March 22, 2010 | No Comments »
Been out for awhile. Back and couldn’t think of a better headline story than an article from the Huffington Post. Very, Very worth the read.
Be back to post the going’s on of the last couple months. Exciting stuff!
The Huffington Post March 21, 2010
I started working for women’s magazines at the age of 27 and, like any
good 27-year-old editorial assistant, immediately began making
sweeping assumptions about the women above me on the editorial food
chain. One of my biggest assumptions was that a woman could not
successfully manage both a magazine and a marriage. And just forget
about raising well-adjusted children.
Alas. As with so many things in life, in turns out that I had no idea
what I was talking about. Now, years later, I seem to have experienced
a role (model) reversal: after working for women I thought–in my
naiveté and lack of experience–were “bad” mothers, I’ve turned into
exactly the sort of mother I said I would never be.
I have worked for some tough broads in my day. Women who are respected
and feared; women who don’t suffer fools lightly, who brook no
opposition, who don’t take no for an answer. Women who are at the top
of their game, who eat people like you for breakfast. Women who
belittle others in public, just for sport; women who yell at you or
look through you; women who have mastered the wordless, humiliating
dismissal. It has not always been fun working for tough broads, but
I’ve learned more than a few useful lessons. Including, I thought,
precisely how not to be a mother.
For a number of years in my 20s and early 30s I worked for a woman who
is universally regarded as terrifying, both by those who have worked
for her and those who haven’t. One day I was in her office when she
was on the phone with her teenage daughter. The daughter apparently
didn’t like what Mom had to say because she hung up on her. The
teenage daughter, hanging up on the Most Terrifying Person in the
World! It was a thrilling moment for me, on so many levels. Not to
mention a significant signal that my terrifying boss was a Bad Mother;
if she didn’t work so hard and were not generally such a difficult
person, she would have a better relationship with her daughter, who
would never, ever hang up on her.
And then I had a teenager. And one day I picked up the phone to talk
to him while I was in the middle of a meeting in my office, and told
him something he did not want to hear. And he hung up on me. But we
have a great relationship! And I am not a bad mother.
For a few years in my 30s I worked for a woman who is pretty much
universally regarded as a world-class slave driver. One night I was
sitting behind her in a darkened room in Texas, watching a focus
group. As I looked on in amazement, some underling handed her a faxed
stack of papers, which happened to be her daughter’s homework. Still
half-listening to the focus group participants talk about our
magazine, she began methodically going through the faxed sheets,
correcting her daughter’s work. Oh, how sad, I thought. If she didn’t
work so hard and spent more time at home, she would not have to help
her daughter with homework, by fax, from halfway across the country.
And then one day I was on a business trip when my son’s report card
came out. He faxed it to my hotel, with a note and a smiley face drawn
on the bottom of the page. But, of course, I am usually at home when
the report cards come out! And I am not a bad mother.
Growing older is a humbling process, and not just because every year
you are a bit less vital and arguably less attractive than you were
the year before. No, each new year brings with it the greater
understanding that you hardly know anything about anything. Including
working, motherhood, and what being a “good” mother really means. Now
I am a mother of three and run a magazine that is staffed by a number
of women who have children, most younger than mine. I wonder how they
judge me as a mother. When I leave the office at 5:30 to have dinner
with my kids, do they think I am setting a good example, or not
working hard enough? When I interrupt a meeting to take a cell phone
call from my son, are my coworkers amused, or annoyed? When I send one
of them an email before 6 a.m., do they realize I am just getting work
done when I can, or do they think I’m psychotic? I couldn’t say, and
they’re certainly not going to tell me. As my former bosses no doubt
knew, what has worked for me may never work for my colleagues.
Everyone must forge her own path through the briar patch of
motherhood, and you’ve got to find the thorns for yourself.
Last night I was at a company party with another former boss, this one
a man. He was telling me that my biggest strength is also my biggest
weakness, which is that I’m stubborn, I know my own mind, and I always
think I have the right answer. He went on to say that people would
probably describe him similarly; I disagreed. “I’m just older,” he
said. “I think you mean wiser,” I replied. In other words, he knows
what he doesn’t know. Where motherhood is concerned–and, honestly,
so, so many other things–I am still learning that lesson. With each
passing year, with each new boss, with each new stage of my children’s
development, I know just a little bit less.
Books & More From Kristin van Ogtrop
Just Let Me Lie Down
November 26, 2009 | 11 Comments »
It was one of the moments when you find yourself stumbling to say “yes,” way too soon. I couldn’t seem to let her know fast enough that I completely, 100% in some instant way understood what she was envisioning for her wedding day.
“This isn’t going to be huge, blown out wedding.” There are only going to be @ 25 people there…that includes Federico and I. It’s at this small intimate restaurant , with a garden on the side where the ceremony will take place. This wedding will be classy, full of family, friends and celebration; in a very mature, intimate authentic fashion.”
Ahhhh! Can you hear the angels singing?? I knew. I knew that this was exactly the type of wedding I could do. I knew looking at her mom and aunt, who are the most adorable twins I have ever met, that still act like twins, dress like twins and are still each other best friends, that this had to happen. Not sure she knew it but quicker than normal, I knew there wasn’t going to be anyway for me not to say “yes,” to being her wedding photographer.
To be frank, I am just not a commercially-event type girl. Never have been. Ironic that I spent most of my corporate career at the big ol’ Halliburton, but nonetheless the first chance I had to follow my heart, I did. And after many prudes, pushes, and doors literally being swung open in front of my face I entered into the wedding industry very, very hesitantly.
I love to tell a story through photographs. Could do it all day, everyday. And I guess in a way I do. I love a women who knows exactly what she wants and isn’t going to compromise so that she can fit into some “package” or certain “style” that is trendy. Alexandra Skaggs defines this in so many ways- elegance, natural beauty and maturity way beyond her years. I fell in love with her instantly!
After traveling to Argentina…(see? Adventurous!)…she met and says Federico stole her heart, who is just Alexandra’s perfect fit!
The Rehearsal Dinner was held at her Aunt’s house, whom has the most impeccable taste and is a total joy to be around. Her and Her mom are like the Aunt’s everyone should have!
Rehearsal Dinner -
Food - La Vista
Flowers - buckner flowers
The Wedding started out at Hotel Granduca, where everyone got ready and just hung out. Then we headed over to Ouisies, where the ceremony and reception would take place. One other cool part of this whole deal was that Alexandra’s brother was the officiant! He also married her other brother and his wife and officially retired after the ceremony!
Hair - Urban Retreat - Sarah
Make Up - Bobbi Brown from Neiman Marcus (her name was Rhonda)
Music - Mark Towns http://www.marktowns.com/
Flowers - This is Ouisies recommendation - Frances of FM Designs fmdesigns2007@gmail.com,
Dress - Monique Lhuillier from Louise Blum (I think they went out of business)
Shoes - Mary Norton, I ordered from Gilt Groupe
Hotel - Hotel Granduca - www.granducahouston.com - we LOVED the hotel.
Enjoy just a few, well, maybe more like 30 images of highlights!
November 10, 2009 | 1 Comment »
Meet the Webre Family.
Some of you may know them through Cypress TaeKwon-Do. They are the owners and Mr. Robert has been teaching thousands of kids over the years. They are some of my favorite people to be around and they emanate genuine authenticity- which is probably why I love being around them.
Valerie not only volunteers a ton at the church, she also helps run the school as well as home schools both their children; Robert Jr. and Morgan. Unbelievable!
We captured these shots while preparing for the school’s photo shoot (which I will be posting later on this week) as well as some of Valerie and Rob’s 15 yr (is that right?) wedding anniversary! What to go guys!
November 1, 2009 | 1 Comment »
To be asked to capture a day in someone’s life; a day that they will want to remember every detail; is not only an honor for the photographer but priceless to the person asking.
This was my very FIRST wedding contract that I booked all on my own last year.
I’ve shoot many weddings before and after this one, which I will be posting (all week) I’ve been a second shooter many times, even helped other photographers out for completely FREE- but this was my first contract, all on my own. Yea me!
Throughout your life, if you are lucky, you come across people that are just attractive inside and out- you are drawn to them and always feel good after being around them- which was this bride, Carolee Crawford. And basically, everyone that surrounded her; Her Mom and Dad, her fiance Rick Wilson- all of them!
You saw her Bridals here.
Amazing Engagement here.
Now experience what her Wedding Day was like!
Venue: Cypress Chateau
Hair: Marta Dean “Magic In Motion”
Makeup: Stacy Okonski (stacyokonski@gmail.com)
Cake: Cake Affairs & Culinary Creations
Florist: Sabrina
I can’t find the DJ’s business card right now, but he was really awesome!
October 11, 2009 | 1 Comment »
saw this on jen gray’s blog awhile ago. Just read it tonight and it really hit home.
what if your greatest talent,
your very best gift,
the thing that you are best at,
is the way that you show up in love in any given moment of the day?
i want you to know that
if success were measured by how many times you have offered your hand in assistance,
delivered kindness, demonstrated compassion, or inspired hope in another person ~
you would topping the Forbes top ten list.
i know you sometimes feel that because you do not have any specific role to write down on the “what is your occupation” line, or because you haven’t a product or an idea to sell,
that somehow, you are average or mediocre. . .
but truth is,
the way that you love,
and the way your heart sees,
is like a symphony of magnificence…
and there is no mediocre in that kind of beauty…
September 14, 2009 | 1 Comment »
Needless to say no matter how I add it up, somehow my sweet baby boy turned seven last week, on September 3rd. Okay, I think that was the week before last. Yikes, I really am losing track of time. William is just an amazing child, so sincere, kind, curious, so smart~ I couldn’t have asked for a better experience as my first child.
I was struggling with ways to really celebrate this milestone with him as seven is really the age where all the little ooey-gooey stuff no longer is “cool.”
So, I am pretty proud of myself as my two true loves came into play. One is anything to do with my boys and the other is photography!
So, after ALL the boys went to bed, I wiped out six cupcakes and decorated them with small black and white pictures for each year of his life!
Oh! There were so many but I decided to choose some from his actual parties.
It was such a simple idea and it paid off in the most precious way. He woke up at 4:30 a.m. that morning and was in total awe of all the decorations. We got to sit around and talk about each year and party.
September 2, 2009 | No Comments »
One of my favorite subjects to capture are newborns.
Just love them. The smell, their soft smooth new skin, their expressions. Yowsiers! my jaw usually hurts as much as my hand when it’s all over. So it’s only natural that I would have the urge, or rather inspiration from my latest session to design some rockin’ birth announcements!
Enjoy!
p.s. working on a new line of Holiday cards as well…so much fun!
This is a 5×7 postcard that offers single or double sided printing. This is the FRONT.
And here’s the back! yummy!
Here’s a 5×7 panel card, which contains a front, inside front, inside and back side layout.
Here’s the inside.
This is the inside main page.
Here’s a 5×5 panoramic card. It actually folds out with three panels. This is the FRONT cover.
This is the inside panels.
This is a unique size; 8×4 panel card.
This is a 5×5 x 4.25 promo card (which is like a postcard) This FRONT.
This is the BACK side.
August 20, 2009 | 1 Comment »
Probably one of the most significant people in my life has been my father, Bill Sharpless. Every person should have a person like my dad, somewhere in their journey. These past years he has become one of my best friends as well as an incredible influence in my two boys lives.
He blessed us this past week by hanging out here in Houston. Of courese, I had to steal a couple of shots of him and the boys in the studio- you know it was bound to happen!
Thanks Dad!
| 1 Comment »
What a blast Carolee Crawford and Rick Wilson were to hang out with and capture this very special time in their lives! Having spent some time in San Fran, Rick was quite the wine connoisseur! So in planning for the shoot, I always like to put the couples in an environment that they can relax, be comfortable in…I always say the most delicious images are captured when someone can kick off their shoes, let down their hair and just be their authentic selves. Well, shooting in a wine bar was right up Carolee and Rick’s alley!
I actually met Caleb, the owner of Cork Cafe during my time working for Corbin Van Arsdale, during his campaign. Since then, Cork Cafe has become quite a little place of mine to hang out- especially with the free wi-fi! well, the wine too!
You just meet the bride, Carolee …now met Rick Wilson, her fiance’….the two are amazing together!
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