From PenMeetsPaper

I get some quizzical looks when I mention "The Big and Bright." Unless you're a native Texan -or maybe even if you are- those words might not ring a bell. There's an old folksy song about the Lone Star State called Deep in the Heart of Texas. The first line sings, "The stars at night, are big and bright... deep in the heart of Texas." I can remember singing it a million times as a kid (they really start that whole state pride thing early here) and I'll hear it every now and then at a fair or rodeo.

It's a cheesy song, no doubt. But that first line stands out to me. This all began as a place to tell stories. Stories of people doing brave, bold, original, creative, unique things. Artists. Designers. Entrepreneurs. Innovators. Small business owners. Girl bosses. Guy bosses. Anyone with that never say die attitude making a name for themselves and changing lives along the way, whether it be others' or their own. These people are the big and bright stars shining boldly, unabashedly, in a world content to stay inside the lines.

I'm telling different kinds of stories now. Stories of families changing, couples committing their lives to each other, people embarking on new adventures. In fact, I'm becoming one of those people, embarking on a new adventure and following the voice in my head saying "do this thing that makes you feel alive." So I'm going for it, camera in hand this time, because everyone has a story to tell. We all have that brightness inside of us somewhere - now I just want to capture it.

The "life and style" part will stay, as will the occasional features of entrepreneurs I find inspiring. But at the heart of it all, it's still storytelling, and those lyrics still ring true. I want these images and stories to reflect that outlook of doing and creating things the Texas way - confidently, boldly, authentically. That's what The Big and Bright is all about.