Holga, A Love Story

Posted on October 19, 2013 by admin

One of my favorite classes in college was my Medium Format class I took my sophomore year. There was only one assignment: take photos of whatever you want with a Holga camera. This was the class where I really got into the groove of developing my own film and learning darkroom techniques.

You really have to use your imagination when shooting on a $20 camera made of plastic. Light leaks, natural blur, and color shifts occur. And since everything is manual, it’s also easy to make double exposures either by choice or accident.

I sold my Holga when I graduated. Although I was still in love with this toy camera and it’s ability to take perfectly imperfect images, I really had no clue when I would be in a darkroom again. And the cost of processing 120 film is extraordinarily expensive, so I felt like it would be put to better use in someone else’s hands.

Fast forward to 2012, when I had really decided to fully pursue photography. I started craving a Holga again. I found one on Amazon for $18 (don’t buy a $60 one from Urban Outfitters– it’s a rip off). I ordered some film along with and and decided to start shooting with it as a supplement to my focus on digital photography.

I finished several rolls of film over the course of the past year. I took my Holga with me when the situation was special, but taking my 5d along wouldn’t have been the best choice. I developed all the film in one go this week, and I was pleasantly surprised with the outcome. Here are some of my favorites– a trip to Six Flags, camping, a horseback ride in Hawaii, and a dear friend’s wedding. And the best part was, everything was scanned and digitized so I never had to step foot in a dark room!

10 on 10 Collaboration Project, Post 3

Posted on September 10, 2013 by admin

I blinked and it was September.

I’m sorry I haven’t updated at all recently. But hey, you get this brand-spanking-new 10 on 10 here from one of the many trips I took in the past month.

I shot a wedding in San Francisco in August with Matei Horvath Photography. The marital ceremonies and celebrations spanned over three days, so Matei and I had some time off to tour around the city. This was my first visit to San Francisco, and I have to say, it’s super pretty. In addition to being as pretty as it is, that place is cold! I mean, 60 degrees in August is not okay, San Fran. Have some self respect. It’s summer.

Other photographers participating in the 10 on 10 project:

Courtney Z Photography

Anya Elise Photography

Grace Photography

CLB Creative

Twinty Photography
Jamilah Photography

10 on 10 Collaboration Project, Post 2

Posted on August 10, 2013 by admin

I can’t believe it has already been a month since the first 10 on 10 post! So much has happened since: I drove up the coast, turned 27, photographed a wedding, went to a family reunion, helped on some fun photo shoots with Oh Joy!, did a juice cleanse, and even made time to see The Conjuring.

The 10 on 10 post for this month is from my family reunion. My grandparents celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary last month (top that!), so we all got together in Florida to celebrate. Since I live on the opposite coast from my entire family, I don’t get to see them too often. It was so nice to have everyone together, especially in a sunny place where my plate was never empty and the Pina Coladas never ran dry (did I mention the cleanse?).

You get a bonus picture in this 10 on 10 because I like to break the rules. I break rules like I break… dance. I’m also bad at making decisions. And I don’t breakdance.

(I should also mention my Grandma’s name is Rita. That’s why my Grandpa is holding a cocktail napkin with booze on it near her face.)

Other photographers participating in the 10 on 10 Project:

Courtney Z Photography

Anya Elise Photography

Grace Photography

Twinty Photography

Jennifer Whalen Photography

Jamilah Photography

Fashion Model Time featuring Tristan Peach

Posted on August 1, 2013 by admin

Anthony and I met Tristan on a flight in June, and it just so happened that he lived not too far from us! Tristan is an actor (who should really consider also going into modeling) and we immediately hit it off. A few weeks later we met up at Arroyo Seco Bridge (morbidly nicknamed Suicide Bridge) in Pasadena for a fun impromptu fashion shoot.

Here are a few of my favorite shots from our GQ inspired photo shoot:

Trash the Dress on El Matador Beach, CA

Posted on July 9, 2013 by admin

As a photographer, I’m obsessed with Pinterest. I get so many ideas and inspiration from Pinterest, and here’s one of them. I’ve been seeing a trend of Trash the Dress photo shoots pop up a lot on Pinterest lately, and I loved the idea of making a total mess of something pristine. There’s a lot of beauty in that.

Surprise, not many brides are willing to destroy a dress that they paid so much for. So I decided to take matters into my own hands and buy a used wedding dress off of Ebay. I had asked my lovely friend, Amanda, to pose for me. Serendipitously, the $5 dress fit her like a glove.

We took our shoot to El Matador Beach in Malibu. We arrived at the perfect time at dusk, and Amanda dug into the sand, rolled around, and got dunked in the waves several times. She did her job perfectly, and didn’t complain once even though she was soaking wet and covered in sand by the end of it.

I had so much fun doing this, it was something I had wanted to shoot for a while and I was so happy with how it all fell into place. Thanks Amanda for being a beautiful model!

(PS. I did that hairdo! I think I could make a second career out of doing crazy updos!)

Austin the Golden Retriever

Posted on July 2, 2013 by admin

I love dogs. Like, I really love dogs. I love dogs more than I love most humans. So whenever I get to photograph one, I go bananas.

Or in Austin the Golden Retriever’s case, we go chicken bologna.

I met up with Austin and his mom and dad the same day I shot Lindy and Jason’s engagement session. It was such a fun end to the day, Austin ran around and played with his toys and showed off his tricks in exchange for some chicken bologna. (Luckily, that stuff isn’t as fattening as the classic kind so Austin can watch his figure.)

On top of being really smart, cute and friendly, Austin is also a therapy dog which makes him a well-rounded badass. (Read: I wish I could clone him.)

Don’t you want to just cuddle him right now? I know I do.

Savannah, GA Engagement Session : Virginia + Nick

Posted on June 6, 2013 by admin

Love is in the air in Savannah!

After photographing a wedding and another engagement shoot, I finished out my visit to Savannah with Virginia and Nick. We hit the hot spots of historic downtown, Leopold’s Ice Cream parlor, a few squares, and River Street!

Nick is a golfer and wanted Masters colors for their wedding. Virginia compromised and they used the colors for the shoot. I think they looked amazing! And Virginia’s hair is so lovely, I wish mine could keep a curl like that!

Congratulations, you two!

A Plantation Wedding in Savannah with Kristen + Chris

Posted on June 4, 2013 by admin

On April 27th, Kristen and Chris got married on a beautiful plantation estate in Springfield, Georgia. It was the perfect, intimate, casual, backyard wedding. Kristen and her bridesmaids all wore handmade dresses, and Chris and his groomsmen all wore suspenders. Everyone had a special part in this celebration, too. The bridal party even put together an awesome photobooth complete with wigs, toy guns, and crazy animal hats!

The entire day was filled with laughter, love, and happy tears. I was so happy I could be a part of capturing the emotions that day. I had a blast! Congrats, Kristen and Chris!

Lindy and Jason : A Savannah Engagement

Posted on May 14, 2013 by admin

Earlier in the month, I traveled across the country to Savannah, GA to photograph a wedding (that blog post is coming soon!). While I was in town, I squeezed in two engagement shoots on top of the wedding because I’m an over-achiever and I could not bear to go a day without taking advantage of the awesome locations that Savannah has to offer.

Lindy, a good friend of mine who was one of my go-to models when I was studying photography at SCAD, got engaged to her best friend Jason back in March, so of course I demanded I take her engagement photos! There was so much thought put into this shoot, I may as well have been doing a high production fashion shoot!

The three of us spent the entire day together and went all over town, from the beach to historic downtown.

We started at a delicious and beloved breakfast spot, The Breakfast Club. Then we headed to Wormsloe Plantation, which you may recognize from this famous scene in Forrest Gump.

Afterwards we stopped by the Savannah Candy Kitchen for some sweet treats. We discovered some unique locations in the gardens of the SCAD Museum of Art and I was able to see the amazing venue at Ships of the Sea Museum where their reception will take place next year.

THEN We stopped by Mabel’s Cupcake Emporium for some of the yummiest cupcakes ever and took our loot over to Forsyth Park for a picnic.

Phew! It was a long day but I had an amazing time and I can’t wait to be a part of their wedding! It will be the party of the year! Congratulations, you two!

Palos Verdes Estates and Malaga Cove Engagement Session : Stacy + Aaron

Posted on April 18, 2013 by admin

Stacy and Aaron got engaged right before Christmas. They chose Malaga Cove Library near their home in Redondo Beach for their engagement session. It was a chilly, cloudy day, which didn’t look too great in person but made an ideal day to take pictures. Malaga Cove is was such a fantastic location to shoot I may just bring everyone there from now on!

We explored around Malaga Cove and also took some pictures at their home with their adorable Poodle, Oggie. (By the way– Doesn’t Oggie kinda look like he’s rockin’ Mr. T’s hair style? That mohawk is hilarious!)

I had a great time photographing these two! They were SO in cute together, constantly teasing each other and tickling and laughing a whole lot. That made my job really easy. There were so many great pictures of them that I had a very VERY difficult time narrowing down my favorites.

Thanks Aaron and Stacy for a fun day and congratulations on your engagement!

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