How the Other Half Lives

 This afternoon, the ever talented Shasta from travelingcabinet.blogspot.com along with her friend Ren and the incredibly beautiful Jessica from jessica-ohmydarling.blogspot.com came to do photos for Shasta's etsy shop. A few weeks ago, we did a similar shoot but we couldn't finish because of the weather. I'm really happy with how they turned out. Please enjoy this sneak peak and check out Shasta's etsy shop. The link is on her blog. 

I love how awkward and strange this photo is. 

Contemplative

 Lately, I've been thinking on the idea of separation and suffering. I really don't think that it was God's original plan for us to experience separation; that's why it hurts. 

When I spent a year in South Africa, India and Zimbabwe, I saw some stuff. I saw stuff that even after 2 years, I still haven't fully processed it. 

Recently, when I felt some kind of self-centered need to wallow in my own self pity, I was reminded of these photos. These aren't just photos. These are images of people who have experienced extreme suffering. Suffering that I have and probably will never experience in my life. Some are prostitutes, some are orphans, some are uneducated child laborers and some are overworked, underpaid and overlooked individuals.  

Tell me you can complain when you see these faces. 

          

In the same way, consider the work Jesus did for us on the cross. Jesus experienced the ultimate separation. While he was hanging on the cross, he cried out to his Father. He screamed "Why have you forsaken me." In order for the price to be paid that complete separation had to happen. We will never know the extent of pain that Jesus experienced on that day but we must contemplate on it. 

Because of this, we will never know the separation that Jesus took away. 

Photographing the Photographer

Today, I had a bad case of the Wednesday blues. With midterms on my doorstep and homework up to my ears, I was (and still am) in great need of a break. Luckily, I was able to take a midday break with my wonderful friend Bethany. Bethany is a fellow photographer and a sushi fanatic. With $5 sushi and a hankering to take photos together, we had a great time taking photos of each other today. We were luckily able to get a few great shots before a torrential down pour. Bethany is a photographer from Jacksonartsphotography.com. Take a look at her beautiful photos!

The Traveling Cabinet

Here's a sneak peak of a shoot I did today for an etsy shop. Shasta is a Northwestern alum (where I currently go to school) and she's also incredibly crafty. She is soon to go into the mission field in the Middle East; her passion is contagious. 

Shasta makes clutches and earrings that are unbelievably adorable. Her color choices are perfectly vintage inspired and simply fantastic. My friend Jessica modeled for the shoot and Shasta even stood in for a few shots. Despite the fact that it was raining, I'm happy with the way they turned out. We'll be doing the second shoot soon and I can't wait! 

Check out Shasta's Etsy shop at http://www.etsy.com/people/thetravelingcabinet

Enjoy!

Bringing the Pep

Last night I had the wonderful opportunity to photograph the South St. Paul marching band for homecoming. They were UN-REAL! I was never a fan of high school football, but I seriously had a good time. Probably because the kids are amazing. The band is under the direction of Mr. Andy Peterson to whom I happen to be married. 

The final score: Packers 48, the other team (whatever their name was) 7. Clearly, the visiting team made a deep impression on me.

 Drum Major Dani. 

Me, myself and us

Well, now that I'm new to this blogging world, I thought I should include a little about myself. My name's Ellie and I'm 21. I currently am a student at Northwestern College in Minnesota. 

 (photo by Melissa Louise Photography)

This is my family. I love them so much. This photo's a few years old, but we're all there. 

(Photo by Melissa Louise Photography) 

 In 2009, I spent a year in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and India. This experience changed my whole perspective on life and my passion for our world. 

Only one of the beautiful experiences I had in South Africa.

In India, I experienced first hand the horrors of Human Trafficking. I met women in the brothels of Pune, India and I was forever changed. Now, I'm a certified human trafficking investigator for the international organization Not For Sale.

  In my second half of my YWAM experience, I participated in a school on Primary healthcare for Africa. I learned about HIV/AIDS and the importance of water sanitation in Africa. This photo is of one of the groups we taught in the bush in Zimbabwe. My goal now is to inform the world on these preventable international issues.

This is Andy. We're goofy.

This is Andy and me at our wedding. Yeah, we got married. Andy is a band director in South Saint Paul. I like him. 

Now, you know a little about me. 

My two cents in the fashion (blog) world

So, I have this best friend... She's pretty wonderful. She's one of the best dressed people I know, as well as one of my favorite people to photograph. While I was just starting out on photography, I did a lot of my practicing with her. I would give her direction and man, she ALWAYS looked great. Recently she asked me if I would be her official photographer for her new fashion blog. I jumped on the opportunity! Today, we did our first photos together for the blog. Here are a few. 

Dang, isn't she adorable?!

Favorite!

Yeah, she's great. I love her. Anyway, check out her blog every Monday/Wednesday/Friday and you'll see new looks and her beautiful face. 

http://jessica-ohmydarling.blogspot.com/

Growing Younger Everyday

Wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, author and homemaker are all things that my grandmother Verlie Miller is actively involved in but that is not all she is. She is a warrior! My Grandma, is one of my favorite people in the entire world. She grew up during the great depression, waited for her love to come home from WWII, raised 5 kids and continues to make the best homemade bread in the world (No, really! She does!). She's also one of the most passionate people I know. With only an 8th grade education, she built a business, published two books on her life and is soon to be out with a novel. Last week when she asked me to take her headshots for her new book, I couldn't say no! I love her so much I can hardly stand it.

First Post

Here I am again.

Welcome to my new blog. Here, you'll be able to see sneak peaks from the shoots I've done and whatnot. I sincerely hope you enjoy it!

Ellie