Afrocka ::: The world

My sister helps head up an incredible non profit in Chicago called Afrocka. Her and a bunch of kids all 21 and under have spearheaded this group. An organization that puts on a yearly event to send support over to Africa. They've had SUCH success over the past few years and are even going over on a missions trip this fall to be a part of what they are investing in! While I was in Chicago they asked for me to take there new group photos for the website which of course I wanted to be a part of! I'm so proud of them and the impact they want to and are having on this world! NO one is too young. Check out their awesome **WEBSITE** to find out more about them!! And the event that they put on is coming up this weekend soo exciting! They're raising support specifically this time to build a school in Kenya to get orphans out of the slums. SO inspiring! Check out the amazing team below!

Seeing double...

A couple weeks ago I was sitting on my bed editing some photos not doing anything super important when one of my past interns, Laura Dart called me up to tell me she had just gotten a HUGE job with a new entertainment company here in Nashville and that she had to shoot about 15 full artist shoots in the next two weeks! I was bouncing off the walls excited for her!!! Like insanely excited...I can't even explain how excited! After getting off the phone...I realized I have been down here for 6 months and somewhat trying to get into shooting more artists and have done 4 so far... But you know what?? One of my favorite parts of the bible is when Jesus said to His disciples, "you will do the works that I do and even greater!"
How great is that! He duplicated Himself and when He did they were able to build on top of His success and then make their own!
I think that is what is most fulfilling in what I do... seeing my interns and people I mentor surpass me, winning huge awards, shooting more than double the amount of weddings that I ever shot in one year, getting published, traveling the world...everything.
I realized that I can be sitting here editing and doing little office work stuff and now that I have duplicated myself about 15 times each success that they make they are all my successes too! NOTHING brings me greater joy!

Who are you investing in today? Are you duplicating yourself or just keeping your precious giftings pent up?? Think TODAY who you can pour into and invest in and it will pay you back TWOFOLD!!!

BTW...check out Laura's pics on the sweeeet NEW entertainment site that was just launched on Sunday!! BRITE REVOLUTION.
(most of the pics are hers....you'll be able to tell which ones;)

Volition

Ok...I'm going to catch you all up SOON on what I've been up to...but pictures are being taken faster than I can type! ha!
Anyways...I was on my cousin Lauren's facebook today and saw the link to this short film... I checked it out and was BLOWN AWAY by it! It tells what's on mine and sooo many people's hearts right now in the area of LIFE! It was perfect timing too as a big time revolution is taking place in a couple weeks in DC...partly headed up by my cousins..called Never Silence Life! It takes a serious stand for life.... and the importance of everyone having a choice to live and it not being chosen for them. No matter what your stand is in this area...watch this little movie...you will be in serious awe! I was close to tears! **CLICK HERE!!!!!!**
""Volition (n)- The act of making a choice. Sometimes the choice of inaction has consequences stronger than we could ever imagine. Throughout history, men have been faced with difficult choices in a world that makes it easy for them to conform. This film explores the hope that lies behind every decision made in the face of adversity; the hope that is buried in the heart of those that look beyond themselves and see something bigger worth fighting for.""
Here is the preview.....

Christmas Action.

The past couple years around Christmas time I always start thinking more and more of how I want to do things differently.
We save up money, get BIG bonuses, get more credit, max everything out, wrap everything up, tear it open, look to see if there are any more gifts under the tree for yourself...all in the name of Jesus' birthday...hmm... Doesn't quite seem to match!
Don't get me wrong! I LOVE all the traditions and stockings and shopping it's amazing and so much fun to give, but also through it all remembering and NOT just remembering but actually HELPING and giving to those in need! At my church our pastor is asking for us to cut back on what we typically do for Christmas and give out!! This video is a wonderful example! But not just here...I'm sure there is someone within a mile of you that could use time, love, a meal...just anything! What can you do to change someone's Christmas...and life??

The cry....

If THIS doesn't get you revved up I don't know what will!! My pastor down here ended the sermon this past Sunday with this little side note and it was a MAJOR wake up call to me I almost started jumping up and down! Check it out "HERE" it's only a couple seconds....
Here we just brush these people off as killers, thieves, and liars yet they haven't been raised up in their purpose and THAT is why they are succumbing to this... which sends them down an even farther spiral away from their purpose... thankfully their is still hope... BUT their is even greater hope for those not yet in that!! Who can we inspire purpose in TODAY??? :)

I've been having THE most amazing time the past 2 weeks....like I said earlier...I'm on a sabaticle right now seeking a lot of direction and thankfully God has come through so faithfully and shown me SO many things that I'm REALLY excited about...and I'm REVVING to go and do...yet I have 3 days left and I know that I'm to continue to sit and rest as He's laying a steady foundation in me before I hit the ground running! I love how He works! It's exciting!! I love you all so much!!

World Changing Time!!

Heyyyy everyone! Well I know you all may not have exactly the same beliefs as me in this election area(I really hate politics...it's too dividing..but I know it's still very important to vote...I think us as people making change is SO far better though;).....but to be honest I'm am SO giddy excited....watch the video to see why... especially if you are considering moving out of the country! :)

LOVE!!!

Denveraholic.....

Well...a couple days ago I got back from my 3rd trip of the year to Denver! I simply LOVE that place with close to all my heart! My former intern Laura and I headed out last Thursday for a quick little trip there to chill, take a million pictures and attend a Western Elegance Fundraiser for Volunteers of America! It was an INCREDIBLE trip...I was pretty much freaking out the whole time with the beauty of the mountains, the shopping, and the art scene....each time I go I experience a new side of this place! I love it!Back in January, if some of you remember... I headed out with 6 of my favorite photographer girls to Denver and Vail for a week long retreat...to relax, get to know each other more...and to give back to the community! The first two days we documented Volunteers of America's - Denver projects! It was one of the most inspiring and eye opening projects that I've done! I left knowing that THAT is really what it is all about! A couple weeks later as I had the assignment of slideshow maker for the group I put a little slideshow together for VOA to see and use if they would like....well....did they USE it!! :) They've been distributing it to a lot of their big donators and such.... which was incredible in itself! A couple months ago though...Jim White one of the directors over at VOA who we had worked on the project with contacted me saying that they were planning on showing the slideshow at their biggest fundraiser of the year and that he wanted to fly me out there to see it in action! WOW. I was sooooo honored to attend.... definitely a highlight of my life as there were probably around 2000 people there all watching the show, crying, and being moved so much to donate that I heard later on that is was the biggest response they'd ever received after the show! Gosh I was crying! It's incredible sometimes what we take for granted as just a simple little project becoming something that makes SUCH an impact! My amazing friends are really what brought this whole thing together....Jenna Walker, Shyla, Liana, Crystal Goss, Amy Nave, and Jasmine Star!!! I am so proud of everything that they've done! If you haven't seen the show check it out here
....and here are some fun pics from our adventure this time!Above are some pics from where we stayed and around town....Laura's awesome friend Amie lives pretty close to downtown Denver in this really artsy area, walking into her house was like walking into an Anthropologie ad! I LOVED it! The first morning we had to get up SO early to catch our flight that once we arrived we were ravenous...we found the best little retro breakfast place called Snooze!
How awesome is this sign that I saw on the side walk....just a random DEAD cigarette laying right there perfectly too! ha!
Laura and I had really NO clue what to wear to this "western elegance gala" that we were going to! Thankfully Amie's roomate Virginia was a big time vintage dress shopper and let us use whatever of her clothes we wanted!! I think we were pretty much the epitome of western elegance and a tad bit...little house on the prairie;)
Some country singer was there named Dierks Bentley?? I'm not really sure who he is...but Laura and I thought he was quite attractive so we decided to take pictures to kill some time....
Here is while the slideshow was playing....afterwards they brought up a childrens choir to finish singing the "Go light your world" song from the slideshow! It was UNREAL! I can't believe that this is part of my job!

Ok....I gotta run...still in my PJ's...and running shoes are calling me!! Plus I should probably be a nice friend as I'm in DC right now hanging with my OLD intern Kristen....more on THAT coming soon...but I may just wait a week to post that... just to add to the excitement...;)

Time to take a stand!

If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14
I've been in the last couple weeks just talking and worrying about the next election until I realized that, one...that doesn't help anything...two...I haven't been praying for the election or the next president! What a concept! This election is one of THE most important in probably the history of our country....I challenge you guys to reallly spend some time praying that God's will over this entire process will be accomplished! Prayer brings His perfect will here into the earth! Let's get working and not just worrying!!!! :)

Taking the jump.....into a new season!

Hey Everyone!! This post will be a very good explanation for the lack of posts the past week!...ha!
Ever since I was about 10 and got majorly into music...not just the music my mom would listen to but finding my own tastes, I've been obsessed with Nashville! My Grandparents and family live down there so we would visit a lot and I would always be on the hunt for my favorite artists never actually seeing any of them but wanting to move down there so that I could be "friends" with them! You know the dreams of a 10 year old! lol! After growing up more and realizing that they truly were just normal people I got over my stalkingish faze...thankfully! After years of really pursuing my business and new sisters being born I was pretty thankful I lived where I did..in Chicago. Then about 2 years ago I started getting the Nashville bug again....loving the mild winters, the mountains, the southern charm, and the MUSIC! I guess being a Barlow that comes with the name...;) I've been really into wanting to shoot band photography as my next venture as some of you have probably seen on my blog! I LOVE it...love love love it! Just the creativity that can be incorporated into it is so much fun and SO me!
I looked at my calendar several weeks ago and realized that it was pretty open for the next several months....so I was like why wait??? I really do feel a calling down there and feel like God is really directing my steps down there...which is amazing! I had a concert planned there at the beginning of September that I was planning on going to and several people were like....Why don't you just pack your bags and go down there then?? I prayed about it and really got peace about it, plus my dad totally confirming it and telling me to do it......so I started pursing it and got THE place I had been wanting for the past year! They just finished building this place downtown Nashville in the artsiest area(their building an Urban Outfitters across the street...how much more artsy could you get??) called The Gulch....I determined I wouldn't get the place unless it had a skyline view of Nashville....I know I'm picky but if you spent most of the day at your house you would understand:) The best skyline view condo came available and God provided sooo much for all the doors to open up to get it!!! AHHHHHHH! Soooo I'm moving in on Sunday...yes...like THIS Sunday! It's amazing and scary but I know that when God is leading he is not going to just leave me there....but He is just taking me up higher in trusting Him even more! My family is actually super excited and completely for this which is amazing as we are super tight knit...but my dad's(and his dad's)motto has always been train them up and send them out! We are all sad too...but I will be 10 minutes away from the airport and Southwest is only $49 bucks to fly back home so I'm sure to still see everyone a lot!!
I'm still totally going to be shooting weddings a lot but thankfully I'm shooting more and more out of state so I can practically live wherever! It's perfect!!
Ok...off to packing up my life! :)

Gold is the new black!

I always have loved watching sports movies...when I was little Rocky used to be my favorite! I get SOOO incredibly revved up when I see people have a dream and completely conquer it just like they planned! It gives me goosebumps every time....
I think that's why when I run I like to listen to movie soundtracks because it just gets me so pumped up and ready to conquer the world! haha!
I guess it's no suprise then that I'm an Olymipicaholic.... ever since I was little I have been! Recording everything I possibly could to watch again later...it's just so inspiring!
I've pretty much been completely glued to to the tv this past week watching tons of sports but (HOLY COW) my favorite of them all...... swimming! Michael Phelps is now my new hero! 8 GOLD medals baby!!! With so many people saying he couldn't do it which then got him even more fired up to prove them wrong....it's like watching the best of the best sports movies all combined! I was totally tearing up last night when he won the last race....I couldn't be more proud of him or of our country! It's also so incredible that during the heat of all the political stuff going on with the election how much this brings us all together and makes us so proud to live where we do! GO team USA!!!!! :)

Changing the world....one story at a time.

Last month a group of 7 of us photographers; Jenna Walker, Liana Lehman, Amy Nave, Shyla, Crystal Goss, Jasmine Star, and I headed out to Denver, CO for a little retreat to get away and get to know each other better.....but we decided months before we ever went out there that we wanted to make an impact somehow through photography, on the first day! Since Jenna lives in Denver and had worked with non-profits before she had all the connections and hooked us up with a day of documenting Volunteers of America! Let me just tell you....it completely opened my eyes! It was SUCH fulfilling work getting to see all these people rally together to help the homeless and needy! As their full time job too! I definitely got the bug to do these type of projects again! Especially for people who don't normally have the privilege of getting their pictures taken!
We all broke up into 3 groups to fully document all of "VOA's" projects! My friend Amy and I documented all the elderly people in the program and OMG I LOVE older people!! Amy and I were laughing pretty much the whole time from how hilarious and adorable they were! We also went to a hospital to document foster grandparents who just come there to hold the baby's so they always have physical touch...incredible!! That's us styling our very hard to breath, stylish masks...hehe!

We also got to do our project with the amazing Jim White who works for VOA and has some of the most incredible stories! The best part was working with him and then the next day turning on the TV and seeing him being interviewed about VOA! Too funny! But he and VOA are truly making such an impact in Denver! Here is a slide show that I put together for VOA's promotional stuff of all of us girls pictures!! This was one talented bunch here!! I was in awe going through all of their pictures! Check it out!

PS..The top pic we are missing Jenna and Crystal...since we all broke up into groups we didn't know what the other group was doing...so that is also why Amy and I have SUCH original "I AM's" LOL!!