branches vs. infrared - art photography

i have really loved tree photos lately...those dead branches, scraggly and sometimes menacing, make for dramatic art. But since spring has sprung, and the once-dead branches are clothing themselves with bright leaves and flowers, the high drama is no more to be seen. I probably drove by a particular lake 50 times, telling myself I HAD to photograph how those dead branches looked when reflected in the water, but now they are full and green trees.

recent victories and some other cool things (and Not My Art!)

I just found out I am going to shoot my first paid wedding. I'll be doing like behind the scenes stuff, not posing people but just shooting what I see, making beautiful pictures. :) I haven't always been super excited about wedding photography, because it seems like weddings are almost all the basically same thing, but being given creative license is enough that I am pretty stoked.

I also have my first photo shoot next week with the music school here on campus! I'll be taking pictures of the wind ensemble as they rehearse, and eventually I'll be shooting a lot more events like concerts and such. Again, the creative license makes it fun - they don't want poses but they want more abstract, artsy stuff they can use for their website, brochures and other recruiting materials. Yes, I can do that.

Hmm, this has been kind of braggy today. So let me end with giving you some cool links to look at that aren't MY stuff. :)  Not all photography, but just cool things I've saved in my favorites on Etsy.



"reading the stars" cross stitch (not your mom's samplers) - by miniaturehino

i really love these because they are so different than everyday cross stitch patterns. the gray fabric really sets it apart. this artist has a lot of other awesome things too so check it out!



some awesome earrings that remind me of Frank Lloyd Wright - by taylorseclectic

there are countless unique jewelry items in this shop, run by a very nice person who has promoted my art in the past. many of the things look like stained glass - so beautiful.





glasses made from old wine bottles - by bodhicitta

super creative way to recycle old glass and look very cool in the process. :) i love how they're all different colors!







"the bird has flown" - by irenesuchocki

this was one of my first favorite things when i signed up on Etsy - there are so many cool photographs in this shop it was hard to pick one! they all have that cool grungy, vintage-ey feel.

a gallery and a philosophy

I've never had any of my photos for sale in any sort of "bricks-and-mortar" shop. My workplace is partly a gallery, and a while ago I was told I could hang some things there. But then it was decided that our store will no longer be a gallery and just concentrate on framing. This is a good decision for the store - but a teensy bit disappointing for me! :) It really made me nervous to think about hanging things up for the public to see (and potentially reject) though. I know art is different to everyone, and people are drawn to different things in art. But someone I don't know if I'm up for the possibility of no one liking it enough to buy it.

Back from a deep hole of school and wedding planning!

I've decided I'd like to keep this blog somewhat active - especially since I've decided to start promoting my Etsy site more. I made my second sale on that site today - very encouraging! I've also had a few family members and friends buy some prints, which is a huge blessing and encouragement to me.

My brother is getting married in June. He and his fiancee asked me to take their engagement photos. Not that I'm super experienced or anything, but it promises to be fun once the weather starts cooperating. I had one print done at Walgreens (I know, the true mark of a professional) just so we could see the coloring and stuff in print (computer screens are deceiving). We had some trouble picking it up because the Walgreens employees thought we were trying to illegally reproduce photos taken by a professional. I showed the apathetic employee my drivers' license, he was like "whatever" and made me sign a copyright release. So weird. But he said, in a bland, 18-year-old-making-$6-an-hour tone, "your pictures are kinda good, maybe you should be a photographer." You never know when a trip to the drugstore will enlighten you to your true purpose in life. A call to excellence from a bored Walgreens employee should never be taken lightly.

new photos?

I need to post more often. I constantly find new photographs on my computer that I can ready for online debut in a matter of minutes...which is handy when I don't have time to take any new pictures. Hopefully I can get motivated to create some new art - but this year I've hardly taken any new photos of the wintry loveliness (that I hate driving in). I have, though, found some great winter oldies from last year's photo stash that I can share with you now.

This year's family Christmas present-opening photos were, for the most part, just as bad as last year's - except this year I condescended to use my built-in flash for many of the photos. I hate using the flash, but I also hate using ISO 1600 and still having to manually lighten every single photo because my parents still don't have enough lamps in the living room. Well, that is a lesson for everyone: Have enough lamps in your living room - at least enough light to appease your live-in photographer.

Oh yes. Old winter pictures. Here are a few for your delight.