Happy New Year!!!

New Years Resolutions generally last about 2 weeks right? Most of us promise ourselves 'real change' in the new year only to disappoint ourselves around Super Bowl Sunday. With my new blog however, I now have a written record that will stare me in the face every morning as I roll out of bed to begin my day. Besides standing on a soap box to rail against politicians or discuss what Britney and Paris are wearing or not wearing, I think this might be why blogs truly exist. So here we go in no particular order.

* Focus on work; being proactive not reactive, assertive not passive.
* Focus on self; healthy body equals healthy mind, go to the gym!
* Focus on family; the holidays really point out the importance of family that often times gets lost when you are concentrating on the previous two.

Looking back, 2006 was a great year. I enjoyed great times with great people. My photography improved tremendously by exposing myself to many influences including the works of painter Egon Schiele (see insert). Expanded my relationships with magazines and agencies. Hey, I even started a blog! But 2007 needs to be better. . . . maybe I should compile a list of things I need to focus on? . . . wait . . . done!

How thin is too thin?

Recently I had . . . let's say. . . a 'heated discussion' concerning the thinness of models. Now this topic is not about how models portray an unrealistic 'ideal' for girls, or how our society promotes this same unrealistic 'ideal' through advertising. Those topics require pages upon pages of text. This has to do with the phrase "She's too skinny, she must be anorexic!" It's about prejudging an individual without knowing anything about them. The models I photograph tend to be on the thin side, but there are many factors that contribute to thinness other than an eating disorder. Just as it's unfair to criticize an overweight person on first glance, so too is it unfair to criticize those of us who are on the thin side. Yes, I am including myself in the discussion. I have been thin my whole life, did everything I could to gain weight only to hear people say 'Why don't you eat a sandwich?' Years and years of this wears on you, just as it wears on someone who might be overweight hearing the opposite. But people don't see it that way, they think it's fine to joke at your expense because the feel that being thin is the 'ideal'. But I see it in a models eyes and posture when someone all too frequently spouts off 'Wow! You're so skinny!' Most don't take it as a compliment. Just as the phrase 'Wow! You're so Fat!' wouldn't be taken as one either.

Backstage NY Fashion Week

Merry Christmas!

Just a personal note during this holiday season. On a recent trip to my brothers house to celebrate my birthday, I was sitting on the carpet in front of the fire playing Leggos with my 4 yr old nephew Erik. I have been stressed lately and was not in the best spirits even though everyone was there for me. We are playing with the 'Bob the Builder' set of Leggos when all of a sudden he says to me, "Remember you got me these Leggos last Christmas Uncle Karl? Remember?" I thought for about 5 seconds and then realized that yes, in fact I did buy him those Leggos last Christmas. I couldn't believe he remembered! Cute little story right? But it's important to realise no matter what personal issues you have over the holidays, put them aside and take time out to spend time with those family members who, while receiving tons of toys last year, will remember specifically what their Uncle Karl gave them last Christmas.

I am now part of the blogosphere!

Sample images http://karlrothenberger.com