if i die young

       Today in class my professor informed us that one of our fellow students in Art history, Alyssa Isom, passed away. This came as a complete shock, but I don't know all the details. She was a beautiful girl with big dreams and I never heard an unkind word leave her lips. Alyssa had the sweetest disposition. I can't believe she's really gone. I saw her just the other day at the Art History Assembly - she stood in front of me in line for food afterward. She was a TA for a class I am taking this semester. She was very modest and loved art history. When I see her picture, I keep thinking she is going to walk around the corner at any second. She was my age. In my major. She was about to graduate. It's cheesy, but the lyrics from the song If I Die Young ran through my head. This song hits a lot closer to home today.
       I couldn't help but think what would happen if I died today. A life is fleeting. A blip in time. We are all only one person, but together (and individually) we can make the world a better place. So, what are you doing to improve your world? Live every day to its fullest. No regrets!
       Alyssa was, and is, an inspiration to me. She really loved Art History, and worked really hard on her papers and exams. She was an amazing student. I can only attempt to be as studious as she was. Her passing also makes me think of the clip from the movie It's A Wonderful Life. I don't think any of us realize the amazing change we make in the lives of the people we associate with. The world is far better because we are living. I didn't know Alyssa well, but her presence in my classes made an influence on me, and made me want to be a better person. She didn't even know I felt that way - we were just fellow Art History students - but she really did make a world of difference.

We love you Alyssa! (left)

Bear Lake

Every year since I can remember, I have been going to Bear Lake with my family toward the end of the summer. It started as a annual family vacation, and then turned into a place to celebrate my older sister, Shanna's birthday. I can't remember how it started, but we go eat Bear Lake Pizza one night during our stay to celebrate her birthday. We spend two full days at the lake playing Ultimate, Bacci, flying kites, building sand castles, wind-boarding, reading books, and of course, playing in the water! As we drive out of town we stop by for a famous Bear Lake raspberry shake before driving out of town.
      Here are some shots from this years trip. I used what I learned in my photography class constantly - and even taught my sister-in-law a new trick or two. It was a blast!

lollies for the ride up

the bathroom doors at The Bear Cave

High in the Mountains

Yes, I went on this trip the last week of July and I am just getting around to posting the pictures. Please forgive me - I got a new job and currently it takes up all of my time.

        I took a Nature Photography class (taught by the Outdoor Recreation Instructor at BYU) this summer term. It was fantastic! I bought my Canon Rebel XS off of a friend two years ago and now my photography dreams are closer realities that they were before. Since then I have had the opportunity to be the photographer at two of my friends weddings and one engagement shoot. I still have a lot to learn, so thank you guys for being my guinea pigs and helping me learn the tricks of the trade. My future clients thank you.
        This photography class was but a short six week crash course, during which we learned the basics of the Canon camera, and techniques for shooting photos in nature. The goal of this class was to be able to take a picture and have it look like what you saw without having to use Photoshop. We were only allowed to use it to crop our pictures, but for no other improvements. I definitely know my camera better after this class.
        We went backpacking in the Uintas for three days, carrying everything we needed on our backs. It was fantastic. I haven't been backpacking since I was 16, so I was pretty scared leading up to it. Then again, I always do that to myself; I scare myself to death about the trip getting ready, and then I do fine and have a great time! Silly me. After we got back (and showered) we had a photography show of everyone's favorite pictures. These are my (in my opinion) my best six pictures from the trip. Click where it says "Click here to see more..." to see more shots from the trip.

Tested

I did want to tell the tree what it was. I wanted it to tell me something,
 and through my express its meaning in nature. - Wynn Bullock

Picturesque Lake    7.26.2012

Parched

Trees are the Earth's endless effort to speak
to the listening heaven. - Rabindranath Tagore

Paul's Point    7.26.2012

Uinta Ziggarat

If I could tell the story in words,
I wouldn't need to lug around a camera. - Lewis Hine

Taken from Paul's Point    7.26.2012

Burning Brush

Sometimes I get to places just when God is ready
to have somebody click the shutter. - Ansel Adams

Paul's Point    7.26.2012

Cotton Candy Clouds

The poetry of the Earth is never dead. - John Keats

Teal Lake    7.27.2012

Day Is Over

Photograph: a picture painted by the sun
without instruction in art. - Ambrose Bierce

Taken from Hayden's Peak    7.27.2012