Being Selfless

Some of you know that my brother Ian and his wife Priscella decided to become foster parents this year, they went through a rigorous class and approval process in Arizona. The stork visited them in April and brought them two little bundles of joy, Sebastion (3) and Claudia (6 months). It's not my story to tell so I won't get into the details behind what led to their arrival, however I have say that I believe being a foster parent is truly the definition of being selfless. To invest your entire heart and life into two little people without ever knowing what tomorrow will bring is the description of modern day heros.

I was thrilled to be home to celebrate Claudia's 1st birthday which was celebrated in style at Meemaw's house. We stripped her down to her diaper, put her on the counter, and let her have her way with her cake. She was alittle slow to get started (cake is a messy business you know) but by the end of 5 minutes we had the makings of a major chocaholic in the works. I was thrilled to be home and share this special moment with her and her family. Ian and Priscella, I am so proud to call you my brother and sister.

Living in the Moment

My wonderful husband bought me the Nikkor, 105 macro lens for my 28th birthday. I received while visiting my 92 year old grandfather and shot this portrait of him one morning while we sat in his kitchen watching the price is right.

I readily admit that I often feel frustrated by being the "designated" family photography, but in this case I felt honored to shoot this portrait prior to my departure to Zambia. It made me think that perhaps I should take this holiday season to document the pleasures of family perhaps even jump into the unknown and do some audio work as I just got a recorder. As ready as I am to get on with the next adventure, I have to remind myself to settle, breath, and simply enjoy the moment.

 © Crystaline Randazzo Photography - All images are copyright of Crystaline Randazzo and in no way are to be used by Google, Google Advertisers or any third party. These are not your pictures. Steal them and I will sue you.

Inspire Me Monday: Half the Sky

While on my travels I've been catching up on some reading,  I am currently hooked on a book called Half the Sky: Turning Oppression Into Opportunity For Women Worldwide by Nicholas D. Kristof and Sheryl Wudunn who won the pulitzer price.  In the book they lay out an agendo for the world's women focusing on three particular abuses: sex trafficking and forced prostitution; gender-based violence, including honor killings and mass rape; and maternal mortality which still needlessly claims one woman a minute.

This book has blown me away, not because it address issues affecting women around the world, but perhaps I am enjoying it so much because the number one solution offered is education! Women around the world are viewed as second class citizens, they are less valued than the men in their communities. The complexities of these situations are not lost on the authors and they acknowledge that both men and women buy in the cultural viewpoint that women should be less valued, but there are amazing individuals out there who are making a difference by their sheer will. I challenge you to read it and be inspired!

Inspire Me Monday: The Girl Effect

So I have been a total slacker on my blog for the last two weeks, my only excuse is that I have traveled through 12 states, 2183 miles, and 38 hours of drive time. It has been an adventure and I have got to see some of my all time favorite people and places. I am almost done with this road trip but will be traveling to Arizona where I will spend a month at home with my family, helping my aunt who is recovering from surgery and  hopefully getting to experiment with some of my new audio gear!

Anyhow this Monday, I am feeling especially inspired by women. I feel so blessed by all of the women in my world. I attribute this to the fact that I got to see some of my all time favorite ladies on this trip. Here is a special shot out to: Carrie, Leah, Ashley, Leighanne, Nicole, Judy Deaton, Linda Stricklin, Judy Daniel, and Linda Washington. The truth is my life is more enriched be being touched by these woman, but when I was thinking about this I kept coming back to this video I saw a few weeks back called The Girl Effect.

Women are affecting the world in a big way, and when organizations help women they help more than individuals, they help families and communities. 

http://www.girleffect.org/share/the-big-picture/the-girl-effect-ticking-clock?sms_ss=email&at_xt=4ccb211d52baebbe,0

It is so worth watching and thinking about the big world picture of how women affect the world. I hope you are inspired fema-nazi style by the power of women. I know that I am!

Inspire Me Monday: Autumn

Happy Monday friends! Today I am inspired by the gorgeous turn in weather, we are heading toward my favorite of the four seasons....Fall! I know that normally I put up some fantastic photography, but today I decided to break inspiration down to its simplest form. This is the time of year where new ideas are flowing, and my motivations are in full force. I don't know what it is about this year, but I think it has something to do with the fact that I lived in perpetual summer in Haiti. But the weather is so inspiring, I cannot bear to stay indoors.

I love the fact that I can disappear for an hour or two with my camera in hand and come back inspired and refreshed. In my heart, I am dreaming about pumpkin carving, Halloween costumes, and apple cider. I hope that you can also tear yourself away from all that is going on in your life, and take a drive through the beauty of the changing seasons, that hour could inspire your work for the rest of the winter.

Inspired Me Monday: Walter Astrada

This week I got to see the newest multimedia piece on http://www.mediastorm.com/, it's a piece by photojournalist Walter Astrada on the mistreatment of women in India. I know I was certainly unaware of the situation in India. You can see the full story here: http://mediastorm.com/publication/undesired

Each time I see a story like this I struggle to walk the line between showing the reality of the situation without exploiting individuals in a negative/dangerous way. Throughout this story I was horrified by certain photos, but I could not help but to connect with them emotionally.  I can see the strides and the work that this piece must of been for both Walter Astrada and Media Storm.

This week I walk away from this project considering the bravery it takes to make others aware of what is going on in the world. It takes you harnessing your own emotions and using them for the benefit of others. I hope that we can all have the courage to tell the story for individuals who cannot tell their own.

Words to Inspire

"Creativity is piercing the mundane to find the marvelous!"

- Bill Meyers