Blog and Portfolio

Hello 2012!

I am quite excited to hang out with you, but I must not forget about 2011. To begin, thank you for all you’ve brought me this year, I could not have asked for more!

This past year brought me much joy and  many lessons, per usual. All in all, I would say the most important thing that happened to me this past year was growth. I spent most of my year in Missoula at school. It was a great time — I learned about a whole new part of the country and really dove into my school work. I relearned how much of a nerd I am with my love for school and color coordinated planning to every aspect of my life. I fell in love with the journalism program at Montana, mainly due to the sincere motivation my professors instilled in me. I became better at my photography and my confidence in that area has soared, though I know I still have a long way to go! I met amazingly talented and creative people who have inspired me to be the best I can.

Montana has given me so much more than a college education. I met completely new people from completely different parts of the country and world who have completely different beliefs and values as myself. A distinct memory that has stuck with me is a time I spent with a friend I met in one of my photojournalism classes. While heading to St. Ignatius, Montana with her (she is an exchange student from China) we got talking about values and how things different from China to America, especially in terms of family. She was asking me about mine and my siblings and welp, out came my question of “Do you have any siblings?”  Instant foot in the mouth feeling, but she calmly answered ‘nope’ and we continued our conversation. It taught me to be slower with my questioning when meeting new people, but at the same time don’t be afraid. She didn’t take any offense to the question and I ended up learning a lot about the Chinese culture. I also met a lot of people who face challenges many of us cannot even imagine. I was constantly reminded that you never know what is going on in someone else’s life to be kind and warm to every single person you meet.

I spent my summer helping out a family that I adore so much (if you couldn’t tell by my constant blog and photographs posted). I grew up so much this summer due to that. Having two little children be quite dependent on you just does that. I am nothing but thankful for that. The growth from this past summer helped me stay very focused this past fall, for my final semester of college, while not clouding my judgement for my future life decisions. It reminded me how hard I will have to work these next few years to someday have everything I want. It showed me patience and the importance of giving. But most importantly, it reminded me about the strength of love and family. It was tough at times for the family I worked with. But, through the struggle due to sickness and other factors, love always remained and the good times prevailed.

Now, to the big guy (yes, I mean that in more way than one). This past year, well, I feel in love. Cliche? Maybe, but the complete truth. For so long I was so completely focused on myself and my future that I think I sometimes forgot about others. I have always been a caring and giving person but being in a relationship brings that to a whole new level! No longer does your day just revolve around yourself and what you want to do. Despite the alterations I had to make, Devin has made me a better person. One of my greatest weaknesses in life is being used and not always standing up for myself. Devin has constantly reminded me of that and has made me a little less naive about the world. One of my greatest strengths sometimes can be my greatest weakness at the same time. I constantly see the best in every person I meet but sometimes that causes me to get taken advantage of. Through my relationship I learned how I should never, ever change how I see the world because that makes me who I am, but I also need to make sure I am observant of how people treat me. To be completely honest, it was sort of a sad realization that not all people have your best interest in their heart, especially since that is how I try and live every day. That is the real world. My relationship has made me more aware of the real world since I am commonly stuck in “Stine land”, which is filled with cute puppies, little kids, pretty photographs and loving people. I am so thankful for everything I have learned through my relationship because it has made me value those who sincerely treat me well and have my best interest in mind. Not only did I learn a lot but I have had a blast! Thank you, Dev!

As for my resolutions?! Well, I do want to run a marathon sometime this year. I would love a job, as would my parents, ha ha. But most importantly, I want to remain as positive and upbeat as I am and I want to brighten everyone’s day that I encounter. Wish me luck!

I am so excited to start 2012. I am getting ready to start my career (well, hopefully someone will want to hire me!) I am not exactly sure what 2012 will bring me, but cheers to it! I hope you all will have a wonderful year!!

xoxo,

Justine

A corner and a button in case of emergency is the title of my first book! I am currently finishing up a documentary photojournalism class and each student got to pick a subject and a format for their project. I documented, photographed, wrote and designed the book. Our final products are due tomorrow (cringe…deep breathes…) so I wanted to share a little forward before I release it. Though I do not feel it is completely finished (I think for this project to feel finished I would have to spend years on it) I am happy to share it!

I decided to do my project on access for students with disabilities. I sort of fell into this subject but I am so happy that I decided to pursue it. I worked with a variety of people at the University of Montana, a few including disability services for students (DSS), the UM chapter of America’s with Disabilities Act (ADA) team, transportation and housing along with a few wonderful students who have disabilities. At this time I would like to extend a special thank you to John Pielaet, Mark Boatman, Kiira DeVries and Kye Weber. Without each of them this project would not have been possible!

Through the few months I’ve worked on this project I learned more than imaginable. More obviously, I learned about the actual access and struggles that students with disabilities face on an everyday basis. But, I think there was a greater lesson learned here. I worked with students who face some of, what could be, the most disheartened situations such as living with muscular dystrophy, cerebral palsy or blindness. To be completely honest, at times, I was a bit saddened by some of the obstacles these students have to overcome to do simple tasks. I was upset with my selfishness. But then, I felt guilty for feeling bad. I was not going to be a person who patronized or felt pity towards people who have disabilities. If I learned anything from this project it’s that most people with disabilities do not want that. People with disabilities are just people who face a greater obstacle than most — there is no need to categorize or label. As one student said “everyone has their issues.” Now, is that the truth or what!

I learned about aliments, struggle, overcoming odds and access — probably most of the clichés everyone would expect. But, what I think I learned most from this project was appreciation. I, of course, was reminded to appreciate the basic abilities that many people take for granted— the ability see, the ability to walk.  But, more importantly, what I learned to appreciate is the perspective and attitudes that people face life with. Each student I worked with has a different back-story and a different path. Jon’s sense of humor and willingness to help hooked me. Mark’s fight to never give up has helped him to be the first person in his family to receive a four-year degree — in journalism no less. Kiira’s contagious laugh, warm personality and beautiful music makes you want to be around her. Kye’s honest and openness about who he is rare at our age, especially in a college setting.

Each student I worked with is someone I would want to be friends with because of their character, and solely their character. I am appreciative for people like this who remind me of what I stand for, who I am striving to become and who make me a better me.

In the words of Mark Boatman “I think a person has a positive outlook or they don’t — there’s no secret. You have to decide if you’re going to live life and enjoy the experience or dwell on the negatives.” Well people, it’s as simple as that. Now, go live (and stayed tuned for my book)!

I am taking a photojournalism class this semester and I below are some of the photos from the assignments! They ranged from event stories to sports to the Day of the Dead parade in Missoula.

I hope you get a taste of the class!

Here are a few photographs that I took of a family here in Missoula!

Enjoy!!

Today is special…extra special. I go the opportunity to honor some of the greatest heroes of our country…the veterans.  I want to say thank you to every single veteran out there…I must say, I have been granted the blessed life I live because of each and every one of them. Thank you!!

Here are some photos from today! (OH! I will be updating my blog from this semester, ASAP! No excuses, I know, but I’ve been extremely busy!)

I got the privilege of shooting beautiful girls Story and Nina. They’re such cuties and I had such a blast shooting them. I hope you enjoy!

John Patrick ‘Jack’ O’Hara graced this world on July 27th, 2011 at 8:29 p.m. The tiny little guy weighed in at 6 pounds and 4 ounces. Maggie and Ellie were so excited to see their baby brother. I wanted to snap a few photos the big sisters seeing their baby brother for the first time!

These photos aren’t the greatest but I felt it was essential to share this little bundle of joy for everyone to see!!

Oh, and a few photos of Maggie before we went to the pool one day are in the mix too!

Ellie is the younger of the two girls I have taken care of this summer. She is now 18 months and her nickname in the house is ‘Boo’. Boo has been my little buddy this summer..she’s gone shopping with me, to the pool, and even running with me (well, in the stroller!). One day I decided to go on a little beach adventure with Boo. She loved it…well, for the most part…the sand was a bit scary for her at first. Hope this precious little girl makes you smile as much as she makes me smile!

This summer has basically consisted of me working 24/7 so I sadly haven’t shot nearly as much as I have wanted. But, I did get to have long weekend mini vacation to visit my boyfriend in Texas. But, I wanted to share some of the few photographs that I have been able to capture this summer! Hope you enjoy!

So this summer I decided to help out the family that I worked with last summer. I am so excited to get to spend time with these little  girls before I go off and start my own career! Here are a few photos I’ve captured so far! Enjoy!