As I mentioned before, I am currently in Salvador da Bahia, Brazil doing some research. My friend L’rai is here with me until tomorrow, so today we woke up at 5:30 am and took some photos. Here are a few of them. There’s also a couple from our walk around Pelhourinho the other day.
I really have to get better at naming these photos. SMH (shaking my head). Today was another day that I was stuck in my apartment. I just can’t kick this cold. And so, it was another day that I didn’t really feel like taking a photo. But, I did. I stumbled and stared for a good time, took photos of a few things, and then I finally fixed my eyes on my basketball.
Many people don’t realize that I’m a huge basketball fan so imagine how stunned they are when they realize that I played–the look of disbelief is intensified if I’m having a really girly day. But it’s true. I’m a huge fan and I can still hold my own on a court.
I took this photo because it’s another one of my talents, but one that I don’t think that I nurtured enough. However, I still plan on doing something with basketball one day. Maybe coach a girl’s team?
Bounce
I posted this video a few weeks ago on the In the Light blog and I thought it only fair that I post it here as well. It’s an old Apple (love Apple!) commercial. It gives me quite a bit of motivation on days when I feel like being mediocre. I also love it because the slogan they were using here is “Think different.” and our slogan is “See differently.”
Check it out and let me know what you think. It’s pretty short, so you have time!
As I mentioned yesterday (or early this morning), I was going to do a photo a day for lent. When I wrote that, I fully expected to be outside roaming the streets. Alas, I’m still sick and had to pick something random in my apartment. Let me tell you, today, I definitely did not feel like taking any type of photo of anything. This little thing called the flu is really killing me. Sigh. But, I’m getting better…slowly.
So, without further ado, here’s today’s photo. It’s a photo of my “good luck” necklace. It has the words “hope, dream, and believe” inscribed on it. Thoughts?
Necklace ©sevan
I don’t often talk about religion or politics here. But I figure that since I post wedding photos and that’s generally a pretty religious event, I can get away with one post without offending anyone. Hopefully…*fingers crossed. Besides, this is all tied into photography.
So lent starts tomorrow. By the time I post this it will actually be today. This year for lent, I’ve decided to take a picture a day. I know, I know…it doesn’t fall into the “rules,” right? Well, I’ve never been a huge fan of rules anyway and I think my purpose makes a whole lot of sense…to me anyway.
Here’s my reasoning as I explained it to one of my friends a few moments ago:
I think sometimes I take advantage of how blessed and fortunate that I am. When I’m shooting things for myself it connects me to my spiritual side because it forces me to take nature into consideration and really evaluate how I see the small treasures in the world. I don’t do it often because I get lazy and so caught up in making sure my business survives and other external things. Forcing myself to take a picture a day makes me stop and think and appreciate things the way they are and how they fit into this thing we call the world.
This isn’t my usual photography or art post, but it seems like an excellent time to share my love for Smashing Magazine. They offer tons of inspirational stuff for designers and even photographers. It’s where I pick up great ideas for logo designs, flyers, brochures, letterhead, etc. Their latest gem is a new wordpress theme called “Magazeen.” You can get it now for the great price of free.99.
If you’re not familiar with wordpress, you’re missing out on a lot and should take this time to get familiar! It’s by far the best blogging platform (sorry blogger fans) and also makes for an incredible content management system. (Yes, I can be a bit of a computer geek.) Wordpress is also what makes this blog run (unless you’re still using Internet Explorer 6 and that’s a completely different story).
So, if you’re the least bit interested in wordpress themes, see the preview below. If not, then just add this to the pile of posts where Shannon rambles about something she finds interesting.
Here’s the link for the demo. Download the theme from the Smashing Magazine site. Want to know why wordpress is so great? Leave a message in the comments and I’ll fill you in.
I need new business cards..desperately. Not really desperately, but the ones I have are about 2 years old and I’ve made a lot of changes since then. And as everyone knows, business cards are a great way to reinforce your brand rather inexpensively.
I love the concept of my current cards. The mirror image always gets “oooos and ahhhhs.” But just when I thought I had it all figured out, I discovered Moo. Nope, it doesn’t have anything to do with milk. Instead, they make clever photo products including business cards, mini cards and notecards.
Ironically, I never wanted photos on my cards, but they do them so well. Sigh…off to make my cards,
Some day soon, I’ll write about different ways that Moo cards can be used. They list some clever ones for weddings. I thought of a few more and for artists too.
I’ll also post the photos of my Moo cards once I get them. Until then, here’s a cool photo from Electronick.
Moo Business Cards
I was supposed to do a Valentine’s day shoot yesterday. I found someone, went to Georgetown, picked the perfect location…and then they had a flat tire. So instead, I adapted and took a few photos of what I felt like. Pretty refreshing.
Then I attended the “Luck of the Draw” art show that Artomatic was having in Southwest. As I was there, I realized that there was really no reason that I wasn’t exhibiting my stuff. I’m pretty proud of what I shoot all the time, but especially when I’m just shooting something for myself. So now, one of my personal goals for this year is to exhibit some of my stuff. No use hiding all this talent! Artomatic registration opens in March and I’ll be applying. Wish me luck!
Here’s a photo I took in Georgetown on Saturday. You can see the others on flickr.
Georgetown, Washington DC
Honestly, I’ve never been a fan of Valentine’s day. I just happen to believe that love and such things should be celebrated every day. BUT, since it’s here, it’s only fitting that I thank everyone for their support and kind wishes. I hope you enjoy this day and every day.
I was supposed to do an engagement shoot today–which would have been pretty cool–but it was rescheduled so I won’t have any cool Valentine’s day photos. Hmmm…actually, I’m going to pick a random couple and take photos tomorrow, just because.
Until then, here is a photo from one of my favorite couples (you’re all my favorites!).
Tia & Dale Coachman
When I was first started my journey as an “artist,” I picked up this book by Rainer Maria Rilke called Letters to a Young Poet (one of my favorites). One of the things that Rilke mentions to the poet is:
“Don’t write love poems; avoid those forms that are too facile and ordinary: they are the hardest to work with, and it takes great, fully ripened power to create something individual where good, even glorious, traditions exist in abundance.”
I completely agree. And this is where my great friend Olu Burrell comes in. His work is great and his words on love are unlike anything I’ve read before. Take a look at one of his pieces.
The Four-Letter World
by Olu Burrell
I’ve taken the liberty
Of placing my heart
In your grasp’s captivity
Allowing me
To fall heart-first
Into this four-letter world
Called L-O-V-E
And now I just want to return the favor
Of the one who causes me
Such sensations
As the pitter-pattering of my heart
— A direct result of my cheeks’ inflammation
(In other words, you make me blush)
I’d rather be a scream from your consciousness
Than to part from your touch
So what is the rush?
I want to know if there is a possibility of “you”
And “I”
Becoming an “us”
If so, then please let me know
Because I am the type of brotha’
Who believes that talk is cheap
Unless you are hosting a show
So I’ll show you
Verbally
And hopefully by the end of my confession
I will leave you deep in a state that
You’d only otherwise reach
Herbally
Oh, undeserving me…
Read the rest at NPR.
Copyright 2009 by Olutosin Burrell. All Rights Reserved.
Olu & his fiance Farran
Rainier Marie Rilke (I’ll refer to him often) once wrote:
“…wish that you may find in yourself enough patience to endure and enough simplicity to have faith; that you may gain more and more confidence in what is difficult and in your solitude among other people. And as for the rest, let life happen to you. Believe me: life is in the right, always.”
This quote came to mind as I spent the last couple of months trying to figure out if I should pursue photography full-time.
Then I remembered this photo. When I took this photo, I was sitting in Busboys and Poets-a coffee shop/bookstore/restaurant (you would have to see it). It was a crowded day. Something that you would never be able to tell from looking at this photo.
Congratulations Farran and Olu on your engagement!
View the rest of the photos here.
About two weeks ago, I worked with stylist, L’rai Arthur-Mensah of the Essence of Style on a portfolio shoot. To say this shoot was inspiring would be an understatement and that sounds cliche, sooooo I won’t say it. However, I will say that working with a stylist, painters and models - all creative minds, into their craft - is very motivating. It’s the definition of art. Below are some photos from the shoot. Also check out the work of the Culture District artists - Charles Jean-Pierre, Brock, and Monk.
