This past winter my family made a last minute decision to travel back east.  My husband wanted to see his father who has had some health issues. So without any hesitation we canceled our original plans of going to sunny Newport Beach and booked red-eye flights, rented a van and weathered the bitter cold in Washington, D.C.  Despite the cold our hearts were warmed throughout the 5 packed days we spent with family as we reminisced, laughed a LOT and learned about family history. We managed to fit in some sightseeing, eat some famous Ledo's Pizza and bring in the New Year with dear friends.

While we were there my father-in-law loaned me his book about Steve Jobs.  The book has surprisingly inspired me to reflect on what's important in life and specifically in my photography journey.  If you haven't read it I highly recommend it.  In a little bit of coincidence this past December I had the unique opportunity to meet Steve's son Reed at an event I photographed.  He is the spitting image of his father (I am not at liberty to publish the full photo at this time) and wondered if the apple doesn't fall far from the tree.  

Reed Jobs

In my state of reflection from reading, reminiscing, traveling and the whole New Year shebang I started jotting down what I want to keep top of mind in my photography journey.  I've paired some of my favorite snapshots with what I want to highlight and remember:

ONE | Stop and admire the dew drops on the flower petals.  Look at things with a new lens.

Stop and admire the dew drops on flower petals. Look at things with a new lens.

TWO | A new path is just waiting to be carved out by you, no one else.

A new path is waiting to be carved out by you, no one else.

THREE | Take naps and dream.

Take naps and Dream.

FOUR | Welcome new challenges with wide open arms.

Welcome new challenges with wide open arms.

FIVE | Work Hard, Play Harder.

Work Hard. Play Harder.

SIX | Breath in the sunsets.

Breath in the sunsets.Breath in the sunsets.

SEVEN | Reach for things that are outside your grasp.  Eventually you'll get there if you keep trying.

Reach for things outside your grasp. You'll get there if you keep trying.

EIGHT | Life is NOT a race to the finish.  Have an endless bucket list of things to do.

Life is not a race to the finish. Have an endless bucket list of things to do.

NINE | Be Thankful.  Give Thanks.  Pay it forward.

Be Thankful. Give Thanks. Pay it forward.

TEN | Be different, it's more fun.

Be different. It's more fun.

ELEVEN | Laugh with abandon.  Often.

Laugh with abandon. Often.

TWELVE | Kiss your loved ones.  Everyday if you can.

Kiss your loved ones. Everyday if you can.

THIRTEEN | Embrace the future, Respect your past.

Embrace your future, Respect your past.

FOURTEEN | Believe in yourself.  Believe you CAN. Believe in yourself. Believe you Can.

FIFTEEN | Surround yourself with dear friends.  And furry beings.

Surround yourself with dear friends. And furry things.

SIXTEEN | See the forest through for trees.

See the forest for the trees.

SEVENTEEN |  Look for the good in everything.

Look for the good in everything.

EIGHTEEN | Sing like you're in a rock band.  Don't worry if you're off key.

Sing like you're in a rock band. Don't worry if you're off key.

NINETEEN | Amazing things can be achieved by one small being.

Amazing things can be achieved by one small being.

There's nothing new in these rules I've put together.  These are things that inspire me today, right now.  When I need to refocus these reminders will serve as reminders in my journey in life and as a photographer.