It’s time to think like a professional photographer—it will change how you take photos and see the world. If you’re taking photos that don’t meet your standards because they’re too dark, too light, out of focus, or just boring, I have some helpful photography tips to share. Let’s focus on one key aspect of photography: emotion.

Without emotion, photos often lack depth and interest. This applies not only to portraits of people but also to non-human subjects. Stick with me, and you’ll learn how to capture emotion in photography, whether you’re shooting people, places, or objects.

One more day. One more day until there are no daily alarms and making lunches and drop-offs/pick-ups at school. Glory glory alleluia. That's not to say there isn't "work" and "adulting" and "responsibilities" for me... it's just way more lax and, since I make my own schedule, later-in-the-day. 

People… Mother's Day is coming up. THIS IS IMPORTANT! Moms are the glue that holds most of our lives together. In most cases, they hold the family together—the glue in the center of the family universe. Don't argue with me. Sit down, eat your peas, and then go clean your room. When you're done with your chores, go out and get your mom something nice for her special day. She deserves it and you know it.

It’s not just about the flowers or gifts, though those are always appreciated. Mother’s Day is about acknowledging everything moms do—seen and unseen. Moms wake up early to make breakfasts, pack lunches, and start endless days of work, caregiving, and organizing chaos. Moms don’t get to hit “pause.” They're the unsung heroes, the tireless cheerleaders, and sometimes, the shoulder to cry on. They do it all, and on Mother’s Day, it’s time for them to get a little love back.

I have, like most people, a love/hate relationship with social media. Mostly, I love it. I get to keep in touch with friends and family from afar and feel connected on a daily basis. But then there's the seedy underbelly of social media....

Comparison: the thief of joy.

...from Mother Nature's perspective:

"This is bullshit."

That's how I see it. Weather is her THING. She gets blamed for bad weather (rain on a wedding day... "Mother Nature is a bitch") and lauded for an beautiful sunset ("Ahhh, Mother Nature is amazing.") 

By now, I’d imagine everyone knows what a vision board is. But just in case, here’s a summary.

A vision board is a visually displayed representation of what you want in life. It is typically a poster board or a piece of paper that you fill with pictures or words that bring all of your goals and aspirations to life.

Know what happens when you're a happier, more self-aware person? The people around you benefit. Take some time for just you and focus on self-love. What you'll find is that you are perfect just the way you are at this exact moment. I like to say we are all "perfectly imperfect". There's no such thing as "perfect" in the sense that there's nothing left to be done to be better, richer, happier, more mentally and physically fit, etc. We are continually evolving human beings, faults and all. And that's what makes us perfectly imperfect. 

Take this advice from someone who has no actual knowledge or expertise in this area. I just know what works for me.

The dawn of a new year often inspires reflection. While I’m not about to preach the “New Year, New You” mantra often churned out by gyms and wellness brands, there’s undeniable value in leveraging this time of transition to reassess personal and professional goals. A calendar flip may not redefine who you are, but it offers a chance to reframe how you present yourself to the world—especially if you’re a professional looking to make an impression.