Life in Photos: Colorado

I'd like to interrupt my regular writing for some photos I've taken over the last month or so. As I'm sure many others have done, I've used Instagram to quench my hunger for street photography. But recently, I've started carrying around my Canon 40D, using my fixed 50mm 1.4 lens around - because it's currently the only working lens I own.So.. here it goes. I've been fortunate enough to have gone to Colorado every summer for three years in a row. My second cousins on both sides of my father's side have all converged in Colorado. Even more coincidentally, every year for the past three, one of them has gotten married. I'm absolutely in love with the state and am lucky to have such an awesome extended family.

Occupy Wall Street - A Turning Point

It's hard to write about Occupy Wall Street and say what has not already been said but I'll share my thoughts. If you live near New York City, you should visit the movement because it's unique experience that can't be fully taken in through pictures. I absolutely support the movement. These people are sacrificing their time, comfort and daily lives to stand up to a system that is not working. And when I say system, I believe it's not the absolute fault of Wall Street, but an entire American system that includes people spending beyond their means, a culture that values having more stuff, government regulation or lack of, politics, unions, our health care ... the list goes on.Their two weeks of occupation is gaining more traction than countless opinion articles in the New York Times and they're doing more than most of us who are merely complaining to our friends and family about our anger against Wall Street. Occupy Wall Street looks like a scene from an apocalyptical movie where people from all walks of life come together to fight for a cause. You have the Jesus lovers, hippies, homeless, yuppies, students, blue collar workers, old, young, musicians, super heros, yogis, and then you have all the people coming to observe this cast of characters, capturing moments with their iPhones, iPads, point and shoot video cameras, fancy cameras, analogue cameras, or pens and notebooks. There are people who choose to protest with their voice in song, use their wit in clever signs, their t-shirt design skills, their sub-conscious in meditation, or their hands letting their instruments speak. And their are the cops who stand around doing their job and watching the movement with amusement.

But a picture tells a thousand words.

Brooklyn Flea in Williamsburg

I just moved into Prospect Heights yesterday and am kicking myself for not moving to Brooklyn earlier. So much of Brooklyn reminds me of San Francisco with their more laid back attitude, plethora of internet cafes and creative culture that's missing in Manhattan as a whole. I know this is all obvious but you don't realize it fully until you actually spend more time in Brooklyn. I guess I shouldn't kick myself too much because I spent 4 years on St. Mark's in the East Village and had a pretty sweet deal... but ..Yesterday I had a delicious dinner with a friend I met on Twitter - I know - hello 2011! The first bar we hit had outdoor seating AND, I ran into 2 people I went to Skidmore with who weren't together. Random. I'm excited to see the whole crop of people from my past that I'm likely to run into now that I'm in BK.

So a while ago, I posted pictures of the looks and styles of people in San Francisco. A few weeks ago, I hit up the Brooklyn Flea market in Williamsburg. I've never been that big on Flea markets. As much I love history, I often think that Flea markets are selling the stuff that I have around the house that I want to get rid of.. but as far as the BK Flea goes, I can come back every week and stay completely entertained. Aside from antiques and vintage clothing, there are indulgent, exciting food stands like lobster rolls! and novelty items that I wish I thought of, like a necklace carved out of a record! But a picture tells a thousand words right?

San Francisco Museum of Modern Art

Speaking of observing the world around you, I spent a lovely afternoon during my last week of San Francisco exploring the SF MOMA. I played around with slow shutter speeds, resting my camera on benches or ledges and just seeing what developed.

Ocean Beach, Muni, & Embarcadero - Photography Journey Through San Francisco

Yesterday, the internet told me that Monday the 24th is historically known as the most depressing day of the year. Naturally, I refused to stand for this kind of talk and decided to go out of my way to soak up some vitamin D. Here's my photographic journey through San Francisco from Ocean Beach to the Embarcadero. After living in San Francisco for three months, I can happily say I finally had some time to explore. Sometimes words just can't describe a scene but when talking about how I felt, these words come to mind; peace, joy, happiness, euphoria, inspiration, sunshine, refreshed, creative, sand, nature, beauty, balance, harmony, love, luck, wholeness, adventure.. you get the idea.

For more photos, you can go to my flickr page here. Peace & Love, Molly.

Intel: The Visual Life

For all of those who have a snow day, I encourage you to take 7 minutes and watch this video. It's a short film about The Sartorialist's life shot for Intel's Visual Life Campaign. Not surprisingly, The Sartorialist actually inspired me to buy a DSLR and take photography classes way back in the summer of 2008. I loved learning about his process and thinking from the video. You can see how he's in the zone, searching for interesting people and beautiful images. He now regularly travels around the world to different fashion shows and basically started a movement towards street fashion blogs. It's hard to believe he's just a nice guy from the Midwest.[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e5NgG5koPZU&w=640&h=385]

My SF Life In iPhone Pictures

The Flight

My very lovely room with lovely roommates and space you'd have to go to NJ to find.

Too much regular nutella indulgence. Hopefully it will be like when I studied abroad in Europe and actually lost weight from all the walking..

Cappuccino done right.

After sharing a lovely burger and moment with very wonderful new friends.

The view a few blocks from my apartment.

Even the dogs are enjoying life in laid back San Francisco

A typical day at Miami Ad School. (kind of... sort of... in a way)

A little less intimidating when you're at the top..

An overly dark picture of one of the items my mother sent me. Nothing like requesting a pair of 5 year old, gold heels. Might as well be bold in San Francisco.

And finally, I'd give you more updates, but I need to do even more research on sex and condoms. Thank you Miami Ad School Project. It will only be fitting if our following assignment is for an alcoholic beverage.

Tête-à-Tête Tuesdays with Molly

photo by Emily Gilbert

Tory Williams and I went to Skidmore together and have gotten to know each other much better over the last few years. She's an award winner photographer - smart, talented, adventurous and seems to have a strong idea of what she wants in life. You can check out her website at www.torywilliams.com and hire her for your upcoming wedding at www.torywilliams.com/weddings. Tory is constantly on the move. To see what she's up to, check out her blog.

How did you get into photography and what was your first job out of college?

Out of college I was offered a job as a raft guide on the Hudson and to take pictures at a hotel in Mackinac Island, Michigan. It was a defining time – do I want to be a raft guide or a photographer? So obviously I chose the photography gig. It was kind of a cool situation, I lived on this island with no cars and took portraits of people at the hotel. I did family portraits and events. I learned a ton and made lots of friends who I then followed to New York City.

It definitely doesn’t sound like a loser job. Did you take photography classes at Skidmore? 

Skidmore didn’t offer too many photography classes so when I studied abroad in Paris, I was given the opportunity to do an independent study with an artist. She had a darkroom in her apartment. So I really picked up photography in Paris, which is kind of appropriate because photography was discovered there.

After coming to NY, did you work as an assistant?

When I came to NY I had no idea what to because it’s a daunting task to come here and be a photographer. You just need to meet people. Tavern on the Green was hiring event photographers so I took that job. I had to go around to each table on Valentines Day and such and ask them if they wanted their photo taken as a couple. It was kind of a humiliating job to some extent but it got me out there. Through that, I met a wedding photographer who I started assisting and also met an older man who became my mentor. I don’t work for him anymore but he's still a close friend. 

How long did you assist before landing your first assignment?

Around the same time I applied for an internship at a still life studio because I figured I needed to learn something about lighting. I interned there for a few months and they started hiring me as an assistant and then as a photographer. I fell into shooting stiff life through them but they also had connections to magazines and basically, everyone so I just built my network through them.

What are your thoughts on school versus working as an assistant?

I’ve always taken the approach of taking classes here and there but when I first came to New York, I didn’t have any cash. I went to ICP and TA’d a whole bunch of classes. So I got to essentially be a student but I also developed relationships with teachers so that led to more assisting jobs. School is just not for everyone. I’m a very hands on person so I didn’t want to go and sit in a three hour critique. I wanted to learn how to use a camera. So I feel like today I have a strong technical sense because of the way I started.

Do you have any overall valuable advice you can pass on to people starting out?

I think it’s taken me a really long time to realize that I should just be myself. And that also goes into man different areas of life. But I think in photography there are so many photographers out there and essentially it’s just your point of view of the world that you’re capturing. And if you just be yourself, you’re unique. For a long time I was so desperate to get jobs I was trying to be like everyone else. Now I understand that if you’re just yourself and believe in what you do, of course, you’re going to do well. Another good advice that someone gave me a long time ago is that you’re working for yourself. So it’s who you are that they’re hiring. Your skills, a lot of times, are secondary. You’re spending a lot of time with this person. It’s a collaboration. Treat everyone like they’re your clients. That is the best advice that anyone has ever given me. Conversations on subways can bring you jobs. Great example is that I became friends with the studio intern. She became a photo editor and hired me for a job.

Does your blog get you jobs?

I don’t know if the blog has gotten me jobs. I think the blog has helped me create a voice and be myself. You have your website and try to be commercial to an extent but with a blog you can just be yourself. And that’s where I really found this path of being really open and honest about my process. I bet most of the people who comment on my blog are people who are interested in the industry and not direct clients.

Tell me about the challenges of going from photography to film and video editing. 

Video is so hard. That was the first thing I discovered. A year ago I had a video camera put in my hand and created the worst thing ever. Crazy images. Then the teacher told me “would you ever take that picture?” “No.” So I started to think about it more in terms of pictures which is kind of obvious but when you have it in your hand it’s not so obvious. It’s a natural progression in the sense that the industry is going that way and since the web is such a great platform for showing full stories – it’s one more way of story telling. It’s a new challenge and I always need new challenges.

When you’re leaving for a shoot, what do you pack?

Always bring a backup camera. Always! Always! Always bring lots of memory cards. Double of everything. Two battery packs, two flashes, I always bring a reflector and never use it. Lots of lenses. Tripod. I sometimes experiment a little with hot lights, etc.

What are your thoughts on freelancing versus working 9-5? Is it harder? More fulfilling?

Well that’s the thing about freelance is that you’re going to work so much more than everybody else. But mainly it’s all in your head because you’re working all the time thinking about things, doing these things and everything in your life is work. I wake up early or try to. I work a lot from home because a lot of my stuff is post-production or returning emails or stuff like that. I respond to clients at 2 in the morning sometimes. I’m always working. But at the same time I dictate the terms of my work and now that I have more consistent work, I can turn things down that are not appropriate for me. That’s a huge difference because now I’m not breaking my back for things I don’t believe it.

What do you like most about being a photographer?

I just like freedom. I really do. It’s a perfect medium for me because I’m interested in so many thing and if I was just to do one thing it would be really hard for me because I’m always so curious about everything. As a photographer I get to slip into the life of a ski patroller for a day, of a psychologist for another day, of a non-profit. I get to travel the world. I get to live so many different lives and appropriate people’s experiences constantly. So that’s what I like about it.

Mermaid Parade Coney Island 2010

Saturday, I went to check out the Mermaid Parade for the first time, camera in hand, with a bunch of awesome girls. I definitely think it's something every New Yorker should experience at least once. Um.. just make sure you wear sunscreen. I didn't entirely get my back and some lady at Java Girl (my coffee shop) said "Miss - do you know your back is super red and there are finger prints where you tried to put on sunscreen." Um.. thanks.

 

Colorado Part 3 - Street Performers, Scenery & Family

So here I go.. my observations. Right now, as I sit in my air conditioned apartment, after having been back in NYC for three days, I contemplate whether or there's a vast conspiracy with New York. I'm sure my sentiments will change back to their usual "I love New York." But I've started to wonder.. is there a conspiracy that brain washes New Yorkers into thinking that New York is the best place to live so we will put up with the living expensive, day to day bs of commuting on the hot, crowded subway, lack of access to real nature, lack of access to actually getting outside the city, seeing beautiful scenery everyday, etc.? It's just a thought. That will hopefully pass soon.. or maybe not. This comes on the heels of having looked at new apartments on the Upper West Side that are smaller than my current 5th floor walk up and pricier, having realized that I'm about to go into freak out mode with the money situation and need to get on the ball with applying to this program. Yeah, all good thoughts.

And in other news, going to Colorado and spending quality time with old family and those that I just met was (perhaps) a life changing experience. To be perfectly honest, I come from a pretty cool family and have some notable family members that have achieved great things on both sides. On my mom's side, I come from writers, store owners, creatives, etc. and on my dad's side, come from pioneers in religion, health, and people who endured a lot of hardships to move their family to a more promising place. It gives me a sense of pride, is encouraging and also makes me realize I have to shape up even more and get my ass in gear whether I decide to get an MBA, etc. Finally, I had a revelation with men as I watched my cousin get married to a great guy, met my other cousin's husband, and hung out and met various family members.. that who ever I marry will become part of MY family. I know that's obvious but it makes me re-evaluate my previous choices and gives me a better idea of who is good for me. If I realized this a while ago, half the guys I dated would have been kicked to the curb early on. And knowing this helps me get over relationships that didn't work out in the long run. Was all for the best.

Performer in Boulder. He was hard to watch.. scary stuff.

8:15 morning hike in Colorado Springs. We are champions. That was sort of some serious stuff. Of course there were people running on the trail.

The Broadmoor

My sister lounging in the Broadmoor like she owns the place.

The coolest "family heirloom." A.O. Aaker - my great grandfather and famous doctor who died in a weird, tragic way, tripping over something and rupturing his spleen.

My sister with two of the most adorable kids ever (well in top 5!) Luke is a genius, as he tells us.. and Marley is the sweetest girl I've ever met. I think she gave each of us about 7 hugs within the 7 hours that we hung out.

Colorado Part 2 - The Wedding

My second cousin Cory and her new husband Chase

The beautiful couple again

Friends of the bride

The view from the mountain top venue

Cousin's friends

My other second cousin and her adorable daughter Kate

Another second cousin with her adorable and delightful son Neil, brother of the bride Kent, in the background

Coloradians knows how to get down

My second cousin Kent

Sunday Night Ponderings

As I sat in my dark, cold apartment on this rainy Sunday evening with my roommate and two cats (post yoga at Crunch!), I briefly considered going back on an internet dating site... and then quickly came back to my senses - realizing that I should probably focus my energy searching job matches instead of love matches. And then I checked my calendar, remembering that all my evenings are jam packed up until next week and that apparently, being unemployed, networking and working on my own ventures is more time consuming than being employed and in a relationship. But I can't complain! Hmmm. I ponder.
In no particular order, a visual guide to what I've been up to when I'm not networking, attending amazingly inspiring and informative AWNY events, sitting in cafés job searching, working with my friend to help her PR business in the social media realm, reading business books, etc. This is for you mom.

Under the cherry blossoms in the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens, Saturday April 24thAdd caption

More cherry blossoms (I think) in Central Park

Central Park

I have no words. Okay, I do. Thomas and Oscar love each other.

Sunday pancake brunch with the roommate = roommate love.

Oscar, making catnaps sexy since April 2010.

Latest Photo Shoot

On Friday, I photographed my first NYC roommate back when I was living on St. Mark's in the East Village. Even though we got along, we somehow never managed to hang out after living togeteher so I really hadn't seen her in 2 years. It was so great seeing her. We've both gone through so many transitions over the last few years and it was interesting to see where we ended up. She left the "corporate world" and took up her passion, dance. Whereas I was going from temp job to temp job and have since been at the same company for nearly 3 years. Anyway, I tried to capture the happiness she's felt with dance and the freedom. Of course I couldn't resist getting in some "beauty shots" cause she's obviously a beautiful girl.

Street Photography

I'm beginning to think my post last week was completely wrong. It's not me...

Anyway, here's some street photography from Wednesday night. I couldn't resist the opportunity to photograph drunk St. Patrick Day revelers but I ended up finding lots of people that were interesting on their own.. and not drunk. Case in point - the very friendly Vampire people..

Latest Photo Shoot

Here are some selects from my latest photo shoot on Saturday. It was an absolutely fantastic experience and I hope to photograph her again. I had the opportunity to meet some lovely ladies from Skidmore (my alma matar) who are a few years younger than me and hear their perspective on life, men, and our college experiences. My subject was playing a character. She is super sweet and down to earth. My photography project thesis has been narrowed down. I'm now dealing with the confusion, indecision and pressures that comes with growing up in a supportive, well off, environment where one can pursue anything they desire, rather than having to make a living. I definitely need a job and would have to pay for graduate school myself. But my liberal arts schooling and job that exposes me to all areas of advertising - strategy, creative, photography, have made me consider all options and question exactly where I would be happy.

Photography Friday

Can you tell I'm just itching to get out of New York City? Just for a weekend. A week would be nice! Some place warm please. And sunny. Where I can take pretty pictures. Speaking of pretty pictures, just got a promo from Denise Chambers. She's based out of Colorado I believe. Yes, I still miss nature. I love how she finds things that are seemingly mundane and find the beauty in them.

Photography Inspiration

Akasha Rabut

Aren't these beautiful? I miss nature. Via Akasha Rabut

All in the Past

Here are some photos I took of the same lovely girl back in college. They're the most popular photographs on my flickr page. Ahh.. I miss film. And college.. and having access to a good scanner. As I troll through flickr, it occurs to me that so much of the beautiful imagery is created in either the country or the suburbs. I guess there's only so much one can do in an apartment. Hmmm. Nature.

During my ICP class today, I asked the class why it seems like so much fine photography is about people being unhappy. I guess I'm trying to explore that in my own work as well - the idea that being wealthy, beautiful and having material things is just an appearance and doesn't necessarily indicate happiness. I'm sure this goes back to my childhood history of being an "outsider" from the "popular group" and my interest in exploring their lives. Wow. Hello photography = therapy and catharsis. Anyway, do serious photos mean serious work? I don't think anyone was really able to answer that question in my class. First, my teacher said that smiling and laughing is something we do in response to someone else and not something we'd do alone- thus the implication that it wouldn't be a "portrait" of someone. The very well spoken recent Yale grad pointed out photography often takes its cues from painting early portrait photography and due to the nature of these mediums, one cannot smile for an extended period of time. My teacher also said something to the effect that artists over think things and when you over think things, you realize all the pain in the world that exists. Or at least I think that's what he said. Hmm. I usually prefer the glass is half full thinking, but lately, my patience and positive outlook has waned and yet, I'm healthy, have a wonderful boyfriend, great friends, family, etc. But there are certain truths about life that you'll always go through some sort of struggle and that nothing is ever perfect. That slightly bugs me. Can you have it all? I guess for my next project, I should photograph people who are poor and unattractive but genuinely happy. Hmm.

Inspirational Saturday

O.M.G. I'm totally inspired. I just came across this blog That Unreliable Girl, who writes about design, photography, architecture, fashion, art and decorating. She manages to find the most whimsical images that are calming and inspirational. I'd love to create the types of images she finds but I think I'd have to either use film or PhotoShop filters. And move to the country!
Here are some finds that are just gorgeous. They're from all different sources so you'll have to go to her blog to find them. But it's worth checking out. 

Scenes From 2008