This lovey gal (my baby sis) turned 18 last week!
Whaaaaa!!
So, I'm showing off her pretty face.
Mel needed some senior pictures, and sometimes having a photographer for a sister is a blessing and a curse. She definitely didn't get my "full service experience" (sorry Mel). We took these fairly quick all while I had my little 2 year old in tow. And to be honest, I'm pretty happy with at least getting a hand full of portraits for her.
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.
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.
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.
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
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
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
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?
Had a quick session with this lovely family a little while back. I've realized I don't share all of the shoots I do! So, I figured I'd change that and start with sharing a few shots of these cuties. I mean... how adorable are these boys?! It's like they came straight out of a Polo ad, I swear.
Loved working with this beautiful family.
So here's to sharing more work with you all!
Have a great week!
Every once in a while I'll plan a creative shoot just for the heck of it.
Here are 3 reasons why I do (and why you should too!)
1. To try new things
2. To stay inspired.
3. To learn something new
Something I was wanting to work with on this particular shoot was harsh light, since it's not what I normally shoot in. A lot of my portrait work is shot in that "perfect", golden light. The stuff you find at the beginning and end of each day. The pretty stuff. The stuff portrait dreams are made of! But lately I've been testing myself with the not-so-perfect light. The harsh, direct, and (gasp!) mid-day light. To be honest with you that light scared me for a long time. I avoided it at all costs, and when I had to face it I would make it look like what I was use to, using scrims and diffusers and what not.
But to change my thinking I told myself "You got this, girl. You got this. Harsh light is your friend."
And so it was.
So here it is... a shoot all about uneven light, weird shadows, and moody "imperfect" portrait conditions. And of course some seriously gorgeous faces.
So whether you are a photographer, artist, writer, musician, or something in-between. Go create something for the FUN of it and end the year feeling inspired.
Big thanks to my beautiful models, Taylor and Allison! And my wonderful assistant Whitney! You girls are the best!
p.s. This will be my last post of the year! I'm taking the rest of the month to enjoy some quality time with my family and I'll be back in January! Wishing you all a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year! xo