I had a wonderful bible study last week with my friends. One question that stuck out to me from the book we are reading was this : “How would you ever learn unconditional love if you were married to someone who met all the conditions?” Being married and being a mother does not mean that everyone in this family is perfect. Or perfectly suited in personality to me. The older my kids get the more I realize this. My Father in Heaven has sent all these spirits to me and my husband. They have a myriad of different personality quirks and traits. I loved each of them from the moment they were placed in my arms, but as they grow up and we butt heads, I have to learn to re-love them.

Unconditional love actually sounds like an attainable goal when you talk about about your own family members. But what about the billions of other humans that populate this world? What about those who disagree with us on matters of faith, politics and morals? Can we learn to love them unconditionally? I wonder if it is possible for me. I love to read. I recently read A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini. It is fiction, but fiction based on a real place and real situation. A situation that before reading the book I would have said influenced my life greatly. My viewpoint changed reading the book, I saw from the side of others, people who were raised in a completely different world than me. Perhaps that is the best kind of unconditional love I can have. To listen to another’s viewpoint, seek to understand it and respect them.

As always I am SO grateful for the artistic journey of my life and the opportunity to capture my love and the beauty of the world around me, in my own home and in the places I travel to. I am loving getting to know so many other photographers throughout the world and am excited to be participating in a blog circle with some of my photographer friends.  We’re linking to each other’s posts, so you can check out what they’re up to. This month, I’m linking to a fabulous photographer who lives in my favorite place : England! She is sharing a beautiful family portrait session this month. Click here to check her out : Newborn and Family Photography in Reading, Berkshire

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I became slightly obsessed with the subway system while I was in Moscow. Apparently a huge project of the USSR, Stalin made them all beautiful and called them the People’s Palaces. The detail and artistry put into just about every station I saw was amazing. It was a cool experience to feel like I was walking through an art museum or amazing architectural building every time I was getting from point A to point B. I made a project out of it and I hope you enjoy these images from underground. Click on the linked text to order a fine art print from my travels around the world.

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Are you looking for an awesome spot for a family reunion? A getaway where you can slow down and relax? Check out this gorgeous historical home my parents own and rent out in Lakebay, Washington. It is right on the water and boasts amazing views and quiet seclusion. With three homes on the property there is plenty of space for an extended family to spread out and enjoy. You can rent the home here.

Interiors is not something I do often and I always feel like the photographic industry tells me to specialize, specialize, specialize. What can I say, except I specialize in not specializing? It was fun to do something totally different!

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