I found these the other day at my mom’s.
Toads made out of clay and put into jars. I called them Mr. Toads. I was a strange kid.
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I still receive random quirky cartoon gifts from friends and when they give it to me they all say the same thing. “This reminded me of you.”
I’m leaving to the Bay Area in a bit. Miss Carla and I are driving up.
I saw on Our Labor Of Love‘s blog a little calendar they posted of their travels and thought it was a nice idea, so I’m gonna do one too (though mine is not as aesthetically cute)! I have always loved their style. Thanks for the inspiration guys!
If you live in any of these cities and will be around the listed dates, let me know if you want to meet up. We can eat corn dogs, do cartwheels, and then go door bell ditching. Open to other ideas as well.
already gotcha on May 1st…neener neener :-9 it’s coming up soon!!!
Christine, your life is seriously charmed. This college kid is supes jealous!
xoxo
thats a ridiculous calendar. i think i need a career change.
The first picture I ever took was from my grandpa’s camera circa 1987. We were sitting on the lawn at Evergreen College in San Jose, CA and my gramps asked me to take a picture of him and my sister, and then he asked my sister to do the same for he and I. It was both of our first times using a camera.
He explained to look through the viewfinder and put the subjects in the center. I was nervous that I wouldn’t do it right but snapped the shutter anyway. We got the pictures back and the one my sister took of us was perfectly centered. I, on the other hand, cropped half their bodies off and the subjects were off center. Not sure where the photos are but I’ll re-create the results using one of Kerry & Brad’s engagement photos.
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My grandpa told my sis that she did a great job, that she used the viewfinder exactly like he said. I didn’t say anything but looking at the two photos side by side, I thought to myself that I did a horrible job. Mine was supposed to look like my sister’s with the subjects in the middle. Gramps then said to me, “This is a great photo too!” I don’t know if my memory is fogged but I think I recall my sister saying, “Mine is better!” (totally something she would have said). This is her as a kid. If this doesn’t scream punk ass, I don’t know what does.
Anyway, my grandpa said something like, “These are both great photos. This one is great because it’s about the people. And this one is great because it has the people AND all the beautiful trees and scenery in the back.”
Isn’t that sweet?
So where am I going with this?
Your work is ALL SUBJECTIVE. What you might think looks bad might be the most amazing thing to someone else and vice versa. There are NO RULES. In fact, if there are, I say BREAK ‘EM! Be a VISIONARY. Put your HEART and SOUL into it and you can’t go wrong. People respond to that.
I took a photo class for fun not too long ago at Santa Monica Community College and the teacher told me that I need to work on my composition.
*Snaking chin and neck back and forth and doing a couple diva snaps * Sorry, I didn’t know there was a way a photo is supposed to be! 
Thanks Christine! This is exactly what I needed to hear! Love the crop on the last one!
CC! You are great! Thank you for your words! Great way to start my day =)
Oh no she deah-en’t! {insert snaking head}
Keep up the great work, you visionary, you!
…Your grandpa sounds really sweet, and wise..what a great way to be complimentary and encouraging. Isn’t it funny how your pictures are like how you shot them way back then? I like them..outta the box type photography
haha I read your blog regularly … and this is my favourite blog post
“There are no rules!” I love that. Thanks for being such a refreshing ear
One of the ways I keep inspired is to shoot film. It’s more challenging, interesting, and no matter what you do or how advanced technology gets, it is IMPOSSIBLE to replicate using digital.
In my opinion, shooting film refines your skill. If you are starting photography as a hobby and have never used film before, I highly recommend it! Take a class, work in the dark room (which is SO much fun), and get down to the basics.
I picked up this processed roll of Ilford Super XP2 400 film yesterday and totally forgot what was on it. That’s part of the beauty – the wait adds to the excitement!
Remember the photos I took of Hal Ozsan? I snapped a handful of shots with film. Added with his style, it really gives the pictures an old time Fonzie feel.
I continued using the roll when I went to Paris with my bestie Jess. Ok fine, we were in Beverly Hills, but it felt like Paris! 
And to finish it off, the Hsi Lai Temple in Hacienda Heights. I’ve never been here before! Leave it to my best Puerto Rican friend to bring me here.
It was pouring and absolutely gorgeous.
This is what I love about film. What kind of face was Felix making when the shutter was pushed? I wasn’t sure until I saw the prints! He turned around to talk to me and let me tell you, this picture is 100% FELIX. I can’t explain everything in words what makes this photo him, but it just is, and I love that.
Ive always loved black and white. It leaves your mind to fill in your interpretation of the colors ; where it should go how much…love your style..see you Sat!:-)
Wow. What a find. You captured some je ne sais quoi about each person. Inspiring =D.
Absolutely love it! do you know of any photoshop actions which will convert digital into film? I’ve heard that film is expensive and not that environmentally friendly. But it’s so beautiful!
The first thing that comes to mind when looking at Anika and James is – Um, are they for real? So good looking it’s stupid!
Anika used to cut my hair and then left me in dust a couple years ago when she moved to San Diego. I won’t lie, still a little heart broken. My hair hasn’t been the same since. . .
We did the shoot at Torrey Pines Beach in San Diego. I am going to San Diego more often! It’s beautiful and so close!
“I feel like a party girl who got lost.” -Anika. These two crack me up.
Love the blowing hair.
James used to model. This must be his catalog look.
I typically don’t do stuff this pose-y but they just looked so pretty standing on the edge of the cliff!
Is this not the cutest thing? They were just waddling along the beach (referring to the ducks here).
Dreamy.
Anika & James are getting married in Hawaii (backyard ceremony!) in a couple months. Congrats guys! The world can’t wait to see the beautiful babies you produce.
Beautiful people, superb pictures, an A+ for the photographer!
Thanks Ma! For those who don’t know my mother, she never gives out A+’s. It’s a miracle.
Wow, amazing photos. I especially love the one with the ducks
The scenes taken were really atmospheric. Well done!!
Adorable!!! That’s something my daughter would do!
i want a jar!! i love these!!
Thanks guys. Maybe I should start selling them for some extra cash?