.:focus:.

:glory days:

2010-10-23T19:22:00.000-04:00

Hoping to give the Gators a little luck, picture from the BCS championship!

:lunch:

2010-10-22T20:00:00.001-04:00

I always loved this picture. Taking a lunch break to stare at each other.

:wrinkles:

2010-10-21T19:54:00.000-04:00

“The heart has no wrinkles” --Marie de Sevigne

:candle:

2010-10-20T19:57:00.000-04:00

She lights a candle everyday for the return of her brother from Iraq.

:man by day diva by night:

2010-10-19T19:34:00.001-04:00

Lace bras and fishnet stockings hang from hooks, clouds of hairspray invade the air and ruby red lipstick tubes line the counter. "John" prepares for his transformation into Juwana Jackson. A self-proclaimed social outcast, he found fame and popularity in his life as a drag queen. However, with becoming a crowd favorite at the University Club, living a life as a man and a diva has its rewards and consequences.

:relax:

2010-10-18T19:30:00.000-04:00

To inspire some relaxation on a Monday morning

:wings:

2010-10-17T19:29:00.000-04:00

“We are all angels with only one wing, only when we come together can we fly.” --Luciano de Crescenzo

:sand:

2010-10-16T19:24:00.000-04:00

This morning I will be participating in my first beach clean-up. My motivation for waking up so early!

:message:

2010-10-15T19:18:00.000-04:00

A simple message found at Miramar High School

:wait:

2010-10-14T19:16:00.000-04:00

16 year old kid waiting his sentence on a murder conviction.

:faces of hip hop:

2010-10-13T18:54:00.000-04:00

"Hip Hop is supposed to uplift and create, to educate people on a larger level and to make a change" --Doug E Fresh

:decorations:

2010-10-12T19:12:00.001-04:00

Just when I thought I would switch the subject, I saw this in the corner of a house. A family's most prized possession.

:uniform:

2010-10-11T18:45:00.003-04:00

I've been thinking a lot about veterans and the military. They seem to be catching my attention lately. Here is another prized possession, somewhat. I remember this 18 year old young man, who just got into Westpoint. He was extremely excited and proud of himself for all his hard work. I asked him what was the one thing he would bring with him to school to remind him of home. He brought me into the garage and pulled a garment bag from a rack. It was his father's uniform, who was stationed Iraq. He went on to tell me about his father and how he was his inspiration for Westpoint. I couldn't help but be drawn to his hand that was feeling the uniform repeatedly without hesitation. Over and over. Over and over. I hope he is doing well.

:prize:

2010-10-10T18:40:00.002-04:00

WWII Veteran let me photograph him with his most prized possession. A Nazi flag he tore off a building in Germany and a newspaper clipping. I spent 3 hours listening to the most amazing stories of heroism, bravery, camaraderie, and plain ol' pride. So grateful to have met him.

:fridge:

2010-10-09T18:34:00.000-04:00

"Never eat more than you can lift." --Miss Piggy

:ready:

2010-10-08T18:33:00.000-04:00

County finals. Danielle prepares to run. Scouts are looking. Coaches are looking. Friends are looking. Danielle looks to the side. A small group of supporters are screaming louder than ever. She doesn't smile. She doesn't nod. She doesn't acknowledge them. She is ready. She is set. BANG!

.:mommy:.

2010-10-07T13:21:00.000-04:00

The one you will always find comfort in...mommmy.

.:dress:.

2010-10-06T13:18:00.000-04:00

This bride-to-be was so shy, so sweet, so nice. Everything you would picture in a little girl being swept up in the ultimate fairytale. She was so calm during this whole process. Silently picking dresses. Taking her time to try them on. No worries in the world. This was the one she picked. She spent a long time looking down at herself in the dress. Almost imagining her Prince Charming waiting.

.:dolfan:.

2010-10-05T14:58:00.000-04:00

Proud of my Dolphins this weekend. Boo on the Buffalo ;)

:compare:

2010-10-04T18:31:00.000-04:00

While shooting for my story on a doctor who left school to pursue a body building career, a 16-year-old walked in. It got me thinking and shooting. This pre-pubescent young man is starting early. He is trying to achieve a body of a god. While other kids in his classes are worried about girls, finishing homework, and popularity, he is tanning, dieting and working his body to the brink. All for the pursuit of perfection and a trophy.

:beauty:

2010-10-03T18:30:00.001-04:00

“The best part of beauty is that which no picture can express.” -- Francis Bacon, Sr.

.:andros:.

2010-10-02T14:47:00.000-04:00

Dreaming of Andros today. One place I will definately visit again. The culture was beautiful. The people were beautiful. The land was beautiful. Definatlety a twist on my own culture that I found comfortable and refreshing. Oh, Andros...

:friday night lights:

2010-10-01T18:29:00.000-04:00

Friday Night High School Football...enough said.

:adventure:

2010-09-30T18:28:00.000-04:00

Only your mom can make a rainy day at the beach an aventure.

:concert:

2010-09-29T18:28:00.000-04:00

A rite of passage.

:play:

2010-09-28T18:26:00.000-04:00

“I think theres a little child in all of us and we all to often forget to let the child out to play.” -- Donna A. Favors

:fight:

2010-09-27T18:25:00.001-04:00

She is a mother. She is fighting to stay in this country. She is fighting to send money home for her daughter. She is fighting to keep going. She is a mother.

:young love:

2010-09-26T18:24:00.001-04:00

“There is nothing half so sweet in life as love's young dreams” --Thomas More

:daddy's little girl:

2010-09-25T18:21:00.001-04:00

A day fishing with her hero

.:child:.

2010-09-24T11:08:00.000-04:00

“The creative adult is the child who has survived.”
-Ursula K. LeGuin

.:bubbles:.

2010-09-23T15:50:00.000-04:00

In honor of my birthday, one of my favorite images. Brings me back to childhood, when bubbles were entertainment ;)

.:media:.

2010-09-22T11:01:00.000-04:00

Today, I have been thinking about the world I have left behind. Journalism is not what is was 5 years ago, Journalism is not what it was one year ago. It makes me scared for the future. So many talented people have been forced to turn their back on their passion, as it has turn its' back on them.

I don't know if journalism will ever be what I feel in love with. The sheer drive and excitement to do your best, and bring the best stories to people. To education people in the most creative way.

:sigh:

I feel frustrated and downright hopeless when I see the media today. Fighting for jobs and stories that have no significance. We've always been competitive, but now it is in desperation.

I think the answer to all of their problems is JUST FOCUS ON CREATING. Creating good content, readers will follow.

.:determination:.

2010-09-21T15:57:00.000-04:00

“Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful people with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan "press on" has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race”
-Calvin Coolidge

.:gators:.

2010-09-20T15:55:00.000-04:00

Rooting for the Gators this weekend, and every weekend. Enough said.

.:rain:.

2010-09-19T13:58:00.000-04:00

“The best thing one can do when it's raining is to let it rain.”
-Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Dedicated to someone one special today...

.:philly:.

2010-09-18T15:52:00.000-04:00

Philadelphia is on my mind today. This city always has a special place in my heart. And cheesesteaks in my stomach. A LOT of maturing went on during this summer in the city of brotherly love. I will always look back on the time with a smile.

.:dolphins:.

2010-09-17T13:56:00.000-04:00

All I can say is... GO DOLPHINS!!!

.:kings:.

2010-09-16T13:51:00.000-04:00

Fridays always take me back to Friday Night Football during High School. I would be getting ready to cheer, while the "kings" of school strapped up and hyped up. Funny how if you can play a sport in high school you are automatically given a crown and septer. You had a future. A little much for a 16-year-old, but almost magical. At that age everything is still possible. I miss those days, but I'm glad they are over ;)

.:hurricanes:.

2010-09-15T13:47:00.000-04:00

So today UM takes on Georgia Tech. One thing about me is I LOVE SPORTS!!! All of them. I admire the concentration, athleticism, competition, EVERYTHING. And even though I bleed orange and blue for my Gators. I will cheer for the second best in my heart. GO CANES ;)

.:sweat:.

2010-09-14T12:57:00.000-04:00

I dedicate this post to all the go-getters, especially the ones around me who constantly inspire me. This picture was actually made during a yoga class, but what drew me to her was that she was doing more than exercise, she was driven to succeed (even if was a stupid pose). In my life, there are many people around me (you know who you are) that are putting in their blood, sweat and tears into making their dreams come true. A constant inspiration and amazing thing to watch. This picture reminds me that nothing in life, worth something, comes easy. You have to "bleed", sweat, and cry for the things that matter. Surround yourself with go-getters. Atleast for me, other people's drive only drives me harder to achieve my goals.

.:prayer:.

2010-09-13T10:34:00.000-04:00

“Prayer is not asking. It is a longing of the soul. It is daily admission of one's weakness. It is better in prayer to have a heart without words than words without a heart.”
-Mahatma Gandhi

.:live:.

2010-09-12T12:01:00.000-04:00

I start off this week with a hopeful image and reminder to just live. I almost missed this little detail during a high school football game. It reminded me of how exciting and new high school was. What does it mean to feel alive? To actually live? I just know that four little word made me stop dead in my tracks and re-evaluate myself. Am I really living?

“Dream as if you'll live forever, live as if you'll die today.”
-James Dean

.:remember:.

2010-09-11T12:50:00.000-04:00

Today is September 11. A day that we all remember. Remember where we were. Remember what we heard. Remember the powerful images from that day. Think on those who lost their lives, the heroes that ran into the all the sites when everyone was running out. How their families deal with today. How do they remember? I do not know anyone personally who was affected in anyway except by the distant emotion of being a spectator. The anniversary of September 11 always strikes me as a different day on the calendar. Not a celebration, but not a funeral. Not a sad day, but not a happy one. Just a remembrance. I think if there is a lesson that could be learned universally year after year, squeeze those you love a little tighter. You never know what tomorrow might bring.

.:stop:.

2010-09-10T15:58:00.000-04:00

With the hustle of the daily life, it's often hard to STOP. To REALLY STOP. I found this guy just enjoying the Philadelphia grass and sun. He STOPPED. It actually made me STOP. I felt the warmth, smelt the grass, felt the breeze, heard the sounds of outside. We are often couped up in offices, houses, and buildings, it seems almost surreal to get outside. I try as often as I can to just sit outside. Enjoy the beautiful surroundings and get re-inspired. If you have a bad day, go to a park, feed some ducks or watch kids playing in the park. Your spirits will lift. Everyday grind is important, but it is always important to STOP and re-enegerize, re-focus and re-start. Try it!

“Turn your face to the sun and the shadows will fall behind you.”
-Anonymous

.:obama:.

2010-09-09T15:21:00.000-04:00

Tonight, President Obama will speak to the county about his health care plan. I know many are decided, for or against. However, I find myself undecided. The only thing I know is he is trying something. It might end up good and it might end up bad, but he is bringing new ideas to the table.

I wanted to put up some pictures from his inauguration in D.C. I am reminded of that time. There was an silent energy and hopefulness in the air. One of the best experiences in my life. D.C. was alive with a magic.

The day was eye candy for me, as I focused on the little things. The smallest moments that would not be covered. I loved my coverage from the event, I thought it was a unique take, as all my images were quiet. I felt a quiet and reserved nature from the people around me. As if in a whisper, they all said "we are proud."

Every time Obama speaks I will remember that power he had over the masses in D.C. that day. Whether I agree with him or not, he has been given a country to fix and being looked upon to give us all the answer. Enough to keep any man up at night.

.:camera:.

2010-09-08T14:51:00.000-04:00

Where it all starts. My third eye and second heart. Photography has brought so many ups and downs to my life. So many lessons and experiences that I can never share with anyone. The source of so many emotions. I retreat back to the basic and raw ideas for why I picked up the camera in the first place. Forget healing the world, for right now, I need to find my personal inspiration and personal relationship with the camera before I can go on.

“Look and think before opening the shutter. The heart and mind are the true lens of the camera.”
-Yousuf Karsh

.:vision:.

2010-09-08T14:09:00.000-04:00

I haven't touched my blog in almost a year. What a year it has been. Coupled with the economy and total chaos of the journalism industry, my life has been twisted upside-down. I found myself lacking motivation and drive, as I thought all my preparation was slowing circling the drain. I've come a way, yet I still have father to go. Myself, along with many, many, many, many people are wondering "what now?." I've decided to turn back to my blog and record this journey of ideas and situations into a creative outlet and expression. I welcome and encourage you comment and join in. I want to turn to back to moments where I have been inspired to pursue my dream and continue with my goals.