Valentine's Mush

Happy Valentine's Day, loves! I'm happy to announce the official opening of my new etsy shop, Mirror Box Studio. I think it's a fitting time to launch a new endeavor that involves something I'm passionate about. I hope you'll enjoy my prints (and tell your friends!) :) Photography reminds me to be thankful for all of the beautiful things I've been blessed to witness in my short lifetime. It has taken me on so many great adventures already, I can't wait to find out what is in store for me next!

Here are some prints currently in my shop, from the John Lennon Wall in Prague, Czech Republic.



For those of you who are interested, the John Lennon Wall started back in the 1980s shortly after his death. It is tucked away in a quiet corner of the city. Czech youths would come to this wall and write his lyrics to promote ideals of love and peace, and although the original paintings are now covered with hundreds of layers, the message remains the same. At one time it served as a way for the Czechs to express themselves under a Communist regime, and today remains a tangible relic of that sentiment. I love the idea that this is not just any wall filled with graffiti, but rather it is filled with a sense of purpose. It has unified people from all over the world to come to this tiny spot on Earth and contribute a little bit of themselves to the wall. I would love to go back there someday and see how different it is now...

Anyway, I'm off to enjoy a not-so-lazy Sunday, celebrating today with my camera, some chocolate, and maybe a bubble bath!

2010 Photography Resolutions

Here are my photographic resolutions for 2010:

1. Shoot more!
Seriously, now that I am out of school I really need to buckle down and give myself assignments. I have been really bad about this so far. I will attempt to carry some kind of camera on me every day, and dedicate at least two days to shooting a week. This may entail my waking up earlier before work. Oy!

2. Experiment with different films and cameras.
Over the years, I've accrued a number of cameras that I never use! Granted, some of them are antiques and probably no longer work. Specifically, I would like to produce more work with my Holga and Polaroid cameras. I'm excited about this resolution because it has been a long time since I've worked in film.

3. Experiment more in general.
Self explanatory.

4. Enhance my knowledge of Photoshop.
For a long time, I was very against "photoshopped" images... and although it forced me to think creatively in the past, I think it is really starting to hold me back from creating the kind of work and subject matter I'm really interested in. So every week, I plan on setting aside some time to learn a new skill in Photoshop!

5. Get out of my comfort zone.

6. Manage my time better.
I think this will significantly help in how I can achieve my other goals. So I best put my iCal to better use!

7. Sell my work!
This is going to take a lot of initial work, in terms of getting my name out there, maintaining a marketing plan, etc. But ideally, I think this will force me not only to shoot more, but also help my bank account!

8. Stop over thinking.
This is a big one. I over think almost everything in my life. And I need to stop. Particularly when it comes to creating art. I guess I don't really have an active plan for this one, I just need to be aware of it. Name it and claim it.

So, that's about it for now. I know my resolutions are coming a little late, but better than never, eh?