So, if you don’t hear from me until our return, that will be why. I plan on taking a gazillion pictures so at the very least I’ll have tons to update with when we get back! For now, here is something I snapped with my point-and-shoot during our layover in Fiji yesterday.

G’day!

Here’s a few personal photos of mine from the past weekend. Chris’ parents were in town for a wedding shower that was thrown for us. They got to meet my parents for the first time, which was super special and a long time coming. Everyone got along smashingly and we all had a great weekend. We took his parents to see the Griffith Observatory because they had never been and I hadn’t seen it since it was re-opened last year. It’s more impressive than ever, so if you ever get a chance to see it, I highly recommend checking it out. You don’t even need reservations anymore!

I hope you’re all having a lovely time doing whatever it is that you’re doing! Enjoy…

These prints are also now for sale in my etsy shop (why let my mom have all the pretty?), in addition to a few other new ones that I snuck in there earlier in the week. Check out my shop!

But, the humored me and situated themselves in front of the wall. I fired off a few shots and checked them out in my LCD screen on the back of my camera. They were glorious. Not only did the green look remarkable but the shaded lighting made their skin glow. As a photographer, not only am I searching for light, but often times I’m searching for shade––which is something I don’t hear a lot of photographers talk about, even though I know we all do it.

After I posted the photos from that shoot I received a phone call from Kim. Her first words, “You amaze me,” brought a smile to my face, but it was her follow-up phrase that really made me proud: “You were right, that green wall was awesome.” It made me feel that I had achieved a small victory in some way by demonstrating through the images that I created that what seemed like a plain and somewhat ugly wall was really a thing of beauty.

Another small victory happened to me yesterday. I don’t talk here about the other types of work that I do, but in addition to taking photographs, I also work as a copy editor. Currently, I’m working as a contractor for the Style Network’s website, mystyle.com. There is a weekly feature on the site called Style Test Drive, wherein staff members review a product and write mini reviews. If you click on that link you’ll see all of them and notice that in all of the entries starting with Can JASON Measure Up? the staff photos are boring, poorly lit shots taken in front of a white wall. In the meeting the senior editor expressed her desire to spice up the test drive section of the site and asked for suggestions. I, of course, suggested beautifying the section with prettier staff photos. To make a long story short, I was asked to step in. The first test drive featuring my photos was published today and I am pleased as punch. The photos are exactly a quarter of an inch big, but they do look pretty! Tiny little photos and a tiny little photo credit (highlighted below with purple arrows)––I am so proud! You can take a look at the entry live on the site by clicking on the screen grab below.

Friday Song
Don’t think I’d post on a Friday without posting a Friday Song! This week I’m posting another oldie-but-goodie, though it’s likely you’ve never heard it. It’s by a rapper called Fat Lip who is an ousted member of The Pharcyde. I have to admit I’m pretty much unfamiliar with the lot of his work except for this song. But, I do love this song a lot. It’s pretty refreshing to hear a rapper talk about how uncool he is. You must also check out the video, which was directed by Spike Jonze.

Happy Friday, y’all!

Fat Lip – What’s Up Fat Lip?

I’ve been a very bad blogger. Because my wedding is a little over two months away (eek!) I’ve been consumed with finalizing details, thus my little online corner of the world has been neglected. Never fear, though––I’ve got a couples shoot this weekend at the beach and I’m feeling pumped. I can’t wait to post my favorite images on Monday!

Also, yay! It’s Friday! Today’s song is by Architecture in Helsinki and can be found on their latest album, Places Like This. It’s a weird song from a weird band and if you know me, you know that’s sometimes how I like my music. Enjoy!

Architecture in Helsinki – Heart It Races

Well, another work week has come and gone. I came down with a pretty nasty cold early on in the week so I’ve spent most of my time curled up in bed, feeling sorry for myself. I’ve been a human snot factory all week and spent more time than I care to admit daydreaming about all of the things I could be getting accomplished were it not for the fact that I felt like like death warmed over. I’m feeling well enough to get back to work today, though, so if you need me I can be found propped up in front of my computer, trying to act like a contributing member of society again.

Today’s Friday song is another cover. Chances are you’ve heard the original and it needs no introduction. The cover is done by Swedish indie-pop band, Shout Out Louds. There are many people who don’t like covers, but I always enjoy hearing a new take on an old favorite. I like to see how other bands reimagine a perfectly good song and make it their own. It’s not better, it’s different. I like different. Enjoy!

Shout Out Louds – Man on the Moon

Soon enough, though, I got bored of all that labeling so I bugged the guys for a bit. They even let me sing a song! It’s funny how un-rock ‘n’ roll people can seem when they play Rock Band. Where’s the scissor kicks? Where are the big hair and lycra? I’m going to totally insist these guys amp up their showmanship next time.

I don’t know about you guys, but TGIF. Seriously. I’m looking forward to the weekend because I’m shooting a baby shower on Sunday. It’s a big one: over 100 people are expected so I’m sure it’s going to be a lot of fun. Stay tuned next week for some choice shots from that.

And, since it’s Friday, time for a Friday Song! This week’s song is a cover of a Grizzly Bear song by CSS. If you haven’t heard of Grizzly Bear, they hail from Brooklyn and just have an amazing sound. This CSS cover is really great, too. I read today that they’re going to be opening for Radiohead on some of the U.S. dates on the Radiohead tour. Please, please, please…let one of those dates be Los Angeles. Let me know what you think of the song. Enjoy!

CSS –– Knife

My Diana+ was a Christmas gift from Chris and the Joshua Tree trip was the first time I got a chance to use it. Admittedly, Chris used it more than I did (shots of him using it can be found in this entry) because I was busy with my trusty digital. But, I did make sure I had a few cracks at it and while the results are less than amazing, I was reminded of how much fun shooting film is. It was especially entertaining with this camera that had absolutely zero bells and whistles and seemed to weigh less than a feather.

I scanned these images late last night right before going to bed. I’m noticing now that my scanner needs to be cleaned! Oh well, just adds to the crazy film look, I suppose.

As always, please click ‘Read More’ at the bottom of this post to see the rest.

Obviously we had to stop by Cabazon to check out the dinosaurs on our way home. Chris had never been and was very excited to see them. The interesting thing is it seems the dinos have been bought by some Christian group that refutes evolution and seems to believe in Big Foot and other strange creatures because the dino-owner told us they’re opening a Cryptozoology museum this summer. Very strange. In addition to the museum they’re adding more dinosaurs. We were able to peek our head over the fence behind T-Rex to see a Stegosaurus and Triceratops. Exciting stuff.

Be sure to click the ‘Read More’ button at the end of this post to listen to today’s Friday Song!

Today’s song is by Chromeo. I like this song a lot because it makes me want to dance every time I hear it. I could really use a good dance right now to get some of the stress off. Maybe you can too? Of course you can! Please enjoy and Happy Friday!

Chromeo – Fancy Footwork