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.

Me, myself and I...

Just a random Sunday Funday! I love shooting this boy...he's one of my very best friends the whole world.  The other thing that makes this great is our ability to make each other laugh uncontrollably.  I haven't been shooting much lately because I've been so busy with school and work, but I'm ready to pick up my camera again. I'm gonna have to find some new subjects to shoot, so get ready cause I will be asking.    

 



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!

Best

This girll is so boss, boss, boss...

I really have nothing to say about this little cutie - except that she's all grins and giggles.  This shoot happened randomly, but I believe it was meant to be.  Her mom -- a brilliant photographer and all around great human being -- allowed me to just hang with them one random weekday and this is what it developed into.  She had a great backyard and a beautiful tutu that this little bug loved to wear.  It was exceptionally easy to take pictures of her and her chocolate chip eyes were the shit! Love, love, love her! Thanks for a wonderful afternoon!

this barn door was very cool

LISTEN AND LEARN

Lately, I've been listening to a lot of old '80s  music.  I'm feeling the need to listen to The Cure, Violent Femmes, etc. Send me an email if you happen to have any on vinyl you liked to get rid of because I am always looking.

I'm also revisting The Scarlet Letter. 

Best
Laura
laura.scott77@gmail.com

Art where? Everywhere!

The closing of art|everywhere was an amazing night! It included lots of busking and a Thriller Flashmob. Really - can anything beat that? I don't think so!

Art|Everywhere was an amazing event in itself! Norfolk artist submitted artwork that would be displayed up and down Granby Street in the windows of the abandoned buildings. It was something that I think Norfolk needed. There is so much interest in art in Norfolk that there needs to be an outlet for all of it. So Art|Everywhere was a pleasant surprise!

The closing was even better. It reminded me of a something that I would have seen in San Francisco or New York. I am so glad that I was able to take part in this. Hopefully, it will continue!

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

You had me at...shhh, my song's on!

This might be the only time before Valentine's Day that I get to post, so I'm gonna make it about the songs that are going to grace my cd player on that holiday (ahhh!) I figure that some of you are making your own lists and I would LOVE to hear what songs you plan on putting on your mix. There are so many possibilities--that's what I like the most about this. So here are some of my songs:

Save Room -- John Legend *If you don't fall in love while listening to this song, you have no heart!

Nothing Compares to U -- Sinead O'Connor *Yeah, I went there!

Marry Song -- Band of Horses *Not a fan of the country sound, you will be after listening to this!

Syrup & Honey -- Duffy *Don't you be wastin' all your money!

Islands in the Stream -- Feist *Ol' school love song, done by a new artist. Can't help but sing along!

Burnin' Up -- Jonas Brothers *Here's the lyric that does it for me: "I fell so fast, can't hold myself back!" Me neither Bros., me neither!

The Way I Am -- Ingrid Michaelson *What would you do for your love?

You are the best thing -- Ray LaMontagne *This will play at my wedding! Loves it!

So I want to hear from you! Leave me a message and let me know what songs I missed.

Best