LATELY

The last few weeks have been packed with photo shoots, birthdays and exciting new work ventures. I like being busy this time of year. The overcast mornings and cooler temps make it a little harder to get out of bed in the morning, but I've been forcing myself to wake up early and take a little time to enjoy my coffee before my work day officially begins. This weekend, my friend Jacqui and I decided to take a short trip to Yosemite. We both are dying to see some changing leaves and have a chance to wear a scarf. It's supposed to be over 80 degrees in LA, so I feel like we are getting out of town at just the perfect time. I'm sure there will be lots of photo opportunities, so follow me on instagram for a peak at my trip. In the meantime, here is a little look at my life of late and a few of the sweet things making me smile...

AIRBNB PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP // HELLO LA

Airbnb is hosting five days of events called Hello LA, starting this friday at some of LA's coolest locations. There will be pop up housing designed by celebrities and tastemakers, parties, concerts and even workshops. They have asked Kimberly Genevieve and I to host a 90 minute photography workshop in the Arts District and the best part, it's FREE!! Just sign up here. We will be teaching 5 tricks to improve your photos, whether they're taken on your DSLR or iPhone. I promise it is going to be ridiculously fun and to top it all off there will be Handsome Coffee baristas and delicious snacks on hand. I hope to see you there! 

WHAT: HELLO LA MAKERS CRAFT WORKSHOP
Photography with Jessie Webster & Kimberly Genevieve
5 Tricks to Improve Your Photos

 WHEN: Monday September 30th, 1-2:30pm

WHERE: Arts District. East 3rd Street Los Angeles, California 90013
LINKS:Photography Workshop Sign Up PageAirbnb Hello LA Info Page

LATELY

The last few weeks have been a dream. I got to work and spend time with friends and family in New York City and attend an old friend's wedding in Martha's Vineyard. Both two of my favorite places on the planet. New York makes me feel alive, energized and strangely at home. Martha's Vineyard makes me feel peaceful, contemplative and overwhelmed (in a good way) with it's beauty. I got to see many old friends in my travels and meet new kindred spirits. I must say, It's been hard coming back to LA after such a wonderful trip. An overflowing inbox and piling up work was waiting for me upon my return; and of course brought me right back to reality. But that's life. The other day I was thinking how even if I didn't make money doing what I do, I would still do it; because for me photography is part of me. I can't not do it. So even when I am begrudgingly glued to my computer for days, responding to emails and editing photos, it's still exactly what I want to be doing. Well...almost. Here is a little look at my life of late and a few of the sweet things making me smile... 


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

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...

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... 

LATELY

Well, these last few weeks have just flown by. Somehow it's almost summer and I can't believe it. I have all kinds of fun trips coming up to be excited for, like Boston, Maine, Martha's Vineyard and Palm Springs twice. I can hardly wait! I've been jonesing to get out of town lately, but with my schedule I haven't been able to make it happen. This past week I was up in my hometown of Ojai for a photo shoot and just as I was about to start driving home one of my appointments got canceled. I suddenly realized I didn't have a reason to come back to LA, at least for a few days, so I called some friends and they joined me for an impromptu Ojai sleep over. It was out of control fun and exactly what I needed. I didn't turn on my computer for four whole days. Unheard of. When I returned to LA the fun didn't stop because I had a friend's birthday to celebrate, a night planned picnicking and watching Clueless at the cemetery and an Arrested Development marathon to attend. All and all a very full and perfect long weekend if I do say so. How about you, what did you do this holiday weekend? Here is a little look at my life of late and a few of the sweet things making me smile...

LATELY

These last few weeks have been all about work work work. I haven't had time for much else. Sometimes forgetting to eat. I've been going at a pace that I know I can't sustain. And while I know something has to give, I feel so incredibly grateful for each and every opportunity that has come my way. I think many of you who work from home can relate, that sometimes days can go by with little to zero human interaction other than through twitter or instagram. For that reason I've been forcing myself to take breaks, even if it's just leaving the house to grab a cup of coffee or have dinner with friends. I keep telling myself it wont always be like this. But than I wonder if that's true. 
Wishing you all a happy Mother's Day weekend! Here is a little look at my life of late and a few of the sweet things making me smile...

*follow me on instagram @sweetthingblog

LATELY

The last few weeks have been like a blur. A good blur, if that's possible. As crazy as things have been, I feel like I'll always remember this time as some of the greatest of my life. Something has come over me recently. This feeling that I am exactly where I am supposed to be. That the universe is working overtime to turn what could have been the worst year, into the best. I have had so many reasons to smile lately. Even though I feel so overwhelmed with work sometimes, I ultimately spend my days doing exactly what it is I love to do most, take photographs. I even have a new business venture in the works, which is getting me very excited. I have a {growing} group of friends who are smart, supportive and inspiring. I live in the sweetest little house, in a city I adore. Of course there are things I could say are missing in my life, but I know I must be patient. Five months ago my life was turned upside down. And I must say, I'm quite happy with where it's landed. Here is a little look at my life of late and a few of the sweet things making me smile...

LATELY

Thank goodness the weekend is here. Not that the weekend really has any meaning as a freelancer, but I do plan on attempting to catch up on pretty much everything. I apologize for the the radio silence over here lately. I've been juggling lots of work {can't complain} and putting the finishing touches on my breakout session for Lucky FABB. I'm starting to get to that point where I just can't do it all. An intern of some sort is feeling inevitable, which is exciting but also terrifies me. I know my fears as a freelance artist are quite common. I'm sure many of you struggle with the business side of your careers. When do you finally give in, release a little control and say I just can't do this alone? I'm about to start reading Lean In for my book group and feel like it couldn't come at a better time. In the mean time, here is a little look at my life of late and a few of the sweet things making me smile...

LATELY

Luckily this last week things have mellowed out just a bit. I've had slightly more time to finish up photo projects and sneak in a little time with friends as well. I've started taking daily walks around the Silver Lake reservoir, which is so necessary since I spend so much time at my computer. The weather can't seem to make up it's mind these days, but I prefer it that way. One day I get to wear my Hunter wellies and the next I'm pulling out a summer dress. It sure keeps things interesting. I've got quite a busy weekend ahead full of celebrations. I'm quite looking forward to it. What about you, do you have anything fun planned or do will you be taking it easy?
Here is a little look at my life of late and a few of the sweet things making me smile...

LATELY

Hello March, hello weekend. That feels so good to write. The last few weeks have been some of the busiest of my life work wise, which has been both exhausting and amazing. I've barely come up for air, but the few times I have I've been happily decorating and settling into my new house. I feel absolutely giddy each morning I wake up here. This is one of the first weekends in a while that I only have one photo shoot, so I'll have some time to catch up on emails (sorry everyone, so behind on this) and blog reading. I haven't read another blog in over a month and I feel like something's missing in my life. Thank goodness for Instagram, which has been my way to still feel connected to you all. Here is a little look at my life of late and a few of the sweet things making me smile...

LATELY

Just as January seemed to go by at a snails pace, February is going by at warp speed. How is this month halfway over? This week has been spent painting and moving into my new house and while I'd love to take the weekend to unpack and organize, I have lots of photo jobs sure to keep me far too busy. Oh well, It'll just have to wait. As soon as I have some time on my hands, I promise to share a few more photos of the place. I hope you have a wonderful weekend! Here is a little look at my life of late and a few of the sweet things making me smile...

LATELY

Happy February 1st. Was it just me or did January seem endless? Probably because January was all about waiting. Waiting to find a place, waiting to move. I did quite enjoy myself, even though I've been living in limbo. I am just one of those people who's space is very important to them. I spend so much time at home photo editing or blogging, that if my space feels chaotic or messy It's hard for me to focus. Because my home has been all of those things, I've been trying to spend as much time away as possible. Going to museums, working in coffee shops or picnicking in the park. It's been pretty fun actually. It's like I am a tourist in my own city, which is a wonderful feeling since I've lived in LA almost ten years. I highly recommend trying it. Here is a look at my life of late and a few of the sweet things making me smile...

LATELY

The last few weeks have been a little all over the place with emotion. I have been packing up my house, living and working from home during construction, all the while trying to find a new place. On the bright side, I finally found a house that I will be moving into in just one months time. This new place feels right in so many ways. It is totally adorable and while I'm ridiculously excited about my new neighborhood and the memories I'll make there, It's still difficult saying goodbye to my current house that I've known and loved for seven years. Alas, it's time for new, new, new... new year, new life, new me. Here is a little look at my life of late and a few of the sweet things making me smile...
Happy Weekend! xo