Living Life: One moment at a time

As I start writing, I hope to be inspired enough and, through my words and photos I hope to give you the same feeling I had while I was photographing this amazing family.
Few months ago, I meet Carla  briefly, when I had a photoshoot for a charity cause and I can say that her smile can lighten up the entire room. Her laugh is contagious and her spirit… I just love it! This is actually how I remembered her, because of her smile :)

One day, a little while ago, I post on my facebook page that I need urgent help from someone who’s coming from USA… Carla answered me in private “ I’m in Houston and will be back on Wednesday.  I’m here for medical reasons so not doing a lot of shopping but will be stopping at best buy tomorrow if you want me to check .. Let me know … my dad was diagnosed with ALS – terminal illness – so we came for a check up and his birthday is tomorrow too so we celebrating ”.  I froze for few minutes and stare at my monitor… time while I was thinking if I would do the same if I’ll be in her situation. Did not took me much to realize that this is a person with a GOOD heart, who want to help others, no matter personal situation… People like this are rare and only few left and I was so happy when I found another one (I am blessed with few around me).
And then… then I knew. She is my next fan who will get a family photoshoot from me. I strongly believe that each family should have at least 1 good photosoot with a pro who can capture the spirit of your family, the love and the little moments that will be remembered forever.

This photoshoot was offered for exact this purpose… 1 real family, spending time together and being grateful for it! The mom & the dad, the 3 sisters, the kids and the husband of one… this is one united family who remind me that life is nothing without a family.In few words, even if I stayed a little while, I felt the spirit of this family: the happiness & the sadness, the struggle & the power of life… was hard, but I did my very best to capture the way I felt it.

Our Moments of Life are too short to waste and we have to make everyday count! We have to cherish every moment we have with loved ones and as best we can, never regret anything in life because, I strongly believe, everything happens for a reason and we can’t question it. 

I also associate Life with a book, with chapters for each event in life and a limited number of pages on which to spend your time… Some of us are fortunate/unfortunate to know how many pages left and this, this might be the hardest challenge of all, and one the most important moments… as how we face it and how we help the ones around us to face it. Because at the end of the day, is not about the book being done… but how we take the end.

Sometimes it just hits us, life is too short and we HAVE to appreciate every little moments that in the future are big moments, moments that mark our life and make us who we are.

At the end of this blog I would like to thank you all: Karl, for your extraordinary efforts to do your very best for photos; Sandra, I just know you’re the rock of the family and I felt fortunate to be in your house, Ursula, I had such good vibes around around you, Sue, your sadness touched my soul and I’m praying for your strenght, Carla, the girl with the most beautiful smile in the world! Just with your smile, you might cure someone one day! …the kids, of course, little cutties that helped us with this shoot being a success  only after they were promised the games and Kareem… the family pillar  the one who’s taking care and is keeping together this family. I got emotional attach of every one of you and… as Terminator said “I’ll be back!”

Bible Psalm 23: ”The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.”

Here is how I capture Ayres family:

 

Her tatoo, his writing :)

 

P.S. ALS or motor neuron disease is a neuromuscular disease resulting in the body gradually losing control of the muscles. Nerve cells in parts of the brain and spinal cord degenerate, causing voluntary muscles to cease responding.

For this reason, ALS is also known as “the cruelest disease” that lays waste to the body while the brain remains as alert as ever.

As the disease progresses people with ALS lose the ability to move their arms and legs. Physical therapy and assistive devices allow patients to remain mobile even after the disease begins to affect their limbs.

There is no cure yet, but you never know when miracles are happening.

Believe it or not, Mr Karl is working from 25 years at Bowen&Bowen and even if his disease is advanced already (1 arm and 1 leg lost the muscles) he still did not quit his job and he keeps his hopes alive and e’s determined to fight this as best he can…
Carla is doing daily online research, and she’s not loosing her hope. Here is what she write.

I will keep you updated with his situation.

Black & White Gala 2013. One of a kind event

I had attended the Lifeline events before as photographer and when I’m working and this year I decided to try to be a guest. I did took my camera with me to capture few key moments and also, to make few portraits in case any of my facebook fans will approach me for a portrait. And… whoa! This was one of the most fun event I ever attended in Belize!
Start with a very good table setting, an amazing huge tenth with no posts (HOW THEY DID THAT?!), everything white and with tons of lights, exactly the way I love it for my photos… There were short speeches and fabulous food and drinks!

Is very nice to know that once in a while is an annual event, for a good cause and people are dressing up and hope for best night and great photos! I want to take a minute to thank all photographers on site for helping capture this fabulous event and for donating their time and efforts for this! Thank you thank you! You were fabulous!
Here are the photos! Enjoy!

(If you want to see them larger, please click on each and you can download it from this blog. Size is perfect for web display 1200×800). You can post them on your social media pages, of course, but, please, do not crop my watermark.

 

 

 

 

 

 

In love in Belize. Visit Victoria House!

Britney is a good friend of mine who visit Belize every year. She lives in Seattle and every time when we chat online she’s telling me “is raining again. I look forward for Belize!!!” She absolutely love sand, sea, sun! Brit came with her boyfriend this year and I was thrilled to meet him. Such an amazing personality and I”ve got such a good feeling around them… She is a yoga instructor back home and she’s amazing at it… her positive way to think maker her one of my favourite persons on earth and for sure, she is on top of my friends list…

Yesterday was very windy, but that did not stop us. We went at Victoria House, where is one of my favourites beaches ever and we just had fun! Here are few of their photos. Enjoy!

Family: This is what life is about. At Grand Colony, Belize

I always look forward to go back at Grand Colony.. such an amazing location with a great vibe. Family Photos in their last day was all they were hoping for and was my absolute pleasure to offer them an unforgettable experience!

Melanie, Ray, Keegan, Brittanie, Mason, Ron & Andrea, Renita & Cindy, togetherness is the main ingredient to family life!

I look forward to see you again!

40 Years Anniversary and counting… Retired in Belize

Sondrea & Barris celebrated recently  their 40′th Wedding anniversary. They are from USA, but retired in Belize. “Came, visit and just decided to stay”.. a common story for almost all of us who moved in Belize..

Before shoot: “Oli, we don’t really want a bunch of photos, just few portraits…we are very normal people…”

After shoot: “OH, WOW! We did not expected THIS!!! We’re so happy we have so many photos… would have been very difficult to chose” :)

Ultimate goal in life: to still be together after 40 years, still happy and live your peaceful life in a tropical laid-back country… for the best of us, this dream might become reality. For them, this IS their reality and this is what I wanted to capture! :)

I meet Sondrea prior our photoshot and had a quick chat with her. I asked about their life, about what is Belize for them and  this is exactly what I captured…

We start with few photos around the house, just so they’ll remember it forever the way it is… than, we went outside and just have some fun!

40 years of marriage and counting

Living life in Belize: beach, sand & palm trees

From home, we went with their boat to the great barierr reef!

Champagne over Barierr Reef, Belize

This was their reaction when I asked them “when you just got married, did you imagine that 40 years from then you’ll celebrate with champaign on top of Great barierr reef, being retired in Belize and live everyone’s dream?!” Their answer was of course “nooo… and both laugh and giggle…”

Enjoying Life! One moment at the time

Retired in Belize

Marriage… 40 years later…

Marriage… 40 years later…

Champagne, Shells & Sand.. Anniversary in Belize

The Path of Life: together, until the end of our journey.

Retired in Belize & enjoying life

@ SandBar, behind Ambergris Caye, Belize

Our sunset and a glass of wine

Together

Retired in Belize!

Sondrea & Barris, their reality is everyone’s dream… together after 40 years and enjoying a laid back tropical country, Belize