Look at the whole picture..

Today's technology has opened a whole new world of opportunities for creativity and connections. Anyone can now take a picture with a smartphone, add a few enhancements with some apps, and VOILA- you're now a photographer or an artist. Post that baby to Facebook or Instagram, get a few followers, and check at your bad self! Want to attract more people- throw on a catchy hashtag and BOOM- #girlbossstatus! I'm not judging, because I have been there and done that!

I've loved nature, landscape, abstract photos for as long as I can remember. It's always been something I've played around with, but never considered taking it anywhere because it was a fun little hobby that anyone could do. Over the last 9 months, I've spent so much time researching and practicing techniques and have gotten a better respect for the pros. They work their asses off for getting the perfect shot that someone can only create with their smartphone apps. They're up early in the morning or late at night, waiting to capture the perfect moment.

These photos are a piece of a person. It's time spent away from their families, sleep, and life in general. Sometimes the photo is so much more than what you are looking at. Look at the photo and see it through the photographer's eyes. What are they trying to show you? Why those colors, why that spot? Is there a story behind the photo? What sort of feelings does the photo give you? The kind of photos that grab you're attention, open your eyes to appreciate the natural beauties that we often take for granted, could never be captured with a phone and manipulated through an app. Those kind of photos are captured with sweat, heart, and soul.