The power of just being.

I often feel like I need to be doing something huge or amazing or epic or completely original to really make a difference in the world. 

I get frustrated when the project I'm focused on is not what I'd declare "big enough."

The problem I'm discovering is that what was once huge and big is now normal and forgettable. The invite to teach any student was once a calendar altering event, the chance to see Pearl was something I day dreamed about before hand. To finally have that house of my dreams, that camera, that client, that role, that title, all of those things were obsessions that have now just become possessions.  

I write this while holding Zi, he didn't want to nap so it took a while to get him to a place where his eye lids closed. As we wrestled and took way toys and reminded him to layback down and prayed the dog would not see the squirrel and bark again I was reminded that it's not often the things we declare huge that are world changing but the million mini moments of just being. 

Being there to rock your kid to sleep, of being present with your spouse to enjoy a cup of coffee, of being reminded that the house you know fuss over was once the house you dreamed over, of being inspired to rediscover past purchases with fresh eyes and creativity, if being willing to simply be where you are in life, in work. 

I fear I've missed moments in life by simply not being... not being present, being content, being reminded. 

So as our week rolls towards a national day of giving thanks I pray we all can take a deep breath, pause for a moment and simply be; be present, be content, be reminded and in so doing find ourselves being truly thankful. 

Happy thanksgiving. 

Matt

Nate & Jess

A photo is just a photo. 

A memory of light passing through a moment in time. 

Nothing more, nothing less.

What makes a photo worth a thousand words? When the light reveals not just a moment, but a story. A story that is worth the light spent to reveal it and worthy of the lives it reveals. 

These photos, these moments of light captured, reveal a story much larger than the capacity of this blog--or even of the web. They are glimpses into a story filled with romance, heartbreak, redemption, grace, pursuit, and perseverance. 

One of my greatest joys since moving to Pennsylvania has been witnessing this story unfold. 

To say it was an honor to capture these pictures would be an understatement. 

Thank you, Nate and Jess, for inviting us into this moment, and, more importantly, for inviting us into your lives. We are so excited to meet your baby soon!

Love you guys,

Matt, Pearl & Zion

copy cat

Been thinking about this boy a lot lately. 

He’s 19 months now and at that stage in life where he finally knows I’m dad, and whatever dad is doing he wants to be doing, and lately dad has been doing a lot on a laptop and camera. 

Pearl and I are wanting to be intentional with Pearl St. Photography again, instead of letting word of mouth generate leads and business we’re hoping to start being intentional with using social media and booking not only weddings but portrait sessions again.  

All that to say, I’ve been working on my computer a lot more these past few weeks editing files and cleaning up backups. 

To help with file and time management we set up a make shift office in our basement so little hands couldn’t reach cables and hard drives and so I could hide guilt free and work.

But, the hiding lasted for about 30 seconds. 

As soon as Zi-man discovered dad was working on his computer in the basement, he wanted to be working on his computer in the basement. 

Thus the awesome image of him above. 

But here’s what I’ve been thinking about, he wants to do what he sees me doing. So I see him...

• picking up the phone and saying, “hello” 
• Holding a remote at the TV
• Sitting next to me with a laptop acting like he’s working

Ouch! 

So I must be intentional about asking: 

What do I want him to see me doing? 

What do I want him to copy me doing? 

• Is it picking up a phone or picking up a rack and helping our elderly neighbors? 
• Is it relaxing in front of the TV or relaxing as a family reading books? 
• Is it viewing the evening as a little extra work time or delicate family play time? 

I’m thankful to be able to work, I believe we were created to work and do stuff, but in this season of trying to help provide for my family I simply cannot forget to be with my family. 

As the Holiday season is getting closer and the christmas music is getting dusted off (yes we’ve started listening!) I’m so thankful to be this awesome little dudes dad, and I’m thankful for moments where you’re reminded that being a dad is one of the most precious titles you wear. 

So as a pastor, photographer, husband, brother, son and most importantly a dad I say happy holidays.