Reflection has been a recurring theme for me these past few months, you only have to check out my Project 365 photographs to see that, and most-recently I have been reflecting on my own personal image, or rather the image I am projecting through my photography business – it’s “branding” I guess. Sometimes it’s hard to look at yourself closely in the mirror, especially as the years and birthdays go by and you watch your children wake up every day and take another tiny baby step towards independence and adulthood. But when I’ve looked up close lately, I’m not looking for lines and wrinkles and gray hairs (hey, I don’t have any yet, by the way!) What I’m looking for is that little spark of something, happiness maybe… or maybe it’s just the sparkle of living, not just being alive – but LIVING. Now before you go thinking this is a post about depression or well, just a depressing post, let me explain…
As you may remember from past posts, I met the founder of Striving for More through a random set of events – you can read more about her and those details in a past blog post. Anyway, I recently volunteered to photograph the Striving for More team at the St. Baldrick’s Foundation event held at Napper Tandy’s in Raleigh. When I was editing the images, I found myself really captivated by one of the images of Diane, and so I spent some time editing it and doing some of the art work I do for my actual studio portraits. In fact, I spent a lot of time – not because the image needed it and not because she isn’t already beautiful, but because something about her eyes really spoke to me. I eventually realized what it was – they sparkle. Truly. On their own. Just off the cuff this may not resonate with you, but I challenge you to try to look for this in the next few days when you are talking to people, or even looking through your own photographs and portraits. If you don’t know Diane’s story, you can read her blog here, but suffice it to say that she has endured a tragedy that could easily crush the strongest of spirits, and yet she’s managed to find a path for herself that did just the opposite. I’ve mentioned before that the eyes are what I’m trying most to capture when I take a portrait, and it’s this “sparkle of life” I’m trying to get. Everyone has it, but I wonder how often it’s bright enough for others to notice.
So I’m looking in the mirror, trying to see my own and be aware of the things that make it shine 
brighter. Photography is one of those “things” for me – just ask my husband, he always comments that my face is just glowing with happiness after I’ve had a great session with a client or even spent the day shooting the trees in the park. Moms have this look when watching their child take their first steps or hit their first home-run. Children have this look almost every moment of every day – their eyes just shine! So I encourage you all to take a moment to reflect, and figure out the things that really make your eyes light up – and do more of them. In all sincerity, we could all use a little more sparkle in our lives, and really LIVING your life will have a profound impact on those around you as well – take a little time every week to live like this is a once-in-a-lifetime moment. Because they all are.
I’ve been giving a lot of thought recently about blogging, 
But with the arrival of Spring, I’ve been contemplating some little changes and improvements here and there, and I’ve decided to do what *I* want with my blog instead of following the traditional path. (Can I even use the words “blog” and “traditional” in the same sentence yet?) My future posts will be on a much more personal level, and though my photography will often be a part of it, as it’s a huge part of me and my life, I’m going to try just being myself and sharing a little more about what’s going on in my life, my family and my business in a way that will hopefully be more fun and interesting to read. Let the chips fall… 