Sunday Brunch

One Sunday, after being invited to brunch, I decided that I was going to carry my camera with me wherever I go. This was a big deal for me because I feel like people expect a lot from you when you carry a camera around. (Crazy thinking)

So here are some photos from that day!

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!

Best

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!

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!

Random-Ass ish!

I love when days end up being totally random. I think when you look back on those random-ass days you realize those days are some of the best ones you've had. My random-ass day started out as usual, but ended up great! I began the day by sitting around my favorite coffeehouse working on some things for AltDaily. www.altdaily.com There was absolutley nothing going on that day until H. Serrano decided to join me. She needed me to take some pictures of the people who the magazine refers to as Norfologists. You should check out the website and pass along the address to anyone interested in moving to Norfolk. {www.norfology.com}

Anyways, I know that I am always taking pictures, but to actually do something semi-professinally just makes me nervous. I have a hard time putting myself out there for fear of too much criticism. I really wanted to say no, but I knew that I had to get past this fear somehow. So of course I did it!

Here goes the start of my random-ass Thursday!

So the first stop was to shoot the owner of the O'Connor's Brewery in Park Place. He, of course, wasn't there but his brewmaster was, so he gave us a tour of the brewery and poured us some beer. The beer was good! {www.oconnorbrewing.com} Definitely gets my stamp of approval! But the brewery was hot as hell, so we were quickly trying to bounce. After, we both wanted another drink and some eats so we hit up Pasha. Uh - yum! You have to try their smoked salmon bruschetta! Put that on your foursquare and eat it!

Lastly, we ended up at 37th and Zen, hanging out with Bradford and viewing some art. I can't remember the artists, but it was good. The day was eventful, random and fun! Oh yeah, we also got to shark!

Here are the pics of the brewery! You should try the beer - delish.




On to the educational part of the blog:

I haven't been listening to anything new, but I did discover a new photog blog! {www.coloroflifephotography.blogspot.com}
Beautiful hip-hop photography! Loves it!

Week in the Life (Day 1)

Let's talk about why I have all of these pictures posted on my blog. I follow Ali Edwards blog http://www.aliedwards.com/, and she posted a blogging challenge called A Week in the Life. And as all of you smart people can figure out it's about all the things that happen during a week in my life. So here are a few pictures that will give you a little insight into how my days roll!


Wow - this picture was suppose to say mom! I think this shows how me and my co-worker think very differently. She was think about Mother's day and I was thinking..."What comes before part B?" (Think about it!)


Yeah, time perpetually escapes me. I hate mornings, but I love that I wake up!

Talk about some good shit! I love Perfectly Franks in Norfolk. So cheap, yet so yummy! Dinner with Jason is always entertaining. I felt weird whipping out my camera in the middle of dinner, but hey its what I do!

Lastly, some of the most unhealthy relationships that I have. Damn my Blackberry! That red light rules my life. I can't stand to let it blink. Also, I am so addicted to Twitter and I have it right at my fingertips with my BB. There's not much I can say about the Skinny Vanilla Latte from Starbucks, but yum! Schoolwork - I've written too many papers this semester! I am so glad it's almost over.

So, here is my day one of The Week in the Life. It is what it is!

A give away for those that like those sort of things

So, I was trying to figure out how this post would fit with the theme of my blog, and I decided that it's my blog and I can put whatever the f*#k I want on my blog. It' mine anyways! So I am entering into this contest on one of my friend's photography website.

I have to post about the giveaway on my blog, so that other poeple have the chance to enter too. See how nice I am to you all. (Yeah, you can thank me later!) Alright, enough with all the love. Enter the contest as many times as you can, the prize is worth it. Here is the website:

http://www.willettedesigns.com/

By the way, she is willing to answer any photography questions you have. But, I am almost certain this happen only if you bring her yummy, delicious cupcakes! At least that's what works for me.

L