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So this post is long over-due considering we were in San Fran about 8 weeks ago. But either way, this blog is not just a place for the work we are "hired" for but also a place for us to share our heart, our lives and some personal work as well. Last Christmas we came to the sad reality that Chris and I had not done a very good job at documenting the sweet moments of our OWN lives in the first year of our marriage. So this year I made it a personal goal to do that better.
San Francisco is such a magical city. It has two qualities that I absolutely adore; whimsy and charm. We were there shooting a wedding, but we extended our trip so we could explore the city a bit. It is such a gem of a town! One of the highlights of the trip was visiting the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA). The weekend we were there just happened to be the weekend the Richard Avedon exhibit went up at the Museum. I was oozing with excitement to take a peek at Avedon's work, up close and personal. It was really a powerful experience for me. Avedon's authenticity and earnestness is so evident in his images. Avedon had an amazing quintessential ability to peel back the skin of the people he photographed to reveal and explore intimate parts of their identities, their dreams and their desires. His portraits go beyond simply "documenting" and "recording," they truly *explore* the human condition. Something that I very much aspire to do with my imagery.
Despite the amazing tension I felt standing in awe of a photographic legend and feeling completly humbled... I somehow felt encouraged by Avedon that day. I walked away with a new excitement about the imagery I create. Sure, I don't create images for Vouge or Bazaar; but I get to capture the emotional complexities of real life people, doing real life things. What a perfect canvas for me to continue to challenge myself to pull back the the tough skin of people's outer layers to reveal their hearts and reflect their dreams through a photograph. That excites me.
Avedon said, "The way someone who's being photographed presents himself to the camera, and the effect of the photographer's response on that presence, is what the making of a portrait is all about."
Beautifully said.
Enjoy a few images from our time in San Fran :) and if you want the best breakfast of your life visit Mama's on Washington Square.... best breakfast of my life *see photo ;). Happy Monday.
I have about a million things I am working on posting soon so stay tuned.
Thoughts
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@Mark I was thinking about doing that very thing! I love that shot of Chris and the beautiful architectural elements involved!
Love that first one of Chris. Would be an amazing oversized gallery wrap :)
Nice to see this kind of pics from an another continent.
The first one is just AMAZING! J'adore !
You guys are so beautiful, so talented, so full of magic. I LOVE this glimpse of you + your inspiration. xo
Great post- I too, can relate to not documenting my own life- sometimes bringing my camera along makes it feel like work. Props to you guys for making a change!
SFMOMA is amazing. Actually, all of San Francisco is amazing. I'd move if I could afford it. Oddly, if you are in the area, the Cleveland Museum of Art is very good as well.
Love, love, love Richard Avedon, San Fransisco and your interpretation of it!!
radness guys, radness.
I want your jacket, Sarah Rhoads. ;)
Beautiful!! I Love San Francisco! I was there about 4 weeks ago all the way from Australia :-) I Love your work so much, it's very inspiring!