I really wasn’t planning on entering another I Heart Faces challenge this week since I still need to pack for my upcoming move this Sunday. Of course I couldn’t stay away from Facebook and saw their update that they have a new challenge… So here I am.

I captured this last summer once again at Camp Arbolado. This was one of the foreign staff from Australia, Callum and one of the campers Jakori on our out hike to Primitives. That little boy did not want to give up hanging out on Callum’s sleeping bag even though he was moved off it; and because he wanted to stay on it, Jakori decided the next best thing was to jump on Callum so he couldn’t rest. It was a hilarious site to see and glad I was able to capture part of the whole fiasco that went on.

I’ve been wanting to enter into more contests and art shows this coming year and see where all I can go with my photography while learning and grow as a photographer as well. To start off the year I decided to enter a I heart faces challenge. I spent a week up at my beloved home away from home, Camp Arbolado and got some amazing pictures that I had a difficult time choosing. The one I decided to go with is Devin’s:

There have been so many struggles and changes this past year and I couldn’t be anymore thankful for them because of the lessons they have taught me. The biggest change is coming up in January when I plan on moving back to Texas and the closer it gets, the harder it is for me to accept this change though it was mine to make. I don’t regret making the decision but at the same time I feel selfish because this move is for me and I love it more than Cali. Yes I said it! I love Texas much more than California… Sorry Bessie but it’s true haha.

I made the move to Texas May of 08 at the drop of a hat for my younger brover because he needed help and I ended up staying there for year; during that time I knew things were going to be the same when I got back and I could always go back  to a home when I wanted… This time around I won’t be as fortunate.

I don’t care for change because with it, comes a sense of loss. Since losing my mother at the age of 12, I tend to handle change a lot differently than most people (if you’re also a motherless daughter, then chances are you know what I’m talking about). These will most likely be the last holidays I’m going to be able to spend with my grammers and a good chance it’ll be my last with my father as well; and knowing that makes this upcoming change that much more difficult…

I’m extremely close with my baby brover Danny and it’s usually pretty hard for me to go any length of time over two weeks without seeing him let alone speaking to him, so I knew that was going to take a toll on me but he let me know that he wants to move back with me, that just made my day. He decided to go into a 6 month rehab program which means I can’t see him when I want which is good because it teaches us that we can’t be so dependent of one another and it’ll give me a chance to adjust back to life on the hill until he can join me.

One of the best parts about moving back to Livingston is that, if and when anything does happen to either my grammers or father, I’ll have a strong support system, something I don’t really have out here; or at least not what I would need.

I’m hoping there aren’t many more changes from now until January but at the same time I know if there are, they’re for a reason and something good will come out of it somewhere down the line and I’m able to take comfort in that much.

I’ve always seemed to have a hard time finding someone who I just clicked with more on the emotional level than just personality. I have a few close friends who I see myself being friends with til the end and though they get me, they don’t at the same time and it makes it hard for them to comprehend what’s in my mind because of the way I process information.

As I was straightening some papers out on my desk this evening, I found an old journal that I had written all my random thoughts and ramblings in the first few months I was in Livingston; and I know I didn’t dig this journal out and to be honest, I forgot all about it and I still don’t know how it came to be on my desk…

As I was reading my entries I couldn’t help but laugh at myself a bit because they are written in a way that not many people would truly understand and as I came to the end of that first entry, I saw my buddy’s comment on it; and that just brought me to tears. You see,  my buddy was the one who I hit it off with right off the bat and we became very close and he’s the one who understood my ramblings that no one else could. He had wanted to know what I was writing all the time so I made the journal and gave it to him; later that day he gave it back to me and he commented on every. single. entry. A few of the comments were fairly lengthy which was nice because I was able to see how his thinking is about a certain subject; but what many of them were about how they were him, how he thought, what he believed, and how he felt. When it came to sharing out testimony’s of how we came to know God, we talked for hours and not only did we realize we had a lot in common but we felt this comfort around each other and ended up sharing more details about certain things that we wouldn’t share with anyone else, and here we are acting as if we’ve been best friends all our lives when we’ve only known each other a few short weeks.

We still keep in touch though it can be difficult with the distance and time difference but when we do talk, it’s as if nothing has changed and I guess that was one thing that I was dreading about when I move back, “How much have things really changed between us?” when we’re face to face again.  Life for the both of us has gone on and though our lives are much different; the more we talk we realize that we’re at the same cross-roads and we take comfort in knowing we aren’t alone and know that the other understands and will be there for the other.

Seeing his comment, “This IS me whether you meant it to be or not…” clarified for me that; even though a lot of time has passed and our lives have gone down separate paths, we’ll be there for one another and still understand each other like before and there is no greater comfort than that and knowing though we may not always say what’s on our minds, we don’t need to say anything because the other already knows.

As I was walking around doing my thing I noticed this cute little girl named Maddi that one of the artists Lisa was holding; who happened to be her niece. She was so adorable! As the night went on and the wave of people coming in seemed to die down a bit I ended up doing a small shoot with her I guess you could say. Every time I’d take a picture she’d say “my turn!” and would want to look at what I took; it was too cute. If she had not been Lisa’s niece, I probably wouldn’t have been able to get the shots I did; so to Maddi’s family, thank you for letting me get some awesome shots of her.

I have come to learn so many verses that are within the Bible and when I was living out in Texas it was amazing as to how much they would correlate with what was going on in my life and seeing them acted out so to speak. I loved that God was working things in my life and in ways that I was able to learn and understand that He is who He says He is.

Romans 8:28 is probably one of the few verses that I remind myself of quite often; especially when things seem to be going through a rough patch. Back in 2008 when I was guardian of my brover; it was a tough time for the both of us and my other ‘family’ would recite this verse to me, mainly Jeremiah, and I could not for the life of me understand what it was he was trying to say. Long story short, things happened and at that time it seemed like it was going to be the end of the world, but I kept reciting that verse to myself in the hopes that it would calm me down a bit and finally make sense to me. A few months down the road things seemed to be right again and though I still cringe at the thought of that one bad moment in my life, I still remember that it was that moment that helped us get to where we are today and I wouldn’t change it for the world and that’s when I learned what that verse was saying.

Last weekend was the reception for the “Wings” exhibition at the Whittier Art Gallery; which was also my first. It was an experience to say the least and though I was nervous as could be, I enjoyed seeing all the work that was a part of the show and meeting other artists. I ended up placing second for photography and it was an amazing feeling but it also hasn’t hit just yet.

I was talking to Vicki about the show the other day and while we were talking she had said that she remembered the other day about how I had come down with poison oak up at camp this past summer by a freak accident from a mattress mind you (and there is none up there what so ever). It ended up being bad enough that she had taken me up to Big Bear to get it checked out and while we were driving up there she had asked me what I did for myself since most of my time is spent taking care of family. I started telling her about how I was getting into photography and that’s when she asked me to take some photos for her when we got back down the mountain and everything kind of fell in line after that.

As we were talking about everything that verse came to mind and she was right, had I not come down with the poison oak she probably would have never known that I’m into photography and I wouldn’t have my work in this show or these other wonderful opportunities that are because of her. At the time I knew something good was going to come of this eventually but I honestly wasn’t really thinking much about it; I saw it more of a lesson learned and I’d go on with my life laughing how something like this would only happen to me.

I just love how certain people are brought into our lives and we don’t think much of it until certain events come together and that random piece that you remember and put in the “not so important” category, and God brings it back up to remind you that it is Him making this all happen and that we need to keep our eyes open and not take those small random things lightly because we never know when that one itty bitty thing can change our lives.

I have received many congratulations and compliments about my work and though it is nice to hear those; it wasn’t just me, it’s God that has blessed me with an inspiration and talent for photography and it was because of Him that I was able to win that award the other weekend and though I’d like to take credit for it, I can’t; all of my successes are and will be because of Him.

Tuesday a few weeks back started off a very hectic week and it kind of snowballed to something I didn’t want to face but at the same time it was a blessing. After much prayer and meditation along with a seemingly never ending source of tears while talking with my ‘adopted’ mothers; I’ve made the decision to relocate back to Livingston, Texas and the ones that know me well will tell you that this wasn’t an easy decision to make and one I know I’ll be questioning for quite some time.

I’ve finally learned that I need to do something for myself and actually take care of me. I’ve been taking care of family most of my life (and I know it sounds like I’m trying to talk myself up though that’s not my intentions) and put them before myself even if that meant leaving everything I knew behind. I don’t regret those decisions because those are what make me who I am today and they have taught me many life lessons and given me many precious memories I’ll cherish forever.

It breaks my heart knowing that I’m going to be leaving my brover out here because we are so close, though I’m still trying to get him to move back out that way with me. It’s a small town so there isn’t much out there for a teenager from the city and does that boy love the city… I also don’t want to leave my grammers just to be placed in a home because she’s done so much for my brothers and I; taking care of her when she needs it is the least I could do. It’s been a hard decision to make and I believe that I’ve done all that I can do without hurting myself anymore in the process.

So, come November I’ll be moving once again where I believe I’m supposed to be. I plan on coming back at least once a year to visit California, especially to go back up to camp but my home and heart is in Texas and it always has been and it feels good to be able to finally go home. I don’t know what awaits me on this new journey of mine and I’m not a big fan of the unknown most of the time; though I am learning to trust God with my life more; I’m still excited and nervous for this new chapter to begin. I want to thank everyone who I’ve met and worked with on this journey of mine, yall are amazingly wonderful and may God bless you.

Meet Brandis:

Tell us a little bit about yourself. Who you are, what you do, and where you’re from:
Brandis Allison: I am a mommy of two babies that are 16 months apart in age.  I am a professional wedding photographer.  I am an artist, who loves to free-hand draw, write and create things from scratch. I love to travel and to experience new things.  I’m extremely passionate in my personal and professional life.  I love…LOVE [as cliche as that is!].  I’m not your average, every day photographer.  My website and my blog are located under one place and I blog 3x a day, in hopes of inspiring myself and others.  O, and I am originally from Arizona :)

Where are you located?
Brandis Allison: I am in Columbus Ohio. Home of The Buckeyes!

What do you specialize in?
Brandis Allison: I specialize in wedding photography and writing.  I draw too! I am actually in the process of creating, writing, illustrating and self-publish a children’s abc book and other amazing products.  I originally started this project for my babies, but people are starting to convince me that I should offer it to the public too! haha

When did you get into photography? How?
Brandis Allison: I picked up a dSLR camera for the first time in April of 2009. My son just turned one and I was pregnant with my daughter.  I don’t know why I never thought of pursuing photography earlier in my life. The moment the camera touched the palm of my hand, I was hooked.  I’m 100% self taught and am very pleased with my skill and talent as of today.  I still have a lot to learn and I’m having an amazing time on my journey.

How would you describe your style?
Brandis Allison: I have a timeless concept to my style.  And romantic too!  I only shoot weddings if I fall in love with a couple’s love story and if the bride and I totally hit it off the first time we meet.  It’s important to me to establish a friendship with my Brides.  It’s important to me, to document that love story. Capture the essence of who those two individuals are as a couple.  And I’m always shedding a tear or two and get goosebumps as they say their vows.  My photographs are filled with emotion. They are real. And I wouldn’t have it any other way.

What’s your favorite part about being a photographer?
Brandis Allison: The constant challenge.  I have a true artist’s brain and I’m always looking for a challenge.  I never want to find myself bored. Photography is an amazing outlet for me.  It lets my personality shine through my images and to be able to capture an image of what I’m feeling or seeing – truly inspiring and it keeps me moving forward.

What’s in your camera bag?
Brandis Allison: I don’t have a camera bag! Can you believe that?  I am getting a shootsac soon though!  I use my purse. How totally ridiculous is that? haha.  I shoot with a Nikon d700. I own a 50mm 1.4 and several film lenses.  I love putting a film lens on my full frame camera.  It’s quite a challenge! I rent lenses from Borrow Lenses, whenever I shoot weddings. Because I’m just a year and a half into my business, it’s important that I do not accumulate any debt.  Renting solves that problem!  For every wedding, I rent a 70-200mm, 85mm 1.4, 105mm macro and a 24mm lens.

What is your favorite go-to lens?
Brandis Allison: I adore my 50mm 1.4 for portraits.  It’s sharp, quick and is amazing in low-light situations.

Do you have any advice about purchasing a lens?
Brandis Allison: YES!  Please rent first. I made the mistake early on in my career, to just purchase a lens because everyone else had one and they loved it.  All of the lenses I purchased without trying on my camera first, were all wrong for me.  I lost a lot of money doing that.  Rent, rent, rent.  Fall in love. Then buy.

What is your all time favorite image? Why?
Brandis Allison: I stylized an engagement shoot a year ago, with a fun-loving couple, who wanted to model for me.  The “look” I was going for was vintage.  I wanted something different and totally fun.  This particular couple had a blast with me and me with them!  As I was setting up for my next shot, I noticed them being lovey-dovey. He was whispering in her ear.  I totally live for those moments – the in-between moments, when you think no one is looking.  The emotion in this photo is overwhelming.  I’m so so so in love with it!

What was your first paid shoot like?
Brandis Allison: It was nerve-wracking.  The bride contacted me 3 days before the wedding, which was only 5 weeks after I brought my daughter into this world.  I knew that I wanted to see if photographing weddings was for me and I blindly said YES.  I had NO idea what I was doing.  This was also my 3rd month with my camera, from that first time I put it in my hand. Um.YEAH. I told the couple that I was new to photography and they didn’t care. They loved the 3 shoots I had done previously and paid me $500 to shoot their wedding.  The day came and I tried to capture everything I could think of.  All of the details, etc.  I know that I missed some key images, but I also know that I captured some amazing moments.  After all was said and done, I did a really great job documenting this couple’s love, on the biggest day of their life. They loved the images and I fell in love with photographing weddings.

What’s your funniest, scariest, most bizarre, most touching story from a photo shoot?
Brandis Allison: The funniest – well I tend to trip over something silly at EVERY shoot.  Totally hilarious.

The scariest – photographing that first wedding!

The most bizarre – I decided it would be a good idea to shoot anything and everything to gain experience and to see what types of photography fit me best.  I was shooting a glamour photo and I had the client walk into the street.  This creepy guy starts taking photos of her on his cell and crosses the street to talk to us.  I was like, please go away pervert. Eeww.

What makes a good photographer in your opinion?
Brandis Allison: I don’t think I am in the position to judge anyone as being good or “not good” haha! It’s totally a personal preference.  Just be sure to find yourself, your passions and build on your skill level.  Stay true to yourself and your beliefs and everything shall fall into place.

If you could photography anyone, who would it be and why?
Brandis Allison: I would do ANYTHING to see my mother once more and to photograph her.  I’d want to show her, just how beautiful I think she is.  I want to show her, how much I admire her.  I miss her deeply.

What motivates you to do what you do?
Brandis Allison: My children.  They are my whole world.  Having them and experiencing something new as a mommy every day, is such a blessing to me.  They are such a blessing to me.  Since they came into my life, I started seeing beauty in everything.  I strive daily, to capture it. Beauty. It is in everything and everyone.

What goals have you set for yourself as a photographer?
Brandis Allison: O, sooo many! I started my new site and have a passion for making it work.  For it and my photographs to be a daily inspiration for someone and for myself. I recently became a boutique wedding photographer and am starting to really personalize everything I offer to my clients.  I am currently searching for the perfect studio space – something to capture my personality and a place that feels like my home away from home.  I hope to have my grand opening Spring 2011. I have 3 weddings booked for 2011 and waiting for a 4th.  2 are in Ohio, 1 is located on the other side of the U.S. in California and the 4th will most likey be in a different country.  I hope to book 6-10 more weddings in 2011.  And looking at the bigger picture, I hope to be photographing destination weddings on a regular basis.  That is truly my dream.

What advice can you give to new photographers starting out?
Brandis Allison: Where to start?!  I honestly made so many mistakes starting out and wish I would have known another photographer to ask questions and their opinion on my thoughts.  My biggest mistake came to pricing myself.  I often see other new photographers doing the same.  Do not price yourself to your market. Price yourself according to the type of client you desire.  Price yourself to make a profit.  Price yourself to what you feel you are worth.  What is your time worth? What are you giving up, by photographing a client?  People do not realize the impact of pricing yourself too low. Price yourself high and offer a portfolio building discount.  Raise your prices, the more experience you obtain. Your client will respect you and their investment much more this way, you won’t have to explain why you’ve raised your prices all of a sudden.  Trust me, please, please, please!  And for those new photographers that want someone to talk to, I now offer phone consults via skype.  Because I never want to see anyone go through what I went through!

Where do you see yourself in five years?
Brandis Allison: On a beach, in Maui.  :) Ok, f’real – I see myself running a successful boutique photography studio. And quite honestly, I know it will happen.  I’m driven and I have the know-how to succeed. I won’t accept anything less.

If you could spend one day with anyone, who would it be and why?
Brandis Allison: That’s easy, my mother. But if you’re talking about someone not residing in Heaven, I’d love to spend a day with Elizabeth Messina.  I love love love her photography. There’s just something so incredibly magical about it.  She was an inspiration for my now wedding blog posts.  I love her simple and beautiful approach to her entries.  I’m all about keeping it real and keeping it simple. Okay, and beautiful too!

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
Brandis Allison: Spare time?  What’s that?!  I don’t see much of it.  When I am not a wife, mommy, blogger, writer and photographer – you can find me sitting on a bench people-watching.  I’ll have a book in one hand and my camera in the other.  And if I’m being even more honest, some of my spare time goes to reality tv.  I love that stuff!  I totally want to be on Big Brother some day! Don’t judge.

What quote do you live by?
Brandis Allison: It’s more of a saying that a quote.
[Life is about becoming who you are and all that you were meant to be.
It's about growing, dreaming and taking chances.
It's about loving courageously and never holding back.
It's about finding a brighter, better way- not just today, but every day.
There will never be another YOU.
You owe it to yourself and to the world to make the most out of all that is in you.
Don't just go through life - grow through life.
Keep blooming into your incredibly, gloriously, brilliantly, beautiful self.
The possibilities? Endless]
- Unknown author

Who/what is your inspiration?
Brandis Allison: So many things.  My family.  My friends.  My photography colleagues.  Artists all over the world.  Stepping outside and just looking around.  I get inspired pretty easily ;)

What can’t you live without?
Brandis Allison: Cupcakes!  And I’m so excited to have found a healthy cupcake recipe. Hollllla! For real though, I cannot live without my drive to succeed in life – both personally and professionally. I have such a strong-will and determination in me.  If I ever lost that, I’d be a “lost-cause” for sure.

What’s your favorite word to use?
Brandis Allison: Hmmm. I tend to say “Word” a lot.  I like it. I have no idea why! My husband said something funny the other day and I replied back with a slang version of “WORD!”  His face was priceless and just laughed at me.  Not with me, but at me.  I seriously cannot help it.  I’m wired to be totally silly, most of the time!

If you weren’t a photographer, what would you want to be? Why?
Brandis Allison: If I didn’t love photography and personal writing so much, I would own a B&B on an island.  Someplace where it was warm and beautiful year round.  I’d always be my own boss.  I did the mortgage/financial planning thing when I was younger. I love numbers but hate working for others.  I’m too independent and driven to be stuck behind a desk all day, every day.

What’s your favorite movie?
Brandis Allison: The most favoritist (o yes I’m good at making up random words) is Sixteen Candles.  I fell in love the moment I saw it. My life has never been the same since.

Favorite musical genre? Artist?
Brandis Allison: I love anything and everything that has a good beat.  I can’t deal with whiney music.  My favorite band is Lifehouse. Jason Wade has the most amazing voice. He totally rocks my world.  Wait — do people say that anymore???

What would you say your weakness is?
Brandis Allison: I have a hard time saying NO.  If I could help everyone I would.  But there’s just not enough time in the day.

Favorite sport(s)?
Brandis Allison: To watch : FOOTBALL!  To play : Tennis

If you had the opportunity to meet anyone in the world who would it be? Why?
Brandis Allison: I’d like to meet Reese Witherspoon and go shopping with her!  She seems like the most beautiful, down to earth person.  She is definitely my kinda people.  haha!

Favorite childhood memory?
Brandis Allison: Every moment I got to spend with my mom.  She was my best friend and made growing up so much fun!

Do you collect anything?
Brandis Allison: I do. I have more journals than I can even count!  I’m actually on a mission to find them all and take a photo!  I always have a journal nearby or in my purse.  I have one by my bed for when I wake up with an idea that I just cannot ignore.  I have one for every topic I find myself wanting to write about.  I have a journal for EVERYTHING. It’s an obsession fo’sho!

Where can we find you on the internet?
Brandis Allison: If you visit my site before Sept 13, it’s a work in progress.  Please come back and see it ON September 13th (my official launch date and my birthday and a HUGE giveaway of many fabulous things!!!!).  http://BrandisAllison.com.  You can find my twitter and facebook links there as well. Remember, I’ll be posting 3 blogs a day.  [Daily Inspiration] a [Confession] and something [Wedding] related.  I’d love to hear from you on a regular basis, so be sure to say hello!

Brandis, thank you so much for your time. You are truly amazing and I can’t wait to see what you’re up to next.

I love that quote and even though I knew what it was saying, I didn’t really understand what it was saying. Well, not until yesterday that is and the sad part is it took me a few years to finally get it.

I’m the caregiver for my grammers who was officially diagnosed with Alzheimer’s a few months back so between taking care of her and being the ‘guardian’ of my younger brother as well, I’ve been stressing to the point of overload where I didn’t even want to take my camera out which is something I love to do and I didn’t understand why I wasn’t wanting to anymore. I admit, I am the world’s worst when it comes to asking for help and knowing when to ask for it; that I know I get from my mama.

I was telling my uncle how my grammers is remembering her past more and blaming things that I know I didn’t do because, well I wasn’t born yet and as I was telling him about certain things all he could do was shake his head and laugh.  He ended up telling me that I remind the family of my mama because I look like her when she was my age and just how I am is how she was and no one ever told me that before and that’s when it finally clicked. My grammers sees my mom in me and when she starts to blame me for things (that I know are from the past), she’s upset at my mom because of what she said or did, so when those times pop up; instead of stressing over them like I have been, I can’t help but smile because I’m learning more about my mama when she was younger that I otherwise would know nothing about.

There has been so much going on that I needed to spend some time to myself reflecting over all the things that have happened in my life and how they all brought me to where I am today and usually when I start reflecting, I tend to notice those things that most people wouldn’t. After all the meditation, reflecting and spending one and one time with God; my day was brightened; so I took my camera out to the backyard to see what all I could find that I hadn’t already shot.  There’s this pine tree we have in the back that really isn’t that pretty looking if you look at it as a whole and the closer I got to it and really paid attention to the detail that’s in the bark, I realized that though it may look rough and ugly, it’s actually quite beautiful.

Life in a way is kind of like the bark. It can look ugly and rough but the more you look at it the more beautiful it becomes. It’s one of those small things that’s overlooked like many of the rough patches in life that are beautifully disguised as life lessons.