Yesterday I had the privilege of photographing one of the most remarkable and determined boys that I have ever met.  His name is Landon, I met him and his family through the “Littlest Heroes Project” (for details see below).  The tremendous strength that he possessed was not only inspiring but humbling.  After following his story on his website and learning of his 30 – 40 seizures a day, Pervasive Development Disorder (a form of autism), his brain surgeries, as well as, Hypothalamic Hamartoma I was anxious to finally meet him and to capture his strength and will.  As his family says “the will to seize the difference”.  Landon has had a  challenging life in his 3 years, but with that “he” shines through and keeps persevering along side his incredible family.  The love and determination that they all have is truly inspiring.

To be honest, with this being my first shoot with the “Littlest Heroes Project” I wasn’t sure how I would react with my first little hero to photograph.  I wasn’t sure how he and his family would react.  After a few minutes of introduction and tapping into their personalities I felt even more inspired and moved to capture Landon’s true essence.  My heart was so into this shoot, because going through my personal experiences with my daughter Lana, who has Down syndrome, I knew that even with the diagnosis’ Landon is not defined by that alone.  Landon is Landon who happens to be fighting a hard battle bravely.  So it was my mission to capture “Landon”.

At the completion of our time together I felt even prouder to be a part of their lives for a couple of hours.  Landon was a delight to be around and the love and compassion that his family has for him is beautiful.  I will forever hold him and his family in my heart and prayers.

I would like to quickly share a story that his father told me about Landon’s resilience and strength.   Landon saw two 10 pound weights on the floor.  He walked up to them, squatted in-between both dumbbells and tightly wrapped his fingers around the bars.  He lifted them with all the strength that he had and walked from one side of the room to the other.  During that time, he might have struggled and he could have given up but he didn’t.  He made it by himself with no help to the other side.  Even though he is only 3 years old, he has the courage and might of a champion.  That is why he is not only an inspiration to others but one of my heroes.

Please keep this family in your prayers as Landon faces yet another surgery on April 1st.

If you are not familiar with the Littlest Heroes Project, it is a non-profit based organization made up of professional photographers nationwide who provide free photo sessions to our nations Littlest Heroes…children that have had extraordinary challenges.  They are often misunderstood because of the illnesses which they have to war against day after day, but we photographers have the privileged of  documenting their true stories.  It’s something that is near and dear to my heart.  I had been seeking a program like this for nearly a year, when after hours and hours…and hours of research, I finally felt this program was what I was looking for.  I’m honored to capture and share the beauty and essence that these little heroes possess.

Andre and I were posed a question yesterday that made me think  a while before I could answer.  “When and what was the last crazy thing we did?”  We were both slightly puzzled, but then answered, “We started two businesses within a year, not even two years ago”.  
 
Honestly, this question caused me to think beyond a simple answer.  While it is not serving in the Air Force, traveling throughout Italy, living it up from one crazy adventure to the next, this has become our crazy life.   (Wow, those four years in Europe seems like a lifetime ago.)
 
My life now can be defined by essential times with my wonderful husband, my two amazing kids that are only in school three hours a day, Piano Lessons, Martial Arts, Therapy, etc., add to that the businesses. My life is GOOD, better than good…my life is extraordinary!  I feel blessed that I get to do what I am truly passionate about and get paid doing it.  
 
It’s been an amazing two years filled with so much excitement, education, soul searching, self-doubt, self-reward, unexpected opportunities, growth, and LOVE.  
 
A few weeks ago, I came across this video that “struck-n-stuck” that I can’t seem to shake.  This is a “MUST SEE” for all photographers.  I think being a photographer or not, we can all relate.
 
This is from Zack Arias:

 
Watching this brilliant video helped me realize that I am not alone in self-doubt, being overwhelmed, affected by seasons, etc.  There’s something reassuring about knowing this.  Maybe the fact is that it’s normal to feel like you’re not doing enough and/or think thoughts of being mediocre.  

While creating FickleZeal, I had to reinvent myself even though I thought I knew where I wanted to take the business and who exactly I was.  I constantly compared myself to other artists, and on my dark days, smothered my creativity with self-doubt and negativity.  
 
Maybe because I am such a perfectionist, I felt as though I needed everything to make me great when all along I had it all within myself…well…plus the camera, lenses, printers, MAC (yay!), etc…you know what I mean;-)  
 
I’ve been overwhelmed by setting WAY too many goals of which some were unachievable. All this I’ve tried to stop and I feel great about doing so.   I’ve been able to explore and use what I’ve learned to incorporate into FickleZeal, how I want it to be, and what I want it to stand for.  I’m changing the way things look and feel (check out the new blog and logo) and am excited about some new WONDERFUL eco-friendly products that we’ll be adding to our already established eco-conscious business.  
 
I’m excited to share what I am passionate about verses what the norm is in the photography industry.  
 
I’m thankful, that in the past few weeks, I’ve booked a lot of shoots and weddings for the year which hopefully is a good sign that this economy is not going to affect us too badly…another item on my “overwhelmed” list.
 
I’m EXCITED and ready for this winter to end!  I’m a spring gal!!! Needless to say, I can’t wait for the spring to arrive and STAY (crazy Texas weather).
 
Happy Spring Break! I will continue hoping for Happy Spring Weather, Sunshine, and Growth!

One of my greatest joys of being a photographer is the friendships that I’ve made with my clients. This past weekend I had the joy of photographing Elizabeth and her guys once more.

The camera was turned and her wonderful husband captured us girls together.

Their photos will follow, but for now I’d like to share this photo of us ladies having fun together on a beautiful day. Elizabeth left, me right, of course.

Liz, thanks for being such a WONDERFUL friend and client! {hugs}

Oops. I’ve been AWOL again, but for reasons I do enjoy. I’ve been enjoying a beautiful 4 day weekend with my lovely family. Taking walks, flying motorized airplanes, cooking wonderful meals, and just living the life. I’m glad to end it on this great day remembering Dr. King.

If you know me at all you know that I’m a positive thinker (I have bad days of course) with big hopes of making a difference. But I’m also a procrastinator… ;-(. So I’m revealing to you all that I’m going to do it. I’m going to be the change that I want to see in others. Thanks to the extra push from Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher’s I Pledge Video I’m going for it, no more procrastinating. NO MORE!

I pledge to bring more awareness for Down syndrome, Veganism, and Conscious Living. I pledge to stop using plastic water bottles, to continue to search for new ways to live a green lifestyle. I pledge to be a better Mom, wife, sister, friend, and family member. I pledge to be a better me so that I can inspire others to be better as well! What do you pledge? Let’s hold each other accountable!