in•my•viewfinder

I'm a photographer, writer, and artist traveling the world. A digital nomad. "PODs" are my Photos of the Day. Buy a print of my work. Note: some links throughout this site are affiliate links.

[kaci]

Big news! My book is available for pre-order for the Kindle on Amazon! Aaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhh! http://amzn.to/2HJ81EM (at Austin, Texas)

[kaci]

Taking a break from the front lines to bring you this news: the last part of creative projects make me the most uncomfortable. I still have so much to do but I'm in that part where I'm staring at what I'm making and my heart is pounding and I'm sweating a little. I'm scared of this thing I've started. But now it's between creating a nothing or creating a terrifying something. So here we are. One terrifying something coming right up. (at Austin, Texas)

[kaci]

Okay, Austin! I'm baaaaaaaaaaaaaack. (For a limited time only. See the fine print for exclusions and details.) (at Austin, Texas)

[kaci]

View this post on Instagram

I was just looking back through the photos and videos I took while I visited my sister, bro-in-law, and nephew a few weeks ago... Oh, Kol. Silly boy. One video? Please. The first three takes were me just warming up. Also, he's adopted this hilarious evil cartoon laugh that cracks me up. #oneisneverenough #evilcartoonlaugh #crazyauntkaci #getoutofmynose #kidsthesedays (at Virginia)

[kaci]

I rolled with a new guy with something to prove in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu last night. I suddenly know what they mean by it being "The Gentle Art". I was weirdly calm and composed as he body slammed me into the mats. But I never lost my cool. Just kept trying to work what was available to me. Thanks for the black eye, new guy. Also, just as a brief aside, I'm gonna start resorting to my Krav Maga handshake (aka a groin kick) the next time I ask a dude to roll and he lifts his hands and says "don't hurt me" even though he knows he's better than me or even though he knows he's gonna body slam me across the mat. Don't patronize me. Let's get to work. P.S. I love to fight, but every once in awhile you meet people who have something to prove or have ego... breathe in, breathe out. I'm over it. I just want to keep learning. P.P.S. I'm back in Montreal. I love this city and I love this gym. (at Montreal, Quebec)

[kaci]

I love to travel, but travel days (moving from point A to point B) is such a bear. Here's a photo of what I'm carrying these days. Two bags. 54lbs. No wonder my legs are so strong now. (at Washington Dc, United States of America)

[kaci]

This is my sister's lemon pound cake. This little dessert brought me to tears. Literally. Easily in my top three desserts of all time. I had three pieces tonight. A lemon punch in the face married with a light fluffy cake. #mysisterisbetterthanyours #mysistercanbake #allmine #notsharing (at Edinburg, Virginia)

[kaci]

A couple weeks ago, something happened to me. I met my Internet Friends in real life. 200 or so of us got together for an altMBA alumni meet up in Hastings-on-Hudson, New York. I was star struck. It was like seeing famous people at every turn. People I look up to and love. I've done a lot of cool stuff in the last couple years, but meeting my co-coaches, my colleagues, my friends... That was special. Even now, I'm thankful to have the photos that show this weekend happened, because some days it's hard to believe that many amazing people could be in the same room at the same time. (at Hastings-on-Hudson, New York)

[kaci]

Travel by train is pretty fantastic. Even if it means leaving one of my favorite cities. Montreal, I'll miss you and I promise to be back VERY soon. (at Montreal, Quebec)

[kaci]

Yesterday while training at Tristar I had the extreme privilege to spar Jojo Calderwood, currently the UFC women’s #11 strawweight. She couldn’t have been nicer to me… and then the bell rung to begin our five minute round and she went from nice woman to killer animal in the blink of an eye. She was boxing only, but I could punch and kick. To be honest, it’s all a bit of a blur, but I know three things for certain: 1) I have never been hit so hard in my entire life, 2) she was fast and unforgiving — I could be certain that if any strike of mine landed, it ignited something in her that said DESTROY, and she came back harder, faster, and stronger. It was overwhelming and truly amazing to be apart of… and I’m gonna try to steal that little bit of fight wisdom from her, 3) any technique I’ve acquired in my time in martial arts went right out the window. I’ve noticed this sparring a number of pro fighters at Tristar and it’s a good reminder that I have a long way to go. (And thank goodness for that, I love learning to fight.) In this particular photo, we’re coming to the end of our round. I’m blasted. I’ve seen stars at least twice by this point. Today I’m sporting an adorable little black eye. I honestly could not possibly be happier with my training. Afterwards, she was just as nice as before and thanked me for the round. I have a few days left training at Tristar and I’m so stinkin’ thankful and humbled to get to spend my time with these athletes. I’m trying to soak up every last bit of knowledge that I can. And many thanks to Tanya (@supersaiyanmagicalgirl) for giving me access to these photos she shot. She takes pictures of fighters. You should follow her on Instagram and support her with your money on Patreon. (at Tristar Gym/coach Zahabi)

[kaci]

You'd think a fight gym like Tristar would be in a building that looks more... I dunno... indicative of the skill and talent and hard work within. Looks can be deceiving. I'm aiming to train as much as possible while I'm in Montreal: Muay Thai, Dutch style kickboxing, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. It's a humbling, powerful experience. I'm sparring with professional athletes and they are (very kindly) kicking my ass. These people could be elitists, but they're not. On more than one occasion I've sparred someone and after they've beaten the crap out of me asked "how long have you been training?" and their answer, without any ego, is "you mean competitively?" 😂 They just really want to surround themselves with other people who love to fight and who will make them better. Huge respect and appreciation for this community. (at Tristar Gym/coach Zahabi)

[kaci]

@fancytom painted my tonight! #Repost @fancytom (@get_repost) ・・・ Thanks a lot to @inmyviewfinder for coming over tonight for a portrait and letting me keep her for an extra half hour to really dig into some details! #art #painting #portrait #portraitpainting #contemporaryrealism #oilpainting #instaart #instaartist #fancytomportraitshow

[kaci]

Perusing the local used book store... All I'm saying is that you'd think The Simplicity Reader would be, ya know, NOT 600 pages. Maybe... simpler somehow? (at Austin, Texas)

[kaci]

Jiu Jitsu hair. That pretty much perfectly describes my ground fighting skills. A hot, scrappy mess. (at Fit and Fearless)

[kaci]

On a real vacation with my girlfriend, Karaline... the sangria, the sunshine, the ocean... I needed this. (at Cancún, Mexico)

[kaci]

These are some of my favorite things... fighting at Fit and Fearless (with surprise instructor Francisco, no less!), followed by a FitAid. I feel high with happiness. GLEEFUL. (at Fit and Fearless)

[kaci]

It's been awhile and life has been insane. I'm back in the United States to do some adulting for a short while. I spent a hot second in Oklahoma seeing my family and grabbing my car. (Fun fact: Chaos Ranch is my Mom and stepdad's house.) Next stop: Austin. #hioklahomabyeoklahoma #passingthrough #chaosranch #thisisarealplace (at Moore, Oklahoma)