Still patiently waiting for Spring

A few Fridays ago it was gorgeous out (well, gorgeous for Ohio weather) - 60 degrees and sunny. Who cares that there were still piles of snow on the ground? Ever since that day I've been more than a little antsy to get outside and enjoy Spring. The problem is that every day since then has been 40 degrees... tops. I've been so desperate to get outside I let Blake talk me into going rock climbing with him.

A little clarifying note here - I DO NOT climb. I hyperventilate climbing the stairs to a top of a water slide, squeal and clamp my eyes shut on escalators, and have to sit down in glass elevators. I do not like heights. I do, however, like to sit at the bottom and take pictures.

That man with the terrible choice of pants is Blake's friend, John but when he wears those I pretend I don't know him.

Unfortunately, there was a casualty that day. And I almost got beaten up by a kid who was a little overprotective of his favorite toy.

Keep smiling,
Kaylina

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Meet James: 2013 Senior Portraits - Reynoldsburg, Ohio

I met James last Friday to take his senior pictures at Blacklick Woods Metro Park in Reynoldsburg, Ohio. Because James is graduating in a few short months, we braved the 40 degree weather and managed to have a fun time despite the fact that my fingers were bright red and he was wearing a t-shirt for half the shoot. James brought his mom, Patti and his beautiful beagle, Kennedy, to the shoot as well and even patiently sat through his mom and I's explanation of the Six Million Dollar Man and all of our accompanying (and terrible) sound effects. And for those reasons, James is an amazing and very brave soul.

James will be graduating this May from Mid-East CTC in Zanesville and plans on attending Hocking College next year. He's currently in the Natural Resources program at his high school and is also involved in cross country and swimming. So by all definitions, he's an "outdoorsy" guy which makes it even better that he didn't laugh at me when I told him I didn't know a snipe was a real bird.

James and Patti- thanks so much for spending an evening with me and for laughing when I almost made James fall into a creek instead of pushing me in as well!

Keep smiling!
Kaylina

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Meet Persius

It started out as what I consider to be a healthy fear of bathrooms. I'm terrified of scary movies, so I've seen less than a dozen in my entire life, but the few I have- always have bathroom scenes. Which led me to develop the ritual of always checking behind the shower curtain (or any other hiding place) for murderers before I do my business.

In high school I worked at a family owned ice cream shop for four years. The bathroom in the back for workers was barely big enough for one occupant, let alone a hiding place for a crazed serial killer, but I never took any chances. Every time I slipped through the door I would push back the lid on the trash can to make sure no pint size terror was waiting for me. I explained this (completely rational) fear to my co-workers and even named the fictional threat- Persius the creepy gnome. So for the next couple years there was a long standing joke about Persius the gnome waiting patiently in the bathroom trash can for the right moment to strike.

Then one day, he did. One day I pushed back the trash can lid and there he was- crinkled, murderous eyes, a blood red hat, and hands that would certainly be my demise (okay, maybe he looked more sinister in the trash can and in my mind). I screamed, everyone laughed, and Persius, the bathroom gnome, found a new home. I've had him guarding my dvd collection for the past four years. He's a little top heavy and occasionally falls from his post, scaring the bejezus out of me, but I've come to appreciate him and his creepy, watchful eye and trust the he's not waiting to kill me.

This does not, however, stop me from checking behind the shower curtain every time I enter the bathroom. You can never be too careful.

Keep smiling,
Kaylina

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Finding Inspiration in the Routine

Lately I've been working on re-vamping my photography business. I graduate in 52 days and the end of winter is in sight. So I'm prepping for the new wedding season by reading a lot of blogs, watching some great photography courses on line, and, of course, doing my homework. Bidding my time until I can actually take my camera outside.

The biggest thing I've undertaken is re-branding my web presence by updating my website and blog. But before I can do that- I need to know which direction to go. So my first homework assignment was to go on a Photo Safari to find out a little more about myself. I went around my apartment and took pictures of my favorite things.

 

And I did learn a few things. One, I apparently like grey. But more importantly I learned that there are things in my apartment that still inspire me despite the fact I see them everyday. I found myself drawn to these things for different reasons. Textures, colors, patterns, emotions. But regardless of the story behind them or what I liked about them, they were mine and they were a source of inspiration.

It made me start thinking about inspiration and how great it feels to be inspired. That excited high you get when you're looking forward to something, when you feel like you're about to go out and accomplish something. Sadly, I don't think it happens often enough. So many days I get up, get ready, drive to work, go to work, go to class, drive home, clean the apartment, and go to bed. So many days there's nothing in between that's noteworthy. Nothing that gets me excited for the next day, next week, or next big thing.

But if I can get inspired by a scarf I was too lazy to put away and threw over a chair instead- If I can spend twenty minutes roaming my apartment with a camera and get excited about my future- then I know that whenever I'm feeling drained by my routine I can inspire myself in the little things. As long as I have that camera in my hands, I can see beauty in anything and get excited for life again.

So I would challenge you, internet - if you ever find yourself running low on inspiration - look around at what you have and get inspired. Maybe you don't need a camera, maybe you need to put some headphones on and listen to your favorite music, or maybe you need to go run. But find something that makes you happy to be you and just get inspired.

Keep smiling,
Kaylina

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