blog for behind the scenes and to see the painting this was inspired by. The girl in this photo is Natasha

tagged, but instead of saying 10 random things, I'm going to tell you my 10 best memories. I think that will say a lot about me.

1. When I was very young I had a dream I could fly. But it felt so real and I was so convinced that I did fly, that my mom didn't want to dash my hopes. So she told me that everyone flies once in their life, and that was my turn. And for years and years, and even a little bit still, I believed her.
2. My dad is in love with arrowhead hunting. You know, you go out into a field and search for pointy rocks in the dirt. Every Saturday we used to have "Daddy's Day"and he used to take my sister and I out to the fields to search for arrowheads. And we used to drive on this super windy road that would make our stomachs flip like we were on a roller coaster. And we loved that more than anything.
3. When I was in high school, and my sister in middle school, she started choking on a gummy lifesaver in my room. I thought it was hilarious, cause I guess I didn't realize she was actually choking. So I tried to tell her that I would perform the heimlich maneuver, which I accidentally pronounced the heimlich "remover"and we both started laughing and she spit the gummy out and it landed on my wall. And we let it stay there for 2 months, stuck to my wall.
4. At night, from the time I was 11 years old and on, my sister and I had rooms that shared a wall. And we made up a knocking code. If we knocked so many times, we would meet each other in a different room of the house. It was absolutely pointless, we just wanted to feel like there was some mystery in our lives.
5. She and I used to go grocery shopping with our grandma and AJ (Aunt Jennie). We would split up and go our separate ways, me with grandma and her with AJ. And then we would race each other down the isles. One time my grandma and I ran into a display of nail polish and we laughed so hard our insides hurt.
6. Anthony and I didn't get to see each other much for a while, because he went to college in Florida and I was in Pennsylvania. So when we were in the same state, we couldn't let each other go. One winter day there was a huge snow storm and we couldn't get to each other. So each walked for an hour in the snow storm toward each other, hoping our paths would cross. And they did.
7. When I was in 6th grade my mom picked me up from school and told me that I had a doctor's appointment. Really we were going to put my cat, Friday, to sleep. I was upset but I knew that she was very sick and in a lot of pain. So I went to the vet, and I asked if I could hold her in my arms while she died. And while that isn't a "happiest"memory, it taught me so much about death that I will hold it close to me forever.
8. Anthony and I got married one year ago on 08-08-08 and as cliche as it sounds, it was one of the best days.
9. My last semester in college I finished making a short film. And while I was on set I loved every second of directing it. And at the very end of filming I called it a wrap, and my little actress Vayia came over to me and hugged me and cried and cried, because she was so happy. And that moment was incredibly special to me.
10. Maybe some time in the future I'll write another one of these, and I'll be able to add a new favorite memory to it. I can feel good things coming.

Tags:   brookeshaden sacrificial lamb not a selfie NorwayNatasha Paul Delaroche The Young Martyr water creek tunnel shadow dead death float glow

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My first attempt at underwater shooting. I will now be purchasing a wide angle lens, as a 70mm doesn't work so well for underwater shooting. It was so murky that I am surprised I could salvage anything from it. But this to me was simple and elegant, and so I went with it. Simple, elegant, yet dirty and gritty. Just the kind of juxtaposition I love. It is very fetal, one of my favorite subjects to play with in photography.

I guarentee this is not the last of my underwater shooting. I almost didn't share with you all because I know that I will progress and I will learn more about the technique of shooting under water, but on the other hand it is nice to be able to grow with everyone here on flickr.

Tags:   brookeshaden birth sister fetal baby elegant gritty 70mm pool

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must see larger on black

So, I've sort of gone back on something I said before. I have previously said that I didn't like formspring. But I've been perusing a couple lately and have to say that the drama of it all seems to have faded. Now it seems fun. I want a new way to connect with people, with anyone who might be reading this, to know you better and vice versa. So, if you will join me, I've made a formspring.

fOrMsPrInG
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Tags:   brookeshaden eggs harboring delusions nest bird mother children surreal fairytale texture by les brumes

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I had these vines from shooting my Hansel and Gretel shot and wanted to reuse them for this Goldilocks shot. I got a great facial from the oatmeal...or should I say porridge? They always say porridge in fairy tales.

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Tags:   brookeshaden goldilocks bear print curls kitchen porridge oatmeal

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Now Announcing: the detailed Promoting Passion Convention *schedule* complete with *class descriptions* and other juicy details! AND, introducing as a speaker my dear friend Lindsay Adler!

www.promotingpassion.com/convention/

When I began taking pictures there were little voices in my ear, some my own doubts and some from others around me, who said that I couldn't be a photographer. They said I didn't have the ambition, that it was impractical, that you can't base your life solely around what you want because the "real world" will slowly creep in. Have you ever doubted yourself in this way? What I wanted was a community to tell me otherwise. To support me when I had a dream, to feel what I felt, to convince me of what I already knew deep in my heart. I found a note to myself from four years ago in a journal that simply said "To Do: Create a Community". I went on a mission. I didn't want others to feel so left out or defeated before they ever had a chance to pursue their passion. When I had the idea to start this convention, I thought back to myself six years ago when I was picking up a camera for the first time. I thought about what I needed to hear, who I needed to be around, and how I didn't have that. The Promoting Passion Convention is for anyone who wants that community, who wants to be inspired by people who have been there, who wants to build their passion or business or life to be something greater than what it is. It is my heart and soul, and it is turning into the family that I dreamed of all those years back.

Much like this picture, we must spread our passion wherever we go - that fire red story that burns inside us. Let it paint your world a vibrant shade of bliss.

Detailed Schedule: www.promotingpassion.com/schedule/

Modeled by Nathalie Talandier.

Tags:   promoting passion convention photo conference power passion brooke shaden fine art conceptual fairytale whimsical vines magical dark art

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