What makes you come alive?

Yesterday I asked the question, what makes you come alive? And then... why aren't you doing it? And I suppose that's not really fair, because many people out there are in fact doing what they love, what makes them come alive. I'd love to hear your story...

For me, the first thing that comes to mind is traveling. New foods, foreign smells, opening a door and not knowing what is on the other side... driving a winding road through mountains I've never driven. Sharing a laugh with a local, watching a city wake in the morning... and go to sleep at night. Learning the customs and traditions, appreciating the history... the stories that make it unique. I am alive in the space of the unknown.

I am alive when I am connected. To nature, to people... to everything around me. Sitting on a surfboard just past the break, ocean currents along my legs, sun on my face, salt on my lips, a breeze dancing along the surface... birds above me, dolphins and sea turtles around me... waiting for the next set, the surge of energy that propels me along the surface... and in that moment... all I have is just the moment. Freedom.

Whether on this side of the world or the other, looking into another's eyes, sharing a laugh, feeling another's truth, whether it be hurt or fear or love... is powerful. The beautiful thing is that you can connect in a second... even with a stranger... and be changed from the exchange. The sharing of energy makes me feel alive.

Music. Art. Another's passion. Learning. Witnessing the human spirit. The smell of spring... and a spring rain. Laughter. Love. Teaching. Fall leaves. Summer breezes. So many things...

Photography. When I don't work, I am not connecting to others, to nature, to myself. I get anxious and agitated. I have come to need it in my life in a way like never before. It is challenging to capture exactly what I see... sometimes it gets lost in translation... but it makes me learn and grow and expand myself. I feel alive when I bring a part of someone else alive. When I show them a side of themselves they couldn't see outside of the photo. When I capture a moment that defines their love, a connection, someone's spirit unleashed, a truth exposed. I am alive when I am giving... because what I receive is so much more.

Yup, feelin' pretty alive...

 

Make it your own... part 2

Chris & Cristi had their intimate wedding in Kauai. The details were simple yet striking. Bright, tropical flowers and an aisle made from orchids. Not to mention an open air restaurant overlooking the ocean where dinner was served to close friends and family. And the bride and groom... absolutely stunning.

Will & Alana Now this was a wedding to remember. A three day affair at Shawnigan Lake filled with tennis and swimming, buffet lunches and evening dancing. Surprise musicians at the end of the ceremony and a reception hall transformed into a crystal wonderland were just a few of the details that made this such a unique day.

Nick & Arli The sun shone brightly on this beautiful Fall day, making the ceremony at Van Deusen Gardens that much more spectacular. The reception was filled with so many personal touches, including tiers of cupcakes that were to die for. The speeches were both humorous and sentimental, the food so very tasty, and the dancing went into the morning hours.

Shaun & Kim Set in the picturesque Mayan Riviera, the wedding ceremony was absolutely gorgeous, taking place on a sandy beach on the Caribbean Ocean. Purple bridesmaid dresses and pastel roses, sandals and sunglasses, and a reception under palm trees and a starry night. Incredible.

 

It's all in the Details...

I love the details. It's what makes a place unique. In Italy, I loved all the intricately carved stone pillars and worn cobblestone streets... the brass door-knockers and wood shutters. Mexico is all about the ancient wood doors and iron accents, huge chandeliers left to weather in the salt air, colorful ceramics and bright fabrics. Every country, every people, every culture has a way of expressing themselves... and it usually comes out in the details.

What are the details that make your space unique to you...?

Todo Santos SX-70 Style...

Todo Santos, translating to All Saints, is an oasis of palms and orchards off the dry, desert highway on the Pacific Coast of Baja California Sur. Centuries old, this quaint Mexican town is rich in tradition and art. I opted out of the galleries, and instead walked her streets, seeing her through the lens of an SX-70...

Hotel California

The Eagles sang about it... and whether this is the Hotel California they sing about, it doesn't really matter, for this quaint hotel on the Tropic of Cancer in a desert oasis is absolutely stunning. Stunning. The details and colors and overall feel of the place just made you want to sit and take it all in.  However, as a side-note, in my short time there, I didn't see any "mirrors on the ceiling or pink champagne on ice"...

The back courtyard and eating area were so exquisite in color and decor... the perfect place for sipping a cold cerveza or margarita.

I could hang out in this lobby all day...

This takes chilling poolside to a whole new level...

 

Baja Bliss

I've always been drawn to the ocean... I think all of us are, on some level. The energy of it, the ever-changing colors and currents... it becomes a dance for the eyes. The sound of the waves is a therapy for me, it calms me... it slows me down so that I am back in the present... my focus cleared... my mind and soul stilled. I sleep long and dream deep. The fresh, salted air, the heat of the sun, and the sand in my toes... after a time, even if you aren't aware how... it changes you... xoxo