The absolute SAGA I’ve been through trying to get a 67 camera for myself this year is… insane. But the time has finally come and I have a Pentax67 in my arsenal now and I couldn’t be happier. So, naturally, I called upon some of the gorgeous people I know to test out my new kit and I was not disappointed. More film this year!!! MORE FILM THIS YEAR!!!!
Personal Work-- They really are GREAT
I finally got to visit the Great Sand Dunes National Park ! I have wanted to visit this park for AGES. I’ve driven past them many many times. Driving up to them in the very early morning (I left my campsite at 4am) was stunning. I could see them at the base of the mountains but I didn’t believe those were SAND at first. I thought maybe they were just smaller foothills…. No…. They’re MASSIVE. I hiked all the way to the top of this ridge (after the sun was too high in the sky for photos), entirely barefoot. Just as dreamy as I imagined they would be. Definitely one of my favorite parks. It’s always a little risky bringing only film with you on trips, but these turned out exactly how I imagined them in my head.
On being an Artist
I spent some time this weekend with my friends Briley and Adrienne. They showed me around (safely) and I got a chance to turn my brain off for the first time in months and just enjoy the ride. I made the choice to only have one camera on me, when normally I have at least 3. Threw my Hasselblad and some film in my bag and hoped for the best. Shooting *only* film is always a little risky because you never quite know if it’s going to work out. But as we were walking around this one particular park, and Briley was taking some photos of me while I took photos of her, I had a moment of pure relaxation and joy wash over me. Looking around at the light through the trees, I took a deep breath and remembered how much I love to make photographs. Especially with the people I love and admire most. It made me happy and sad and calm and excited all at the same time. I’ve never been very well spoken, I stutter sometimes when I get anxious or excited, I am not that smart about most things (or I don’t feel like it most of the time), I’m introverted which makes it hard to exist in an industry that values being boisterous. But making art feels good. It feels like an effective way for me to communicate how I see the people around me or how I feel in any particular moment. Can a photographer be quiet and contemplative and still succeed? I’m not sure yet. Though my business is what I would classify as successful, I still need to have a full time job on the side to make up lost ground.
I’m almost 30 and I want to make art. I want to make art with all kinds of people. From all walks of life. Maybe someday soon I can figure out how to do that sustainably forever.
Austin Family Photographer--Quick in-home film session
I called up Courtnie on Saturday afternoon and asked her if she would be game for having me shoot a couple of photos of her and her daughter on my 4x5 camera. I’ve been really getting into using my 4x5 lately and wanted to photograph some people this past weekend. 4x5 is a slower process than most. You have to make sure everything is in the right place and secured down so it doesn’t move. You have to be meticulous about making sure you don’t miss any steps— or you might totally ruin a $10 sheet of film. But the payoff is so so worth it. I’ve tried to avoid large format in the past simply because it’s different from how I’m used to shooting film, but the more I use it, the more I want to use it.
Austin Fine Art Photographer--Something a little different
I’ve been trying to shoot more with my 4x5 camera lately. Thinking up mini-projects for myself. This past weekend I thought I had totally ruined some film while on a solo photo adventure. I was really upset with myself and annoyed that I had messed everything up— And honestly pretty sad about it and definitely pouted the rest of the day. HA! But I got the film processed anyway.
Never underestimate the beauty and resilience of film. Even when I thought I had messed up royally, the images came out dreamy and whimsical. Not what I imagined at ALL. But I love them anyway.
This is just one sample of what came out of that morning. The fogging on the film came from the heat and humidity provided by an early Texas summer day.
Sometimes the unexpected is a real treat.
Single Frame--A Trip to Cajun Country
Took a few days for my birthday to head out to Lafayette, Louisiana! I spent my birthday last year in New Orleans and LOVED it, so going back this year was a much more low key but equally as fun adventure.
Ate my weight in great food, toured the Tabasco mothership and got to pet a baby alligator!
I’ll post more later but for now…. a single frame.
Single Frame: Boudoir session
A single frame from a boudoir session on Portra 400 shot with Hasselblad 500c
More to come in the future but this one is my favorite for right now.
