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Tuesday, January 12, 2010

A word of encouragement (and a little teaser)

I still remember my first mean blog comment. I was in the midst of my happy dance over a new comment (seriously, comments excite me, what can I say), when my bubble was severely burst by a mean comment.

I have never understood mean comments on blogs. I don't know why people waste their time with unkind words. Why not say something nice instead? I was reading comments on a blog of a dear friend of mine today and I was crushed when I read one that was mean. I know this girl and her heart of gold, and to see someone accuse her of anything less of that hurt me to the core. I remembered that first mean blog comment and how much it stung. But then I remembered the many many emails and comments I've received from blog readers who have encouraged me and supported me and loved me close up and from a far. So I emailed her.

I am so blessed to be in an industry of peers who invest in each other and encourage each other. I am blessed to be in a place where we can work together and challenge each other and grow together. Thank you to all of you who encourage me on a regular basis. I challenge any of you who are reading this, to take 5 minutes today and encourage someone. Write an email, leave a comment, pay for someone's gas, or invite someone for a cup of coffee... whatever it is, make an effort to be encouraging. You never know who's day you might change.

On a similar note, yesterday I had an INCREDIBLY impromptu photoshoot.
Seriously.

Me: "Let's go take pictures!"
Courtney: "But I'm not even wearing make-up"
Me: "Well then hurry up and put some on!"
Courtney: "Okay!"

Okay, so maybe that is a little paraphrase, but whatev.
Literally 15 minutes later we were driving around the City of Cerritos, looking for SOMETHING that was photo worthy. 45 minutes after that, I had a camera full of beautiful photos, and Courtney had a smile and a little bit of laughter. Something she needed at a difficult time in her life. Here is a little preview (actually a bigger preview than usual)... the full post is coming soon!











13 comments:

Unknown said...

Diandra! All of your photos are beautiful...I really love the background you found in Cerritos in these...and of course your beautiful "subject"! Take care, have a great day...keep up the beautiful work!!

Chels/Catz in the Kitchen said...

I love the background of the last picture. It is absolutely beautiful and she is a stunning girl. I can't wait to see more pics.

Oh how I wish you lived up here so I could have you take pics of my kids :)

Kristin said...

happy comments make my day,too. I haven't been faced with a mean comment yet...but I'm sure that time will come. Thanks for brightening my day :)

kris

Jewelielyn said...

i love the last one! she is a beautiful girl. it is really interesting the way the pattern in her dress is similar to those plants in the background . . .s

Heston said...

You rock and are my hero!

Bianca said...

Thank you, friend. It means a lot.

Furthermore, the pictures are epic. Gorgeous.

Diandra Ann said...

Thanks for all your encouragement guys!
The best part is that if I had gotten a wider angle of this, you wouldn't BELIEVE where we were shooting! Seriously. It looks like a field, but I was standing on a paved sidewalk.

Courtney Pooler said...

Diandra, you just slay me with your hip-hop-rockingness. ;)You just are wonderful to me, and I can't wait till we get to work together again. And thanks for sharing Bianca's talk with me. You know me so well, girl!

Celesa Felix said...

Diandra I am so glad I came across your blog.I think I found it from Modern Type Photogaphy. Anyway.. I just wanted to let you know that your work is amazing. I look forward to reading more of your posts and looking at your awesome images. Keep it up.

. s h e r r y * said...

She's beautiful! <3 Can't wait to see the rest.

-brittany- said...

Gorgeous subject, gorgeous light, gorgeous work! Love it and can't wait to meet ya in Feb!

Cori Derksen said...

beautiful images and beautiful girl. looking forward to jasmine's workshop and meeting you. :)

Laurie said...

I don't understand people who leave mean comments, it makes me sad. You sound like a sweet and beautiful person, and I'm looking forward to spending time with you in the OC!! :)