Hi friends! It’s been a while since I’ve come on here just to chat. Not on purpose but life has a tendency of getting in the way. I’m sure like many of you, I haven’t been feeling like myself. Life lately has felt different and rightfully so. We are in the midst of a global pandemic and are experiencing the horrific outcomes of systemic racism, police brutality, mass incarceration, anti-semitism, homophobia, transphobia and so much more. While the weight of those things weighs so heavy on our hearts I am also feeling a juxtaposition with a sense of hope for change, an enjoyment of the slow down, feeling grateful for time with family, our health and safety. It kind of feels like we are on a roller coaster.

Last week, I got in the car with my parents and Obi and we drove 32 hours to our favorite place on earth, Hood River, Oregon. This is my 22nd Summer coming to this charming little town. Of course, it’s a bit different than normal. We are spending a month out here just enjoying the outdoors. We rented a house and we will be staying safe, not going out to eat, keeping a safe social distance from friends and trying to stay positive with the world’s current climate. As we drove into Hood River, I felt an overwhelming sense of happiness that brought me to tears. Coming here feels like coming home and there was something comforting about our arrival.

Then, I woke up on the Fourth of July with more overwhelming emotions. I felt sad, angry, disappointed and hurt for all of the people experiencing such extreme oppression by our “great” country. It doesn’t feel so great to me. I’ve had a hard time finding the words to express how the Fourth Of July made me feel but this James Baldwin quote summed it up pretty well; “I love America more than any country in the world, and, exactly for this reason, I insist on the right to criticize her perpetually”. We owe it to ourselves and our country to challenge ourselves to continuously improve to be the best we can be.

I have had an extreme lack of motivation for anything other than educating myself on America’s current climate and systemic racism. I am determined to becoming the best possible ally and be anti-racist every day going forward. I am determined to educate others on why it’s iso vitally important to exercise our right to vote and make sure everyone is properly registered to do so. I’ve felt unmotivated to write, unmotivated to create, unmotivated to do most everything that brings me so much joy. I’ve almost felt guilty for feeling joy right now. But that is not ok. My emotions took over and I stepped away and took the last many days off social media to take care of myself, figure out my emotions and figure out where I want to go from here.

I’ve had lots of long talks and shared many tears with my Mom and some close friends over the last week. If there’s one take away it’s that we have to continue to spread joy, love, light & hope because without these things, we will not thrive. We have to continue the conversation, support and be there for our friends and family, spread kindness like a rain storm, stand up for every other human being and we have to, for goodness sakes, wear a damn mask.

I know a place where many of us have bonded is over our mutual love of creation. Creating beautiful images is something that has brought me immense joy since I was a young girl. I have loved sharing my experience, advice and behind the scenes of shoots with you. By doing so, I’m able to share that love and help others who want to begin creating, learn how to do so. I have decided that I will be shifting my focus back to this. It is a way I know we can share a mutual joy and love of creativity. I have done a poll on Instagram asking you all what it is you want to learn and see more of. Based on your requests, I will be putting together a lesson plan (if you will) and get back to sharing more #AliStoneArtSchool posts with photography, content creation & editing tips and tricks.

I look forward to getting back to a more normal place (in terms of creating) with and for you all.

This is a reminder to you all who may be feeling down like I have, don’t lose hope & find your joy every day. This country and our BIPOC brothers and sisters need us & our hope & joy. I hope you will all join me in choosing kindness and standing up for the one race that exists, the human race.

Love you all,

xx Ali

Adjusting to Change, Updates & Some Thoughts On Life Lately