excerpt from my aesthetics/photography paper notes.

Reading what Arthur C. Danto had to say about the idea that art reaches its apex in fulfillment when being appreciated as a source of pleasure helped me realize my semi-indifferent attitude about the way people view art. He was offended, and seemed to say, “How would a woman feel if you told her you only keep her around because she’s beautiful or sexy?” But as for my feelings on the subject, let others view art as they may... only as a lovely thing to look at, or as something to ignite, to illuminate, to inspire. Art is powerful and moving no matter how one views it... let it show some that there is beauty and goodness and loveliness in the world, let it show others truths about God, about people, and about life - and let them be changed. I shall let them view as they please, and look for the deeper myself. 

photoshoot!!

i had an engagement photoshoot yesterday!!!! aaaaahhhh we had so much fun. i was nervous because i'm friends with the couple here at school, and i see them all the time, and if my photos were only marginal, they would still have to be nice to me and tell them that they like the photos. and that condescension is the worst feeling ever. 


but it went great!! i love them. and they love them, too! and they paid me with this delicious coffee stuff, and i'm so excited to try it... whitney said she and her roommate love it.

oh... but don't spread it around that they didn't pay me money. i needed new portfolio pictures, okay? nobody else is going to get a free ride.

anyways. i'm so happy about it. it was SO good to get back in the saddle again with a legitimate photoshoot. and i spent the time working on how to work with my clients, get them in the right attitude and such for pictures so i can get my desired effect, and learning how to pose them better. i actually told them what to do this time! it helps so much.

i feel like those two things are a big part of professionalism that i was no where near having in my shoots.

i went through them all last night, edited them, and made a cd for their viewing... they sat in my lobby and ooh'd and ahh'd over them. they're so happy with them... i wanted to burst in an explosion of gladness.

slight exaggeration. but you get my meaning.

schmome.

being guilted into doing a photoshoot may be the worst cruel and unusual thing i have ever suffered. especially in over 100 degree weather. however...

i got some good shots out of it. i was forced to do well in an environment that i hated. it got me the practice i've been desperately needing all summer.

i have several engagement shoots coming up once i get to school in a few days, and i hadn't done a legit photoshoot in quite a while. i was pretty rusty.

but i shot johnnie and sydney yesterday, my cousins family this morning, and my sister's senior portraits this afternoon.

i think i'm getting practice in. (:

it's been a while.

it's been busy. i'll post my favorites soon.

maybe tomorrow.

maybe thursday.

i've been reading up on my favorite photogs blogs today... and just found my most recent official photoshoot that i have yet to edit.. or even delete the bad ones haha... and i realize how very very much i still have to learn.

first of all, i've got to figure out how to pose people. second of all, i've got to become legit and and stuff. etc etc etc etcetcetcetcetcetc......

but i don't have time. i'm in school. my summer job is 24/7. i love this so much. i thank God all the time for putting photography on the list of things he wants me to pursue right now.

i want so badly to be excellent.
also, i want to travel. i really want to travel.

my roommate is adorable. and thinks i'm a loser for taking so many pictures sometimes. :)

http://clairealyseblog.com/2010/07/01/if-i-were-you/

the blog post above is a blog post that i admire and love and hold much truth and value to. it would do many people well to read it. and then read it again. and then apply it's truths to their lives. 

i just hate low quality pictures.

this week.

i've been watching smallville. probably the cheesiest show i've ever seen. yet i keep watching and watching. don't judge!

i'm reading the hitchhikers guide to the galaxy and i'm really excited about it. 42.

nothing about disney world appeals to me. but i should probably go sometime.

i had an awkward photo shoot today with a guy i don't like very much. he's nice... a little bit socially awkward though. his request for photos was riding the line that separates asking me out and asking for my time as a photographer. but the awkwardness ended up being only kind of minimal.

i wish i had a portrait lens. and a fisheye lens. and... etc.

i love reeses puffs.

i wish i was as cool as my roommate. tonight, when her old crush was making me laugh by whispering to me instead of across the table to her, i felt like i was pretty cool. and i didn't feel very bad about it. i feel like i might be a bad person.

i love the bass guitar.

running through the snow today was one of my happiest moments i can remember. i wish it had been spent with someone who means more to me. saying that makes me feel like a bad person again.

i want a concealed weapon license. haha. just so i could say i have one.

i've been wearing my red jacket the past couple days. it's my very favorite.

am i self-absorbed? every single one of these stories was about myself.