my city

i was out the other day, right before the sweet light came. and there was something about the look of this, the lamp, and the tree, the mural and the clouds. it clicked and i clicked. completely snapshoty, and that's ok. I like having a visual representation of being stilled for a minute, even if its not awe-inspiring.

the courthouse

I drive by this building most every day. I like it the most at night. The orange panels and the symmetry are pleasing to me. I also REALLY love how the circle column on the left looks at night. So well lit and interesting.

within walking distance: the landing

haven't walked many places in the last 5 weeks, but this is a constant on my landing... husband's running errands shoes. they're ALWAYS there to greet me.... kinda like that solitary grey hair. you don't really WANT it there, and yet, there it IS, day after day!

let's be honest

NOTE TO READER: there is quite a bit of typing here. As the norm, I don't type much, moreso on the images for content. But there are a couple things I feel I must share to somewhat negate the lack of posting, etc. AND, if you've been missing your East Coast Alisha, college darling friend, well, here are a few rants that fit my classic style... the title especially is for Leigh.

my thanksgiving was insane. (we're talking multiple pies, homemade applesauce, gourmet-y stuffing and sweet potatoes. See the list on facebook. If we're not friends, add me if ya wanna. The link is up on the right) I have not found a way to intermingle my foodie abilities with my photographic ones. I love food too much to ruin it (if you don't know, food in photographs is NOT edible almost as a rule). I love to cook and sometimes (well, every time), when I learn a friend eats or uses canned vegetables, a little part of me dies. They're disgusting! How can people eat that!? I admit I'm a snob when it comes to food. Partly because I feel like ANYONE should be able to cook if they are a human being. So, the truth comes out. If you are a 20-something guy or girl, and you think you CANNOT cook... maybe you should actually try. Now, home decor, crafty things for kids, these are not my fortes, and maybe you, dear reader, think that I am a class-A loser for thinking those are beyond me. (well, maybe not BEYOND me, just out of my interest of becoming proficient at...) I completely understand if people aren't that INTO cooking. If they really would rather eat out (by the way, eating out really doesn't taste that good unless it is REALLY expensive), or do hamburger helper (we never ate this when I was small and it still has no appeal), more power to them, I guess. Just please don't invite us over for dinner. I admit it here and forever that I am a weak person who will judge you. Thankfully, my husband's family also cooks extremely well.

Our tables were very pretty and the food was divine, and it made me remember how much I love hosting company. Please remember the comment about not intermingling skills-- these are all little digital ones).

Within Walking Distance:

Have you been to the Temple Square Christmas Lights? Take your little digital, set it on night mode (or whatever with a longer exposure... just no flash), and make some different images with all the light trails, as below:



My life is either on my way to the studio or in bed, recouping from being mom all day and photographer all night. (seriously. Last night was 8 hours in the studio.) Its been too cold to photograph outside (for me at least), and I'm so freaking pregnant at the current moment (and for the next 90-ish days) that I see a whole lotta my stairs. They're a tight squeeze (to the point that I couldn't move my 1921 marshall and wendell upright grand piano to this new place and had to sell it... boo.)... thankfully, I had (again) the little digital with me and I caught this image of W taking himself up the stairs after our errands.


Lastly, WHERE IS THE REAL WORK, ALISHA?! Right? Right.

Its on film to be developed, or film to be resized or film that I just love so much I don't feel any sort of need to post it. I don't feel the NEED to post. This all began for me as a way of keeping track that I was working, progressing, getting back into my groove after my hiatus after I graduated with a BFA in photography. I NEEDED to be held accountable. Lately, not so much. I'm so busy I don't have the time to post it (so it sure is good the desire isn't there because otherwise I'd feel guilty, and THAT certainly doesn't help creativity).

I have a project I've been working on for 6 months now that I haven't even posted on here at all. The images are amazing and I love them. I know I'll unveil them sometime, but right now, what's the point? I wanna look at them (all 4x5 slide), put them together on a light table, discuss them... There is no forum (that is acceptable to me) for light table discussion on the internet.

I need to update the project list up top so the links DON'T just go to my first post of each, but have links to EACH post.... hmm.. maybe today?

I think what it all really boils down to is that I'm photographically happy and (realizing I'm selfish as I say this) it hasn't crossed my mind to share! Part of this beautiful place I'm in is having people who I respect photographically who are close by and willing to share and look at each other's work. There are some I wish I talked with more, and its been awhile, but I'm so glad that I do have the ones who I've been getting closer to. Once I've shared the images, the tangible, beautiful slides, I don't feel the need to share them otherwise. Is it self-aggrandizing? Pride? I would simply say, its having my cup filled with the right stuff.

I will say, looking over the posts that are up on the first page of the blog, my oh my! Some of them are ok, but on the whole, they are definitely not the best work I've been doing (with the exception of Kiera's family, I'm over the moon with those ones)... so I should probably step it up and actually show the good stuff, eh?

unnecessary wordage over. More to come... like real images. I promise.

Within Walking Distance: noted.

within walking distance: the capitol

I know I already posted about seeing the Capitol. However, that was from a view park, and this was right up on it. Though I've been walking by for weeks now, I hadn't taken the time to walk up the steps. I realized last thursday why I love the capitol and this area of Salt Lake so much. It looks like the nation's capitol (so much in fact that Legally Blonde:2 was filmed here, that's a little piece of random useless trivia), and the monuments in memory grove below have the same roman-grecian-esque style. There is something reverent about it for me. And it looks enough like home, or is similiar a little, that I feel okay being here. I was getting antsy in our previous abode. I missed DC. Now, I'm just loving the sights (even more than before), and the walks and the view.

(p.s. i think i might put the first one up in my house. thoughts?)

within walking distance: LDS conference center

Hopefully this picture shows, even just a little, what an AMAZING building this is. Regardless of your personal religious level or affiliation, the architecture not only ROCKS but it is a great tribute to the faith of those who gather there.

p.s. this is the first picture T told me was quote "really cool." He wants to print it and put it up in the house. Hooray! (I feel the same. I LOVE this picture. Probably my favorite from the series so far).

within walking distance: new favorite place

W has a new friend. His mom and I have started walking together a few days a week. I can't get enough of this picture. I think I am going to do some fun things with it and put it up in the house.

This is all beside the point. I have a NEW favorite place. It has views like THIS:



and THIS:



And on the walk home I get to see THIS:



In case you were wondering, I LOVE Salt Lake City!

within walking distance: texture and color, oh my!

I LOVE this picture. Totally worth backtracking to get it.

as a side note, I'm really glad we don't live in a building that has shower tile on the outside. Its a little tacky.

within walking distance: enabling imagination

I know I already did a post about the Salt Lake City Main Library being within walking distance (it still is, though farther away), this is my FAVORITE place INSIDE the library (and W's too). Its in the children's area, and it has a skylight (so, the most BEEEEAUTIFUL light). It is a magical place. I hope someday we have an attic that is just as much fun!

within walking distance: masonic temple

Back in the DC area, there is a BEAUTIFUL masonic temple in old town Alexandria. It is a landmark that I was used to seeing regularly. I didn't realize how much I missed it until I started walking by the one here in SLC regularly. Though, I will say, the sphinx-y guys in the front remind me of a certain statue in Gilgal Garden.

within walking distance: eagle gate

Did you know that this gate (which is over State Street at South Temple) was originally made of wood and was atop a wall around Brigham Young's property? I think it is pretty cool. Glad I took the time to actually LOOK at it.

within walking distance: "this house is 120 years old"

loved this house!!

within walking distance: vegan peanut butter muffins

i abstained, but maybe you shouldn't. they looked delectable!

within walking distance: polar bears live on 13th

and they REALLY like to look out the window.

within walking distance: ferngully

how did this happen?

within walking distance: "high class" graffiti

well, at least i can be glad that someone likes music enough to create a stencil to use for defacing public property.

within walking distance: the post office

needed to send some prints to a client, so i walked there. that was the goal of the walk. i enjoyed it very much, especially the lady who kept calling me ma'am with a SWEET southern accent.

within walking distance: potential

look at this texture. would make the most beautiful black and white. i liked it so much from seeing it across the street, that i walked an extra 4 blocks to get around all the construction so i could take these pictures.

within walking distance: ivy

i am loving this wall. this walk was productive in terms of how many locations i found. LOVE IT.