go saints… really go falcons but hey. I spent three days in Miami with good friends and good drinks and now I’m back hitting the shooting schedule… not without first watching the SuperBowl on TV from a comfortable couch/chair… not from Section 104 or any other. Couldn’t have been happier. Good Saints victory… and also… good google commercial!
love love… more soon… erika. erika@erikaleighphotography.com.
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Tagged: Atlanta, Atlanta falcons, Erika Leigh Photography, Google Superbowl commercial, Miami, New Orleans Saints, photography, Super Bowl, Superbowl
I’ve missed you… again. No excuses, I know… but here is a good excuse. YESTERDAY… January 18th 4 pm-ish was like 12:01 AM January 1, 2010 for most… I wrapped up 2009 and am ready to start the new year. 18 days late, but HEY, better late than never. Truly yesterday was the bless-ed day I finished up ALL my 2009 client work and am ready to get back to my usual January: BUSINESS PLANNING. Attending ImagingUSA in Nashville a few weekends ago and am re-AMPED and ready to tackle awesome and fun in 2010. It means new and fun things for erikaLEIGHphotography. Oh, I can’t wait.
It starts right off with a bat with January’s LIVE PHOTO BOOTH special. This wedding add-on, event showstopper and memory maker was MADE for erikaLEIGHphotography. Two words mean fun, unforgettable wedding: OPEN BAR but if you had three words it would be LIVE PHOTO BOOTH.
Book by January 31 for HALF OFF your very own LIVE PHOTO BOOTH.
For more information on this and all the other good stuff coming up in 2010 email ELP: fun@erikaleighphotography.com.
More updates as the promotions get locked in… ELP is gonna work hard in 2010… but with everything in the planning sessions so far… it will be more FUN, than work.
As always… be in touch: erika@erikaleighphotography.com
NON-PHOTOG NEWS: That Michelle on this season’s ‘The Bachelor‘… she’s one-of-a-kind.
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Tagged: 2009, 2010, ABC, Business Planning, Erika Leigh Photography, ImagingUSA, Live Photo Booth, Michelle, Nashville, New Year's Eve, open bar, Photo Booth, PPA, The Bachelor, Wedding photo booth, wedding photographer, wedding photography
…but we start and end with the family. - Anthony Brandt
ELP September $125 Holiday Special.
OH YES OH YES! It’s that time of year… to start organizing the address book, start writing the annual update and start piecing through photos to send to the inlaws/outlaws, neighbors, co-workers, friends, brothers, sisters, cousins, grandparents, etc… Make it fun and easy this year and take advantage of ELP’s Special… $125 will get you one on location two-hour session, two online galleries, and three digital files… the only hard part will be trying to figure out which one’s your favorite!
But seriously… I’ve got much love for family but ELP’s availability is limited this fall! So take advantage quick. Email fun@erikaleighphotography.com for more details! Tacky sweaters not required, but appreciated…………. jokes, jokes. :)
Can’t wait to hear from you! erika@erikaleighphotography.com!
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Tagged: Atlanta family photographer, baby photography, erika fitz, erika leigh, Erika Leigh Photography, family holida, family portraits, holiday cards, holiday photos
… you never dreamed of hoping for. - from the song ‘What if?’ by Nichole Nordeman.
Light Love.
It’s a dangerous shot for my sweet little camera… going into the sun like that. I knew it’d be worth it. I look at it and feel it’s just them but at the same time feel like something else is there with them in the shot……..
I will keep this so very short. I touched on my belief in the importance of faith in my number four inspiration, Buckhead Church. I also touched on how sensitive a subject faith and religion is in that same write up. I must say though I think it is too taboo now a days… I understand not pushing religion or belief on others but to feel odd to even talk about it is a sign of our times. We are all so worried about being ‘politically correct’ that we forget what our own opinions are. God is my number one inspiration… in work, in life and everything I am. If I make anyone uncomfortable, I do apologize. But at the same time I make one feel uncomfortable I hope that person is uncomfortable because they have as strong as an inspiration elsewhere just in another form.
I have been in and out of religion. I went to church when I was younger because it is what we did. I didn’t believe… in a lot of what they were saying but it wasn’t something that bothered me… I just went, because it’s what we did. Biggest thing I didn’t agree with though was the thinking that if one didn’t go to church they weren’t religious or spiritual. Because they preach the love of God but warn that one has to attend church in order to talk to Him… it just seemed odd to me that the love He gave could only come for an hour on Sunday. But ironicially after it was made clear by my pastor at Buckhead Church you didn’t have to be in the building to be with God, I starting attending without fail. I attend the 6pm service every Sunday even after long work days or big Falcons wins or if I am traveling I find it online. Buckhead Church has done wonderful things for me in that one hour a week… but it is God that has done them for me the other 167 hours in the week.
My friend always says ‘God is painting the ‘perfect’ picture in your life. Just let Him paint.’ My life has been next to perfect already… I’ll admit this, but I still find those moments or those experiences where you should wonder what do you do now, why is this happening, how do I go on. I think back on those times and the answers were always so small and for the moment. My answers have changed as my ‘relationship’ with God has changed. I still most definitely have problems (dang) but I find my answers in the bigger solution, in the bigger ‘picture’ if you will. I’ll be very open (like I’ve been anything but, but still) I used to make fun of people who were what we would call ‘Bible-beaters.’ If we allow ourselves to believe in the non-human power we find less human, less strict interpretations and answers we then act less human in response… with more care, with more understanding than a human brain would less us. Example: You’re boss tells you, ‘You’re terrible.’ Human response: ”No, you’re terrible.” Lil less human response: I’ll forgive him for that comment, he’s probably facing a harder battle. I thought that was all nonsense until it started happening in my own life. There’s more warmth, there’s more understanding for horrific events, there’s content in death and more joy than jealousy. I am not a perfect Christian… I swear, I speed, I drink (among many other things I won’t mention) but my God teaches forgiveness and love and just the simple understanding of a ‘person’ that only wants to forgive and only wants to love, though it seems we’d try and get away with so much more but I’ve found it only makes me want to be a better friend, a better roommate, a better business person, a better family member… just a better person every day of my life.
I’ll go back to my #4 write up one more time in emphasizing the idea and notion of faith. Though God is what I put my faith in… may you all find a faith that makes you believe the good is good for a reason and the bad is good for a reason, too. There were endless quotes I thought would apply to this write up… but I chose this one about hope. With faith, this title quote is not a question… there is hope… and I’ve said time and time again, God has hoped bigger things for me and you, than we can even begin to believe and/or hope for… He’s painting a more beautiful picture than we could comprehend… “Let Him paint”… have hope… have faith.
That wraps up ELP’s ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY IMAGE AND INSPIRATION EXTRAVAGANZA. Heartfelt thanks to all of those who were even with us for one day! I have FAITH that this next year will find even more beautiful images, keep the same inspirations… and maybe even, find some more.
FAMILY PORTRAIT SPECIAL rolling out soon. Make sure you’re on ELP’s mailing address by emailing me or fun@erikaleighphotography.com to get details. NEW BLOG DESIGN will be up as soon as I finish my second ‘Technology Tackle’ of ‘09… come back soon!
As always, stay in touch… erika@erikaleighphotography.com
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Tagged: Atlanta wedding photographer, atlanta wedding photography, Buckhead Church, erika fitz, erika leigh, Erika Leigh Photography, erikaleighphotography.com, family portraits atlanta, God, hope, image, inspiration, Nichole Nordeman, religion, What If?
… and storms to season your journey. I wish you peace in the world in which you live… More I cannot wish you except perhaps love to make all the rest worthwhile. -Robert A. Ward
Mrs. Taube.
Fun. Love. Love fun. Fun love.
I was a ‘daddy’s girl’ growing up. For no specific reason, though I’m not sure there’s ever a reason… but I’m assuming the chick and chick relationship is always a little more full of tension, something scientific about ‘hormones’ etc. :) My mom was in charge, too. Not like she bossed my dad around but when it came to enforcing the chores, expectations and rules my mom was more verbal than my dad. I’m sure it wasn’t a role she enjoyed but it was necessary. Naturally as I grew older my relationship with my mom transformed into one of deep friendship. Oh, trust she can still put me in my place if she feels the need but I now look to her for advice and support and she is now just a person that when I have a few minutes to spare it’s her I call to talk to (though she claims she never gets to talk to me.)
She is the one girl in a family with four kids. Her brothers are my wonderful uncles… Mark, Reed and John. They are all as different as you could possibly make a family. One a dentist, one an outdoorsman/athlete and one a comedian. Their only similarities in my mind are their love of fishing and their huge, bottomless hearts. Growing up I thought the boys were like their mother, my Grandma… fun-loving with an endless heart. I thought my mom was like her dad, my Grandpa… distant and strict. I’ve gotten smarter though… Living away from my mom for almost nine years I slowly started to realize the power of her ways. The power in her expectation, in her strictness, and in her strength, the same power I see in my Grandpa. Growing up and seeing their relationship I wondered how he won my Grandma, he seemed cold and ornery but NOW it is obvious. He wouldn’t let on at first, as he’s aged he’s showed the family this amazing, caring side of him… he is in complete awe of my Grandma. In big family events when he hasn’t seen grandkids in months he’ll still take pictures and 90% of them will turn out to be just my Grandma. We look through photo albums where he has labeled them, ‘The love of my life, Mary Ann.’ He takes her coat, helps her into her chair, reminds her of her coffee, helps her in the car all with this look on his face like he understands what love is. This is the trait my mother has. I never really saw it while growing up. I recognize it now in the little things. She has no idea how to work technology but has taught herself how to text and even joined to Twitter to stay on top of her way-too-busy daughter, she’ll send cards (like with a stamp) to me on holidays (valentine’s day even) and sometimes just because, she remembers everyone’s birthday, she probably visits my site twice a day and she forwards on any photography related news or emails. These are small, there are large things she’s done like give birth to me (duh), buy my plan ticket out of a bad situation and visit me when she knew I needed something constant by my side. But it is in those small moment I notice what I didn’t most of my life… and that make her so inspirational… she makes me realize you don’t have to give someone a million dollars, you don’t have to kill their enemy, you don’t have to tell someone 40 times a day that they’re great to truly love someone and change someone’s life… sometimes it is just being there. Like she was… and still is. It’s bare-boned loved… she doesn’t need to show it off, doesn’t need to scream it from a mountain… she loves through action.
The way she is makes me feel like my life is important… not because she tells me I’m pretty or my work is great or you can do it… but through example. With me and with everyone, she is someone who can be counted on to care… I know that though I am just one person, I can be that one person to many in ways that don’t need fame or publicity for a job well done. A consistent friend, a consistent mother, a consistent wife… filled with love… that’s what she is… I hope to be just like her someday… when I grow up! :)
Love you momma! erika@erikaleighphotography.com
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Tagged: Atlanta wedding photographer, bridal portraits, erika fitz, Erika Leigh Photography, erikaleighphotography.com, image, inspiration, Robert ward quote, taube, wedding photography
… where your backbone ought to be. - Clementine Paddleford.
Oliver & Dad
My brother remembers everything. I often forget what year it is. We joke Brandon remembers coming out of the birth canal… I have memories through pictures… pieced together I have a recollection of my childhood, but I don’t really remember anything, besides a few pivotal moments (the day I got in trouble for playing footsy with Dan Taylor in 4th grade… the day Ms. Barnum refused to call on me when I clearly knew the answer to the question that the hardest capital cursive letter is Q… like i said, pivotal). There are pictures of my dad with his oversized hat and untrimmed mustache holding me as though I’m a rag doll. My mom often reminds me that I was sick when I was younger and my dad would just hold me, my stomach and weight on his arm facing out, legs flopped down and arms over his arm and then I’d become content. It was apparently the only solution for my discomfort. I see that in this picture, not the same pose but same comfort… I love that a picture I took might piece together a memory for Oliver later in life… and the fact that a current picture pieces even my own ‘memory’. There are days I still wish I could be slung over my dads arm…
My dad is my hero. He’s inspiring on so many levels… And I basically have to twist the understanding of inspiring here. I want to be just like him… he is my inspiration. It’s not just a quality. When I was younger I would eat raw potatoes with salt on them because he did. I would eat every bit of spicy food (though, nine times out of ten, I was disgusted with the lack of feeling my tongue felt after said foods) because that is how he loved things. I feel like early on I thought if I ate like him I would get to be just like him. Like maybe it was his affinity towards excessively uncomfortable foods that made everyone around him happy… that made him so carefree… that made people love him. I know now that no amount of hot sauce on my chicken would attract people and happiness the way my father did. I still can’t explain it. But if I were to give you one defining piece of amazing about my dad it would be his capacity for love….
I don’t know how he still has hair… or any resemblance of sanity having me as a child. Not that I was atrocious… but I tested my boundaries… In general, I pray for all fathers of daughters. The world is not simple… it is not easy… and as strong of a ‘woman’ I may be I still know that it is far more dangerous for a chick out there than a guy. Being male it is natural (or so I hear) to want to defend your woman (or daughter, mother, etc.)… but fatherhood seems to me a yet another cyclical battle of always questioning what is best. This is fatherhood but the line between definitions is thinner with daughters. Cyclical in trying to give her space vs. letting her fall… between letting her fall vs. helping her learn a lesson… helping her learn a lesson vs. saving her from danger… saving her from danger vs. protecting her life… and back to protecting her life vs. giving her space. I’m not saying my dad ever had the answer to these battles in any given moment … what dad really, truly does? But I know in those battles one thing remained constant… his love for me. And yea, one thinks, ‘What father doesn’t love his daughter?’ But sadly I think we all know blood doesn’t necessarily confirm love. Sure, love is grand but what seems extraordinary to me about my dad: he never led on that his love was something to be earned… it was constant. It would always be there. No matter what battle of the circle he teetered on, his love wasn’t weakened NOR strengthened in any given moment… maybe his pride… but his love could never be put on a scale from one to ten. His love for me (and my brother) was and still is one of his most prized possessions. Maybe to all parents it doesn’t seem that magical or extraordinary… but to me… it is inspiring. And it is important that I let him know I understand it now… I can see those moments when he had to let me learn my lesson or had to protect my life it wasn’t about the right or wrong lesson necessarily… or the physical or emotional protection… it was bigger… or maybe technically smaller… it was just love.
Though I know my dad would agree with this title quote… his frugal nature alone would favor the safe-ness of the words. But I must say that when you build a backbone from being loved by my dad… and from having bits of my dad in it… or even in weaker moments, him becoming a backbone… the wishbone doesn’t seem so much an extra. With my dad and his love behind me… my wishes and dreams just seem like they’re an extension of my backbone. This one-year anniversary… of my own business… of my pursuing my passion… of me owning my own future… of me understanding what I am capable of … is also just the beginning of the merging of my wishbone and my backbone.
You’ll always be my first love, Papa! xo xo. erika@erikaleighphotography.com.
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Tagged: Atlanta family photographer, baby portraits, Clementine Paddleford quote, erika fitz, Erika Leigh Photography, erikaleighphotography.com, family portraits, image, inspiration, oliver, wishbone
… The only true happiness comes from squandering ourselves for a purpose. - John Marm Brown.
Family.
I’m so very proud of these images and these subjects. I love who they are and what they represent… again… both images and subjects. Image-wise they are my beginnings, my past… subjects wise they are my future… both are a vital part of my present. The image on the lower right started and will remain one of the opening images into my web site… it is the beginning of ELP… take a walk with me… with us…
These final four (yes, a little delayed) inspirations will (if I get it right) be maybe some of the shortest write-ups I’ve written since starting this exploration of the inspiring. :) They need little explanation but deserve more words I could ever give them. Hence I will try to honor them with less than more… because from what I hear less is more?
That being said… Buckhead Church is #4. It is my favorite place in Atlanta, you wouldn’t know it though because it is a place I cry religiously… pun intended. If you move to Atlanta within a week you will have been convinced to test the waters of Buckhead Church… even if you’re not a ‘religious person.’ It is the ‘cool’ thing to do, the place to meet ‘young good looking singles,’ and yes, ‘everybody’s doing it.’ When I moved into Atlanta I went ocassionally for all of those reasons. It was when I wanted to MOVE out of Atlanta when I went for the right reasons.
It is not your traditional church, but I suppose traditional is very relative. I’ll just say that the first twenty minutes can be compared to a full-fledged rock concert, baptisms occur in a large pool of water 50 or so feet above everyone’s heads and jeans/hats/t-shirts/flip flops/etc are all allowed and incredibly common in the audience of hundreds. Police man the streets to help with parking, the programs/handouts are works of art and large screens and video feeds occasionally take the place of an in-the-flesh pastor. These all make it different but not a distraction. What makes it so ‘cool’ is that the mission is beautifully simple ‘to lead people in a growing relationship with Jesus Christ.’ I realize I am touching on a sensitive subject of religion but like my #10 Goodbye Guy, it is a sensitive subject that is important to the validity of this list.
I will just say there has been no better change in my life than what caused me to find Buckhead Church. But it took BC for me to realize that the change was a positive one. For me it has made me more whole, less lost and inspires me to want more out of what I give to the world… not what I get back. Without spilling religion on anyone (much like BC) I pray that everyone has somewhere to go that brings their faith full circle. Whatever you have faith in… may we all have FAITH. It is a beautiful beautiful beautiful (one more time, beautiful) thing to believe in something that isn’t tangible or right in front of us… faith itself, in whatever it may be, makes way for the possibility of so many greater things that we could never have imagined. Faith also makes those hard things in life so much less substantial by giving them purpose, paving the road for those great things we know nothing of… yet. For me Buckhead Church has been my path to that inspiring notion of faith.
Buckhead Church’s head pastor Andy Stanley is probably as celeb as it comes to me now… 
but check out his podcasts for some inspiration… no matter what your religious views, I have little doubt you’ll enjoy this man’s intelligence and words. OR if you can’t make it to Buckhead in Atlanta go online at 6PM/5PM CST, to see what I see every Sunday… they broadcast the service live! It rocks… so even when I visit Iowa I can get my weekly reminder of faith! Go here for more info on Buckhead Church.
Hope everyone had a safe holiday! Be in touch… erika@erikaleighphotography.com!
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Tagged: Andy Stanley, Andy Stanley Podcasts, Atlanta churches, atlanta photography, Buckhead Atlanta, Buckhead Church, church, engagement photos, engagement portraits, erika fitz, Erika Leigh Photography, erikaleighphotography.com, John Marm Brown quote, Northpoint community church, religion
…give up longing and wishing while we are alive. There are certain things we feel to be beautiful and good, and we must hunger for them. - George Eliot.
Forever.
Awwwww, love. These two are real… you can sense from the image… but I’ll confirm… they have real love, adoration and respect for each other. They are proof that true love exists and is worth all the battles and questions we face on the path to its conquest.
She’s hands down the best person I’ve met in my life… hands down… I love my family and my friends but she wins the award. She is why I am here… why Erika Leigh Photography has not only made it to one year strong… but why it even exists. She met me at a time in my life when I was happy and content but she saw I could be doing more… she believed in me… or believed in the terrible cliche, in the pursuit of happiness. She knows all too well the truth of this title quote. But even takes it one step further… she not only longs and hungers for these good and beautiful things, she goes after them.
I told her about my love of photography and she ran with it probably more than I did… she introduced me to Portfolio Center, she talked extensively and enthusiastically about there being no way I wouldn’t be successful and she was my first TRUE paying job! I’ve never had huge confidence issues but if I did she filled in all the holes. She up and moved away to follow her own dreams (of love) not too long back, but I still hear from her regularly, always a person that knows the exact words to say. I have trouble expressing how crucial she was in me forgetting my insecurities and setting me up to follow my dreams… follow my heart. So I hope I can put it simply as, Carissa, you made me make my dreams come true. And like all my top inspirations there is a whole person not just one inspiring trait. She is kind to all, she has no enemies, she is smart, she is witty, she is loyal, she is exactly what the world needs more of… 
Non business wise it must be said… I’m young, yes, but I fully believe in perfect love. Perfect being unique in every individuals eyes… but bottom line it is all encompassing, comfortable, unselfish and undeniable. And I truly believe that everyone can find this and it can last a lifetime. I meet many cynics. I meet many settlers. Carissa is not one of these. Next to her amazing support for me, this love of love is what made all her words of encouragement and praise so worthwhile. People are quick to advise but not always believers in their own medicine. She could’ve told me all day long to take that risk but the reason her words stuck and hit home for me was because she was busy doing it herself… she knew the benefits of acting on a dream. She knew the hurt it could cause, she knew the self-questioning I would face but she knew what I was reaching for was worth all of that… she knew, because she was in the middle of it and she could see the light. She fought the battle to find true love. She is proof that you live a life of goodness, it will come back to you ten-fold. She continues to hunger for the beautiful and good… and it keeps finding her… just as it should!
erika@erikaleighphotography.com!
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Tagged: atlanta wedding photography, erika fitz, erika leigh, Erika Leigh Photography, erikaleighphotography.com, George Eliot quotes, image, inspiration, love pictures, one-year anniversary
… behind the lines, in the gym and out there on the road, long before I dance under those lights. -Muhammad Ali.
Sheyvone.
This is just a late addition in the countdown but there’s something about it I just like so much… though Shevs will kill me again for broadcasting her ‘amazing abs’ on this big, new thing called the ‘world wide web’ I just enjoy it. Maybe its because I know the subject so well and to me she is beautiful and this just nails her personality… maybe it’s just the positive and negative space… maybe, it’s my countdown and I’ll put it on here if I want to….. Ok jokes. Love it, love her.
I could have never imagined the impact Tony would have had on my life had you asked me say… five years ago. I guess that’s the beauty of change… we’re all so scared of change… for me, its the unknowing… but if I look at change as it applies to my Tony situation, I am solaced… as I know that the unknown could be something way more wonderful than I’ve ever expected.
Tony and I went to the big, dangerous, crazy school Iowa State University. Big… in the small town of Ames, Iowa. Dangerous… in that you’ll never live someplace more safe thus giving you false sense of security where ever you should venture after. Crazy… in that despite the ‘Iowa-ness’ of it you could still have a good time and feel comfortable and sometimes even proud saying ‘Go Cyclones.’ Tony was quite the big man on campus, kicker for the football team, handsome guy with lady followers and well-known for his doorman/tending bar days at a little pub on the main drag of Ames. I always knew him, in fact he dated my best friend in college, Rachel (to this day, the most beautiful woman I have ever met), but we were never what I would call friends. Let’s just say our first meeting is rather infamous involving fake ID’s, fatherly advice of ‘Be good,’ and someone (notice the lack of details here) being carried out of a fine establishment. It was maybe five years later that I got a phone call from Mr. Tony as he was on his way down to the big, dangerous and crazy city (those are true, not implied nor sarcastic descriptions now) of Atlanta to kick for the Atlanta Falcons… one more reason for me to adore the Falcons (see this earlier post)! :)
I could go on and on about the ‘how’ he came to be my most trusted and greatest friend but I’ll just break the ‘why’ down. He is a talker, for a guy this is a rarity… initially his use of my cell phone minutes scared me but I learned quickly that this is just one of the ways he cares so much. He is loyal beyond one would think possible… I could and I have asked favors of him that are outlandish and absurd, he comes through because it’s just not in his nature to not, simple as that. (EX: ‘Tony will you go to the airport and find my car among thousands of cars? Oh and I have no idea where it is… Will you also pay my huge parking bill and then when I get home in three days drive all the way back to the airport to pick me up?” A: “Sure, and I’ll vacuum your car while you’re gone too!”… No I’m not exaggerating.) His heart is bigger than any man’s I’ve ever met (even my dad)… the way he cares for his brothers, niece, sister, mother alone is proof… the way he cares for those who don’t care for him is bigger proof… for physical evidence you are welcome to visit the condo and see the paintings for yourself.
Everything about Tony is truly inspirational… personally, he has come into my life and made me better on so many accords… made me more content, made me have more concern for others, made me realize what a man can and should be to a woman, made me want to be a better friend, oh and definitely has made me a cleaner, more OCD (which is good) person. :) Most inspiring to me though is his work ethic and dedication for all things even when no one is looking… I don’t mean just in work, Mr. Medical Salesman. I mean in all things in life he dedicates himself totally. That is simple to understand but the area I want to most highlight is his compassion. Personally, he has stood by my side through some of my harder moments… business and personal. The airport example is one… more being, the time he came home and saw some of my tears and then emailed all my friends (though he told them to not tell me he did this to organize pity parties for me where my friends took turns taking me to eat or sitting with me, he’s laid next to me when my health and safety was in question, he’s talked me back to confidence when I have business doubts (yes occasionally I have them…). Those are huge examples of a man that is compassionate but the dedication to this way of life is seen daily: in his texts if I want anything from Kroger when he is going, he’ll change my laundry when I forget, he’ll text me to make sure I made it on long distance car drives, and simply he’ll just ask me how my day was and truly want to know. He does all these things without ever asking for payback or applause. The athlete that he is, he embodies this title quote, but it is his character and compassion that I see most applicable here… he never needs witnesses to induce nor prove his goodness.
I am beyond blessed to have him in my life. I hope I never know a life without him in it. I often stop and wonder how I get so lucky to have the people I have in my life and even Tony has told me before… ‘Erika, you really have some really good friends in your life.’ So now Tony… wake up and realize that you are one of the best I got…
ONE MORE DAY… five more to go! Thanks for sticking around… erika@erikaleighphotography.com! Oh and fun stuff (well in a way … TROPICAL STORM ERIKA (Erika with a K) is out there… she’s gonna take it easy on the islands though… sad that that excited me.
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Tagged: Ames, Atlanta falcons, atlanta headshots, atlanta photographer, Cyclones, erika fitz, Erika Leigh Photography, erikaleighphotography.com, Falcons, image, inspiration, Iowa, Iowa State Cyclones, Iowa State University, ISU, ISU Football, KLS Martin, Muhammad Ali quotes, S Dot, Sheyvone, tony, Tony Yelk, Tropical Storm Erika
… it’s better than sunshine, it’s better than moonshine and damn sure better than the rain. - from ‘Soulshine’ by Allman Brothers written by Warren Haynes.
Pure Joy.
This just makes me so happy. That’s why I got into photography… it’s why I will try and never get out! :)
My sweet Gabby. I miss her.
Gabby came into my life out of selfishness on my behalf. Yep, I decided to volunteer. Volunteering is a cover up. Everyone thinks people are so grand that volunteer but I know I volunteered because maybe I wasn’t being the person I thought I should be… and I knew I would feel better after doing so. Helping is undoubtedly amazing… its healing to feel like you’ve made a difference and that’s what I mean by selfish… You help someone else but I could guess 99% of the time the person volunteering benefits more in a non-tangible way more than the person on the other end of the help. I’m by no means looking down on volunteering but I have to admit my reasoning… Volunteering with the organization called HERO for Children did what I had expected… AND THEN SOME. Gabby is my mentee… technically, but I’ll be the first to say she’s mentored me more probably than I would’ve ever mentored her.
She’s half my age but has lived and learned from more lessons than I never wish to learn through experience. She has a smile that is constant and big but always seems to be at 95%… there’s more smile in her but I’m not sure she’d ever waste on it a joke or a good time… but her soul shines despite her not-all-the-way there smile, despite her sadness of being kept out of cheerleading for a year because she couldn’t get a physical in time, despite not being able to do certain things she loves because her irregular heartbeat, despite not being able to many things that I consider normal and expected in a childhood because of reasons beyond her control. We’d go eat, she loves burgers, and every place we went she seemed at awe of the restaurant and always overly thankful for her food… My thank yous to her probably never hit home. I doubt she’ll ever fully fathom her little strength that added to mine. In the time we hung out, probably twice a month or so for a year she lost more than I’ve lost in all my years… she lost her health that subsequently caused her to lose her passion, but she said it was ok and that she’s happy she caught it early and was content in doing flags instead of cheerleading. She lost her dog (as a dog lover put me into mini depression and we had to have a few extra french fries with the burgers that day) but she said that she was sad but she was more sad for her mom who had loved her dog so much. Then, she lost her mom. I found out from our volunteer coordinator late at night and tried to get a hold of her the next day but she was at school… she was at school? Yep. I got to talk to her on the phone and she didn’t cry… I did. To be perfectly honest, I balled… SELFISHLY. I was struggling hard at that time and when she talked to me and sounded so strong and so content with the idea of moving on, that these things happen, that we all find better places as we pass or move on. I cried for my own pity of not being able to handle my hurt in that way, I cried for her loss and I cried a lot for the fact that she will never be able to let herself cry. She’s grown up to expect that life doesn’t owe you anything… you’re not promised nor do you deserve anything just for being alive. She valued her time with her mom and, my throat hurts as I choke back tears writing this, I remember her exact words on the phone when I told her, “Gabby, you know it’s ok to be sad about this…” and she said so matter-of-fact, “Erika, I was sad at first and thought how can I live without my momma, but then in the hospital I saw her and I just knew that she was going to a better place.” It’s so simple, right?
She is an angel in my eyes… she just fights and she doesn’t even know that she’s fighting because nothing has ever just been too easy and therefore her attitude is nothing is too hard. But she still shines… her soul truly shines. At half my age she is still an amazing inspiration, just her and her resiliency. I think most would think she would remind me to value the things I have but more so, to strive for those things I am not… to work at those things I fall short of every day… and remember nothing is promised to us. Let your soul shine… Gabby always does.
FAMILY PORTRAIT SPECIAL will roll outta my email box into yours sometime next week… email me for details or to book now as availability will be limited. erika@erikaleighphotography.com!
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