Archive for the ‘photography’ Category
Favorite Foto Friday
I thought this photo was appropriate on so many levels for this weekend. This weekend marks my favorite weekend and favorite holiday of the year, besides Christmas.
Memorial Day holds a very special place in my heart. It’s the kick off of summer (even though I’m told there isn’t one of those in San Francisco), the day that allows us to start wearing white again, a day where drinking American Flag Budweiser and eating hot dogs is encouraged, and, most importantly it’s a day to remember those who died serving in the US Armed Forces.
This photo, grabbed off of Magnum Photos, was taken by one of my favorite journalists, Robert Capa. Robert Capa was a famous war correspondent and photographer. He snapped this shot in France in July of 1944, about a month and a half after the infamous Battle of Normandy.
My grandfather, a hero who I never met, was there. My father told me my grandfather talked about Normandy only once with him. He said he was horrified by what he heard.
Sometimes I forget just how special it is to live in America. I love Memorial Day because it reminds me how great this country is and how many courageous men and women have fought and sacrificed their lives for the sake of freedom. It’s a pretty spectacular thing.
I hope everyone has a happy, safe and enjoyable holiday!
Favorite Foto Friday
This time of year always reminds me of the boys, well, men I guess, back home that work on the sea. About this time of year they have already put their gear back in the water and are starting the lobster fishing season. This photo was taken a few years back about this time of year, maybe a little earlier, at my friend’s wharf.
The more I travel and the more people I meet, I’m further and further convinced that there is no one else like the boys back home. I absolutely adore them for that. Furthermore there are fewer prettier places to be in this world than Maine in the summer.
The midcoast of Maine is so unique in it’s picturesque landscape and the core values that remain in the souls of those that continue to occupy the shores. It is such a special, special place to me and will always hold a part of my heart.
I will surely miss Maine this summer but wil smile big knowing if I were to go back the coast and my friends would welcome me as though I had never left.
Favorite Foto Friday
I’m headed out for a fun, pizza-filled birthday celebration so I don’t have time to write much of a caption, but I wanted to get this up! Today is my brother and I’s birthday and obviously, Sunday is Mother’s day. This is my brother and my mother.
We’re not, by any stretch of the imagination, a perfect family, but, man, do we love each other. We fight like crazy but at the end of the day we would do absolutely anything for each other. Anything.
I love you both to pieces! xoxo Love. Loyalty. Friendship.
“The People You Meet at McDonalds”
I came across this photo essay of sorts in the New York Times this morning: “The People You Meet at McDonalds.”
I greatly admire the intention of the photo essay and the photographs by Nolan Conway. They are so, for lack of a better verb, real. They are a true portrait of American society.
I admire the work because I think the simplicity of the photos is, in some ways, very bold. They are photographs of Americans in McDonalds. Despite the health risks and poor food quality of the chain restaurant, it is a symbol of America. McDonalds establishments see thousands of Americans every day.
I like the photograph above because it reminds me of being a small child with my grandmother. She used to treat us to Happy Meals. She always had the fish fillet and a cup of decaf coffee. I don’t long for McDonald’s, at all, but I would go back in a heartbeat if it meant another meal with her. 
Favorite Foto Friday
Things I like: writing, sunshine, California, vintage, simplicity. This photo embodies all of those. Have an awesome weekend!
Favorite Foto Friday
I wish I could tell you more about this photo other than that it was part of yesterday’s Cool Hunting‘s email marketing campaign promoting a cookbook.
I’ll always be drawn to the sea and the men who devote their lives to it. This photo instantly captured my attention and a piece of my heart that’ll forever be back in Maine in a tiny little coastal town surrounded by fishermen.
“Relax Yourself”
The furthest phrase from my mind today. Although as I get older I get better at attempting to keep perspective. The new music is really helping. Seriously if you haven’t given it a try yet, just do it.
That being said, naturally, since I’m leaving tomorrow, I’m stressed out. What’s the temperature? What should I wear? Do you wear black to a memorial service? Who do I need to see? When’s the bus? Did I schedule enough content for our clients through the weekend? How’s my grandfather doing? Several of the thousand questions running through my head at a mile a minute today.
After work I went for a pretty hard run to get some of that stress out and just smell the Pacific.
Why do we stress? It’s so not worth it. Preemptive anxiety about leaving, about a big event; it’s so silly. For we don’t know until we get there and we only have this moment so screw worrying about the ones that might never come. Right?
I was beautifully reminded of the joys of just living post my run this evening when sitting down to peruse my Twitter feed. I came across a tweet from an old acquaintance , Guillaume Marais. Guillaume was a tour guide turned friend on one of my many adventures in South Africa.
Anyway, his profile further directed me to his website of absolutely incredible photographs from all about.
You have to go to his site and check out the rest of the images. They are absolutely incredible and instantly brought me some much needed peace. Hope all is well, friend!
Favorite Foto Friday
This is one of my favorite photos from my journalism endeavor to Egypt, Syria and Qatar back in 2009. A dear friend of mine is in Cairo this week and her photos brought many visions and memories from my trip to the forefront of my mind which inspired me to look through my photos from my time in the Middle East.
This particular photo was taken the night before my birthday that year. A few of us separated from the group, bought some beers and went on a little night cruise on the Nile. This photo was taken as we were walking down to the docks to the boat in Luxor, Egypt.
We had traveled to Luxor in order to see all the ruins, which I’ll save for another day, for they are a phenomenon in themselves.
This photo is so great because while the modern boats are in the forefront, the setting sun, the mountains and the Nile in the back are timeless and the colors create a very magical aura. Being in this place so rich with history, you can almost transport yourself back in time. It was certainly a humbling experience in that our lives are really just moments in the history of the world.
Vintage Ads
I’m somewhat of a vintage junkie. I adore all things vintage and antique. It’s not just the style and the look, it’s the history behind it. To me things that are vintage have a story to tell and that makes them that much more appealing. As a writer, naturally I love stories.
Anyway, in the hours I’ve spent perusing Pinterest, I’ve come across some awesome vintage ads and photo shoots that not only emphasize a style I dig, but also represent a time in history I enjoy.
(Photo from ModCloth pin board.)
Famous classic Vogue cover.
Julie Christie modelling for Vogue US, February 1966. (Photo courtesy of Steve Jones)
Favorite Foto Friday
I was cleaning up my inbox of emails yesterday when I came across this email from my uncle John just after new years that had a couple of awesome photos attached. I’m not sure where this was taken or when. He’s a pretty incredible surfer.
Growing up we didn’t get to see my uncle very much as he lived, still lives, in Oregon, but when we did we loved hearing about his life. It was so different from anything we knew. His adventures traveling the globe looking for big waves and just enjoying his life were inspirational to me in so many ways. Really looking forward to seeing him next month!!! Love ya, uncle John!
