Strong + Courageous

I know I know, if you are friends with me in person... follow my Instagram... or have read a few of my sporadic blog entries here.. you've heard me talk about my " next project." Photography has always been just a small puzzle piece of my big picture for Believe Studio.

To be honest it is something I have thought about or dreamed of for years. Before I could operate a camera, before starting a deployment blog( and quitting said blog )BEFORE I was a mother of three, L O N N G G G before we even imagined living on the furthest north US Army installation ... publishing a book was always a secret dream. I looked at the unique women that came into my life as fellow Army spouses and wondered what it would be like to tell their stories. I mean,  I told their stories but more in the format of yapping away at friends that mostly zoned out and later asked me how my husband's trip to Iraq was going ( because apparently Afghanistan and Iraq were the same place ---insert eye-roll. ) We all watched shows like Army Wives, cried at the Hollywood style homecoming shows, and watched celebrities shake hands with Gold Star families ( if you don't know what that is just look it up please. ) Society went through a nice little phase of caring about, or pretending to care about, our service members and their families. But something was always missing. There is a beautiful chaos that goes on behind the door of that blue starred flag that no one really sees. The epicenter of any home of a well functioning military family is a lady called Mom. These women find ways to not only survive this crazy life but find STRENGTH amongst it. Whether they find their strength through art, selling leggings online, their faith, homeschooling, their career, cooking, photography , fitness, etc.  they all have an outlet that inspires them . When one parent is away and you live in a tiny town thousands of miles from any family, the spouse at home with the kids has no choice but to be strong. Even just typing these words I have images of countless women flowing through my head and the challenge they are facing at this moment. Don't get me wrong there are plenty of Dad's that do this too, I'm only talking about Mom because that is more the norm than exception and also who I personally am inspired by . Some of these Moms are service members themselves! THEY are the REAL MVP { tell me kids still use that, I'm trying to be hip here }

The point is that there is a lot to be said about this life and even more that goes unnoticed. I want to crack that door open a little and give outsiders a peak in. I want that Mom of 2 littles that feels beat down during month 11 of her husband's deployment to see how STRONG she really is. I want women to see their worth and understand that what they are doing is important to their family and country. I want to show that 20 year old newlywed sleeping in a lonely hotel during a PCS and wondering what she got herself into... that she is NOT alone. This military life DOES have challenges but it also does come with incredible experiences and is always worth it.

My vision of this is a documentary style book featuring images of strong Mamas that are married to service members of all ages/ranks locally ( Fairbanks Alaska ) as well as Moms that are themselves the service member.  Over the course of this project I want to meet , interview, and candidly photography at least 20 Mamas. The book will feature images and words  that encourage but also speak truth about what keeps them strong for their family. Naturally, my first question was "WHAT about all of the inspirational women I know all over from Korea to Kansas?"  Logistically I'm just not in a place where traveling is easy but if this project goes well then hopefully this is something that can go global in the future . I keep reminding myself... baby-steps Brittany, B A B Y  S T E P S.

Whew this feels good to get off my chest and brain. God has been doing one of those quiet whispers to me about this which has recently turned into a yell that can not be ignored. So here I am, pouring out my thoughts and ideas to whoever chooses to read this. If you are a Fairbanks Mama that is either a military spouse or yourself active duty and feel like this is something you'd like to be involved in, shoot me an email at believestudio31@gmail.com so that I have your contact information. Give it a week or so before I send out responses and more details on the project, but know that any response I have to this means the world. It IS a somewhat private life we are part of and I completely understand not wanting to share that. If you are a friend of mine personally and have no desire to share I 110% understand and will not be offended at all, promise.  If you are reading this and thinking " I'd love to but I'm definitely not strong..." You are wrong. I promise that you are and you have a story to be told. This is one of those projects that literally will not happen without  collaboration and community so spread the word, share with your friends, but let's try to keep it classy and not spam the Facebook groups ladies ;)

I truly look forward to hearing form anyone that decides to reach out and can't wait to see where this project goes over the next year and beyond.

XOXO

B

Sunshine + Rainbows

Hey Friends!

I've been trying to find the right words to share where my creative brain has been spinning and its really not coming together so if this is a bit all over the place I apologize, but if you know me well enough you know that's kind of my jam. All over the place.

Speaking of my Jam... I mentioned back in January that I wanted to take my business to more of a storytelling direction.  I've slowly been changing up my branding a bit with new packages, making a public instagram as a way of documenting my days photographically as well as bit of my running journey each week etc. It's a little messy and kind of makes me chuckle at how OLD I feel struggling to figure out what to share on which social media outlet, 30 feels like the new 60 y'all ! Also since the beginning of the year I've worked on capturing my own family each day which has been HUGE for understanding my style more . My goal was to figure out where my soul truly lies as far as this little business goes and what direction is next.  It has been a LONG winter, even for Alaska standards, and it has truly been an incredible time of growth for me that couldn't have happened without months of hibernation. This Camus quote sums up my first winter here perfectly...

I feel like 2017 has been possibly the most transformative 74 days I've had in quite a while. Editing my personal work daily has totally brought me to a place where my images finally display what I see with my eyes. Since picking up a camera I had done nothing but listen and repeat. I listened too much to professionals of the correct way to shoot,  how NOT to shoot,  what to share, etc. I followed others style and wanted to simply please potential clients. My goal was to be like everyone else which has NEVER been who I am, and looking back it feels a little embarrassing to be honest. What a boring world this would be if we were all just the same, especially as " artists". It's ok to create something that no one else likes, it's ok to do things a little different, IT IS MORE THAN ok to be your unique self that God created you to be. In fact thats all we really should be doing. It's easy to follow in the path of others but breaking off the path and starting our OWN is where our creativity begins to soar.

Just about my entire life those closest to me said " You know ,  life isn't always sunshine and rainbows" or  sarcastically " Must be nice to live in your world where it's always sunshine and rainbows" and guess what? They were always right. I really do see life in colorful rainbows but only because I choose to . Don't get me wrong we face extremely challenging days, months , and even years as a family. My own day to day life has constant struggles just like every other human being .  Finding the light and the color in those situations has always been what gets me through in the end. It's no coincidence what I found when evaluating my work... SUNSHINE and rainbows. All of my favorite images that I've taken for clients or myself have been colorful and full of powerful light, Shocking right ? Who would have thought. It's very popular today for photographers to create a film like look with muted colors and corresponding grain, it's a look that I personally love to look at but it's just not how I see the world. I see it in full color and light which is something that I understand now and am learning embrace instead of hide . This photo is a perfect example of strong light, color, and even a little rainbow lens flare magic if you look close enough.

Speaking of rainbows , it might be that St. Patricks day is around the corner but I can not escape from rainbows at the moment. Literally everywhere I turn  ( besides the sky... because WINTER ) but hidden in my life has been rainbows- kinda like the hidden mickeys my kids became obsessed with finding at Disneyland last month. Here are a few I was able to capture

Each time I see the bow of color all that I can think of is the word PROMISE. The rainbow was a sign from God of the PROMISE to never flood the earth again after saving Noah and his people. Rainbows represent the promise that his plans for us are unfailing we just have to listen and follow.
Listening is easy it's the following that will get ya everytime! Over these 74 days I have switched churches, changed bible studies, changed up my camera bag, watched my kiddos grow rapidly, miraculously healed physically,  spent time with my husband, got my pace back running, traveled to and from the never ending winter, and really found myself in a place of peace after years of chaos. For the first time since I can remember we have no moves, no deployments, no homes to buy, no pregnancies, no new babies, no long months of training, etc. It's the time to finally breath a bit.

Now again, if you know me at all, sitting still to breath isn't really my thing. I thrive off busy. I could  easily start marketing myself locally and take on more clients but deep down I've always know there is something bigger and more in store for the passions of my heart. Somehow being a very ordinary Photographer, Runner, Writer, Mom, and Army Wife can work together to do something extra-ordinary and I can almost smell it. My plan ( and sharing it here makes it real and nerve wrecking so bare with me) is to finally self publish. The plans are all in writing and will not stop buzzing through my brain... literally NON STOP. I won't be giving away any details just yet but it will be about 50/50 stories and photos that have yet to be written or taken . It will be impactful, it will be important, and it's going to hopefully bring joy / comfort / light to at least a handful of people if done correctly. This project will definitely not be completed alone as it will take a community , a community that I feel can be found right where I am. So keep this project in your prayers if you can, and stay tuned as I come back to reveal a little more and hopefully get this ball rolling over the next few weeks.

I'll keep throwing my Sunshine + Rainbows your way friends, and if you're in the lower 48 we'd really appreciate it if you sent some warmer temps ours.  Thanks.

-B-

Not just PRETTY in pink.

This Monday in Fairbanks was definitely not your normal start to the week. The " Last Great Race" Iditarod took off out of our town for the third time since it began in 1973. 1000 miles these athletes, both two legged and four, trek across this beautiful state testing serious physical endurance and mental strength. I can't help but compare it to distance running- that is 400 marathons all at once, in temperatures as low as -40F ! The mushers train these dogs to accomplish something literally unimaginable .  Witnessing the beginning of this event, even if only for a short period because of -20 degree temperatures, was probably a once in a lifetime experience.

A group of Mamas that work out together with our kiddos locally,  Stroller Strong Moms Fairbanks, all went together  to cheer on these teams of athletes.  One of our ladies lives on the river and gave us a place to warm up and park to avoid keeping the littles out for too long. In the short amount of time the kids would last we were able to watch teams fly by, take some photos ( shocking I know! ) and the kids even got some high fives along the way. 

One team was hard to forget because of the pink booties the dogs were sporting- being a group of athletic Mamas it's hard not be a little GIRL POWER at the core. I quickly grabbed a couple shots to remind myself to find out the meaning behind all the pink ...  What a story I found. 

Race bib 22- DeeDee Jonrowe. Probably a household name to Alaskans familiar with Dog Mushing, but her story is one I just have to share . As you could assume the pink colored team represents breast cancer. In 2003 she won the Most Inspirational Musher Award for taking 18th place in the race THREE weeks after chemotherapy for breast Cancer. She is survivor. Through the years she has overcome serious accidents, fires, and severe cold weather injuries - Frostbite club anyone? She's a Believer and active member of her church in Willow AK  . Naturally she is a runner , triathlete, and even completed Ironman in 2006 . To top it all off Dee Dee holds the fastest female time record for the Iditarod and is a total babe at 63 years old. Beast AND  Beauty! 

Now looking back, standing beside this inspirational woman ... our DAUGHTERS and sons watching this inspirational woman... was worth all the frozen eyelashes and whine filled walk in the cold. What a story we have to tell . 

How fitting that March is Women's History month . Thank you DeeDee Jonrowe for setting the bar high and making history for Women everywhere. We will continue to follow along and cheer on a fellow BA Alaskan lady! 

The negative

I remember the first image that drew me into the idea of using negative space in children’s photography. It was a Kate T Parker image of her daughter against a purple bathroom wall and my heart skipped a beat.  The wall appeared huge and simple (negative space ) and the little girl and hand dryer tiny as can be ( positive space .) It made me want to be there, partially made me want to be that tiny fearless girl and mostly  made me want to be BFFs with her mom and photographer Kate. The image is vibrant, minimal, and yet captures girlhood perfectly.

Negative space is the empty portion of an image that draws you to the subject. For me, the larger the negative space the more impactful the subject becomes. Without distractions your mind instantly goes to the POSTIVE space, or subject, and gives power to what you’re presenting to your audience. The empty space provides the subject more room to breath and simply be.

The purple bathroom image was definitely an influence for a few sessions I took at my favorite colorful wall in southern Arizona. In this image below the negative space is the purple wall and ground below. It gives a cheerful-girly feel to the image and draws you directly to my sweet little friend carelessly dancing away.

Negative Space- Wall

Postive Space- Girl

Using negative space is a bit abstract and less appealing to some clients wanting to hang their perfectly posed family on the wall. A fun way I have tried to create negative space in images is to use the quiet landscape around us when possible in family sessions. I tend to be less dramatic as I would with my own personal images but here are a few examples.

There are a few ways to really create quality negative space in your images. I tend to shoot almost always with a 35mm lens on a full frame DSLR, but the wider you get with a lens the easier it is to capture the BIG picture . Another way to play with negative space is post processing. I tend to do this A LOT. Don’t be afraid of getting creative and cropping out portions of the image that are too busy and distract from the subject. Here is an example of an image that was dull and almost tossed but with the right crop and negative space balance it became one of my absolute favorites. ( Of course color correction too, I often underexpose in camera and bring everything to life through light room)

I tend to shoot much more negative space in my personal work . Drawing focus to the smallness of my kiddos and enormity of the world around them really captures the candid childhood.

 This last one is a DOUBLE negative ( ok,  sometimes I'm super cheesy) but the canvas in my daughters room is a perfect example of negative space. Her name in the tiny corner makes the purple itself take presence as the negative space, her name comes off more dramatic.  Then the image itself is as well with all the empty space behind her sweet little self. Ideally I would remove her mobile and step back even a bit further to add just a touch more space and simplicity to this image .

Just discussing this with you all here actually makes me WANT to go shoot more negative space, as much as I love to look at it I have definitely not been creating it enough.  Thanks for reading along people , I am completely self taught and sometimes feel like my knowledge base in technical photography is minimal. Hopefully you learned something here and apply it even if just with your iPhone images!  Show me your favorite photos of negative space and let's see what we can all create this week friends.