Project: Free Time | Kelsey White

Woah. Woah. Woah.

So, it's been a hot second (ok, like 6 months) since I've shared a Project: Free Time. I mean, this lovely lady has both moved and gone brunette since I shot this!

Anyway, Meet Kelsey...

Vegan, runner, and plant mama (and fur mama to her cute doggy, Leila). Kelsey has a heart as sweet as her face, and is one of those people who doesn't need an once of make up but is pretty much a queen when it comes to doing it (find out more here). A true gem this one.

Subject: Kelsey White | Free Time: watering, caring for, and rearranging her plant babies.

For more Project: Free Time, check out Jess, Eli, and Jade.

What Makes An Image "Frame Worthy"?

When it comes to photographs (or anything really) it's not about perfection. 

This image is blurry and grainy and you can't see their faces. It was snapped as my daughter was running and laughing with her Aunt on a sunset walk back to the car. We had just finished up a family dinner by the ocean on our first night in Marco. The mood was happy and relaxed, and it was a moment I wanted to remember. 

I often get asked by clients on what makes an image "frame worthy".... and to be honest the first few times I wasn't so sure on my answer. Is it when everyone is looking at the camera? Nope. Is it when the lighting is oh-so-perfect? Not necessarily.

So what makes an image "frame worthy"? Emotion. 
How you feel when you look at it.

And when selecting a photograph for a room, think of how you want the room to feel. Do you want it to feel happy, calm, romantic, or moody? I believe what we surround ourselves with, affects us. Whether that's for the good or bad. People, objects, art, these all contribute to how we will feel in a space. 

This photo sparks a sense of happiness and mystery. And I love that.

Might be blowing this one up soon. 

Baby Wells

I have to be honest, I rarely photograph newborns anymore. But when your best friends little sis (so, like basically your little sis;) has a baby, you make an exception.

Welcome to the world Wells Peter! You are so loved, and so so cute.

Project Free Time | Jade Bavishi

Meet Jade...

Jade is a gentle soul with a love for people and veggies. She is a full time medical student and the founder of Project Somalia. Her happy spirit is contagious, and I loved photographing her in her beautiful, modern bungalow that she shares with her husband in the heart of phoenix. 

Subject: Jade Bavishi | Free time: reading (studying) on her hammock + tea time

(see more project: free time here and here)

5 things I've learned after 5 years of marriage

Last month B and I celebrated our anniversary. I can't believe we've been married 5 years already, because it honestly doesn't feel like it. Time flies, but I'm beyond thankful I get to fly through life with him. 

Now, I'm no expert on marriage and I know being married 5 years isn't crazy, but with any relationship (and friendship) there are things you learn on the journey. 

So here are 5 things I've learned after 5 years of marriage:

1. Spend the time
B and I don't always have a ton of time to spend with each other, so how we spend it matters. Between work and school and family and friends, time can be hard to come by... so making sure our relationship is at the top of the list is so important. And like many things in life, it's about quality over quantity. 

2. Communicate.
This one is pretty obvious right? Don't stuff things. Get them out. Work them out, and come out the other side stronger. You don't have to agree on everything, but what you don't agree on should be worked through. 

3. Compromise.
Which brings me to.... compromise. No one wants to think they'll have to do it, but they will. And will need to do it in love. Being bitter is for miserable people. And you don't want to be a miserable person, do you? 

4. You CAN go to bed angry.
Despite the popular "never go to bed angry" quote that every bride will indeed hear before (and after) she gets married. I disagree. Now, this thought process could heavily depend on personalities, but for us? Sometimes it's late, and the argument isn't getting anywhere, and you're tired, and you know what? You should just go to bed. Have a little grace on each other and agree to get some sleep. Because you know what else? it will all look better in the morning. And you may even wake up realizing you were arguing over nothing! (um, what a waste of energy) And if you were arguing over something, you'll at least be rested, and the smart remarks *raises hand in guilt* will be less likely. ;)

5. Date each other. 
Explore somewhere new. Go on hot dates. Plan a trip. Or even just go to the grocery store together! Whatever dating is to you, do it! I'm not sure why some people stop dating, but the whole point of "dating" is finding that someone you want to do it forever with, not get married and be all "mission accomplished" because that's definitely not the point and because... how boring!!!  

So there you have it. 5 things I've learned over the past 5 years. 

Photography by the lovely Lily Kweon.

Have a beautiful weekend!

xo

You & Me

We were on a little road trip driving towards home. I looked over at B and couldn't help but feel lucky. Even though life can throw the weirdest curve balls, and things don't always go as planned, I get to have him by my side. 

Here are some words that ran though my head during our drive, and some blurry pictures too. 
Maybe it's all of the Dr. Suess books I'm reading these days... because honestly, I haven't written a poem (if that's what you call this?) since that one literature assignment in middle school. 

I'm not sure why I decided to share this. Maybe it's because we celebrated our anniversary last week and I'm feelin' extra mushy? Or maybe it's because I feel like the world needs to share a little more love? Either way, I hope you didn't mind all the extra cheese in todays post. I'll be back to the normal amount next week. Promise.  

Have a beautiful week friends.  

xo

Take Beautiful Portraits Anywhere | 3 Tips

Portraits can be taken anywhere.... no really.

ANYWHERE.  

In this iPhone snap (taken by the makeup artist) you can see the location wasn't anywhere scenic, and that there wasn't a "real" back drop. It was actually just a grey bed sheet!! I know, I know. So professional, right? But honestly, if you're taking close up portraits, just remember... It's not about gear or location, it's about position, and it's about light. (you can see an example HERE of a portrait taken on the modest of cameras)

In this case it was all natural light. We were on a covered patio and most of the light was coming from my left (you can see this in her eyes). I did use a white reflector on my right to give a little bounce back to her hair, but I didn't want the light to be completely even on both sides. 

As you may have gathered in a recent blog post, I am a huge proponent of portraits. Whether you're capturing a portrait professionally or of your sister on a family vacation, a good photograph of someone you love (or someone you find interesting) will undoubtedly live longer than you, and THAT is powerful. 

3 tips to take beautiful portraits anywhere:

 

1. Find the light.

Whether its natural or artificial. Light is what it's all about. Light can truly make or break an image, so try not to depend on post production. Editing the look of light will never feel quite the same as capturing it correctly in camera. 

2. Connect with your subject.

This one is just as *if not more* important then good light. 
Eyes don't lie. If you're subject is feeling nervous, or uncomfortable you're going to see it in their eyes. Give your subject a feeling of calm or happy (or whatever emotion you want to draw out) by talking to them. I generally give a scenario for someone to think about. Like, "imagine you're a *blank* in the *blank* finding *blank*..." It helps them get into "character" if you will, and forget their nervousness in the process. 

3. Play with composition. 

Whether it's with how you angle the shot, how you line things up, or how you fill the frame... PLAY!  Sometimes it means adding things in (like colors, patterns, and textures) and sometimes it's simply taking it all away. 

I hope you've found these tips helpful!

Just remember... light. connection. composition. You got this. 

xo

There Are No Rules

This summer has been fun, busy, and a little crazy. We sold our house, moved across town, traveled to see family and friends, and are just now (finally!) trying to get settled into our little rental. 

Recently, I've gone back and forth on keeping this blog strictly about my work or sharing some personal posts as well. Up till now I had only blogged about photo shoots and "behind the scenes" stuff, and since I had taken time away from work over the summer (with all the craziness), blogging definitely went on the back burner. 
I asked for friends opinions, and even googled what the "right" thing to do was. what's better for my business? or my time? should I have separate blogs? does it even matter? blah blah blah... and even though my friends loved the idea of combining the two, I still felt just as lost with all the research as I did before hand (Google can do that sometimes).

but then I realized...

THERE ARE NO RULES.

It's funny that the idea of what something is supposed to be can limit our thinking. We put someone else's standards on ourselves, all for an idea we weren't actually sure about to begin with. 

So, I'm going with gut over google and decided that along with sharing my work, I'll also be sharing more personal thoughts and experiences about photography, business, inspiration, and home life. My goal with this is to be more open and honest and helpful. 

Stay tuned! And also, stay true to yourself. (too cheesy?? MmmK.) 

UPDATE: I've moved the journal over HERE!

           (one of the last photos taken in our house before it sold)