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

Project: Free Time | Elijah Atkison

As you may have seen at the end of January I shared about my new series, Project: Free Time. Now, here's the thing about that project... it heavily relies on my (and others) free time to make it happen. Ha! Who knew!? Well, I'm happy to say that I'm here with the second entry!

Meet Elijah...

Elijah is a musician, entrepreneur, and all around cool guy. Something he likes to do with his free time? Hang with his adorable wife! And if you've ever had the pleasure of meeting Whit, you know what a gem she truly is. I'm in no way exaggerating when I say these two are the best of people. 

Subject: Elijah Atkison | Free time: Bike rides around town (with his pretty gal:)

Find more about Eli's work at: Fosterson and Worship Support Network.

Hope you're all enjoying this beautiful spring!! With all the good weather and pretty colors lately, I don't want it to end!! 

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

Tea Time with Angela

It's Thursday! And I'm throwing it back to some shots I took in 2015 of the adorable Angela.

These images make me want to start a new book, and sip yummy tea, and have some serious chilllll tiiiime. 

Speaking of chill time, I'll be taking a little break from the blog next week as I'll be spending some quality time with my guy in honor of our anniversary. 

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

Project: Free Time | Jess Fong

Free time is such a treasured thing. In a life full of work, appointments, meetings, relationships, and laundry (ugh, laundry), having a moment to stop and do what we love is something we can't take for granted.

For my first personal project (that I'll be blogging) I chose free time as the theme, because let's face it... sometimes "free time" is more like a magical unicorn... it's just no where to be found. 

Subject : Jess Fong  |  Free Time : Painting

Jess is a Campus Minister with Epic Movement and is based out of southern California. She has a beautiful soul, an adorable dog, a huge talent in the arts (featured below:), and makes the best breakfast evvaaaahh! 

Oh! and she has blue hair... so she's basically the coolest. 
 

What do you do with your free time? 

Camping in Big Sur

After being away for over a month, I'm just getting into the swing of things here at home, and it feels like 2017 has "officially" begun.

I've been taking a little time to reflect on last year, as well as make plans for the year ahead. And I couldn't help but think back on one of my favorite days in 2016... Thanksgiving Day.

We took a road trip up to Big Sur for the long weekend. It was a way for us to just enjoy nature and each other and not worry about what to cook, and where to be. It was simple, and beautiful and I couldn't have asked for a more special day to give thanks. 

We truly enjoyed it so much. Buddy even looked at me while we were driving home and said "let's do that again next year"... and you know what? We may just have to. The only thing I would do differently is pack a few extra blankets, because I tell ya what... that gorgeous place gets COLD at night. 

Little babe in our tent.

Our home for the weekend. 

The colors in our tent at sunset were seriously magical! 

My babes.

Smooches from my girl. 

This little girl picked purple flowers every morning.

Hiking...

This hiking path was seriously amazing! So so pretty!! 

Ocean love!!

Thank God for a sis-in-law who brings a bunch of pre-pasted, disposable tooth brushes.... and thank God for that view!!!

She did this a lot. Afternoon sun soaks with Story dog.

Thanksgiving dinner! Rosemary turkey sandwiches on pretzel rolls, garlic stuffed hasselback potatoes, stuffing, and mac and cheese. Just writing this makes me want a do over on this meal... pretty please. 

So thankful for them. 

(You can find the video diary of our weekend here!) 

Hope you all enjoyed the first week of 2017!

Here's to you and all your beautiful weeks ahead!! 

Cheers!