Building Dreams

It's funny. It seems like once you hit 16 years old people expect you to have a fully completed, color map, including every cross road and your occasional wayside historical site, for your life. The expect you to know what car you want to drive, what your career will be, a nice job with 50k a year, know who you're going to marry, and some people seem to expect you to even have your first three kids' names picked out. 


But the thing about dreams, about goals, about endeavors, about LIVES...
They grow. 
Most the time you don't wake up in the morning and decide you want to be a missionary to Puerto Rico and that you're gonna order your Spanish Rosetta Stone program right after lunch. Something plants that seed and it is watered, or deprived, over time.


It seems like we're setting up our generation to fail. And fail big time. Everything around us happens faster and faster with each passing year. Several of our advertisements from internet service to car repair is that they get it done "faster". So shouldn't we be growing up faster too?  


The saying goes "chase your dreams". Not "Hunt down your dreams and put them in a choke-hold til they give you what you want within the next 6 months". The problem with doing everything faster is that we start preforming without knowing our lines. We haven't done any research or gained any wisdom on what we're rushing headlong into. We'll just "live and learn"....the hard way. 


Now I'm not suggesting you follow every whim of your heart, or that you become a video gamer for a living because you just haven't had "time" to build your dream. Nor am I expecting you to just wait around at home til some random thing that sounds interesting finally falls into your lap. 


But what I am saying is that, before you decide to become a brain surgeon, you seek out the cause-and-effect of this decision. (the dreaded word--->) *College* questions. Who do I know that is in this profession? Is this His will? How can you use it for His glory? Let your dream grow, or even except and allow it to fade, before you pursue it with everything you are. Most likely you're still in the dreaming stage of your life. Keep searching out His will. Set goals. Find your passions. Even (*gasp*) consult your parents. Most likely they know you better than anyone and know where you're gifted. ::CAUTION:: Even if your parents don't pass out in a dead faint from you asking their opinion their  reaction may not be quite what you were expecting. Listen though. They have a lifetime of insight.


So many of us skip this stage. We want results. We want them now. But don't forget to dream. Bring everything before Him. All that you are. Lay it at his feet. Every talent, every failure. Step back. Live. Stand in awe. I've seen this work in so many amazing young adults/adults in my life. I want to be like them. When I get done with this earthly life I want to be able to say, not that I made a medical discovery, nor that I wrote a #1 hit bill-board topper in country music, but that I used all my talents (however frail) to His glory. 




I want THIS to be my prayer:


"Take my life and let it be consecrated Lord, to thee. 
Take my moments and my days, let them flow in ceaseless praise. 
Take my hands and let them move at the impulse of thy love. 
Take my feet and let them be swift and beautiful for thee. 
Take my voice and let me sing always, only for my king. 
Take my lips and let them be filled with messages from thee. 
Take my silver and my gold not a might would I withhold. 
Take my intellect and use every power as you choose. 

Here am I, all of me. 
Take my life, it's all for thee. 
Take my will and make it Thine it shall be no longer mine. 
Take my heart it is thine own; it shall be thy royal throne. 
Take my love, my Lord I pour at your feet its treasure store 
Take myself and I will be ever, only all for thee, 
Take myself and I will be ever, only all for thee. 
Here am I, All of me. 
Take my life, It's all for thee. 

Don't forget to dream. Don't forget to ask.
 And just as a closing thought. Don't forget to let some dreams die. If they're not what's best... pursuing them isn't going to make them fit better. Don't let your selfish heart, other people's expectations (<--- such a hard one), or even your own expectations (<---sometimes even worse) dictate the paths of your dreams. Let Him guide you. He's holding that full-color, all turnout, steep hill, double dotted line, gopher-hole, Map. And as long as you're following His tailights (and you don't make any illegal right hand passes) He'll get you to your destination...through every storm and road block. And when you reach that destination, it will all be for His glory.... Just don't forget your seat-belt. 'Cause you might just get the ride...of your life. 




Redeemed,
Pj

Chained...

 Well "Hi" Blogger world. Sorry I haven't posted in so long....


Life's been interesting lately... I've been learning so many lessons and come to so many convictions in the past few weeks/months that I think it'll literally take the rest of my life to really live them out.


I've been wanting to do this shoot for awhile...I wanted it to convey the way I've been fighting life. But I didn't want it to just convey despair or hopelessness... And that's why I shot the last picture. 


Every link of my own life "chain" has so much weight, so much control over my life sometimes. I just give up and let it pull me closer to the ground...I just don't want to fight it anymore. 


It binds my hands and keeps me from action. I sit there and all my focus is on what's holding me back...It drains me and I can't seem to see all the hope that's just past them. The Hope that could break them if I'd only let it. 


Real life is hard. Every day I'm faced with so many decisions. I'm becoming who I'll always be. So who do I want to be? 


Someone so laden with regret, pain, shame, guilt, loss, sorrow, and despair, that I never see what He has for me? All that hope, light, joy, peace, acceptance, beauty...they're waiting for me. I can break those chains with the power He's given me and I. can. be. freed. 

Redeemed~

Pj

Concept Photography

Concept photography is a funny thing....

Especially when it's based on a song or written work. Not only do you have to identify with the emotion the author of such a work is trying to communicate to his audience, you are trying to interpret it into tangible, physical objects. Transfer the moods, the words, the saids and unsaids of words into lighting, composition, focus points, tones, and presence or lack of motion. 

You have to convey all of this in one frozen frame of time in a distinct way that will inspire and meet people on many different levels. 

It has to mean something to them too.

Just as a music artist must convey and communicate his ideas and convictions through words and sound, a photographer often does the same with the absence of words and sound. (or incorporating a single word or phrase creatively into a setting.)

Where it usually takes a musician 3-4 minutes to fully encompass and communicate their idea a concept photographer has literally the blink of an eye to capture and display a subject. 

If you want to try concept photography or you're already loving it, here's some thoughts:

After you've chosen the idea or song you want to base your shoot off of try to become the author. 

Read the piece out loud or listen to the song... Even if it's an emotion you've never personally felt (like me and this shot: see here) Try to imagine being them. Capture that feeling. 

Got it? 

Now go shoot it...

and don't forget to try the unexpected.

Here's a recent 12 day shoot I did for a Thousand Foot Krutch album ~Phenomenon.

I feel like I learned so much....just from picture 1 to 12. :) It was SO very fun and I'm extremely thankful to the awesome girl who did it with me and inspired me in so many ways!

Phenomenon

"Down, Here comes the sound, everyone pound your feet to this Phenomenon, Now let's make it loud, let's show 'em all how you move to this phenomenon, roll! Open your soul, maybe lose control inside of this phenomenon, just let your self go, and let everyone know you move to this phenomenon."

Step To Me

"I sometimes wish that I could fly, hold me tight in your arms tonight, I'm sick of livin' inside a  lie, Alright I can't count the time I've tried, stand alone just to lift you high, you're my answer to the question why."

Last Words

"Dear loved one, please listen, this might be the last chance I get, I'm sorry I left you, I'm living in a world of regret, don't cry if you can hear me, I never meant to hurt you dearly, I'm so wrong sincerely, don't stop, take life seriously.These are the last words I'm ever gonna get to say to you, when everything falls away from you. . . take these words and know the world is not worth leaving. . ."

This is a Call

"She fooled all of her friends into thinking she's so strong, but she still sleeps with her light on, and she acts like it's all right on, as she smiles again and her mother lies there sick with cancer, and her friends don't understand her, she's a question without answers, who feels like falling apart. She knows, she's so much more than worthless, but she needs to find her purpose, she wonders what she did to deserve this and..

She's calling out to you, this is a call; this is a call out, 'Cause everytime I fall down, I reach out to you, and I'm losing all control now, and my hazard signs are all out I'm asking you, to show me what this life is all about."

Rawkfist 

"Throw up your rockfist if you're feelin it when I drop this. Show 'em how we blow the spot, Let's make it hot, Let's shock 'em with the bodyrock 'til the party stops. It's time to take it up a notch, and keep it locked, for all the headbangers in the parking lot. Here we come, if you're ready or not. No time to talk. Cause we on the clock bringin that Uhh, Uhh, to your block. Let me show ya where we're comin from, it don't stop, from L.A. to New York. Show me what you got now!"

Faith, Love, and HappYness

"It seems everyone is up in my space, like it's the American way, I run in case somebody takes my place, just another change of pace. I know you think you know a lot about me, but so many wanna doubt me. My eyes can even see the back of me,won't you just let me be.

Cause everyone is falling away, feel like they're stolen from me, wish everything didn't happen to me, all I want is faith, love, and happiness. Everytime one runs away another one's returning, I wish everyone could just see your face. Faith, love, and happiness.

Every which way I turn I've got the option of a million choices, every single word I say is judged by a million critics. Every which way you turn you hear the sound of a million voices. Every single move you make is torn by a million cynics. When will we all see the light of day?

I. don't. know." 

I Climb

"I don't want you to be anything at all, I just want you to say you love me, I don't care, just stop living life like this. I don't want to be anything at all, I just want you to see who I am, and stop the violence. No more silence...  I'm gonna show ya I'm alive, breathing clearly for the first time, take my in your arms, take me to the place you are.I needed time to clear my mind, keeping balanced on this line was impossible before I met you.I climb so high, it blows me away sometimes, sleep tonight, no more cryin. Cause I've got you on my side."

Quicken 

"It's coming to that point, I'm down on my knees.

I'm praying, you can change my life, and change me. 

I'll follow you there, I've got nothing to lose.

Unwind me.Heal my sickness. Unravel this, and 

Set. Me. Free."

 

New Design 

"Sometimes, I feel so alone, it feels like I'm standing out here on my own, and I've never felt so far from home. It's coming on,  it hits me when I step outside my zone. 'Cause sometimes, I feel so alone, it feels like I'm standing out here on my own, and I've never felt so far from home. It's coming on, it hits me when I step outside my zone." 

Bounce 

"Let's break this mold, can't let this hold us, let's be soldiers, no longer let them control us. Boys and girls, together we'll shake the world, if you believe then out it to the sky with me. If you agree there is more to this than what we see and what we know. Then bounce 'til ya lose control, and grab a partner. We about to make this hotter, turn up the heat while we get started.

The time has come now shake up the dust until it settles the sand. Bounce! BOUNCE!

Bounce! Let your spirit fly!"

Ordinary 

"You could never stop this feelin' I've got inside of me. You could never fill these shoes, 'cause I refuse to lose, I'm just ordinary me. You could never stop this feelin' I've got inside of me. I'm prepared to let this go to... let everybody know I'm just ordinary" 

Break the Silence

"No holds barred, can you feel it? Coming along, break the silence, non directional - No holds barred can you feel it coming along, it's on. Hit the switch and turn me on.

You make me feel complicated, sometimes I try to explain the way you took me, turn it all around, everyone will know the minute we let it go. I can't hold it anymore, let's be original."

Stay tuned for more concept albums :) 

You can add me on flickr or see my 365 day photo challenge and previous concept shoots.  (here) 

Thanks for reading. 

Redeemed,

Pj

It's All in the Letting Go. . .

Whether its a relationship, painful news, or a situation completely out of my control I find myself with the daily struggle of letting go. I tend to think I can do things in my own strength or in my own power. Surely MY time frame, means, and desire are completely superior to the Creator of Life. . . 

It goes against our nature to give something up, to turn it over to someone else, to release it from our grasp.

We want control over our destinies to be "free" and be "ALL we can be". 

But guess what? There's someone who sees the WAY bigger picture. His desire is what glorifies Himself and THAT is what's best for you. No matter how complicated a life puzzle seems he can solve it and He'll reveal Himself to you along the way. His ways surpass understanding. 

No matter what you're facing, even if you think you have it under control. Let. it. go. Give it to Him. He'll guide it and in the end. 

There's hope. 

So let it go. 

"I've been holding on so tight

Look at these knuckles

They've gone white

I'm fighting for who I wanna be

I'm just trying to find security

But You say let it go, You say let it go

You say life is waiting for the one's who lose control

You say you will be, everything I need

You said if I lose my life it's then I'll find my soul

You say. . . 

Let. It. Go."

~Tenth Avenue North~

Beauty is. . . Simplicity

It's amazing how truly beautiful something small and simple can be. Simple lines, one color, seemingly insignificant. 

Plain but pretty

Inelaborate but lovely

Unembellished but striking

Simple. . .but Beautiful. . .  

Beauty is. . . Silence

Ever felt that breath of wind on a perfectly still summer night? 

That haunting stillness right before a storm. 

The warmth of someone you love nearby but not needing words. 

On a winter evening when the only sound is your heart beat and breathing. 

Complete and utter stillness. 

You can feel. But you can't hear. . . Beauty. 

Found in silence.

The Search for Beauty

Don't get me wrong. I think make-up on some girls

is really pretty, when tastefully and moderately 


done. There seems to be something about it that


 makes them feel pretty too. I know several girls


 who do an awesome job and don't waste a lot of


 time on it. I just think one of the biggest lies the


 girls in our generation are told is that you aren't


 beautiful unless you've done your make-up.


And, Girls? It just isn't true.

So what is beauty? Stay tuned.

'Cause I wanna find out...