Mandates | Personal

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Now anyone that knows me knows that I am addicted to my iPhone. It is something I definitely depend on everyday. From my alarm in the am, to checking email, texts, facebook, twitter; to playing the only 3 games I allow on my phone Skee-Ball, Wheel of Fortune and the ever addicting DoodleJump. As much as our phones/devices keep us in the know, do they really keep us connected? Is that real connection? I recently read an article by Howard Mann in Seth Godin’s awesome free E-book, these words really stuck with me:

“We’ve become slaves to our mobile devices and the glow of our screens. We walk the streets with our heads down staring into 3-inch screens while the world whisks by doing the same. And yet we’re convinced we are more connected to each other than ever before. Multi-tasking has become a badge of honor.”

The line “we walk the streets…” made me realize how often when I am outside I am staring at my phone. I am missing out on connecting with one of my favorite things, the outdoors. Also, I don’t know how many times I have pulled out my phone during dinner conversations, or perused my twitter while on the phone with a good friend. Think of all the precious moments that I let fly by not being present and soaking up the real connection of what is in front of me.

So I am taking a stand and throwing in some self made mandates:

I need to WILL start using a real alarm clock, to avoid checking my phone for emails & updates first in the am. All emails will be there in an hour or two. (Thank Lara for this fabulous pointer)
My phone says in my pocket/purse until I have had 20 deep breaths of air when I get outside. I want to soak in my God-given surroundings.
Strive to be present in conversations. Again keeping my phone/computer shut-down and focus on the person who I am sharing with.

I challenge you to try one of these out with me this week and let me know how it goes. Or if you have any other good unplugging tips, I would love to hear them. Now a small disclaimer, because my lil’ iPhone is glaring at me. I love my iPhone and its abilities and you might be amazing at Multi-tasking and this doesn’t phase you. But personally, I suck at this and I just don’t want it running my life. Hence the mandates. Wish me luck!

Just because every post is better with a photo.

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Gina is a Minneapolis based wedding and lifestyle photographer that loves bringing the LIFE out of people & capturing that energy on camera. Contact Me

Flickered | Engagement

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“Well, it seems to me that the best relationships, the ones that last, are frequently the ones that are rooted in friendship. You know, one day you look at the person and see more than you did the night before. Like a switch has been flickered somewhere. And the person who was just a friend is suddenly the only person you can ever imagine yourself with.”

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Gina is a Minneapolis based wedding and lifestyle photographer that loves bringing the LIFE out of people & capturing that energy on camera. Contact Me

Erica | A bestie

See more posts in Lifestyle, My Heart

Erica and I have been friends since I was a wee little one. Years of private school, riding bus number 1, fruit roll ups and more soccer than you can ever imagine. Erica, or Gus as we call her, has been with me through the ups and downs for the last 15 years of my life. I have been wanting to take her photo for a long time.

She has been involved in some awesome organizations and traveled the world. Erica is a truly a beautiful person inside and out. It was an honor to capture her and her essence in these photos, seriously delightful. Love you Gus and your blue hair.

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Gina is a Minneapolis based wedding and lifestyle photographer that loves bringing the LIFE out of people & capturing that energy on camera. Contact Me

Jet Plane

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I am leaving on a jet plane, ok maybe not a jet plane, but a plane to Las Vegas baby. WPPI here I come!! I am super excited to be sharing some rocking evenings, sleepovers and parties with some great peeps. See you on the flip side!

* Clients. I will be returning all emails & voicemail’s when I return on Thursday. Thanks and have a great week!

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Gina is a Minneapolis based wedding and lifestyle photographer that loves bringing the LIFE out of people & capturing that energy on camera. Contact Me

Self Portrait Project | February

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Can you believe it is March already? It seem like I wrote this post ages ago. Here is my February self portrait. Man let me tell you these don’t get any easier for me. A whole ball of emotions well up inside when I put together these posts.

This month was definitely plum-full of introspection. I have been processing my thoughts, moods and decisions in depth. I am fighting feeling uncomfortable and trying to get the core of my fears or beliefs that are holding me back. One of the specific things I have been wrestling with is how I see myself. I am utterly critical of every single imperfection I have.

I recently have been introduced to Hot Yoga and I absolutely love it. It’s a great workout and awesome detox because its between 105-109 the whole time you are in there. During the class the teacher instructs you to find your eyes/gaze in the mirror in front of you. Here comes me being super vulnerable….. I know this sounds small, but this is so hard for me. I don’t like looking at myself. The minute I lift my eyes I can only see my problems. My shirt isn’t fitting right, I am not small enough, my hair is making me look like a boy, my cheeks are chubby….I could go on and on people.

I don’t want to be this way. I want to look into the mirror and love the me that is present at that moment, boy hair and all.

I can’t wait till the month I share a self-portrait where I am not looking away, but proudly sharing the present me without reservations. Until then, I am working through it. Which is ok. Because it’s really about the journey and not just the destination, right Emily?

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Gina is a Minneapolis based wedding and lifestyle photographer that loves bringing the LIFE out of people & capturing that energy on camera. Contact Me