Inside a Design Mag Photographer's Head

A few weeks ago, the stars aligned, and I was able to meet professional photographer Emily Johnston Anderson.  You may not realize it, but you've seen her work.  Her photographs have been featured in Rue, Bon Appetit, and Remodelista to name a few. 

all photos by Emily Johnston Anderson

(duh)

I'm a big fan of her work, especially how she lets the natural light tell the mood and story of a space.  I have a geek-like interest in interior photo shoots; how they come together, how they're edited, and most importantly, how we all can make our homes "shoot-worthy."

Thankfully, Emily is as kind as she is talented, and let me throw together a little Q&A to help give me a little creative fly-on-the-wall perspective. 

Enjoy the morsels!

Q:  Your interior photographs have a unique (um, amazing) aesthetic - they're not falsely lit, and convey a very true "mood" of a space.  How would you describe your interior photography style?

I think I would describe my style as authentic and atmospheric.

Q:  I think I speak for many when I say it is a goal to have my design projects published.  In your experience, how are most published homes "scouted?"  

Great question! I like to pitch homes I've photographed to publications where I feel they'd be a good fit. I know editors are always looking for great spaces to feature. 

Q:  I've always wanted to be a fly on the wall of interior design photo shoots.  Partly from a styling, partly a photographer wanna-be perspective.  (I'm nerdy like that)  What do you try to capture when you photograph interior spaces?

I always look to capture the way it feels to be in a space. I'm looking for the images that capture the way a room struck me when I walked in. The colors, the scale.

Q:  In your opinion, what is more appealing to photograph, a perfectly-decorated home, or a highly personal home?  Why?

Definitely a personal home! A skillfully assembled collection of furnishings can be beautiful, but for me there's nothing like a room that's full of objects that carry memories and secret histories. 

Q:  We all see what appears to be perfect spaces in design publications - online and paper glossies.  Are the interiors you photograph ever as "perfect" as they appear?

Rarely... often all signs of daily life are removed, and curated "lifestyle" scenarios are recreated in their stead. Can you tell I'm a fan of imperfections?

Q:  I think we can all agree that a space can be beautiful, but if it is poorly photographed, the loveliness is often diminished.  Do you have any tips to offer the blossoming designer on photographing their work (other than hiring a professional)?

The power of good composition is an often-overlooked factor in interior imagery. Think about what you want in the frame, and what you don't, and play with moving objects and furniture a little bit to one direction or another. Also, leaving a little bit of strategic negative space in the image makes for a pleasing balance -- try framing things off-center!

 
Thanks again, Emily!

My Preggo Pics

I'm going to attempt three blog posts this week.  That's especially ambitious, considering I'll be single-parenting for most of it.  You just watch me.

I mentioned a few posts back that I was considering having maternity photos taken.  I've never had them done with previous pregnancies, and felt like if I ever wanted to document myself in this preggo state, it was now or never.

I knew I didn't want anything belly-baring or overly serious/pensive.  Having lost our last baby has made me more contemplative, scared and grateful during this pregnancy, but the joy and humor of being pregnant again has not been swept aside - and I wanted to capture that.

I found a really wonderful, kind and patient photographer here in Rio, who just had a baby herself.  I think she registered just what I was hoping for.  Having Ipanema Beach as a backdrop didn't hurt, either!
What d'ya think?

all photos by Daniela Justus

Highlighting Interior Photography

As I'm gradually accomplishing projects around my house, and planning to put together a portfolio of my interior styling work, I'm focusing more and more on what it takes to present a room amazingly.  A professionally photographed space can take a less-than-extraordinary room, and with incredible angles and lighting, make it look straight out of a design glossy.  A poorly-lit and photographed room, however inspiring it may be, will never earn its true merits.

I came across the work of Ashlee Raubach, who's photographs of interiors capture light and essence perfectly, creating a sense not only of a beautiful space, but of actually wanting to be a part of them. 

Talk about inspiring!

 

 

 

Top O' the Mornin' to Ya!

I made these Orange Muffins. Well, actually, I riffed* a bit off-recipe according to my taste, and availability of ingredients. Made a bit of Orange Butter to up the ante. They are sunshine in your mouth!

*Part whole wheat flour, plain yogurt instead of sour cream, added flax meal, shredded coconut, and cranberries.

P.S. - Food blog sloooowly coming to fruition!

Chic Camera? Oui, Oui!

Ben and I don't exchange Christmas, birthday, anniversary, gifts in the traditional sense. He claims it's too much pressure to pick out the "perfect" gift (cough-copOUT-cough), and I never know what to give him, as he's the least materialistic person I know (that's a good thing, I realize).
However, in the event he ever wants to surprise me with something I am guaranteed to love, I do keep a Wishlist on Amazon. (hint, hint Honey ;)
I recently spied this too-cool-for-school camera - a Lomography Diana named the "Parisian" for its adorably-chic, and oh-so-French navy and white striped body.

"Lomo" is a style of photography dating back to the early '60s. Images in the Lomo style typically have high color saturation, yet a dreamy, vignetted appearance.
Most photo editing software offer ways to "Lomo-ize" digital images - like I did here using Picnik...

...but how great would it be to pick up an actual film camera again, and have a go at creating your own images in the iconic style? Perfect gift for your photofile family or friend (or of course, me!)

Picture Perfect

A few months ago, I posted about looking for a photographer to take portraits of Avery, and then newborn shots when the baby was born. I ended up hiring Angelique with Dragonfly Design Photography, after my sister-in-law recommended her. Last week, I received Isla's birth announcements that Dragonfly designed, and thought you might enjoy a peek. My sweet baby girl (who hardly even looks like this anymore!)

See? (Nice spit-up bubbles, too!)

(Thanks, cousin Lindsey, for being a part of our impromptu session this weekend!)

Anyway, here's some of my other favorites from the two photo sessions...

I can't even tell you how much this expression is her daddy.

Not really wanting to smile

Very Anne Geddes, isn't it?

Something about the loveseat and those pom poms...

A little vintage editing...

...And a rare, candid shot with Mommy

**All photos except the second one, by Dragonfly**

Photographer Wanna-Be?

Beautiful photography studio* - I see a certain designer's influence, do You???

So, I'm doing my morning Facebook sweep, and see a comment by this talented (and recently published!) woman, about a photography feature on her friend, Marla. It all leads me to the read the feature interview on a lovely blog called The Savvy Photographer.

I know many of you like me, have awesome cameras, but don't necessarily feel your comfort and skill level matches the power of your equipment. I know I'm never fully satisfied with my images, and want to soak up anything that might make me a better amateur/hobbyist photographer. However, I find reading about the technical aspects of photography to be very dry, and quite frankly, not that inspiring.

What DOES inspire me are great images. I think for purposes of blogging, good, or at least decent pictures are of the utmost importance. There are many blogs full of great content, but if they're strewn with small, poorly-lit, flash-captured images, I'm unlikely to stick around. On the other hand, a blog could write little more than ya-da, ya-da, blah, blah, blah, but if the accompanying photos are amazing and tell the story, I'm glued.

I plan to have professional portraits taken of Avery, and then the newbie Giese when we're Stateside, so I've been trolling a lot of photography sites. I'd seriously donate a limb (well, maybe a lock of hair) to have a sitting with Marla, but probably need a Texas photog this go-round) Seeing various photographers' work has made it all the more evident that there are people with talent behind the lens, and then there are people who were BORN to capture the moments of life. Obviously, I'm hoping to hire the latter...

If you share my interest, check out The Savvy Photographer (no, I'm not being paid for the plug). Not only are the images to die for, but there's several sponsors who offer workshops and tutorials that just might turn you (and me) from a wanna-be to a self-respecting amateur photographer!

*Studio photo by Marla and Shane Photographers, as featured by The Savvy Photographer

Oh, to have been a fly on the wall...

A set of never-before-seen photos of Marilyn Monroe, taken six months before her death have gone up for sale. The candid shots are of Marilyn paying an unexpected visit to poet Carl Sandburg, who was a guest at photographer Len Steckler's NYC apartment.

Can you imagine being a fly on the wall of this encounter? That's exactly how the photographer described himself - just melting into his surroundings to capture this meeting between two icons. Can you also tell I'm an unabashed devotee of the tragic actress?

Prices for originals start at two grand - a great photographic art investment if you've got it lying around, but prints will also be available. Interested? Go here.
Ah, for the love of Marilyn!

Info via New York Post

Commanding my attention

I've rarely met a gallery-style collection of photographs I didn't like...

But these days, I'm craving One. Giant. Statement. Photo.

Wild mustangs - at this scale, can't you just feel their sweet, grassy breath?

pic via gaitainteriors

Marilyn's last photo session gone large and in charge in this glamorous dining room

via robyn karp interiors

Metal Hand/Foot chairs...um..O-kaaay...Liza and Warhol in a "kiss kiss" moment - fo sho!

via elle decor

More equine influence - this time in more classic mode. Photo by Kelly Klein, and featured in her Hampton ('course) home.

elle decor

...Or,my personal fave: great pic of the kiddo(s) - Super Size it!

In Style Home

If you dig the animal theme - Ikea offers this print - dimension: 46.5" x 30.75" (hey, to get this look - size matters! ;)

Better yet, if you've got some mad camera skills (and a large megapixel count) have your own images blown up. Here's just one of many companies that do just that!

Catching Up

Can I just say that MLHP readers are Da Bomb (does anybody say "da bomb," anymore?) I don't care; all I know is that Y'all are the sweetest, most warm-hearted, and Real Life style-minded people I've never met! ;) Your comments to Friday's post kept me grinnin' all weekend, and I truly appreciate each and every one of them.

O-Kaaay! Whew! - Did ya'll have a fun, holiday weekend? Hope so - Cheers to (North American) Summer!
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

So, I never had the chance to tell ya'll the story of our recent Brazilian Garage Sale....Actually, it wasn't ours - another American family was hosting one, and they let us throw some of our excess stuff in...Let's just say it was INTERESTING! First, let me give you a bit of background info: Very few imported products are allowed into Brazil. Because of this, items made outside of Brazil are rare, and extremely expensive. Consequently, Americans have found that we can sell our gently-used items for about what we paid for them, and it is STILL a better price than the Brazilians can get. Win-Win, right?

So...we hired this woman who works as a Garage Sale Coordinator - she sends out private invitations to "clients," brings in security to monitor the sale, and tells us if our pricing is appropriate. Apparently, this woman is a Must Have if you intend for any Brazilians to actually show up and buy anything.
It kills me that I didn't take my camera so I'd have proof of this tale - but trust me, it happened!
Among other things, we sold a bed, a bookshelf, a lawnmower, strollers and carseats - in each case either breaking even, or earning a profit (nuts, I know!)
I was feeling pretty savvy - until I saw people walking out of the house with opened, half-full bottles of booze - with "Sold" signs on them! I think I've just about seen it all...

So, I've been itching for this lens for my SLR for some time...If you follow Darby or Erika, and have admired their pics, you'll understand why...
I had in mind that I'd treat myself to the lens if the results of the Sale worked out...and they DID, so....

I was told I'd go crazy over it , AND with the quality of the shots - crisp, rich, and full of life...even in low-light with very busy subjects

I couldn't be more pleased! What are you saving up for?