These days, one must have a Flickr, Linkedin, Vimeo, youtube, Facebook, Myspace, About.me, Twitter, Instagram, a personal website, deviantART, Tumblr, Foursquare, Google+ and the list can go on and on. 

My friend Matt Odom has many networking sites: 

Website: www.mattodomcreative.com,  www.rockandrollhearts.com

Vimeo: www.vimeo.com/mattodom

Twitter: www.twitter.com/ataricharm / www.twitter.com/rocknrollhearts

Facebook: www.facebook.com/mattlandia

Linkedin:www.linkedin.com/in/mattlandia

Google+: https://plus.google.com/114516900587916663753

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/mattodomcreative

flickr: www.flickr.com/people/ataricharm

Instagram:Matt Odom

A year ago Matt started RockandRollHearts because he thought there was plenty of room in the wedding industry for nontraditional, creative, original ways to document people in love.  Since launching RRH, people from around the world have responded with TONS of love and support for the work.  His clients are kindred spirits. Couples who aren't defined by the norm.  Lovers who aren't afraid to create art.  Salt-of-the-earth sorta folks.  They all, to a person, have rock and roll hearts.

His very first video he tweeted out to the world and somehow, someway he his tweet and video was retweeted by Aston Kutcher, who has over 70,000 followers. His video on Vimeo went from 416 views to 21.6K in one day! It was featured on the AOL Home page and Odom even got to appear on the Nate Burkus show to talk about Rock and Roll Hearts.

 Here is the video that started it all.

Lauren + JP from Matt Odom on Vimeo.

Matt Odom has talent and he got lucky. Someone who has had their break (Kutcher), helped him get his video viewed by millions. 

Lauren Lemon is one of the top Instagram photographers with over 87,000 followers. On average she gets over 1,500 ‘likes’ on her photographs. She’s featured on Tumblr’s main page as ‘one to follow’ in the photography section. How did she get there? What did she do right? 

 http://laurenlemon.tumblr.com/

Lara Jade is on the verge of turning 21 years old. At the age of 17 started her own business. She started out taking photographs two years prior and put her work on devientArt and Flickr. Her work was an instant favorite who people and she got signed with agency to start photographing for magazines. 

 http://www.larajade.co.uk/

 It is the information age now. 

Here is my list of sites that I am on. 

 Instagram: holly_schumacher

Twitter: @hollyschumacher

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/hollyjsch

Tumblr: http://hollyjimages.tumblr.com/

Website: hollyjimages.com

Vimeo: http://vimeo.com/user4477139/videos

Maybe one day I might get my lucky break. I maybe featured in magazines. I might have my own book. I might be a top Instagram user. I might be featured on Tumblr’s main page. 

I might needs to turn into I WILL.

Do I know you from somewhere?

Why do you leave me wanting more?

Why do all the things I say

Sound like the stupid things I've said before?

-Madonna

A month ago I had a guy who found me interesting and called me and texted - everyday. He even told me when he across the street at the Gas Station, made me dinner and then the next week- non existent. Did I push him away with unknowing actions? Was his persistence making me uncomfortable? It was nice and comforting to have someone to be so interested in me.

Traveling down this road

Watching the signs as I go

I think I'll follow the sun

Isn't everyone just

Traveling down their own road

Watching the signs as they go

I think I'll follow my heart

It's a very good place to start

-Madonna

A best friend who wants to have sex with me for a reason I don't know, I'm clearly in love with him and I know he won't date me. Though he wants to have sex with me... and I'm okay with it. I allow it to happen, knowing that when I wake up in the morning, he's still a friend? Am I his back up plan? Do i keep other men at a distance waiting out for this one guy? I once again allowed him to toy with my emotions for his selfish gain. 

My substitute for love
Should I wait for you

I had so many lovers...

-Madonna

I work with a girl who is dominating, strong alpha female who rules with an iron fist. She's not rude to everyone, why is she rude to me?  Is it because I allow the behavior? Why? For what reason? So that she can feel dominant? So I can play the victim?  Does she feel the need to be in control, because I intimidate her?  I allow her to treat me in a horrible way.  Why do I allow her to make me feel like she's dominant and controlling? Is it all in my head? 

By accepting how people treat me, I am telling them that behavior is acceptable.

I'm forgiving. I like that I am and I don't hold grudges. Though, I need to stand up for myself. My best friend Leighann keeps telling me once I start standing up for myself that I won't look back. 

Nothing really matters

Love is all we need
Everything I give you
All comes back to me

I realize
That nobody wins
Something is ending
And something begins

-Madonna

 It begins with me.     

- holly schumacher

Mr. Steve Falkner.

Great friend, host, gardener, Englishman, Scotch Connoisseur. Each year he hosts in his garden a Great Gatsby party. Everyone is required to dress up in costume. My Goal for the outfit was to not be predictable and wear a flapper dress.  I had to work Saturday, so after having my shift drink I ran home and through an outfit together. A vest, pants, hat, fur shawl, suspenders, The final look=

I brought my camera, knowing I wanted to Blog about my friend Steve. He has always been open arms about letting me photograph in his garden. As a great Englishman, he tends his garden with a big green thumb. Plants and flowers one never thought existed grows in lush abundance. Everytime I have come over he has poured me a glass of wine and offered me to stay and take in the garden. One time this summer we sat outside as the sun came down and watching the fireflies take over the woods- dancing- for a brief moment I didn't think I was in the city.

Another time I showed up and the sprinkler was on. I had just came from the pool and decided I would jump and play in it. 

A few days after I played in the sprinkler I received a text from Steve saying that he thought I had so much fun that when he was stressed at work in his office at home, he saw the sprinkler and ran out in it and played. It made his day seeing someone having fun in his garden. That's steve for ya!! Here is some more photos of the Great Gatsby Party he had Saturday night.

I was honored to photograph Granville Automatic’s, Elizabeth Elkins and Vanessa Olivarez last month in Texas.  The two of them are amazing story tellers  and write  songs from a shared love of history, horses, war and heartache. Each song they play/sing take you to a given moment in time in past history.

They are focused individuals and their talent surpass the average musician and singer and they are still humble, focused, driven and selfless. 
 

Here is a video of them on Bands on Demand hosted by Zoe Simone.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ii2oqZOWcig

The hard work is paying off for Elizabeth and Vanessa. They have over 80 songs written and have played over 150 shows since last April (and that is just a guess.) They had a successful Kickstarter campaign last fall and  and record 10 of their songs in Nashville this past summer. Now that they have the songs written, record, they now need everything mixed.  You can help Granville Automatic by giving a dollar or more by October 16th to their Kickstarter to help mix the songs they have recorded.  Going after your dreams is not cheap. One must have determination and also have the humbleness to ask for help when needed. 

To visit their Kickstarter webpage at http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/2135154524/granville-automatic-mix-the-record

Here are some of the photos from our shoot in Texas. We went to a few of the missions outside of San Antonio. I wish I had remembered the name of them. I was quite sick  the day we went out there in the blazing hot summer sun in September. Enjoy the photos. Please watch the youtube video and look at the website at 

http://www.granvilleautomatic.com/

These two women deserve a chance at reaching their goals and dreams because they inspire me. If they inspire me then I just know that they can help inspire others.

I love you Elizabeth and Vanessa! Thanks for being such great friends!

I remember that her son Rex was struggling with a heroin addiction and was clean for a year when I met Rex at the pub. I asked her how Rex was doing and then she told me that she lost Rex 3 months ago. Rex decided to use one more time- not knowing that one more time would be his last.

I told her I was sorry for her loss and if she was open to talking about it I would listen. This is Rex’s Story.

When Rex was a child, Nancy knew he was until anyone else. Rex could feel all emotions. He was a sponge for all energy- Energy from humans, energy from nature. When Rex was 6 years old he was sitting on the toilet with his head in his hands. Nancy asked if he was ok, He told her he was upset. Rex had questions that didn’t have answers. Is there a God? Is there not a God? Why can’t he understand what he was feeling. 6 years old. 

 Rex took the SAT’s once in 8th grade- Got a scholarship to NorthWestern on those SAT scores. He experimented with Pot. He dabbled in this and dabbled in that. If Rex had sex with a girl- he fell in love with them. One girl Lily- a heroin user broke his heart. He want to get back with her and used. Then used. Then used again. Thinking that was going to get her back.

After sometime in rehab he got clean. Rex went back to college at University of Colorado at Boulder. Over July 4th weekend, Rex’s roommate went a 4th of July party and Rex stayed home. His roommate came home on July 5th to Rex dead from his last overdose.  

Nancy talked to me about how Rex is still with her. His ashes hang around her neck in a cross. She has relief that he’s happier now and misses him everyday. Rex speaks to her in the form of birds and energy. She told me about a hawk that swooped down the car front window as she was getting in the car and hit the bush in front of her. The time that birds kept hitting her window at her house. The time that she opened her window to see a bush full of black butterflies. She asks her self ‘is it Rex? or am I just more aware of natures energy, now that he is gone’? 

She threw a cup of his ashes in the 1000’s Islands Lake in New York. A full double rainbow spread its colors over the Lake when she tossed Rex’s ashes. He was there.  She knows that the moment he died he said ‘What the fuck did I do’ Then was at peace. She can’t explain how and why she knows it- she just does.

Rex has a lot to do now. A lot of people to take care of without the burden of drugs or weight of the world. He watches over Nancy and many others now. 

Nancy gave me a great gift by feeling comfortable with me to tell me her and Rex’s story and love. This blog post can’t give Rex and Nancy the justice that they deserve. I can’t remember the art I saw Friday night. I didn’t take any photos. That wasn’t important to me. Nancy’s words were. 

LOVE those around you. For there good, for there bad. Take to time out to let people know they are important to you. Those individuals might not be here tomorrow. Don’t take things personally, Don’t sweat the small stuff. 

Everything time you read the name REX in this blog- his spirit lives, thrives and helps Nancy heal. 

I love you Nancy. Your energy and love is shown and appreciated. Thank you for sharing your story of Rex with me. 

I remember that her son Rex was struggling with a heroin addiction and was clean for a year when I met Rex at the pub. I asked her how Rex was doing and then she told me that she lost Rex 3 months ago. Rex decided to use one more time- not knowing that one more time would be his last.

I told her I was sorry for her loss and if she was open to talking about it I would listen. This is Rex’s Story.

When Rex was a child, Nancy knew he was until anyone else. Rex could feel all emotions. He was a sponge for all energy- Energy from humans, energy from nature. When Rex was 6 years old he was sitting on the toilet with his head in his hands. Nancy asked if he was ok, He told her he was upset. Rex had questions that didn’t have answers. Is there a God? Is there not a God? Why can’t he understand what he was feeling. 6 years old. 

 Rex took the SAT’s once in 8th grade- Got a scholarship to NorthWestern on those SAT scores. He experimented with Pot. He dabbled in this and dabbled in that. If Rex had sex with a girl- he fell in love with them. One girl Lily- a heroin user broke his heart. He want to get back with her and used. Then used. Then used again. Thinking that was going to get her back.

After sometime in rehab he got clean. Rex went back to college at University of Colorado at Boulder. Over July 4th weekend, Rex’s roommate went a 4th of July party and Rex stayed home. His roommate came home on July 5th to Rex dead from his last overdose.  

Nancy talked to me about how Rex is still with her. His ashes hang around her neck in a cross. She has relief that he’s happier now and misses him everyday. Rex speaks to her in the form of birds and energy. She told me about a hawk that swooped down the car front window as she was getting in the car and hit the bush in front of her. The time that birds kept hitting her window at her house. The time that she opened her window to see a bush full of black butterflies. She asks her self ‘is it Rex? or am I just more aware of natures energy, now that he is gone’? 

She threw a cup of his ashes in the 1000’s Islands Lake in New York. A full double rainbow spread its colors over the Lake when she tossed Rex’s ashes. He was there.  She knows that the moment he died he said ‘What the fuck did I do’ Then was at peace. She can’t explain how and why she knows it- she just does.

Rex has a lot to do now. A lot of people to take care of without the burden of drugs or weight of the world. He watches over Nancy and many others now. 

Nancy gave me a great gift by feeling comfortable with me to tell me her and Rex’s story and love. This blog post can’t give Rex and Nancy the justice that they deserve. I can’t remember the art I saw Friday night. I didn’t take any photos. That wasn’t important to me. Nancy’s words were. 

LOVE those around you. For there good, for there bad. Take to time out to let people know they are important to you. Those individuals might not be here tomorrow. Don’t take things personally, Don’t sweat the small stuff. 

Everything time you read the name REX in this blog- his spirit lives, thrives and helps Nancy heal. 

I love you Nancy. Your energy and love is shown and appreciated. Thank you for sharing your story of Rex with me. 

(http://www.theconstellationsmusic.com/ ) Wes along with the rest of the band are just so talented- it’s humbling. All of my friends who are in bands have this perseverance that not many individuals have.  They have talent, they have drive, they may be poor, and they are on the road all the time- though, they are doing what they love. I admire that. 

I love how music can provoke emotion. When Coldplay played- I felt the emotion from the crowd. Their lyrics spark and provoke emotions that people have a tendency to hide. The song “Fix You” says a lot-

‘When you try your best, but you don’t succeed

When you get what you want, but not what you need

When you feel so tired, but you can’t sleep

Stuck in reverse

And the tears come streaming down your face

When you lose something you can’t replace

When you love someone, but it goes to waste

Could it be worse?’

Every person has felt this at some point of time. What is completely wonderful about art and music is that it can stir emotion in people. They crowd of thousands last night sang along- knew the words. Felt the emotion. 

As an artist, I strive to convey the emotions I feel- for people to be able to relate to me-  so that they understand that they aren’t alone. Everyone gets sad. Everyone looses someone they love. Everyone cries. Everyone lives though it. It all depends on one’s character on how they deal with it. 

I want to be that artist that helps people get through the hard times. I have the talent and I have the drive and I will not give up. I continue to produce art because it helps sooth my soul. I just hope it soothes other peoples soul too. 

Here is some of the photos I took at Music Midtown.

Dan was a loving it!

I loved how the light was shining through the leaves.

Beer!!!!!!

The crowd kept coming.

The night ended with fireworks. Such a great way to end it.

Thanks for reading everyone. Have a great week!

So, you ask, what will I be writing about each week? Good question- I don’t know. I can write about what I’m learning in class, a cool photographer that I’ve stumbled apon and think you should follow, my own work perhaps. I guess it will depend on what mood I’m in. 

My first week of school is done and my weekend of slinging drinks at Victory Sandwich Bar is complete with a few extra dollars in my pockets. Thank goodness since Saturday morning I woke up to $1 in my saving account, $5.86 in my checking account and bills to be paid. Financial Aid will be a god send in my account later this week and add more money I owe the government! Being a smart young women in my 30’s, I ask myself ‘what did i get myself into? why did I feel going back to school would be a good idea?’ I don’t really know when those questions will be answered. 

I love my classes. I’m taking contemporary art which is a great review of art I have already studied in undergrad and Graduate Critique Review. What is graduate critique review you ask? I haven’t figured that out yet- though when I do, I will let you know.

I have to present an idea to Professor Forest on what I want to work on this semester for GCR (graduate critique review). Something that I am really interested in challenging myself with is to shoot and edit photos all with my iphone. I tested this out this weekend with a photo. 

This is the before:

and this is the after:

I used several different app’s to shoot and create this photo. Some of these apps are, qbro, CrossProcess, iDarkroom, TiltShiftFocus, and MagicHour.

With this photo I used iDarkroom, qbro and PicFrame.            

What are your thoughts, suggestions and criticism as a viewer?  Would you like to see more?  

 Alexander Graham Bell once said,

“When one door closes, another opens; but we often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door that we do not see the one which has opened for us.”

There are so many photographers, so many artists out there that are gifted and talented that are never known about; their work is quietly seen only by friends and family. What separates the John Doe artist from the Andy Warhols?