. In just a short amount of time I've seen so many great qualities in her; some of them I envy for myself. She's kind, strong, encouraging, fun, honest, and so much more. In addition, I know God's working in her life, and I've seen her face life head on in these last few weeks.

I'm lucky to be her friend, and she's lucky I'm a photographer...one who was able to capture parts of her greatness and charm. I'm not going to lie; in some of these shots, I really feel that she looks like Michelle Pfeiffer from the movie Dangerous Minds. Unfortunately, she's too young to have any recollection of this movie. Gosh! I feel old.

Anyway, here are a few of my favorites from our afternoon together.

Gorgeous Natalee

I made a new friend recently, and I think she's pretty swell. She's part Japanese, and I really adore Japan (even though I still haven't checked visiting there off my bucket list). However, that's not why I became her friend; it was just a happy coincidence.

As what happens with most of my friends, I suggested we do a session. I like to shoot consistently, so I usually recruit my friends during slow times to keep things fresh. I spend most of my time photographing children, so it's nice to have a subject that can take a little direction. :)

We had a ton of fun at some new spots that I scouted, and we brought our other friend Lydia along too. Check back on Monday for my shots of her.

Nat is just too hot for her own good, right?