Busy like a bee

So much going on, so much in store! I could write a novel.

When I decided to pursue my photography full time, I knew it would be hard work, needing an open mind and complete dedication to an entity. This last month has been a total whirlwind. And as March has come and gone, April will be more eventful and monumentous than any other month this year could bring.

As many of you know, I have been raising money for an organization in Louisiana, www.stbernardproject.org. After many phone calls and discussions with the organization, I'm heading down next Thursday, April 3rd, returning to MN on April 11th. I'll be staying at Camp Hope, an empty elementary school. So far, we have 3 days filled with portraits to take. The families who've received homes from the St. Bernard Project will be my photographic subjects. I'm more than excited to hear their stories and photograph their families.

I will be showing photographs at a friend's gallery downtown Minneapolis at the Traffic Zone April 19th, which is an insane turn around, as I return to Minneapolis April 11th.

I'm in the middle of creating a newsletter to send out to clients, family and friends explaining the project and when and where you can view photographs.

Hope you are all well and take care!
Erica

inspiration

I leave for Vegas tomorrow morning to attend the 2008 WPPI convention. What is it? A crazy, huge, photographer's dream come true. Cameras, equipment, artists, speakers, photographers...I can't wait. I'm heading there with two photo friends.

This year, I'm so excited to meet Jesh De Rox: http://www.jeshderox.com/
If you have 10 minutes, go to his site. Even if you aren't a photographer, if you are a fellow Life Traveler, it will change you. He's incredibly inspirational. I'll be hearing him speak Monday night. I cannot wait!

Inspiration...where does it come from, what is the root? I dug up two photos I have up in my office. I didn't take the one, I'm 3 or 4 years old in the photo. The other I took. So for now, this is my inspiration, happiness and laughter. It's the root of all joy. The giggles of girls in a field of tall grass. Ripping the wrapping paper off my birthday or Christmas presents without any hesitation. My older brother sitting with me with smiles galore. The wind blowing through the girls' hair, it came from above and crossed over them together. If anything else, someone like Jesh helps us all remember to slow down and find the inspiration in something so small, so trivial as wind and smiles.

My job is amazing. My life contstantly presents itself. At my wedding, when my maid of honor gave her speech, she said something that's true, I see things differently. Like in a movie, I'll be the only one that notices something is on a shelf in one frame and then it's not there in the next. Going to photography school, learning to use film and seeing the images come to life in a darkroom only increased my awareness of seeing things differently, documenting them and presenting them to other people, either in a gallery or to clients.

Being hired to photograph a wedding is one of the most respectable jobs. I truly believe this. You are hiring me, my vision, my ability to see things and translating your monumental day through photographs. Having a photographer be with you, your friends, your family for an entire day, I get to photograph endless love, beauty, details, moments and deliver to you a story. I love when someone pulls me aside and says the sentence that makes me smile every time, "So you are the photographer?" (as if my 2 cameras around my neck didn't already give it away :) )

Yesterday was no different. I smiled the whole day I was involved in Molly and Adam's wedding day. The evening ended as most do, family and friends on the dance floor. But my night ended at this wedding with the song, "Girls just want to have fun", the bouquet just being tossed, an awesome band singing their hearts out, an intense light shining through the girls on the floor...and I smiled as I took my last shot of the night.

I will post more later, but just wanted to share 1 quick image.

Welcome Blaise!

9 months later the world welcomes baby Blaise. She has the most amazing hand gestures, I do believe she'll follow suit into the piano world and tickle the ivories. I could have just scooped her up! Thank you Blaise for a lovely morning shoot!

Devotchka!!!

There's a few things in this world that get me to an elevated point of happiness.
Tie for first place: Coffee and Chocolate
second place: not being color blind, seeing the color blue is just the best
third place: seeing my dogs play

but above and beyond almost all things is music. I mean, I love photography, but music just does something.

Shameless plug goes here: Devotchka is coming back to Minneapolis May 7th, tickets go on sale this Friday March 7th, playing at 1st Ave. If you don't know who they are, try them out and you'll be glad you did! I can't even generalize their style, it's a cross between old 40's tunes, an orchestra, blues, folk and a mixture of rock and big band in between.

Here's a few images from their website that barely showcase their being:


Isn't he dreamy?





So if you looking for music, it's $19.50 for a great show, amazing music and great ambiance. My husband and I love them, hope to see you there!