I've gotten so into this...

I can't get enough! Yay family! :)

Honesty

Today really, truly feels like Fall! It is so gorgeous outside! Clear sky, crisp, cool weather, and that smell of aged leaves in the air. Love it. :) It's funny though, I was getting ready to "peer teach" this morning in one of my classes, and I was walking in and out of doors all morning, but didn't notice the gorgeous weather until after I had finished my teaching. I was just too buried in my thoughts and plans to notice. 

Noticing beauty and the Lord's hand in creation is something I want to embrace during the day. I don't want to get too bogged down with my own stuff. Creation is such a powerful reminder that the Lord is in control, working, and with us. How encouraging and strengthening are those thoughts?! :) 

These thoughts kind of remind me of my attitude when I first started taking photographs. I was awed by the world around me, so I just was enthusiastic to take photos and capture the most important things in life for people (relationships, times worth celebrating, nature, beauty). Here now, a year later, I'm having difficulty keeping that attitude. I find that I'm driven less by joy and more by pleasing the general public, comparing myself to other photographers, and creating a perfect image of myself through "branding." Selfish gain is a giant temptation. 

But friends, I'm not going to give in. 

I can't do it of my own will though...because I've been trying that. I'll let you in on a secret--it hasn't worked. :) The only way I know to combat this, is to put it all into the hands of the Lord by freshly realizing each morning that He is the giver and sustainer of life (and business :) ) and knowing that He is in control, and I'm not. The Lord has gifted me with the gift of encouragement. I know I'm supposed to be using that gift all the time. Why hold back encouragement because I want to seem better than someone else? Seriously, why? It's the old battle of pride. 

I feel like, at least for a while, this will be a rebirth process every morning. That's fine. Pray for me as I continue to fight against this. 

Just so you know, I want to be a stand out light of encouragement, honesty, and love in a market driven by the perfect image and a get-your-own mentality. I'm so thankful for my photographer friends that I've made so far. You guys are invaluable and I so respect the way you share in this fight too! :)

Thanks for letting me get all that out! Whew! :D

Things that make Autumn good

Warmly scented candles

Looking forward to fireplace fires in winter

Leggings & boots

Thanksgiving food & family!

Crisp, gorgeous weather

Pumpkin Spice Lattes

Colors like deep plum, golden orange, and chocolate brown

Cozying up with blankets and quilts

Watching You've Got Mail

The trees changing color

Anticipating Christmas :)

The Office Season 5!

A change

Pumpkins on the front porch

Candy corn

So glad I have internet service here!

Hello, hello!! 

It is so hard to put into words how insanely excited I get when I get close to the ocean...but just so you know...I'M LOOKING AT THE OCEAN!!

Erin and I pulled in town just a few minutes ago, got checked into our hotel, and I'm pretty sure I've already decided I'm sleeping on the balcony. 

Not really. But it is gorgeous. Even though it's one in the morning and it's super dark out. You can still hear the ocean and you can see the waves breaking! Not to mention the sky is partially cloudy which means bright stars with a smattering of cloud silhouettes. Apparently the ocean brings out the poet in me as well. :)

Well, we are here to work (shoot a wedding...which I'm insanely excited about...wedding's on the beach!) but already, I've felt so rejuvenated in my heart. I so needed to get away from school and all. School's been kicking my bum like nothing else recently. But anyway, it's been wonderful to have this opportunity. 

Erin and I really got to know each other on the way down here (with an 8 hour drive,  that's no surprise) and that was a blessing. Not to mention, I got some alone time on the balcony a few minutes ago, just me and the Lord...so sweet. I keep marveling with thoughts like, "God, you TOLD the waves where to stop! You put the stars in the sky!" Really, the thoughts are so big that I can't help but laugh at how I can't comprehend it. Amazing.

Well, it's time for bed. Got a long day tomorrow. But it will be beautiful!

Much love!

These call for a 2nd post today...Inspirations!

Guess what?! I have neat things for you to see! So, how about an Inspiration post? This one is devoted to cool backgrounds and photo ops!

Check out how artist Mariko Jesse used drawings as backdrops for these stellar bridal photos! This spread was featured in Martha Stewart Weddings. I personally love this magazine. Great for sweet inspirations.And here we have a photo straight out of Real Living magazine. Has anyone seen this magazine available in the US of A? Anyway, I just love this idea...cute, cute.Last but not least...I just have throw some fashion in the mix! Can't help myself from these gorgeous 70's inspired threads from Target! Jovovich-Hawk designs for GO International.

The top 5 for March! a.k.a The Longest Post in the World!

Sub title for this post: Oh no, I'm a blog slacker!

Instead of blogging this month, I've been taking advantage of the purely lovely warm weather, basking in the sun, taking long drives to the lake, dancing around the house, and staying up too late. Oh yes, and doing school work of course. :) But to make up for my absence, I have some of the coolest things to bring you in this month's edition of le premier cinq. AKA the Top Five! (Can you keep a secret? This is more or less an inspiration post than a Top 5 post...but shhh, don't tell.)

1. Wanting some new tunes for your iPod? Welcome Rue Royale into your life with a big hug and a few high fives! I can't even describe them, you'll just have to listen and be delightfully surprised (if you have music taste that's anything like my own). They have a new album out on iTunes that was just released the day before Valentine's Day! Where have I been!?
2. Yay for gorgeous! Check out the photos for New York Magazine's new airy Spring line. Click on the slideshow.

3. Hello J. Crew with your inspiring photography and wonderful argyle sweaters made just for Spring. I personally don't have $128 to drop on one, but maybe you do. :)
4. Lines and Shapes connect us. Cool design and I just like this website's line of thought. No pun intended.
...Okay, the pun was intended. I like corny jokes :)

5. Whoever invented the alphabet had no idea what kind of artform they were providing the world with. Make your own or find some inspiration searching "typography" on Etsy! (We all love Etsy!!)

***And just in case you were wondering what I'm up to these days***

Wearing: No make-up. I woke up late for work this morning :)

Listening to: Of course I'm listening to Rue Royale's new stuff!

Eating: A Hershey kiss...wish I could find more around here.

Photoshopping: Pictures for my dad's business website.

Loving: The fact that I got to dress up and go to a ballet last night!

Excited About: A family photo shoot tomorow...first in a while it seems!

Reading: Up on who I should vote for as Prez'08.

Feeling: Like making dumb abbreviations (as made obvious by that "Prez'08" up there).

New Hot Spot: Don't make fun, but the campus library. If I take my mac with me, I can listen to other student's shared music while I study. Not illegal!

Laughing at: Everything Obama is doing for me, like commenting on my blog and folding an origami crane for me. Do yourself a favor and go here. Relax, I don't know who I'm voting for yet. But it's still just funny. Keep refreshing the page to get more of what Obama is doing for you :)

Feeling Special because: My birthday is in March! Oh boy!

Love you all,

CarolineJoy

February's Top 5!

It's finally here!!

1. Not to be trendy, but this girl, Yael Naim, is pretty much amazing. Paris-born and Israel-raised, her music is a beautiful mixture of intimate pop and folk. I'm in love with her style! Of course, she's also the new cool girl in town because her song, "New Soul" is used in the ads for Apple's new MacBook Air (which is pretty dang sweet). Check it out here.

2. Simplicity and Springtime. Celebrate the budding beauty by buying fresh flowers. It doesn't take much!

3. It's no secret I love Loeffler Randall. Now I have even more reason to love it! Meet the Mazzy sandal in all it's effortlessly-chic glory. Unfortunately, these were not made for Target. Instead they are priced somewhere between $230 and $340 (depending on whether or not you find them on sale). But if you must have them, try eBay.

4. Designer Romona Keveza makes a statement in the wedding fashion world with her unique lengths and sweet gowns.

5. And finally...Valentine's Day. If you're one of those people who just hates V-day, has Singles-Awareness-Day parties, and think it was just invented just for greeting card companies...I'm sorry, but you, my friend, are missing out. I know, I know. Valentine's Day just has that cheesy ring to it, but think deeper about it. It's a day to celebrate love! LOVE! And not just romantic love either. Open your eyes and be grateful!

And one more: "Praise be to God, who has not rejected my prayer or withheld his LOVE from me!" Psalm 66:20

Let's hear it for SUMMER!

Hello all. Yes, recovery is going well :) Today, get this, today I SAT UP almost all day. Let's give a hand clap! And although I can't eat delicious-yet-terrible-for-my-health food like pizza (ha!), I did get to eat pretty normal food today. Let's have another round of hand claps!

Get your hands ready for the biggest hand clap yet: I got the call today, and I am OFFICIALLY WORKING AT PINE COVE THIS SUMMER! Can't even tell ya how excited I am! 

On that note, life is good. And being bedridden and stuck inside for something like 7 days makes a person want to sing sonnets and quote Wordsworth as soon as they get a breath of beautiful, natural, outside air. The sky never looked more blue than today and the sun never felt so fresh. Let's all go grab a chic blanket, our most stylish sundress, and (of course) our Gucci handbags and make like the girl in the inspiration photo of the day!

...Well, I'll be joining you guys in a couple of days. :) Still a little sick here. Until then...enjoy today!

A Poet Soul

Here's a shot from my 2nd Senior Session last weekend! It was a blast to work with this girl. I didn't feel like posting all the photos, so here's a link to the full album. Anyway, on with the post...get in a calm, reflective mood before you read it :)

There's nothing like a good poem.

Today, just a few minutes ago actually, my professor let our class out early. I had absolutely nothing to do for the next 45 minutes until my next class started and really, wasn't very excited about that. I aimlessly wandered down the long hallway, but stopped suddenly when I passed an open door. The voice coming from the room carried passion as he read the poem I recognized as Gerald Manley Hopkins' "Spring." I smiled as I stood in the hallway, eavesdropping; this was Dr. Brunner, the most inspiring professor I've ever had. Listening to him read the poem was beautifully refreshing to my soul.

It was three and a half years earlier that I had sat in that class, listening to Dr. Brunner teach us how to appreciate poetry and the beauty encapsulated in it's clear words. And today, I'm grateful I caught a bit of it again. Listening in for those 10 minutes changed my entire attitude. And now I leave you with my few favorite lines from the poem.

"Nothing is so beautiful as Spring--

    when weeds in wheels, shoot long and lovely and lush...

What is all this juice and all this joy?

A strain of the earth's sweet being in the beginning, in Eden garden."

There's nothing like a good poem. :)

P.S. By the way, here's a happy thought. I slept late today and when I finally woke up, Meg and I went to United in our pajamas to buy waffles. Then we went back home and made 'em! No better way to start the day!

Life is art, and Art is life.

Hi Hi Everyone! Wellp, I've got the first week of school down, and I feel really good about it! I also happen to LOVE the fact that Monday is a holiday. Holidays already, oh boy! The weekend started off good. Megan and I went to Target and found some sweet leg warmers on sale for $3! So we obviously each bought a pair to wear over our skinny leg jeans...yes, I am wearing mine right now. :) Another minor detail of happiness: I had the best night of sleep ever last night!

So, the Lord continues to bless my desires and dreams, and it is all at the same time humbling and encouraging. I wasn't planning on pursuing anything business-wise with photography this year; I was just going to take some time to be in the background, learn, and refine. Already though, people have come to me and I've booked several shoots! How is that even possible? I'm amazed.

On that note, I've been gearing up for some cool senior shoots and my main inspirations have been from incredible fashion and musician photography! I just wanted to share some of them with you. (1.) from the Loeffler Randall website (2.) 1995 British Vogue photo by Nick Knight (3.) Fotografie, Tim Walker (4.) Matchbox Twenty's new CD cover

Inspirations! Cecilia Carlstedt, The Cake Girls, Zara, and Loeffler Randall

Wow, do I ever have the coolest things to share with all you lucky blog readers today! I haven't blogged in a few days and things have piled up. So get ready for a lot of artistic inspirations to ring in the new year! First up, check out Cecilia Carlstedt's work...Finding these sweet artists always just makes my day! You really do need to grab a cup of coffee, sit down, and go through her portfolio. Amazing texture and color. I love how imagery is subtly incorporated into the overall composition. Be warned that it is really artistic.

Are you in the market for a new purse? How 'bout a cake? Yep, those aren't purses...they're cakes! Check out The Cake Girls for some inspiration (especially if you're a bride...they bake such sweet, simply designed cakes). Yummm!

Do you need a new place to find some fashion inspiration, lounge-o-licious music, and a bit of the Spanish language thrown in? I thought you did. Try Zara!Finally, I'm in love with the new accessory line from designer Loeffler Randall. His website has some seriously cool ideas for fashion photography (which is what I love most). Best part? The line is available at Target! Go!

P.S I realize that these posts may seem really small and materialistic. Hopefully, if you know me, or if you've been reading for a while, you know my life does not revolve around fashion and trends. But I do find a lot of creative inspiration from these "petty" pretty things. The things of this world are merely a poor reflection of His glory...but when kept in an eternal perspective the reflection can spur us on to rejoice in what is to come.

"Behold, I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind. But be glad and rejoice forever in what I will create." Isaiah 65:17-18

Holiday Decorating Inspirations!

Here's my special Holiday Inspirations post, as promised!! Enjoy!

1. Here's the sweetest stocking you'll ever find: The Dot Stocking from Ballard Design! How can it get any cuter? Complete with mini pom-pom trim, free monogramming, and the signature Ballard leopard, these stockings just scream happiness and cheer! Who thinks to put leopard in the Christmas mix? I love it! (I saw a wedding reception site the other day where the bride had chosen green, brown, and LEOPARD as her colors and it was totally classy! I'll try to post some photos.)

2. Take a gander at these Christmas postcards from Anthropologie! These Joyeux Noel cards are perfect for those of you that just love international flair. Vintage Paris art, silver trim, $12 for 12 (but hey, if that's your thing, then go for it!).

3. Here's something that won't break the bank! Holiday table decor is one of my favorite things. I just love having cute table settings out with a fun table runner and centerpiece. These red square dishes from Target are under $2 a piece AND they come in white too! Did someone say Mix and Match?

4. Ok, so this one is pricey. But glass based lamps are my new favorite thing. They are so retro, yet graceful and organic. This particular one is from Pottery Barn, and I'm pretty sure it's around $129 (or more), but I've seen some cute ones at everybody's favorite Target too.

5. Check out these powdered coated steel wall sculptures from Wingard! How sweet is that wreath for an alternatively mod Christmas!? Head to their site for all sorts of stellar wall art. Bit pricey, but I love to be inspired by the expensive stuff and then find my own spin off version (I know, I'm in college.)

Inspirations! Kareem Iliya, J. Crew, and Across the Universe

I've decided I want to start sharing things I find that inspire my artsy side with all you blog readers out there. First up, this is a little random, but I found that I really enjoyed looking at all this cool, silhouetted, fashion art by Kareem Iliya. Definitely not something you'd see everyday. I also loved that her website is so simple and you can look at everything without having to click millions of buttons and wait for load time :) Check it out!!



Second is freaking J. Crew. I'm in love with them. Too bad I can't afford 'em. But if you want some free inspiration, sign up for their catalogue! Seriously awesome photography, amazing locations, sweet fashion ideas...perfect. Not to mention, did you know J. Crew designs wedding dresses?! When I get married, I want one!


Third and last is the movie "Across the Universe." Wow. Ok, so just know it is a little trippy and weird so if you're not up for that, wait til you're in the mood. But the music and cinematography is SO FASCINATING! And...be warned...you will need the soundtrack. :)

That's it for the inspirations this time! Enjoy the end of October! Hope you have a great day. :)