Alecia Hoback Photography

Alright y’all. Let’s take a minute and talk about the “why” surrounding this special.

First, let’s talk about what boudoir is for those who might not be familiar. Boudoir is a French word that refers to a woman’s private dressing room or bedroom... As far as photography is concerned, I’m sure it takes on some of the same connotations as “a woman’s private room” might have in the 1800′s. Boudoir photography is intimate, sensual, romantic, sexy, and well... fun.

Since I began making my way into photography, I’ve run a special every 2-3 years. Christmas, Fall.. and now Boudoir. This one I’m probably expressing way more excitement for... and... there’s a lot of good reason for it. Never mind that it’s been 3 years since my last special... and my trigger finger is getting itchy! Boudoir is so many things for me. It’s an opportunity to challenge a lot of the things I pride myself on as a photographer, like my ability to make anyone comfortable in front of my lens, and providing every client with photos that make them think about anything but their insecurities. I get to be creative in whole new ways and take chances I wouldn’t normally... BUT. There’s so much more on the line for me with this type of imagery than any portrait session. I love that type of challenge and I truly enjoy the fruit it yields, for me and for you! Boudoir is different from any kind of photography in that way.

Now, this isn’t my first rodeo.... Another challenge of this kind of photography is trying to respect a clients privacy while using their photos for advertising.. Not because they aren’t thrilled with their session, but because it took a leap for them to do the session in the first place... This is deeply personal for some folks.. So I’ve been waiting for the courage to even ask them.. But I did. Each one individually if they would mind provided I didn’t show their face or any especially identifying features. I will be forever grateful that these women agreed because this special would not be possible without them. <3 Which brings me to why I think this kind of photography is special and important. 

Due to the personal nature of this special I’ve been reaching out to people one on one more than I normally would. This is a love/hate for me but more necessary for this kind of photography than others. The feedback I’ve gotten has been SO many things. And that is the #1 reason I knew I needed to write about this. Responses have been so varied. From happy for you but this isn’t my cup of tea.. to I’d love to but photography isn’t in the budget right now.. to things that have shattered my heart. Things like “i’m not pretty enough.. or I’m a mom now.. or I’m too big for this kind of photography... or maybe a few years ago..” 

Y'all. SHUT UP. Shut up right now!!

Boudoir is not just for “supermodel body types” and skinny women. Boudoir is for EVERY WOMAN. Because being and feeling sexy is for every woman. Ladies, I don’t care about your body type... I’m not running a special called “boudoir special but only for skinny women who haven’t had children yet.” I care less about your weight and stretch marks and c-section scars than you do. I’m here for one purpose and one purpose only. To give you boudoir photos that make you feel sexy, comfortable in front of my lens, and like a goddess on the opposite end of it when I show you your photographs. And if I didn’t think I could achieve that... I wouldn’t do this special. Because if I can’t do those things for you.. this isn’t a niche of photography I need to spend time in. And I’m confident, boudoir photography is a good place for me. ;) 

The truth is.. every woman is her own biggest critic. Every single on of us have things we hate about our body.. If you’re one of my single ladies doing this for yourself... YOU GO GIRL!!! I hope it brings you everything you’re searching for... and my other ladies I hate to break it to y’all... but your husband goes to bed with you every night. He knows what you look like necked!!! He wants to do ‘the thing’ with all the lights on and see every piece of you in the spotlight. Do it for him.. or forget about his ass.. Whatever suits you. But this is an excellent opportunity to boost your own confidence.

  I don’t love boudoir because I love to give men photos of their wives and girlfriends and whatever... I love boudoir because I love to give women photos of themselves and the opportunity to see themselves in a different light. The way they should have seen themselves all along.

So my ladies, hop on this body positive deal and have some damn fun!!

Our first selfie.. in front of our first house.. that we have now made a home.

As we were leaving for work because we almost forgot one should take photos when they buy their first home! Feburary 15, 2019... We signed a shit load of papers and packed everything we owned into a Uhaul and tried to beat the rain. How fitting for our story that there was rain on a special day in our lives... There’s been rain on nearly every special day of our lives. It must just be our “thing”...

I remember so many things about that day.. one of the things that hit me hardest was when every box was packed, waiting in the den for him to load, my childhood bedroom floor was swept and mopped, and all that remained was an electric guitar... The same electric guitar that I’d used to meet daddy’s requirements of “learn some chords and I’ll buy you your own”...  It hang on the wall... The empty walls of my only ever home... I turned on “The House That Built Me” by Miranda Lambert and I cried in that back bedroom where I learned to play guitar. I cried for so many things.. Because leaving was scary. Moving away from my family was scary (even if it was barely an hour away). Because taking that leap that we’d talked about since things first got serious and “I don’t want to waste money on rent when we could own”.... It was finally coming to pass... Everything we’d dreamt of, worked our asses off for, and saved EVERY penny we could spare... forsaking dates for frozen pizza and a movie we already owned in that childhood bedroom of mine... all of the bullshit that happened along the way..  It was here. It was real. It was finally happening.. HOLY SHIT we were home owners.

When I sat in that empty room and stared at that Gibson and cried.. I’m certain he ran out of boxes to load long before he came to see if I was ready to go.. I had a long chat with my sister.... I kissed my daddy goodbye and barely held myself together for that long hug. Daddy had wandered about all day... offering help and advice here and there... And whistling... This matters because... Daddy only whistles when he’s happy. I know because it’s something I’ve watched for 25 years and I’ve inherited. It brought me peace... though he did not know it... My husband had given me space to face my personal obstacles... then stood beside me to help me overcome every fear.

At our wedding... when Joanna ask ‘who gives this woman?” my father turned and shouted to all our friends and family that “Her momma said she would!”. I cannot deny, it was hilarious. Momma has always loved Ashley... and taken his side over mine, most especially when I was wrong. Only a week or two ago, we joked with momma that she liked him better than me. (Personally, I think she’s just a fan good son in law). She laughed, and agreed. 

What not everyone knows.. was that after daddy said momma said she’d give me away.. He looked at me.. Looked at “boo” and said “And I reckon I can too.” He kissed my cheek, told me he loved me, and sat beside my mother to watch me promise my life to another man. I knew those words were meant for me and my husband... And I still reckon we were the only ones that heard them...

But on that day, Daddy knew something that I think he only out right said to me a few days ago... that “I’m proud to call him my son in law. I know he will take care of my baby.. I really think he’s a good man and you’re lucky to have a good man like I’m lucky to have your momma. Good man.. good family... good morals.. I stand behind him 100%... He’s a better man than I... My Daddy always told me a better man walked away.” 

And a few days ago, I sat in my bathtub and cried texting my father... Because I’d begun to understand what it costs a good man to walk away... and how highly it makes other good men think of him...  And what a blessing I’ve encountered to find such a man. How I wish that my husband really knew what daddy has to say about him when he’s not listening. I cried because something like 3 or 4 years ago when he proposed, I had no hesitation, no second thought, no nothing but surprise, excitement and utter joy that I could spend my life with such a man. A man who I knew would love me... honor me... and care for me until the end. There’s a situation that goes along with this thought process that I’ve told few... because It’s not my story to tell... But makes my heart swell with pride of my husband...

Don’t misunderstand this to think that some days I don’t want to pinch his head off (and vice versa)... But this is what love truly is.

It’s not always easy.. When we were wed, we wondered how we’d pay the bills and make things happen and accomplish our dreams... But two and some change years later... here we are.. having beat every obstacle that came our way... accomplishing our dreams... beating our demons.. and having a wonderful marriage despite it all. it’s taking a leap of faith... It’s putting your whole being in someone else's hands and knowing they won’t let you down... It’s nearly 3 years into marriage before your father (I’m a daddy’s girl and the youngest here so bear with me now) really tells you your forever has met (hopefully) everything on a daddy’s checklist of worthy. It’s your husband knowing he’s doing all he can but fearing he’ll never be able to live up to those expectations. It’s neither of you giving a shit... because you know this is real... It’s walking into hard times and shit shows and whatever else life throws... knowing “fuck all, we’ve got  us.” no matter what that means.

And it’s after taking that jump... that was difficult for you because you hadn’t ever really left home... and tying yourself to a man in every possible way... worldly and otherwise. And finding years later that nothing has changed from the day y’all sat down on the roof at Uncle Mike’s house and hashed out every expectation. And realizing the fear of that night has changed... That somehow “I ain’t working all day to come home and fight with you too” is still the rule years later... But it’s not us we have to fight... it’s us versus whatever the problem is. And really fighting the problem... instead of each other... It’s the only think I can think to make a love like ours.

I love you Charles Ashley Cummins... All day every day.. and I am SO thankful to have met the one my soul loves <3

Almost like a #Fairytale

Yes, we're doing a part two. :) We talked about how I got here, and now we're going to talk about being here!!!

So much has happened in this last week that I just have to talk about it. :) :) Thursday was Portfolio Review Day at Nossi. Which pretty much means, everyone's family and friends come in and check out our portfolios. All the seniors set up tables in the studio with our portfolio's spread out. Nervous as I was, I was still completely excited. Every artist loves a show!

I left that night feeling incredibly inspired. People looked at my work, some asked questions, made observations, and I ended up finding out things about my self and my photographs that I hadn't even noticed before. 

Friday morning, we all gathered again. Several successful photographers came to Nossi to critique our books, answer our questions, and give us some helpful advice! Once again, I felt inspired. I fell in love with photography all over again. I realized in coming to art school, I had completely forgotten why I loved art. I'm not knocking art school, so please don't get me wrong. I came to Nossi to learn to be a photographer, and so I have. In all the process of learning photography, learning technique, lighting, composition, etc., that's what I did. I learned. I absorbed. I shot for class. I occasionally shot for myself, or portraits for clients. I can make a great technically picture... what I forgot all about was making a great picture that makes people feel something!

Strangely enough, I have still done this. Many of my images cary feeling, emotion, and story behind them. And others, are just a good photograph.  I forgot about my passion. The whole reason I love photography. The whole reason I came to art school in the first place. I forgot all about it.

I was just busy with making a good photo to pass my classes. I forgot to add feeling. And all along, I've wondered why my images don't always portray the feeling and story I've wanted them to. It's because in my editing, I wasn't thinking about that. I was thinking about curves and highlight clippings, and ooooh what's that weird thing in the background I have to clone out.

Becoming a photographer has stolen my ability to look at art with wonder. The only wonder I view images with anymore is wonder what's wrong with it. Which is great. Fine. As a professional, I need that. What I've forgotten is how to do more than make just a pretty picture. Or at least make that an objective part of my workflow.

I know, I would not be the photographer I am without a degree. To be quite honest, I never even held a DSLR until Donnie Beauchamp put one in my hand on my first day of class. It blows me away when I think back about how far I've come... But at the same time, it is crushing, and seemingly still inspiring, to think of how much farther I have to go.

Art is always growing, moving, and changing... so as artists, we must always grow, move, and change.

Here are some more of my favorite images from my stay at Nossi. Some of the ones with a little more feeling. :)

This is a recreation of Tennessee's Advertisment for Human Trafficking. I saw it in the restroom of the Tennessee Welcome Center rest stop right at the state line. Of course you have to look at it for a minute.... But it is absolutely bone chilling.

Now that my last days of college are upon me, I think this might be an appropriate time to write about this particular story. Portfolio Review is tomorrow. It’s sort of like a senior exhibition show if you will. We all gather in the studio and prepare a table with our portfolios for friends, family, and many professionals to come take a look at. There is also an awards ceremony. Even though I’m completely prepared, it is still a little nerve racking.

Nonetheless, college is over for me, and the real world is creeping up like a thief in the night. But first, I'd like to take some time to reflect back on how I got here, and remember the things and people who got me to and through this milestone in my life.

I got my very first camera when I was in the 3rd grade. It was a little grayish blue film camera. I took pictures of everything. Since that Christmas, I was never without a camera. Digital was very kind to me. My first digital camera was a Nikon (super cheep but that's okay because I loved that point and shoot) the second was a little red Sony, and the last point and shoot I owned was a Nikon. My DSLR is also a Nikon.

I don't remember exactly when I decided to be a photographer, but it was somewhere in the neighborhood of my freshman or sophomore year of high school when I decided I wanted to go to Nossi College of Art. At some point, I had even told my dad that I was going to go to NADC and get a mechanics degree if he didn't teach me some basic knowledge of working on cars. Well, I didn't go to Nashville Auto Diesel, and I still don't know a thing about mechanics. So Dad won that fight.

My senior year came around so quickly. My activities with the band program kept me so busy I barely noticed time flying past, but I loved every minute of it! I finally worked up the nerve to apply for college. I came to Nossi for a tour and met with one of the representatives. I fell in love with this building as soon as I walked in the door. It's big, open, bright, colorful, and there is artwork all over every wall. I knew immediately that this was where I belonged. I made good grades and had a thirst for art, so they welcomed me with open arms. I was so excited to have been accepted to my dream school.

Less than a month after my high school graduation, my family received paralyzing and terrifying news. On June 6, 2012, my father was diagnosed with stage 4 throat cancer. Everything in my life changed on that day. The way I viewed my family, the way I viewed myself, and the way I viewed the world. Life stopped. It was at a perfect standstill for me, but the rest of the world was spinning on. Not only is my dad my rock and one of my two favorite people alive, he was the main source of income. I feared that not only was my father's life at stake, but so were my chances for a future.

My father kept hope alive. For himself, for my mom, and for me. He wouldn't let me give up on myself or my dreams, any easier than he was willing to give up on himself. He insisted that I continue my education and we would worry about all the other stuff later. So amidst cancer treatments (radiation 5 days a week and chemo once a week, for 7 weeks) Dad came to Nossi with me to get things situated with financial aid and take a look at this place for himself. He was almost as excited as me!

It may seem selfish to you, as it does to me, that with my father's health and even life in question, I chose to pursue my dreams anyway. I can honestly say that I had given up on college, until dad refused to let me. But that's the kind of man he is. Strong for himself, and even stronger for others... and so is my mom. That is something I strive to be daily. By the grace of God, my father made it though cancer. He is a survivor. He finished treatment just two short weeks before my first day of college, and has had no active cancer in the past two years.

Challenge Completed. Or so I thought. College was more difficult than I had ever even imagined. One challenge after another, after another, and then another when you least expect it. More fears for dad's health, personal problems, family problems, educational problems, technical problems. At some point during my stay at Nossi, everything that could have gone wrong, has gone wrong at least once.

But thanks to the support of the incredible people in my life, I did it!

I wanted to share my story with you, and a few of my favorite photographs I took during my time here at Nossi.

My birthday was this past weekend, and Happy Birthday to me, I got a kayak! I have always wanted one. I named her Sunshine, because she is yellow, orange, and red. :)

We put in at Mona Boat Ramp on Percy Priest Lake and went for a poorly paddled float down the not so serious river channel. 

It was wonderful. I got attacked by sweat bees. I listened to some good music. I floated more than I paddled. No one bothered me. I only saw two boats. I was at perfect peace! And the best part, nature and the world moved around me, like I wasn't even there.

After a bit, I found a little hidey hole and pulled in to have a seat and eat my lunch (Vienna Sausages). It was also wonderful.

I had a bit of trouble getting Sunshine back in the car, but I finally figured it out and headed home.

Monday was super extra productive, so I could play on Tuesday. This time we braved the big waters and the big boats and headed out to "The Big Tree" where I spent probably half of my childhood. :)This tree is HUGE. Best camping spot around. And I had this wonderful spot all to myself :) So naturally I had to eat a bag of Fritos with some Purity French Onion Dip... and halfway nap in this tree. :)

I have pictures of me playing on this tree when I was somewhere in the neighborhood of 8 years old. :) It was good to go back and enjoy it.

Apparently, I forgot how to make fire overnight. The day before, I made a great big fire and spent some time with good friends. But I could NOT make my pile of twigs burn. I set fire to half a notebook and more leaves than I even knew could be on the island! Check Out my TINY fire that I spent an hour and a half on. (No seriously, I really can make a fire)

It was two inches tall. :(  Had to go home before the sun went down of course, so I finally willed myself to get up and paddle back to the boat ramp. If I had a hammock and another person with me for safety measures, I would have spent the night. :)

Of course, my Nikon couldn't come with me because it can't swim! So I had to use pictures from the cell phone for the blog! At least the GS5 has a relatively acceptable camera. But please keep in mind, this is not a reflection of my photography! Visit my website to check it out!

As a photographer, I feel like there is nothing more ridiculous to be a part of my bucket list than "Go Play In The Studio." But let's take a moment to remember, this is a judgement-free zone, and listen to my explanation.

Not only am I a photographer, I am also a student... and not just any student, but a photography student.

Take a few seconds to decide what that means... wait for it...

Okay, now I'll explain. It means 99.9% of the time I get to spend in the studio, I'm shooting for someone else. I'm shooting for an assignment, and sometimes that can be restrictive. Sometimes being a photography major is exhausting. Why? Because for a solid 6 semesters in a row (two years) I have to shoot all the time, edit all the time, think of new ideas all the time, and I rarely have time to shoot for me with all of the other assignments. The best part, is having to take classes you have no interest in. I thought I was going to give up photography after taking sports and fashion classes. Those just aren't my thing... at all.. but I had to shoot them.

So this past Friday, I went in the studio... and I played.

Nothing I had to shoot. No particular way the images had to look. No one standing over my shoulder. And a whole equipment cage full of toys. Maybe too many toys, but I didn't mind. :)

It was absolutely liberating, and it made me want to shoot again. Because I don't think there is a quicker way to get burnt out on something you love than to have to do it to someone else's specifications. freedom.

Here's some of what we got!

Set off the fog machine RIGHT in my face. It was horrible, and I almost choked to death. :)

^^^This is my favorite^^^^

As we all know, Life = Stress...  'Tis not optional.

You do not have a choice.

You sink or swim.

But life goes on, no matter what.

So much as I hate to be Debbie Downer, life gets hard... and sometimes, everything goes wrong all at once. SMOKING IS NOT THE ANSWER.

My whole family smokes. I grew up with it. I always hated it. But when life started beating me up, that was where I chose to turn. My father at age 64, is a Cancer survivor, has had a major bypass in his leg, and has been diagnosed with Emphysema, and COPD. There is no way to repair the years of damage caused to his lungs. Even with all this in mind, when I started fighting stress and anxiety, I started smoking. First one when I had anxiety attacks, then every so often, then i was smoking a pack in three days, then a pack in two days. Right now I smoke a pack a day... In about 8 months, I have gone from never touched a cigarette, to a pack a day smoker.

We all know smoking is bad, life threatening, and unhealthy... but for some strange reason, not only do we do it anyway... but we NEVER EVEN THINK ABOUT IT!!!

Now, I certainly don't think that my blog is going to change any smoker's mind... but I am hoping that it will change mine.

I am a photographer because I think photographs are important. There is just something mesmerizing to me about the way our mind connects with images. It's just beautiful. Not only do we see an image, but it gives us a feeling, and that feeling sticks with us. So that is why I chose to do an anti-smoking ad campaign for my advertising class. Because if I pour myself into making a statement, and creating a visual picture of how BAD this is for me, it will stick... and so far, it kind of has. Here are the images I've created. 

Actually go check out TheRealCost.gov... It will freak you out.

I'm going to share a little secret with you.... This picture gives me goosebumps. For the simple purpose, that this is a picture of me. There is something about seeing a photo of yourself, with words attached to it, reminding you that what you're doing is eventually going to kill you.

Smoking is not cool... but I didn't start smoking to fit in, I started because I thought it would help me handle life.. It's actually just one more thing for me to stress about. :) Ooops! Well, no matter how far you travel down a wrong road, it is never too late to turn back. So here I go... I'm going to try to leave this behind.. again. These images are my motivation... a crude reminder that I'm not helping anyone by smoking, and certainly not myself.

Feel free to NOT judge me. My bucket list is a little weird... Sometimes, I'm a little impulsive... and I always get more excited than necessary over the littlest things. BUT! There is nothing wrong with enjoying life's little gifts.

That being said, I have ALWAYS wanted to do this. So, it became a part of my bucket list, and I did it. :)

Once upon a long time ago, in a land far far away, when my mom was at work, when my sister was babysitting, I was ten years old. I had this brilliant idea to melt crayons on the ironing board. I have no idea why. Kids have crazy ideas sometimes. My mom was livid and has never let me forget because I ruined the iron AND the ironing board.

Well moms, for creative children, there is an alternative! You can melt crayons with them! I have stumbled on all kinds of blogs and DIY project tutorials about how to do this. Well one day, I decided I was going to and do a Crayola Advertisement for my Commercial Advertising Class.

I grabbed some Crayola Crayons, (I hear they work best. Plus they're prettier) a piece of foam board, (because you can't cut canvas) hot glue, a hair drier, and a LOT of newspaper. Since I wanted it to be a rainbow, I pulled out all the colors in my little 24 pack and organized them in a rainbow fashion. You can order specific crayons from Crayola if you wanted to do something a little less traditional.

After measuring the width of my board, I grabbed the hot glue gun, and glued them all in a row at the top. After they dried, me and tons of newspapers headed into the bathroom. I spread the newspapers all around so that once I started to melt the crayons, the newspaper would catch the wax that ran off the board. Good thing too, because it would have made a disastrous mess.

I grabbed the hair drier and put it on high heat and held it over the crayons. I was worried for a minute that it wouldn't actually work, but before too long, the crayons began to melt and the color started streaming down the board. It was super cool to watch.

A couple things I learned: The color runs wherever you point the drier. So, if you're holding the hairdryer at an angle on the right side, your colors are going to run to the right. Yellow is NOT a strong color. This was WAY more cool than I thought it was going to be, and way less complicated than I was expecting.

SO! If you're a mom with some creative little ones running around, or just a creative person that gets way to excited over little things, you should definitely give it a try! Of course it isn't perfect, but this is only round one. It's incredibly fun to figure it out. :)

Give it a try and let me know how it goes! :) :) :)

Photo by : Joseph Ebanks

One of Nossi's most beloved instructors, Donnie Beauchamp, was in a terrible accident this weekend. While clearing some land, a tree fell and landed on him, leaving Donnie with many serious injuries and in critical condition at Vanderbilt Hospital. We've recently been told that Donnie has started to breathe on his own, which is a small victory, but a great first step in the long road ahead of him. As said by a former Nossi student, Tim Jarvis "Be strong and have a swift recovery. We need you."

Not only was Donnie everyone's "Intro To Photography" instructor, but before too long, nearly everyone's favorite. Donnie has a light heart, incredible sense of humor, quick whit, and is never afraid to say what is on his mind. He has been encouraging and motivating since the very beginning. In our intro class, he would always tell us "This picture is great, but you know what it needs? A model in a red dress." Not a single shoot seems to pass without Donnie's input. Somehow or another, he always seems to come up with the tiniest little thing that makes the biggest difference. Donnie helps blow up fruits with firecrackers, suspend a banana perfectly upright with fishing string, and once ran around like a mad man spreading and putting out fire. When every single piece of your photo shoot was being uncooperative one day, Donnie was holding this light in that perfect spot, or had the most perfectly sarcastic comment you've ever heard to cheer you up and keep you going. Donnie is always giving a hand, always honest with his critique, always coming up with some idea that is WAY cooler than yours, always laughing with us, and constantly picking on everyone.

This man is an incredible mentor, motivator, teacher and friend. For those of you reading this that have never been so fortunate to meet Donnie, I hope you may gain some insight into why everyone loves him so much. After Donnie's accident, we were all a little overwhelmed. Social media was filling up with prayer requests, wishes for healing and recovery, and comfort for Donnie's family.

Before too long, many Nossi student's began to share pictures, texts, and some of the most hilarious stories I have ever heard. Needless to say, it was incredibly comforting to all of us. Personally, I've never been more proud and honored to be a student at Nossi than I am right now. We are a small school, but through all this, we're more like a really large family. Artists bump heads, it's just natural. Sometimes it takes tragedy to bring us together, but that is when we find our strength. To all of my Nossi family reading this, let's keep it up. Let's be strong for Donnie, and be strong for each other.

"Unity to be real, must stand the severest strain without breaking." - Mahatma Gandhi

Now for the fun part. Pictures. :) Because I can tell you about Donnie all day, but you may never understand until you see for yourself. :)

Photo by Coty Coghill

This is Donnie Beauchamp. In his natural habitat if you will. Donnie being Donnie, and doing what Donnie does.

Photo by Antonio Fajardo

Photo by J Scott Whigham

Photo by Joseph Ebanks

Photo by Krista Lee

Photo by Heather Scott

Photo by Kristy Blair Photography

Photo by Coty Coghill

Photo by De'Angela Alexander

Photo by Samantha Hoixt

This... is the funniest story I've ever heard. Once upon a time, Donnie had this great idea to give Coty this flaming sword and go out in the parking lot and take some really awesome pictures. As I understand it, Donnie attached paper towels to this sword with rubber cement in order to light it on fire. Well, after they finally think they have a great shot, Coty catches his foot on fire. He's running around trying to put himself out, and Donnie's freaking out just a little. There is still a struggle over this. Coty catching himself on fire versus Donnie still can't get the gunk from the rubber cement off of his sword. This is the kind of trouble we make around here. ;)

A huge thank you to everyone at Nossi who let me share their photos and stories. None of the photos in this post are my own. But I felt incredibly inspired by the unity of everyone at Nossi in trying to handle this news, and I wanted to put all of these goodies together in one place. Also, because I want people to understand why it matters so much, and why we care so much.

"Landscape photography is the supreme test of the photographer - and often the supreme disappointment." - Ansel Adams.

(If you don't know who Ansel Adams is, you need to GOOGLE... now... right now... because you are missing out!)

For the first time in my life, I have found a place that photographs can't adequately describe. Which is saying something, because I chose to be a photographer because I believe in the power and feeling of photographs. There are tons of pictures of the Grand Canyon, shot by amateurs and professionals, but also by moms, couples, and the ever living tourist. I'm not a nature/landscape photographer by ANY means. I shoot people! As much as I love to go out and enjoy God's creations, I don't typically photograph them (except for people). I don't shoot nature because Ansel Adams is right. It is the supreme test and supreme disappointment of a photographer. But, I'm not about to visit the Grand Canyon without taking some time to seriously photograph this place.

I'm a photographer. It is what I am, not just what I do. So of course, I came away with good shots. But for the first time in my life, I actually had to put my camera down and just look. We were there for a good 10 minutes before I even put my camera up. Which is actually a lot more serious than it may sound to you. Even after shooting, I just kind of sat down on my rock and stared around with my mouth all hanging open for a minute or two. I had to stop thinking about getting the shot and enjoy where I was.

Meet the Grand Canyon.

 No seriously, go meet it.

These photographs are not adequate. They do not create the feeling of wonder and amazement that comes from actually standing in front of this canyon. It certainly deserves to be titled a "World Wonder". I can honestly say, I have never felt so small. There is no way to capture the enormity of this amazing place.

Please, add this to your bucket list and go see it for yourself. It is WELL worth the trip.. and more. Plus, there's a good breeze, so it isn't your typical "desert" hot. :)

People posing on a higher rock to get the view of the Canyon behind them.

Literally people from all over the world.

Hazy and cloudy. But Incredibly beautiful!

That little blue/green patch there... It's actually a river. :) The crazy part is, that it is so far away and so deep in the Canyon, that when looking at it from the point, it doesn't appear to be moving or anything. Even looking at it through the viewfinder and my telephoto lens, I still couldn't see movement. It was amazing.