Welcome back!

So it's been over a year since I've posted to this blog.  There's been some picture-taking that happened in the year, but not as much as there should have been.  I would really like to rectify that in this coming year.

So let me catch you up...I've received a new lens and flash for Xmas.  They are both wonderful (even thought I still haven't figure out how to use the flash).  I mostly shoot outdoors in natural light.  I've shot kids, pregnant co-workers and co-workers.  I still haven't learned to use photo shop (any teachers out there), so most of my pictures are either cropped or perfect-in-camera.  Believe me...I throw out a lot of photographs. Honestly, it teaches me to really take in the scenery before I snap.  So I would say it's a good thing.  

I've discovered and listened to a lot of music in the past year. 

Alabama Shakes - Southern Rock, but so much better.

Melody Gardot - Crooner - the girl can sing.

The Lumineers - What can you say about them? If you haven't heard them, take a listen. 

Anyways, here's a few shots:. 

They could basically be twins.  

Sisters

Beautiful Mommies!

Do you Instagram? When did that become a verb? Follow me at lscottva.

Until next time...

50/50

I received a lens for my Nikon for Christmas.  It's a 50mm, 1.8 fixed lens.  I love it, but it takes some getting used to because I no longer can stand in one place and adjust the lens.  I'm having to move closer and closer to the subject to get the great picture.  If you've taken pictures of people, you know how much you end up in their personal space when you shoot with a fixed lens.  These pictures were taken over Christmas break.  I hadn't taken pictures in a long time and just received the lens and I felt like I needed to shoot.  So I asked one of my good friends to let me shoot her and she agreed.  It was fun (as I expected it to be), but it also allowed me the opportunity to get to know my camera.  Like any other technology, I definitely had to adjust where and how I was shooting many times.  I just am grateful that she was the first person that I shot and wasn't overconfident thinking that I could shoot someone serious.  Anyways, I love the way most of the pictures turned out, but I need to take a class and find out more about the mechanics of my camera.  Anyways, enjoy!

 

Last night I had a great conversation with some very cool people.  We discussed music, poetry and literature.  I haven't had a conversation like that in forever.  It felt good, it felt right.  I felt at home.  It made me want to listen to Transatlanticism.  Such a well-written album.  Dust it off and listen to it again.

Best.

We'll name her Minnie Pearl...

My favorite thing about taking pictures is the randomness that you get yourself into.  This day was definitely random, but I went with it and this is what came from it. Let's just clear this up...we had planned to take pictures, but I definitely thought that they would be more structured.  That's my power needs coming out in me, but I'm glad that I just decided to go with whatever happened.  All of these kids were so welcoming and just allowed me to keep the camera right in their faces.  I'm happy with them and I hope that you like them too!

I just got back from a work retreat and while I was there I was able to score two finds.  The first was The Eagles Greatest Hits on Vinyl for $1.  (Hell yes!) The second thing was a book named Ellen Foster by Kaye Gibbons. It's an Oprah's Book Club book, which is usually a no-no for me, but the character was described as "a southern Holden Caulfield, tougher perhaps, but funny..." I mean, how could I pass that up?

So besides the new Eagles vinyl, I have whipped out ...And Out Comes the Wolves! Give 'em the boot!

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giving me that james dean look...

So I'd made myself a promise that I would spend a good portion of my summer behind my camera.  I'm trying to at least post once or twice a week.  This means that I have to push myself to find things/people to take pictures of.  I'm finding it hard because it's summer and I want to be lazy.  Speaking of lazy...this shoot was so early in the morning (not really, 10:30) at the oceanfront.  During the summer, the oceanfront freaks me out - the tourist like to dart out in front of your car.  Fuckin' sucks! Anyways, this boy (he really is a man) allowed me to take pictures of him on the Boardwalk. The bike was his idea, but a good one! I've been friends with his family for a while now and we've become fast friends. Shooting him was fun and I can't wait for the night shoot he promised me with him and his friends...it's gonna be a blast!

Can we go home and eat cannolis now?

Um, just trying out the wide angle lens! Not sure if I love it because I love to see faces, but it does make very interesting pictures.  Of course the first person that I wanted to take pictures of with this lens was this girl.  She is so beautiful and definitely fun to hang with!  Some of the funniest picture were when she was flaring her nostrils.  Needless to say...we had fun!

Make sure you get a Facebook profile for me...

One word: GORGEOUS! These two were amazing to shoot.  They knew how to smile naturally and were great together. No, they're not dating...they're brother and sister! They love each other to death.  It reminded me a lot of me and my brother.  While shooting them, I noticed how different the two were...she's very quiet and he's quite boisterous.  But despite their differences they both knew how to pose!  This was one of my favorite shoots because I hadn't seen the brother in about a year and we were able to catch up which made it more comfortable. Thank you both for such a fun shoot! And...I hope a got a Facebook profile for you.

LISTEN AND LEARN


I am loving www.pinterest.com.  It's such a great website for the creative type.

I have also downloaded the couch to 5K app in my ITouch.  I'm keeping motivated.

Best

Laura
www.sharethepie.tumblr.com

Swing Out Sista!

There's no reason that taking pictures of kids should be this fun! I had these girls for a whole weekend, so I decided to take advantage of it and use them as my subjects - they were more than willing to lend a hand.  Plus, what parent doesn't love pictures of their kids?

Anyways, I've known these girls for years.  It makes me happy and sad to see how much they've grown up, but I love to see that they still know how to have fun.  I even took picture of the little one throwing a fist at the older one.  Luckily she was only playing!

Cigarettes, Wedding Bands

So about two weekends ago I attended a wedding in Fairfax. It was beautiful, but definitely got me thinking about getting old. I think a good sign of how old you are getting is when many of your friends start to get married. I think 32 is about the age where people begin to settle down, but I wonder how many of my friends who married earlier in life wish that they would have waited.

So here are few pictures that I took at the wedding. I didn't know many people there, so I wanted to only take picture of the people I knew. Here are few!

Oh yeah, I asked the wedding photographer if I could take a picture of him after he takes a picture of us. He said, "I charge for that!" I need to remember that!


Okay, this boy is so fine! I love this picture. It's one of my favorite from the day. He knows how to take a good photo. Damn suspenders just add that certain something!

The picture above is of my friend. You can't see the color of his shirt and tie, but they are purple. This outfit was dope! I also wish that you could see the rest of his outfit - he had on black Express jeans with black Chucks! Major!!!

Love this picture of her. She too is one of my very best friends. I love getting good photos of my friends.

I have know this boys for about 15 years now and love him more than life! The above picture just represents a wedding for me. I think there are always last minute adjustments to the outfits worn. I think it's important to catch these moments at a wedding! Just like the one below.

How funny is it that they are standing just alike? This was the best man and one of the groom's men. These too are best friends, so I thought that it would be great to catch them doing something similar. Here it is! I just love this photo!

Just FYI

This week I've been listening to The Postal Service. That group is just simply amazing! Ben Gibbard is one of the best lyric writers I've listened to. Check out the song "Clark Gable." If you don't fall in love - you have no heart!

A blog that I found this week is www.wildchildphotography.com I love, love, love the colors that she uses. Beautiful photography!

Best

Keepin' it Real

Let's talk about this phenomenal workshop I was fortunate enough to help with: "Keepin' it' Real." On the last day of the workshop, we get a chance to beef up our portfolio. These are some of the pictures that I was able to take of such amazing children. There were many more, but I only wanted to show a few. Here they are - so deal with it!



These two girls are so cute! I've had the opportunity to babysit for the older one. Only once, so I'm not sure that says much about my skills. Hopefully, my photography skills are much better and I will get to shoot them again. By the way, the oldest gave the photographers the "what for" and I loved it. I could only get these shots once she was bribed with chips. Stay strong, sista!

Gorgeous! I loved shooting this chica. I could have sworn she has been watching America's Next Top Model. She definitely knew how to find the light. Before posting this I sent it to my "mentor", she told me that my focus was set on the fence and not the eyes. I wanted to post it anyways because this journal is all about what I am learning. I am now learning to use my selective focal points. Plus, I wanted you all to know that I am always learning how to take better pics. Thanks for all the tips - you know who you are.

Wally and the Beave! I love, love, love these boys. They too know how to pose. This is one of the shots that I'm most proud of. It was hard to get the shot just right because one is really fair and the other is more olive. But, I think I did it! Thanks for being such great models.

Just FYI, I cannot wait until October - next workshop! For more info, check out http://www.willettedesigns.com/

Haven't left you with any good music lately! So here you go: Postal Service "This place is a Prison."

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