IPHONEOGRAPHY // MY PROCESS


I blogged about my Instagram photo editing process last year and it is still one of my most viewed posts. Since my process has slightly changed, I thought I'd do another tutorial for you. I'm not saying that I go through all of these steps every time I post a photo on Instagram. Sometimes I just quickly add a filter and that's it, but I would say the majority of the time I go through each and every step. Taking the photo is the easy part, It's the editing that can take time. And by time I mean five minutes rather than one. 
VSCOcam // I've said it before and I'll say it again, VSCOcam is my favorite and most used photo editing app. I love the filters- G3, G1 and M5 being my most frequently used. You can also decide the strength of the filter from 1 to 12, which no other app does. I love that they have added features like the straightening tool and the ability to take your photo with a square frame around it, making it easier to gage what can fit into frame if posting on Instagram. I also use this app to lighten, add warmth or contrast. 
AfterLight // This app also has great filters and many tools that I love like sharpening, darkening shadows and adding clarity. 
Touch Retouch // I use this app to remove shadows, smudges, gum from a sidewalk, anything distracting. Sometimes it's not totally accurate or can make a smudge on a wall worse, but most of the time it is amazing. It's like photoshop on your phone. 
Snapseed // I have stopped using this app to straighten photos, since VSCOcam now offers this feature. However, I do still use it for a really genius feature- the ability to lighten, darken and add saturation to one section of my photo, rather than the entire thing. I have yet to see this feature on any other app and it can be very useful. 
TimerCam // To be honest the photo in the tutorial above was a self portrait taken from the top of my car using Timercam. It's a very straightforward app that takes a photo on a 5, 10, 15 or 30 second timer. It's great for self portraits and it's free. You can't beat free. 

I hope this tutorial gives you ideas, or some insight into my process. See you on Instagram!

LATELY

Since I have so many instagrams from my trip to Martha's Vineyard, I decided to extend my lately post and include them all. Even though I've been going to the island for 24 years, I think this summer will stand out as one of the best ever. That has a lot to do with my wonderful travel companions, Phil and Afton. They love to explore and take photos as much as I do and their excitement about being on the Vineyard definitely transferred to me. We had all kinds of adventures and moments that I will forever hold dear in my heart. Our trip was full to say the least- we went to two beaches, a pond, took a boat to another island, eat lots of lobster and oysters, had dinner parties with old friends and new, sung karaoke, played running charades, went to a dance party, saw plenty of lightning, bought friendship bracelets at the flea market and eat far too many Backdoor Donuts {if you've never been, you must}. It was more than difficult to say goodbye, but this time instead of waiting a whole year,  I get to come back in one month for a wedding. As you can imagine, I'll be counting down the days. Here is a little look at my life of late and a few of the sweet things making me smile... 
Packing for our trip
Nautical details
The light and shadows
A photo walk around Menemsha
A dreamy dinner with friends old and new
Spending time with my parents
Adorable Swedish friends
A boat trip to Cuttyhunk & a 14lbs. lobster
Lobster, lobster & more lobster
Sunsets on the deck & island exploring
The sweet summer breeze
Fantastic meals & beaches
Gorgeous scenery everywhere you turn
My family's cottage

MARTHA'S VINEYARD GETAWAY

one. striped bandeau
two. cosmic bikini
three. kevin murphy resort spray
four. fouta
five. wilder quarterly
six. drifter shades
seven. moroccan beach tote
eight. iphone case

I am currently on a plane heading to Martha's Vineyard with friends. It's quite a journey from Los Angeles, since we have to fly to New York first, before the Vineyard. It will take us 24 hours of travel (including the layover) before we arrive, but it's worth every minute. I can't wait to breath in that island air. 

LATELY

The last few weeks It's really started to feel like summer. Maybe it was my getaway to Palm Springs for the 4th, the few beach and pool days I've managed to sneak in, or watching sunsets, cold drink in hand with both new friends and old. Come Monday I will be headed back east again to my favorite magical island- Martha's Vineyard. It's crazy to think that it's been 44 days since I posted this instagram, counting down the days to my trip. This time I'm bringing two friends with me who share my love of exploring and photography, so this should be quite a fun trip. I'm sure I'll be going a little instagram crazy while I'm there, so make sure to follow me @sweetthingblog to come along on the journey. In the meantime, here is a little look at my life of late and a few of the sweet things making me smile...

DAY // NIGHT

DAY // sunglasses // jumpsuit // vest // flats
NIGHT // jumpsuit // bracelet // jacket // heels

I've pretty much been living in this jumpsuit since I got it, so I thought I'd put together a little day and night version of how I'd wear it. It's so comfortable it's really like pajamas you can get away with wearing in public. It's been perfect for these insanely hot days we've been having. If you're thinking about ordering it, it runs big so make sure to size down. 

SNAPSHOTS FROM GIRL SCOUT CAMP

A few weeks ago I got to spend two wonderful days at the Ojai Rancho Inn with a group of 30 creative women, put together by the ladies behind Bash, Please, Fiore Beauty and The Life Styled. It was a sort of grown up version of Girl Scout Camp. We sat by the pool, drank Tacate, went on a hike and talked about life and business. I came away feeling relaxed, inspired and with so many new friendships. I'm ready to go back!

SNEAK PEEK

I'm back from the east coast and going through photos of what was a very inspiring and fun few weeks of travel. I have lots of photos to share with you, but for now, here is a sneak peak of Girl Scout Camp in Ojai. Come back tomorrow to see the rest of the photos. 

HAPPY WEEKEND

I've barely been back in LA for 24 hours and now I'm heading out again. This time to the east coast for a friend's bachelorette trip. The last six months have been all about work, work, work, so it's nice to take a little break from the routine, travel and have some fun. I'm so looking forward to spending time with friends, lobster rolls and lounging on the beach {weather permitting}. Next week I'll be sharing photos of my time spent in Ojai with all kinds of creative and inspiring ladies. I hope you followed along on instagram, our hashtag was #girlscoutcamp. Happy weekend friends!

{photo via}

IPHONEOGRAPHY // VSCO CAM

My favorite iPhone photo editing app VSCO CAM just upped their game and came out with a new version. Let me tell you in is phenomenal. It takes iPhoneography to the next level. There are so many amazing features, like the ability to take a photo in a square format, to focus on two subjects, white balance and 48 new filters. The list goes on. Oh and it's free! They also licenced about 30 of my iphone photos to showcase different filters. It's so fun for me to see my photos (some of me) in an app. I guess I can add 'App Model' to my resume. Who knew when I got an iPhone a year and a half ago that it would completely change my life as a photographer. So rad. Here is a walk through of the app for those of you who are curious. 


*side note- VSCO did not pay me to write about the new app, I just truly love it so much I had to share. 

LATELY

Another week, come and gone my friends. What are you up to this weekend? I'll be spending mine finishing up a few jobs before I head out on Monday for two back to back trips. I can hardly contain my excitement! First off Ojai and then a bachelorette trip to Boston and York, Maine. While I have spent many a summer in Massachusetts, I have never been to Maine. I've heard it's very similar to Martha's Vineyard, so I'm sure I feel right at home. We are only there two nights, but If you have any favorite restaurants or sights in Maine, I'd love to hear them. For now, here is a little look at my life of late and a few of the sweet things making me smile... 

OJAI GETAWAY

one. reverse denim weekender
two. steven alan mayhew
three. tie front tanksuit
four. fuji instax mini
five. myrtis leather sandals
six. dear girls above me
seven. embroidered peasant top

On Monday I'm off to my hometown again if you can believe it, but this time It's sure to be a very different trip. I'm not there to work, or to see my family. More will be revealed later, but you can follow me on Instagram for what I am sure will be a photo filled few days. I can't wait to get some relaxation in and start reading my friend Charlie McDowell's new book Dear Girls Above Me.