Jose Villa, sunsets, the Contax 645, and all the good stuff in between…

Every once in a while, we are lucky enough to have our passions renewed. Sometimes, an entirely new passion springs forth completely unexpectedly. Either way, it feels darn good, and you want to soak up every single last moment while it is occurring.

Just a couple of weeks ago, Wes and I went to Maui for a photography workshop held by the amazing Jill La Fleur, of La Fleur Weddings & Events.  I was expecting to have a fantastic experience.  I was not expecting to encounter a turning point in our business.  I’m even hesitant to say it now, fearing that I may still be running on some of those post workshop high fumes.  But I’m going to take a risk, and go ahead and say that I think some big changes are coming to our business as a whole.  Good changes.  Challenging changes.  Changes that are making me feel alive.  Changes that are sparking something within me for photography, that I’m not even sure existed until now.  I believe these changes are going to be reflected in the work we create in the months and years to come.  I’m not going to go into a lot of detail right now, but I can say that I feel a new passion for the art of photography, and my brain won’t stop.  I want to create new images in new ways every moment I get.  As Wes and I lay down in bed at night, my mind keeps going, dreaming and thinking of the things that are to come.  It’s exciting and scary too.  A few of the details I will share are this….First, Jose Villa is freaking awesome, and even though the entire workshop wasn’t focused on him, just spending a few hours with him got both Wes and I fired up.  He is an internationally recognized photographer who shoots all film, and he’s amazing at it.  Learning from him was a blessing.  Second, Joel Serrato (an awesome filmaker, who also uses 100% film) is also freaking awesome.  While Jose was the one that loaned me his Contax 645 (this amazing medium format camera), Joel was the one who took the time to show me how to use it, load the film in it, and he was just plain encouraging and a huge blessing to me.  He was there to watch me act like a little kid at Christmas, as I used the Contax for the first time.  I was dripping with crazy giddiness, and Joel was there to make fun of me each time I fired the shutter and tried to see the picture on the back of the camera…yeah…it’s a film camera…no digital images on the back.  This was pure and beautiful old school, baby.  Third, Maui is freaking awesome.  On our last day in Maui, as we were walking through the tiny town of Paia, Wes turned to me and said, “I can see why people want to live here.”  And we both agreed…there is something about the slower pace of life there.  There is also a peacefulness and serenity that comes with that pace.  Between the wildlife all around you, the ocean breezes, jagged cliffs, just the feel of the island….it is not a place you want to quickly leave.  So as I watch my tan fade, I can almost feel that sweet ocean breeze drifting over me as I watch the whales breach in the distance.  I simply cannot wait to see what the next year holds.  I am thankful for the inspiration that God places in our laps at time.  It’s all over His creation, and the people that He brings into your life.  I leave with you a few photographs that represent the feelings that Maui brings to my heart and mind.  Some you’ve seen before, and some are new.  All are sweet and filled with inspiration.