LAZY SUMMER DAY

Too lazy to blog today. But do you like my picture?

THE STORY OF MY LIFE

I saw a tractor. Then, I took fifty-million pictures.

The end.

ANDREW'S UNDERSTUDY

Andrew really appreciates the fact that Becca has moved in here. 

You see, usually, he's the only one around to bare the brunt of my photo taking fanaticism. He's my only model. 

Now he has a buffer, or as he calls her: his understudy. 

I like it too. Andrew's a great-looking guy and all--but I can't imagine him ever looking this pretty standing at the kitchen window. 

I just happened to walk by, as Becca sat staring at the yard. Something about the soft lighting, the feminine, flowered shirt, and her posture in the country kitchen left only one thought resonating in my mind: 

MUST. TAKE. PICTURES.

I snapped three frames before Becca realized I was yet again, photographing her. She dryly stated a snide something that isn't worth repeating. 

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To which, I proceeded to threaten her physical safety if she moved a muscle. 

She was kind enough to remain in place for a few more frames before rolling her eyes and walking away. Apparently, she doesn't fear me. 

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Punk.

FROSTY

Southeast Idaho. Back in December. -14 degrees Fahrenheit.

We were driving home from Sun Valley.

The desert was glittering with sparkly-ness.

After making Andrew stop the truck, I bundled up to my eyeballs to take some pictures.

These crystals did not form from falling snow. Just freezing temperatures. 

This was last week. In town. 31 degrees Fahrenheit. 

Beautiful, little sparklies.

Really quite miraculous the shapes they form.

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Can you imagine me on my belly trying to get these shots?

Makes me miss the Snoshack and my daily dose of shaved ice. 

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I'm guessing it probably has to be above freezing before that place opens for the season. 

Drat the luck. 

SILHOUETTES

I was up early on a Saturday morning when I walked by the kitchen window and saw our tree full to the brim with fluffy little birds.

There was something about their silhouettes against the lightening horizon that captured my creative fancy...

...their feathers puffed up in an attempt at warmth in the bitter, Idaho cold.

I spent the next hour sitting cross-legged on the dining room table, aiming my camera at the pretty things.

I couldn't get enough of the ever-changing colors of the morning sky.

I did a delighted dance after capturing the light through those wings in flight. Rather dramatic don't you think?

Spring is on the rise, my friends.

WEBSITE WEDNESDAY-- Vivian Maier, street photographer

This story about Vivian Maier has fascinated me to no end! 

Watch the video clip below for the juicy details, but let me fill you in on the basics:

• Thousands of old negatives and rolls of undeveloped film discovered in storage a few years ago
• Man buys them all at an auction and begins sorting through the boxes
• Stunned by the beautiful street photography he finds
• Begins scanning and archiving images never seen by anyone
• Discovers a name: Vivian Maier
• Googles her and comes up with an obituary...from a few days before!
• Through research, finds her to be a private, family-less, old maid nanny 
• She spent spare time on the streets of Chicago with an old film camera during the 60's
• Word gets out about this discovery
• Art exhibitions, documentaries, book offers, and movie offers follow
• Only a fraction of the images have been scanned--there are so many!
• Scanning process continues daily
• Every so often, a new, amazing image will be posted on THIS BLOG.

Her photography captures such a unique life from such a distinct time period. And I am in love with her style: pictures of real people, living real life. No posing, or lights, or editing. Just naturally beautiful.

Here are a few favorites that have been developed thus far: 

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(Check out vivianmaier.blogspot.com for the rest.) 

{lovely}

{Make anyone else think of Charlie & the Chocolate Factory?}

{fantastic!}

{poor thing...}

{fantastic perspective...love the shadow framing the women}

{dramatic}

{hard day? too much to drink?}

{what a coat!}

{classic look}

{lovely silhouette}

{neighborhood fun}

{Now days, these girls would be chatting through Facebook}

{love the light hitting that adorable expression}

{hello there}

{ha!}

{ya gotta go when ya gotta go}

{He looks slightly baffled over what to do with it}

{Isn't the cigar awesome?}

{such sweet, innocent faces!}

{pick a little, talk a little...}

{lovely lighting on the walls}

{Wowza, what a shawl}

{another classic woman}

{wise, wrinkled face}

{oh. my. goodness. absolutely stunning.}

{i wanna hear the music!}

{one of my very favorites}

Each one tells an amazing story. What are your favorites?