Superhero Photo Challenge: Glamorous

We did something very silly and fun in Oregon a few weeks ago.

On a creative retreat with an amazing group of women, we did a lot of wonderful things. We made beautiful meals, we took walks by the water, we painted, we laughed, we had spontaneous dance parties...And all the while we photographed each other a lot.

One night Tracey put on this incredible dress and I suddenly had a vision. We needed a white sheet, a couple of people to hold it up in front of the sun, and voila! I would transform Tracey Clark into a Vanity Fair model. I shot into the sun (again, with the white sheet behind her) and it created a dreamy, gauzy effect I just love. Doesn't she look beautiful?

This week's challenge is to try your hand at the glamorous. Sometimes a solid colored wall will do the trick, or a good prop like a boa or a cowboy hat might be all you need. Let's see your glam sisters!

It's time to Play

It's that time again and we are giddy to share September's word for the One Word Project. With our super-fun sponsor Peek...Aren't You Curious we figured what better word than the word play? Sure it's back to school season but that doesn't mean the play has to stop. As a matter of fact, this is the perfect time of year to break out of the norm and really get into doing what makes you happy.

The folks behind the kids clothing store Peek...Aren't You Curious couldn't agree more. They believe in playing in a big way. Yes, they actually want kids to read books and ride bikes IN their stores while moms shop. I know. A dream store! But above and beyond the store was built on the concept that childhood is a joyful experience still open to parents. You heard us! Play is not just kid stuff! No way.

You know how we roll on this point. The One Word Project is all yours to interpret however you'd like through your unique and inspired images. All you have to do is add them to our OWP Flickr Pool. Then, each day we feature one here on our site on the OWP page. We can't wait to see what kind of fun you'll cook up along the way this September!

Without further adieu, let the play begin.

boys

I think it would be much cooler to say that I grew up as a Tom Boy, that I climbed trees, and threw footballs. But the truth is that boys were something that usually disgusted or infatuated me. Either way, they were always a mystery. My dad was there when I locked my keys in my car, or when I needed a ride to the movies. I knew he loved me, but he was often absorbed by work. So by lack of exposure, I just turned into a girl's girl. My mom, my sister, and my grandmother had a very dominant influence. And it's probably because of them that I learned to understand and rely on groups of women.

Then when my son was born, I realized that I'd been kind of smug about being a girl. I started to notice the hoards of commercials on television that are terribly demeaning to men.And I hate that women are still underpaid, and that many are being severely persecuted around the world. But I don't think the answer is to let the pendulum swing so far that we depict men as idiots and imbicils who are too stupid to vaccuum a carpet "correctly". I feel a little embarrassed that it took me so long, but also grateful for my son who shows me every day that boys are equally as vulnerable and complex as women. They may communicate their needs differently and less often. But we shouldn't overlook their importance.

Today we'd love to see images of the amazing boys and men in your life. :)

Superhero Photo Challenge: Hair light

I don't normally get a "vision" for how I'm going to photograph my clients. Mostly, I take it as it comes. The light, the mood, the moment... it gets created very spontaneously and I don't have much of an agenda.

This session was different. I saw it fully formed in my mind several hours before: A vintage slip, magic hour sunshine, sexy, pretty, the golden light in Denise's curly hair, a wheaty field.... I was giddy at the thought and texted her from my walk along the Berkeley Marina.

Do you have a vintage slip? I'm thinking sexy, sexy magic hour sunshine... !

I didn't hear back from her for hours. Did she not get the text? Did she not like the idea? Was that whole sexy undergarment thing inappropriate? I was immediately embarrassed that I had asked. I called her to check in and heard someone else's voicemail entirely. I was confused until I realized I had been texting the wrong Denise! 

omg. 

We all had a good laugh about it, and it turns out Denise brought a sexy little slip dress anyway. My vision was realized! 

For this week's photo challenge, venture out at the magic hour (this shoot was done at about 6:30pm) and get that glowy light behind your subject's head. Meter for their face so they are not in silhouette and witness the gorgeous halo of light in their hair. It is something else.

Superhero Photo Challenge: Bathroom portrait

I'm still a kid in certain ways. I get bored during certain "adult" type conversations and have to take a little break, go to the bathroom or entertain myself with some other activity. The camera is a great tool for this.

This very thing happened last week in Chicago. I was on a boat tour with a friend where we were learning about the architecture of the great buildings of Chicago. It was lovely and even interesting, but by the end, I was bored and tired of sitting and baking in the sun. So I did what all responsible adults do, I took myself to the bathroom and entertained myself with mirror portraits.

Please people, tell me you do this too?

At least give it a try. Bathrooms are one of life's greatest little portrait studios. Let's see what you've got.