Colorado

I went to Colorado at the end of September to see a Steve McCurry show (If you don't recognize the name, I bet you recognize one of his photographs. It is one of the most famous in the world). My friend Marti and I also headed to a few small towns and she was more impulsive about me photographing that I am (which is a true testament to a friend who WILLINGLY travels with a photographers. We're HORRENDOUS travel companions). I shot almost the entire trip on film. The almost is because I unwittingly left my mamiya at home. Not the film for it, no, I brought that, but the actual camera was left. I did have my trusty Canon AE-1, a 35mm, with which all these were shot. I LOVE film.

And so, without further ado:

This first image was shot on the side of the road. That little white house took my breath away. We were in between Durango and Silverton (a wicked little train goes from one to the other, any little boy or girl's fantasy trip. Take it with your kids!). Marti pulled off the road, I ran across the road (hope my husband isn't reading this, he'd freak!), and walked along to frame my shot... If my memory serves me correctly, I was not wearing my shoes at this point. I'd had them off in the car, they hurt my feet, so I just went bare. I love how the tree in the foreground is so imposing, and the house is quite nestled.


I wish I could share this image larger, because it is GORGEOUS. The deer are fully in their element and it just makes me happy... makes me remember allllll the deer I saw growing up in northern virginia.

hehe. this bike looks like a person. pleased to meet you, sir!


AND my absolute favorite from the trip. He was busy. I just kept waiting. They brought me out a stool to photograph some taxidermy mounted on the wall of this hunting shop (with some KILLER siggs if I do say so. Should have bought another). He was perfectly nice, but is the owner, I guess, and was only there because the computers were down that day.... so he was needed. His misfortune was my fortune. This is probably one of my favorite images I have EVER taken of a man. He has a fantastic face and I wish I could have photographed him more. I'm glad they all thought I was a nobody (maybe I am a little?) because he, and the other workers there, were so willing to engage me and help me with my photographic obsession.... maybe it was just that, I was so eager to photograph... but maybe it was that I'm pregnant. Either way, FAVORITE of the trip!

There's much more to come, still have film to pick up from the lab, but had to share a few!

wednesdays: music

he's big enough to sit in those chairs. when did that happen?

i'm a lucky girl

I get to be around this sweet smile all the time. Here's to three years, babe. I love you.

wednesdays: adventures

probably one of my favorite images from this year (and this series).

gone for four days

i'm off to cortez, durango, ridgeway and lots of places inbetween. I'll have lots of pictures to show once i'm back.

Should Photo-retouching be Regulated?

This is related to photography of course, but my opinion on the matter is not strictly based on my role as a photographer, but also as a parent (and let's be honest, as a woman who has had these ads shoved down her throat by the media since I could SEE).

You can read a little snippet article about this HERE

I particularly like this quote:

"...members of the British Parliament are calling for a ban on digitally altering ads aimed at children under 16, and disclosure of these modifications in ads aimed at adults....The house’s more liberal types have even gone as far as to recommend compulsory “media literacy” lessons to teach kids that such images should not be viewed as realistic portrayals of beauty." (can I add, not only portrayals of beauty, but should not be viewed as guidelines or standards, etc?)

I found this all from Scott Kelby's blog and he admittedly does not think this is necessary, but this more I've been paying attention to kids shows and advertising (check out the CCFC), there are a lot of messages I am not comfortable with not only as a parent, but as an American and citizen of the world at large.

I think media literacy lessons are a smart idea. Yes, some of these Disney kids stars are pretty, but they are NOT perfect, and that is what is always portrayed. In general, I don't manipulate my images. Yes, I remove huge acne spots that are not chronic when I am doing a family session or bridals or something, but moreso, I pay attention to the lighting and photograph them beautifully in the first place, AS THEY ARE. Wrinkles are real, and frankly, beautiful to me. Just saying.

baby is the size of

image found here

so the names we came up with that we will NEVER use are

Ariel
&
Atilla.