Florence and Pattern

Don't you just love the flowy fabric in this image? So much grace and gorgeousness. I've got lots of ideas for fun flowy inspired photo shoots that will hopefully happen in the near future.

Also, stay tuned for some new exciting things in the next few days (hence the light posting, but not for long!)

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A Litte Dose of Architecture

Chicago is known for its vast amount of beautiful architecture, and I thought I'd share some of my recent Instagrams from around town. That first one is at the House of Blues downtown, which is a really cool, intimate venue to see a show. And obviously the details inside are gorgeous, but you've got to see it for yourself.

Ok, so this is actually from Evanston, just north of Chicago, but I'm totally in love with this sculpture! The whole piece is actually two people balancing on either end of this beam on top of the building. 

It's hard to tell, but this photo was taken at a wedding inside the Chicago Public Library downtown. You really ought to check it out, especially the top floor.

You can see more of my Instagrams by following @highfivesforeveryone.

Little New Things

I've got some products up on Society6, and they're offering free shipping from now until Sunday! So if you're in need of some fun prints, or an iPhone case or laptop skin, I gotcha covered. Go take a look for yourself! The next few weeks will be full of fun new surprises so get ready. In case you couldn't tell, I like to keep things nice and bold. Go make a statement!

Current Work / Brad & Hannah

My buddy Brad and his stunning wife Hannah (seriously, look at that smile!) recently moved
out to L.A., and before they left, I had the opportunity to photograph them in all their lovey
bliss around Chicago so they could always remember home. These guys were so playful and
natural, which made it a blast to photograph them! See for yourself how seriously adorable
they are together.

This was the first time I played around with Visual Supply Co's Film Set, which made editing

feel new and exciting, and also gave me options I never would have come up with on my own.

I'm really enjoying using it so far!

You can find more photos from this shoot on my Facebook page.

Preview / Andy & Nicolette's Wedding

Here's a little preview of the wedding Mark and I photographed this past weekend. Andy and Nicolette's wedding was such a delight; there were so many well-thought out details that made
it so much fun to photograph. Despite the rain just before the ceremony (which promptly cleared
up), everything turned out wonderfully, and by the end of the ceremony the sun was out and left
us with some gorgeous golden light to play with. Congratulations you two, it was such an honor
to be a part of your incredible day. More to come soon!

Admiring / Edouard Boubat

I love these images by Edouard Boubat, they capture the simplicity and beauty of the everyday.

KEEP IT TO A MINIMUM

So, I've been thinking a lot about simplicity lately and earlier last week I decided to experiment
with more minimal compositions in my photos and even some of my design sketches. I've been trying to get out of my comfort zone with regards to design and photography by experimenting with different techniques, and studying lots and lots of other work. Occasionally I read about how you should create a recognizable style for yourself, but this idea is so limiting. It's so easy to rely on your default instincts when you approach your work, but what if you tried something completely not you? It's the only way I've seen my work grow. And besides, I don't want to predict what my work will be like in the coming five, ten, twenty years, it's all part of the excitement of the process. My drama teacher in high school always used to tell us to throw out our first idea, and I've tried to embrace that ever since. It's much harder this way, but also much more rewarding. Without being attached or in love with just one idea, it gives you the power to choose.

INSTAGRAM / ALL ABOUT THE TYPE

These little discoveries made my weekend a little brighter. You can follow me on Instagram @highfivesforeveryone!

OUTTAKES

Some outtakes from an engagement shoot I wanted to share with you all.

ENGAGEMENT SHOOT: ANDY & NICOLETTE

So, a few weeks ago, Mark and I photographed engagement shoots early on a brisk Sunday morning. It was so much fun wandering around downtown Chicago looking for places to shoot: we mostly stuck around the Art Institute. Did you know they have absolutely gorgeous gardens on either side of the museum? It's probably one of my favorite places to go in the whole city.

We had such a great time photographing Andy and Nicolette because they were so natural and giggly with each other; I love seeing couples like that. You can tell they really really love each other, and we can't wait to photograph their wedding in July!

FOUND PHOTO FRIDAY

I love the mystery behind old photos. It's so much fun to sift through antique stores and look at old family photos, wonder about their lives and even make up your own stories about them. A new way to prompt your imagination. I found this postcard on a rainy day with my father, which was especially meaningful because he took me to the Statue of Liberty during my first trip to New York City. It's one of my favorite memories with him, and this photo reminds me of the sense of wonder I felt as we wandered through the city that first time. I've been enamored with New York City ever since.

WAY UP THERE

Whoa. Check out these gorgeous images by Eric Cahan. The rich colors can transport 

you into a state of meditation. I found myself totally lost in the colors and their many 

variations. My favorites are the ones where he includes just a bit of land or cloudiness. 

Be sure to go to his website, there are tons more to lust over.

INSTAGRAM / A LOVE LETTER TO CHICAGO

Some little tidbits into life in this grand city we call Chi town.

TROT TROT TO BOSTON

A few weeks ago I traveled home to Boston after almost a year of being away. It was my Mom's birthday and my father and I planned a last minute surprise for her, which we totally pulled off! It was really great to be home and just relax. We enjoyed some time on the ocean for brunch, which is one of my favorite places in the whole wide world. 

I love the simplicity of the idea behind Instagram - connecting photography to social media in a simple format. It's great to see people from all around the world sharing little tidbits of their lives, or even seeing companies incorporating it into their marketing structure. Isn't it fascinating how many different ways we can use the same social media platform for different purposes? 

Since I'm constantly searching for ways to market my freelance business in fun and unique ways, I did a little research and discovered this awesome, crowd sourced music video that The Vaccines created using Instagram photos from their fans. What a great way for fans to feel connected to an artist they admire, to actually be included in one of their music videos. It's really refreshing to see examples of social media being used in a meaningful way - it has certainly evolved from reading about what everyone had for lunch. While I think social media can be a slippery slope, there are so many wonderful ways to learn about the world because of it.

This is the start of a weekly series featuring highlights from my own instagram feed, my own little tidbits. Enjoy!

P.S. Another interesting take on the app.

CAN'T WAIT FOR SPRING

While digging through my computer, I found this flower study I photographed last winter; it was a pretty rough one for me, I had a serious case of the winter blues. One day, I decided to go down to a local flower shop (just before a huge snowstorm) and bought myself some bright flowers to shake off those blah feelings. And while the snow started falling faster and faster, I was warm inside my home photographing these beauties. It made a world of difference! It made me realize that you just need to find happiness and joy in the little things. Sometimes you have to make it happen for yourself.

BEAUTIFUL, ALWAYS

Simply put, I just want to emulate everything about her. Totally loving that first photo because
of the graphic shapes - how could I resist?!

Photos by Alejandra Laviada and Unknown (still searching!)

NEW PRINTS IN THE SHOP

Woohoo! It's been a while since I've been able to add some new cards to the shop, but today I had the chance to add some photographic prints. I'm hard at work on some prints I'm really excited about, and without revealing too much, all I'll reveal is that they involve hand-rendered type. Hope you guys enjoy, I'll be adding lots of new stuff in the next few weeks! Oh, and don't forget it's 10% off for the next week!

NEW WORK / THIS SIDE OF WITTY

Photos by High Fives for Everyone

This weekend I had the pleasure of photographing This Side of Witty, a comedy group my dear friend Annie performs in. Photographing actors is so much fun because they know how to take direction, and are really aware of their bodies. Plus, after looking through all the photos, I also realized that they naturally create their own stories throughout the period of the shoot. Add the fact that these guys are comedians! It was a great way to spend Sunday, and it just solidifies even more why I love Chicago.

Here's a sneak peak of the shoot, if you wanna see more, they'll be up on my facebook page soon. Did you know I have a facebook page? Yup!

WOODEN GLORY

So, I've been cleaning out my computer because it was a disorganized mess, and I
came across these photos I took this summer at the Hamilton Wood Type Museum.
That place was absolute heaven! Wood type everywhere, candy to any designer's eyes.
They even had the machines that were used to create all that wood type, which was
really intriguing - I never realized how complex it was to make type! The little town it's
located in is perfect for a long weekend trip, especially in the summer; it's right on the lake,
very quiet and they have homemade ice cream! It's also perfect for riding bikes. I've really
been wanting to bring Mark there for our anniversary, even though it's smack dab in the
middle of March. But I can't think of a better way to celebrate two years than to do some
printing together. We'll see!

Psst! You can see more photos here.

A New World

These photos by Solve Sundsbo (one of my favorite photographers) have me 

over the moon with new ideas and a feeling of a new world, new beginnings 

on the horizon. Those colors, those textures! Oh my. 

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