⎨Alexa Stark, Pt 1⎬

A few months back, I met Alexa through Kim who invited me to Alexa's store opening on Alberta. A few days later, I asked if I could photograph her for my artists and artisans project. At the time, the project was in its infancy -- I had only photographed Betsy at work and wasn't sure where to take the project from there. For a few weeks (er, months), Alexa and I put off the shoot until I ran into her at the Art Museum last week and we decided to get together the next day. I hauled half of my film gear across town and spent a couple of hours in her ultra modern, light-filled live-work space and these photos are (part of) the result. I went a little overboard and shot two & a half rolls of 120 (mostly on the C220) and 2 rolls of 35mm on the 1N. You'll see Alexa's face (and her beautiful curly hair) in the next installment. 

Diptychs: Canon 1N & some Ektar, some Superia 400
Square: Mamiya C220 & Portra 400
Last: 1N & Superia 400

⎨Mikaila at work⎬

This is how I represented Mikaila.



And this is how Tomasz did. 



1 - Mamiya C220 // Portra 400
2 - Minolta X-500 // Ektar

More photos of our collaboration are coming soon, after our second shoot tomorrow. And the C220 finally let me tame it; it only took 3 "test" rolls. 

⎨Foxtail -- Fall line⎬

I shot more product and semi-lookbook photos for Betsy's store almost two weeks ago and these are some of the results. If you like the ring that looks like a desert landscape, hurry up and get it because it's a one of a kind. Out of all the pieces I photographed, the bird necklace is my favorite, and I can tell you that the green patina and gold of the bird look fantastic together. It's such a perfect accessory to complement a 1960s look. 

I might have some film shots to add to this or might not, depending on my Mamiya which has been misbehaving lately. The C220 even more tricky than the M645 and so I've been wasting rolls trying to figure out its quirks. I'm beginning to think I should have bought a Minolta Autocord.

⎨S e p t e m b e r⎬

It's been so quiet here lately, hasn't it? There was a big deadline at work that kept me very busy and a non major health problem that drained me of much of my energy. You were probably on vacation, or if you can't afford a vacation, at least you spent more time outdoors than at your laptop. So there you have it: we both deserted this place. Now it's September and we're all back and I'm working with Betsy again and these are the results. Betsy also started a Tumblr so check it out sometimes, okay? 

⎨Mara of The Dandelions⎬

Mamiya M645 // Ilford Delta

Last Saturday, I photographed my favorite local band (and the band my husband plays in) The Dandelions in Cathedral Park. I have more photos to share soon but I wanted to share this one of the beautiful and incredibly photogenic Mara, the band's drummer. Do click on that link and listen to both Reno and Sunny, two very catchy songs and my personal favorites. 

✑ I completely redesigned my portfolio and it took forever, so be sure to check it out and let me know what you think of the new look. 

⎨Studio Time⎬

Those photos are from three different days and sessions, with very different light situations and different films, but they all reflect what I've been doing lately and who I've been working with. Now here's my corny moment: I could never have found what I want to be shooting without the two wonderful people in this post. They've given me the opportunity to try portraiture and the confidence to keep doing it. 
I still have a lot to learn and I'm so excited about it. I'm at a great place where I can honestly say I love the results I've been getting but I see where and how I can grow and that's what I'm the most excited about. This weekend, I'm doing some theoretical learning that I'm looking forward to putting into practice next week. 

Mamiya M645 // 1-2 : Fuji 400H
3-4 : Kodak Ektar
Minolta x-500// 5: Ilford HP5+

⎨Foxtail Jewelry // July collection⎬

From a recent linesheet shoot for Betsy / Foxtail Jewelry's new line. There are more photos on her website and there will hopefully be some film images to share soon. 

⎨B e t s y / s t u d i o⎬

Those images are a couple of months old already, but except for a new coat of paint and a lot more supplies, the space itself hasn't changed that much. She has a nice little space that's all her own where she makes the necklaces, earrings and cuffs that she sells on Etsy. 

Canon 1N // Ilford HP5+ // Self-developed

⎨T o m a s z⎬

The Mamiya and I had the chance to make photographs while Betsy was posing for sculptor Tomasz Misztal a couple of weeks ago. I'd never seen a sculptor at work and I am so glad that I was able to observe the process. I'd seen Tomasz' work in the studio before countless times because he'd lent Betsy and I his space by the large windows, but had never met him, and I never even thought that I'd be lucky enough to see him work. See, Tomasz is kind of a big deal: he's had work in many exhibitions and his sacred art is displayed in European and American churches, as well as the Vatican museum. He's also an incredibly kind and cultivated man, and I'm very glad to have met him. 

Mamiya M645 // Ektar pushed 2 stops

Betsy at Work

Canon 1N // Ilford HP5+

➵ For this shot, I knew I had to keep the border created by the enlarger. I wanted to create a print that both Betsy and I would love. There's so much of the both of us in this shot: her used apron that shows how hard she works*, and the rough burning and dodging that shows my learning process and my acceptance** of the clumsiness and awkwardness that is such an important part of who I am. I dropped off two prints for her to hang in her studio yesterday and in exchange, she gave me a necklace for my sister's birthday. On Monday, I'm getting a couple more prints that I had to leave out to dry and I'll be making more. I love knowing that someone has my work on their shelves that was printed just for them, and can't wait to shoot more portraits and give them to the people who let me take their photo. 

*  She's working three jobs these days. 
** I'm trying to be better, but I am also realizing that I am often careless and awkward and accident-prone and some of those things are okay. 

Studio Sneak Peek!

Going to Betsy's studio and looking at those photos makes me want to have my own studio so badly. Two museum volunteers and I have been talking about renting a studio together in the industrial center. We need to visit a building I've been fascinated by since I moved here and see if it would be a good fit for us. It would be interesting to see the kind of studio we would put together since there would be two photographers and a painter in the studio. 

Canon 1N // Portra 400

Links

I posted another Etsy treasury list here.

Next time I make kale pesto, this is the recipe I'll follow (more or less, I can't follow a recipe to save my life, I always change something).