It's not about me. It's about us.

It really doesn't matter if we are siblings or family.  To me, there always has seemed to be a responsibility to help each other and overall, mankind.  We all have struggles, we all have needs.  Some needs are greater than others.  Some days provide more challenge than others.  Yet, with each of those challenges and obstacles - we need to persevere.  We persevere by helping and lending a hand to those in need.

I believe that is one reason I like what I get to do for work.  Maybe that sounds odd, but I like to help a group come together for a purpose and make things work.  I like being a part of the fabric or glue.  It's not about me.  It's about us.  Different people that come together for a purpose.

Today is Giving Tuesday.  I really like the premiss of today.  It makes people think and hopefully act, although I really would like all to remember that giving each day can make all of us better and can make our world a little better.  So, hopefully you give to something today and as well, start a trend and think of someone else each day.  What a beautiful concept - working together.

So - think about it.  It's really not just about one, it's about all of us.

www.rascona.com

Full of Hope..........

Each day, there seems to be a new challenge that we face, yet I realize more and more - my challenges are so minimal compared to others.  The last few years - Rodney's photography has been laser sharp, focused on human beings, their struggles, their lives and each person's hope for a brighter future.  Today and each day, I try to appreciate the blessings in my life and to focus on being full of hope.  Positive.  Looking for solutions.

Grateful for my life and those that surround me, in work, in life.

www.rascona.com

Letting in all happen........or making it look that way

Do you remember the days of just letting it all go and enjoying the moment, not a care in the world?  Some days, don't you wish for it?  Okay - most days I wish for it, but then I remember - I'm a planner, a producer, an organizer.  In this role - we make it happen for others and make it look "easy".   And so that's how shoots happen that look flawless. 

These young girls were great on set and embodied all the fun that Summer can hold.  So, casting was spot on.  The crew was all that we wanted and so much more.  Styling and propping hit the mark - exactly - and the location, that worked too.  Boom, it all happened and the marks were hit.  Success.

It's all the little pieces that need to come into play, boxes that need to be checked off with care.  Crossing the T's and dotting the I's.

Seamless.

And that's what we do.

www.heathrobbins.com

Blessed.......

Each day - we are blessed by just being able to wake up, put our feet on the ground, look up to the sky and know the beauty of the world around us.

This innocent little boy starts his day in prayer.  In his best school shirt. Eager for the day ahead and yet not knowing what lies outside his immediate realm.  This shot by Rodney Rascona in Ethiopia, for Food for the Hungry - shows how we should take a moment to really consider how fortunate many of us are.  Say a little prayer of thanks.  We deal with many trials and tribulations, but many pale in comparison to his day with his HIV positive mother who are supported through loving volunteers for medicine and food.

We are blessed.

www.rascona.com

Get out there...........

There is just something special about the Summer.  A time to get out there and enjoy all that we have around us.  Yes, of course - we all have to work, but we certainly need to take time to have fun too.  It's all part of life.  Work hard, play hard.

This pic is a little mix of both working and playing.  Eric - as many of you know is a very capable shooter, stills and fishing and a lot lot in between.  He has a passion for the outside and often charters boats taking people out to enjoy fishing and then not only is he the Captain, but he's a documenter of the experience.  He knows the angles, he captures the experience and the emotions.

What a great way to combine passions........work hard, play hard and enjoy life!

www.erickulin.com

www.sanpshotcharters.net

Hope ~ I speak for the trees..........

A sign of Summer, dare I say?  I'm hopeful.

Not hopeful for dandelions, but hopeful for days outside.  Days for shooting on locations locally and making some awesome things happen for clients where we don't necessarily need to travel.  Yes, of course, there will be plenty of days in the studio, that's a given......but days outside, anywhere are wonderful to me.  I feel blessed to be a part of this big blue marble.

Our WORLD is beautiful.  I love the beauty of nature and here we are, challenging our society to have the WORLD do it without the USA's support.  Well, that will not be me.  I stand and speak for the trees.........Unless someone like YOU cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better.  It's not.  ~  The Lorax.

So - enjoy our world and please, have a voice..........we always seem to find it to use in our industry anyway.  Now is the time.  Celebrate and save our beautiful world.

www.erickulin.com

Haitians.........beautiful humans, like you and me.

Rodney Rascona has spent a lot of time in Haiti - focusing on the people.  What a rich country, in tradition, in family, yet by far - the most destitute country in the Americas.  Nearly 60 percent of Haitians live on less than $2.42 per day........could you live on that little?

Currently, our Homeland Security Secretary is considering the expulsion en masse of some 50,000 Haitians that are now living legally in the United Stated.  Think about that.  This land of 10.4 million that is still reeling from the huge earthquake in 2010, the ongoing cholera epidemic and an incredibly devastating hurricane that swept the island only last Fall, may need to deal with a huge influx of humans that it will not be able to handle.

Rodney covers these humanitarian issues.  He covers them on the ground, where they live day in and day out.  Gets to know the people and shows the reality, the truth and beauty of who they are......exactly like you and me.

www.rascona.com

Take a moment. No, really.

Taking a moment to simply drink in all of the good around us.

So life does certainly throw all of us curve balls and with all of the stuff coming at us, it can often begin to feel quite overwhelming.  That said - we somehow have to find a way to rise above it.  For most of us, that can certainly be a challenge.  Loads of pressure, time sensitivity - everything coming at you with high expectations, no room for error and not a lot of time for reflection built in.

Reflection is exactly what you need.  You need to give yourself some time and room.

Why?  Because in the end, if you don't reflect as you are going along, then why are you really doing anything at all?  Take a few minutes to sip the tea or coffee, linger a bit longer on the taste of that muffin and look out the window and see the beauty around you.  You really will be more productive in the end if you really take stock in all of the goodness, YOUR goodness.

A close friend of mine and I were in touch this morning.  She had recently experienced a huge loss and we spent a few minutes together, not that either of us didn't have plenty on our check list of "things to get done today."  Yet - we took the time.  It was necessary.  That set me on the right path of the day - taking time for her, for us and reestablishing how important she is to me and hopefully showing some support for her, when she needs a little love and lift.  Life is important, don't get bogged down by so much of the other stuff that you can't see all of the value that's right before us.

It may be time for another cup, enjoy.

Eat well.  Live happy.

www.heathrobbins.com

A day to celebrate women.

International Women's Day.

A day to celebrate the women in our lives and all over the world.  

We are a part of everything.  We are a part of the fabric that makes the world sing. 

We are proud.  We are strong.  We will overcome.  We will resist.  We will be loud.  We will be proud.  We will collaborate.  We will be inclusive.  We will work hard.  

We will expect nothing, but the best and accept nothing less.

Rodney's world has always focused on a can do approach for all.  

Justice. Humility. Equality. Pride.

www.Rascona.com

So, DO something about it!!!

What to do?  Do SOMETHING!  And that is what many of us are doing.  We will not stand by watching as the world is changing and that can be quite empowering.

As Advertising professionals journalists, we have the power to report, document and inform people and their lives.  Thank goodness for that.

Rodney Rascona is an example of that - he has worked tirelessly over 17+ years in the oddest of place to bring the harsh realities of lives to light.  I had the pleasure of originally meeting Rodney when he shot for Volkswagen - shooting cars all over the place, in incredible locations at the twilight hours for the golden light was what was necessary.  It was an incredible experience where I learned a lot and a thrill was to be had for the long hours, hard work and beautiful finished product that made us all smile upon completion.  That all said, the work that makes me the proudest of Rodney, is the work he's done under the radar, in many ways.  Traveling in 2004 to document the Southeast Asia Tsunami, the hours spent capturing inner beauty of the Haitians after hit by an earthquake, the Ethiopian famine, women fighting for their rights in the Congo and many, many NGO projects, too many to name.

He has done it all and captured these folks sometimes in their harshest hours, but with dignity.

So, here's my call to action for all of us.  We MUST find a way to live out our passion, while helping others.  Find your calling and make it happen.

You can find out more about Rodney and his incredible work, stills and videos:
http://beakstreetbugle.com/articles/view/565/dont-moan-organise

And Rodney's website:
www.rascona.com