Southwestern Photojournalism Conference

Two weekends ago, I returned to the Southwestern Photojournalism Conference in Texas. This year though I got to participate in the student practicum. My group went and explored the stockyards of Fort Worth. There were cowboys, long horn steer, shoe shiners, and good food. The actual conference was amazing but I won't be able to summarize all of the advice, stories, and tips the phenomenal speakers gave unless I wrote for the next three hours. You'll just have to come next year! It is definitely worth it. Here are some of my favorite pictures from the weekend!

Cowboy Ranch

They of course had some cattle!

 We hopped the fence and explored the field next store that had all these abandoned old cars! 

 

The old west meets modern technology. 

What's a ranch without some horses? 

   

Isn't God an awesome painter?

The Stockyards

Cowboy; Ricardo Rodriquez

As we admired a local art gallery, Whitney inquired about the noise coming from behind a back door. 

The owner said that it was the workshop and to go introduce ourselves. These guys were restoring a table from the 30's. 

All you see is hands but that is what Rodney uses to polish shoes every day on the streets of the Stockyards. He was a character, making up raps the whole time he was shining her boots. 

The entire weekend was a learning experience. I learned I need to work on my stranger skills, on getting close and to explore the photography I enjoy even if others don't. I learned that I love art photography but I also want to explore journalistic photography. 

A Constant State of Bewilderment

         So for 14 days in January I had the great blessing to go to Italy. Here are some of my favorite memories and pictures from the trip. This won't even scratch the surface of how many photos I took, 1,066 to be exact but hopefully it will give you all a taste. Enjoy!

On our first day in Rome, I spotted a super cute old couple walking on a street below the plaza we were on.

Christmas 2011

Christmas is a fantastic time of year. By far my favorite holiday because it is filled with so much more that just every other holiday.

Christmas is the celebration of the King of the universe taking on human form, living on earth just to die for us, lowly sinners. How incredible is that? Better than independence, costumes, columbus, or MLK.

Not to say that I don't enjoy being with my family, repeating traditions, and opening presents too.

Here are a few of my favorite images from Christmas, shot with my new Canon 7D.

Obviously didn't take this one with my Canon. But my iPhone and Instagram did a nice job. 

My grandma snuggling up with her new fuzzy sweater. 

Inside that roaster was a delicious turkey we ate for dinner. 

I think I could have eaten every one of those rolls. 

My pups resting on the couch. 

Praise Emmanuel, for He is here!

He will swallow up death forever

"He will swallow up death forever,

 and the Lord God will wipe away tears from all faces

 and the reproach of his people he will take away from all the earth, 

for the Lord has spoken. It will be said on that day,

"Behold, this is our God; we have waited for him, that he might save us. 

This is the Lord; we have waited for him; let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation." 

                                                           

                                                                                          - Isaiah 25:8-10 

        He will swallow up death forever. I can't seem to get past that first line. The astounding part is the 11 chapters before this is essentially about the destruction of certain cities. Chapter 24 is labeled "Destruction of the whole earth" and starts out by saying,
       "Behold, the Lord will empty the earth and make is desolate, and he will twist its surface and scatter its inhabitants."
         How amazing is that? So much destruction is described and even as I was reading, I thought when will this end? Then I found myself upon chapter 25. Where Gods mercy is disabled in epic proportions. God's power and just nature was shown through the oracles of chapters 15-23 and now God's grace for a broken and sinful people is displayed in chapter 25.

What beautiful words to hear on a snowy december morning.

"He will swallow up death forever."

My God is astounding.