“Often people attempt to live their lives backwards; they try to have more things, or more money, in order to do more of what they want, so they will be happier. The way it actually works is the reverse. You must first be who you really are, then do what you need to do, in order to have what you want.” – Margaret Young

The past few years have been incredibly busy and full! I needed to take some personal time to pull back from photography and enjoy life more. 2010 so far has been restful and delicate, and I’ve enjoyed reading more books than ever before and exploring some new life habits. My goal for the year has been to “rediscover the lovely.” Now, six months into the year, I feel my sabbatical softly coming to a graceful end.

By the way, the photos above are from February, and were taken on 120 film in a plastic Holga camera. Aren’t they interesting and just a touch eccentric? Since May I have been working with serious analog film cameras and testing to see if I’d like to spend more of my time doing portraits in old-school style… and the answer is YES! There’s something wonderful and elusive about film.

(More on that soon, I helped photograph a wedding in Hollister California with 35mm and I’m excited to see the results.)

Posted in film, for photographers, inspiration, personal No Comments »

I am having SO MUCH FUN going through my personal photo archives. Right now I am nearing the end of 2007, which was a huge year for me — the photography business was booming and I was able to leave my part-time admin job at MIT, Ali and I were dating seriously (he proposed in July on a massive roadtrip using the sign above), and I was still whimsical enough to have fun most of the time. 2007 is also the year my photography started to have a technical consistency that holds true to the way I see the world.

2007 was also the first year I went to Hawaii. Hawaii is a magical place – I loved being in the sunshine and aloha spirit for a few weeks in December when the rest of my friends in Boston and family in Michigan were fending off piles of snow every morning. While I was in Oahu I got to spend some time with my friend Marina Miller, whose wedding photography business was starting to take off as well. Looking back over these bridal images she did of me in my very simple wedding dress I am seriously impressed with her sense of color and line. And I had fun with her on the shoot, which I’m sure you can tell from the photos. images ©2007 MARINA MILLER at REDHEARTPHOTO.COM hair and makeup by Elizabeth Uehara/ beautigoddess

Posted in colleagues, personal 3 Comments »

This month in northern California, the roses are out in full force. I’m feeling inspired every time I glance over at the pots of blooms all over our little house.

It’s more difficult to use garden flowers in wedding arrangements because they’re unpredictable. They’re all different sizes and shades of lovely, and they open up seemingly by whim. Their life rhythms are adjustable based on weather patterns, and an untimely gust of wind might take out an entire crop.

It’s exactly these factors that make garden roses absolutely delightful. Something about the imperfections make them more desirable.

And… oh, the fragrance!

Posted in inspiration, personal, wedding 1 Comment »

January 31, 2010 – Campbell CA

Posted in personal, portraits No Comments »

I’ve spent the last 10 hours printing discs and preparing packages. This weekend we’re packing up the office and closing up shop for the year.

Here’s an image from an engagement session in 2007. I think this photo actually changed the way I shoot – it was a breakthrough moment that taught me about light, shadows, and silhouettes (which became my signature shot in forthcoming years).

Posted in inspiration, personal, photos 2 Comments »

Photos from September 26. Strite’s Orchard in Pennsylvania. Thanks Maggie for being adventure buddy!

Posted in inspiration, personal 1 Comment »

Just wanted to pop in and share some fun scans from film I just got back. I had forgotten what was on the rolls — the left is my husband in Bulgaria, and the right is my friend and fellow photographer Maggie in Washington, DC.

Posted in destination, personal, travel schedule No Comments »

I’ve been traveling since Thursday for a wedding commission in Pennsylvania. Along the way, I have seen Hershey’s Chocolate World, laid on the ground on a grassy hill, had more apple cider and donuts, and photographed a fantastic wedding for Jenny and Matt. Today traveled through Gettysburg PA for lunch and Washington DC to play at the National Art Gallery (canoeing the Potomac was rained out). Tonight we even ate at an Egyptian restaurant in Alexandria! Tomorrow I’ll be headed out to meet a fellow photographer for lunch at an Afghan restaurant, and then off to the Bryn Mawr area to meet up with one of my 2006 wedding clients who has since started her own freelance florist company. It’s always tough for me to be away from home and away from Ali for more than a few days, but I have been surrounded by such interesting people and happy experiences I don’t regret a minute. Driving around in the glorious seasonal transition to autumn is nothing but a delight.

Posted in personal, travel schedule 1 Comment »

I’ve known about this Lifetime television series for a long time, but Netflix doesn’t seem to have the discs so I have not been able to see it until now. I am convinced that this should be required viewing for every single woman on the planet. The first episode is particularly realistic. (I often find Carson’s television host personality to err on the annoying side, but he does a good job with this.)

Please, take some time to watch How to Look Good Naked. You won’t regret it.

Posted in boudoir, inspiration, personal 2 Comments »

Am I the only one who finds it inappropriate that Cinderella is doing the “Paris Hilton” over the shoulder glance? Should I be taking notes for my boudoir work from Disney princesses now? I am disturbed, but only mildly surprised at the way these princesses have been tarted up with strangely alluring posing (butterflies or not) and revealing dresses for this young girl’s birthday party decor. [shudder]

Posted in outtakes, personal 2 Comments »