Stormy 52

This week’s project 52 theme is stormy weather. How appropriate! This week in the abandoned-by-most-of-my-friends town of Searcy has been quite wet. And when it rains here…it pours. As long as I don’t have things to do outside or weddings to shoot, I love the rain! (usually :)) Today I got some hot chocolate and watched the rain for a bit and then ran outside to get a few pictures.

Stay dry! :)

Check out the talented and smiling Jenn’s rendition of this week’s project 52!

~ Jon

Orange and Blue

I love photography because of people, emotions, and stories. Every year the various girl clubs on campus nominate a few guys to be honorary members. This ritual is known as “beauxing.” ;) It’s always a fun time and there’s always lots of face painting and excitement. I’ve wanted to do this for a while, but this year it finally worked out for me to set up a photo booth. =)

Some awesome girls that I can proudly call friends. :)

Go big or go home. That’s my life philosophy. :-)

~ Jon

Loneliness fiftytwo

The theme for this week’s project 52 is Alone. Pardon the brief exposé, but I’ve thought about this topic a time or two. Psychology is really interesting to me. :)

An aspect of loneliness that I find fascinating is that you can be on a busy street, subway, library, or [public area], be surrounded by people, and yet still be alone. Loneliness is a weird thing. You can have more wealth and things than you know what to do with but even as tempting as things may be, the result is not happiness. You can’t buy friends, only “friends.” Fame also isn’t any sort of solution. You can be amidst people (fans, even) trying to meet you–building you up with nice words–and still feel alone.

The solution is relationship. Don’t network–connect with people. Do things that matter. God’s ways are higher than our ways, His plans bring more peace and contentment than anything we can ever try to come up with.

That’s my thought of the day. :) Be sure to check out Mark Gregory’s version! :)

~ Jon

The Fast Lane

Life is so full of change and ups and downs. My mind can be so fickle some times. I love being around people, I need to be alone. I believe that talent is not limited by things, yet I want more things. I believe in the importance of a simple life, yet I can’t stop moving and just enjoy the moment and the blessings of life.

Yet through every struggle, the ever simple truth resonates that God is sovereign and over everything. And His plan is higher. No matter how much I try to control, that truth remains.

A few good reads:

• Relevant: Time for a Pintervention
• A Question of Identity (Jeremy Lin sparked story)
• Pearls Before Breakfast (what is value?)

Neat projects I’ve come across:

• A Perfectly Balanced Model
• Flying Baby (a simple idea made inspiration)

And… some recent personal photography:

Enjoy the simple things. Do things that matter. Treasure your relationships.

~ Jon

Blur of Life

Continuing on my quest for creating unique and different–here’s some of my favorites from a portrait project. Kallsy and Logan are awesome people and subjects. :)

Yep, they’re cool. :)

~ Jon