A FREE photoshoot, say what?!

Tasha Prescott of BeU Photography has started a project called 5252. What is this exactly and how does it involve you? I'll let her explain:

From her site:

"What is 5252? It's the beginning of a New Year and we enter into 2010 with a fresh start!

A fresh start to do something different is an excellent idea. So while a lot of photographers are having 365 day projects or 52week projects, I decided to use my 52wks to give back to grow professionally, but also give others an opportunity to experience what custom photography is.

The 5252 project for BEU is simple. Every Monday, we will select individuals to take advantage of a free session with Ms. T Prescott. This is going to work through online application. If not chosen for that week, do not fret, your application stays on file and may be chosen for another week.

Each week will focus on a different type of shoot. The Session will be posted by Sunday, and Monday will start all over again. The session fee is waived, hence 52wks, 52faces, 52sessions for free! (minimum $150 value)"

Learn more about the project and apply for you chance to be chosen for a free shoot here.

Updated to add a few more photos from the 5252 Project!  Head on over to apply for your spot asap!

Walls make the world go 'round.

Yes.


Elton Anderson

How do you use props in a shoot?

Like this! Yes, this Elton Anderson shoot is amazing.

This HAS to make you smile on a Monday.

Sakura Photography

Have a great weekend!!

Mari Labbancz

A letter from the editor...

Hello all,

Lately, I've run across a few postings out there in the ether about the emphasis couples place on their wedding photography in hopes to have one those picture-perfect, magazine style, editorial wedding photos by which to remember their special day. And I have to ask, "What's wrong with that?"

I believe the friendly argument is that couples may be spending too much time (and money) trying to get the perfect pictures and wedding details, while forgetting, the wedding day is just one day and it's really about the marriage and the rest of your lives together with this person you absolutely love and adore. And, I get that, I do, but what's wrong with wanting and ediorial style shoot? If that's what you want (and can afford--please don't go broke for ANY wedding details), then go for it!

Love and romance and charm and elegance and fun and classic beauty can be found in all types of photographic styless from editorial to journalistic to the Polaroid taken by your grandmother. It's all beautiful, but each style of photography represents the couple's personal style and that, in itself, is beautiful.

So, no matter what the blogs are saying or posting (CR included) or what the wedding magazines are displaying, whatever you decide to do as a couple, as a family, is your choice and your choice alone. And whatever you decide will be beautiful.

Editorially, Journalistically, Polaroidly yours,
CR

P.S. Feel free to chime in with your views. I'm interested to hear them.

Do this, this weekend.

C'mon, you know you wanna try it. :-)
Diandra Ann Photography

Words of inspiration from Jasmine Star

If you follow, photographer, Jasmine Star on her blog/twitter, then you know that not only is she a fantabulous photographer, but also pretty darn hilarious while spreading bits-o-inspiration at the same time, if I do say so myself. Laugh and be inspired.

Quotes from Jasmine:

"If I could just FOCUS, I'd probably rock my face off. Or cure a disease. It's just that sparkley things, soft noises, & ideas get in the way."

-I hear you.

"Today I plan to make yesterday jealous. And tomorrow I'll make today jealous."

-I agree.

And, of course, I wouldn't leave you hanging without a bit-o-JStar image inspiration:



(Hehe, have I filled my "bit-o-" quota today? :-)

Curiosity and cats.

Found on Bluebird Vintage

A techy kinda love.

Found on Bluebird Vintage

No catchy title, just love these shots...

...from Cora and Lloyd's by Elton Anderson

Beauty.


Strength.


Love.

Bridal Style: Chillaxed and Lovely

Remember back in the day when all of the cool kids thought they were even cooler by combining the two words, "chill" and "relax" to create "chillax?" This bride and groom were defintely a part of the cool kids crowd because their style can be described as none other than "chillaxed and lovely."













Jill Thomas Photography

It's Friday!

Take some time this weekend for yourself.

Love yourself and take a picture while you're at it.

What was that? Did you say, you needed some "anytime" photo inspiration? Well, here you go...


Onada Photogrpahy


Jasmine Star



Elton Anderson

CR has been featured!!

Yay!!

Carla from Sky+Carla Photographers emailed me to let me know that our very own, little Chocolate Rose has been featured on their blog! She did a fun feature about blogs who have recently featured their work and CR was listed! Love it and her for thinking of CR! Thank you, Carla!

Check out the feature here. And when you're finished, scroll down a little further to see the beautiful wedding where these beauties were featured!

Photo of the Week

Because. :-)


VISION Photography

Make love in a dumpster.

Because it makes for a fun series of photos!


Ohana Photographers

Bridal style and love is in the air...

...with Photography by Valerie!

Fierce!




Work those red pumps!


Love this shot!!




And this one!! They just look so in love that you have to smile. :-)

Don't call it a comeback!!

You may or may not be aware of my polaroid addiction as evidenced here and here. And you may or may not have been aware that Polaroid production was shutting down (even though, you could still find necessary film out there if you really needed it).

However, due to popular demand, it looks like our (or maybe just my :-) beloved instant, classic camera film could be back for good. Which is just absolutely fabulous! There's just something so perfect about a Polaroid picture.

Check out the article here.

The V-Spot: Brooklyn Photography

As you can tell on this blog, photography is one of my favorite things. When I ran across this photographer's blog, I just knew I had to feature her in a V-Spot. Her sense of style and self was too unique and real to pass up. Her name, Brooke Fitts (she's the one on the left :-). Learn a little more about this amazing photographer and her work below.

+Please briefly detail your business and what you do.

Freelance photographer specializing in weddings, people, and love in general. Editorial photographer for Seattle Magazine. Sometimes fine art photographer and restaurant server.

+What and when was your "aha!" moment (if one) that you discovered photography was something you wanted to turn into a profession/career? If applicable, what was your previous profession?

I'm never sure how to answer this sort of question, as I've felt a pull towards photography since my teens. I was always trying to get into the photography classes in highschool, but it was always full so I never did. I've always been incredibly determined to figure out a way to do something I truly love and get paid for it, so I just never stopped pushing myself harder to get better and create more compelling imagery. I've waited tables for years, (and still do a few nights a week) and have always been so grateful for the opportunity it lends to being able to make rent and still provide free days for productivity in other fields.

+How did you get your start in this industry?

Photo taking and picture making has always felt very natural to me. My mind just sees images in everything everyday. But wedding photography per se was never something I had intended on doing. I was living in Hawaii and simply wanted to assist other photographers for experience. There were plenty of wedding photographers around who were happy to have me tag along and ask questions while carrying heavy bags and lights, so I just began feeling really comfortable being a presence on someone's wedding day. Assisting turned into second shooting, and when I felt like I had enough of a portfolio, I started shooting for friends and friends of friends. I feel blessed and lucky to say that 99% of my jobs are word of mouth.




+What is the passion that drives you to do what you do? In other words, what is it that you wish to express to your clients and the world through your work?

I love striving to find and capture that moment within someone when they relax in front of my camera and their true self and beauty comes thru. Making my clients feel comfortable and beautiful is half the job of taking a good photo, and I'm driven to never stop looking for that instant. I see beauty all the time, everywhere. I want my images to communicate an uncommon beauty in common things, a story, and expression.

+Have you had a moment where you wanted to quit? If so, what made you want to continue? If not, what would you say to encourage someone who has?

You have no idea how many moments I've wanted to quit. Nobody said being an artist was easy, and there's been more than a few times that I've thought how nice it would be just to have a steady income, 401K, and health insurance. Or how many times I've felt so inadequate and inundated by all the amazing photography and photographers out there. But my love of photography keeps me coming back every time. Whenever I've thought about quitting, I just can't imagine what else I would do that would bring me as much happiness and contentedness, so I just keep plugging along. Pluck and determination are two of the major components in pursuing any passion or dream. And I firmly believe that with enough of those two and timing in the mix, there's just not a whole lot of room for failure.



+What has been your most memorable (good, bad, funny, etc.) experience so far?

I once had a bride that cried and cried most of her wedding day because it rained. Pouring torrential summer rain. She had even researched 5 years of weather to find the least likely day for rain, and had her wedding on a weekday because of the prognosis. The ironic thing is that her photos turned out beautifully. The light was all pretty and diffused, and we did some fun stuff with umbrella and reflections in puddles. I'm a big believer in just dealing the best you know how with whatever life tosses your way. See the beauty in everything and the possibility in things going unexpectedly. Kind of like that quote... "when life hands you lemons, make lemonade."

+What is one thing you know now that you wish someone had told you before you started in this profession?

I wish someone had told me how to manage my time and to take Sundays off. I wasted a lot of good working hours surfing the internet and looking at other people's work... and then feeling badly of my mismanagement of time, I would feel guilty taking a day off and not working on "work". So I got really overwhelmed and felt stretched too thin by being in a work mode 24/7, but never feeling like I was getting that much accomplished. Steven Pressfield's "The War of Art" has been hugely helpful in my case of time management. Sometimes we just have to turn off the internet, and facebook and twitter and get down to business... And take one day a week away from the computer, email, and maybe even your phone!



+What did you eat for dinner last night? :-)

mmm... you caught me on a good night! I had fresh rigatoni pasta with italian sausage, tomato sauce and marjoram, glass of wine, and a baked apple bread pudding with caramel sauce and cinnamon ice cream for dessert.

Check out more with Brooke, here.

Yes.

things i am learning...
Wednesday, May 27, 2009 at 23:42



things i am learning... give compliments, say thank you, life is what you make of it, if inspiration does not come, go and find it, anxiety is overrated , comparison is a killer, envy is a waste of time look into the mirror and pour kindness into what you see, be attracted towards, intrigued by and enamoured with... make soup from scratch, none of us make it out of here alive, you are only as happy as you choose to be, live intentionally, live inquisitively , break out of routine, contradiction happens, walk, don't drive, remember that you don't know what someone else is going thru, when they cut you off in traffic, cut in front of you in line, or give a bad first impression. actively engage in relationship... be that person that someone can call for a ride, a favor, a need. stop blaming everyone else, take responsibility, open your heart, for more points of view than just yours. be generous, just cuz. apologize, its ok to say "i need", tell someone how you're really doing, being angry just isn't worth it, say "i love you"

By Brooke Fitts