Archive: May 2013
  1. Inspired, A Very Special Project | A Beautiful Life Photo

    Amy Grace is one of those amazing and rare souls. Everything, and I mean absolutely everything is art and she makes it look so effortless. Her words of wisdom to not only her children, but to the people that get a glimpse of her life are a pure treasure. She is wise beyond her years. I feel even more blessed to call her a friend. There are not adequate words to express how deeply her work affects me and others. This is one of those things I am afraid I am going to have to just “show” you. Here we go. Be sure to take time to really delve into her website and blog. It is such a special privilege to get such a personal glimpse of her soul.

    You can find Amy Grace’s Website HERE and Facebook Page HERE.

    Hi Beautiful Amy!

    Lets get to know you! How would you describe yourself in three sentences?
    i am in love with my kids and family, and i try to be awake with that love as much as humanly possible, act on it, extend it to the world. i am intense and loyal and hungry and sensitive, a critical thinker, an authority questioner, trying to be a “wounded healer” as my dad says. the bumps in the road have become me, the twists and reroutes and accommodation for them have grown my heart as much as love.

    What sparked your passion for Photography?

    my kids. to help me remember. and then there was the freedom of it.
    Whats in your camera bag?

    nikon d700, 50 1.4, 35 1.4, nikon f100, contax 645

    What Camera/Equipment did you start out with?

    a nikon d7000 and a 50mm sigma 1.4, about two and a half years ago

    If you could only use one lens an entire session which one would you choose and why?
    inside, a 35mm, outside, a 50mm. i can only wrap my mind around prime lenses when i shoot. i want to feel at one with the viewfinder, so i can really give my attention to what i see.

    What advice would go give to someone just beginning in photography and hoping to have a business of their own?
    i am still figuring out that one. though the most precious piece of advice i would offer is to look INSIDE first. figure out why you have the drive to take pictures, how you see, what you love, what moves you. and really be authentic with the people you photograph. you will feel it, and it will show.
    What was your first official Photographer crush if you had one?

    catherine abegg. i still have it. she is such an incredible person, and the way she knows film. every image is special.


    What kind of photos do you like to take for just yourself when not working with clients?
    the kind in which i see what love feels like.
    If you could photograph absolutely anyone who would it be dead or alive?

    oh, it would be my brother. just to see him smile again.

    Describe your style in 3 words.

    emotive, raw, organic

    Most embarrassing moment on a session would be?

    during a free session for good friends, at the very beginning, an overly zealous visitor to a park called 911 on our “commercial shoot”. it was more comical than embarrassing, but only because of their kindness and our innocence. the rebel in me was okay, the pleaser in me was smart about it.

    Any challenges you have had to overcome to be where you are today?
    there are some serious back stories to the one i am living now. i am open about them, and will continue to be, as much as i possibly can. photography wise? giving my kids huge space. keeping my camera out of their faces, so that when it does come out, we all feel good about it.

    Favorite time of day to shoot is?
    magic hour is amazing. though life does not always happen during that perfect light, so i am flexible. light is as surprising as people if you are paying attention.


    If you had to stop taking photos right now, what would you do instead?
    i would be heartbroken. and then i would write about it.
    Have you attended college or had any formal education in Photography?
    no. i am a student of winging it. i wish i could go back in time and learn about photography in an academic setting. there is something so special and intense about school, but life is a giant school when your eyes are open.


    What do you do to get your clients to relax with you?

    i listen, i ask questions and care about the answers, i am kooky and candid and self deprecating and tell them to show the love, if there is any doubt about who to be. and i am crazy for kids. i start with them, letting them know they have my respect, that they are safe, they don’t have to perform.

    What are your photography related goals for 2013?

    to combine words and pictures in the way i seem to need.


    How do you push yourself to keep growing and learning? Any Big Aha! Moments?

    i pay attention. inspiration does not come from someone else’s work. it comes from what we know and love, what tests us, what lights us up, what tangles our hearts. i read, i listen, i talk to people and learn from them, i watch and revisit my favorite films. i feel a bit stuck right now. and that is telling me it’s time to shift my concentration.

    Biggest Photography related insecurity?

    the technical side of things. i am an intuitive person to the extreme. i feel things, i act, i am not a plodder in any sense of the word. shooting film, trying to feel the contax as an extension of myself…it is an uphill climb but every step is a lift.

    Digital or Prints?

    i have come to love prints, many of which are small ones i keep in boxes. there are many, many frames on the walls of our house. i make slideshows, to music, a few times a year, for my family. i also do it for clients. a digital package gives a wonderful freedom to share, but having those memories in your hands, before your eyes, real, printed – it is a different animal.

    How do you set yourself apart from other local photographers?

    i am myself. when i get kind notes or inquiries, i believe that is the only reason why.


    What do you think your next photography related investment will be?

    i feel so satisfied with the gear i own. now it’s time to prove to myself that i am worthy. but if i had to guess, it would be film related. maybe a rangefinder.

    If you had to recommend ONE thing that a photographer needs in their camera bag what would that be?
    the one vital thing for me is a hair tie. i have crazy rapunzel hair, and unless i want it in all of my pictures, i need it back. but for anyone else, i would say back up. a camera, memory cards, extra film. complications seem to follow me, so this is something for which i try to prepare. and a tiny bottle of wine? i have been known to do it.

    What would you say your biggest muse is?

    my children. i dream in the language of loving them. they have me searching for and finding what i need every day.

    Fun stuff:

    Favorite Color: blue
    Favorite Season: autumn
    Biggest Guilty Pleasure:
    baths so hot they almost hurt. it is my therapy. i try not to associate food and guilt any longer, or there would be a list. and reading, way, way too late.

    Pet Peeve: disingenuous people. fakers. users. dishonesty. and words mean so much to me, when i hear kids using poor grammar, i cringe.
    Favorite Pandora Station:
    i am more of a playlist person. long, painstakingly constructed, symbol of the time collages of music. an homage to the mix tapes i loved to make. today – the head and the heart, the national, josh ritter, damien jurardo, the tallest man on earth, matthew and the atlas, old van morrison, the dead, bach, richard thompson, simon and garfunkel…on and on.

    Studio or On location:

    as it happens. i love people in their natural environments, but i am in love with portraits. i can see the beauty of a studio, a place with magic light, in which a connection could be made beautiful.
    What did you want to be when you grew up?

    when i was little, a doctor. passionately. and a rock star. with equal passion. i was almost a lawyer. now, a writer. which is really what i have been all along.
    One thing no one knows about you is:
    i sing all day long, and i have been doing it my whole life. piano and singing are my first love. music gives my life form.
    Pc or Mac:
    mac
    Lightroom Or Photoshop:
    aperture
    Film or Digital:
    both for now. more film these days. and i hope these days continue. Props or No Props:
    if they are organic, they can be meaningful.
    If you could travel anywhere it would be:
    india. then ireland. but for my daughter, i would go to paris at this moment, first in line.
    Glass Half Empty or Half Full:
    full. but this is a learned, practiced way of life.
    Favorite photo ever taken: this is the last picture i have of my brother. and it wraps around my heart and squeezes every time i look at it. every time i climb the staircase in our house, it meets me at the top.


    Raw or Jpeg: raw
    Favorite Music to Edit to:
    the same music that inhabits our house like furniture, almost always. when i write, it must be without words. my favorite piece of music is ‘appalachia waltz’ by edgar meyer and yo-yo ma. i could listen to it for the rest of my life.
    Favorite Quote:
    “let the beauty we love be what we do. there are hundreds of ways to kneel and kiss the ground.”
    – rumi

    this is hanging next to the sink in my kitchen. i wrote my college entrance essay on rumi. that kind of magic reverence that lies beneath the surface says so much about who i am.
    Most valued material possession:
    my drobo. when my daughter was tiny, we left so much behind. i have only a few of her baby pictures. it would be too hard again.
    Processing Style:
    a little soft, like a memory. i keep it very natural, i almost never clone, or even crop. almost as i see it, but more how i feel it.
    Coffee or Tea:
    i am a tea fanatic. without caffeine. when i drink coffee, i feel as if i belong on an episode of ‘breaking bad’.
    If you could photograph a Celebrity who would it be? maybe glen hansard, for the sheer passion that man possesses.
    What kind of Camera bag do you rock?
    i recently got a kelly moore, kelly boy. my purses were no longer a safe home for my camera. it was crazy in there.

     

     

    13 Lovely Comments  •  Leave a Comment for Sarah

  2. M4H P52 “Changes” Winner and Eye Candy

    I always really look forward to these Eye Candy Posts. You are all so talented. I feel honored to have you all included.

    I do feel like sometimes however that I should add a little disclaimer for you all. I wanted to take a moment to tell you all how appreciated you are. How much I adore the diversity in the group.  I would never want to upset or hurt anyone’s feelings. Know that this is all subjective and the Eye Candy is not what the entire project is about. Being featured is lovely but more then anything I want you to have these images for you. I want you to come away with 52 (or less if that is what happens to well.. happen) photographs that represent not only your year but your growth as a photographer. If you aren’t chosen any given week it isn’t because your images aren’t beautiful, or represent the theme. It isn’t because you didn’t share an image of a child or shared only images of children or because you take photos of nature, or buildings, or anything else that caught your fancy. Actually for myself, the subject matter is secondary. What truly shines is your image and the story behind it for me. I have mentioned this in the past but I love to read your stories. I have a really hard time limiting how many images I share so many times I try not to, but unfortunately I am not able to feature every image as much as I would like to.  I really do love all kinds of photographers and photography though so I do my best to celebrate as many different kinds as possible. My point here is just Thank You. Thank you for being here. Thank you for sharing not only with myself but all the other wonderful and talented photographers in the group. Thank you for being you.

    Now to hop into the many wonderful images this week!

    The prize is a $40.00 Gift Card to my shop towards any actions or presets to your liking. Please email me or use the blog contact form to contact me for your prize.

    Winner: ( Not only an absolutely beautiful collage of images but I love the thought and comparison. Really represents the theme so wonderfully April!)

    By: April Deering

    P52, Week 21: Changes

    Caption:

    Changes in our yard, from the beginning of the week and the end of the week. The flowers don’t last for long! In another week, we’ll have cherries!

    And Lots of Eye Candy:

    By: mjryckman

    Changes

    Caption:

    The changing from day to evening as captured on her 16th birthday. So many changes to come in this next phase of her life – most notably – passing her driving test next week!!

    By: HeatherScott

    week 21-changes

    Caption:

    “Be the change that you wish to see in the world.”
    ― Mahatma Gandhi

    ****I am thankful each and every day for the men and women in our military; the choices the make, the changes they bring, the risks they take, the courage they show, and the bravery it takes to leave behind those they love to protect this country we live in…

    By: blwfoto

    changes

    Caption:

    Sometimes it takes my breath away to see how quickly she is growing. Usually, I see it long before she steps up to the kitchen growth chart. The baby is no longer a baby.

    By: Eastview Photography

    Well, I've been afraid of changing Cause I've built  my life around you But time makes you bolder Children get older I'm getting older too...

    Caption:
    No fancy photo here but this is my daughter on the college campus that she’ll be attending in the fall. She’s the baby..the last one to go. I’m so happy for her. I can’t wait to watch her grow into the wonderful, independent young woman that I know she’s meant to be…and yet…oh my I will miss her so.

    By: SaraKellyPhoto

    Changes {M4H 20/52}

    Caption:
    This is my eldest and my youngest ascending the stairs of the tunnel that forms a path between our new house and her new elementary school. (The other two are just out of the frame up the stairs.) To me, this images says so much about how quickly they grow, how soon he will be the one going to school. She was this small just yesterday, but now she’s big, and our family is bigger, and we live in a new place, and everything just changes so very fast.
    www.SaraKellyPhoto.com
    www.facebook.com/SaraKellyPhoto

    By: AkishaLowe

    Changes 21:52

    Caption:
    This is a picture of my niece who is about to have her first baby in another month or so. She has no idea how her life will change with this new addition 🙂

    By: julieamankin

    M4H Project 21/52  Change

    Caption:
    Visiting my home state, it’s amazing all the changes that happen between visits.

    By: CJ,MJ&AddiesMummy

    Week 21 ~ Change

    Caption:
    My Son brought his homework in from school a few weeks ago. It was to grow a sunflower from a seed to 10cm . We planted a couple and this is how this one grew. With it’s seed still attached to the leaves. He was surprised to see the changes as it grew and suddenly the seed had fallen off to let the leaves open.

    By: MeganEvansPhoto

    M4H - 21/52 - Changes

    Caption:

    Her smile has changed. It’s hiding something, something she doesn’t want to share yet. Her shape has changed. She’s lean and sleek – like the horses she rides. Her personality has changed. She’s not cutesy or girly anymore. She’s strong. She’s confident.These are her changes.

    By: jannen1064

    {change}

    Caption:

    Saving for something big!

    By: 24Feet

    24Feet - Changes

    Caption:
    P52/21 – Changes. Change is always more evident with the passage of time and it’s 20/20 the day your much younger brother graduates from college.

    By: Amber Carbo Privizzini

    Changes. Curls

    Caption:
    When the weather gets warm my daughters hair gets these beautiful curly cues at the ends . But they are not here when its cold out. I love them!

    By: ShutterBugCat

    P52 Week 21 - Changes

    Caption:
    These flowers symbolise changes for me. They themselves have changed since I was sent them by my friends at work and are not as fresh as they were but still look beautiful on my windowsill. Plus, since being sent them after my op a few weeks ago, I started back at work doing half days this week which has made a nice change, albeit tiring! I’m glad its friday tomorrow!

    By: minkylina

    Babies

    Caption:
    M4H 21/52: Changes. My seedlings: Two kinds of basil and tomatoes. Each day they change. and grow. They are about a week away from being planted outside and then they will bring goodness all summer.

    By: jenniferfaris

    changes

    Caption:

    This little guy just got a brand new baby brother. A lot of changes coming up in his sweet little life…

    By: CrackerJackJoe

    P52 WK 21 changes

    Caption:
    Sometimes you have to put a weird one out there. To me, this looks like a guy who wasn’t open to changes.

    By: meadger

    ~ Week 21 ~ Changes ~

    Caption:
    Pepsi Now & Pepsi Then.

    By: charley1962

    Change:

    Caption:
    We left the view of the Everglades for a few days to take in the peace of the ocean. When I left home today I did bit know how much I would need this

    By: heatherlphotography

    M4H{21/52} "Changes"

    Caption:
    The only constant in life is change. And change can be difficult. Especially when it involves slowly letting go of our ever growing children. When I get overwhelmed with the bittersweetness of it all I try to stop, take a deep breath, and enjoy what I have right now. That is what I did tonight, just enjoyed the moments in the midst of constant change.

    By: Amanda Claire

    "A Changing of the Books" M4H 21/52 [changes]

    Caption:
    As I wrap up this school year, I’m excited to move to my reading list and leave behind the elementary/middle school reads.

    By: {In Bloom Images}

    21/52 {Changes}

    Caption:
    Marriage is full of {changes}. It is full of ups and downs while you learn how communication is key to each other’s hopes, dreams, and expectations.

    By: jennifer nobriga

    (m4h week 21-changes) kissing

    Caption:

    my two kids. they’re getting bigger and bigger everyday, yet their love for one another remains constant.

    By: Kristy Mulvihill

    Week 21 - Changes

    Caption:

    Winter is just around the corner for us and I don’t think either of us are overly happy with the change in temperature! Gone is the gorgeous warm Sunraysia weather and pretty summer dresses. On the upside, now it’s all about beautiful blankets, scarves and hats – the perfect winter accessories.

    By: image421

    changing 15/52

    Caption:
    changing seasons….the last of the summer flowers.

    By: Love is in Pictures

    "Change" P52 Week 21

    Caption:

    Each of these books have changed me in significant ways this past year.

    By: bobo+peep

    Change

    Caption:

    I saw this sunset the other night behind our house and had to run out and capture it. This same scene during the day is not even close to being as magical. It is definitely a beautiful change. Along with that is the change from real life to what I can capture with my camera. With the right exposure, this scene transformed in my viewfinder before my eyes.

    By: Natalie Castellanoz

    P52/21 Changes

    Caption:

    It was time for a change…a little cut, a little color, and voila! A refreshed, new me! It’s a blessing that my hair stylist is also my sister!

    By: larag1028

    21/52 changes

    Caption:
    Big changes are happening for my first born. End of school, summer fun and guitar lessons. How did he get this big so fast?

    By: leahartmanphoto

    M4H Project 52 (week 21)

    Caption:

    I photograph my children’s feet often. To me, it’s perhaps the most prominent sign of how big they’ve become. And it’s such a long way from those first footprints from the hospital.

    By: Memories by Me

    Week 21 {Changes}

    Caption:

    A shameless “selfie” for Week 21. It was my birthday this week so I attempted to take a quick picture of myself on my %$th birthday {no, I’m not telling you my age}. I really dislike being in front of the lens, especially by myself. If my kids are with me, it’s OK as I know they’ll like the pictures someday of them little with their Mom. But just me, ugh, can’t stand it. But I figure my *%th birthday should be documented so I set the timer, sat on a blanket in my yard and took this. I realized how utterly silly I looked taking my own pic, so I packed up my camera and went back inside shamelessly shaking my head that I just took a “selfie”! So, for Week 21, “changes”…..its me, on my birthday as my age “changed” this week.

    By: Shawna Lyn Photography

    M4H P52: 21/52 {Changes}

    Caption:

    These cars have certainly gone through changes.

    By: JessicaYates Photography

    Week 21 - Changes

    Caption:

    My boy is home this week!!! As excited, overjoyed, over the moon as I am, we are definitely going though lots of changes!!

    By: bluebellsonthegreen

    week21_Changes

    Caption:
    Day changes into night from our car window 🙂 I loved this photo over Perth although the focus is off it reminds me of a Turner Painting 🙂
    (oh and the dot above the horizon was a hot air balloon crazy)

    By:

    1 Lovely Comments  •  Leave a Comment for Sarah

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