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Tom's Shoes Collaboration : Irvine Spectrum
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I t was warm, yet breezy. I searched for her amidst a sea of artists, all with their tattoos, uber cool sunglasses, and tighter than normal clothes. Yes, it was art in Orange County. And I loved it. I found my sister, Alexandria, working on Tom's Shoes and a line waiting for her.
And I was proud.
Alexandria recently graduated from art school and is quite talented (although I might be biased). She was one of the chosen artists work on a Tom's Shoes and Active Ride Shop collaboration at the Irvine Spectrum yesterday. Throngs of people showed up to purchase a pair of Tom's and a featured artist would customize the shoes for the wearer. It was the story. Alexandria gave her time and talent to this amazing event and I was proud. Of her. Of the event. Of Tom's.
Each artist was given a GIVE frame to design and I immediately knew this was my sister's.... |
| For those who aren't familiar with Tom's Shoes, for every pair of shoes purchased, a pair will be given to a shoeless child...the event's goal is 10,000 shoes and I can't wait for them to blow this number out of the water! |
| I love the Irvine Spectrum...I'm pretty much there everyday (much to JD's chagrin when he finds my receipts) and it was awesome to see the Spectrum host such a great event... |
| Here's Alexandria talking about her customizations... |
| A few samples of her work... |
| Alexandria was working for many hours, so I dropped by with Jamba Juice for a little extra pick-me-up....but nothing could take the smile from her face... |
    
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Kisses+Disses : Garbage Men + Barometers
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I ran up and down the stairs this morning. Huffing and puffing. It was a workout. That's how much I was running. I asked him where the picture was. JD had no idea what I was talking about. I sigh. The picture of OUR DAUGHTER!! He still had no idea what I was talking about.
Back up a sec...
Last week we went to Dave&Buster's. On a Friday night. Which is akin to, say, Friday night at Walmart in the Midwest. A bunch of people walking around trying to kill time and waste money. With adult beverages. And yes this happens at Walmart too...I saw a documentary about Walmart once. Except Midwesterners take their own coolers and hide them in their Camaros. So, yes, Dave&Buster's. At the end of the night, JD and I sat in a game machine that took pictures of our faces and then produced a picture of what our future daughter would look like. Let's just say when I saw the picture, I was visibly shaken. Reason #4,982 to explain to my mother-in-law why I don't have a child. Internet, it was scary.
This morning...
I thought it would be funny to blog the picture of our future daughter. You know, so I could scare you too. But I couldn't find the picture. Then I ran up and down the stairs and sighed. And that's when it hit me: JD threw the picture away. HE THREW AWAY A PICTURE OF OUR FIRST CHILD. How can I be married to such a man?! Who would do that?!
Internet, JD scarred me today. And I'm still trying to forgive him. Which leads to another installment of Kisses and Disses... |
This week's DISSES go to:
*Husbands who throw away pictures of their first pretend child.
*AT&T. Whenever I hear these three letters, I can't help but twitch and raise an angry iPhone.
*Walmart. Any place you can buy a lamp, garden hose, and a ham at the same time scares me. |
This week's KISSES go to:
* :) . Yes, a big kiss to smiley faces in emails. Those two symbols together can change the entire tone of a sentence...love it.
*Antique stores. I bought a barometer (with cracked glass) last week for $21 for a new cabinet. Go ahead. Be jealous.
*Pickles. A dill pickle next to a sandwich makes the world a better place.
**And a bonus kiss to Tanya at Photographer's Edit for always giving great customer service and taking such good care of me! |
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Reveling in Morning Light
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T his morning I made a conscious effort to stay away. For a bit. Yesterday I realized I made a mistake and it impacted the rest of my day. I woke up--as usual singing a random song that popped into my head, It Wasn't Me by Shaggy--kissed my boys, completed my morning routine, and cuddled with my laptop by 6:15am. And that's when my day fell into a funk.
Or, rather, I fell into a funk.
I let a few emails derail my morning. And it lingered for the rest of the day.
This morning I made a conscious effort to stay away. I woke up and stayed in bed for a bit longer. Reached over the side of my bed and rubbed Polo's belly for a few more minutes. Listened to the morning chirps more acutely. I realized that the minute my day officially started, I was letting go of the perfection a new day brings. Today I reveled in the pre-morning light. And I'm thankful. |
| And, really, how bad can a day really be when your dog thinks you're funny?! |
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FAQ : Churches + Dark Ceremony Photos
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Y esterday on the j* Facebook page, I was asked by Amy McFarland how I dealt with dark ceremonies and/or churches. The more I thought about it, the more I realized I don't face that particular issue as--perhaps--other photographers around the United States. I'm lucky enough to live in a state where outdoor weddings are preferred, and I believe it plays to my strengths. Thankfully. Like most photographers, I prefer outdoor weddings, but I embrace the fact that it isn't always the case. Happily.
I get asked a variation of Amy's question quite often, so I decided to blog a few ceremony photos in dark locations and post my settings for today's FAQ Post. Yes, I had to dig a little through the archives, but I hope they'll show what I do...and please note...I do NOT think I'm doing things the right way. Quite the contrary. I'm merely showing my way. There are a few of you who might think I'm crazy and I'm okay with that. In fact, I'd be the first to welcome you to the club!
Most churches don't allow flash during the ceremony, so this is where prime lenses come in extra handy. Using a wide aperture offers a unparalleled luxury and I'm hooked...
f/1.2 1/25 85mm, 1.2 1600iso |
| f/1.4 1/125 50mm,1.4 1000iso |
| f/3.5 1/50, 1.4 50mm 1600iso |
Most churches won't allow photographers past a certain point during the ceremony, so here's where the 70-200, 2.8 comes in to save the day and capture candid moments from a distance...
f/2.8 1/50 70-200mm, 2.8 1600iso |
Now here's a random bit of info: The first three pictures were shot in the same church as the following two pictures. The difference? I used the Canon 5DMII in the following shots and lah-lah-lahved the higher iso capabilities. So amazing!
f/2.8 1/40 70-200, 2.8 2500iso |
| f/2.8 1/40 70-200, 2.8 1600iso |
| f/2.8 1/40 70-200, 2.8 1250iso |
| f/2.8 1/40 70-200, 2.8 1250iso |
As I've stated before, I'm not the biggest fan of flash. Don't get me wrong...I use it...I embrace it...it's a great additive to low-light situations. But in the same vein, I also think it takes away the natural setting of the photograph. When possible, I try to shoot both with flash, and without. In the following photo, I was able to get a few photos of the bride and her dad walking down the aisle illuminated with flash. Once I knew I had the safe shot, I turned off my flash, and changed my settings. I prefer this photo to any of the flash photos...hands down.
f/1.2 1/100 50mm, 1.2 1600iso |
I love using candle light for illumination when possible. This church was dark. So, so dark. There's no way I could've shot this photo at f/2.8 (I wanted both subjects in focus as much as possible) had it not been for the candle compensation...
f/2.8 1/40 85mm, 1.2 1600iso |
| f/2.8 1/80 85mm, 1.2 1600iso |
Hope this helps and, if not, I'll try again soon! :)
Happy Tuesday! |
W e have a routine. We're a well-oiled beach machine. JD packs the car, we stop at Trader Joe's for snacks, I spray on coconut scented oil. You know, so my freckles can become a darker shade of brown. We head to our favorite beach and enjoy the sun along the Newport coast.
Last Saturday--on a rare weekend off--we fell into our beach routine. Upon waking from a nap, JD anxiously looked at me and asked if I was ready to go into the ocean. I reached for a chilled Perrier and said, Nah. Just like that. Total brat mode. I was still trying to recover from the Breathing Between the Waves incident of last year. I tuck my nose in a book, and he drinks the remainder of my Perrier. JD suggests buying a ball for next time. Or maybe a frisbee? Or how about paddle ball? I scrunch my nose at the thought of running in nylon beachware. In public. There are too many moving parts as far as I'm concerned.
Well, what? What do want to do at the beach, JD asks. I lift my head from the book and reply, Read, of course. He smiles a crooked smile. He knew the answer. It's been the same as long as we've been together. And here's an iPhone picture to prove it: |
Here's a list of recent reads you might enjoy as much as I did:
The Help by Kathryn Stockett
A totally enjoyable read. It was recommended by a few blog readers, so I heeded their advice and was pleasantly surprised. It was--at times--a little cliche, but I'd still read it again even given this fact. I have my money that it'll be made into a movie sometime soon. Starring Dakota Fanning and Oprah.
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon
I wouldn't have picked this book up at the bookstore. Don't ask me why. It was mailed to me by the ever lovely Anda Marie and it came with a library card bookmark. And I was in love from the start. It's peculiar and in the voice of a special-needs protagonist. The voice is raw and palpable...and disturbing at the same time. And it was an incredibly cool read.
The E Myth by Michael Gerber
Wow. I know. This business book has been suggested from it's first edition, but I just got around to reading it. And. Wow. Seriously, as a entrepreneur and small business owner, it's so flipping incredible. It's an easily digestible read and makes so much sense. Go get it. Now.
Some Girls - My Life in a Harem by Jillian Lauren
Warning: This book is trashy. I read it on the beach while in the Caymans, so cut me some slack. It's an autobiography of a girl who leaves NYC to live as part of a harem for a prince. It's definitely not Disneyfied or Pretty Womaned, so consider yourself warned. I just happen to love autobiographies and Lauren's voice is like ready a juicy blog. There I said it. ... And riiight about NOW I'll be getting a call from my mother asking me to remove this link. Because I used the word 'harem' on my blog. I'm getting a time-out...I just know it.
Half Broke Horses by Jeannette Walls
This was another fantastic blog reader recommendation! I read Walls' first novel--The Glass Castle--and was incredibly moved...it's such an amazing book! Naturally, I wanted to read her novel and I enjoyed it...but not as much as the first. I know some of you might hate me for saying it, but it lacks the electricity of the first novel in so many ways. However, I'd still totally recommend this book because it's a fabulous read nevertheless.
Happy Monday! |
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