This year, my life and work has changed dramatically with my son Zand’s arrival in February. I have had to make more choices about how I use my time. When not working I’ve wanted to spend it sharing my boy’s first year with him. So yesterday I participated in the Santa Run with a great crew of women, other mamas, and their babes who I work-out with through Stroller Strides – also in the spirit of silly fun! It was a blast and reminded me how much I love Las Vegas for the fun and ridiculous that it brings out, which has been the life blood of my work since moving here in 2006.

This is all to say that yesterday’s blend of shooting and personal experience with Zand seemed like a good opportunity to return to the blog and attempt to begin to catch-up on personal and client work sharing. Happy holidays to all and more soon!  (that’s Zand, center right, my lil’ Santa in his babiators)

Zand is now two months old and life has been a bit busy since then. My husband, Kirk, and I savored a week and half with our  new boy before Zand suddenly stopped eating and became lethargic over a 24 hour period when he was 10 days old. We landed in the emergency room late at night and Zand under-went a battery of tests. He had an infection that required 10 days of IV antibiotics. Zand, Kirk and I spent the next 12 days in the hospital together around the clock. It was a horrific way to spend the second and third weeks of Zand’s life, and mine as a new mama, but we survived together and Zand is now  healthy, gaining weight like a champ and amazing me morning, noon and *all*-night.

My perspective on much shifts with each new day I spend with Zand. I am consciously savoring every minute of him as this tiny precious new born. I feel blessed to get to experience all of it. There is nothing I have ever known that compares to how wonderful it feels to snuggle my boy close, smell his irresistible newborn scent and to experience his contentment when I reach for him.

As in awe of my new boy as I am, my adoration and commitment to my work remains.  I will slowly resume taking assignments here and there, and more so in the coming months. I can’t hardly wait to work with some new clients that have gotten in touch of late. For now though, here are a few from my latest and most greatest personal project I’ve ever known.

After the experience of being by my Dad’s side through his battle with lung cancer, so many of the decisions and choices in business and daily life are much easier compared to the life depending calls I made for my father’s care at the end of his life.

The last two years have been jam packed with big life changes for me, personally and professionally. I’m hoping to get a few personal updates from the last year posted in the coming days, before giving birth to my first child.

I love and miss you always, Dad.

The story of how I went about the rebrand and transition from staff photographer to freelancer was fairly lengthy and detail laden and Jacqueline did a great job getting all the details straight. I’m super appreciative of the attention and recognition from PDN on my initial transition and marketing! Now, to keep moving full speed ahead!

The print edition tearsheets:

I covered Toastmasters years ago for another story but really had no idea what to expect from this event, it’s participants and audience. It was pretty clear upon my arrival that this event would be taken with seriousness by all involved as it was explained to me that this is the Olympics of public speaking, with finalists and supporters from the world over in attendance. Hefty security, hushed voices and repeated reminders to me that if any of the participants were uncomfortable with my presence (and shooting) at any time that access would be withdrawn.

Reporter John Bowe shares the full story best, so I’ll leave it to him. The morning was a fun one. The finalists were each interesting in their own right, and no one minded me documenting their preparations leading up to their world championship public speaking performance. It was another great reminder of how fascinating all of our unique stories, passions and sub-cultures are.

The tear sheet and a few out-takes from backstage…

This round American Airlines’ in-flight magazine, American Way, asked me to make portraits of Tony and shoot environmentals of the headquarter offices for a feature story for their August issue. My pleasure!

The story is a great read and fascinating tale of how doing things your own way and putting people over profits can work.  If you are ever in Las Vegas, Zappos does tours! You should go check-out this company and experience the unique culture of the place. Visiting always makes me reflect on how the majority of American businesses operate. And if you’re flying American Airlines or American Eagle this month, send me a cell phone snap of my pictures in the magazine via Twitter (@tiffanybrown) and I’ll send you a surprise!

Here’s the magazine spread and a few outtakes of Tony portraits.