moving!

Yesterday we moved.

And I cannot wait to show you the new house and it's process of becoming ours once I get a new computer!!!

Until then, I'll show you what's going on at work. We've recently opened O. Winston Link's darkroom, and it is so interesting. If you are anywhere near Roanoke and have an interest in photography, you must stop in to see it. I'll post my photo of it here.

I'm also doing an article for TravelHost magazine (photos + story) so I have a photo of the museum that I just took an hour or so ago that I'll post as well.

I've been totally slack about posting, and I felt bad about it, but then I remembered I do this for fun. Not because it's my job. So, I bet I'll be posting more because now I'm remembering how fun it is.

at the Center

When I first moved to Roanoke, I worked at a nonprofit community center that supports an afterschool program for underprivledged kids in the city as well as emergency services for working families that need help. This month they are one of CITY magazine's nonprofit spotlights, and I'm really thankful to have been able to shoot the pictures for the article.

these are some of the girls that were in my group when i worked here. they are so fun. they were also so excited about being "models" which made it even better. i hope they choose this shot for the article.

cya CITY

today is my very last Wednesday with CITY magazine. and although I will be a little sad to leave, I'm happy to be doing it on good terms (which seems to be rare around here). I haven't told snap! yet, but I was offered the marketing coordinator job at the O. Winston Link (historical photography) Museum here in town, and I'm not sure I could have been more excited. I start Monday, so wish me luck!

I received my copy of Photographer's Market '08 and if you are anywhere close to where I am, just starting out in the photography business, you need to buy it. it was something aroun $15 on amazon and it will be a valuable reference for sure. it makes the business end a lot more understandable and not so intimidating. which is nice.

also found google reader today, if you haven't seen that yet, check it out. it will help you keep up with all the different places you want to keep up with on the web. which is also nice.

I'm shooting this afternoon for a fundraiser in the area benefiting underpriveldged kids in SE Roanoke, so hopefully I'll have something for you to see. But for now, here's something for you to read.

"There is always something to do. There are hungry people to feed, naked people to clothe, sick people to comfort and make well. And while I don't expect you to save the world, I do think it's not asking too much for you to love those with whom you sleep, share the happiness of those whom you call a friend, engage those among you who are visionary, and remove those who offer you depression, despair, and disrespect." -Nikki Giovanni

she loves giving kisses.

she loves giving kisses.
Originally uploaded by alliehasson

and greta should be on here too because i love this photo of her. today i ordered the "war of art" to help me win my inner creatives battles..

we'll see. i'm hopeful. and fighting resistance always.

you would love him.

you would love him.
Originally uploaded by alliehasson

one of my favorites of sampson taken so far. this day it snowed 6 inches, which is a lot for the roanoke valley of virginia, so i was thrilled. thrilled enough to take the day of from work at CITY magazine. thrilling!

i'm going to try to be a better flickr'r frm now on because i love it, and i want to do more things that i love more often.
so stay tuned.

Keeping Your Word

"Everything in life is a battlefield. Fight with anger and you are the problem. Fight with joy and you are the solution." --Santana (I think)
I was reading today about relationships and keeping your word. It was talking about how important it is in relationships in life to follow through with what you say because everytime you don't, you chip away at the foundation of what you share with that other person. It also struck a chord with me because it talked about the importance of being able to count on people and that's true. If you can't count on the people that you love then what do you really have?

introducing Ben

for christmas i struggled endlessly over whether to get my mom a dog or not. "it's such a huge commitment," i thought. and "are you sure?" i heard from people i had talked to about it. i was met with more doubtful reactions than i would like to think about now. i definitely was not sure, and doubtful myself, but something just told me to check the times once more before erin and i ventured out on a last minute shopping trip on the 22nd.

and i'm so glad i did. because that fateful ad led me to our beautiful sweet ben. both my parents are thrilled and i am so happy to be able to have been a part of bringing him into their life. i received an email from my mom today that erased any doubt i ever may have had. she wrote, 'you changed my life, thank you". i almost cried. i'm so thankful for the christmas we had together, i can't remember one that i enjoyed more (and i have had some good ones).

so here is one of ben's first photographs. i think he'll become pretty used to being a model because i'm starting him out so young. best.