Teaching Senior Portraits

Being a high school teacher gives me and my students the opportunity to use our talents for the school and students. The yearbook uses both casual and cap and gown photos for senior pages. The yearbook sponsor thought it great for students from my class to offer their services to seniors who wanted their photos taken. Today was the first day of shooting, and i tagged along giving advice here and there. As always, when you teach, you learn yourself, and sometimes get to put into practice things you learn... one that's not pictured here is using elements around you as "reflectors" on of my students had his white school shirt off, so i used that to reflect light on the subjects face as she was in the shade...

Back -LIghting

Day Out...

so every once in awhile, two of my cousins and i go out to eat somewhere, and one of the three of us pays... this wasn't one of those particular days, but it was still a cousins outing... ( minus the fourth, erica :-/ )

so we ate, and since it was such a beautiful day outside, according the THEM they wanted to go to tha park! so we all went, and i brought my camera with me... particularly because i have been tired of shooting on campus, around my house and in my room... this as a chance to shoot different subjects, different scenery, etc... enjoy! :-)

Last Trip...

 So we've arrived and have settled in to the hotel on our last choir trip of the semester... mine for good. got assigned a room with 3 completely different guys than i usually do, they ended up being all bass though. so we're in our room now listening to the group "valor" who has an inSANE bass voice that puts us 2nd basses to shame... so i'm kinda glad for these roomates. anyway, this trip has been a little rough for all of us. alot of the choir is tired, the semester is coming to an end, which means big projects and papers... we left thursday at midnight, and won't be getting back till sunday around 8pm or so... basically cuts out our whole study day... i actually planned a meeting for 7:30 BEFORE i heard of our return arrival to campus... so i'll be attempting to do a good bit of work on this trip... on the way up here, got to listen to some more of pandora with Jas, and we put on David Phelps as the firs playlist. one of the artists that later came on was Casting Crowns... a group my cousin Jesika actually went to hear in concert the night before! ... great CCM music that i've not been into for a while, but have recently been getting great reviews about.
earlier on around 1:30 or i was texting a few of my friends, one of them being my "sister" from back home in atl that i hadn't talked to in forever, but can always talk forever to, lol. she called me and we talked for a good bit, catching up about life and such... always good to hear a voice from your past... anywho. i'm about to get in the bed.... early, its just like 10:30 here, and i've showered, and am laid out on the bed, preparing for sleep... because we didn't do a concert at the church this evening, we've had most of it to just chill in the hotel. a few of us went down to the jacuzzi for a while, but the evening has been great not being busy traveling and singing... so now i'll be heading off to bed, with high hopes of a high day in God 2morrow...
oh.. i cannot leave with out leaving some mention of the oakwoodite, and brother of our aeolian sister, nichelle anderson, Nathan anderson was killed today as he was riding his motorcycle... hit us all hard, because a number of us knew him well... he was around 26 years old, and deeply involved in the music arena at oakwood, then back in his hometown of maryland... it was really shaking to me because i literally just saw a post that put on twitter earlier that morning. i didn't know him personally at all, but with that little bit of indirect interaction, then hearing of his sudden death was hard to take. My prayers are with the family as they morn his death, and look forward to seeing him in the Second Coming...

Good Nite blogger land... hope to see you again soon!

The Fourth

doing what you love...

so photography is a passion of mine, and i've realized that i am truly happiest when i'm taking pictures... i've been in a bit of a slum this past week and a half, and after i was asked by lexi yesterday i f i had taken any pictures for my 365 picture a day project... and i hadn't. and i realized that those that i had been shooting, weren't fun, active, random, engaging, lifestyle shots. but they were pictures taken, just to get the shot in for the day. So today, i had my camera with me, and stopped to drop something off with a friend of mine in the library, ALISON!! :-), and she had on these green chucks with here legs up on the table... SUCH a photo-op! OMG! so i took a few shots, and was talking to her about a photographer that i look up to Jason Q Tran amazing photographer, and his style. so i decided to try and use his style really quick since i had a model, we took a few pics, and i kept playing with her shoes and such, and just had a good time, doing what i love! THEN i saw jason, a composition major, who i've seen carrying around his "canvass" or sheet music with him, and i'd been wanting to shoot him, doing what he does best. i thought it so cool, because his the sheet music is his "canvass" of choice, like a painters is an actual canvass, mine is life in general and my environment... and i had so much fun... i actually feel better now! like, my whole persona,  personality and mood has changed... it's just something about doing what you love, especially when it's a talent that God has given you... and on top of all of that... THE SUN IS OUT... THE CLOUDS ARE GONE!!!... BLUE SKIESS!!!! SUN RAAYYYSS!!!!! THANK YOU JESUS! :-) REJUVENATION!!... take home lesson... always make time in your schedule for that which you truly enjoy, or your life will end up lifeLESS!

...what a day!

mercy... what a day today was! tuesday's and thursday's are my busiest days... the kinda days that you just run thru, not remembering much, but the goal is to successfully get to the end without any major problems occurring. it started off unusual as i spent the nite at some of my friends house because i didn't want to risk being stuck at home again like i was yesterday due to the snow, and heavy winter weather. so i didn't go thru my normal routine, missed breakfast at the cafe, got played at the library. since the campus was shut down (on today of all days, there clearer of the two days compared to yesterday when the weather was WORSE!)... the campus was shut down till 10:00, chapel time, and that included the library where i wanted to study until chapel... so i sat in my car and read some of Romans until chapel.(inspired by old mrs. Cartwright, the lady who swipes students into the cafe in the mornings. She had never seen me come in before, and warned me that i shouldn't get breakfast this morning because the hot food was shot down. she then proceeded to tell me a little about herself, and how she basically was depressed for a while, after her husband died, but God gave her the opportunity to go back to her home country, and do some missionary work. she didn't want to come back to work at the school, but upon her return she heard that the students actually missed her, and is now determined to take advantage of every day of life God continues to give her and be a blessing to others... quite a testimony this morning!)..... froze my toes in the process! Chapel today was presented by two huntsville police officers... the main officer... cock diesel brotha, swole as i don't know! but he presented the danger of gangs, and a number of other issues that are pertinent to Oakwood right now considering all the violence going on right now. As i was shooting, i saw a white young lady with a video camera covering the event. i spoke with her afterward... i really need to work on my public speaking, especially when the person could be a possible contact for a future job (she works for WAFF), but i definitely stuttered thru the whole conversation... we both seemed to be excitedly conversing though. just before that though, one of the vice presidents of the school came over to me, and without much of a greeting asked me if was shooting and covered the program... as if that was all i was worth to them, like if i hadn't he would chastise me for not shooting... as if he doesn't always see me with my camera at just about every event... i guess i just felt like a worker, and not student, and like his single interest in me was whether or not i took pictures....
NEWHO i've got this project for multimedia due...  thursday. we have most of it completed, its just the last few things, transitions, voice overs, etc that need to get done... as i was working with my group though, this thing called "senioritis" crept into my being.... the feeling of carelessness... especially for my next class... one of the few classes business majors have to take to walk, and have heard stories since freshman year about how horrible, the teacher and in turn the class is... the man (and i later learned its the same way across the board) gets excited if you get a 50% on his test!... he said very good to a girl that got a 68%... took me way off guard.. he does curve, which is good, but the man just can't teach! and the whole class... since like 2005 knows it! this is one class that will be the test of my college career... if i can get thru this, i know i'll be able to make it.. WOW!
NEWHO took my time coming back on campus. Stopped by the market to get a little something in my stomach, sat down and talked with a girl friend of mine about life in general... it really is just good to get stuff out sometimes. i was voted as the male senior with most school spirit, so i had to go take pictures for the yearbook spread for that.... never happened cuz the female never showed, and i had to get to choir practice which i was already late for. left in record time and made it to the library to join another girl friend of mine in a study room. ran into my play sister from atl, but the conversation me and the first girl had is what sticks... it was pretty deep about relationships, and her relating to guys, not being able to settle down, or realize the difference between a guy whose honestly interested and one that's just gonna play her down the road, either sooner or later... did get a text from my twin, a God-send, such a life text...1 Peter 4:10, 11... read it, marinate on it.... apply it... pretty amazing. ran into another friend of min leaving, who reminded me of my 365 project, so b4 i went home, i took a walk around campus... take in all of the day, wind down. got an OK shot of some shadows on a tree with it's limbs.... nothing major, but it got me a pic.... hoping for a better day tomorrow, since it's lighter, but i def have to sing with the choir for a concert right at the end of my meeting for my major Project management group... wonder how that's gonna go.
and before i go, i introduced a friend of mine to blogging this week... check her out! kollegekouture.blogspot.com/

... nite all!

... long story short, i took a spanish clep exam today, didn't pass, and to my current knowledge, the score from this exam was what could catapult me into the graduation scene, or prevent me from receiving my degree at the intended date...

... so right now my options are 1- register for spanish 1 and 2 at an online school to show proof that i am enrolled in the needed courses (if it's not too late to do that...)  and walk but don't receive the degree until WAY later, or 2- finish this semester with what i have, enroll in the two classes this fall, and walk next may with 2011.... i honestly am not all for walking this semester knowing the there is no degree coming until i complete to college spanish courses... it would be a fake excitement on my part... walking across the stage knowing i have more to do... a friend of mine brought up the idea that, this exercise really isn't for me, it's more for the family, parents, and supporters.... eh, i can partially agree with that, but i definitely am the one who sat thru 8 semesters of classes.... this has ALOT to do for me... completion of the requirements for a bachelors of business degree in information technology... (oh, but wait... i didn't! cuz i still have TWO courses to complete!)

this of course has to draw a spiritual/personal growth lesson. God has been working with me about putting things aside/procrastination beyond the depths of the normal battle, and it's sad that it's come to something as monumental as this to shake me, but God will go to the end of the world, grinding the very core of our being to get us to be completely dedicated to him, to refine our character, and have properly used that talents to HIS glory(one being time... management, check out Christ's Object Lessons, EGW, chapter on talents...) ... i think i get it God... 

.... if it wasn't for God...

i have a really hard time internalizing the fact that it's only God that allows/enables me to do certain things... i say it all the time... "only God" but i've been the one doing it all this time i never really think about the fact that it literally is only God that works in me to succeed at anything good... all good things come from Him, and me being a sinful man can only produce evil, so in essence, it truly IS only God that bring us to do acts of kindness, bring glory to His name, excel at whatever craft we set our hands to do. and when people say you did a good job.... yes, you did a good job of putting faith in the Father, and then working the problem out... as a child, the thought never comes to mind... with our parents growing us up in a certain way, we form habits, carry on tendencies, follow actions, but never truly consider why we do what we do, and what our true nature is, but when it boils down to the nitty gritty... if it wasn't for God....

My heavy day...

 today was a pretty interesting day... but my tuesday's and thursday's usually are. i've got racquetball at 9, chapel at 10 on tuesday, then b2b classes from 11:30 until 3:45... sucks!... but it definitely keeps me busy. I'm actually deeply interested in my racquetball class though. like i came to practice with a few friends last friday afternoon... high energy, intense concentration, its a serious workout... definitely may end up being a new hobby of mine. chapel was academic convocation where my choir, the Aeolians sang (which i was only able to sing one song with because) i also had to shoot, as i am the one and only student photographer for the Public Relations dept at the school, and the main head honcho is the LEAST bit camera savvy.... Dr. Baker also initiated a panel discussion going into depth about the code of conduct that has been trampled on over the last couple of years. personally, unless an individual has convictions of there own, they aren't going to uphold the standards setup. the statement was made, what are you going to do when you get a job in the real world, which is a great argument, but as a Christian school, attempting to uphold Christian standards, our main mission should be that, and the latter will fall into line. As students we have to understand the standards that are setup, realize that we did sign a contract stating we would abide by them, and not make a big fuss about it when confronted on the issue.... you knew about what the school stood for before you came... why is there this issue!?.. get you lives together please.

definitely got an email from Insight Magazine (the adventist youth publication) responding to my first photo assignment that i turned in, and the Art director said they were "AWESOME" and that he looks forward to working with me more... couldn't be more excited!... i'm published, and now have a connection with a major magazine! god couldn't be better, because i DEFINITELY didn't even ASK for this! WOW

In choir 2nite my director was being a bit more detailed in his rehearsal, and one of the members seemed a bit disturbed, and to ME like what he was saying was personal... could be wrong, but what i drew from the situation is that, in life we can't take what people say to or about us as being personal... one, and mainly, if we living a life totally and completely dedicated to GOd, with our will being His will, everything we do or say is as a result of His bidding, not our own. so when someone approaches us in a twisted kinda way, we have to remember, i'm living a life for Christ, and if you truly TRULY are, then they need to address their problem to the almighty one, cuz I'M in line with HIM! Amen?

aaah, goodnight, and thank God for a light day tomorrow

The Questions of Life...

hey guys... so it's been a good minute since i've posted anything, not that i had anything consistent, but i really want this blog thing to be successful..

ever since school got back in session, my life has gone from 12 to 10,000, with classes, projects (starting already since i'm taking the highest level courses as a graduating senior, HALLELU) trying to keep up with current relationships, mend old ones, and carefully build new ones, life has been a blur. i did plan out a schedule of how i would use my time during the week. thing is with schedules, to make them successful, you've got to WORK them... anybody can plan, but to be a success, you have to actually implement the plan into your life. putting aside things that easily distract you, prioritization *UUGHH!*, and then trying to work my photography business into the whole picture... i honestly see school right now as a hindrance to my business growth, because i don't have the time i need to devote to working the biz. and people are still trying to get odd shoots off of me... Ivey does not do free photo shoots anymore! and of course my spiritual life plays a HUGE part in this whole mess. i'm thankful for people in my life who do remind me of where i need to be, spiritually, academically, socially (bugging me cuz i've not spent enough time with them), relationally (lord knows there are a few girls on this campus that I would love to spend some real time with, but is it truly the right time.. mercy Lord! and then what to do after school! UGH! the Biz? Grad school in savannah/atl at SCAD? take the continued internship/job offer in bham.... what to do... the questions of life....

... Last First Day

so it's mad early, but i feel the urge to make a little not on here.




today is my first day of classes for the last semester of my time at oakwood... gotta bit of a weird feeling because i'm just hesitant about what to do after school... but for right now, i have to reprogram my mind to the mode of school and classes... i've been worried that my vacation mentality won't be shaken for a while... waking up MAD late, moving REALLY slow, etc. I DO however have the feeling that this may be my absolute BEST semester at oakwood... well, until i look back at my class schedule... this on class... like always, really may put a damper on the semester...
but this first half week of classes usually isn't all that bad though. The choir is actually going to be leaving this Friday AFTERNOON i heard, we're starting our weekend tours first week of school... this is going to be a busy week for us..




but anyway, i've gotta find myself eating breakfast, dressing, preparing myself and all the i'm bringing with me to campus, because i won't be back home until the end of the day since i live FOREVER away from campus. But that's OK... i think i'm on the right track so far... Had worship, (SSL), prayed it up, and now i am on my way... pray for ME!

... white

i found myself waking up to snow outside, and as a photographer i can't help but capture the images created as the phenomenon occurs... so i ventured out fro about 30 minutes. shot 103 frames, ended up with just 8 amazing shots, but that's the life of a photographer! my cousin commented on one of them i posted on flickr and said the one she liked is one that is a step out of my normal photography style. i take that in a good way. i know making what you do better is great, but being versatile is a plus as well...

i actually stopped to watch President Obama make is speech today. he addressed the issues of enhancing the nations airline security giving a summary of the plans several agencies presented to him to prevent possibly future attacks to the country. i particularly loved the seamlessness of his speech. never have i seen the Obama speak with notes or anything written to prompt him to each of his points, however he flowed with little effort mapping out the big picture of each agencies plan, and correlating it to the war on terrorism and against Al Qeada. and to top it off, he walked of stage with as much swag as a president can have, lol.

so i've been on facebook and twitted and many of the girls were posting random colors as their status... after a deep conversation on my status questioning what was going on, the truth came out. apparently there was a bbm that said because it was breast cancer awareness month all women should post the color of their bra as their status, and not to tell the guys.... a big secret... i don't see the point in that! even if we, the guys, knew why they were doing it, how will that help the BCA cause?... what purpose would it serve except to bring the mind to the breast. and in todays society the first thought would not be concerning wether or not that breast has or might have cancer! what really got me was these girls started putting up multiple colors... red black and white, pink, gray, etc.... the idea may have been good, but the whole secretive thing was really pointless to me. but i guess they fulfilled their mission in getting people like me riled up about it.

also had a talk with a friend of mine who i confide in about personal issues, specifically this time about my lack of motivation and drive in life. every so often i tend to feel extremely lazy and have no desire to be active in much, and it's a feeling i HATE because i despise idle hands. i've really just got to decide to do and act on my decision, then let God work in my life. it's only Him who gives the power both to will AND to do of his good pleasure, and it's His will that i want to do any way...

First entry...

So I'm sitting here eating breakfast on a cold winter day, but I'm being warmed by the cream of wheat on the inside and sun beaming thru the window warming the outside. Great combination huh.... newho! It reminded me of how the Son works in our lives... only difference is the effect doesn't come from the outside in. It starts on the inside, and the effects are then proclaimed outward. However just like the sun, if you leave its presence the warmth won't stay with you for too long, so you've got to continue returning to the source of light.

- 11:24

AND o my goodness, so light is the theme today...

My room in our new house has been so cold and won't stay warm. So just now going upstairs, I looked out and saw no sun.... I thought back, and I realized I NEVER see sun, lol... like ever! The only light that comes thru my window is indirect light... it comes in just because the sun is out, but it does nothing for the heating of my room! UGH! Newho, we can't expect to get light, wisdom, knowledge, HEALING, by indirectly reciving light. Just like the sun, its a presence but doesn't make an impact....

-12:07

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The Fourth