Be Inspired to Let Go ...

So much for my weekly commitment to my blog ... a 4 day repair at Apple (love them, love them, by the way ... excused.), 2 little boys requiring my entertainment day & night (this is my first priority ... excused.) and the list goes on.  Excuses, excuses.  We all have them.

Regardless of the numerous excuses/reasons, I am here now posting TODAY.  My children have been home sick with strep, day three, which has given me a little extra time to do:

more laundry  more dishes  more yoga  more organizing  more lego building

more movie watching  more hugs & kisses  more sleep

I have come to the realization that I will never complete all tasks in my life and I am okay with this.  Someone told me this recently.  He was right.  A much older man who worked full time & was a full time single dad of three young children.  We spend all our life running from here to there, sun up to sun down, some days it is necessary, others we should "let go" of some laundry, unloading the dishwasher, writing thank you notes (call or email), send an evite instead of mailing invitations (the green thing to do), take a longer shower or bath, watch an entire movie with your children (without your phone or a magazine in hand).

It is difficult, trust me, I live it.  Little by little, I have learned and accepted to "let go" of many things.  Focus on the more important things in life like spending time with the ones you LOVE, spending time for yourself and don't worry if others judge you.  Now, don't let the laundry and dishes pile up for a week or let yourself go, but you get the idea.  Sit down for 15 minutes a day and do nothing, try it.  If you cannot sit still, try yoga.

 

... you'll be with me, like a hand print on my heart...

Here's a spontaneous moment to share.  A few weeks ago, we were on a walk and passed a smooth patch of fine gray dirt (I am sure it was powered cement).  I put my hand down, then each of my boys did the same, without any instruction.  A peaceful moment.  They both said as I thought in my head "take a picture!"  Imagine that.  After seeing this photo, inspiration came to me to create something similar in a form of art that will we do soon.

Mothers of little boys work from son up till son down! -Author Unknown

 

My Mom took this shot of us over the summer.  Smiles all around.

 I have many other photos to share and will do so very soon.  Here's a sneak peak of a few recent shoots.  I have a few on the calendar and many more to schedule.  My dream is slowly emerging ... to do what I am passionate about, capturing memories for others to treasure and inspire all. 

Mom & Son ... what sweet love they share.

What love this one shares for that GIANT lollipop I gave her.

And, my oldest, loving the freedom on the beach.

Until next time.

Be Inspired, Ali

Multiple Blessings and beyond!

When my friend, Caroline Simas, asked me to photograph her for business, I was BEYOND honored for this fabulous opportunity.  The bike was stuffed full with her artwork, flowers, brushes & fabric ... created by Multiple Blessings by Caroline Simas.

If she could, she would have taken this bike for a spin around the block.  Ha!

This is a woman I admire in many ways.  I first met Caroline when our children were in preschool.  A radiant smile and a heart full of love.  A wife and mother of four, she is BLESSED in MULTIPLE ways.  If you don't know Caroline, she is a talented artist who is so passionate about her work.  You can feel her love for art just by looking at any of her work.

Years ago, I remember seeing her note cards and bookmarks in small shops in Charlotte and buying whatever I could to share with friends & family who appreciated beautiful art.  One being my 96 year old grandmother, also an artist.

 

Today, Caroline's talent has taken her art worldwide.  Available via Tiny Prints,

Coasterstone, Skinit ... just to name a few.  Her art is full of inspiration and many pieces are just "breathtaking".  Full of life, color, love and best of all ... inspiration.

In between wardrobe changes, I snapped some shots of her sweet twins.

Click here to view her post on the photo shoot.

Caroline is a true inspiration to me as a friend, mother and entrepreneur.

A beautiful soul inside and out ... thank you C for your friendship.  xo

 

Be Inspired,  Ali

Are you ready for some football ... and some INSPIRATION?

I couldn't resist with the "Are you ready for some football?" since we are just into football season!  Hard to get in the fall spirit when it is still in the 90s for most of us.  Cold weather will be upon us before we know it, so enjoy the warmth and longer days for another few weeks.  At least we GAIN an hour when we "fall back".

I shared this photo in February 2011 and thought it was appropriate for football season.

Many of you follow me on Facebook as I share favorite photos from my shoots.  Several of you have asked that I share on my blog as well.  I am going to give it try and blog weekly.  I can commit to once a week.

Taken a few months ago in honor of our country.

I recently had a photo shoot that was full of inspiration and FUN.  I can hardly wait to share this one and will do so soon.


As always, thank you for your support!

Be Inspired, Ali

A Young Inspiration ...

This post comes with a heavy heart just 5 days after learning of a sweet girl who was diagnosed with mast cell leukemia.  I hold back tears as I type.  Sloan, 13 years old, who I recall well as a bright and silly teenage girl.  And, a natural beauty.  She began her chemo treatments this week. 

Let me back up.  I met Sloan and her parents after her mom, Kate, was referred to me by a mutual friend.  Kate contacted me to photograph her family and we scheduled a shoot shortly after.

Just to paint a picture for you ...  I arrived in their familiar and charming neighborhood which I knew ahead would be a beautiful backdrop ... to find a giant crane and many 100 foot tall tree trunks in their driveway.  Kate did mention ahead that trees were being removed from their backyard and they would be gone.  Before knocking on their door, I did a quick scan of their lot, the surrounding areas (other neighbors yards) and just made the best of the situation.  I wish life was that easy sometimes.

I had a great experience with the Chambers, they were so welcoming, kind and very apologetic.  One of my favorite shots is of them sitting on a bench laughing (tears and all) as I am balancing myself on the tree trunks, as the bench is sinking into the ground beneath them due to the soft ground.
Talk about an "ice breaker"!

I photographed Sloan by herself.  She was so easy to photograph, just beautiful.  Kate was openly gracious after seeing the photos and sent me their Christmas card.  I hoped our paths would cross again someday soon.  What a nice family.  I never imagined our paths would cross again under these circumstances.  I have contacted the Chambers and in the process of putting together something for Sloan's "wall of art".

 Our mutual friend is Caroline Simas, http://carolinesimas.blogspot.com.  She is collecting artwork and to cover the walls in Sloan's hospital room.  Caroline's wish is "to cover her walls with beautiful and uplifting art to make her feel more at home".  This should be very inspiring for Sloan and her parents during this journey. 

  

Please keep the Chambers in your thoughts.  They have set up a Caring Bridge page and Sloan even posted today.  http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/sloanchambers 

Be Inspired,  Ali

365 ... February 1-12

Day 32
Nikon D80 | indoors with flash | hand painted tile from a child at my sons school

Day 33
Nikon D80 | indoors with flash | photo on my laptop of me & my Nana.  Today is her 96th birthday!  xo

Day 34
Nikon D80 | natural light | my 5 year old in his own creation, Charlotte NC

Day 35
Nikon D80 | natural light with flash | my umbrella on the ground in the rain

Day 36
Nikon D80 | natural light | cold winter day & this store is having a "Spring" sale

Day 37
Nikon D80 | natural light | Super Bowl Sunday

Day 38
Nikon D80 | indoors with flash | a friend gifted me this candle at Christmastime, it reads PEACE.

Day 39
Nikon D80 | natural light | always stop for a school bus, always.

Day 40
Nikon D80 | indoors with flash | a wonderful read by a friend, Tony Reynolds.

Day 41
Nikon D80 | natural light | a dusting of snow, beautiful & peaceful morning with my boys.

Day 42
Nikon D80 | indoors with flash | good red wine, good conversation, good kids playing in the background, good memory.

Day 43
Nikon D80 | natural light just before sunset | a TOP a parking garage somewhere a TOP of the Queen City (Charlotte, NC).