{Almost December Photo Challenge} Phoenix, Arizona Photographer

“Democracy must be something more than two wolves and a sheep voting on what to have for dinner.
(often misattributed to Benjamin Franklin)”
― James Bovard, Lost Rights: The Destruction of American Liberty

Thankful today for the right to be free, speak my mind even if it shakes and comes out stupid, protest, not protest, walk the streets without fear. I am thankful for the many family member and friends who have served to protect that which I often take for granted. Blessings.

{Stacey Cordes Photography Open House} Phoenix, AZ Photographer

Examples of mini-sessions and fine art

{Almost December Photo Challenge} Phoenix, Arizona Photographer

“For things to reveal themselves to us, we need to be ready to abandon our views about them.”
― Thich Nhat Hanh, Being Peace

A bit tired today so no big words or deep thoughts. I am grateful for the power of daily renewal. I was blessed to have been asked to photograph a wonderful baby shower in Scottsdale filled with loving people, laughter and old friends. This morning I am grateful for the daily power of healing and renewal....and my warm cup of coffee:)

{Almost December Photo Challenge} Phoenix, Arizona Photographer

“Instructions for living a life.
Pay attention.
Be astonished.
Tell about it.”
― Mary Oliver

Every year I embark on a 30 day photo challenge or selfie challenge or some other thingabob on Flickr. Inevitably I fail, lose time, pitter on facebook or my new obsession Pinterest. But not this time. I have been going through a rather challenging time and spent it wallowing. Well I am done with wallowing cause as stated above their are too many beauties in life to wallow. I am going to post a picture a day til the holidays of what I am blessed for. Below is a beautiful Arizona sunrise. Pretty much straight out of camera. I am blessed I could wake up, drink my coffee, endure the cold (yes my body took about 3 days to adapt to 50 degrees being cold...laugh away) to take and breathe in this beauty. The mountains. The golden and pink sunrise. The quiet of the desert.
In times of challenge solitude of the desert brings peace.

{Count your Blessings} Chandler, AZ Fine Art Photography

For my children who share a special place with me at the sea, for my wonderful parents, sisters, relatives galore, friends that are too many to count. I am truly thankful for your constant love and support for better,worse, and when I could not offer much in return. I am thankful today that my life is rebuilding inch by inch and while I try to practice staying in the present....I am hopeful about the future has in store. Enjoy your Thanksgiving day, may it be a full of grace, love and joy.


“For Equilibrium, a Blessing:

Like the joy of the sea coming home to shore,
May the relief of laughter rinse through your soul.

As the wind loves to call things to dance,
May your gravity by lightened by grace.

Like the dignity of moonlight restoring the earth,
May your thoughts incline with reverence and respect.

As water takes whatever shape it is in,
So free may you be about who you become.

As silence smiles on the other side of what's said,
May your sense of irony bring perspective.

As time remains free of all that it frames,
May your mind stay clear of all it names.

May your prayer of listening deepen enough
to hear in the depths the laughter of god.”
― John O'Donohue, To Bless the Space Between Us: A Book of Invocations and Blessings

{Sit Down} Chandler, AZ Fine Art Photographer

“The purpose of life is to be defeated by greater and greater things.”
― Rainer Maria Rilke

Daily dose of humor...

Source: weheartit.com via Emily on Pinterest

{Kolby Granville for Tempe City Council} Tempe, AZ Portrait Photography

“Few are willing to brave the disapproval of their peers, the censure of their colleagues, the wrath of their society. Moral courage is a rarer commodity than bravery in battle or great intelligence. Yet it is the one essential, vital quality for those who seek to change a world that yields most painfully to change.”
― Robert F. Kennedy

Check out the website of this up and coming leader....and rock the vote.

Kolby Granville Tempe City Council

{ready.to.bloom}

“I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
― Maya Angelou

{Mama love} Minneapolis, MN Family Photography

All that is gold does not glitter,
Not all those who wander are lost;
The old that is strong does not wither,
Deep roots are not reached by the frost.

From the ashes a fire shall be woken,
A light from the shadows shall spring;
Renewed shall be blade that was broken,
The crownless again shall be king.”
― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring

just breathe

{Times to remember} Minneapolis/St. Paul Photographer

Life is an opportunity, benefit from it.
Life is beauty, admire it.
Life is a dream, realize it.
Life is a challenge, meet it.
Life is a duty, complete it.
Life is a game, play it.
Life is a promise, fulfill it.
Life is sorrow, overcome it.
Life is a song, sing it.
Life is a struggle, accept it.
Life is a tragedy, confront it.
Life is an adventure, dare it.
Life is luck, make it.
Life is too precious, do not destroy it.
Life is life, fight for it.”
― Mother Teresa

{Stacey and the City} Minneapolis/St.Paul, MN Artist

"Later that day I got to thinking about relationships.There is those that open you up to something new and exotic, those that are old and familiar, those that bring up a lot of questions, those that bring you somewhere unexpected, those that bring you far from where you started, and those that bring you back. But the most exciting, challenging and significant relationship of all is the one you have with yourself. And if you can find someone to love the you, you love, well that is just fabulous"
-Sex and the City

{The space between} Minneapolis, MN Artist Life

The space between the tears we cry
Is the laughter keeps us coming back for more
The space between the wicked lies we tell
And hope to keep safe from the pain

But will I hold you again?

These fickle, fuddled words confuse me
Like, will it rain today?
Waste the hours with talking, talking
These twisted games we're playing

We're strange allies with warring hearts
What a wild-eyed beast you'll be
The space between the wicked lies we tell
And hope to keep safe from the pain
-Dave Matthews Band
The Space Between

{The start of something new...} Fine Art Photography

Isn't it rich?
Are we a pair?
Me here at last on the ground,
You in mid-air.
Send in the clowns.
Isn't it bliss?
Don't you approve?
One who keeps tearing around,
One who can't move.
Where are the clowns?
Send in the clowns.
Don't you love farce? My fault, I fear.
I thought that you'd want what I want -
Sorry, my dear.
But where are the clowns?
There ought to be clowns.
Quick, send in the clowns....


-Stephen Sondheim
Send in the Clowns

Clients and friends, please be advised all back orders from July 2011 on will be sent out mid-November. Holiday orders should be placed before Thanksgiving and will be at your door by beginning of December. Prices and packages will be changed at the end of year. All orders placed after the holiday deadline (which I will announce a firm date by November 8th will be subject to new pricing.) Thank you for your patience and kindness during this difficult transition in my life and with my family.

Stacey