Be Inspired || April 27, 2011 Tornadoes

Most of you have seen the movie "Twister." We all know that tornadoes are a destructive force and that it's probably pretty scary to be in one. Two days ago, the southeast region of the United States was struck by 164 tornadoes in a matter of 24 hours. I live in the southeast corner of Tennessee and the destruction is surreal to experience. Thank God our family is safe and those close to us are too, but so many lost their lives and their homes. This "Be Inspired" blog for this week is about giving back and rallying around the communities that were destroyed.

I had the privilege of helping with the Salvation Army in my town yesterday. The day after the storms was a solemn one at best. Everyone is in shock and we go about our days to the tune of sirens and helicopters circling the city trying to help. We took boxes of sack lunches and water bottles to some of the hardest hit areas. Having only seen tornado damage on TV before this, it was an emotional experience. Mud holes and debris stood where majestic houses and farms once were. People walking around trying to find an ounce of memory from their demolished homes. Photos, documents, dolls and shoes scattered the fields where the EF2 tornado ripped through just 12 hours before.

 

If you are in the southeast region and are able to help, PLEASE let these photos inspire you to contact your local church, Red Cross or Salvation Army and jump in the action to help others who lost so much. 

All areas in the path of destruction are in need of bottled water, non-perishable food, clothing, blankets, tarps, vehicles, housing, funds, prayers and just someone to care about them. 

To those of you who have been praying for us in the South, thank you. From the bottoms of our hearts, it means more than you can imagine to just know that someone out there cares about us. The majority of the south has been declared to be in a state of emergency. Numerous people are still missing in the aftermath. Over 200 have lost their lives and that number is steadily climbing. Please keep us in your prayers and help out as you can.

Get Inspired || Featuring Jason of Redemption Shirts

There are so many people and things around the world that inspire me. As I found out the other day, when talking over coffee with a fellow photographer, we don't all follow or even know of the same people who are truly inspirational! SO... in light of that, I am starting a "Get Inspired" blog that will happen every Friday. It's a great way to start off your weekend and maybe get some inspiration to do something different during the weekend!

For the very first Get Inspired blog, I would like to introduce you to Jason. The beauty, brains and bronze behind Redemption Shirts. Currently based out of Chattanooga, TN, Redemption's heart is to give back to not only the local community, but also internationally.

Jason, Thank you so much for your heart and willingness to help inspire others through this blog! It's been great working with you!

This is Jason.

                          

This is Redemption Shirts.

(Click logo to visit their website)

What are 3 things we should know about you?

(1) My heart is to empower and enable other people and organizations to give of their self and resources for the betterment of those people and communities in need; whether it be through community service, day-to-day relationships, or conceptually and developmentally building organizations and projects for meaningful purposes.
(2) I love my family, friends, and Lord - Jesus Christ. Their grace along this journey in life gives me peace, hope and fullness of joy. Their guidance and discipline continue to humble me and give me the strength I need to face all the difficulties that stand in the way of me submitting to and fulfilling my dreams and calling.
(3) I am an extremely strong-willed person. I am very passionate about life, excellence, Christian beliefs, and living what I believe. I am also somewhat bald! 

Define your style in 5 words.

(a) Personal Style: Relaxed. Independent. Hopeful. Youthful. Trendy.
(b) Style of Redemption Shirts: Quality. Competitive. Progressive. Comfortable. Stylish.

What inspired you to create Redemption?

It was a result of living in a college culture where people and organizations needed t-shirts printed and most people were unhappy with the product and price from the local screen printers. So, my response was, “Why don’t we start a screen printing company?” Through trial and error over the course of a few years, a bunch of cash spent, and a couple hundred clients later we came to see this business as a great opportunity for profit and purpose.

Divulge one of your dreams for your business.

I dream of connecting a network of passionate people and organizations all seeking restorative works in the world. I desire to use the “Redemption Brand” and my business connections, knowledge, and spiritual insight to empower, enable, and disciple (counsel/consult) others in this process of impacting people, nations, and tribes for the common good and to/for the Name and Glory of Jesus Christ.

What do you love most about being in this business?

I love three things equally…haha. (1) The independence I have in this business to pursue my own dreams, at my own pace, when and how I want to pursue them.  The challenge and growth that comes from that independence is a great reward as well. (2) The people I come across from all these organizations, big and small, truly inspire, teach and humble me. (3) The dream and hope of building something that is impacting organizations and people’s lives for good.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

I see myself with an office in Chattanooga, Atlanta, and Nashville for the couple companies I will hopefully have fully running by then. I would like a few employees to be at each location developing the custom screen printing side of Redemption Shirts as well as the “Redemption Brand” that I am in the process of developing to the public. Redemption Shirts should be partnered with a few organizations meeting the needs of thousands of hurting people around the world by then. There is also a collaborative artistic monthly project and organization I am wanting to have up and running within 5 years. I would also like to be doing some entrepreneurial and missional non-profit start-up consulting by then.

If you could meet anyone in the world, who would it be & why?

I would have to say, John Piper. His books and sermons have deeply brought to my heart and life the revelation of the Gospel of the person of Jesus Christ.  

What advice do you have for new creative artists?

Find as many magazines, websites, and artists that inspire and challenge your creative mind and abilities. Build a very deep foundation. Very few people make good money or build a profitable business off being average. Find a niche, hone your specific skill, and seek to be an expert in your field. Study the different forms of art and what you find makes you come alive, and learn from others smarter than yourself…. every single day!

Urban Country Model Shoot || Chattanooga Model Photographer

Like every good thing, this shoot came out of inspiration from various photographers that I admire and follow like a love-struck teenager. (Minus the screaming and fainting!) My cousin was actually a huge inspiration for this shoot, modeling on the weekends just for fun with her friends, she's a gorgeous inspiration for all things urban/anthropology.

Today I had the privilege of working with an amazing fellow photographer from Nashville, Molly of Simply M Photography along with models Livvy and Devante. We hung out in Downtown Chattanooga at Coolidge Park, and the weather was perfect! No storms like expected, instead we were blessed with 85 degrees and partly cloudy!

I want to share with you a few of my favorites from the day, to see more visit out facebook page here.

Tortilla Soup with Shredded Chicken and Dices Avocado

I've made this soup once before, and it was just as delightful to eat the second time! The Pioneer Woman inspired this blog post with her own Chicken Tortilla soup recipe. This is my first time trying to photograph food, so bear with me! But despite what the photos look like, this easy soup recipe is a must try!! Recipe serves four (4).

 

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 small yellow onion, finely diced
2 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
Salt
1 1/2 tablespoons chili powder
1/4 teaspoon ground chipotle powder (You can use Cumin as a substitute)
1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes and their juices
5 cups low-salt chicken broth
2 cups shredded leftover chicken
1 ripe avocado, pitted and diced
Juice of 1 lime
1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
Freshly ground black pepper
3 cups tortilla strips (recipe follows) or 1 1/2 cups tortilla chips broken into large pieces
1 lime, cut into wedges, for serving

 

Directions:

1. Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium heat for 1 minute. Add the onion and garlic, sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon salt, and cook, stirring often, until the onion softens and becomes translucent, about 8 minutes. Add the chili powder and chipotle powder and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Add the tomatoes and their juices and cook for a couple of minutes to heat through. Carefully transfer this to a blender or food processor and purée it, then return it to the saucepan along with the broth and bring to a boil.
Reduce the heat to a gentle simmer, stir in the chicken, and cook for 15 minutes to heat through.
(To cook chicken, take about 4 chicken breasts and place in oven-safe pan. Drizzle with some olive oil, sprinkle on some spice and cook at 375* for about 25 minutes...you can also boil it or just buy a rotisserie chicken and shred it! )

2. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, gently toss the avocado with half the lime juice and half the cilantro, then season with salt and pepper to taste.

3. Stir the remaining lime juice and cilantro into the broth and season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve the soup with a large spoonful of the avocado mixture and a handful of the tortilla strips. 

Afternoon delight || Cleveland, TN Nature Photography

Most of us know spring is coming by the way our allergies act up or by losing an hour of sleep when daylight savings time starts. But here in the Southeast region of Tennessee, things are starting to bloom. It's a beautiful sight to see... dandelions and daffodils, the Bradford Pear and cherry trees, the grass is green and the trees are budding. I went out this afternoon to capture a little of our spring in hopes of brightening your day, wherever you may be!

Put a little Spring in your Step

It's a beautiful day here in Southeast Tennessee, and I'm as happy as a clam! (Btw... who came up with that expression?!) Since I'm in such a wonderful mood today, I thought I'd post a few of my current favorite things :)

 #1. We Could Happen - AJ Rafael


#2. Cookies and Cream ice cream. I mean really...who doesn't love it?!

#3. Handmade cards. I got a Valentines card from my Grandma that she made out of scraps of paper she had lying around. I LOVE it! It's actually a decoration on my desk now :)

#4. Warm weather in February. There were crazy amounts of snow in December and January here in TN, and it's SO nice having 60*-70* weather!

#5. Photographers For - This is an organization that I am working for now that connects photographers with non-profits that need media help. Check it out @ www.photographersfor.org

Hope you all have a wonderful Sunday!

Been a long time coming

I know it's been a few months since I last updated this. A lot has been going on in life, some good, some not so good. But, I've come out on the other end stronger than ever!

First, some updates:

• Our website has gone through a remodel and is now easier to get around to find what you're looking for. So stop by and drop us a note just to say hello!
• We will be having a booth at the Lee University Community Showcase this August, so if  you're in the Cleveland, TN area, we'd love for you to stop by and enter to win a free session!
• Weddings are already starting to book up for 2011 and 2012, so get your date booked as soon as possible!

Next up, we've got some great new products!!

We are now exclusively offering KISS books and Organic Bloom frames!

• All portrait and wedding packages now come with a KISS coffee table book

Thank you all for hanging in there while we've gone through some changes. I look forward to hearing all of your input and just getting to know you a little better!