I photograph daily. It's something that has just become second nature to me, but I often forget about photographs I take, only to find something I wish I would have shared.
I've been so busy with my first year of full-time teaching that I've been admittedly bad about updating my blog, portfolio, and Instagram. That said, here are some pictures and words from August and September; they flew by, but were full of some great personal moments.
My birthday was on a Saturday this year, and because my cousin picked that date for her wedding, it was actually the first year I'd be spending my birthday without my entire family. To make sure my parents didn't miss the ceremony, we decided to eat an early dinner together at Mary'z.
This year, however, I could NOT decide what to get for dessert. I'm not a big cake person, so when I found this gelato place, Gelazzi, recommended on Yelp, we decided to give it a try and were not let down. The owner makes everything himself, including the flavors.
I spent my the next evening with the McClures. Evey wanted to give me the gift she made for me, which was the most adorable alien made out of craft supplies, complete with a tissue box-turned-spaceship. Its name is Elli-Ellion, and I have him on display in my classroom.
On my actual birthday, I went with friends to Gyu-Kaku, a Japanese Barbeque joint in Midtown. This may be my new favorite food after Persian/Lebanese/Mediterranean. You cook your own food, so it ended up being a really fantastic birthday option because it's so interactive and fun. (If you don't know me well enough yet, I also found it on Yelp, which is basically the greatest invention after Google.)
Iris was born the following Saturday, September 5. I spent the weekend with the taking birth photos, which will be in my next blog, but I did snap this on the way home from the hospital.
The next weekend I went with friends to Yes Indeed Fest to watch our friends, RIVERS, play at Alley Kat Bar & Lounge.
I'm glad I had my camera, because the lighting was killer and so much fun to shoot.
The next day, my friend Gabby and I went for lunch before we went to check out Deep End Records, which opened inside of Walter's Downtown.
But what I really wanted to share is that I took myself on a date recently. That’s something I never really do for myself. For some reason, I find it hard to go out and do things on my own without some kind of security of a close friend. Those who know me wouldn’t call me “shy,” and I don’t think I am, but I also tend to want to fade into the background and not take up too much space. It’s a strange feeling, really. Do you ever feel like that?
Anyway, for my self-date, I made a trip to go see Duane Michaels give a talk at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. He’s one of my photography idols, and someone I find to be fascinating. I found it absolutely fascinating to hear how his mind worked, why he took some of my certain favorite images, and where he gained inspiration.
At the end of the night, I was able to get a few moments of his time and speak with him as he signed my copy of his book. It was strange, because I spoke with him for more time than most people. His agent kept trying to get him to move the line along, but he insisted that he allow me to have a moment with him as he answered my questions. It made me feel like maybe I was good at asking questions. (Who — me? A… “journalist”?) He was so kind, and he told me that if I’ve found it hard to make photographs I thought were good, to “just keep making bad photographs until you don’t feel that way anymore.” Through our conversation, he assured me that self doubt is a part of the creative process, and that I have to grow through it.
After we finished speaking, I was walking with a high through the museum, and I decided to stick around a little longer. I watched families make these cute little puppets, and as they walked away a nice little reminder pushed me to make one of my own.
