baby deer

every now and then, i have an encounter that brings me to the most peaceful place... centers me, makes me smile, giggle even, and makes me feel special.  this is one of them.  

today, as i walked briskly through our neighborhood, i startled this young deer.  i didn't see her until she scampered away from the sidewalk.  i never expected, as i called out to her, that she might stop, look, even interact with me.  i live in town, so i will say that deer here do not start the way they would in a deep forest.  still, the fact that she stopped at the sound of my voice amazed me.  it was as if i'd called to one of my dogs.  i truly think for a moment she thought about walking to me, and though i did not capture that here, i can't tell you how happy i was to have my phone with me. 

we stood for what felt like forever and though i didn't want our interaction to end, when all was said and done, i wanted her to go.  i wanted her to be scared enough to protect herself... wanted her to not take a risk on me so that she might, ultimately, stay safe.  on the other hand, in this span of sweet seconds, i imagined a life together with this little thing... meeting her for daily "hellos" and bringing her snacks and such.  it's funny how the mind can want two things at once.

bayliss

i was honored to meet this beautiful, sweet, well-mannered dog today... he has a silly side, too, and i fell immediately in love!  it was a rainy, wet day, and bayliss did not care to be outside for more than a moment. this was the closest we got to nature during today's shoot.

image: camera looking in at pup looking out... i love the texture the screen adds to the image.  had bayliss wanted to be outside, this image might not exist.

wonder woman

this one will change the world.  she has already begun.

image: a still moment in what was, for the most part, a flurry of activity on set.

and so i share, too...

i truly needed this quote on the day it came to me via a note from a sweet friend:

let the beauty we love be what we do.  there are hundreds of ways to kneel and kiss the ground. 

-rumi

set the scene

the gulls were not at this point of the beach when we arrived on the scene with tortilla-chip-crumb-filled brown bags.  we called them to us with our crazy food-tossing skills, though, and as a result, were able to capture some great images in the prettiest spot on the beach.  i love shooting like this, with the planning on the front end and the shooting unfolding along with the scene.  when we shoot around an event or activity, the kids forget i'm there and are their best selves, offering the great stuff up all on their own.  

image: evening sun, endless water, tortilla chip crumbs, enthusiastic kiddos, and seagulls.