Best Friends Across State Lines

In the Fall of 2008 my husband and I were invited to a homecoming game and parade party at the home of a professor from our university alma mater.  We made the trek from our then-home in Alabama to Tennessee, dragging our three young daughters with us.  

Little did we know then that it was a day for the history books:  the day our twin daughters, Anna and Veronica, met -- and instantly bonded with -- their lifelong best friends, Hannah and Emily.

Ten years later and even more physical distance between them, the four girls are nearly grown -- and they're closer than ever.  When Hannah and Emily visited us this past Spring, spending a week at our new Florida home, of course I had to document their time (and deep love and friendship and fun!) together in photographs.

I look forward to Hannah and Emily returning for a future visit;  they're family at this point.  Until then, I'll enjoy looking fondly back at these photos of four intelligent, kind, and beautiful young women.

My Florida Neighborhood Photography Challenge

There is no shortage of "look what I can do" photography challenges, everything from photographing on-the-sly at Target and Hobby Lobby, to boldly hosting a fashion session at Lowes.  I really enjoy seeing what other artists are able to create, with a little posing finesse and mad editing skills.  

Being new to Florida, I'm still learning my way around -- not just where to find the nearest Lowes, but also my neighborhood, which is sprawling and foreign to me (even after living here for a few months).  I decided to set out for a few minutes and begin learning my way around ... taking with me a model, a couple of pretty dresses, and my Nikon D700.  Here are a handful of photos I "found" along the way (with some "behind the scenes" shots too), all taken less than a mile from my photography studio.

Just the side of a nearby building, a stark white stuccoed surface, full of yummy texture.

The truth about being an artist is this: the "artistic temperament" is real.  I'm not always a happy, sunshiny person.  I have low days (really low ones), and on this particular day, I just wasn't Feelin' It.  I had to make myself grab my camera, make myself get out there, make myself do the work.

We found a giant bush -- with fresh, yellow blooms.

I was really feeling the dark and moody edits for these.  It was an overcast day (to match my mood).  So for the final images?  Grungy and shadowy and angsty it was!

Are these images better in color, or black and white?  I'd love to know what you think.

That breeze was perfectly timed.  I love some good hair movement.  

And an extra l'il something for this shot.  The trees were the perfect framing, and I was really digging the depth and sort of naturally created "stretched" perspective.

I think I prefer the black and white on this one.  Channelling my inner "Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children".  How did I do?

Anatomy of an Artist's Work Space

It's officially Official:  I'm a Floridian.  A real, honest to goodness Florida photographer.

It's still sinking in.  Mostly I drive around, doing my grocery shopping, wearing my new favorite Strawberry Revolution tee, sippin' a hot cuppa while I do a little business planning at my new favorite coffee/tea shop, hittin' up Disney World on the weekends ('cause we're Annual Passholders now) .... and I keep having to remind myself that yes, dreams really do come true.

I'm a Floridian.

With this new reality has come a lot of work:  unpacking boxes, breaking down boxes (whilst conquoring mountains of paper -- m o u n t a i n s ), and setting up hearth and home.  But perhaps the most fun I've had in all is setting up my new photography studio.

I'm a Floridian with a photography studio.

I'm currently in the throws of shopping around for new furnishings to host clients, additional wardrobe for my client closet, backdrops for the walls, and eyeing some off camera lighting options -- but a major component to all of this is the crafting of the all-important editing and work space, a desk and place to call my own, filled with all the things to inspire a gal in the creation of client dreams.

I love it -- and I wanted to share this space with you today!

Here it is, the Lauren Bee work space.  This is where I do all of my e-mailing clients, editing fine art photography, blogging (like now!), and drinking of copious amounts of coffee. 

I know, I know.  It's not especially "wow factor!" -- but allow me a few moments of your time to point out the finer things in this creative photography life of mine -- like the giant pouf I keep on hand for when one of my teenagers needs to bend my ear, or the furry friend who vigilantly patrols the place.

Check out that gallery wall of mine!  It has an eclectic collective of all that I love -- pretty things, Disney things, and inspirational things:  a treasured print channelling my favorite animated Disney movie, by artist June Kim of Hediun's Atelier; an adorable yellow submarine that I snagged in an Alabama thrift store for a dollar;  a lovely beaded cross which keeps a girl like me humble and kind, reminding me who and Whose I am;  a fun, custom piece by painter Kate Kennamer;  an adorable green "luck dragon", purchased in Epcot Japan;  a painting I just fell in love with, by artist-poet Cherie Burbach;  and a deeply treasured piece by my favorite fine arts college professor, Sally Crain-Jager, now deceased but whose grace and encouraging teaching I will never forget.

I keep near me a painted block by a sweet friend of mine, always reminding me to do what "makes my soul shine"; cute l'il bumble bee thumbtacks by Sarah Crooks, for keeping printed documents within arms reach; and swanky honeycomb felt boards for showcasing said printable and thumbtacks.

Lastly, my favorite coffee mug, Haunted Mansion themed and treasured find from a previous trip to the Disney Parks.  And let's not forget my adorable studio gnomes -- who have Galic names, of course (L to R): Raibert, Fergus, Pip (grey cap), Alban, and Dougal, handmade by the fabulous Still Stitchin' (who can also be found here).

I work here.  But since I'm being honest, this work of mine is more like play.  I just love my job, and I love surrounding myself with little bits of magic and whimsy -- keeps my soul alive and makes my passion in life all the more enjoyable.

Do you think I'm missing anything?  I'd love to hear your suggestions for studio additions in a comment below!