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.
A few moments with a friend
Took a little time to catch up with and photograph with an old coworker of mine. Catching up with friends and having some great big belly laughs is the perfect medicine.
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.
Austin Portrait Photographer--Color Gel Experiments
A couple of years ago, I convinced my friend Rocky to come to the studio and let me snap some photos of her with my new color gels. Now, I will say, that I haven’t used them SINCE… but that’s beside the point. I love these photos of her. And I think it’s time I share them here on the blog. That day was so fun. Chatting and catching up and melting my color gels because I put ‘em too close to the bulbs. I feel the need to share a few more personal projects here on the blog. Not too too many! Just some sprinkled among the pro shoots I do.
Whaddaya think?!
Austin Portrait Photographer-- Fine Art personal work.
You know, I genuinely love making photos.
Creating and making pretty things is just…. so satisfying.
Remind me to shoot more 4x5 film when I can.
I can never quite get enough.
Austin Portrait Photographer-- New Film Project?
The more film I shoot on my Hasselblad, the more and more my love for film grows. Digital portraiture is just not the same.
Austin Portrait Photographer--Women Who Shoot Film
I know, I know! Two posts in a row. Ick. BUT I’ve just found some post worthy images of my beautiful friends! And I NEED TO SHARE ‘EM— again while I was rooting around through my hard drives this morning— I re-discovered these images of Rachel. Rachel is smart and kind and always has the right words at the right time. I’m just going to leave ‘em here so you can also admire her too.
Austin Portrait Photographer-- Shoot it with film
I came across these couple of photos of my friend Samantha while going through a hard drive. I took these images on my Crown Graphic while having a emotional conversation with Sam. She is one of my very good friends that I have known for almost 15 years now. She’s truly a beautiful soul with amazing ideas and a big big heart. I’m lucky to know her. Shooting with film gives me time to spend with the people I’m photographing. I cherish that time to grow relationships like this one with a dear friend. I’m forever grateful to have this beautiful friend and to have these memories with her.
