Kiddos!
Another fabulous shoot on a fabulous fall day! Pretty perfect picture for three siblings, huh?!
A Great Couple, A Great Day.
Allie and Brian were wonderful to work with yesterday. We had such a beautiful fall day for shooting...Here's a sneak peak...
A Baby Shoot!
I was so excited to take pictures of Payton! I've been wanting to do some baby portraits. Despite humidity and a tired baby, we captured some great images! I'll have to take some more when she's happier and hopefully get some smiles. Here's a preview for now...
Modern Spa Retreat...
...was my aesthetic goal for the bathroom I recently gave a superficial facelift. Essentially all I did was
- paint walls, trim, vanity, and doors
- install new mirror and lighting fixture
-update/clean the old vents/lights
- install new hardware
- redecorate
Here are some before and after pictures...the white balance is terribly off in the before pictures...but the walls were definitely a peachy/orange
I have since rearranged the accessories on the shelves...I've added some wonderful, small ceramics and glassware items and taken away the basket at the top.
So, now I have a light, bright, open, modern space that I can feel comfortable in. The white walls are actually a bit on the warm white side. Obviously I was working with 1970s avocado green appliances. I used brushed nickle for all the hardware and warmed up the space with a variety of brown tones and textures. The shower curtain is simple and modern but is perfect for the space because it ties the brushed nickle and browns together with silver printed leaves and brown embroidered leaves. And I topped it off with a warm grey fuzzy rug for another texture. I LOVE this space now. I can't wait to own my own home so I can redo all of my spaces! :)
Next up for the bathroom will be a piece of artwork created by me for the toilet area...
- paint walls, trim, vanity, and doors
- install new mirror and lighting fixture
-update/clean the old vents/lights
- install new hardware
- redecorate
Here are some before and after pictures...the white balance is terribly off in the before pictures...but the walls were definitely a peachy/orange
Already a difference!!
Drum roll please...!!!
Next up for the bathroom will be a piece of artwork created by me for the toilet area...
Hey Seniors...
It's that time of year...senior portraits sessions are in full gear!
I had the opportunity to work with Sean, one of my past students. Here's a sneak peak at his session...
I had the opportunity to work with Sean, one of my past students. Here's a sneak peak at his session...
Photoshop Actions
Unbeknownst to me, Photoshop actions make the post-processing life of a photographer sooo much easier!
It's amazing to me that I could hit one button and my image could be completely edited...the only issue is finding actions that I actually like and can use realistically.
I'll share with you some of my initial practice with actions...
It's amazing to me that I could hit one button and my image could be completely edited...the only issue is finding actions that I actually like and can use realistically.
I'll share with you some of my initial practice with actions...
Original File
BW Sepia
Cross Processing
Polaroid
Some action with a goofy name
This is how I would edit the original on my own; without using an action.
Officially Employed!!
I have been offered and accepted a position at my alma mater...Washington Community High School in Washington, Illinois. This position truly is my dream job.
I will be titled Art Teacher and International Club advisor...looking forward to a great upcoming year!
It must go on...
I am officially moved back home and no longer living and teaching in South Korea, however, I don't plan to cease blogging simply because I'm not a foreign land any longer.
Since I've been back, I've searched and applied for jobs like crazy, visited friends, traveled some more, and struggled with making art.
A variety of projects are attempting to keep me sane in this transitional period with no end in sight...
Redoing one of our bathrooms is a necessity right now. I've started the research and planning stage...here's what I have so far...
At this time we are unable to replace the tub and toilet, so I'm working around a 1970s avacado green. I'm not too upset about this, I love the color. In the end I'm hoping to create a rejuvenating space which feels bright and open...more to come later.
Since I've been back, I've searched and applied for jobs like crazy, visited friends, traveled some more, and struggled with making art.
A variety of projects are attempting to keep me sane in this transitional period with no end in sight...
Redoing one of our bathrooms is a necessity right now. I've started the research and planning stage...here's what I have so far...
At this time we are unable to replace the tub and toilet, so I'm working around a 1970s avacado green. I'm not too upset about this, I love the color. In the end I'm hoping to create a rejuvenating space which feels bright and open...more to come later.
Rainbows
In an English book I'm currently teaching there's a question:
Which do you prefer?
A. A beautiful picture
B. A rainbow
All of my students answered B and I answered A. Although, for me, a life without art is meaningless, I want to thank my students for reminding me how wonderful the world really is...
Somewhere Over the Rainbow
Which do you prefer?
A. A beautiful picture
B. A rainbow
All of my students answered B and I answered A. Although, for me, a life without art is meaningless, I want to thank my students for reminding me how wonderful the world really is...
Somewhere Over the Rainbow
Days Away from Half Way...
I begin this post with some misery...I'm only days away from finally being in Seoul for six months. However, time rolls by like a wheel on flat land. Maybe slowing down a bit wouldn't be so bad except that I'm ready to leave Korea.
I'm sure I haven't gained everything I potentially could by staying six more months but I realized I can't have a life in Korea which allows me to be happy. Don't get me wrong, I'm doing things here that make me happy; taking a class, playing sports, socializing a lot etc. But my overall general health and happiness will never be 100% here.
So, I'm faced with a dilemma:
- leave Korea, miss out on a nice sum of money, return to a healthful state, do more meaningful things and find an art teaching gig
OR
- stay six more months, make good money, continue to be unhealthy, possibly miss out on an art teaching gig all while being somewhat unhappy
I'm sure I haven't gained everything I potentially could by staying six more months but I realized I can't have a life in Korea which allows me to be happy. Don't get me wrong, I'm doing things here that make me happy; taking a class, playing sports, socializing a lot etc. But my overall general health and happiness will never be 100% here.
So, I'm faced with a dilemma:
- leave Korea, miss out on a nice sum of money, return to a healthful state, do more meaningful things and find an art teaching gig
OR
- stay six more months, make good money, continue to be unhealthy, possibly miss out on an art teaching gig all while being somewhat unhappy
And because I know you readers are dying to know...
My winter vacation in Thailand was...amazing?
No, it truly was fun, exciting, and adventurous but it was also frustrating and bizarre.
The word 'thai' in Thai means free. So literally Thailand translates as 'land of the free.'
Unfortunately I could only spend one week in Thailand, and one week in Thailand does not give the culture justice at all but my initial observations showed me that the Thai people aren't so free at all...
Most of my interactions however, were with a lower class of Thai people...they were selling cheap goods on the street or trying to scam every tourist in sight. But I think in Thailand, just like any other country the proper slogan should be 'If you have money, then call this 'the land of the free.'' Money truly gives a person opportunities they would never have if they were poor.
But, for now, enough reflection...enjoy these images. :)
Enormous Reclining Buddha entirely made of gold.
Riding a tuk-tuk around Bangkok, best mode of transportation ever!
And my favorite part of the trip...Krabi province!!!
No, it truly was fun, exciting, and adventurous but it was also frustrating and bizarre.
The word 'thai' in Thai means free. So literally Thailand translates as 'land of the free.'
Unfortunately I could only spend one week in Thailand, and one week in Thailand does not give the culture justice at all but my initial observations showed me that the Thai people aren't so free at all...
Most of my interactions however, were with a lower class of Thai people...they were selling cheap goods on the street or trying to scam every tourist in sight. But I think in Thailand, just like any other country the proper slogan should be 'If you have money, then call this 'the land of the free.'' Money truly gives a person opportunities they would never have if they were poor.
But, for now, enough reflection...enjoy these images. :)
Not sure what to say...
It's getting close to my fifth month living in Seoul...as the time goes by and I get more comfortable living here, I run out of things to say. I think it's so interesting re-reading my initial posts full of culture shock and confusion. However, I've started to simply live my normal life now and I'm not so sure my normal life warrants blogging..? I know my life may seem more exciting and interesting than some people's but really to me, I'm just living life.
It's January and below freezing all the time. I work longer days now because of a schedule change and I greatly enjoy my weekends. I've finally found some great friends who value similar things as me yet never fail to teach me with their unique experiences and knowledge. I'm playing basketball on the weekends and trying to register for an online class (stupid adviser screwed up though).
I have a lot of down time here; commuting everywhere (even to school each day), breaks at work which DO NOT need to be spent planning, many nights after work spent by myself, mornings always spent by myself...etc. I'm not trying to say I'm lonely...that's actually the last thing I feel...being surrounded by people and small children makes me appreciate any time I have to myself; but what I'm saying is that I think a lot more. I have so much time just to myself that I'm constantly keeping my mind busy. I'm thinking about problems, reflecting on past situations, remembering people I love, realizing what I love and miss most about home, thinking about my future, and so much more. I think being here is making me smarter because I have time to challenge my mind. When I don't want to think about myself anymore, I busy my mind with puzzles, trivia, and Stumbleupon.com.
Anyways, I'm not sure what my point is other than; 'I think a lot.' Maybe that will be the basis of my blogs from now on rather than cultural craziness. haha
My most recent and profound realization: I can deal with heartache and sadness; those things are inevitable in relationships but what I will not live without is mutual respect.
It's January and below freezing all the time. I work longer days now because of a schedule change and I greatly enjoy my weekends. I've finally found some great friends who value similar things as me yet never fail to teach me with their unique experiences and knowledge. I'm playing basketball on the weekends and trying to register for an online class (stupid adviser screwed up though).
I have a lot of down time here; commuting everywhere (even to school each day), breaks at work which DO NOT need to be spent planning, many nights after work spent by myself, mornings always spent by myself...etc. I'm not trying to say I'm lonely...that's actually the last thing I feel...being surrounded by people and small children makes me appreciate any time I have to myself; but what I'm saying is that I think a lot more. I have so much time just to myself that I'm constantly keeping my mind busy. I'm thinking about problems, reflecting on past situations, remembering people I love, realizing what I love and miss most about home, thinking about my future, and so much more. I think being here is making me smarter because I have time to challenge my mind. When I don't want to think about myself anymore, I busy my mind with puzzles, trivia, and Stumbleupon.com.
Anyways, I'm not sure what my point is other than; 'I think a lot.' Maybe that will be the basis of my blogs from now on rather than cultural craziness. haha
My most recent and profound realization: I can deal with heartache and sadness; those things are inevitable in relationships but what I will not live without is mutual respect.
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