A Decade

As of today, that's how long my Dad has been gone. That doesn't seem right.

 

My Mom called me at something like 3:30am that morning, and I knew before she even said anything. I hazily remember driving there, the tear-blurred moon seeming to guide me. He was already gone. I didn't get to say goodbye.

 

The last thing he said to me on the phone was, "Love you suge, take care of those babies."

(He always called me suge, short for sugar.)

 

He and my Mom were always the biggest supporters of my art. Even when I was just a little, and wanted to be an artist when I grew up, they always encouraged me to take that route, and never once made it sound like a foolish thing to dream. In 1998, he bought me my first SLR and took me on a mountain adventure to break it in. I'm glad that I didn't know that would be our last trip together.

 

On Thanksgiving Day 1999, he had a massive heart attack. He died twice but managed to fight back for another six years. I'm sure it was so he could meet his grandkids.

 

His legacy, one that I hope I'm passing on to my kids, is a profound love and appreciation for Nature. His down time was spent fishing, hunting, gardening and chasing the sunny spots in the yard to just sit and think.

 

Though I usually prefer shade.

 

Love you, Dad. Miss you every day.

 

xo

 

(Naughty fingers.)  :)


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Spring Senior Session

Remember last week's post about the fun family shoot in Volcano? This is the second half of that day - a senior shoot with Alexis, a gorgeous girl who has mad ballet and drama skills, not to mention some great photo ideas. She's gonna go far, and I wish her much success.

Here's a sampling of the day.

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Spring Family Session

It's been a while! Why is it so hard to find a few minutes to sit down and write? Hoping this is the beginning of more regular posting. Hoping!

 

Last month I had the pleasure of spending a gorgeous Spring afternoon with this amazing family in the little hamlet of Volcano, California. They were joy and laughter and goofiness and togetherness, and what an honor to capture some of that magic.

 

This kindness arrived from Margaret after the photos were (finally!) delivered:

 

"I have quite honestly never seen a picture of myself that I truly enjoy..... until tonight. It is not that the structure of my face has changed, nor that I suddenly love my shape. It has to do with the wonderful, patient woman who spent a few hours following my and my silly family around one Saturday a few weeks ago and took the time to see and learn and capture who we are. What I see in these pictures is the joy that is my family - personified. Thank you, thank you, thank you a hundred times over Krista for your magnificent work and for truly seeing us!"

 

 (*gasp and blush*)

 

Huge gratitude to all of you.

xo

 

These are a few of my favorites.

 

Come back in a bit to see the second part of this day!

 

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Yes to more.

 Don't get me wrong,

I am beyond grateful for all of the things.

(The huge and the itty bitty ... all of them.)

But today during a shoot, as I stood in this spot with a kitty companion at my feet and 

savored the December sun,

I found myself saying yes to more.

More days like today.

It was like all the limits lifted,

and every crazy notion of some ideal life that passes through my head,

is all possible.

But so much more.

"What you seek is seeking you."

 ~ Rumi ~

Dream big, compadres.

*

 *

Fabulous Forties

Today I turn 40.

FORTY.

I double and triple-check the number coming out of my mouth,.

Somehow it's true.

My thirties were good ... watching my kids grow into their awesomeness,

forging new amazing friendships, lots of creative growth.

But it was also a decade with much loss and sadness.

There were a lot of very dark days that I didn't think I would pull out of.
I wondered if I was even capable of joy beyond the little whispers.

Now that I am coming into my own new era, I am finally starting to find some stillness and peace with myself.

Like the dust has finally settled, and resurrection is on the horizon.

Ashes, phoenix, all that jazz.

Thinking about my forties gives me uber butterflies.
(That's always a good thing.)

I am grateful.

For family, friends, animal companions, clients, cameras, divine food and drink, art, music, gardens, rain, sunshine, moonshine, little moments, big moments, opportunities, change, and
every.
little.
bit.

It's time to delve and cultivate.

To re-discover my weirdo Self ... Hallelujah.

Follow the journey, if you like.
I'm all for good company.

Here we goooooo .....

xo

( The last photo of my thirties ... )

May Day

Welcome, May.

 

Welcome, because April had such a tainted funk to it.

I felt robbed of my usual Spring Fever.

 

It wasn't all terrible, and I am grateful for the good,

but there was definitely an undefinable shadow,

and I know I wasn't the only one who experienced it.

 

It's been over 3 months since my Mom passed.

Sometimes I felt like I was doing okay,

but through most of April I was a daily train-wreck.

(Only to myself of course ... I can only let on so much to the world.)

 

 I am smack-dab in the middle of the life I knew and the life I have yet to know,

and no idea what to do with myself.

I feel like I've been grasping and trying to force what I want.

And that never *EVER* works.

This I know.

I often see glimpses of an ideal life.

It's not entirely different than this one,

but it's absolutely what I am striving for.

(I think no matter how happy we are, we all have those ideals.)

 I see it with such a clarity that I can't imagine how it's not real.

It's like seeing it through a window,

but not knowing how to get there.

So.

I am going to attempt more kindness to myself,

and out of my hunger for clarity,

begin releasing all the physical and mental clutter that is suffocating me.

{ More space = more light. }

 

I also think I'm going to take a very pseudo-hiatus from photography.

Just a little break from the feverish pace I've been maintaining.

 

HOWEVER

I will still be working on pending projects,

and am still open to sessions, orders and the like

(of course!),

just feel like I need to loosen the reins, 

let it breathe and do what it wants to do for a while.

I have invested 

SO

MUCH

into it over the years, and now feel like I need to step back just a bit.

 

Just to see what happens.

~

 

 (Happy May to you ... I hope you are living your ideals.)

Giving it all away.

Last night I watched an inspiring talk by Amanda Palmer on TED Talks ~

http://www.ted.com/talks/amanda_palmer_the_art_of_asking.html 

That rocked my world.

Changing perspective, it's something I try to do often.

Lately I've been trying to figure out what I'm supposed to be doing with photography.

Yes, do it, I know that.

But then what?

So to stir up energies a bit, I have an idea.

 It's just a little something to start.

I have a handful (or two) of prints.

They aren't doing any good sitting in my stock, so I'm going to give them away.

Yes.

Give them away.

I will post an availability list below.  Contact me at 

krista@kristaglavichphotography.com 

if there is one you would like.

Send back whatever you are able ~ money, art, whatever.

And if you aren't able, that's okay too.

I feel things overall changing for the better.

We need more connection and gifts and creativity and positive vibes.

Expand the circle.

Here is the list (click on the titles to view) ~ 

These are 5x7 (or 5x5 if square), and retail for $18

Blackbird

St. Francis

Preston Castle Twilight Exterior

Volcano Doors  (2 available)

Foggy Rings

August Drive III

Mary

Autumn Vineyard

Horse

Bell Flower

Carnival Tent

Yoyo

Barrel Room

Summer Oak

Summer Vineyard I

Volcano Door Lace

Volcano Theatre Doors

Feather

Cleome Heart

Sky Blue Heart

Antique Store Puppet

Mailboxes

Hyacinth

These are 8x10, and retail for $30

Player Piano Rolls

Autumn Vineyard Detail

Mailboxes 

Volcano Doors 

Mary

Mannequin 

Cash Register Keys 

Preston Castle Twilight Exterior

Tristan's Daisy 

Kennedy Mine Tailing Wheels II 

 That's about $800 worth of work.

Not that much to some people, a lot to others ... whatever.

 It's a big trusting leap, and I want you to have it.

  Be inspired, my friends.

~  ~  ~