Paul v2

I kind of attacked the fella with my camera yesterday when he got home from work. What can I say? Apparently I'm a sucker for USMC Service Alphas.

Filtering

Recently, I was catching up on some photographer stalking and I came across this video Zack Arias (who I met on creativeLive in 2011) put up earlier this year:



There's been a lot of noise in my life the last couple years. So much noise I didn't know what to do about it, where to begin. I decided this year would be different, that I would work on cutting out the noise. I still have a long way to go, but I'm steadily filtering out the things that don't really matter and focusing on the things that do. I'm getting signal again.

San Diego Zoo

The world has felt at the same time both incredibly ugly and beautiful the last week. The events unfolding in the Boston area have been heartbreaking to witness, even being so removed from the situation. I can't even imagine what it's like for those being immediately influenced. At the same time there have been many people showing a balance to such atrocious negativity with great demonstrations of compassion, Carlos Arredondo as one example.

I've spent a decent portion of the last two days looking over portraits I captured at the San Diego Zoo recently, wondering where the distinction between man and beast really even belongs.

Crystal

There's a new phase of life change transitioning in, the way they do, and I'm feeling bipolar as I readjust. Truly. One minute I feel like I'm on top of things and progressing, the next like I'm about to melt into a puddle of nervous electrified Jello. But I've also found being in California during this to be extremely helpful. I'm around a couple of my favorite people. All three of us are transitioning into new phases. All three of us are doing what we need to do. All three of us are being there for each other.

The people around us can help create such an impacting environment, both for the positive and negative. Being down here in California I've been reminded how loving and gracious people can be. How uplifting it is to be around positivity and love. How much that encourages focus and dedication. I'm blessed to have a friend like Crystal around to help me practice posing, to chat over coffee with, and bounce ideas around with.

Paul

I've been taking this semester off from college (fall semester was almost the death of me), and have been spending my time becoming reacquainted with an old friend: light. My studies in behavioral science have left myself much more interested in photographing people. Paul and another friend who you will be meeting sooner than later have agreed to help me learn this subject matter. For which, I am extremely grateful! Here's a few head shots Paul and I created this week.

Also, I'm currently in Southern California (between LA and San Diego). If anyone would like to volunteer to help me build my portfolio I would very much appreciate it! We can work out some kind of an exchange so that it's mutually beneficial. Just shoot me an email:

carolina at inrainorshine dot com

Also, my photography website has been born (www.carolinayocom.com) as has my photographer page on Facebook (/CarolinaYocom)!