location stuffs

Shooting Film...again

I just got my film for the last semester back from Costco. Yes, I do get it scanned at Costco, not that anyone was wondering. ;) For my final project in my Intermediate class I did a series of portraits of boys, most of them with something partially obscuring their faces, and indeed that was the gist of what I was attempting to shoot, but when i was going over my contact sheet outside the darkroom I ended up choosing some pictures to include in the final set that were less in line with having something in front of their faces, and more just because their expressions were fascinating to me. Thanks to the awesome guys that posed for me, all of my brothers, Seth, Adam, Luke, and Caleb, and my "brothers" Jonathan, Kyle, and Malcolm. You guys are kinda the best.

On a different note, I was just thinking about how I overheard some of my photography classmates in a digital class saying they didn't want to take a film class because of all the work and time that they would have to put into it just to get ONE PICTURE. And I realized I felt really sad when they said that, because I've so grown to appreciate the entire process that goes into shooting just 36 (give or take) exposures, spending half an hour or more developing the film and drying it, cutting it, making contact sheets, editing your choices, making work prints, perfecting your printing time and filters, being so so careful with your process, light, etc, and when your first, second, third, and fourth attempts don't produce the desired result, redoing it again. And just how actually doing the dodging and burning IN the darkroom with your hands makes you so appreciate photoshop and helps with an understanding of what exactly it is that you're doing when you sit down with your mouse and click on a spot of overexposure and make it go away. 
Anyway, I think all that to say, shooting film has made me appreciate the beauty of taking time. 
So I wrote down a little list of things that I want to take time for, mostly in relation to photography.

take time to make a beautiful image 
take time to really see
take time to love the people
take time to love the light
take time to be transparent
take time to see the needs
take time to see what's there
take time to see the empty space
take time to look without the camera
take time to smile to get a smile
take time to talk
take time to be a friend
take time to help with the dress
take time to carry the shoes
take time to appreciate the frame
take time to tell a joke
take time to give a hug
take time to lay on the ground for the perfect shot
take time to take a picture
take time to develop some film
take time to make your own print
take time to burn and dodge with your hands
take time to think
take time to laugh
take time to imagine

And now here's my film. ;)



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Kristi and Yuri, and their amazing story

There are some families that are special tesimonies of God's sustenance and power to work through crazy situations. This family is one of those.
I first got to know them when I was in high school and Kristi was hospitalized for months on end when she was pregnant with their youngest, Mikhail. I was homeschooled, so I would take my schoolwork over to their house and stay with the kids a couple days a week from 8 to 5 while Yuri was at work. Kristi has Crohn's Disease, most of their kids have intense allergies, Alexei, the second oldest has had many health problems in his long 6 years, and just this last October Yuri was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer. 

Through all these things they have been a constant example of joy and are so confident in God's sovereignty, that this is His plan for their lives, and such an encouragement to everyone who sees them. 

Yuri is in aggressive Chemo treatments right now, but he got a 2 week break, so we jumped at the opportunity to do a shoot. Enjoying Love while God gives us days is beautiful, and this family is such a testament to that. 

To find out more about their story and to keep up with updates check out their carepage. (You can create an account for free)

We went to Yuri's parents' house in Napa for a few family shots first, and then with a swift outfit change, we went to a nearby airport that is full of Vintage planes where Yuri actually learned to fly as a teenager.

Enjoy, and keep them in your prayers!




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Ali, Je T'aime

Ali is my sister who loves fashion, and hair, and makeup, and beauty, she is a talented artist, of the painting/drawing variety as well as the cosmetological persuasion. I don't know if cosmetological is a word, but i think it should be now. 
Today we went down to Mare Island in the fog, and it made me highly envious of all the photographers who have gray foggy days all the time. Perfect lighting, where have you been all my life??



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