moments.

Posted bycasey coombsPosted inToo lazy to label.

I love my camera. Love it, stroke it, kiss it, hug it, can’t get enough of it.

I sometimes get overwhelmed at how much my camera is capable of. Will I ever be able to do it justice? (This is where some of you sweet people get all “OH BUT CASEY YOU’RE SO GOOD!” and I’m all “THANK YOU! THAT’S SO SWEET!”)

However you must understand I have set my expectations unrealistically high. My mom is an amazing landscape photographer. I grew up watching her take thousands of brilliant images almost effortlessly.

See?

my favorite picture that my mom has taken

Of all the photos my mom has taken, this one will forever be my favorite.

My best friend is an amazing journalistic photographer. I want to suck them dry of all they know, and someday when I can I will.

But for now, I get frustrated with f stops and ISO and RAW and shutter speed and OH MY WHY DOES THAT LENS COST SO MUCH? But then I have to remember, this camera has only been in my hands for four months.

Cody’s been in my hands for almost eight years and he’s still a mess. (Dear Cody, love you. -Red)

So instead of being bummed about the pictures I didn’t get, I’m going to focus on moments that I did.
Lunch with my lady
Like this one, having lunch with my best friend in San Francisco. She is one of my greatest blessings.
Whatever do you mean you didn't do cartwheels in your room?
Who else ditched out on the parties early to do cartwheels in their room just because they could?
My favorite photo from my trip.
This one is by far my favorite. Heather, Kim and I ditched out on a session to go take pictures. Instead of asking someone to take a picture for us we found a shiny window to do the job. We were quite the scene, three giggly girls with SLRs lined up taking pictures of a window. People didn’t quite know what to make of us. But we did, and we were happy.
The token Casey jumping shot

I was happy. The whole trip was one big pinch me high. It’s disappointing that not everyone enjoyed it and feels it necessary to drag out their disappointment and unhappiness. But as I said, it was what you made of it. And to the people who spent it with me, you could not have made it any better for me. Thanks. Thanks to every single person who stopped me to say thank you or hi or good job or nice shoes. To those I didn’t get to meet, I’m doubly bummed. 1,000 women is a lot to meet. Especially when a lot of the time is spent hiding in a corner with nervous bubble gut. (like me! HI!)

If I was a jerk to you, I’m sorry. Chances are I was on my way to a bathroom to, well, you know. I didn’t meet a single person this year that hurt my feelings or that I felt slighted by. Yes, even Sweetney was a doll to me. So please, before you feel like spreading nastiness around the internets about someone who was mean to you, maybe they didn’t mean it, maybe they just had to poo too. Or maybe they lost their favorite nose hair clipping trimmers and were bummed about it at the moment you decided to say hello.

Benefit of the doubt ladies. Benefit of the doubt.

Huh. Well. That was a random post.

Just be nice dammit.

And tell me what you’re working on that gets you overwhelmed too.

64 thoughts on “moments.”

  1. My garden…I love it dearly (and miss it!) but it does get me overwhelmed. So does blogging, sometimes, but I think you just have to stick with the things that bring you joy, and focus on the positive side of it. Just like you did today.

    Assertagirls last blog post..The swirling.

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  2. Can I say that you were easily the best-dressed BlogHer attendee. I loved every outfit I saw you in. Also, I don’t see the need to spread negativity around the Internet. If someone wasn’t fabulous, think twice about investing in their blog but why shout it from the rooftops. Because, you’re right, more often than not, it’s no-one’s INTENTION to hurt your feelings or snub you.

    You were just lovely when I stopped you to say hello.

    She Likes Purples last blog post..A Story Of Accomplishment

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  3. Great photos – I met you and you were nothing but nice.

    I had a misunderstanding on my post today but it’s all cleared up now. I had an awesome time and everyone was awesome. I can’t wait for next year so I can overuse the word ‘awesome’ some more!

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  4. I am visiting your blog for the first time because of blogher and your courage to read your post on depression outloud to all.

    We met briefly, and I will second that you had some adorable outfits!!!

    Looking forward to getting to know you/your blog!

    Love the pic of you jumping, adorable!

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  8. Ya know, I was kinda sad that I couldn’t go to BlogHer, but I didn’t want to be bitter about it or anything, so I avoided a lot of the BlogHer talk. Like you said, Casey, it’s all what you make of it.

    It just makes me doubly hope that BlogHer can be held somewhere at a time that I can get there! BTW, I’ll be at the BlogHer Nashville dealie-o, in case any of you people do want to meet the fabulous Ivy. 😉

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  9. What I’m working on that gets me overwhelmed: Life. And living it. And managing all these things. And spending enough time with my son without sacrificing time I need to myself, and reconciling myself to the fact that I have to spend most of my day in front of desk, not doing something that I love. Wow. Rough morning, sorry.

    Miss Graces last blog post..Pics of Gabey, last thoughts on Blogher

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  10. That picture your Mom took is just AMAZING!

    I love the picture of the three of you in the window. Such happiness!

    Right now the things that have me overwhelmed are planning my 10 year HS reunion and one of my best friend’s baby showers. I know both will be very fun, but I can’t wait until I’m just there enjoying them instead of PLANNING.

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  12. It would be awesome to meet you at BlogHer. How did I miss you last year? But I didn’t get to go this year, so I’m making the most of it by visiting the people who were there and reading all about it. And I’m telling myself that it’s cool, instead of needy because, well, I like it, and I’m having fun.

    I watched the video of your speech, and I can’t believe you didnt’ break down crying. That had to be terrifying!

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  13. Your pictures are great. I have to come back later and see the one by your mom. It is unavailable now. I too am frustrated with my camera & pictures. I want the time and the knowledge to be great. I have neither so I content myself by just taking advantage of this digital age and taking thousands of pictures of my kids and enjoying them. Who cares if they’re not professional quality or if people ask why I take pictures of their backs and 27 shots of the same thing?!

    Erins last blog post..DSC01393

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  15. I agree with Ali. Everyone I met was a doll.

    I was a nervous wreck when I said HI to you. But true, it is what you make of it. I did hear that not everyone was treated nicely. Shame. The bloggers that I met were super nice.

    Can’t wait to do it again next year. 😉 Cause I forgot about doing cartwheels in my room.

    OHmommys last blog post..From Puppies and Rainbows to Leather Whips

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  16. I love that–benefit of the doubt, no doubt!

    Nervousness, overwhelm and high as a kite on goodness can make even the most composed act weird.

    I adored meeting you and so wish to someday at least workout on a treadmill near yours.

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  17. I envy your camera too. In fact I envy anyone’s camera at this point since my only SLR is film.

    My writing and my photography stress me out. I love doing both so much that I want my outcome to be the best it can be. Despite having a degree in both I still stress…

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  18. So, I totally stalked you for the whole weekend, and then there you were right there in the lobby on the last night and I was about to squeal and throw myself at you, and then I got distracted by Whoorl. My point is, you rock.

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  20. Not only is that cartwheel perfect, but the person who took it is pretty awesome.

    I’m sad that people didn’t have fun at BlogHer. I know large social gatherings like that can be soooo intimidating. But really, we’re all just chicks with blogs.

    I just want to scoop everyone up and put them in my pocket and make sure they have fun next time.

    Life itself gets overwhelming sometimes, huh?

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  21. I suppose that it’s a given that I’m working on the 4 kids and that is so TOTALLY overwhelming? 🙂

    Cleaning my house is overwhelming.

    And if I can have 1 minute with your camera I’d be so happy. Lurve it so.

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  23. Our room was not that big. Boo for that.

    Everyone I met was delightful. I did not meet you – but I am sure you would have been too!

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  24. Hi there! I’m new here. Came in on the Blogher08 train, reading everyone’s recount of the conference. Anyway…

    I wanted to say that I think your photography is great. I would like to think of myself as a photographer-type and I also struggle with all the things you struggle with. I’ve been overcoming it by reading, reading, shooting, shooting, and messing up a whole bunch!

    Looking forward to seeing what you have to offer b/c I have a great feeling that it’s A LOT!

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  25. I didn’t get a chance to officially meet you, I think I was probaly standing around near someone who was talking to you, but you’re just so cute! And you were fabulous at the keynote!

    I agree, everyone was awesome! BlogHer is definitely what you make of it. You can’t expect 1000 people to come talk to you. YOU have to make the effort!

    Kristabellas last blog post..Insignificant

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  28. organizing my house. getting rid-o-shit

    it’s killin me…

    and that is a fantastic cartwheel by the way! *sigh* i miss being able to do the PERFECT cartwheel and land in the splits. i should work on that.

    or not

    biddys last blog post..kissing tips

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  29. Um, your mom, is awesome. But I’m sure you all ready knew that and all.

    Seeing that photo of the 3 of you lined up with camera in hand makes me wish I was there. I do that all the time and get stared at, it’s nice to see others doing it as well.

    and the jump? I love it and if you tell me you got that in one shot I’ll be oh so very jealous.

    😀

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  30. Overwhelming me is FOOD. I’ve always loved cooking and fancied myself a bit of a budding chef. But with food allergies in the family now, I seem to make the same thing over and over. ARG. So, FOOD = overwhelming.

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  31. 1. You are a great photographer. I love the way you always tilt your camera. Whenever I do that now, I think COPYCAT! But, you can’t stop me. So there.

    2. I had a dream about you the other night. (Weirded out?) I dreamt I was at BlogHer and was hanging out with you. The really creepy part? You were even wearing that shirt you wore in the pictures of you dancing. I’m creepy, aren’t I?

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  35. Photos are great. I could not do a cartwheel now to save my life. Well wait, I shouldn’t say that, I haven’t tried to do one in 20 yrs. LOL

    Work right now is overwhelming me. We had a huge layoff recently so we are having to pick up the work of those who were let go. I am keeping the local winery in business all by myself right now.

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  37. Good post, Casey. While I did not go to BlogHer, I have read some negative posts and am pretty sure I know what you’re referring to…and I get pretty sick of the negativism…especially as a way to gain some attention. Getting trapped into controversy and negativism can be challenging…and I’ve given this some thought… I’m sticking with your view and opinion – “just be nice, dammit!”

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  38. I love me some Casey.

    I’m glad that you had a great time there. Maybe next year I will finally make it and meet you.

    Hopefully you’re not going to the bathroom to poop cuz I might follow you.

    I’m a stalker like that.

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  40. I’m not understanding people not being nice. I mean EVERYONE at BlogHer was friendly if not totally distracted (and rightly so). While I felt a little left out at times that was MY stuff and not because someone was a bitch. I hope people can just play nice.

    I wanted to meet you but never got the chance. I wanted to tell you how moving your reading was in the community keynote. Thank you for that!

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  41. Your mom is a Davis, too? Well, of course all us cool people are related.

    I don’t get the whiners and the haters, I just don’t. But fortunately they are a tiny, tiny minority.

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  43. I’m working on getting you to visit me or at least meet me halfway because your cuteness is THAT close to me? For years, I’ve felt this “disturbance in the force” and now I realize it’s you. Close to me.

    Ok, also? Writing and photography get me all hot and bothered. They inspire, they frustrate, they are lifeforce.

    Come over and play. Seriously.

    Mochas last blog post..A Poor BlogHer Zeitgeist

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  47. Hmmm….overwhelmed by nearly everything right now…thehousethekidswhatamisupposedtobewhenigrowupeventhoughiamnearly37ididnotgettothegymyesterdayoohwaitthehousestillsuxstopandthehouseguestsarrivethisafternoontheworldiwannagetoffitsmakingmedizzy!
    Casey, you’re already an awesome photographer! Looking forward to seeing you as you advance, because you will develop your own style. Yes, you are surrounded by talented photographers. But you will find your groove and will make them proud.

    Take care,
    Angie

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  48. It’s cliche, but motherhood really overwhelms me.
    Your mom’s pic is awesome, and that cartwheel makes me eat my heart out with jealousy. The end.

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  49. I am glad you had a good time at Blogher.
    Your mom’s photo is gorgeous, and I love yours too.
    Photography related – just having switched to shooting RAW and trying to get in the swing of Lightroom overwhelms me.
    Other than that – the packing. Yes, the packing sucks my will to live.

    falwyns last blog post..big dramatic update!

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