Project 52: Shot 8

A Child--Not Your Own--That is Special to You (February 20, 2016)

I had always told my mom that if I ever had a kid, I would give it to her to raise until it was ready for school at which point I would want it back. When I met my boyfriend a few years ago, his son was in pre-school. This timing did not escape my mother who pointed out that here was someone with a kid who was the perfect age for me. In the time since then, I have gotten to know this child and have witnessed first-hand how smart and sweet he is. I enjoy being around his dad and him (especially when it results in being able to cross an item off my bucket list.) Being in a relationship with someone who has a child has afforded me opportunities like the moment above and allowed me to finally come to terms with my decision to not have any children of my own.

Quite a few people have asked me about that decision. Yes, it was difficult to make at first, but making--and eventually embracing--it has led me to be a whole lot happier than I was before. One of the main factors in my decision was my relationship with my own step-dad. That alone has shown me that blood does not make one a parent. Being a teacher, one can't help but mentally compose a list of all the things one would or wouldn't do with your own kids. Being with someone who has a child has shown me how difficult it is to be a parent. For the record, the mental list still exists, but it's now tempered with the reality of all the day-to-day things that go into raising a child. I am thankful for the time I get to spend with this boy and his father and this photo only captures a small fragment of the happiness they bring me.

I'm starting to realize that this photo project is doing more than giving me a list of shots to take throughout the year: it's allowing me to capture the moments and people that are important to me.

Duh! I should have seen that coming when I first saw the list.

Project 52: Shot 7

At Night (February 19, 2016)

When he's not shooting incredible photos, my cousin Alan plays the drums in a band called Givers and Takers. They usually have shows in the Thousand Oaks or Santa Barbara area so any local (as in the LA area) shows are a rare treat. His band had a show this past Friday night at the Hotel W Loft and I noticed the gorgeous view right away when we finally made it up there. 

I didn't have my tripod so I just used one of the sofas next to the window to steady myself. I wish it had come out a little sharper but this was the best I could do to capture Hollywood Blvd. At night.  

Project 52: Shot 6

Weather (February 17, 2016)

This shot would not have been possible without the Waze app. It took me down some side streets on my way to the grocery store one afternoon and as I looked up at the mountains, I saw this. I figured it was raining up there and that this could work as my weather shot. I parked, snapped two pictures, and got back in my car. (This is the second photo since the first one was a little overexposed and didn't capture the gloominess.) Not even a minute later, it was raining on those side streets, making me even more glad that I had stopped to get this shot.