The Shot Seen 'Round the World

So by now the entire world has seen and heard about the photos of young Miley Cyrus (aka Hannah Montana) and people are outraged. The words "ignorant" and "dirty" have been used to describe the shot. Have we blown this just a little bit out of proportion?

All of a sudden Mom's don't want their little girls to look at her as a role model anymore. What's wrong with us as a society? Since when did we, as mothers start looking to celebrities to be role models for our children? Why aren't we looking for more? As a teenager I would have denied it, but my role model was my mother. We need to look to real people to be role models for our children, not celebrities that are on a pedestal because society puts them there only to wait for them to slip up to we can knock them down. They're human, remember? One only needs to look to Britney Spears to see the most recent example of such a cycle.

The photos are artistic and tasteful, and conjure up images of The Rokeby Venus and Odalisque...not something perverse. And as for the photos of her with her father, they're tasteful as well. Girls need their fathers. And Miley and Mr. Achy Breaky himself are a shining example of what a girl can accomplish when she has the support of a loving father.

Personally, I find it rather sad that she has felt the need to apologize for these photos, but then again it seems like that is just the kind of person she is. She's felt that she let her fans down, and wants to make amends. As for her age, I see teenage girls showing more skin than that at our local swimming pool. Our children see far worse than that on television these days whether it's a show that's on during what used to be known as "family hour", racy commercials or just promos for upcoming episodes of shows we wouldn't let them watch anyway!

Let's cut the girl a break. Let's also remember that she's human, and let's also remember that someone once said "Art isn't art unless it makes someone uncomfortable".

New Music Monday Returns!

There's some great music from here in these United States, but some of the greatest music comes from overseas. Such is the case with Federico Abuele. His album Panamericana contains some beautiful samplings of music from his native Argentina. Spanish guitar, harmonica and ethereal, Portuguese vocals (really, everything sounds better in Portuguese) make this album a fun visit to Buenos Aires without leaving your [insert listening device here]. Check out Maria Jose for a taste of what else you can hear from Mr. Abuele!

Offbeat Bride

Are you an "offbeat bride"? Are you a bride who wants her wedding to be unique, fun and memorable? If so then you should really check out Offbeat Bride. I found this site the other day and find myself going back to it more and more. Subtitled "Taffeta free alternatives for Independent Brides", Offbeat bride gives us a look at some beautiful weddings that are a little off the beaten trail.

Take for instance the list of Father-Daughter dance songs. Butterfly Kisses is a beautiful song, but what if it just doesn't say it for you and your Dad?

Also check out the great ideas for wedding party gifts, and the links to the handmade (or homemade) favors, cakes and invitations and decor (found on Etsy Bride)!

I'll be willing to bet you'll all find this site as addictive as I do!

Happy Earth Day!

Of all the Dr. Seuss books out there, my favorite (and my children’s favorite) is The Lorax. Who can forget the story of the Old Once-ler who lives above his dilapidated old factory where he once made thneeds (which everyone, everyone, everyone needs)? I love to read this story to Eddie and Emma and they love it when I get into character and read as if I were the Lorax! We’ve been reading this book together for years, but on this day, Earth Day, I want to make special mention of it.

Whether you believe or don’t believe in global warming, no one can deny the existence and effects of deforestation, pollution and dare I say it…mass consumerism?? All too heavy for a children’s book, you say?

As a child I remember learning about the concept of environmentalism in school. I ran home to my parents and told them all I had learned and emphatically told them that at the very least we needed to start recycling. In my recollection, they acted as if they had never heard of such a thing. They thought it was a good idea, but impractical. Eventually they bought a can crusher and we started recycling aluminum cans. To me though, it just wasn’t enough. Now that I am a parent (and a recycling one at that), I expect that one day my own children will tell me that I’m not doing enough. The idea here is that each generation seems to be demanding more. More accountability, more responsibility in the ways in which we use the earth’s resources. And maybe that’s due in some small part to Dr. Seuss’ larger-than-life characters.

I see grocery store clerks roll their eyes when I hand them my canvas bags after they’ve asked , “paper or plastic?”, and I’ve seen neighbors laugh out loud when I’ve tried to mow my lawn with an old-fashioned reel mower (“try” being the operative word…and just for the record, it’s a fantastic ab workout). But when it comes to preserving our natural resources for the next generation, I’m willing to do whatever I can to help…whether I get laughed at or not.

..."So...Catch!" calls the Once-ler.

He lets something fall.

"It's a Truffula Seed.

It's the last one of all!

You're in charge of the last of the Truffula Seeds.

And Truffula Trees are what everyone needs.

Plant a new Truffula. Treat it with care.

Give it clean water. And feed it fresh air.

Grow a forest. Protect it from axes that hack.

Then the Lorax and all of his friends

may come back."

...The Lorax, Dr. Seuss. copyright 1971

New Music Monday

Photography is my passion. To be honest, I'm a huge fan of all the arts...theater, film, music, you name it! But as far as passion goes, music is second only to the camera. So with that in mind, I'm starting a new weekly feature on this blog to introduce some great new music!

This week, I want to introduce people to the music of Zooey Deschanel. Like most, I cringed when I heard yet another Hollywood Actress was coming out with a CD. I mean really, we've all heard Lindsay Lohan, Heidi Montag (if you can even call her an actress) and Jennifer Lopez. So if I hadn't accidentally stumbled upon her song, "Why Do You Let Me Stay Here", I never would have thought her music was worth a listen. But it's good! In a world of over-edited, post-processed singers, her voice is refreshingly real...and some of the songs have an early Beatles sound while others sound a little like the Shangri-La's, so I'm automatically hooked! There are a couple of covers there too, but we can overlook those.

If you're interested, the album is called "She & Him, Volume One" (though I'm not sure who the "Him" is). For anyone who might want to hear more than what she sang in the Christmas classic "Elf", it's one worth checking out!

Shaken, and stirred!

I'm happy to report that the rumors aren't true! For years, many said I was able to sleep through an earthquake. I'm pleased to report that as of 4:37 central time, that is not true! Thankfully, there have been no reported injuries. Aftershocks were felt from Chicago all the way to Alabama. Read all about our little Midwest shake-up here!

Rae and Mohammed

I had the chance to shoot an amazing wedding with the incredible Kevin Lynn again this past weekend! Rae and Mohammed were married at one of my very favorite places, Confluence Park! After a short ceremony, we went outside for a few photos of the couple in front of the skyline. Then the dancing began! The music was so fantastic, that I just had to link to the DJ's website so everyone can get a taste of it!

A big "Thank You" to Rae and Mohammed, and to Kevin for allowing me to be a part of it all!

The gown...

The Cake...

The Couple...

Kevin and Michelle

Last Saturday I had the opportunity to shoot an amazing wedding with the award winning Kevin, of Kevin Lynn Photography! For March, the weather cooperated beautifully and we had a chance to get some great pictures at Ohio Stadium and at North Bank Park.

Here are a couple of my favorites! Be sure to check out Kevin’s slideshow of the day on his blog too!

A big congratulations and a big "Thank You" to Kevin and Michelle for letting me be a part of your big day!

Oh Snap!

The incredible Gary Fong recently released his memoirs in a new book called "Snaps", and I am so going to put it on my "to read" list! I mean, here is an amazing photographer, inventor and entrepenuer and he's (according to the review) been known to make important life decisions based on "the flip of a coin". How refreshing, how honest...if a little scary to someone like me who usually has to make a list of all the "pros" and all the "cons" before I make a move!

Biographies and memoirs never fail to inspire me, so with that in mind here is my top ten list of the best-ever biographies and memoirs:

1. Nicholas and Alexandra by Robert K. Massie. The story of the tragic Romanov dynasty is so heartbreaking and the unfolding of world events that took precedence over family obligation is unfathomable (Neither the Kaiser, nor the King of England would help to save the life of their cousin, the Czar and his family). One of the other facts that I find fascinating here is that The Czar's daughter, Olga was at one time a love interest of the Prince of Wales (who later abdicated the throne to marry Wallace Simpson). How the course of history would have changed if the two had ever married. But I digress...in the midst of all their empire falling down around them, Nicholas and Alexandra were a royal couple truly in love with each other and their family.



2. The Story of My Life : Helen Keller by Helen Keller. As a child, Helen Keller's story inspired me to learn sign language and braille. What an amazing feat to go from a world of silent darkness to speaking at colleges and writing books for the rest of the world to read! She gave thousands with disabilities hope.


3. Howard Hughes-The Untold Story by Peter Harry Brown and Pat H. Broeske. Say what you want about his lifestyle...the man was a genius! I'm so often interested and saddened by stories of parallel genius and madness as was the case with Hughes. He has left an indellible mark on the world even today through philanthropic efforts and research trusts.


4. Laura: The Life of Laura Ingalls Wilder by Donald Zochert. Okay, so I grew up on Little House on the Prairie...alomst any woman my age did! Again, I was most moved by the closeness of this family through every possible kind of struggle (bears, wilderness, blindness, and Nellie Olsen (actually a Nellie "Owens" for anyone who's interested). I was also fascinated by Laura's writing and the way that she was able to make any little girl in any era feel what it was like to be a pioneer girl in the 1800's.


5. The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio by Terry Ryan. A great story (and kinda local too)! See the movie too, but not before you read the book!


6. Angela's Ashes by Frank McCourt. Like Prizewinner, but even grittier...and funnier! The story of an immigrant family who actually leaves America to go back to their native Ireland. The adversity that this family faces is unbelieveable, but they endure with faith and with humor.



7. 'Tis by Frank McCourt. The next part in the Angela's Ashes story. Little Frankie McCourt goes back to America as an adult, without his family. He experiences New York City, goes back to Europe to fight in the war, then comes back to the US, goes to college and becomes a teacher and eventually an incredible writer!


8. The Little Princesses: The Story of the Queen's (Elizabeth II) Childhood by
Marion Crawford. The author was actually the princesses nanny, but what is interesting here is that it was written before those "unauthorized" biographies by chauffer's and housekeepers became so popular. Instead of mudslinging and closed-door gossip, the author describes the daily routines of her charges and gives us anectdotal humor.


9. Papa: A Personal Memoir by Gregory Hemingway. Again...genius and madness. This time set against backdrops of some dramtic locales (Key West, Paris, Spain).


10. Elvis and Me by Priscilla Presley. Okay, so it's a little tabloid-y, but the fact remains that she was married to the King! Their love story spans several years... she adored Elvis and he truly loved her. We all know how his story ended, but she's respected his memory and his fans all these years.


Anyone I missed? As one who loves to read these kinds of stories, I'm always looking for recommendations. If you've read a good one, please share!