Staying true to my culture, learning about it, and + exploring all its facets are an important part of my life + my work. Also, engrossing myself in cultures of others helps me develop an understanding of all walks of life. I'm extremely blessed to have traveled all over the Western Hemisphere this summer meeting people from the mountains of southwest Mexico to the streets of London to the hills of Lacoste, France. People + their customs are the lifeblood of our world. We learn from traveling, we learn from exploring, + we learn from immersing ourselves fully into what makes us uncomfortable.

This year led me to push myself both photographically + cinematically. I always loved directing + producing video pieces, but I definitely forced myself to do more of it this year. Sometimes, I feel that video better explains cultures + customs than photographs, especially when they are lush with life. I shot video in Mexico + in London (they are embedded below, too) and I am outrageously excited for the opportunities 2016 has in store for me!

Here are some 2016 goals:

1. Shoot more conceptually

2. Get new magazine gigs

3. Break into the Texas/Dallas area food scene

4. Dabble deeper into virtual reality

5. Continue + finish up long term personal work

Again, to those who encouraged, double tapped, read my blog, + pushed me even when I felt like stopping, thank you. Y'all are my motivation + inspirations and again...you mean the world to me. Cheers to 2016!

Rachel + Matthew are near and dear to my heart. They are both teachers at Northern High School; Rachel is the chorus teacher, Matthew is a 12th grade English teacher. When Rachel told me she was pregnant, I think I danced around her kitchen because I was so happy for her + Matthew. We then, as ice cream lovers do, celebrated with ice cream sundaes. From Saturday morning run clubs, to breakfasts, to life shenanigans, to surviving high school students, + doing our best to run up Laurel Hill (FYI: Pregnant Rachel ran it was better than slow-poke me!), I was blessed to watch Rachel's belly grow with her sweet little boy! I was so happy when she asked me to do portraits for her, Matthew, + August.

August Fitz Spencer arrived (late) in our world with gusto! Weighing in a 8 pounds and 6 ounces, and measuring 20 inches long, a healthy Baby Boy Spencer greeted everyone with Abu noises, adorable faces, + sweet, sweet smiles. He loves his daddy's in-house library so much, we think he's going to bypass his toy phase and jump straight into chapter books. He will also have the magical musical talent of his mother. I'm thinking he's going to be a child prodigy. Yes, I think so.

The most heartwarming thing though, is to see Rachel + Matthew grow as parents. Their smiles are full of love and their faces full of pride. Even Jackson is welcoming the big brother role, keeping a watchful eye and supplying abundant kisses to August. Every time I look through their maternity photos but especially August's newborn photos, my heart melts from the love these two, and Jackson, have for their son + human brother.

Rachel, Matthew, + August, thank you for letting me come into your home, drink your coffee, eat your bacon + eggs, stick a camera in your face, and photograph your little family. I'm honored to capture these sweet moments of parent- and baby-hood.