Since the first day I set foot on the University of Southern California campus, something about being surrounded by so many brilliant go-getters changed me. Seeing so many young people with big dreams running full force like the fiercest fullback with his head down and the ball tucked low ready to charge at anything and anyone. My college days sparked a desire in me to do things … big, right and to the best of my ability no matter what it takes.

USC Fullback Stanley Havili (Photo Credit: Orange County Register)

People who know me both love and hate this.

Well, because it often means I will relentlessly fix something that looks perfectly fine to everyone else … except me. I.E., my cousin OJ and sister in-law Angela’s powerpoint graduation slideshows, my Save-the-Date Wedding Announcements, any of my television packages (I cannot tell you how many sleepless nights I have been up writing something till 6 a.m. that shoulda been done by 10 p.m.), and all my daughter’s school projects. Yeah, Tommy still laughs hysterically at the time I woke my daughter up at midnight and told her she could not turn in her English project “as is” because the ribbon frame on her posterboard looked terrible. Needless to say, we then spent the next three hours redoing the entire project. Yeah, I know, it’s pitiful. 🙁

Mommie may be a little crazy with school work sometimes, but Goobers always gets the grades!!!!

But a las, those who know me also know I do all this because I truly believe that anything you put “out there” or produce is a reflection of your character, your work ethic, and your desire and dedication to be the best. I want to be proud of everything that has my name attached to it, which is exactly why no matter how much a black licorice manufacturer pays me, I will NEVER endorse it .. that crap’s gross, LOL.

But with this I also know that I am far from perfect — I’m talkin man-on-the-moon far from it — but *DAGNABBIT*, I sure the heck am going to try to get close!!!

With all this said, my newest obsession has obviously become photography. I not only love being able to capture beautiful things through my lens, the challenge to become better has also lit a fire that totally excites me. And because of it, I’ve immersed myself in workshop after workshop, shootout after shootout, and though my bank account is bitterly dwindling because of this obsession, I have been blessed to have been a part of so many great photography gatherings thus far.

About a month ago, I was part of a fabulous daylong workshop in Hollywood that was held by award-winning photographer Scott Robert Lim, whose work can only be best described as artistic masterpieces because he doesn’t simply produce pictures, he creates works of art worthy of being hung on the sacred walls of The Louvre. He is simply a genius!

What I loved about Scott’s workshop is that he made each photographer spend a few minutes on each model and pose and instruct them on our own. Unlike many other “guerrilla” style photoshoots, Scott wanted us to be very hands on and pose each girl in a way that brought the beauty out of them. Although I do have to admit, with such gorgeous models, it’s not that difficult to “find” the beauty when it’s simply staring you in the face. 🙂

I have so many images to share from this incredible workshop, but I’ll start with just a few. I’m absolutely certain this will be just the first of many posts to share of these amazingly stunning women …