Paris

Monday 03.31.14

Comments: 1

I have traveled to some beautiful places. I've seen sights that have taken my breath away. I've hiked mountains and crossed waters that have caused me to say "I've never seen something so beautiful." But Paris. Paris takes the cake when it comes to cities I've seen. From the moment my friend Stepha and I stepped off the train, my camera was out and it never saw the inside of its pack again. When leaving for Paris I was completely stressed. I even said to Stepha "I just have to get through this trip so I can get home and get work done, pay taxes, etc etc etc etc...." Then Paris happened. It was like the city beckoned us to stop. And so we did. We stopped our schedules and our constant connection with the ever-looming emails. For these days, we stopped trying to figure out whats next in life, therefore, we stopped stressing. We also stopped for what was present in front of us. You should ask Stepha how many times I stopped us mid walk, mid sentence, mid thought to take in the beauty. One moment it was an olive tree in a courtyard, the next, a potted plant cascading down a window. We stopped at a bakery for a warm baguette just because it smelled good. We drank the most expensive cappuccinos because, 'why not.' We stopped to take in the Eiffel tower peaking through alley ways as we got closer. And when we arrived, we were speechless.

Stillness out west.

Monday 03.17.14

Stillness. I've been thinking about this word. For me, it is a challenge to be still. Always moving, always doing, never resting. However, I need to practice stillness despite the challenges these days. One thing I realize is that it doesn't mean I need to literally sit and be still but rather that my spirit needs to be still. That could mean something different for everyone, for me it is to live in the moment. To literally treat moments like a still photograph. To be in the moment as if it is the one moment that matters. To rid myself of the worry or angst and business that surrounds me and to be s t i l l . To take a second or two and stop. To know myself well enough to know when pressures are becoming too great and I need stillness. When 2013 wrapped up and 2014 began, I needed stillness more than I ever have. I went out west to find it. I traveled to Montana to see a dear friend I have only met once but feels like we've known each other a lifetime. Now, even more so. We hiked through snowy forests to misty hot springs. We chatted over coffee in the mornings and wine in the evenings. And I found stillness. From there I went to California to be with friends who have become family. We hiked mountains we saw in the distance, picked fruits from orchards, and had a bonfire on the beach. And I found stillness. Finally I went North to Oregon to travel with a fellow photographer and explore Oregon's beauty. We drove miles through pine tree forests till we reached the foggy coast. Twice. We drank more coffee than you could imagine and met the sweetest folks. And there I too found stillness.

These photos are out of order and I did that on purpose... Its about finding stillness no matter where you are. This trip as a whole was one big journey and it doesn't end there. I'm learning as I go that to be still is to savor life. Its to let go of stresses even for a moment. To engage. I won't always be victorious in choosing stillness but I believe its worth the fight.

(Most square photos are from my iphone and seen on instagram. www.instagram.com/katemagee)

My most cherished photo.

Monday 11.11.13

Comments: 4

Happy Veteran's day to all the brave. To those who have served, sacrificed, and to those who have given their lives. Thank you. Again and again. Many of my loved ones have served in the military and I am incredibly grateful for them and their service. My father served for 25 years in the Navy as a fighter pilot. The smell of jet fuel and a ready room are familiar and remind me of him. As a military family we were used to sacrifice and sending him off to missions and praying for a safe return. And he always made it safely home.

We got used to the hard goodbyes and the safe returns. It became routine and ordinary. September 11, 2001 was a game changer for us. The story is a great one of God's grace and protection on my father, but in short, its a miracle he is with us today. That day made my family take a step back and reevaluate how comfortable we'd become in sending family into dangerous situations. We've never been the same since that day. We never say goodbye without a long hug, a look in the eyes and the words "I love you."

My younger brother joined the Army after graduating from JMU. We are so proud of him his service and the strength of his wife. This past April, through teary eyes, I watched the two of them say goodbye for what was to be a 9 month deployment. That was one of the sweetest and hardest things I've ever witnessed. We prayed together and sent him off after those long hugs, and the "I love you" and the "see you soon!"

10 days after the above photo was taken we got the phone call you think you'll never receive. My brother had been wounded in the war. The routine my family was used to-the hard goodbyes, the safe returns...this did not match up. After days of surgeries overseas, phone calls, prayers, he came back to the US to recover. When my family was gathered in the hospital room we prayed a prayer of thanksgiving for Justin's life. And prayers of comfort for the families of his friends who did not make it home. And we still pray for them.

A few weeks after Justin arrived home, the Army gave him permission to attend our sister's graduation at JMU. We grabbed a row in the back so the wheel chair could fit. As things got quiet, we were asked to rise for the National Anthem. The rest of my family stood beside Justin, so so proud of him. And then it happened. I heard a thud to my right and as I looked over I saw Justin grabbing onto my brother Ryan's shoulder and pulling himself up out of the wheel chair so he could stand to honor the country that he serves. The country he sacrificed for. The country his friends and fellow soldiers gave their lives for.

He stood.

And that is the moment I snapped my most cherished photo. With shaky hands. On my phone. But its still my most cherished. I actually can't put into words what this photo means to me. It represents so much. Freedom, strength, honor, and sacrifice.

Take a moment today to thank a veteran. Look them in the eye. Hug them longer.

Thank you for the sacrifice of your lives, R.J. Hess and Aaron Blanchard. 4/23/2013 | Army Strong

Hello Again

Wednesday 10.09.13

Oh, hey! ....it's October! My favorite season is finally here. So glad to start packing up the summer clothes and bring out the fall ones. This summer was b u s y. Between shoots, editing, travel, and enjoying the summer, time flew by. Annnd, here it is October 9th already. As you may have noticed, my blog didn't quite get the attention it deserves (sorry). I guess you could say it went on summer vacation too (? probably not). I've been enjoying the work flowing in and out of Kate Magee Photography and am finally taking some time to gear up for this new season and reflect on the past one. This summer I was blessed with many amazing new clients...guys, there's some really awesome things happening around here! I'm going to do my best to keep you all updated. For now, here's a hefty bit of a "show and tell" for you to catch you up on a few highlights from the past summer months. See you soon! 804 Industries