Thistle Farms. Ghana. Nashville. Stories.

Hi friends! This post is about a life changing organization I got to work with while I was in Nashville, TN called Thistle Farms. Thistle Farms is a social enterprise of Magdalene, which is a residential program for women who have survived lives of prostitution, trafficking, addiction and life on the streets. You know sometimes you just have those experiences that totally catch you off guard and you feel like you are right where you are supposed to be...well, that sums up my day spent with the women at Thistle Farms. Keep in mind, most of the time when I travel I go solo...just me and my camera. I like to get lost and meet people. So I made my way to their manufacturing facility in Nashville and had no idea what I was in for...but I was so excited to document the stories of these women and learn about the products that they've created [image on the left is a shot I took of a product I watched them create and package while I was there.] I was greeted right a way with a huge hug and "are you steph...the photographer?! I got my hair done for today!" And just like that I was in....lost in this amazing adventure. If you know me well...I don't cry very often. Let's just say I cried like a baby while sitting down with 2 of these women and hearing their stories. We cried together and hugged each other. Life is about connection. I had a "ah ha!" moment while sitting on that couch....I never EVER would've been sitting there listening to these amazing women tell me what they've been through and how proud they are of what they make if I had been sitting in a cubicle. It was a friday at 2pm...I am so happy I was far from what used to be comfortable and familiar. I am in the unknown everyday and it keeps me on my toes. Can't wait to share more about my entire Nashville trip soon! I left that day with a bag full of wonderful products, candles, a handmade journal, a happy heart and a bracelet I wear everyday that was made by women in Ghana. What an amazing creative trip. Follow Thistle Farms on Twitter. 
Currently listening to: 38 Special- Second Chance.

Bored With Life?

"Are you bored with life? Then throw yourself into some work you believe in with all your heart, live for it, die for it, and you will find happiness that you had thought could never be yours." - Dale Carnegie

Wow, does this quote sum up my life or what?! For those of you who know me well or have been following my story you will understand that. Here's the thing...I have so many things running through my brain right now but I will try to keep this blog short and sweet. 2 years ago I quit my job as Social Network Evangelist for one of the biggest surf companies in the industry. Hurley is an amazing company to work for and I spent almost 3 years working at their headquarters in Orange County, CA. Before that I worked in Human Resources at a hospital in CA....cubicles, business suits & heels...climbing the corporate ladder towards VP of HR. I had no idea what I wanted in life...I worked hard and made a good name for myself within the healthcare system but there was absolutely no passion in what I was doing. When I got offered the job at Hurley I quit in a second...this job was fun, I could skateboard around the office and I worked with amazing athletes, bands and celebrities. Just like at the hospital, I worked hard...I moved up in the company but something was missing. That feeling in my bone marrow that there is something MORE....hmmm something more rewarding. I needed to do something that made a difference, that was fueled by the passion and drive in my heart. I wanted to make my own schedule and have more time to volunteer. Out of the blue...I handed in my letter of resignation at Hurley and shocked a few people. One of those people being myself haha. I got a lot of "who quits a dream job like working with Hurley, Nike and Converse?! Who gives up that paycheck and the perks of working in that industry and not have something lined up?" I had no idea what I was going to do besides move somewhere random and make money [hopefully] but taking photos, making art, music, designing ANYTHING that utilized my talents. It was a test....I wanted to see if i could "make it"....if I could survive doing things that I love.

Here I am today in Dallas, TX... 2 years later and I just got off a conference call w/ my business partner [yes, I own a business now! and the story of how our worlds collided is so incredible] and an executive for an organization that wants to hire us to shoot their conference. Let me just say....to answer that question from earlier....A crazy person. A crazy person quits a 'dream' job. I had to chase my dream...and my dream at that time was to travel, take photos, meet new people and hear their stories. That is EXACTLY what I am doing....it IS worth it...if you feel stale on the insides, if you want something more in your career...take a risk. It's the risk takers that make a big impact and it is so much more rewarding when you have taken that leap into the unknown and make something of yourself from absolutely nothing. Last weekend we shot a 3,000 person event for a large organization [Womens Food Service Forum] and met a ton of amazing leaders in that community. Listening to Presidents and CEOs of companies like Starbucks and Cinnabon speak about social media strategies...wow, right up my alley! Such an inspiring event and I am so happy that I have connected with such wonderful individuals and that I get to work with them in the future. As of a couple hours ago we just booked another event with Summer Brand Camp in Dallas, TX. So I encourage you....if you hate your job, change it....do something you love and tell your story. Tell it to everyone:) Big things are happening....I knew 2012 was going to be a good year. So blessed. Hugs!!

2011 from Steph's iPhone.

I appreciate everyone who made 2011 a great year. Ready for 2012♥

remember that one time i...

went to NYC in January 2011 but got stranded in a snow storm in Chicago and knew absolutely no one there and had to stay overnight? I made this video of my trip and the fun people I met along the way. [fun fact: i ended up sleeping in a rad loft overlooking Chicago and that silver egg thing in Millennium Park.]

my new business...yep, I own a business!

Ladies & Gents please click HERE to visit & hopefully "like" TreeHouse Weddings. We like to take pictures of people in love.

Annnnddd....click HERE to see our most recent wedding in Orange County, CA. XoXo

where have i been?

ALL OVER THE PLACE. [i'll tell you about that later tho]

This is what I look like drinking a beverage on a Virgin America flight to CA.



Currently, I am sitting at Russ' kitchen table in Huntington Beach, CA getting nerdy...we are working on redesigning my website. Less is more. "Keep it Simple"... It's Vermont's state logo and I love Vermont. I started a new business in Dallas, TX and we photograph weddings world wide. Follow the adventure here.

I am in Orange County for business & pleasure...which really, let's face it...these days are the same. I love what I do. My business partner and I shoot a wedding in San Clemente on Sunday. This is just a post to remind you guys I am still here. Trust, there will be more of Steph in your near future...just sit tight and give someone a hug.

<3

Timing & Donald Miller.

I only recommend books every once in awhile. This one...really came into my life at the right time. It's been on my bookshelf for over a year now. One evening in 2009 I was dodging cars in Greenwich Village in New York heading to meet some friends for dinner at Benito One in Little Italy. I was on one of my "solo adventures"...exploring the city all alone. I loved these trips. They were dangerous. They were full of life. They are the ones that seem to stick out in my mind the most. My plan was to eat dinner, have a glass of wine then I was off to see new things. After dinner, I quickly ducked into Barnes & Noble and ran right to this book...I had been wanting to pick it up. I went to a local coffee shop and sat myself down for hours. Reading. When later my friend Andrew, whom I had met on my last trip to the city, met me and he talked about how he was thinking about studying abroad in Buenos Aires. It was only a spark in his eye then. I got back home (California at the time) and got busy. This happened for a reason. I needed that section of the book in November 2009...shortly after that, I quit my 9-5pm job and decided to start something new, to begin a new chapter in my story. Recently, I saw this book on my bookshelf...so much has changed. I am now living alone in Dallas, TX...doing work that I love, away from my family, but meeting amazing people and seeing new places everyday. I read the last half of the book last night and this morning. Over a year later and it's EXACTLY what I needed to hear when I needed to hear it. I went back to the city a few months ago and Andrew and I said our goodbyes, we barely caught each other...he was off to Beunos Aires to write more of his story. I admire that in people...it takes courage. I challenge myself daily to live a more meaningful story, and so should you....anyway that you can.

I really suggest getting "A Million Miles in a Thousand Years" and reading it. I want to hear your story...I want to discuss this book with someone. I'll be reading it again soon. (click the image to buy)

What story are you telling? from Rhetorik Creative on Vimeo.

Papa's 80th.

This weekend I went on a roadtrip with my family to visit the entire Grant family in Elk Grove, CA. I sure do miss them. I tried to document a majority of the trip. I am sure they were all getting annoyed with a camera in their faces, but I am sure the video will be with it. Here are a few screen shots from my weekend. Happy bday Papa. I <3 You.

East Coast SOLO ADVENTURE!

Last month I decided to go all by myself to the East Coast‭. ‬Baltimore‭, ‬Philly‭, ‬Delaware‭, ‬Connecticut‭, ‬Rhode Island‭, ‬Boston‭ ‬&‭ ‬NYC‭. ‬Needed a vacation‭...‬new scenery mostly‭. ‬About a week before I left I decided I would throw something together in an attempt to‭ ‬test something out‭ (‬which will remain confidential for the time being‭). ‬I wanted to see how many Hurley fans I could find while‭ ‬I was there and I would give them free stuff and interview them‭. ‬Didn't really expect to find many‭. ‬Threw out a line and got a‭ ‬bite‭....‬a big bite‭. ‬Making cupcakes in NYU students apartments at midnight‭, ‬playing drums on Bleecker with new friends‭, ‬having coffee and breakfast with strangers for hours‭. ‬Really‭, ‬this trip goes down in my book as one of the best trips ever‭...‬solo adventures are where it's at‭. ‬I got to hear so many stories that will stick with me forever‭...‬and THAT is what life is all about‭. ‬check out the video I threw together of some of the awesome people I met on my trip‭. ‬One day I hope to do this for good and by the way‭...‬the still shot of my face on this video is amazing haha‭.‬

1 COMMENTS:

corykhill said...
India... Steph should go to India. I'm just sayin.

unbound i go.

"We went on a road trip for 30 days to 30 cities filming stories of people around America. This film is a compilation and summation of that journey." - duckduckcollective.com

This film was shown in San Francisco on October 17th and NYC on October 22nd.

Short Film - Levi's "Go Forth" from John Carl on Vimeo.

east coast solo adventure.

Yep, that's right...it's that time again. For my yearly trip to the big city. This time, just me...and my camera, laptop, & knife. I would like to take my cajon & guitar because I will be meeting up with some musicians in NYC & Boston BUT i only have 2 hands. So here's my plan...first, let me say that no where in the plan am i seeing sleeping arrangements (except Delaware). Hmm, minor detail. This is dangerous my mother said...i said, no it is not. do you not remember me mentioning i have a sharp knife? Okay, anyway...I fly out of orange county on Nov. 7. Fly into Baltimore airport where a good buddy will pick me up. I am staying with her and her family in Middletown, Delaware. We will go to Philly and have a cheesesteak. Her & I will either roadtrip it to NYC or i will take a bus there. I will spend Tuesday- hmm whenever I want in the city. I will get on a bus or train sometime that next weekend & head up to Boston. Where I will play music, drink coffee, meet my best friend's sister & then fly out of Boston on the 17th. Back to the cubicle on the 18th. This is all very exciting to me...best part, my airline ticket cost $10. If I don't make it back...come searching for me, because that means I did not have a big enough weapon or i just didn't feel like heading back.

Steph goes to Orlando, FL.

TO SAY BYE TO JOJO AT LAKE BUTT. HAHA AUGUST 2009.

i like this.

"Everybody has to leave, everybody has to leave their home and come back so they can love it again for all new reasons."
- Donald Miller, Through Painted Deserts

I read this book back in 2006. I let someone borrow it and i don't remember who...so i bought another copy last week. Funny how you read a book the 2nd time around and it resonates with you on a much deeper level than the 1st. I read it when i first had the itch to get out there and "see the world". So cliché, right? At least that's what i've been told. Pack up my stuff. leave the comfortable. the familiar. meet people. hear their stories. take my camera and guitar and just....you know, hit the road. I have found that this feeling inside of me just won't go away. I can suppress it...sometimes for years at a time and convince myself to be responsible, save money and be adultish...if you will. I've had just about enough. I feel it stirring inside of me...this time it's much more. An intense feeling that I have put aside for too long. We were made for more than a 9-5 job in a tiny cubicle. Ellen said it best...

"Normal is getting dressed in clothes that you buy for work and driving through traffic in a car that you are still paying for - in order to get to the job you need to pay for the clothes and the car, and the house you leave vacant all day so you can afford to live in it." -Ellen D.

i just can't do that anymore. but i'll tell you more about that later.

Surfing 50 States.

Gotta love my Aussie buds Jonno & Stefan (http://www.surfing50states.com/). Read this interview with them and watch their trailer:) READ THIS

Surfing 50 States Teaser Trailer from Jonno Durrant on Vimeo.

Steph & JoJo go to COACHELLA.

delirious and indecisive....horrible combination.

slacker.

i. am. a. blog. slacker.

it is fact. I go through phases where I have tons in my heart to write down and thoughts I want to share with you internet people. Lately, I have been busy...isn't that always the excuse for everything? Isn't that always the answer to the question, "Hey Steph, how's life lately?"...busy...but good. I said that today, twice. I wonder if i'll ever just be good. or...hmm..."i'm fantastic, i take one day at a time, i have fun, i do what i love, i spend time with friends, i am not stressed, i sing in the shower, i played with a magnadoodle and ate two fluffy cookies today...and all is well. i just cleared time out of my busy schedule to flick a tiny spider off of my shoulder. i hate spiders...now it feel lik 12 are crawling on my body.

i am tired of being "busy" and have that run my life. I love my time at home, sitting on my couch after making dinner. I have come to appreciate this time. I need to take more random road trips. I went to Coachella last weekend and there were thosands of people flailing their arms around without a care in the world. kissing on each other and high as a kite. I wonder what these people do M-F. they're probably busy too. but good. i don't even know why i wrote this blog.

i need to appreciate the little things...and i feel like i am getting stale and focusing on the stressful things. time to recharge the old battery.

Steph and JoJo go to Santa Barbara...

Elizabethtown, Kentucky

you know when you watch a movie for the second time a few years after you originally watched it and it means more to you...something just clicks. This happened to me when I watched Elizabethtown this past sunday. I couldn't get enough of it...especially the part where she made him a road map with music to go along for the drive. i am tired of being in the orange county bubble....the world is so big.

"make time to dance alone with one hand waving free."

Downtown Portland...

on a winter's night:) I went on a road trip end of 2007 with 7 boys from Orange County to San Fran to Portland. There was either an art gallery or a coffeeshop on what seemed like every corner. it was great:)

a small update...

leaving on a jet plane for a surprise trip to TX...or so i thought...



airplanes decide not to show so i get left in Vegas overnight. i meet Russian friends, we have steak & eggs and go out on the strip for 80's dancing and exploring in the freezing cold...



I finally make it to Texas over 24 hours past expected time of arrival...just in time for the Christmas party...



and Christmas Eve service with the McFarland's....



then back home for Christmas weekend with my family...



then i moved into a beautiful condo in Irvine with way too many BMW's and Mercedes...i got really allergic and sick from my roomates mammals and decided i wanted my own place back in Huntington Beach....



so i lived here for 5 days and moved on to a beautiful place by myself in HB with more room than i know what to do with. The fireplace is nice and there will be pictures soon...


melia came to visit me and we went to dland, the beach and on many adventures...


and new year's eve service in the fog...i am excited for 2009:)



oh, and chewy still sleeps in warm laundry...