It has so many possible meanings behind it but nearly all of them have some sort of positive meaning. 2009 was a rough year for many people in the world. Many lost jobs, loved ones and ultimately hope. They simply gave up. They allowed the darkness in this world over take the joy in their life and because of that, they were left stranded, alone and hurt. 2010 is the year to change that.
The definition of “cultivate” that strikes me the most is this one:
to acquire or develop (a quality, sentiment, or skill): - to win the friendship or favor of (someone)
- apply oneself to improving or developing (one’s mind or manners)
This year I have a goal, not a resolution (since resolutions are rarely fulfilled). My goal is to be selfless and compassionate. A goal to give when I don’t think I have the time or energy. A goal to build relationships with people in an attempt to show them hope, to make them feel loved.
I was very blessed last year and to keep that all to myself would be selfish and egotistic. I will apply myself to improve someone’s disposition.
Landis Woffordl captured this beautiful image from Grandfather Mountain this morning. On the horizon, you can see the Charlotte skyline. Charlotte is over 100 miles away so, for this shot to be taken, there has to be near perfect weather conditions. Great shot Landis.
For more information on Grandfather Mountain, visit there website.
2010 looks to be very promising. I have a ton of things planned for my photography and personal life. As far as photography goes, you will be seeing more and more work on my site and this blog because I am challenging myself to shoot a certain amount of images per month. I am shooting more weddings this year as well so expect more and more images of love birds on here.
In my personal life, I have some exciting things coming up. First, I will be getting married in August. How stinking exciting is that? I can answer that… VERY EXCITING. Secondly, I will be turning 23. That honestly isn’t that exciting but still note worthy I think. Thirdly, I will be reading all of the Lord of the Rings books. I got them all for Christmas and my goal is to read through all of them. I’m really, really good at starting books but I think the whole finishing a book thing is a little over rated. 2010, however, is the year of finishing books.
New wife, new work and new books. 2010, here I come.
A beautiful couple, Chad & Julie, tied the knot on the 26th of December in Boone, North Carolina. The wedding was very intimate and included only family and close, close friends. It was a lovely wedding and it was very obvious that Chad & Julie are 100% crazy for each other. Below is a sneak peek of some images to come from their wedding.
So, for those of you not living in the South, we were hit with the biggest snow storm in nearly a decade. Most people lost power and couldn’t get out because of all the snow. I, however, was fortunate enough to be able to get out. Twenty-eight inches of snow is no match for a ‘04 Subaru Forester.
Once the sun went down, and the snow froze over, some friends and I went out to build some igloos and that we did. Not only did we make 2 igloos big enough for a bear, we also built 20 feet of tunneling to connect the two ice homes. It was most impressive.
If you played in the snow, tell us about it. What snow activities did you participate in this past couple of weeks?
Several people may have known this but I am engaged to a wonderful young gal that I have been with for nearly 7 years. My schedue has been super hectic lately and I have been meaning to post images from our engagement session with Carolyn Dyer for a long time now but just haven’t gotten to it yet. Today is that day.
Last week, I had the honor to work with some wonderful models for an advertisement for an amazing salon in Boone, NC, Haircut 101. These ladies were wonderful to work with and even though it was near 30˚ outside, they were troopers and busted through the chilly winds like it was nothing.
Matt Powell is a good friend of mine as well as a humanitarian photographer. I usually keep up with all of his work and just today he has published more work from a recent trip to Bangladesh.
