Life Through the Lens

A wise friend once said, “Be where you are.” It’s genius. If you’re hanging out with your family, don’t surf your iPad. If you’re in class, don’t text friends. If you’re on vacation, turn on your email vacation responder. Just enjoy life, live simply, don’t multitask, and take a deep breath while you take in every beautiful moment as it unfolds before your very eyes.

I was in REI a few days ago, and they had a giant mural that said, “Be where you belong.” I love that version of the saying, too!!! If you’re not super happy about some particular aspect of your life, like where you live or what job you have, then take action to be where you want to be. Then maybe it’ll be easier to be where you are.

I missed out on blogging yesterday because I was enjoying quality time with my boys.

Max is the best at leading "Be where you are," always focusing and enjoying on one thing at a time - 08.02.11

So, be where you belong so you can be where you are… Are you?

Reach for the stars and amazing things will happen!

When I finally retired from grad school a couple of years ago, I knew I could keep teaching since I already had a job at our local community college (and still do… love my public speaking students!), but what I reallllly wanted to do was photography! I knew it would be hard and a lot of work (it still is!), but the payoff would be great.

I’ve been a photographer for about 15 years now (unless you count that very first camera that my dearest Aunt Milka gave me when I was just a small child!), and until now I’ve had just a handful of paying photography jobs. Otherwise, it was mostly just for hobby.

After Max was born, some kind of insane drive and motivation took over me to take my photography business to the next level! Also, with the unstoppable encouragement from Jose, I now have this amazing, growing client base for my portrait photography business, and just the best clients-turned-friends in the world. And thanks to the most incredible life-saving mom’s group that I’m a part of, the infamous Yoga Mamas, not only are several of them also my clients, but some of them are even about to help me embark on a new photographic journey! Living this dream is ineffable.

But wait… There’s more. I’m already a member of the Professional Photographers of America (PPA), but I thought it was time to expand my network and affiliations because so many great things can come from doing so. This weekend, my application was accepted to become a member of the National Association of Professional Child Photographers (NAPCP)! Such awesome news to receive that acceptance letter in my inbox!

What else am I a part of? The fabulous National Association of Photoshop Professionals (NAPP), as well as the Wedding and Portrait Photographers International (WPPI). All such incredible organizations that it’s such an honor to be a part of!

Then, today I received a letter indicating that I am a finalist for Best Infant Photographer in the 2011 Austin Area Mother-Friendly Birth Professionals Awards, which are a project of the Central Texas Doula Association. What an honor!!! Stay tuned for information on how and when to vote!

And if all of that wasn’t enough, I had a spectacular weekend with my boys, complete with the best daddy in the world introducing Max to the creation of art.

Reach for the stars and amazing things will happen.

Daddy & Max: 07.31.11

Max: 07.31.11

What’s on your “reach for the stars” list? Are you reaching?

Kids have a no holds barred approach to exploring the world. This is something that is sometimes lost along the way while you’re busy growing up.

Spend some time looking at the world from a kid’s perspective. Play in the dirt, crawl on the floor, build a fort out of unusual materials, try new foods… Whatever it is, just explore and have fun and get rid of expectations and preconceived notions of what you’re thinking about diving into.

When was the last time you stuck your tongue into running bath water… just because?

Max at bath time: 07.29.11

Go out and be a kid. What’s the first thing that comes to mind that you want to do?

It’s a great day to be alive!

Why waste your time and health and energy worrying and stressing when there are SO many things to be grateful for. If you’re having a hard time finding ways to count your blessings, then have a chat with a close friend or family member to remind you of all the great things in life. Remember that you are loved and it’s a great day to be alive. Always.

I saw this fridge magnet in Whole Foods today and it just spoke to me (not literally… that might be weird). But out of all the ones on the rack, that one jumped out and smacked me across the face (again, not literally… but you get my point ).

Whole Foods magnet - quote by Mike Dooley - 07.28.11

There are thousands of reasons why I feel like the luckiest person in the world, but mostly because of my amazing husband and son. Also, the incredible boom in my photography business recently, and rapidly increasing client-base, leaves me speechless, incredibly humbled, and beyond grateful. Thank you all so much.

Thank you Whole Foods for reminding me just how lucky I am… and now I’ll be reminded every single day because I couldn’t resist buying that magnet.

On a side note, I can’t wait to try out this eco-friendly wine that I also found at Whole Foods today! Didn’t even know there was such a thing! And, it was on sale! *Luckiest person alive.* Hehehe…

El Miracle wine - 07.28.11

Do you feel like you’re the luckiest person alive? Why? What are you grateful for today? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Are you tired of your day in/day out activities? Are you feeling a little uninspired? Do you have this itchy feeling (no, not that type of itching! Gross! LOL) that there’s just something more waiting for you out in the world?

I was thinking about writing on this topic before I even read today’s Zen Habits blog post. And then suggestion number six (live out of your comfort zone) from that post encouraged me even more!

Back in high school, our art teacher used to tell us, “Get out of your comfort zone!” She was so right. When I left my comfort zone, that’s when I produced the best work! And it’s been true any other time in life when I choose to try something new that I’m not familiar with.

So this is what I’m encouraging you to do today! Get out of your comfort zone! Try something new! This could also really help you find something new you’re passionate about that you completely missed before.

When’s the last time you left your comfort zone? What have you always wanted to do but are maybe a bit uncomfortable about making the decision to finally do it?

Here’s my leap out of my comfort zone:

Calling all local Austin artists, musicians, yogis, owners of quirky or trendy shops, homeowners with a unique sense of style… you catch my drift!

While I normally photograph adorable children who cause me to die of cuteness, or beautiful families, or the occasional wedding or engagement shoot (and totally love all of this, don’t get me wrong!), I’m ready to also try something new in my free time (ha! What free time? ).

I’m insanely inspired by The Selby and his ability to capture real life… real people… in their space. Check out that link, and if his artistic vision totally “speaks” to you and you fall under the category of the types of people I’m looking to photograph, then drop me a line and let’s get together to create some beautiful art!

Photograph by Todd Selby

I want to photograph you in your element. Whether that means you feel totally comfortable striking a yoga pose early in the morning in the middle of the road on South Congress Ave…. or your band has been using a funky recording studio that is just begging to be photographed while you’re in session… or you have an awe-inspiring home with unique architecture, lots of natural light, unusual design sense, and you want photos of you (and your family, if you have one!) in this creative space… or your art studio is your second home and that’s where you feel most at ease and alive… or maybe you own a really cool shop or tattoo parlor downtown and would love to finally have some shots of you in that space that you are so proud to have created. Anyway, you get the point.

I welcome all inquiries for this creative endeavor, especially if you have an idea for the shoot’s location, etc.! I want to see why we claim the expression, “Keep Austin Weird…” and then photograph it! Because I lovvvve Austin.

Donations welcome to keep this project going! After I take your photos, I will give you several digital copies as a souvenir to keep, but you could further support me by purchasing prints of your final photos from the site I will be hosting them on! Point being, this is a personal project that I won’t charge for until a long ways down the road, when I show what I have to offer and those skills become desirable to the outside world. However, the only catch is that I can only do these shoots when I’m not already booked by clients from my portrait and wedding photography business!

Interested? Have someone to send my way? Please do drop me a line! leaciceraro (at) gmail (dot) com

Ready… Set… Go!

Every person is different. Everyone has their own story. Every human deserves to celebrate their individuality… their unique contribution to the world.

It’s okay to have role models, look up to people, even try to mimic a person’s art style (just one example) so you can learn and grow.

But why try to by exactly like someone else (Singe White Female anyone? Just kidding… but that is creepy! LOL)? Why try to copy someone else’s photography or painting style? Why try to exactly be like Ansel Adams or Annie Leibowitz or Peter Lik (three photographers, by the way, who are a huge inspiration to me!)? All of those people are already out their doing their own thing… Nobody needs a replica.

Be your own person. Develop your own style (be it fashion or art or parenting or whatever). Show the world what you have to offer and then make your contribution available, if you so choose.

There’s only one you. So show people what you offer that’s special. What your passion is. Why it’s worth it to stop and take a second glance in your direction.

I used to drive myself crazy trying to figure out what type of photography people would enjoy seeing the most from me. And then Jose just encouraged me to explore what I am passionate about and just take pictures of things that I want to take pictures of. Novel idea! There’s only one me… Some people will be attracted to my work, others won’t. And that’s okay.

This film, Life in a Day, produced by Ridley Scott and directed by Kevin Macdonald looks to be the perfect portrayal of just how unique our world really is. I’m crazy looking forward to seeing this!

What’s a day in your life like? What’s unique about you? What do you hope to contribute to the world?

Life throws curve balls at you 24/7, it seems. This is where patience and going with the flow come in handy.

This fellow yoga mama is now living through an amazing journey in Palestine with her husband and two small children. She definitely wins the award for dealing with the most curve balls one mom could possibly be thrown in a single lifetime. The post I linked to on saluting fellow struggling yogis says it all. This mama is amazing, and she inspired this entire post tonight.

In addition to all of her excellent points, there’s somehow even more happenings on a day-to-day basis that can throw us for a loop (disclaimer: some of the below are about me, and others just inspired by others).

Whether it’s strange changes at work that make you question if you’re even in the right industry or if you might be there for the wrong reasons.

Or wondering where your favorite shirt is, only to realize it’s been sitting soaking wet in your washing machine for a week.

Or your dog(s) nearly ripping your arm out of socket on your morning walk as they try to drag you behind them while still attached to their leash in pursuit of a rabbit.

Or when your photography business suddenly picks up ten fold and you have to immediately start learning how to better manage the influx of clients.

Or the spider you find hiding out in an old box of comics.

Or when you tear your house apart trying to find the title to the car you’re trying to donate to the Children at Heart Ministries… only to find out your dad (a whole state away) had it all along.

Or when your kiddo wakes up from his nap when you’re only two minutes into your yoga practice.

Or when you hear your kiddo start to waking up at 10pm in the middle of writing a blog post (ah hem)…

Or better yet when your kiddo wakes up the instant you finally fall asleep for the night (hmmm… I’m starting to see a trend with this waking up thing).

Or when you realize just how important family is to you and how desperately you want any and all of them to live closer to you… but they don’t want to make the sacrifice(s), so you wonder if you should bite the bullet and move closer to them.

Or wondering when you’re ever going to have enough money to pay off your student loans since so many other unexpected bills insist on popping up, and just hoping your student debt will be paid before you take on your own children’s student loans.

Or when you find out a relative has cancer and not many family members talk about it, but you’re pretty sure he’s not getting better, based on your own deductive reasoning.

Or when you plan to spend a year abroad because you’ve been wait-listed for an academic program, only to find out after a couple of weeks in that you’ve been accepted after all and now have to travel back (for better or worse).

Or trying to find a babysitter you can trust with your child’s life while you and your husband get some much-needed alone time… getting so close to yet again finding someone… and then they stop returning your calls/emails… so you once again need to start from scratch… and you once again have to wait even longer to reconnect with your soul mate.

Or trying to conceive month after month (whether it’s your 1st child or your 5th) with no luck or unexpected loss(es), wondering if there’s something wrong with you or if it’s just not meant to be.

Or when you intend to blog in a timely manner everyday and learn something new and insightful to share with your readers, yet you forget to do so until you’re laying in bed for the night ready to fall asleep! Sorry…

Or even just watching your kid try to drink their bath water, wondering if they have already peed in the tub or not (see below ).

Mmmm bath water 07.25.11

So is there any use in planning things out when we can’t control anything anyway? Why get uptight over things that are out of our control? What’s the easiest way to deal with the unexpected?

I frequently meditate on the expression, “Everything happens for a reason.” When life throws you a curve ball, I guess all there is to do is just keep swimming.

I think there’s a reason you don’t see many blog posts show up on your Google Reader over the weekend… People are busy having fun! So, it’s time for me to catch up!

I made it a point this weekend to get out and do some fun stuff around Austin. We’ve lived here for 3 years and there’s still sooooo much we have yet to explore!

I encourage everyone to get out and see what their local area has to offer. Nobody says you have to go out-of-town to have a vacation! Too often people live for years in a certain city, and then move without ever having experienced some of the best local attractions! Or sometimes you wait to see and do as much as you can until your final weeks living in any particular city. We are so very guilty of both of those, especially having already lived on both the East Coast and in Southern California!

Yesterday I had some awesome “me-time” and I explored Austin a bit. First I headed to South Congress Avenue downtown to check out some great local shops. I took my camera along and finally got to take some pictures for myself, and I enjoyed some delicious candy and the best Italian Creme Soda I have ever had at Big Top Candy Shop. After exploring for a bit, I drove around some nearby neighborhoods and swooned over some amazing architecture, both old and new, and tree-lined streets in Travis Heights. So beautiful! Then I headed north a bit and had a lovely facial appointment at Spa Reveil.

Austin local... and his dog: 07.23.11

Big Top Candy Shop - Austin, TX: 07.23.11

Big Top Candy Shop - Austin, TX: 07.23.11

Big Top Candy Shop - Austin, TX: 07.23.11

Keep Austin Weird 07.23.11

This morning I had a photo shoot for a sweet little boy (also named Max!) who’s turning two on Tuesday! Me and his mama were pregnant at the same time with our kiddos and took prenatal yoga classes together. While I did the photo shoot around The Arboretum, Jose and Max came along to explore and play as well! We tried heading back down to the Congress Ave. Bridge to see the famous bats take flight, but after our dinner outside at Whole Foods in record breaking 105 degree heat, Max got overheated AND tired fast, so after driving around for a bit, we decided to just head back home… We’ll try again another day (or even another summer) to see the bats. We plan to live here forever, so there’s plenty of opportunities to see that and much more!

Max & Daddy: 07.24.11

All in all, it was a fabulous weekend that really encouraged me in SO many ways. Not only was it amazing to “get back in the saddle” with taking photos for myself, but I also had an incredibly time exploring Austin a bit more! I definitely intend to do both of these things a LOT more often.

What are your favorite local tourist (or non-tourist) attractions? Have you seen everything your city has to offer? Are you one of those people who can go years without visiting and exploring new areas of your own city?

I was about to fall asleep for the night, and then realized I forgot to blog today! Ironically, today was also my slowest photo business day all week AND Max napped for four hours, so I actually had ample time to blog. But, it slipped my mind. I think I was just excited that it’s Friday!

So as I dragged myself out of bed to write this quick post, the thing that came to mind to meditate on today was to SMILE more often!

Most people’s “neutral” faces look pretty angry… or sad… Why not just make a habit of smiling? Smile at people passing you on the street… Smile while you’re driving… Smile while you’re grocery shopping… Smile while you’re checking the mail. Doesn’t matter what you’re doing. Just smile.

Do you smile often? What makes you smile?

Happy Friday everyone!!!

Max is always a reason for me to smile 07.22.11

So, I’ve been pondering alllll day what I should write about for today’s post.  And NOTHING has come to mind.  I’m stumped, feeling a little brain dead… Maybe it’s from getting very little sleep last night.  Who knows!

I received some great advice from my awesome friend Lynsey: “It’s okay to be stumped… not needing to know all the answers or what’s coming next.”

She’s totally right. So that’s my own personal mantra for the day to reflect on… to remember in the future that it’s okay if I’m not feeling super wise or insightful on any given day.

What do you do when you’re feeling stumped? Or have a creative block? Do you just call it a day and hit the reset button tomorrow?  Do you have a go-to activity to get your juices flowing again?

Watching Max explore the library yesterday, totally fascinated by all it has to offer. Maybe that's his own way to get the creative juices flowing again.