MATTER: grandpa

For teaching me through knocks on the table instead of frustrated explanations. For fluid love that made me not know "solitaire" is a one person game until later in life. For singing. For never scolding. For shooting BBguns with us rascally kids. For Escobar, for funny stories, and for NEVER bringing reality into the silly dreams all of us had as children. For the men you raised my father and uncle to be. For marrying my grandmother. For being present.

on being thankful

we started a thankful tree last year during the month of november. we did it again this year and i'm reveling in it. I'm not ready for christmas to be here yet, somehow. i'm delaying putting up the tree. I just want to relish this feeling of a grateful house and a grateful heart. W's additions this year have been both funny and sweet.

Something I am especially thankful for is my photographic ability. Its not all talent, and definitely has taken blood, sweat and tears (for real. Some of the equipment can maim when you're inexperienced), and I feel like I'm in a reaping season. Another sowing season will be coming, I'm sure, but right now there's a lot of reaping for me artisitically and I'm so grateful for that. Having a way of expression that (I hope) relates my vision and feelings in exactness is something not everyone has. Its a blessing and a sanity-keeper, for me.

In light of this, that photographic ability is not all "eye", but created by a technical understanding that is APPLIED creatively, after numerous requests, I'm offering a class. Two Friday evenings in January, the 7th and the 14th at 7pm at my studio in Sugarhouse. Each class is one hour. We'll cover aperture and shutter speed and how both affect your translation of your vision. There are only 6 spots TOTAL, so contact me quick to reserve your spot. The fee for both classes is $50 if you register before December 15th. After that date, the fee is $75. Registration closes Dec 31st. I am also offering a portrait workshop as an addition to the classes. It will be held January 21st at 7pm. It is limited to FOUR spots and costs $30. We will dicuss pose, form and lighting.

Who should register: someone who owns a camera (duh! ;) ) and wants to take it OFF automatic. If you own a DSLR and you want to use it to its FULL potential, register for my class.

To REGISTER:
send me an email at (alisha@alishastamper.com) detailing what you are registering for, and I will send you a payment request through paypal. Once you have paid your fees, you will be emailed class details, directions, etc.

Looking forward to meeting you!

MATTER: Carolyn

for regular epiphanies, amongst many other things.

the third

sigh

created something lovely. this is a reawakening for me.

MATTER: my mom

The third visit from my mom this year. Everytime and every phone call I collect a new gem. I give her anecdotes and advice on parenting more than I ever give my own opinion. She has a phD in parenting. And has since the beginning of time. I love her. I love the personal epiphanies she has, and the truths she taught me by many campfires. I love that, upon viewing my pictures by Katrina for At Mother's Breast, my mom said, "it is really interesting seeing you become the earthy mother I was." That is a compliment I will NEVER forget. Thank you, mom.



so i did 3 frames of my mom before driving her to the airport. It was similar to the five minute portrait of my dad. I like this one the most because of the glare on her glasses. It was intentional. Her eyes are full of light, always pointed towards the good. This project is all about capturing photographs that will show my kids WHO mattered, but also WHY. I feel I have accomplished that in this one especially.

outside the western nut co downtown. the dark chocolate chiptole almonds were truly awful, but the sweet onion marmalade has changed my life!

Commissioned: Kiera & Matias

this is the second session in a series documenting my dear friend and her children in relation to her next baby (due so soon!)

You can view the rest here.