Photo-a-day Challenge (June)

I am extremely pleased with the amount of time I have been able to allot to developing my photography skills this summer. During late spring, I attended a 2-day seminar at Robert Morris University taught by photographers with resumes miles long, and positions I didn’t even know I had dreamt of. It was eye opening to say the least. The most surprising moments were the direct parallels from film photography (where nearly all of my schooling came from) to current digital photography. I had assumed the “kids” today were far more advanced than me and it would take years to be considered serious about the subject again. The overjoyed, cheesy grin on my face when I realized otherwise might have been the picture perfect moment of my life.

So what does this have to do with an iPhone and a photo-a-day challenge… Creativity. I can assure you, I’m not one of those people who get a cool camera app, change the effect, and instantly think their pictures are equal to that of a professional photographer. For me, the photo-a-day challenge is about forcing you to see the world in a more creative way; it offers a daily challenge that allows me to appreciate the little parts of my day that I would have otherwise overlooked.  

My goals when starting the project were to take each picture on the given day for its task. I did not want to use old photos or even look ahead at the list and take convenient photos for future use. More importantly, I wanted to make my pictures creatively my own for the day; I hoped not to click #empty and see hundreds of other pictures that looked just like mine. Of course I always try to keep composition, lighting, etc. in mind and do the best I can with my cell phone. Some pictures turn out so well that I wish I actually had my camera with me while others are clearly just meant for on the go phone capture. Either way, I love it and have already continued into July. For the day by day shots you can follow my Instagram's at twitter.com/TheInspiredLens. Let me know what you think! I love feedback!

Etsy Love

Just a few things I'm loving on Etsy right now:

I have been obsessing over these patterns from Thevelvetacorn all winter. If I had the patience to learn how to crochet I would purchase every last one. Not to mention how adorable that little cutie pie in the picture is!



I want this. Someone... anyone.. buy this for me, pretty please. It is from audiowood and is the perfect blend of minimalist meets vintage. I am truly in love.

I have a new love for burlap. I used to find it itchy and awkward but now I am drawn to it in purses, pillows, liners, you name it- I love it. Handmadeinhighbury has won me over again!

I initially fell in love with this beauty from littlebrownpen for the clock. As I read further, I found that it is a photograph from the Paris Color Project showcasing underappreciated landmarks and works of art. A great photograph always includes a great backstory!

This last one from mybeardedpigeon was on the front page as I was writing this entry and I had to include it! To me, it represents all of those things women try to become interested in at the beginning of a relationship to show that they are open-minded and up-for-anything. I was that young unexperienced woman before, trying to mold myself into the girl I thought he wanted. Thank God I learned from that mistake. Girls, they figure it out :)

Photography in Frames

As a teacher, I am lucky enough to get the same days off as the students. With that said, having 10 days off during the holidays kept me wondering how I got through the chaos of it all while working. I’m guessing a nightly cocktail was involved.

This year I decided to try and steal a little time for myself over winter break to work on a few neglected projects. The result: my desk is nearly finished (currently pricing power tools!!), wardrobe has been downsized by two garbage bags & donated, crafting corner has been organized, and one of my heinous white apartment walls have been filled with one of my favorite projects thus far!

close up

Initially, I had different intentions for the frames but as I was strolling through Urban Outfitters one day a burst of inspiration took over. As I began the project, I intended to mirror the store version as best I could.  But as I started gathering supplies and photographs, I was continually reminded of the dark room from my high school photography class; processing our photos and hanging them to drip dry with clothes pins. I would often stare into the sea of photographs with admiration for my classmates work, other times with disgust for the lack of dedication shown, but most often with intrigue. Hanging would be a variety of photos with great quality and creativity, to others who over/underexposed photos, or left them out of focus/cut off, but overall each was hung with a sense of pride. I have always loved that room; it was beautifully chaotic, delivering inspiration and creativity out from every nook and cranny.

Paying homage to the class that influenced so much of my life is the project below: a combination of vintage frames, hipster store inspiration, and an undying love for the art of a student learning to process their own photos at every level.

Beginner's dark room: varying from uh-oh to amazing :)