the beginning of the beginning

And here we are, my first week of my senior year of college is done. My heart is so full. I know I say all the time I'm excited about this or that, but honestly I have a feeling that this will be an incredibly fulfilling year and it's already brimming with so many possibilities I can't even imagine what's around the corner.

Things I'm excited about:

• Living with my two beautiful and amazing friends for the fourth year in a row!
• Being close to Matt (we spent the summer about an hour away from each other).
• My Agrarian Philosophy class. Once I found out that there was actually a field of study around humanity's relationship with nature, I jumped on the opportunity to learn more about it.
• My Writing Poetry class. Already I'm learning how to better my own writing, and being challenged to create through the written word every day.
• Having my own studio space. As a senior art major, I get a little corner of the senior art house, which I've already started filling with too many branches. I'm beside myself with happiness to finally have my own studio space. Along with that, I'm excited to continue with the close community of artists that we have.
• Being in Oregon again. This place has a pretty big piece of my heart.
• Learning from professional art practicioners.
• Exploring new art forms further.
• Combining all my passions together.
• Being surrounded by beautiful people and a beautiful land.

Senior year, here we go.

william's senior photoshoot part i // anchorage, alaska

On an especially cold Alaskan day, my brother and I trekked to one of the many parks in the city to take some quick photos. I can hardly believe he's already a senior, and that I get to be the one to take photos with him. Hopefully when I go back up for spring break we will be able to take a few more, because he and I have some really great ideas for conceptual pieces. One thing I love is getting to make more creative works with seniors, especially if they are willing to do so!

Can't believe my little brother is a senior in high school! *tear*

Hope everyone's week is going good!

2013 Senior: Lynsie

On a sunny weekend day, this stunning girl and I got to make some fun photos together! Lynsie is such a natural beauty, with the most gorgeous eyes and killer eyebrows (I'm so jealous!); it was so easy to photograph her! I loved being able to hang out with her and explore the beach and enjoy the last bit of summer in Alaska.

Senior Prank

Even though this legendary event happened almost a month ago, the event in question was of such epic proportions that it does not matter the time or the season with which it is told, just so long as people hear of the night history was made at Lauren's high school.






The night was cold. Students gathered, armed with blankets, streamers, balloons, confetti, candy, and sheer determination. There were two phases to their operation. Phase one involved parking everyone's cars in a giant circle around the student parking lot to cease all parking the next morning.






After the school was unlocked (by one of the administrators, so it was perfectly legal), phase two commenced. The doors to the classrooms flew open simultaneously and students poured into the rooms. They removed every single desk, moving them all into the common area to create a giant desk maze for unsuspecting students and teachers the next day.






The halls were filled with streamers and candy, desks and signs reading "2012, the end is near" and "seniors 2012" and upon the completion of the damage, the seniors returned to their cars to eat smores, watch movies, and sleep (though legend has it some pulled all nighters).






In the morning teacher and student drivers alike turned the corner, expecting to see a nice, empty parking lot, only to find the empty lot barricaded by senior cars. And the madness only continued inside the building. All the community laughed at the sight, though one angry mother stormed in, looked around at the sea of desks blocking her way, and stormed right out the door again.





The year these seniors were juniors, the seniors hadn't done anything, so not one person expected anything, and especially not something so monumental. Yes, it was a day one soon would forget.