my life. really.

...not really the fancy party all the time, but definitely the genuine laughs with a real friend, taken by a talented friend, that is so very much my life. Full of happiness.

Matter: the Lamberts

Let me tell you a story. About my shaping.

When I was 13, my friend was living with his aunt and uncle for a few months, who lived within walking distance from my house. I'd gone over there a few times.

Fast forward to me being 16. His aunt, Linda (pictured above), called me and said she would like me to come work for her. She and her husband had a metal works company. They did high end metal, duct work, kitchen stuff, for hotels, county clubs, etc. I worked in the office with Linda a few days a week (most days in the summer), and learned about invoicing, quotes, business phone etiquette, and so many other things. It was a family business and they welcomed me with open arms. They even took pictures of me and my date before prom. I worked for them into some of my college years (she wrote a letter of recommendation for me), they were at my wedding, and they are a presence in my children's lives. They absolutely are family.

I watched them run their lives and business with monetary prudence. I learned things about car maintenance, plants, food and diet, organization, all from them. She was a strong beacon of love for God while I grew. They decided to invite me to their lives, the office was part of their home, and I had keys, codes, all those things. Looking back, and specifically looking at teenagers in my own life, I am so grateful they thought I was worth investing in.

Having the Lamberts in my life was such a complement to my own parents. I had other adults who so very much agreed with my parents and knew what was right, but still could be a sounding board while I figured out that my parents were right. I'm so grateful.

Who influenced you as a young adult? Do you have pictures to aid in your reminiscence to your own kids?

Market Dates

My official market dates at this point are:

7.16
8.13
9.17

I may be at the Avenues Street Fair, 9.10.

The images above are a brief sampling of the images I did my first day, 6.18. It was wildly successful and I thoroughly enjoyed myself meeting people and working on the fly. I definitely have some new people I want to photograph for personal work (finding new models was one of my main goals in doing the market). The negs are interesting to work with. Very different from Polaroid Type-55.

peacock

somewhere in my dreams, there is a garden with a gate like this-- bronzey/wrought iron depictions of animals. The beauty of nature being so overwhelming that it commemorated in the things used to enter it--- gates, doors, stones. Maybe its because of the countless times I watched A Little Princess and The Secret Garden... but I think I am searching, sometimes, for the places where literature comes alive. I know they are there. Heaven knows Michael Kenna has found them. People write what they know, they try to pin down beauty in their art. I want to see more gardens. Real ones. Rococo-style and Versailles style. The moors and India. All of it. I need more green.

central park, again

watching baseball. 

on the great lawn.

this was attempt #2 of going to the great park.

glad we made a 2nd attempt.

first time involved lots of traffic,

and a sick little lady.

mamiya c330, ilford xp2

wednesdays: central park

i will not deny

i bribed him to stay there.

with an ice cream from a vendor.

he picked a spiderman one.

wish he didn't know who spiderman was.

........

but seeing him and E share it, and seeing their covered,

sticky,

messy happy

faces, was worth it in the short run.

this picture is more than worth it in the long run.

mamiya c330, ilford xp2-- i am completely in love with this film. 

central park

i thought this was interesting. all adults on the swings & it was like a pattern. 

mamiya c330

ilford xp2