Travels in Technicolor: A Review

December 2, 2019

First things first, click HERE to get your own copy.

Happy Monday friends!! I hope everyone had a good thanksgiving with friends, family and loved ones. Grier and I had a wonderful holiday, we just got in last night from spending about five days in Louisiana.

It’s never fun to leave family after a great vacation, BUT I was really excited to get home and pour over my copy of Miranda’s first magazine.

Miranda is a photographer, I met her through one of my high school best friends Taylor. We always chatted back and forth on social media, but this summer she was able to come and stay with us on her road trip across the US! We really connected and I have a huge respect for her and her body of work.

A few weeks ago she announced she was going to release a collection of her work titled Travels in Technicolor: Hawaii. As soon as it was released I ordered my copy. I grew up spending summers there, Hawaii is a huge part of my life not only as a travel destination but a place that ingrained itself into my history and culture the culture of my family. My sister took her first steps there, we were both baptized in our favorite lagoon in Ko Olina (before Disney took it all over…) and hours were spent walking up and down the aisles at the Cam.

From page one, with her images and blurbs about her time there my heart was instantly warmed and filled with the joy that only Aloha can bring. Miranda’s images have a photojournalist feel, but with color and composition that make you feel like you’re looking at a brochure for heaven.

One of my favorite sets of images from Travels in Technicolor: Hawaii

Miranda is a skilled and hungry creator. A fierce documenter, she leaves no detail unrecorded. Just watching her social media you get a sense that travel is in her heart and soul, just as photography is. Matching those two elements together is a beautiful and powerful thing.

Through her storytelling, you get a glimpse into such a romantic bohemian lifestyle that for many is out of reach. Travels in Technicolor gives its reader is all the wonder of National Geographic but with an incredible tangible, personal touch. Whether you’ve spent time on the Islands, or have always wanted to go, this issue will take you there. Getting to read it and see it laid out in such a gorgeous way has me hungry for her next Travels in Technicolor issue.

http://www.mirandaricophotography.com https://m.facebook.com/MirandaRicoPhotography/ @mirandaricophotography

big moods // big thanks.

November 25, 2019

As this year comes to a close, I can’t help but feel indebted to the universe. This January will mark 7 years living in Tennessee. I remember the first 4, 5.. let’s be real 6- were so hard for me. I struggled to make the art I really wanted to make. Getting people to take me seriously was even harder (still feels hard sometimes) but I remember in 2015 I made a vow to myself. I was going to make exactly what I felt called to, and I wasn’t going to care how hard I had to fight to do it.

That kind of proclamation to myself was one of the best things I’ve ever done. Growing up, and living back home I never had to fight to be who I was. I was a misfit and an outcast but that was me. I never cared what anyone thought about who I was… Or my rain boots.

Moving away changed that. I tried new things, branched out in an attempt to connect. I was incredibly lonely. I fought the dark times hard.

Finally, I stopped trying to connect with people who didn’t understand me and didn’t care to. I started really creating the images I wanted, the ones that haunted my dreams during the night and the day. I clawed my way out of the hole I had buried myself in. I took the time to hone my craft on a technical level. I wanted to learn light so I could make exactly what I envisioned. I never stopped working.

2018 came full circle. The people that found me, and continue to find me (and want to work with me -massive bonus) are MY people. I’m pushing boundaries, I’m challenging all things. I feel that I am honoring my true self when I create in this way.

But there is this heaviness, this debt that I feel. These people that I have in my life, how can I ever show how grateful I am for their existence? How all the sadness and loneliness those first 5 years seems so distant, and mythical. I wish I could tell myself in those times how temporary it would be.

This weekend was amazing, and I really am thankful for all the opportunities that have been coming my way. Saturday was one of those gigs that I got to prove what I’m capable of. Someone took a chance and trusted me fully. The results are easily my favorite studio work to date. -Gallery Here-

The images from Sunday, I’ve had planned on paper for months. Being able to see this vision come to fruition is a high I’ll be on all week. I’ll be sharing those later today and some insight into the session.

To be able to connect with the people I photograph on multiple levels adds another dimension to the imagery that I can make. I’m so lucky I’ve been able to attract people who maybe don’t see everything exactly like I do, appreciate how I look at the world and the art that I make. It takes two to tango, and lately man, my dance floor has been full and poppin’.

big moods//big thanks.

Mid week recap

November 21, 2019

What a gorgeous morning it’s been at Penny Hollow. I’ve been able to catch my breath today and get caught up on all the fun stuff (CHORES!!!) and am taking a minute to get a little bloggin’ in. This won’t post until tomorrow, so hello from the past.

The coolest thing that’s been going on behind the scenes for me (still in the early stages of planning) is being able to assist with a music video. It’s something I’ve been wanting to get into for awhile now. If you knew me in high school you know that I was churning out videos/short films on the regular but stopped to dive all in to photography. I’ve always loved film and especially music videos so to have the opportunity to get into it again on a larger scale has me STOKED.

Right now I’m just helping out in anyway that I can, but I really am manifesting this to turn into something regular. I don’t have a huge interest in manning the camera, but just being involved in logistics and eventually concept creation and color story is a big goal of mine.

We had a little meeting about it Monday and my gears have been turning ever since. Even if it ends up just me helping on set day of, I’ll be over the moon.

All personal concept work has taken the back burner the last few weeks, which is okay. I’ve been getting more client work which is exciting. Just wrapped up and delivered final images for a styled shoot myself and Morgan did for The Hickory House. It’s a great little AirBnB in Jackson, going to be sharing images from that later on this week. It’s super fulfilling for me to be able to capture someone else’s vision, especially when it’s business related.

This weekend I’m cramming as many shoots in as I can before Grier and I go out of town for Thanksgiving in Louisiana. I am really looking forward to these shoots and can’t wait to share the images we get.

I haven’t done a set for Date + Time in a few weeks, but I plan on getting the next round of concepts finalized and the shoots scheduled as soon as I get back from Thanksgiving. Next week I’ll share sketches of what the next few shoots will look like!

In personal news… not this coming weekend but next, (right when we get back from Louisiana) Miranda is coming to stay with me and it’s going to do engagement photos of Grier and I. Her work is incredible, and I am BEYOND stoked to have her do these. She also has her first publication out, here’s the link where you can snag yours!!! https://www.blurb.com/b/9753800-travels-in-technicolor-hawaii

I’ve chosen primary colors for our outfits/accessories and I think I’ve also decided on that for my wedding colors as well. Of course you can expect a big ole post about those when we’re done!

It’s been cathartic to catch up and organize my thoughts here. I mentioned on the last post that I had some things in the works related to the blog and I’m hoping to have that launched and ready to go end of December.

Xoxox darklings, till next time.

Little portrait (THANK YOU MADYSON!!!!!!) from the wedding this last weekend

Sense of Direction

November 14, 2019

It's been about a month or so since I've checked in via blog post. Truth be told, I really want it to be a regular thing but I was feeling a little lost when it came to what I want this particular blog to look like. I'm a tumblr vet, back in those days my tumblr held my deepest darkest secrets. It was a real diary, a real peek into my ever changing moods.. who I was in love with, who I was mad at. Honest reflections and recants of my depression, my hopes, my unrequited love. But as I learned to channel the sadness and the hormones of being 16, 17, 18, I felt less like I needed a place to bear it all. The drama and tumultuous emotions didn't have to live in a hidden place anymore.

I still maintain somewhat of a diary, random note pads and papers scrawled with half baked emotions from the moment (coping mechanism!!) but they mostly reveal lists, plans, dreams and manifestations now.

This season though, is bringing lots of transitions and growth. Thus resulting in growing pains. My life revolves around my work and projects. I believe that using this space to document my process and feelings would help me maintain clarity (I am always striving for clarity) and bring back the personal element to my work that I have shut off for awhile.

My presence on social media lately has been strictly business. Frankly, I miss being a little more emotionally vested in it. Often I let my work do the talking and don't share too much of my personal meaning and reasoning for everything that I do. This is for protection mostly, and to avoid having to explain myself to people who really aren't there to understand. That being said, I think avoiding to disclose those things is denying people another layer to my work.

I believe in what I have to say, and I know it is beneficial to others who maybe haven't found their voice or are trying to decide what is sounds like. At the end of the day I feel strongly about what I create and how I do it and I want to share more of how everything comes together. This blog will start reflecting that, and 2020 will bring some other surprises as well.

Date + Time my first book that will be released next year has taken the forefront of my mind. While I’m not ready to share the images or writings from the sets that have been completed, I want a way to document the process of something so significant to me. I plan on using this platform to keep everyone up to date on the process/progress of this project, but the other ventures that are currently in the works as well.

To each and everyone of you who have supported me on this journey, I am eternally grateful. whatever venture I have embarked on I've always had an amazing group of people in the wings cheering me on, commenting, sharing and pushing me forward. I feel very lucky to have that and plan for a lifetime of creating content for myself and those who love what I do.

Cheers Darklings!

Here’s some behind the scenes snippets for my book, Date + Time , Grier helping me play around with my new projector and a little selfie from the last wedding I did with Samantha and Madyson.

Shoot the Shit! Halloween Edition

October 19, 2019

One of my many side projects/passions is Create & Collaborate: The Workshop. It is a workshop and styled shoot series that is the brain child of myself, Samantha Slayton and Morgan Carkuff. We strive to bring education and inspire creativity in our little area of the world. Not going to lie, this Halloween styled shoot was a lot to coordinate, but that’s because we really wanted this to be incredible. None of this would have been possible one without each other and two, without the wonderful models and makeup artists we brought on.

I really love the days following one of our classes or shoots because all of our attendees start sharing and posting their favorite shots. Photography is my life, and getting to share this passion and giving others an opportunity to try something new really makes me burst with happiness. Most everyone who attended this shoot has been attending them since we started. Getting to see the progression of their work and watching them take the reins confidently has been so fulfilling. I truly hope that I am always able to share my love and knowledge of this world with others.

Vendor List:

Thrifted Halloween Costume Collaboration with Eclectic Mo's

October 9, 2019

I partnered up with Morgan of Eclectic Mo’s (and Sonder Finery, AND Hemp & Mortar.. talk about boss lady) for a thrifted Halloween costume project. We share a love of vintage clothing as well as an obsession with Wes Anderson visuals. When I approached Morgan about putting together a couples costume from Moonrise Kingdom I was met with lots of enthusiasm. Morgan does the styling for some of my bigger projects and all of our classes, workshops and styled shoots we put on as Create & Collaborate. She’s an absolute wiz at this, so I asked her a couple questions about what she does and why she loves it.

Costume Breakdown

Suzy -Every item was found at goodwill at different times minus the collar which was made from 2.99 felt fabric from hobby lobby with the 40% coupon. The red beret was something Morgan took from her Sonder Finery stock.

Sam - Shoes and shorts were taken from personal closet, and everything else was from city thrift. The patches we ordered online & the hat was a neighbors from childhood.

Cost was under $30 for all

D: Where do you start on a project/assignment like this?

M: When doing a conceptual or themed shoot I usually start by brainstorming and writing down key components that I will need to piece together the look. Since this was a very specific look I did research on what the characters wore and thought how could I add a little Eclectic Mo twist to it? however subtle, that's where the polka dot's come to play!

D: What are your favorite places to hunt/thrift?

M: Where - usually goodwill or city thrift but there are a few sweet spots in different cities I go to as well. But auctions are my favorite if I'm buying in bulk.

D: what is the best part of putting together a thrifted costume vs buying one?

M: Gosh this is tough. I'm not sure I narrow down what my favorite is but I'll tell you in general why I think it's the best. First, piecing together a thrifted costume is SO better for the environment. Apart from that when you thrift something themed it broadens your creativity, paves the way to create something completely unique with your interpretation of the theme. Thrifting costumes is also so much better on your pocket book. ..and who doesn't love thrifting?

D: What is the most challenging aspect of these projects?

M: When they are so specific it can be hard to find exactly what you're looking for. It takes patience & sometimes compromise.

D: Do you have any tips for others in their journey to the perfect thrifted costume?

M: Be patient with finding the perfect pieces. Keep your mind open to the ways you can put your creative touch in every detail!