Red Garbage Cans in Hoboken Alley

On a dreary, cold winter day I stumbled upon these bright red garbage cans in an alley in Hoboken, NJ. Despite literally being depositories for waste and all that people find worthless to keep, their touch of color on such a gloomy day made me smile and brightened up my day, so they were not worthless to me!

This is but one example of how photography enables me to take something that would normally be consdiered ugly or not worthwhile to look at, and transform it into something worth gazing at, and considering (even if only for a moment).

Truckin' in a Storm- Colorado

"Serenity is not freedom from the storm, but peace amid the storm”

While traveling on Route 40 in a Colorado snow storm last year, we were behind this truck trying its best to power through, while swerving left and right from time to time. However, despite the bad weather and flat lighting which made the driving really bad, the driver kept on driving.

I was complelled to caputre this moment to remind myself of our ability to "weather any storm." When faced with adversity, such as a bad day, a bump in the road of life, or a traumatic experience, it is so easy to curl up and hide from the world and from ourselves. It is simple and acceptable to cower, give up, or "pull over" and juat stop. However, each of us has the ability and the power within ourselves to rise to any occasion, learn from every experience and continue to grow, and live on. In doing so, we become wiser, stronger and more emotionally and physically powerful.

To that end, whenever I am faced with a challenge, no matter how small, I will remember this image and do my best to power on through, as I know we all can do!

Cows in a Row- Devils Thumb Ranch, Tabernash, Co

This photograph reminds me of an old postcard, and the sepia tone helps set the mooood (haha).

Getting these cows to stand at attention and look at the camera was no easy feat! Just kidding, it was actually quite serrendipitous and funny. While leaving the Devils Thumb Ranch restaurant (one of our all-time favorites!), Brian and I came across a field with about a hundred cows all grazing in the dusk. Although the lighting was too dark, I really wanted to try to photograph them. As we slowed the car down and pulled over towards the field, the cows started running away from us and forming a line. While cows are not known for their speed, nor their ability to run at all, these cows were collectively running to stand at attention. When they arrived in their predetermined spots, they abruptly stopped and faced us and I snapped this shot! It was incredibly funny and perhaps somewhat bizzare how they ran, got into a long line and stood still while in perfect formation. I was so happy to be able to witness yet another of those wonderful suprises and mysteries the universe unveils for us.

Shadowy Mountains of the Continental Divide, Colorado

"The Colorado rocky mountain high... I've seen it rainin' fire in the sky; The shadow from the starlight is softer than a lullabye... Rocky mountain high" - John Denver

John Denver said it best - there truly is a "Rocky Mountain High" you feel when surrounded by the snowcapped peaks of a majectic mountain range. This photograph was taken in late March of 2008 in Tabernash, Colorado, at the foot of the intercontinetnal divide. The peaks were gorgeous in the waning daylight and I love the contrast in the various shades and layers of light.

Mountain symbolism is manifold; they are seen as obstacles to overcome, cautionary everests warning of perils, lofty ideals pointing us towards the heavens, and peaks of contancy, eternity, firmness and stillness. Whatever the mountain image evokes in you, there is no doubt the role the great mountain ranges have played in the history, topography and cultural development of our planet, in much the same way as their symbolism shapes our lives.