Something new....something new

It had been a while since Kat and I really shot somewhere out of our element. I've become a terrible planner when it comes to locations lately, but luckily she's always down with a ride through town or walking a couple blocks until we find something at least half way decent. Well, this scene is way more than halfway decent. I shot Cierra's maternity pictures here last Spring but hadn't been back to the park more than to just catch Pokemon (I know, let's not talk about it).

I only regret not being able to take more instant film pictures because I (thought) one of my cameras was broken when I was trying to use it that day. Well, I'm happy to say today I found out my camera isn't broken, I just literally haven't changed the batteries in 6 or 7 years *insert eye roll*.

Let Them Eat Cake

Let's go back. Yeah, pretty far back. All the way back to last May to be exact. Thinking about last Spring is weird and funny. The day Kaitlyn and I shot these it wasn't even sunny and today well, is pretty gorgeous if I do say so myself. 

We shoot this at Jerry's Artarama here in Austin. The building is a true backdrop paradise and I've had my eyes on it since I was at least 15 and getting to do it with my sisterfriend made a tiny bit extra special. 

in 2016

It's pretty obvious I didn't do much shooting in 2016. I did a lot more observing and reflecting. I'm so excited to get back in action in this next year! I'm going to find more challenging approaches and kind of step outside the box. I think one of the my favorite moments of this year was Cierra and Michael's maternity shoot. It was my first real maternity session and I'm still so completely in love with the set.  I'm also working through shoots from this year (one of Kaitlyn from this May. I know, I'm a slacker). 

When There's Nothing Left to Burn

What the hell happen in 2016? It got to me too. I basically spent this year half ass fulfilling all the promises I made when I was feeling really good in 2015. That's really lame but it's honestly the only way I can describe this past year. A true struggle. But with everything awkwardly hanging in the balance, I have felt a lightness. I also felt this need to start over; to start from the beginning. So I took a long break to think and work on different creative endevors and new trades.

When it came down to it, photography is everywhere for me. I can't get pictures and scenes out of my head. My memory is strong and I feel like photography helps that. I want so badly for people to see things the way I do. The beauty is everywhere. It's in the streets, in the woods, in you and me. I think we really need to see that right now.

So yeah, here I am. The best way to get out of any funk is self portraits. It's funny doing self portraits now because I'm far more self aware. I think it's all this time living in the "selfie generation" and knowing you could be forced into one any second.