Fine Art Storytelling: Dorothy in Oz

Three or four years ago, I was driving down 72 West toward Huntsville, in Alabama.  The music was blaring, and the road stretched before me in perfect, late Spring glory.  If you've ever traveled down this stretch of country highway, you'll know it's possibly the most beautiful patch of Alabama, rolling hills and low mountains hugging every curve, weathered barns scattered here and there in fields of growing cotton and soybeans.

It was one such field that captured my attention on this particular day: a rich golden sea of freshly bloomed canola blossoms, a ripe red barn nestled amid the rolling yellow, the scene crowned with brilliant blue sky.  

Suddenly, a vision:  an allusion to the yellow brick road, Dorothy lost in that field, and the frightening foreshadowing of events to come.  For just a flash, my imagination ran wild, combining my love of "The Wizard of Oz", my personal experience with tornados (they're very common in Alabama), and a snatch of memory from my college days, studying American artist Andrew Wyeth and his masterful painting "Christina's World".  At that moment I knew I needed to create this vision of mine.

"From the far north they heard a low wail of the wind, and Uncle Henry and Dorothy could see where the long grass bowed in waves before the coming storm. There now came a sharp whistling in the air from the south, and as they turned their eyes that way they saw ripples in the grass coming from that direction also."

― L. Frank Baum, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz

"Christina's World", Andrew Wyeth, 1948, MOMA

I secured my model, the lovely dancer Sarah Catherine, purchased wardrobe and a few small props, and scouted out the perfect location.  The photo session went off without a hitch, resulting in many beautiful images.

But ever the perfectionist, I was forced to shelve my original idea until I had the additional necessary ingredients to craft it solidly -- namely a believable cyclone dramatic enough to convey the richness of my vision.

"Toto, I have a feeling we're not in Kansas anymore." ― L. Frank Baum, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz

"Well, how would you like to have someone come along and pick something off of you?" ― The Wizard of Oz, 1939

And then photographer Ashley Kirkland invited me to sample one of her photo overlays: a twister.  I was elated to see that her creations were so realistic, and so easy to work with.  Finally, I had all the necessary ingredients to finish the image -- and with it, an additional art history reference from another American painter, Grant Wood's "American Gothic".

"American Gothic", Grant Wood, 1930, Art Institute of Chicago

I'm so pleased to share these images with you now, a complete Storytelling set.  I hope you enjoy them, and that they take you back to that wonderful place you most likely visited as a child, as I did:  the land of Oz.  

"They now came upon more and more of the big scarlet poppies, and fewer and fewer of the other flowers; and soon they found themselves in the midst of a great meadow of poppies. Now it is well known that when there are many of these flowers together their odor is so powerful that anyone who breathes it falls asleep, and if the sleeper is not carried away from the scent of the flowers, he sleeps on and on forever. But Dorothy did not know this, nor could she get away from the bright red flowers that were everywhere about; so presently her eyes grew heavy and she felt she must sit down to rest and to sleep."

― L. Frank Baum, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz

Enjoy this speed edit video of the fine art creation process of "Dorothy's World" (below):

Edited in Adobe Lightroom 4 and Photoshop CC by Lauren Bee: located in Inverness, FL; now serving Orlando, Tampa Bay area, and Central Florida; custom commissions available worldwide

Model: Sara Catherine

Styling: Lauren Bee

SONG: "Still Standing" by Anno Domini Beats

Textures by Jessica Drossin

Tornado: Ashley Kirkland Photography

Sky Photo by Jodi Mair Photography

Reverie Fine Art Composite: Jennifer Rising

I met Jennifer several years ago when she was seeking a professional to photograph a family get together  Luckily, I had availability, and I was graciously invited to spend several hours at her parents' home on Sand Mountain.  Meeting Jennifer and her family was a true gift. Not only was everyone friendly and so obviously caring toward each other, but the location was heavenly: a mountaintop home replete with honeybees, a family pond, and a veritable wonderland of flora and fauna the likes of which haven't been seen since the Garden of Eden.

After our session together, Jennifer and I stayed in touch and became friends (which often happens because, truly, I have the most amazing clients on earth).  Smart and genuine, she's a woman who lives a life of quiet creativity and intuitive passion.  So when Jennifer reached out again, this time for a photo session just for her, I was naturally thrilled -- and not merely to be working with her again, but to be celebrating with her a major Life Win: a significant amount of weight loss, and a total transformation.

Commissioning me to craft for her a one-of-a-kind Lauren Bee Fine Art piece was such an honor, and every aspect of the creative process was pure fun: the time spent planning every detail, meeting over coffee to talk about visual elements and symbolism, choosing wardrobe, and discussing hair and make-up.  Each step leading up to the final work of art was relaxed and thoroughly enjoyable -- for both of us.

I wanted Jennifer to appear as radiant as she truly is, bringing with her beauty and warmth, the concept not merely commemorating her physical transformation, but also that of her soul: newly unfettered, light and free, embarking on a fresh day, a new dawn, a changed way of living life and to the full.  I envisioned a sky wide open to possibilities, distant mountains that had been conquered, a firm foundation of solid rock, cleansing water nearby, and flowers dancing in the sunlight.

 The result was a work of art as extraordinary as Jennifer herself: "Jennifer Rising".

Enjoy this speed edit video of the fine art creation process (below):

Edited in Adobe Lightroom 4 and Photoshop CC by Lauren Bee: located in Inverness, FL; serving Orlando, Tampa Bay area, and Central Florida; custom commissions available worldwide

Model: Jennifer Hill

Makeup: Brittianna J

Styling: Lauren Bee  

Actions and Overlays: Jessica Drossin

Music: "Brightly" by The Boy and Sister Alma

The Joy of Knowing a Real Life Princess

I met Keilee as a younger version of herself: a bright, cheerful, blond girl of just ten or eleven, brimming over with stories and enthusiastic sunshine.  Her mom, Karen, and I were both homeschool parents in the Huntsville, Alabama area, and our daughters were not only the same-ish age, they had many of the same interests:  bubbling creativity, exciting movies, fun music, vivid imaginations, climbing trees.  So we met in the park one afternoon, fed the ducks, chased the wind, and danced among wild mushrooms.  Friendship was firmly forged that day.

It wasn't until several years later that I stumbled across Keilee on Facebook -- and noticed she had grown up (not unlike my own daughters, but let's not talk about that).  Only now Keilee was more than merely grown -- she was as beautiful as she was brilliant, single-handedly running Magical Memories, her own thriving party princess business, crafting and designing everything her heart desired, and hosting her own growing YouTube channel, Bringing Smart Back -- all while acing high school level physics and faithfully serving folks at the local soup kitchen.

I won't lie:  I fan-girl'ed a little.

[ okay, a lot ]

Keilee was a real life princess, y'all.  I had gorgeous, photographic visions -- strong ones.  With our shared love of Disney and magic and wonder and play, it was clear we needed to meet again -- this time with my camera in hand.  I reached out to Karen and asked if Keilee might be up for modeling for me, and even though it was a year before we managed to make it happen (ensuing car troubles, scheduling conflicts, and cantankerous weather conditions plotted against us), we finally set up a time to meet.

And it.  was.  EPIC.

Keilee wowed me in every way.  Working together that day, photographing her as Rapunzel, Elsa, and Merida, I found myself falling down a sort of rabbit hole of wonder and delight -- it was clear this young lady was destined for great things (heck, one of my photos of her even placed in the top ten of the 2017 Shoot and Share Contest!).  Thoroughly down-to-earth, warm and charming and genuinely kind, both she and her mom, Karen made the day supremely special.  It was a blessing just to spend time with them.

That's the mark of a true princess -- and if anyone is a true princess, it's Keilee.

And her mom Karen is a Queen.

Enjoy this speed edit video of the fine art creation process (below):

Edited in Adobe Lightroom 4 and Photoshop CC by Lauren Bee: located in Inverness, FL; serving Orlando, Tampa Bay area, and Central Florida; custom commissions available worldwide

Model + Styling: Princess Keilee  

SONG: "Master of the Feast" by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/...) Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-... Artist: http://incompetech.com/

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Want to see more of Keilee?  She will appear as a The Little Mermaid herself, in my book "The Little Mermaid", a fine art collective and faithful re-telling of the classic fairy tale by Hans Christian Anderson.

Reverie Fine Art Composite: The Snow Queen

I met Patti when she requested an outdoor, late summer portrait session, to help her feel beautiful.  It wasn't a difficult photographic endeavor since Patti is already strikingly beautiful -- and not merely her face and tall stature (because she is truly a physically beautiful woman -- we're talking classic Grecian goddess here), but also in her heart, her voice, her manner.  Such a gentle soul, this lady;  warmth, and intelligence, and kindness incarnate, with a soft voice like honey, and sparkling eyes.

Many months later, I naturally had Patti in mind when I embarked upon a fine art series called "The Elemental Seasons".  Not only was she the perfect model for the series, I believed she would be the quintessential embodiment of Winter: the delicacy of freshly fallen snow mingled with fierce, tenacious wind;  the stark contrast of blanketing darkness and soft, white, light; blinding beauty and gorgeous harshness -- not so much a duality of the natural element of ice, but the all-encompassing whole of the season of winter.

My original vision for this piece was of a beautiful woman ushering in this season of rest and quiet, what we've come to know as "hygge", an internal repose deepened by an outside world gone dormant.  But more than this, I needed the image to convey the strength and power of Winter -- nothing fearsome about it, but of it's stark and unyielding presence.  I needed the image to represent a woman not bringing winter, but being winter;  not merely a harbinger of snow, but of the incarnate form of snow and calm and powerful beauty.

Yes, Patti was perfect for this.  Perfect indeed.

Enjoy this speed edit video of the fine art creation process (below):

Edited in Adobe Lightroom 4 and Photoshop CC by Lauren Bee: located in Inverness, FL; serving Orlando, Tampa Bay area, and Central Florida; custom commissions available worldwide

Model: Patti Weldon

Makeup: Brittianna J

Body Art: B.S. artist

SONG: "Houston Vibes", Unicorn Heads

Actions and Overlays: Jessica Drossin

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Want to see more of Patti?  She will appear as a pivotal character in my book "The Little Mermaid", a fine art collective and faithful re-telling of the classic fairy tale by Hans Christian Anderson.

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.

Inspiration & the Daily Artistic Grind

I do a monthly newsletter in which I keep my people updated on all the latest and greatest in Lauren Bee Land (and if you're not yet signed up for it, scroll down and get on it).  In last month's installment, I asked to hear from folks who might have a few questions for me -- and hear from you I did!  Today, I answer one of those questions, from Hannah in Tennessee:

"Where do you get your inspiration for your photos?  How do you get that image that you want in your mind?"

This is actually a super important question because the answer defines me, defines my work, and defines how what I do is so different from what other photographers do.

I get my inspiration from my clients, from their experiences, from their stories that want to be told.

I also get inspiration from my childhood, from my still-writhing imagination, from every fantastical movie I've ever seen, from every book I've ever read, from every song that has moved me to tears (or to dancing).

And I snatch inspiration from the very magic that thrums in the air all around us.  I'm a firm (FIRM!) believer in that magic, from a drop of rain water still drip-clinging to the tip of an unfurling fern, to the every day miracle of laughter.  Call it reality, call it life, but I know it's magic, and it's all around us.

Arriving at inspiration for my artwork means remaining open to it all.  For me, before any work of visual art can take shape, the past, the present, the tangible and intangible, the joyous places and the hard-edged places -- it all has to mingle and mix, pounding in my heart, before it can ever become that inspired something pulsing between my ears.

That's the super flighty, artsy-tartsy answer.  Now, how about a more practical answer too?

Inspiration comes by making space for it.  As an introvert, I find the simple act of clearing my mind and withdrawing to a place of solitude are the two ingredients most needed for assimilating elements that aren't yet elements but are merely fleeting concepts -- and that takes planning, crafting, and self-care.  Day in and day out.  Faithfully.  Intentionally.

So how does my average Artist's Work Day look?

I won't lie:  it starts with coffee.

And a good breakfast -- which, for me, is almost always a simple plate of eggs (fried, boiled, or scrambled -- with cheese if I'm feeling super special).

And after I've had my coffee and filled my belly, I turn to my schedule.  Mondays are planning days, in which I plot out every practical and important activity that needs doing over the course of the upcoming week (from culling and editing photos to scouting potential session locations and plotting client wardrobe enhancements).  

Find me on Instagram!

But Tuesday through Saturday, I spend post-breakfast time making sure I have a solid understanding of all that needs doing that day -- whether it's blogging (like today!), or catching up on social media, or making time for a walk.

And that's when life starts to get really interesting.

Heading outside for a good walk is always a wonderful place to start any creative undertaking.  Taking my camera along with me makes it even more nourishing, because then I truly slow down and see things I wouldn't have noticed otherwise.

And this is where the true inspiration occurs, where all of those little bits and pieces of my past, a client's story, random feelings, empathic impulses, all of it begins to simmer and stew.

I'm a lover of stories, so my brain simply makes connections.

I might see a gorgeous red flower blossom, the color of which reminds me of a dress I wore when I was nine, at a family picnic where I also vividly remember spotting an ant crawling along the cuff of my left sock, which at the time fascinated me, by the thought of where that ant came from, how long it had traveled, and why it thought crawling along the cuff of my sock was a grand idea, which connects to a story my client shared about traveling cross country to see the Grand Canyon, what that journey meant for her (having just lost her father to cancer, working through that grief and feeling small against the power of that fresh, hard reality), and wouldn't it be amazing to photograph her in a flowing red dress, standing on the rim of the Grand Canyon, wind blowing her dark brown hair, her form tiny yet unyielding in a world of wild beauty, the grandeur of carved rock, sand, and stone amid eons of time, the largeness of being wholly human, grief and gorgeousness and all -- and also with sparkles.  

The final image will absolutely need sparkles.

Because magic, as I said.

That's pretty much how it works.  Time and space and sparkles ... that's how my visual work begins to take shape. 

But that's just the birth of an image.  The physical creation process is entirely separate from its pure inspiration.  

And that's a whole other blog post -- and a whole other question asked by one of you fine reader folks, which I'll answer another day

Until then, want to stay up-to-date on all the Lauren Bee goings on?  Perhaps you'd like to ask a question of your own, like --

"Lauren, do you ever wish you were a painter instead of a photographer?"

"Lauren, do you ever eat your morning eggs omelette style?"

"Lauren, have you ever been to the Grand Canyon?"

Truly, no question is off-limits.

You should totally sign up for the newsletter -- and to make it even sweeter, it comes with a yummy discount on your next session with yours truly.  So what are you waiting for?

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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?

The Results are in: 2018 Shoot & Share Contest

Have you ever been that kid in a candy shop?  You know the feeling:  you walk in, and laid out before you is this rainbow-colored assortment of delights, the likes of which you've never imagined, much less seen, before -- floor to ceiling sweetness, all sugar coated and promised glistening goodness.

This feels exactly like that.

Each January, photographers from around the world come together to participate in The Shoot & Share Photography Contest, an international competition that is not only free, but also fair.  Beginning the first week of February, images are voted on in a completely random and anonymous fashion.  Photos by professionals who have been in the business for 30+ years, brand new amateurs, and everyone in-between -- and no one knows who the photographers are until the voting is complete and the awarding begins in early March.

This year was my first time entering, and lemme tell you:  the competition was fierce! I've not seen photography talent and skills like this since ... well, ever.  And I didn't expect much to come of my work, tossed as it was in an ocean of vibrant colors, expert editing, perfect posing, and exceptional lighting.

So color me shocked -- like an awed child in a sea of gorgeous candy -- when I watched as my images plowed right through rounds one, two, three and four, on to rounds five and six, and then pushing past seven and eight ... all the way through round twelve.  

My photos made it all the way to the finals, the top 3.1% of all images submitted.  Y'all, one of my images even placed.  

Let's let that sink in for a minute.  (It hasn't sunk in for me yet, so I'm still trying...)

An image of mine actually placed in the top ten in an international photography competition.

What.

Maybe 2018 really is  my Year of Possibility.  

I am beyond astonished -- nay, utterly floored -- and overwhelmingly honored to have witnessed nearly half of the 50 images I submitted place in the top 30% and higher of a competition encompassing more than 412,000 total submissions.  This is not false modesty.  I am truly blown away to have done so incredibly well in my first year of submissions, with so.  much.  astounding talent.

Here a graphic of what that looks like:

Pinch me.  I might be dreaming. 

Want to see which of my photos placed?!  Well keep scrolling, my friend because here they are!

(Placement is shown beneath the image as number/total entries in category.)

Wedding Couple - placing 7,546/36,983

Kids - placing 10,143/35,570

Kids - placing 8,954/35,570

Seniors - 6,095/29,460

Styled Portrait & Fashion - placed 2,243/11,101

Model: Princess Keilee

People Portraits - placed 4,127/14,733

Chicago, October 2014

Family Portraits - placed 5,623/26,963

Engagement & Couples - placed 7,930/37,145

People Portraits - placed 2,210/14,733

HMUA & Model: Brittianna J

Creative & Personal Projects - placed 2,199/13,502

HMUA: Brittianna J

Creative & Personal Projects - placed 1,993/13,502

Pets & Animals - placed 1,652/14,426

Kids - placed 4,385/35,570

See MORE from this session HERE.

Travel & Landscape - placed 1,129/16,373

Magic Kingdom, Walt Disney World, Florida, December 2017

Emotion & Excitement - placed 605/8,800

Creative & Personal Projects - placed 1,266/13,502

Travel & Landscape - placed 303/16,373

Castaway Cay, Bahamas, October 2017

Teens & Seniors - placed 209/29,460

People Portraits - placed 210/14,733

Model: Alicia Wright

Creative & Personal Projects - placed 393/13,502

Styled Portrait & Fashion - placed 7/11,101

Model: Princess Keilee

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!