For A Moment Photography

Crushing My Sole!

A photo I took for his website.

Years ago while I was still going to ASU I had a incident happen to me that has really changed me as a person.  Sorry if that sounds a little alarming, the story I'm about all works out in the end...

One afternoon I was riding my bike home from school, I only lived about a half mile from campus.  On this particular day I was slowly peddling and sort of daydreaming with my head down.  Then all of a sudden I felt someone grab a hold of my backpack, that was on my back.  The next thing I remember is staring at my bike tire turing towards the car tire.  All I was worried about was preventing my bike and me from going under the moving car tire.  

This guy was hanging out of a moving car from his waist up and he grabbed a hold of me for I'm sure what only was a few seconds.  But this incident is still very clear to me...  As they drove off I looked up once my bike was steady (I never fell off) I saw the guy hanging out of the window screaming pumping his fists in the air.  This was the first time I got a look at him or the car, it hit me that I should get the license plate.  By then it was too far and I just couldn't focus.  I looked around to see if anyone was around, there was always other students riding down College Ave but not that day.

I rode my bike home to an empty house and didn't know what to do.  It felt like maybe it didn't happened because I was alone...  I know the guys in the car were only trying to scare me.  But they did.  I haven't really told this story to really more than a hand full of people.  I'm only talking about it now because since then I've been reluctant to run alone and I really hadn't run much since then.  

I use to run alone all the time and it was such a peaceful enjoyable time for me.  If ever I needed time to think I could guarantee you I'd do it with a good run.  I've always said if I could get the first three miles out of the way I could run 10-15 miles no problem...  Since the "incident"  I only ran on treadmills, at the track on campus (where lots of people are) or in groups.  Sometime at the gym I'd be separated from the group (on a outdoor run) and the whole time I'm looking behind my back to make sure no one is sneaking up on me.  Mind you I go to the gym at 5:30am and the sun isn't always up at the time.  A lot of times I just won't go to the gym on running days...

My brother Tommy has created a running group, Crush Your Sole.  He is a great runner and probably why I started running in the first place and I always looked up to him.  Then once Vincent (my twin) started running I had to run too!..

Anyway I've been running with the Crush Your Sole group on Saturday mornings.  We did a run on McDowell and it felt so great!  Geesh, a country mile feels so much better than any track mile!  I forgot how much I loved running and how much I missed it...  

Now in the beginning I said this was a good story, and it is.  I'm still to this day scared to run alone and I think that's ok.  I never run with headphones and I rarely (almost never) ride my bike alone at night.  Because I live in a large city I do need to be cautious.  Running has really taken a back seat in my life and having this group to run with once a week is a right for me.  I had always thought if you're born a runner you'd always run.  I guess for me that's not how it worked out.  CrossFitting has become a great love for me and I'll keep my running on Saturdays.  

Check out the site, like the page if you'd like ot get involved.  I think there will be some great runs coming up before the year is out!

 

 

 

Are You Shaping Your Brow Correctly? I Wasn't!!

Make-up by Suzy (480.304.1369)

1940's brow.

I have been wanting to do this post for years now!  Finally I'm doing it!!  A couple of years ago I started having my makeup done by my now friend Suzy.  She's really good and after the first couple of times she would say, "you need to have Olga do your brows!"   I had done my own for years and thought I knew what I was doing.  But after having Suzy asked me several times I decided to give Olga a try.  Olga at the time worked at Nordstoms at the Anastasia counter.  I made an appointment with her and started growing out my brows.

My first meeting with Olga I was informed by her (as well as Suzy) that no I have been doing my brows wrong!  They were over waxed and plucked!  I was told to pluck them (years ago) by measuring from the outside of my nostril to the start of my brow.  What I should of been doing was measuring them from the start of my nostril (to help explain this better I drew a line on Oprah's nostril).  What Olga explained to me was some people have wide nostrils and some are smaller so that way is flawed.  What I ended up with was a brows too far part.  Ugh, well the good news was no one could ever accuse me of having a unibrow.  

I've been growing my brow back for the past two years!  Yes, after years of waxing it takes time, thank goodness they are looking better.  Since then I have paid so much more attention to brows.  And recently heard somewhere that thick full brows are a sign of youth!  If you you look at any of the models in any magazine (expect maybe lowrider or tattoo magazines) the brows will be a much fuller and thick.

I posted a few photos of models and actresses that had nice brows above.  Oprah has amazing brows, it's no wonder that she has the founder of Anastasia's brow company doing her brows.  I added a few others that are young and few that are closer to my age and older to show what the brow should really look like.  They are definitely closer together than what I had thought a good brow should look like.

Olga is now at Sachi salon (480.421.9100) across from the mall (and expecting her first baby!).  I go to her every couple of months and try to maintain them on my own the other months.  We both agree with photos and brows, let the professionals do it!  I purchased the Anastasia brow templates from Sephora and those help too!  It's $20. and all 5 brow templates come with it, kind of silly since you'll only be one of the 5 (I guess I could share with my friends).  I am the high arch or as I call it, "high brow girl"!  Haha, sorry for the poor humor.

 

It Just Keeps Getting Better!

 

This weekend I had two fabulous photo sessions, and I couldn't be happier!  I have to admit I was in a bit of a funk.  Photography is such a part of who I am and when I'm not working it effects me.  The past few weeks have been the first few sessions where the weather has been nice and the sun on my back was welcomed.  

I had one client session on Saturday morning that is to be a Christmas gift for a loved one (of theirs).  It's killing me to not share any of those photos!  I loved the desert location and my clients were so interesting I had to remind myself I was working, and to stop talking.  I'll for sure post those photos after the holidays...

The photo session above I can talk about!  I know Michelle from CrossFit.  We worked out at different times so I didn't get to see her too much.  The times I was around her at the gym she was always very inviting and friendly, not to mention so strong.  When she asked me to photograph her family I knew it would they would be great clients and a fun family to work with (which is what really matters).

The week before the session I spoke with Michelle to get a better idea of the type of session she was looking for. When she told me urban, I knew exactly all the places I'd drag her and her family.  The spots were all new and I was so excited to try them out.  Going to new spots is a little nerve racking but I love that my clients photos are not all the same.

Her son was pretty typical 11 year old boy, cute, loving and engaging until I turned the camera on him.  Haha, but with Michelle, Steve and I all working on getting him to smile, we prevailed.  That being said I still think he liked the photos where I told him he didn't have to smile the best.  The photo of him above was one of our last photos that might be why he's smiling.

The first photo may be one of my favorites. I like that it's not the typical family photo, I like those and take those types of photos too but this is just more relaxed and cool.  Michelle looks stunning and the guys looked styled without looking uncomfortable.

This weekends sessions were so fun and as usual I am so thankful for beautiful, fun and willing clients!