hope in the storm

I have this thing where I feel the need to be informed about things going on in the world. 

Call me crazy. 



So, I fill my brain with countless news stories, imprinted images,imprinting words in the back my mind that I can't seem to escape. I see all this hurt, all this death and devastation. It makes me incredibly emotional. Yet, I feel if I don't educate myself then I'm ignorant and blissfully happy. But there comes a point where I have to stop and shut myself down, which a lot of time I shut down the items and problems in my own life. 

That's how I feel about Africa, the continent as a whole and Zimbabwe. The more I involve myself in the relations I will have no where else to go but there. But more presently, the East Coast.  When missionary friends of mine had traveled to other countries for long periods of time on end, a common response would me. "My life has changed but I know realize what a passion I have for the United States and being a light there." I kind of always took it as a not for me kind of phrase until recently. 

Hurricane Sandy. I skim through photos and see lives that have been turned over. I think of the ones who have lost there homes or the others that don't have homes except for the flooded streets. Then the ones who have lost loved ones. et cetera.  And the only thought in the back of my head is going, if not to only pick up the trash that covers the streets just to make things new.  It's the call to action. 

I told you I was going crazy. 

My mindset has been shifting a lot lately. For youth, we have been focusing on prayer and what that looks like. Although, I haven't been as diligent as I should be by doing the studies and all that goes along with it, I still find myself thinking about prayer and God a lot more than before. And the 1 Thessalonians verse, pray without ceasing, is becoming more vibrant in my life. 

So as I sit in my office at work, I will be impulsively finding ways to go to the East Coast and rationally  talking myself out of them over and over. 

The photographer

"Hello, my name is Sam and I am a photographer." 


Whew, that was hard. 


Call it illogical but I have a really time saying that phrase. 


I, Samantha May, make a living off of taking photographs (as well as nannying and writing every so often.) But my primary income is photography. I've been doing what I do for quite some time now. I've had quite a bit of experience from magazines, to charity, weddings and family portraits. But I work behind other personas where there is typically a bigger picture and while my name might be on something. It is easily overlooked. That's kind of how I like it. I am not very great at selling myself. Which is primarily why I don't make a full-time income off sam may create.


But aside from all that, I didn't feel legit until I got an instagram. I now feel like I've entered into the photography world.


I told you, it's illogical.

Starting Fresh

March: I can't believe it is March. We are almost 25% through the year. It was just January. 

Life is ever-changing.  Good things, of course. Moments that are constantly keeping me on my toes. I feel like I've experiences three dramatic seasons already. Every month is different. 

January---I was finishing up the busy season of nannying and my retail job and awaiting the boyfriend's arrival. Where the first week we had some lovely beach days and approached colder weather. I dragged him to the midwest.   

February--- The Boy and I wrapped up our midwest tours and spent the rest of the month in California exploring garden's, watching movies, attempting painting and basking in glorious beach days. We also discovered that we are the old married couple type. Then we had to say goodbye. 

LEAP YEAR. LEAP DAY. Starting of a new job. 

March--- I guess this makes me a grown up now. I now have a M-F, 8-5 job. Who am I right? My weekends are my haven. My first weekend was glorious. I slept in, lounged around and made some jewelry. While Sunday I spent all day at the beach and found my dress for Lor's wedding in September. 

This was the most uneventful post but give my some slack. 


On a completely opposing note.

Take a look at some of the pictures I took for the Give Prints Spring Tee's

Sam or Ryan: Who wore it best?

That awkward moments where you show up to a party wearing the same thing. 

Here's the skinny. 

The other night I went to one of the 31 bits annual christmas parties. You know those super fun ones with food trucks, booze [and coffee] and a photobooth-- to show that you were there and also to be really silly. Yeah, those ones. 

To my surprise, and/or excitement, Ryan Longneck from Equals D Photography and fellow Give Prints*  photographer was running the photobooth with his trusty partner. Almost jokingly Ryan says to me "You sportin the Give Prints shirt?"

Then I give him a look. The "you've got to be kidding me kind."

I look down. I have a jacket on. I look at him. He does too. 

Here it is, moment of truth. 

"Yeah, actually," I say. 

I show him mine. 

Then. 

He shows me his. 

So, what next? 

He was running the photobooth. 

The only thing that makes sense next is to document this "Great minds thinks alike" moment. 

Here we go.

>>>> Who wore it best ? 

*Give Prints: Everyone go to the page and like it and check back for fun things happening. 

Random nights and wrong addresses

I have a love for random and spontaneous night. Especially when good people and music are involved.

Last night was a defining moment for all of those things. 


It started last week at a Give Prints photoshoot that I was styling. The Giveprints team started talking to our models(guy and girl) and discovered one of them lived about a block from me. Then discovered that I had in fact encountered the guy before at various shows that he plays at. I'm a fan of the projects he plays in. But he proceeds to tell us that he is having an actual hootenanny. 


So why not go, it was within walking distance of my house. I went and had a blast and oddly enough ran into a handful of people that I know. I loved that this guy planned this event, a good hundred people, music, firepits, laughs, chili cookoff and brews all ingredients to a successful night. 


Then after Bethany and I picked up Olivia to go to this art show in LA to see one of Bethany's friends. This art show was in little Tokyo and with miscommunication and a wrong address. We went on a search. First stop, comic book convention. How in the world this happened, no idea. Hilarious all the same. 


After multiple circles around 2nd street we finally ended up at the correct location. I look at the art show lineup and see that a friends boyfriend was also at the show. Only to find out, all the random people I knew again were there. Not a single one of us planned the outing. And logically in all of our minds we wouldn't place each other at the art show. The art show was at times questionable but interesting, thought provoking. Overall, a good time.  It was great to see all the people. 


After about an hour or so. The girls and I decided that we needed food. After a few more circles around to find a place. I noticed a place that I had been to before with a friend and next door to the restaurant was another place that looked promising. Far Bar.   Success. It was perfect. 


Random assortment of food a cross between middle eastern, to burgers, to sushi-- all great ideas. Good drink selection and perfecting setting. We discovered the outside bar that was great. Twinkle lights giving the appeal that were stars, brick walls and heat lamps. 


It was a nice, non-stressful outing that can sometimes be accompanied with the typical LA hustle and bustle. 


And to end the night with a long skype date. 




I'm a fan. 

Oh, you're making me blush.

No really, I don't even know how to contain myself. 

I’ve been blogged. 

Well, Not my personally but my work has. Fabulous. 

I remember the first time, I found my photography elsewhere other than my wall or on my computer. I cried. Literally. I didn't know what t do with myself

I was 18 and perusing through an acquaintances myspace and there it was. A picture I had taken of an Orange County pier, just displayed for the world to see. 

It was pretty darn exciting. 

But more recently I've been getting involved with this Photography circle called Give Prints and my photography is all out there for the entire online community to find. 

  & Now the not just a housewife's blog. 

so fun.