I met an extraordinary young woman over the summer last year called Ye. She reminded me about how important FAITH is, as well what it meant to be grounded and believe in a higher power! Here are some of my favorite images. Enjoy!
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2012…. Springing into the New Year!!!
As the last of winter dissipates (i know we didn’t really have a winter…humor me), the sun peers above the clouds and makes its golden debut sending warm salutations to the earth. Colorful bulbs of yellow,red and orange burst upwards from the ground as if yearning to taste the new dawn. LIFE. NEW. LOVE. COLOR. CREATE. The words synonymous with spring infer a new awakening in us. A new HOPE has been ignited. I missed blogging and sharing my images but I’m back and with a renewed vigor and thirst for LIFE and ALL good things. These past few months, I have taken the time to grow, to stay in the dark, to walk, to think, to breathe, to LIVE. I’ve listened to a lot of lectures, half-read books (hmm…) and will probably have some lists up of my favorite ones, and I’ve been inspired to create something.
I believe its always good for creative beings (which we ALL are) to take the space to re-Create, re-Define and re-Establish themselves so the creative juices flow. So as much as i have missed you old friend, I had to do that for myself.
This journey that we will take together I promise will be rewarding. I see a lot of new changes on the horizon that just keep getting better, consider this the gift that keeps on giving. So heres to a new year (a little late, actually not really), a new beginning and a new lease on LIFE!!!
Get out AND just simply BE! Create YOUR audacious life NOW, LIVE loud in glorious technicolor…
Adieu to Twenty- ELEVEN
….. Favourite images from last year
Married: Melissa & Michael
Meet Melissa and Michael: The sweetest couple ever!! He is smart and charming, she is funny and beautiful. They fit perfectly together, kinda like maatoke and groundnut sauce (yeah you know I had to put that one in there) 
) . I am so excited to share this wedding with you – I love all the images and wish I could share them all, but more importantly I’m personally attached to this shoot, even more so since my (baby) sister was getting MARRIED!!!
Melissa and Michael got married on a beautiful Chicago summer’s day, talk about A-mazing weather. We hit up the Chicago river-walk and Millennium Park. These two are just darling together and I’m not just saying that. I really enjoyed my mini-vacation and felt blessed to be a part of their day. Thank you both for allowing me to document your love. Here are a few incredible moments from Mel & Michael’s Chicago wedding.CONGRATULATIONS again! I love you both very much!!!
“For it was not into my ear you whispered but my heart, and it was not my cheek you kissed but my soul….” J.GARLAND
This is my favorite picture!!! LoVe!
Pauline + Tony : Maternity Session
Did I mention how I love maternity photo shoots…. well just in case you didn’t know I DO!!! Pauline and Tony {of Jambonewspot} are good friends of mine, and you can imagine how über thrilled I was to do their maternity session. The joy and the intimacy of motherhood and parenting are momentous as Elizabeth Stone said “it is to decide to forever have your heart go walking around outside your body”. The love that Pauline and Tony have for each other and their child is just simply – BEAUTIFUL. I cant wait to meet little Brandon, my would-be birthday Twin!
Special thanks to Lady Gi-Gi, my photo assistant!!! )
Maternity Sweet Peek!!!
I love this shot!! He actually came a day before!
Stay tuned…. more to come of Pauline and Tony!!!!
Queen Agnes – Part One
The stories that we tell about ourselves matter, the stories that we tell about others matter even more. They can heal, inspire, encourage and motivate us. This phenomenal young woman who hails originally from Malawi embodies that statement. She is part of the “Cheetah” generation and wields her talents with great poise and elevation. I’m impressed at what she has accomplished and continues to attain. She embodies the 3 A’s of Awesome – great ATTITUDE, AWARENESS and AUTHENTICITY. Putting pen to paper these days is a distant luxury for me, but the power behind words and pictures are as powerful as the beat of the drum. So I combined both, I took some gorgeous images of this beautiful kindred spirit and in her own words she tells her-story. Zikomo Kwambiri!!!
What keeps you busy 24/7 (what do you do)?
Well, I wouldn’t call it busy. I prefer to say I’m blessed because I have 2 jobs and a few passions that I am able to pursue 24/7. I work for 2 non-profit organizations M-F. At my first day job at a local hospital I work with HIV positive youth ages 13-24 helping them cope with their diagnosis and enroll them into care, I also teach HIV/STD 101 in the Dallas community and conduct testing/counseling. My second day job I take care of children with special needs and love every moment of it! I’m involved with the Dallas Peace Center, Amnesty International, Home Away from Home Teen Shelter, The Refugee Services of Texas and whoever else will let me in! 
Then of course there is my freelance journalism, I have a dream of being a human rights journalist so in the meantime I practice with projects such as Keeping It Real radio, Fyah TV and Yardcore TV. This may seem like a lot to some people but I actually wish I could do more – fundraisers, uplifting projects for the community and beyond..
What inspires you?
The divine blessing from Jah to rise up every morning. My mother who is compassionate and beautiful along with my little brothers who make me smile just thinking of them! Our African ancestors, my true friends, music, children, trees, the moon and the ocean; Inspiration is everywhere!
What makes you a Queen?
What makes me a Queen is the same history that makes YOU a Queen. Our African ancestors where Kings and Queens who built prosperous empires, left so much wisdom and inspiration. I am a Queen because I respect myself and others, I know the value of mother Earth, I practice humility and strive to BE the change I wish to see in the world.
What advise do you have for other Queens?
Know your history and embrace it, demand respect and remember it is given then received, find a way to give back it feels greater than constantly taking, Trust in the most High and love yourself! I suggest a book to all women searching for their crown, Sacred Woman: A Guide to Healing the Feminine Body, Mind, and Spirit By Queen Afua.
