A Humble Perspective

We are Home!!!

2009-06-20T19:34:00.000-07:00

After spending 4 nights and 5 days in the hospital, we have finally brought our brand new baby girl home! Things have been crazy, but our little girl is amazing and she and mom are both doing great!

Be sure to check out Ashley's Blog for more pictures and the story of how it all went down. Also, friend me on facebook and check out more photos!

Thank you to everyone who called, wrote, prayed, facebooked, and visited. We are so blessed!

New Blog, New Look, New News

2009-05-29T07:37:00.000-07:00

Wedding season is in full swing, and things are off to a great start. Last weekend I went with Carla, Mike, and Katie to shoot a three day wedding in New York. The bride's family was from Pakistan and the groom's family was from Ireland, and the wedding was a beautiful event that blended various aspects of both cultures. I have a few posts worth of photos, but here is a sneak peak:

As many know, I have been working at Carla Ten Eyck's studio since the beginning of the year. She is such a talented artist and teacher, and it has been an incredible experience working with her. As part of my continuing involvement with Carla and her studio, I am revamping my blog and hosting it over on her server. The new blog features a new look with more features and, best of all, bigger pictures! I am thrilled about it, so check it out and tell me what you think:

http://graham.c10ike.com

As for this blog, well, I am still thinking about what its future will hold. I think I may continue to write and reflect here, perhaps returning to the style in which I started the blog. Stay tuned to see what's ahead.

I am also working with the very talented Rebecca Strahan to have a new logo designed, so be looking for that in the coming weeks.

In personal news, Ashley and I are expecting to meet our little baby girl any day now, and we can't wait! Rest assured that there are many photographs in my daughter's future. :-)

Cory and Vickie: Engagement Shoot

2009-05-27T16:05:00.001-07:00

Last week Ashley and I rode down to New Haven with Carla to photograph Cory and Vickie for their Engagement Session. These two were a blast, and we had such a great time getting to know them and their little pup Ollie. The light was beautiful at Lighthouse Point Park, and it just kept getting better as the day went on.

Ollie loves these two almost as much as the love each other.

He loves them so much that he chewed all the way through his leash just so he could be near them!

One thing that I love about shooting with Carla is that she sees the beauty in everything... including weeds and trailers...

It challenges me to see the world that way. This is one of my favorites:

After rocking the dandelions, we all headed down to the beach. The sun was perfectly positioned to snag some silhouettes.

Something about these old blue windows on white wood siding was calling to me.

Carla was setting up a shot and I saw this from where I was standing. I love the lighthouse and the bird, and of course the cute couple.

Like I said, the light just kept getting better.

and better

This was my last frame of the day... and quite possibly my favorite.

It was such a joy to get to meet these two and spend the day with them and little Mr. Ollie. Be sure to check out Carla's shots here and Ashley's shots here!

Nicole and Matias: Harkness Park

2009-05-18T15:21:00.000-07:00

A couple weekends ago I had the honor and privilege to attend and assist on this amazing couple's wedding with the ridiculously-talented Carla Ten Eyck, Mike Romano and Katie Slater.

The wedding was beautiful and so unique to Nicole and Matias.

The sun broke through just in time for the ceremony to begin. It was a gorgeous day.

Nicole and Matias are two of the most gracious people I have ever met, and you can tell how in love they are just by being around them.

I had a blast getting to know these two and it was truly an honor to take part in their wedding.

Be sure to check out the blogs of Carla, Mike and Katie for their amazing shots!

Jenn and Rich: Engagement Shoot

2009-04-24T08:00:00.000-07:00

Last weekend Ashley and I had an engagement session with our August bride and groom, Jenn and Rich. The weather had been crummy all weekend, but then on Sunday the sun broke through and made for a beautiful day. We decided to hit up a few places that we had scoped out. The first stop was this old textile mill down the street from Jenn and Rich's place. It looked like a backlot straight out of 24.

There were so many colorful accents mixed in with the decaying old brick and concrete.

You can tell these two are so in love!

Ashley pointed out this floating green door and we knew we had to get them here. I love the mid-afternoon shadows here.

Again with the random pops of color!

I love Ashley's take on this one:

I love this one. Probably one of my favorites of the day:

When we were done at the mill, we headed up to a park that Rich and Jenn new about to finish out the day.

Ashley set this up and snagged this shot. It blows me away. Definitely a favorite:

I'm loving these lovebirds :)

We had a blast with these two, and we can't wait to shoot their wedding in August. Thanks Jenn and Rich for an awesome day!

Be sure to check out Ashley's blog to see more of awesome her shots from the day!

Matt and Ali: The Fountainhead

2009-04-21T19:59:00.000-07:00

A couple of weeks ago I had the privilege of photographing the wedding of Matt and Ali with Sarah McCoy and Natalie Nigito. I got to spend the first part of the day with Matt, his family, and his groomsman at their hotel. The ceremony and reception were at The Fountainhead in New Rochelle, NY. It was a beautiful event and I felt honored to be able to witness and document their special day. Here are some of my favorites:

To view this slideshow at a higher resolution, click here.

Be sure to check out Sarah's Blog and Natalie's Blog for their images!

Recent Happenings

2009-04-06T12:53:00.000-07:00

As many of you know, I have been blessed to be able to work with an amazingly talented photographer named Carla Ten Eyck. I recently started a monthly column on her blog that will chronicle my experience of becoming a father. The initial post ran a few days ago. If you missed it, here's a link.

Also, a couple weekends ago Ashley and I met with Carla for a maternity shoot. We were blown away by the images that Carla got. Here is a sampling:

Be sure to check out Carla's blog for more images.

I shot a beautiful wedding over the weekend with Sarah McCoy, so be looking for a post on that soon! In the meantime, check out her blog for some killer images.

Ten Eyck Tuesday: March

2009-03-06T20:52:00.000-08:00

Earlier this week, Carla Ten Eyck held her monthly workshop: Ten Eyck Tuesday. Though I was not a participant in the workshop, I was working at the studio while it was going on, so I was able to jump in and grab a few shots of the lovely Katie Slater. Here are a couple of my favorites:

Katie was an incredible model, and Carla and the workshop attendees got some amazing stuff. Be sure to check out Carla's Blog for her images and links to the others!

Out with the Old, In with the New

2009-02-28T08:34:00.000-08:00

So I just got my new gear earlier this week and I'm loving it! I have been using any excuse to play with my new toys, and my dog Bear has been kind enough to model for me. Here are the results:

and my favorite of the day:

Farewell Dear Friend

2009-02-22T15:29:00.000-08:00

This may sound strange, but last week my wife and I spent a moment saying goodbye to and reminiscing about my Canon 40d. After a long and hard debate with myself, I had made the decision to make the switch to Nikon. Everyone that I am working with shoots Nikon, and I had a friend and fellow photographer who wanted to buy a 40d, so I knew it was time to let it go.

You may be saying to yourself, "It is just a camera, what's the big deal?!" Let me explain.

When I bought my 40d I was going through a rough patch in my life. I wasn't satisfied with myself creatively or artistically, and I felt like I was repeatedly running full speed into a brick wall. I was so unwilling to confront the resistance in my life that I was paralyzed, and I was slowly starting to convince myself that I could do nothing about it.

So I scrapped together some cash and gift cards that I had been given for my birthday and went somewhere that could brighten even my darkest day... Best Buy. I went in determined to buy a Nikon d80, but the sales associate convinced me to go with the Canon 40d instead. I went straight home and read the manual cover to cover while the battery was getting it's first full charge. I had work the next morning, and all I could think about all day was getting home to go out and shoot. When I finally did get home, I went out and shot anything and everything I came across until the sun went down.

I can't really explain what happened next. I guess you could say something just clicked. I had always loved the art of photography, but I was reinvigorated with my passion to shoot. The resistance was still there, but I could no longer make any excuse about confronting it. If I was unsatisfied with myself as an artist, I had no choice but to go out and shoot and learn.

As silly as it sounds, that camera gave me the ability to weather the storm and come out stronger for it. It gave me a clear direction and a sense of confidence in pursuing my calling.

Alright, alright, so maybe I'm just over-sentimental and cheezy, but it really was hard to say goodbye.

So Farewell, my dear friend. You have been wonderful to me, and I know you will be in good hands now!

Liza: Ten Eyck Tuesday

2009-02-06T07:53:00.000-08:00

A few days ago I joined three other photographers for Carla Ten Eyck's workshop: Ten Eyck Tuesday. We couldn't have asked for a better model! Here are my favorite shots from the day:

Ashley: 22 Weeks

2009-01-24T19:53:00.000-08:00

Today I had the opportunity to photograph my all time favorite blogger (and human being for that matter). Ashley is the author of the blog Three Scobeys through which she chronicles her adventures with her adorable dog, her crazy husband, and a fourth Scobey that is on the way.

Here is my favorite shot of the day:

Web Site Launched

2009-01-19T21:51:00.000-08:00

I am proud to announce that grahamscobey.com is officially live! Check it out and take a look around.

In the next few months I will be revamping this blog to be more integrated with my website. Stay tuned for more developments!

Kevin and Joyce: Asylum Hill Congregational Church

2009-01-13T07:27:00.001-08:00

Back in October 2008 I shot this wonderful couple's wedding with Jennifer Fiereck. The ceremony was beautiful and the reception was a blast! Here are some of my shots from Kevin and Joyce's special day:

Things have been quiet here lately because I'm working on my official website which should launch later this month. Check back soon for updates!

Sanctuary

2008-12-09T11:32:00.000-08:00

It is important to have a place of refuge in our lives. Somewhere we can go and close the door behind us to escape the pressures of the day. A place where we can exist as ourselves without judgment or resistance.

It might be a physical location, but it may be something less obvious as well. Our sanctuary might actually be a piece of art, a favorite album, or a book. One might go for a drive or a run to find sanctuary. You might find sanctuary in your family or loved ones.

Where do you find sanctuary?

Jay and Jennifer: Rocky Neck State Park

2008-11-10T19:56:00.000-08:00

It has been a little quiet around here lately, and for that I apologize.

Recently, I have had the opportunity to work with a wonderfully talented photographer named Jennifer Fiereck. Jennifer shoots weddings and portraits here in Connecticut (check out her website here). Here are some shots I captured while working with her on the recent wedding of this wonderful couple:

I am currently offering my services in the New England area. If you or someone you know is looking for a photographer, please feel free to contact me. For information on booking and pricing email me at graham.scobey@gmail.com

To view this slideshow at a higher resolution, click here.

When One Door Closes...

2008-09-03T15:47:00.000-07:00

Sometimes we have a tendency to take a passive approach to our lives. We speak of "open doors" and "closed doors" as if the winds of fate were dictating our direction. We sit back and take the path of least resistance, and then we justify it by saying it was the way things were meant to be.

It is one thing to recognize a closed door. It is another to walk away without even trying the handle.

Hello Again

2008-08-25T21:01:00.000-07:00

So here I am, months after my last post, and I am reminded of my first: there will always be an excuse. I am still here, I still create, and I would still like to share that with anyone who is interested.

Declaring Our Independence

2008-07-09T21:59:00.000-07:00

In America, we celebrate the day that we declared independence. It symbolizes the birth of our nation, when we stood up to injustice and declared that we would fight to protect our inalienable rights as human beings. Yet since July Fourth, 1776 many Americans have fallen under the dictatorship of another kind. We are governed by things like our drive for success, our desire for elevated social status, our habits and addictions, and our need to be entertained. If we enslave ourselves to these things then can we really say that we are free?

What are the dictators in our lives that we should be declaring our independence from?

The Gift of Light

2008-06-25T14:39:00.000-07:00

In life we are faced with two varieties of lights: those which guide us and those which serve as warnings. Wisdom is simply the ability to discern between the two.

Appreciation

2008-06-19T07:27:00.000-07:00

When I had reached the peak of my growth spurt as a kid, I pleaded with God for a few more inches. Even as a grown man, frustration finds me in the form of a stiff neck from craning my head skyward to view the world around me.

It is easy to get into the habit of wanting what we do not have, be it money, a perfect body, or a taller stature. This habit is at the root of many life-altering problems, including materialism, eating disorders, and infidelity.

If I constantly tell myself, "I wish I was taller," "I wish I had more money," "I wish I had the newest ..." then I will fail to appreciate the things I have, and (more importantly) the person I am. I will fail to take ownership of myself: one of the amazing individuals on this earth. I will be hindered from becoming my fully realized self. If this happens, I am doing a great disservice to myself and to the world.

Month in Review: May

2008-06-12T16:33:00.001-07:00

At the end of every month I will take a day to highlight the photographs that have been featured on my blog during that month. I will also be throwing in additional photographs that I took but that didn't make it into a post. This one is a little late, but the next one will be at the end of June. Enjoy!

To view this slideshow at a higher resolution, click here.

An Apology

2008-06-10T13:58:00.000-07:00

Last week I was an irresponsible blogger. I forgot to mention that I was leaving town for a vacation where I would not be able to access a computer. We got back to Los Angeles on Sunday, threw everything we own into the back of a Penske truck, and started the trek from the west coast of America to the east coast. My computer is one of the items in the back of the truck, so my noble hope to publish a sparkling new post as soon as I got back to the states was shattered. For that, I apologize.

I am currently traversing the state of Louisiana and tapping this post out on my cell phone. I know it is a little out of form for my blog, but I felt like I owed an explanation.

Now for the good news: I will be arriving at my home in Atlanta by 2:00 AM tomorrow morning with a camera full of photographs taken in Mexico. It may take me a day or two to get settled in, but I will be back to posting on a regular basis very soon.

Thanks for understanding!

Twists and Turns

2008-05-27T20:52:00.000-07:00

Straight lines can be interesting, but my eye is always attracted to the curves. I am much more drawn to ever changing twists and turns. Even when a straight line or a right angle would be more efficient or more practical, still I favor the wavy lines and the rounded corners. I prefer taking the winding canyon roads as apposed to the straight highway. I prefer the rolling hills to the flat plains.

In the same way, I prefer a life full of twists and turns. Sure, the formulaic highway of life may be mapped out and well marked, but I believe the bends and curves of the less traveled paths make life more interesting and exciting.

A Storm is Coming

2008-05-26T21:31:00.000-07:00

When a storm comes, we feel that the wrath of God is upon us. When the storm passes, we realize that it was necessary for our growth.

Living with Our Heads in the Clouds

2008-05-25T22:10:00.000-07:00

Daydreaming. We all do it. Some of us do it more than others.

Often, the act of daydreaming is viewed in a negative light. Daydreamers tend to be criticized for having their head in the clouds, and for not paying attention the important and pertinent issues. Our society defines daydreaming as an unfocused, unprofessional, and utterly useless waste of time.

I personally feel that daydreaming is a wonderful gift. It serves as a creative palate on which we can mix reality, fantasy, past, present, and future. However, just like the painter who spends his entire day mixing paints to make the most splendid colors but who never touches brush to canvas, if we do not utilize our daydreams than we prove that what society thinks of daydreaming is true: it is all for naught.

In a way, every writer, artist, innovator and great prophet who has ever walked the earth is a professional daydreamer. So are the political activists, the missionaries, and the philanthropists. The craft that they have mastered is harnessing their daydreams into their mediums, and using their various skill sets to connect with and inspire those who need connection and inspiration. They know how to bridge the gap between creativity and productivity.

What have you been daydreaming about lately? How could you use your daydreams to connect with and inspire those around you?

If you need to find me, look up. I'm probably somewhere with my head in the clouds.

Family Trees

2008-05-21T23:22:00.000-07:00

This time of year it is sometimes unbearable to go outside around here. The dry, southern California heat can be so blistering that it keeps even the most enthusiastic nature-lover inside. There is refuge, however, in the shade. When there is a nice breeze, shade can transform a miserable day in the 100+ degree heat into a comfortable afternoon spent outdoors. Even our dog has learned how to run from one shadow to the next when we go for walks, and he often plops down for a break in the shade of one of the local trees.

Interestingly enough, I don't think I have ever thanked the trees for bearing the sweltering rays so I didn't have to. I naturally gravitate to the shade they provide, but often take that shade for granted, as if I was entitled to it.

It reminds me of the shade I have been blessed with my entire life. Not necessarily shade from the hot summer sun, but from the rigors of life. I am reminded of the many trees that have surrounded my life:

My dad, who worked so hard to make sure that I always had the things that I needed (and the things I thought I needed). My mom, who made sure that I never missed a dentist appointment, a paper due date, or a meal, and always took care of me when I was sick despite my persistent whining. My wife, who has always encouraged me to chase my dreams, and has supported me even when they were wild goose chases. My grandparents, siblings, cousins, aunts, and uncles, who all blazed the trails of life ahead of me and gave me so many examples of how to live a meaningful life.

I think I will try and be more appreciative of the trees in my life, and always be grateful for the shade they provide.

In Bloom

2008-05-20T22:51:00.000-07:00

We suffer the hardships, the trials, the rainstorms, and the growing pains so that when we get the chance to bloom we will show our brilliant colors.

Our Life and Legacy

2008-05-18T23:18:00.000-07:00

When you think of a great man or woman of the past, who do you think of? Do you think of a wise philosopher, a renowned artist, a progressive scientist, or an illustrious physician? Perhaps you think of a ground-breaking craftsman, a successful entrepreneur, or a great man of faith.

Most likely, the person you are thinking of is an individuals who pushed their field of study, their art form, their spiritual relationships, or even their society forward into a new age.

What legacy will we leave behind on this earth? Where can we push our world forward? Maybe we will be remembered as brilliant scholars. Maybe we will be thought of as inspired artists. Perhaps people will look back on us and remember how industrious and inventive we were.

I hope our posterity will remember us for finding a way to love each other unconditionally, and without exception.

Our Magnificent Imperfections

2008-05-15T20:07:00.000-07:00

We are flawed people. It is a fact of life. No matter how much we strive for perfection, we cannot attain it. We will never escape our imperfections.

They are often the aspects of ourselves we try to hide - the knots, the cracks, the scars.

We can spend so much time and money trying to cover up our imperfections that we begin to convince even ourselves that they do not exist. And then what? I think we begin to forget who we are.

In some ways, our flaws help define us. They distinguish us as individuals. Our quirks, our habits, and the inner battles that each of us fight every day give us unique perspectives on the world around us. They help us relate to one another and learn from each other. If we can begin to embrace our imperfections instead of attempting to cover them up, think how much happier our lives will be.

Our flaws are beautiful.

Congratulations to the Class of 2008

2008-05-13T22:48:00.000-07:00

"We all go through life bristling at our external limitations, but the most difficult chains to break are inside us.

You have a choice. You can either be a passive victim of circumstance or you can be the active hero of your own life. Action is the antidote to apathy and cynicism and despair. You will inevitably make mistakes. Learn what you can and move on. At the end of your days, you will be judged by your gallop, not by your stumble."

- Bradley Whitford

Shadows and Gaps

2008-05-12T21:23:00.000-07:00

Sometimes it takes a silhouette to draw attention to a spectacular sight that otherwise might have gone overlooked. The shadows reveal the shape and fullness of an object on the horizon while the last rays of sunlight poke through the gaps.

Lying in bed at night, I often reflect on they life I led that day - my own silhouette. The shadows are my successes: The things I accomplished. The improvements I made. The positive impact I had on people. The gaps are my failures: The things I put off. The time I wasted worrying about myself. The kindness I failed to show to those around me.

Tomorrow, I hope that my silhouette is fuller and more defined than today.

Borrowing Paradise

2008-05-11T20:48:00.000-07:00

Picture paradise. For one person, it may be an island in the Caribbean with white sand and clear water as far as the eye can see. For another person, paradise is a log cabin by a lake with a view of snow capped mountains. Yet another might say that paradise is the ice skating rink in the middle of Rockefeller Center on a crisp, snowy night. What someone else may call paradise is a river running through a dense tropical rain forest. Paradise might also be any place where one has their dearest family and friends with them. We all have our own definition of paradise.

Now, ask yourself, "If I lived in my version of paradise, would I ever take it for granted?"

If you are like me, your initial and immediate response was probably something like "Of course not, are you crazy?!" But step back for a second. Look around you. What have we taken for granted today? What might we have been taking for granted for a week now? a month? a year? a lifetime?

We may be living in someone else's paradise. We should appreciate it as such.

Darkness and Light

2008-05-08T23:04:00.001-07:00

I find encouragement in the fact that no matter how dark this life gets there is always enough light to find our way, even if it means crawling on our hands and knees for a while. It is these moments of darkness that test our character, and when the sun finally comes out again, we often find that we are stronger people because of the darkness we have endured.

Cloudy Sun, originally uploaded by A Humble Perspective.

What They Say about Absence...

2008-05-07T21:19:00.000-07:00

Sometimes we appreciate things more when we have them less. In southern California, we are lucky to see any change from season to season at all. About a month or so ago, however, we had a week of rain. Before the rainstorm the temperature was chilly (by LA standards), and when the rain finally stopped you could sense the transition into spring.

When the sun came up the next day, the mountains around Calabasas were so bright with colors that it looked like someone had lit them on fire. The once barren, brown earth was now engulfed with brilliant yellows and deep greens, and the usually smoggy sky was as clear as glass.

Not only did the weather and the scenery change, but the people did, too. Parks were crowded with hikers enjoying the views, commuters drove more casually, children played outside in the fields of green grass, and it seemed like everyone's shoulders lowered about a half inch from their ears.

Growing Down

2008-05-06T19:04:00.000-07:00

When I was a kid I woke up every morning excited about the adventure ahead of me. I would play, explore, create, and discover. I would walk out into the woods, not knowing where I was going, and find my own path in and out, captivated by the astonishing world around me. I would ride my bike as far as I could before the sun went down. I would play sports with my friends for hours, simultaneously wearing dirt patches into the grass and grass stains onto our pants and t shirts.

And then came the day when someone asked me, "What do you want to do when you grow up?" This harmless question would forever alter my life. Now instead of enjoying today I was thinking about tomorrow. Where would I go to school? What would I study? How would I make the most money? What was I passionate about? What would I find fulfillment in? What was I meant to do?

Before I had time to answer the first question I was confronted by the next, and before I knew it my childhood was gone and I was left at a loss for what I should be doing with my life.

I still can't tell you what I want to do when I grow up. Maybe I want to be an artist. Maybe I want to own a business. Maybe I want to be a philanthropist. I know one thing for sure, though: I want to get lost in the woods again. I want to play so hard that I wear dirt patches in the grass and wear out my new jeans. When I grow up I want to be a kid.

Stop and Smell the Roses...

2008-05-05T21:18:00.000-07:00

There will always reasons not to do the things we want to do; the things we may need to do. We have places to be, deadlines to meet, people to please, and before you know it the things in our lives that should be important are the things that are being neglected. We need to take a step back and gain a new perspective on our lives and the lives of those around us. We need to rediscover the world that we abandoned for "more important" things. We need to carve time out of our busy days to stop and smell the roses.

This blog serves as a medium for me to do just that. I have avoided my creative responsibility for long enough. With each post, I will include one of my photographs with a thought from my perspective.