I've never much liked things. There are very few inanimate objects that I hold dear…my Grandfathers sweater, my Grandmothers necklace, my journals filled with late night writings, and my letters from loved ones. I don't believe a person should have much more than they need to survive. These things we as humans so often crave, create holes in our hearts, & tell us that possessions can fill the lonesome voids that we keep within ourselves. For years now, I have let myself keep only enough that if I wanted to pack up and hit the road, everything would fit into my tiny Chevy Aveo, and I wouldn't look back. I haven't yet. Sometimes, I even make myself sell or borrow my favorite clothing pieces, just as a reminder that a thing is a thing, and seeing someone else feel good and confident in something of mine, is worth more than the price I paid for it. It is just so important to stay true to the basic foundation of yourself, and it is also so incredibly challenging. We live in a society of consumers, wide eyed with want, and then want turns into "need." Stay true my friends, for you are more beautiful as your bare self, with your messy morning hair, eyes wide and lit while talking about your passions, laying tangled with a lover, naked as you came, than you ever will be surrounded by things that are there as misguided comfort.

Sarah Kue

Sarah Kue! 
I met this little flower child a few months back through mutual friends. She's in a rad Portland-based band called Moon By You. It's always so inspiring to meet a fellow dreamer in a new city. She showed me around her favorite park on the most perfect day, and we sipped on fresh juice, and I photographed her with my favorite 35mm film camera.

Back in the Bay

 

 I spent my past weekend back home in the bay. It was so refreshing to be back by the sea. I was in Monterey for 5 years. It was the first place I chose to make a home for myself, and where I made a family out of the biggest bunch of good-hearted weirdos I could ever ask for. We spent a full day in Big Sur (of course), my favorite place in the entire world, and always will be. Every time I make that drives on the 1, my heart starts to pound and every bad feeling, lingering worry, or thoughts of to-do lists is vanished. There's no time for that there…just the ocean, the sky, the mountains, some good friends, and good times…my most treasured memories lay there. 

Mountains & Wildflowers

It had been awhile since I'd been the subject of a photo shoot. Haley Graham and I had been trying to get together for a a photo-date for months. We were rained out around 5 times (thanks a lot Portland!) She is the sweetest, easy to talk to girl! Haley took me to a secret spot of hers where the wildflowers were alive and the view of Mount Hood was spectacular. We climbed on rocks and through flowers until the sun went down. It felt so refreshing to be playing dress up in summer clothes, and to be creating with someone new. I love meeting people who have similar views on life and beauty as myself. It reminds me that I'm not alone on my restless days, and that there are others out there who just want to create for the sake of creating, and share, and how awesome you feel after a good shoot. Now I just have to get her to let me take photos of her! Enjoy my friends.