recap: 2015

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Saying a lot happened this year would be a massive understatement. I'm not sure how else to sum up this year than with a bunch of numbers, so here goes. In 2015, I:

 

now playing: 1st Vows - Green EP

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I saw Envy on the Coast for the first and only time back in high school, when they instantly secured a spot in my top ten favorite bands of all time. Though their break up broke my poor little heart, I'm glad that their singer has continued to make music since then. The Green EP is Ryan Hunter's second release this year under the 1st Vows moniker, and has been on constant rotation since it came out earlier this month. I may be swamped with the holidays and unpacking, but at least I've got a stellar soundtrack.

recap: November 2015

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I feel like I somehow skipped November completely. Between the holidays and moving, I don’t think I had a slow moment the whole month (as evidenced by the fact that I’m posting this halfway through December…). 

Without further ado, I present the things I somehow managed to photograph in November:

An anniversary, a birthday, some work shenanigans, and the first taste of winter weather. Not too shabby. 

engagement: Carlee & Kaleb

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The first time I met Carlee, I asked her if she had a twin, and proceeded to tell her all about this girl I vaguely knew who looked identical to her. Turns out she isn’t a twin, and it’s just a very small world. Even though we grew up in the same town, had several mutual friends, and went to rival high schools, we didn’t cross paths until we ended up going to the same college (across the state) and meeting more mutual friends who brought us together. In the time since we met freshman year, we’ve stayed close through several moves (one where we got to live together!) and all sorts of hurdles life has thrown at us. 

All of that aside, I’m so glad this small world led her to Kaleb, who is hands down one of the best humans I’ve had the pleasure of meeting. There’s no denying these two complement each other perfectly. 

I’m so lucky that Carlee hasn’t gotten tired of me taking her picture yet, and asked me to spend the day with them to capture some engagement photos. I love you both so much, and know that your continued life together is going to be a blast!

quality time: Sunday Breakfast

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Whether we sleep in until 9:30, 3:00, or somewhere in between, we always find time to make breakfast (or brunch as the case may be) on Sunday mornings. Tasty traditions are the best traditions. As are ones that leave you with leftover waffles to get you through the week. 

lately: November Verbs

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Thanks to EAST and the impending holidays, work life has spilled into my real life leaving me with very little time, (and let's be honest, motivation) to do much personal work. Usually, I sort out my scans as soon as I get them into groups, or potential projects, but sometimes I get a stray frame here and there. I've got quite a few loose frames bouncing around that haven't really found a home yet, so here they are along with some thoughts on my November so far. 

(Re) Reading: Hold Still - Sally Mann & A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius - Dave Eggers. Both are especially good for gloomy fall days, and nothing new has really struck my fancy lately. 

Listening: Dealer - Foxing. Seriously, on repeat. They're so good, and I want to take photographs for their next album. 

Enjoying: My job that allows me to see so much cool art daily, having super organized proof prints in a cute new box and cool, rainy days making the cat much snugglier than usual. 

Baking: Nine thousand molasses cookies. Plus dark chocolate pomegranate aka my favorite ever cookies. Basically, more cookies than anyone needs in their life ever. 

Making: SO MANY Christmas presents. When I'm frustrated and tired of handmade gifts, someone remind me that I had adorable intentions. 

Wearing: All of the flannel and scarves and boots. Mostly flannel. 

Watching: Parks & Rec for the third or so time. Hutch has never seen it, so it's amusing to hear his reaction to April and Andy's shenanigans, which hit a little close to home on occasion. 

Celebrating: The births of some stellar babes, and best friends a girl could ask for. Hooray for all the fall birthdays that are way better than the usual holidays. 

Planning: To get back to alternative processes after the holiday craziness is over. I miss truly making prints in a major way. 

where you are: Casita Blu Cabins

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While in Ingram, I got to experience my first Air BnB. We stayed at the most perfect little cabin directly across from the Guadalupe with a pomegranate tree in the front yard. If I ever get to retire and be a hermit, this is the kind of place I would go, but for now, I'll just settle for nice weekend getaways. 

local: Lumiere Tintype

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It's no secret that I'm very into early photographic processes (platinum palladium case in point, here), so it's also no secret that I think Adrian of Lumiere Tintype is one of the coolest photographers out there. When Matt (who is also a STELLAR tintypist) and I started toying with the process, Adrian was nice enough to let us pick his brain about the nuances of the medium. 

About this time last year, after a concert we had planned to go to was cancelled, Hutch and I decided to stop by Lumiere and have our portrait made. 

I'm a sucker for traditions, so we obviously went again.  

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After how killer this one is, I can't wait until next year.

excursion: Stonehenge II

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Stonehenge II is probably the coolest, strangest thing in all of Ingram, Texas. As if a replica Stonehenge wasn't cool enough, there is also a replica Easter Island statue not too far away in the same field. 

tourist: Ingram

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Ingram is the best kind of tiny town. Super close to water, weird landmarks and stellar locally owned establishments. We didn't get to explore much during the weekend we spent, but I liked what I saw despite the gloomy weather.