I've been following along with Heart since the online launch in March of this year. Every time I saw a new post on my Instagram, or a new blog post on the website, my heart swelled and I believed in their cause even more. Four months later, I finally decided to take a chance and ask if I could help, or contribute in any way. I got the sweetest email back, and before I knew it I was on my way down to Houston to photograph Sarah.I don't want to give too much away before the first issue is printed, but I couldn't keep all of these images to myself. I'm beyond thrilled to be included among such a talented and inspiring group of women. Be sure to keep up with all the great things these ladies are doing, and preorder a copy of the magazine.
I've been back a handful of times since then, (and hope to make the trip again soon) but haven't managed to take the time to shoot while I've been there. Too busy enjoying Shelby's company, as it turns out.
I've moved 6 times in 6 years. In all of those different apartments, this one was simultaneously the absolute worst (no exaggeration), but possibly the one I liked the best (on the inside anyway). It had a LOT of faults, and was a little big for just the cat and myself, but we rattled around in it together and made it work. Some great pictures came out of the experience, too.
If you're ever unsure of what to read next, I highly recommend the dollar clearance shelf at Half Price Books. While a dangerous place for my wallet, it is also an amazing place for my collection.
On a whim I bought Whitney Otto's Eight Girls Taking Pictures. The concept caught my attention, but I was fully hooked by the mention of Lee Miller. I figured it would be a decent, entertaining read if nothing else. I finished the first story and felt more inspired than I have in a while.
Because of this I've asked some of my very best pals, who happen to be gifted photographers/writers to read along with me. Our collective goal is to not only discuss what we've read, but produce work for each story contained in the novel. I'm so excited to collaborate with Cynthia, Maria and Miranda on this, and know that some stellar work will be produced in the process. We're working on a very loose timeline, so any if you lady (or gentleman, we won't discriminate) photogs out there feel even slightly inclined to join us, please feel free to do so (and let me know about it!).
Luckily for us, I like any shade of blue way more than any other color. When we got back into town our house was BLUE. Really, REALLY blue. Best decision I've ever made? Possibly.
A couple of years of being in love with the color of our house later, we found out that some of the local college students had taken to calling it, "the Cookie Monster House." I couldn't have come up with a more accurate or fitting name if I tried.
It's nice to trick myself into giving up those tendencies for a while with little point and shoot cameras I can just throw in my bag. Instead of waiting for, or constructing a ~photograph~, I'm forced to let go of the particulars and enjoy the freedom that comes from an uncertain focal length, and a flash with a mind of its own.
I can't speak for anyone else, but on the off-chance I don't shoot the last frame on a roll of film I'm really excited about, I have a tendency to get impatient and just take a picture of the first thing that comes to mind. Sometimes, I get good things. Other times, I start to notice patterns.
Like the fact that I have a gazillion pictures of the fridge. It started off so clean and empty, and just gotten worse even since the most recent of these images... Maybe it's time to take everything down and start fresh. Or start using that last shot for something else.
