Lets Make Some Memories

all photos by Steven Beckly

Steven Beckly is a photographer living and working in Toronto, Canada. He believes there is a beauty in everyday moments that normally go unnoticed. He doesn't like chocolate, but loves Oreos. He wishes he had a pet wolf and shares with us intimate pictures of him and his partner. I think most of us can relate to a time in our life where we think we have found the one, made house with each other to soon find after time that the va va voom has gone. It dosen't mean you don't love them but a little light comes on and well both of you know it isn't working. Some bleak statistics perhaps but I have posted them to show some of you who may be doing it tough that the odds to have an ever lasting relationship are rare:

·      50% percent of first marriages, 67% of second and 74% of third marriages end in divorce (Forest Institute of Professional Psychology in Springfield, Missouri).

·      Among women that described themselves as happy, 49% said they were unhappy with their sex lives (Self magazine survey, 2010).

·      About one out of 10 married adults — or 12 percent — say that they typically sleep alone (National Sleep Foundation).

·      Unmarried women that have been cohabitating with men for 5 years or less have a 63% increased risk of obesity (University of North Carolina study).

·      Most cheaters – a whopping 60% -- have been in a relationship for at least five years. But 18% of newlywed women and 12% of newlywed men admitted to committing infidelity within the first year of marriage (British survey, 2005).

·      Only 29 percent of women report that they’re able to achieve orgasm during sex (National Health and Social Life Survey).

·      Just a month of cohabitation decreases the quality of a couple’s relationship (Penn State study).

·      Fifteen to 20% of married couples report being in a sexless marriage (Newsweek).

      ·      Nearly 50% of men admit to being unfaithful at some time in their lives         (MSNBC survey).

Whimsical Dreams!

Have you been wondering when we're going to see new blood in the photography world? Well I can assure you they are coming like a stampede of horses. This wonderful journal by sixteen-year-old American photographer Sophie captures every emotion a teenage girl feels. Sophie's heart-felt images share her dreams, search for perfect love, a want in self-discovery and heartache along the way all captured from her bedroom and backyard. Sophie will often match poems and lyrics to her pictures. I recommend you go and check her out on Flick'r.

All pictures by Whimsical* aka Sophie

Here is a paragraph from one of Sophie's favourite books."What do i know about love? Not much--thats the safe answer. Even when i think i have a grasp on it, something comes along to make me realize i dont know anything at all. its just a concept to me. its the thing that all the songs are written about, the thing that makes smart people act stupidly. if i can make love a concept, it makes me a better observer. and it also leaves a place inside of me hollow. sometimes i can actually feel it. to reach down inside that part-- i wonder how it would feel, to touch a void. that nameless empty." (--How They Met, by David Levithan ... one of the many books that makes me cry)."

Cardboard Love

There is something I need to share with you! I'm a crazy romantic so when I came across Cardboard Love of course I thought it was the coolest thing ever! Joey the maker of these little bits of cardboard never imagined the massive response he would get from his website. Everyday he posts a new love note too Maria. "In general, I am a pretty negative person. This project has been a chance for me to focus on the positive for a change," says Joey. This project demonstrates you only need a small piece of cardboard to show that you care about someone.

From China With Love

I am not going to ramble about this because I urge you to go to this website to follow the ecstatically romantic story of Madi Ju and Patrick Tsai (Pat Pat) that will tell you everything you need to know about the inspiration behind their gleeful photography.

The little snippet I will share is the My little Dead Dick photo diary lasted from the summer of 2006 to the summer of 2007 - exactly one year from the first day they met. Patrick Tsai and Madi Ju continued working and living together until their break-up which happened on the same day as the big earthquake in Western China in the summer of 2008.