YPA's Where Are They Now: Leah Schonauer
YPA News feature updating my adventures and photographic career since being a part of the YPA Mentorship Program in 2014.
Extremely honored and humbled are the only ways I can describe seeing my name on the Young Photographers Alliance News page. These past two years since the YPA Mentorship Program has been a whirlwind, with lots of different directions in my photographic career and life in general. Find out my recent adventures in my self-written article on the YPA website!
Read my YPA Where Are They Now: Leah Schonauer article by clicking the link or the photo below.
Live by faith & share through fotos.
Bloom Where You Are Planted
Symbolism in the little things.
I bought an flower from the 99 Cent store in town to bring a little life into my room, if I can't have my very own garden. The tag said it was an african violet, but I think it's a type of pansy. I thought it would be a simple thing to take care of, I mean it fit in a small cereal bowl that I planted it in (totally using my resources here), I mean what could go wrong? I set it in my room and watered it when I thought it might be a little dry, it looked like it had some sun in the afternoon, since the sun sets where my window is. "It'll be fine," I thought.
Reality. My plant died. Well became very close to dying; it was droopy and sad looking, and the once blooming buds were shriveling. I asked my mom if I should just throw it away because there wasn't much more I could do. I began to realize the soil was just too dry, as I had thought I may have overwatered it before. Soon, I learned that watering it in the morning and at night helped my little flower, as I saw the color come back into the buds. I rearranged my room and I sat the tiny cereal bowl garden in my window on a stand, so it had more of a chance to see the sun through the day. I counted the blooms. One... two... three... water in the morning... water at night. It began to droop again, maybe too much water? Water in the morning, water a little at night. Four, five, six, seven. A week went by, I was learning to care for this little gem as it bloomed right where I planted it. Eight, nine, ten, eleven! More and more blooms popped up. Every day there seems to be more. I now have 19 blooms on a flower that I planned to throw away when things were looking a little rough and the water had dried up.
Bloom where you're planted.
Sometimes the first place we are planted is a little rough, drying up our inspiration and hopes. Maybe we're losing the life we once had. The next place we plant ourselves is a little better, we start to learn what works for us and what doesn't so much. Sometimes we fall. But we look to The Light and slowly, but surely find our way and find ourselves with more blooms of joy than we ever dreamed were possible in an idea that began in the size of a cereal bowl.
Live by faith & share through fotos.
Los Angeles: Part 4
Simple is key.
Week 4
January 23-29
A simple week. And simple images to reflect it.
Live by faith & share through fotos.
Welcome to Los Angeles!
New adventures for 2016, starting off the New Year in beautiful Los Angeles!
Big news for 2016, I moved to the great and wonderful Los Angeles on the first of the year. This has been an incredible opportunity so far and I've decided to do a weekly blog about my adventures on the west coast.
This first week has been a dream! I flew out of Cleveland, OH which was actually my first flight, ever. I had a layover in Chicago and then was off again to LAX. Luckily I had the window seat for the first flight, but not so lucky with the second flight. But regardless, I made sure I was able to see out the window and get some shots of the gorgeous sunset. I will never forget as we were about to land in Los Angeles, the sun was just setting and lights were just starting to come on, it looked like a Christmas tree! As I looked out and saw the ocean, the flight attendant spoke, "Welcome to Los Angeles".
So the reason behind moving out to Los Angeles.. I was given the opportunity to work as a nanny for the sweetest family. The parents, Todd and Michelle, have an 18 month old, busy, bundle of happiness named Lana. I can easily say this is the most entertaining and favorite job I've ever had, and it's only been a week.
Week 1
January 1 - January 8
So far, I've been able to see around the town I'm living in, and travel to several beaches along Southern California. I've been able to see El Segundo Beach and bike through Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, and all the way to Redondo Beach Pier along The Strand, which is a biking path. The weather has been a little strange off and on with El Niño, rain and thunderstorms after having a drought for four odd years. Oh well, at least it reminds me a little bit of the midwest weather.
This experience has led me to meet some amazing people, and I'm excited to see where else it will take me! Lesson of this developing story: don't be afraid to step outside of your comfort zone and go exploring the world, if it's across town or across the country. Do new things, talk to new people, enjoy yourself, and give thanks for the blessings and opportunities God puts in your path.
Live by faith & share through fotos.