Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Cardinal
I see why the Cardinal is the state bird of Virginia! I've seen so many since we have moved out here. This little guy let me get about 2 feet away from him before he flew off!
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Downtown details
I don't exactly know why, but I love this picture. This was a streetlamp outside a little shop in Telluride.
I love how Telluride culture incorporates skiing into everything. These ski's make an awesome railing to a porch.
And these are their public benches!
I love how Telluride culture incorporates skiing into everything. These ski's make an awesome railing to a porch.
And these are their public benches!
Gone to seed....
I love when dandelions have gone to seed. (although my neighbor desperately needs to mow them :) They make me think of my childhood, and little girl wishes sent off into the breeze.
Monday, May 25, 2009
The Dance
While we were in Colorado, we watched Carley and Adam exchange their vows. I always told myself I would never get into wedding photography. I don't think I could handle the stress, the bridezilla's, or the whole production of the thing. But, I think I would have a blast as a 2nd shooter where I could sit back and capture the details of the wedding, without worrying about the formality. I was bummed I forgot my speedlight, so I had to make due with my on camera flash, but I still like the mood of this photo. This was a dance Carley shared with her father, if I remember right.
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Message Board
Logan and I recently made it back from a trip to Colorado. Our last day there, Andy's family indulged me with a road trip to Telluride! I was so excited to finally be able to visit the town and it was definately worth the drive over there!
I have to give a shout out to Andy's little sister Sonja who pointed out this telephone pole. We were both instantly drawn to the hundreds of staples and aged bits of paper left by community flyers. I have more Colorado pictures to share, so check back!
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Too fast...
How is it that life passes by so quickly? How did he grow so fast? I can see the little league uniforms, the art projects on the fridge, the pirate costumes and finger paints. I'm terrified to look beyond that, afraid I'll miss today; the spontaneous hugs, the toddler babble, the squealing, and the wonderment of the world seen through his eyes...
Discovery Workshop Slideshow
I just peeked over at Matt and Garrett's blog and they have an awesome slideshow up from our Discovery Workshop. If anyone wants to take a look, click here!
Ice Plant
So many emotions and memories come back to me when I see these Ice plants. They cover the California coast line and I was so thrilled to capture a few while I was visiting the region I grew up in.
I love playing around with cropping. These two are from the same image but by changing the crop boundaries, you can create a different image/mood with the same picture.
I love playing around with cropping. These two are from the same image but by changing the crop boundaries, you can create a different image/mood with the same picture.
Thursday, May 7, 2009
My Journey...
This past weekend I set out on a blind journey. Not exactly knowing where I was headed, or even where I was coming from...
The weekend started a few months ago actually when I heard about the Discovery workshop the infamous Me Ra Koh was putting together in the Bay Area. I sat on the idea for a few weeks, afraid to even graze the idea with my hubby. Something kept pulling at me and we finally decided to take the plunge and make the investment. This past weekend I met 22 amazing participants. All women, and all seemed to be in the same place emotionally that I found myself in. Together, we set out on a journey of self discovery.
Me Ra has summed up our day 1 on her blog, but more than anything, day 1 reaffirmed that something was lacking in me. I define myself so much by the military, by my husband, and by our child that I was lacking. I had forgotten to check in with myself and to see who that person is and what she has to say.
Day 2 started out at Stinson Beach, after we walked off the car sickness from the winding drive out there. Rick Chapman, was there to guide us through his creative process of making a portrait. After fireside chats with Rick, we set out to capture the locals. I am amazed at what you find out about a person through a simple conversation. Everyone has a story...
This is Lauren. He has overcome so much in his life and he is still able to climb the side of a rock and say "thank you!"
After Day 2, I still felt like something was lacking in me and I was beginning to get frustrated. I kept thinking back to our day 1 experience. Why could I not show my face in any of my self portraits? I still felt like I was shadowed in this process. Like I had a voice, but didn't really know what to say. Even more frustrating was that we were given the tools to put into words what our emotions conveyed, but I couldn't figure out how to get past that point. I was still holding myself back, and I wasn't sure why. Day 3 changed that for me.
The day began with mini breakout workshops. I needed the most help with Lighting, so I set off with Garrett's group. I finally learned how to use my flash! (woohoo!) After that, I took a mini field trip around the property with Rick's group where he showed me a few awesome tricks for working with not so ideal locations and backgrounds. The mini sessions were over way too quickly and I longed for more time, as well as the opportunity to participate in the other great sessions that also took place. The last bit of instruction came from Me Ra and her always humorous hubby Brian. It was such a trip to watch them interact together...a bit of comic relief between laughter and tears. Me Ra and Brian gave me the focus and direction that I was craving and lacking and I was eager to put into practice what we had learned. After lunch, the models starting filtering in!
My fabulous photography partner and I started out with our couple, Matt and Laura. These two are amazing photographers/graphic designers in their own right, so it was a little nerve wracking to be paired with them. As soon as we started talking, I felt completely comfortable with them and my fears went right out the window. They are such an inspiring couple that shared true passion and genuine love for one another. I didn't want to move my camera away for fear of missing an intimate moment between them!
Then we moved on to our beautiful family, Heather, Rick and their 2 children. I don't think I've ever had more fun during a photoshoot than with little man L and Miss E. Me Ra's tips helped us move past the kids inhibitions of having to get their picture taken.
I've been going back and forth with the idea of sharing this experience on my blog. Call me selfish, but I felt like this was such an intimate and revealing experience that I wanted to keep it hidden. Well, maybe not so much hidden as held tight. Then, I remember what Me Ra had said during the workshop about blogging. She told us to think of blogging as being "in service" to someone else. Sometimes I find that in this industry especially, the sharing of knowledge and information to those trying to "break in" is such taboo that each photographer has to reinvent the wheel to get anywhere. So, my lesson to you is to check in with yourself and always remember that you have a voice. Let it guide you.
The weekend started a few months ago actually when I heard about the Discovery workshop the infamous Me Ra Koh was putting together in the Bay Area. I sat on the idea for a few weeks, afraid to even graze the idea with my hubby. Something kept pulling at me and we finally decided to take the plunge and make the investment. This past weekend I met 22 amazing participants. All women, and all seemed to be in the same place emotionally that I found myself in. Together, we set out on a journey of self discovery.
Me Ra has summed up our day 1 on her blog, but more than anything, day 1 reaffirmed that something was lacking in me. I define myself so much by the military, by my husband, and by our child that I was lacking. I had forgotten to check in with myself and to see who that person is and what she has to say.
Day 2 started out at Stinson Beach, after we walked off the car sickness from the winding drive out there. Rick Chapman, was there to guide us through his creative process of making a portrait. After fireside chats with Rick, we set out to capture the locals. I am amazed at what you find out about a person through a simple conversation. Everyone has a story...
This is Lauren. He has overcome so much in his life and he is still able to climb the side of a rock and say "thank you!"
After Day 2, I still felt like something was lacking in me and I was beginning to get frustrated. I kept thinking back to our day 1 experience. Why could I not show my face in any of my self portraits? I still felt like I was shadowed in this process. Like I had a voice, but didn't really know what to say. Even more frustrating was that we were given the tools to put into words what our emotions conveyed, but I couldn't figure out how to get past that point. I was still holding myself back, and I wasn't sure why. Day 3 changed that for me.
The day began with mini breakout workshops. I needed the most help with Lighting, so I set off with Garrett's group. I finally learned how to use my flash! (woohoo!) After that, I took a mini field trip around the property with Rick's group where he showed me a few awesome tricks for working with not so ideal locations and backgrounds. The mini sessions were over way too quickly and I longed for more time, as well as the opportunity to participate in the other great sessions that also took place. The last bit of instruction came from Me Ra and her always humorous hubby Brian. It was such a trip to watch them interact together...a bit of comic relief between laughter and tears. Me Ra and Brian gave me the focus and direction that I was craving and lacking and I was eager to put into practice what we had learned. After lunch, the models starting filtering in!
My fabulous photography partner and I started out with our couple, Matt and Laura. These two are amazing photographers/graphic designers in their own right, so it was a little nerve wracking to be paired with them. As soon as we started talking, I felt completely comfortable with them and my fears went right out the window. They are such an inspiring couple that shared true passion and genuine love for one another. I didn't want to move my camera away for fear of missing an intimate moment between them!
Then we moved on to our beautiful family, Heather, Rick and their 2 children. I don't think I've ever had more fun during a photoshoot than with little man L and Miss E. Me Ra's tips helped us move past the kids inhibitions of having to get their picture taken.
I've been going back and forth with the idea of sharing this experience on my blog. Call me selfish, but I felt like this was such an intimate and revealing experience that I wanted to keep it hidden. Well, maybe not so much hidden as held tight. Then, I remember what Me Ra had said during the workshop about blogging. She told us to think of blogging as being "in service" to someone else. Sometimes I find that in this industry especially, the sharing of knowledge and information to those trying to "break in" is such taboo that each photographer has to reinvent the wheel to get anywhere. So, my lesson to you is to check in with yourself and always remember that you have a voice. Let it guide you.
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