Photography

Photography

My passion for photography, and pictures in general, comes at a close tie with music and writing, which are my top passions. There is something about capturing beauty, creativity, and memories in a photo that sometimes the mind cannot even fully remember.

When I look back on old photos of either family, friends, or pieces of photography I have attempted, it brings back memories of places, smells, feelings, events, dialogue, and much more, that I could not have remembered on my own without the help of the photo.

There is such power in images because they can portray characteristics, emotions, and even fictional things in someone's mind. When it comes to capturing nature, sometimes no form of a camera can do it justice, but other times photos can reveal things to the eye that was not seen at the time the photo was taken. It gives one an opportunity to view more closely the details of that particular moment; a chance to catch things that may have been missed before.

I especially love capturing memories during my travels so I can more easily remember the things I have seen before that I may not get to see every day. It brings back floods of memories of the specific moments I captured the photos, or the photos bring back memories from that day or time. It is such a beautiful thing.

Photography is like an escape. Not the action of taking photos but the aftermath of viewing what I have captured and having the ability to stare at the photo as long as I desire. Nothing compares to photography and the creativity that can be incorporated into it. I don't think it takes much for one to do well in photography as an art or hobbie, or maybe even as a profession. All one needs is a vision, a detailed eye, and a camera.

Busy Bee

Traveling

Traveling is one of my greatest passions in life; whether it be flying for 13 hours overseas to Uganda, Africa, or driving a couple of hours to Cincinnati, Ohio. There is nothing that quite compares to my love for traveling. Being in an environment that I am unfamiliar with, or an environment that I may only experience ever so often, is, in a way, a gift because mystery, surprise, and spontaneity lies in the depths of unfamiliar places and experiences.

I love being out of my element; away from the norm. There is such a newness and refreshing feeling that I get when I have the opportunity to travel somewhere new.

Over this past summer, 2012, I had quite the adventure. My journey began in early May when I moved off of my college campus for the summer and made a stop in Noblesville for a meeting that was held for those of us who were going to Uganda, Africa in August. This short trip only lasted a couple of days. One of the young ladies going on the trip, Mary, and I stayed the night at Sandy's, one of our group leaders, sister's home. Neither of us had ever met her before but she was such a kind woman and very hospitable to have us, complete strangers, stay in her home.

After returning home and being there for some time I had to pick up again and drive to Cincinnati, Ohio in June, accompanied by my younger sister, Jessica, to record with a friend of mine, Matthew Novak, for his album. Recording took approximately five to six hours; that was just me recording my harmony parts. After that Jessica and I followed Matt to his parents' house where we stayed the night. The experience was fun in itself; the three of us: Matt, Jessica, and myself, sitting in the kitchen at 2:00 a.m. eating cereal and talking was a fun memory that will be there forever. Not to mention we stayed in a huge and awesome basement that night! Jessica and I returned home that next morning safe and sound with the memories comfortably tucked away.

The next trip I took was to a much bigger place and a much further distance. Dallas, Texas!! My uncle, aunt, and their two daughters moved there a little over one year ago and they wanted me to visit them. So I purchased a plane ticket, took some time off work, and flew to Texas to see them! I had never been to Dallas before so I was anxiously looking forward to my visit. The highways are busy, the roads are long, the city is clean and the traffic is easy. The place looked fairly new. The landscaping and the buildings and roads looked very clean and inviting, which made it even more enjoyable to be there! The day I arrived I spent with my family in their new home, and the next day my aunt, cousins and I drove to Arkansas for my brother, Drew, and his fiance, Hannah's wedding shower. We were there for the weekend then returned to Texas on Monday afternoon. I spent the next few days with my family simply doing fun things in Texas like shopping, swimming, eating out, making a pie, and much more. It was a great and memorable experience.

From Texas I flew to Oklahoma for one of my best friend's wedding, which I was a bridesmaid for.I spent the weekend there helping prepare and set up for the wedding as well as spending time with my best friend, Morgan, whom I hadn't seen in over three years! It was a much-needed visit indeed. She made such a beautiful bride. I did the make-up for Morgan and two of her bridesmaids as well as myself and that was a new experience for sure! My time in Oklahoma was wonderful and I enjoyed every moment of it. I hold on to the memories in hope to return again soon.

Following Oklahoma was another short trip back to Noblesville for our last meeting in preparation for Africa. My best friend, Hannah, and I drove to Lousiville, Kentucky and met some friends of mine who were also going to Africa, and we all drove together and spent part of the day hanging out with our Africa group. Then we drove back that evening.

After Noblesville my family traveled to Arkansas in July for my brother's wedding. The big day was finally approaching and we spent that weekend preparing everything. Just being in Arkansas three years after spending new years there with Drew and Hannah long before they were dating was a privileged feeling for me. Being part of the wedding and the preparation for it was fantastic and nothing like I had ever experienced. I think it was the best part of my summer.... in the states.

 Just a few short days after the wedding and returning home I had to pack up an get ready for my trip to Uganda, Africa, where I would be staying for two weeks. The flights were the least tolerable part of the trip but nonetheless it was great! We traveled first to Washington D.C. from Indianapolis. Then to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia from D.C. From Ethiopia we landed in Entebbe, Uganda and from there drove to Fort Portal, which was approximately a five to six hour drive. We rode in a huge bus with all of our luggage, and even though the bus did not have A/C and the windows rattled as we drove down the bumpy roads, the scenery was spectacular. After spending a week in Fort Portal we drove 10 hours to Jinja, Uganda and stayed there the second week. The trip was full of new and different experiences like nothing I had ever been a part of before.

Traveling is not simply about the distances we go or the miles we travel. It is all about the memories and experiences that we possess from that.