Last week I began to visit a local bakery called Bakeri a little more then I would like to admit. I can't help myself though. From their delicious cortado's and yummy chocolate chip peanut butter cookies they have me hooked. Not to mention their interior and exterior is divine. I almost feel like I have stepped out of NYC and into Paris. In New York not a lot of places have back patios to relax on. When I found out that Bakeri did I have kind of escaped there this past week. I observed my surroundings..whether it would be beautiful people, or the birds chirping..it was just soothing.
During school we had an assignment to photograph 36 strangers in all different kinds of lighting conditions. It was how we learned to use a flash for a DSLR. As if learning how to use a flash isn't hard enough...we then had to go up to 36 strangers. For me the stranger part was the easy part. I love people and love to talk. My favorite thing to do in coffee shops or well pretty much anywhere is to strike up a conversation. There are artistic people all around me here in NYC, and not taking advantage of that is well..DUMB. I am sure you are wondering why this applies with this post. Well I actually noticed this beautiful, natural girl on the back patio as I was eating lunch. You will notice my creeper shot. haha Then I noticed this beautiful stone wall covered in greenery. Naturally I thought why not put the two subjects together. I waited for this couple to leave. I then asked her if she would mind if we do a little mini photoshoot. She probably thought I was crazy, and that I talk really fast...my bad.
-Side Note: When I get excited about an idea I tend to talk really fast, and just not make any sense. Oh well..that's Emma for ya.
Anyways she eventually understood what I meant and was happy to help. I first thought that was amazing, and then thought Emma you have to take full advantage of this situation. So below I included a couple shots I was able to achieve with a beautiful girl named Yuri. I feel the atmosphere fit her natural beauty rather perfect actually. I am leaving some for a surprise later on for my portfolio..but you will get the idea.
Thank you again Yuri for your time and letting me photograph you. It was certainly a pleasure and kind of an awesome part of my day.
xx
Emma Jane
brooklyn
“At the end of the day you will not remember the person with the most beautiful face but you will remember the person with the most beautiful heart and soul.”
Beautiful Soul
With Kacy Johnson it's a completely different story because she also has a beautiful, well GORGEOUS face. Kacy is someone I can call a great friend, mentor, therapist (to all my boy problems) and someone who will listen to my everyday struggles. She also tells me the honest truth and doesn't sugar coat things. As you may have figured out Emma lives in a some-what fantasy/hopeless romantic world....yes I realize I just talked about myself in third person.. s o - w h a t . Being in that world has me constantly thinking the best of people even when they actually aren't being that great to me. She let's me know what it's "Not a thing" and to just go on to the next. You have to pick your battles and ever since my english teacher told me that I will never forget it. Those tiny, maybe sometimes big problems that sometimes aren't worth the aftermath.
Basically KJ is a beautiful person inside and out. I have had the pleasure of getting to know her from photography school. She is someone I personally look up too and aspire too in many ways. You know that one person that you can talk about future plans with and could totally backpack across Europe with?! Well she is definitely that person to me...(Kacy if you are reading this hint hint on the backpacking through Europe thing..ha) I have learned a lot from being around this chic and couldn't imagine not having her in my life. She has been interning in Brazil with a photographer and traveling from place to place for the past couple of months. The best part is she has landed in the beautiful NYC for a little while, and will be interning here for a bit before heading back to Sao Paulo.
We decided to get some brunch at OAK WINE and BAR and then go to some flea markets. I find her completely beautiful so OF course I took full advantage of photographing her. I am obsessed with the last two images I think it is. My new lens was on POINT today and having a beautiful model also helps. I asked her a couple questions to kind of go along with the post I hope you all enjoy!
xx
Emma Jane
What do you love most about photography? Wow, tough question. I'm a pretty shy in person, at least until I get to know you well. I like meeting people and being around people, but I'm hesitant to reveal much of myself in conversation and sometimes I just can't seem to put the right words together the way I hope to. For me, photography is a way to convey something that I see in the world without having to use words, projecting emotion with an image.
Who or what has most influenced your path to becoming a photographer? No one person, but lots of books, music, language, paintings, films, design of all kinds.
I know you recently were in Sao Paulo Brazil interning for (Julio Bittencourt) what was your most memorable experience? You know I have a love affair with Brazil, girl:) Put it on your list of places to visit, Emma! I'm definitely going back, so you can come vist me. :) Julio is a ridiculously talented photographer and the loveliest person you'll ever meet. I really couldn't have asked for anything more from that experience. Brazil is huge, and it is incredibly diverse. Unbelievable beaches, crazy rainforest, a monstrous city; just so much to explore. The people I met there were all wonderful. It's a really special place, and I feel so lucky to have found my way there.
Where do you want to travel to next? Thailand, Cuba, France and Russia come to mind. For now though, I'm thrilled to spend spring and summer in NYC working with an awesome film director. After that, I'm just staying open, and we'll see where life leads me.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years? I see myself experimenting with music and video and hopefully using photography to work with people and organizations that are doing good work in the world.
What's something (like a motto or saying) that gets you through each day and motivates you.(Maybe something someone has told you that you will never forget) I read this letter to Agnes De Mille from Martha Graham, and it has really stuck with me. Creative souls like this keep me inspired to push and explore when I feel wary about where I'm going creatively.
A Letter to Agnes De Mille from Martha Graham -
There is a vitality,
a life force,
a quickening
that is translated through you into action,
and because there is only one of you in all time,
this expression is unique.
And If you block it, it will never exist through any other medium and be lost.
The world will not have it. It is not your business to determine
how good it is
nor how valuable it is
nor how it compares with other expressions.
It is your business to keep it yours clearly and directly
to keep the channel open.
You do not even have to believe in yourself or your work.
You have to keep open and aware directly to the urges that motivate YOU.
Keep the channel open...
No artist is pleased...
There is no satisfaction whatever at anytime
There is only a queer, divine dissatisfaction
a blessed unrest that keeps us marching
and makes "us" MORE alive than the others.
Butcher Shop
Trying something new and challenging ourselves everyday. In my opinion that's what is key in this day and age. Being part of the creative circle with photography I am constantly trying to challenge myself to different types of photography whether it is food, lifestyle, portrait or fashion. Even though I gravitate more towards fashion I am intrigued by food photography and meeting Jay and being around my brother Hunter has definitely made me appreciate the food world.
Today I explored different spots in Brooklyn with Jay. We went to The Meatball Shop, Mast Brothers Chocolate and ended the day at Brooklyn Kitchen (the local meat shop.) If you think about it being a chef or pastry chef is a lot like being in the photography world and trying to produce images that make people stop dead in their tracks. With food we are thinking "I want that in my mouth now...where can I find that?!" and someone flipping through a magazine one may say "Wow..that is an awesome picture, I wonder how they thought of that idea..." We are all trying to find that "thing" that sets us apart. With me I am constantly trying to think out of the box but in a reasonable way. I believe in simple things. If you think about it simple is hard to find in food or photography, and if you can tackle it you will stand apart from the rest. Like at Cheeky's Sandwiches...a buttermilk biscuit, fried chicken, red cabbage and some gravy and BAM every New Yorker is BLOWN away....but realistically it's so simple but someone perfected the simplicity of it all. Which in return sets them apart from other's. Then there is photography...give me a beautiful/natural lit room and a model with some messy dark hair and a natural face and BAM...a simple portrait. No makeup artist/lights/studio or stylist but just a person with a natural look and a nice clean backdrop and your set.
....I realize I used BAM a lot in the previous couple of sentences but hey, at least chef Emeril Lagasse would be proud! haha
Today Jay purchased pig ears. I am sure you are all like...whattttt pig ears, is that even a thing. Actually it is a common french dish..my brother told me, but you have to watch out because pig ears contain a lot of cart liege, which makes them very rubbery so that gives you a challenge to make them appetizing. I am eager to see what Jay comes up with later! Also today I was so ready to take pictures of our adventure then realized I forgot my camera card...cute emma...real cute. haha
hence...a challenge so I then thought lets do it "iPhone style" haha but I must say it came out pretty good!
Anyways, let's give ourselves a challenge this week and think outside the box to push ourselves that much more. Let me know what your going to do I would love to hear!
xx
Emma
Weekend Brunch
This weekend was filled with sunny and warm spring-like days...(FINALLY.) Ryan and I decided to have brunch Saturday and then do a little exploring around Williamsburg, Brooklyn. It was kind of fun to show her all the new places I have come across since I have moved here. I showed her a couple of my favorite thrift stores and we caught the last hour of Smorgasburg (part of the Brooklyn Flea.)
Anyways starting off we hit a delicious place in South Williamsburg called Rabbit Hole. I highly recommend it if you are ever around the area. It is very cozy...but not in that annoying way where you hear everyone's conversation around you....ha THE WORST ever. It has a industrial/ "Brunchy" feel to it, so basically perfect for us. I had the eggs benedict and Ryan got the stuffed french toast...my mouth is watering just talking about it. They are reasonably priced, which was nice because let's face it..there is a reason brunch only happens on the weekends..haha. We had a little fun snapping some pictures while we were there. It is so weird getting my picture taken. I kind of hate it to be honest. I am usually the one taking the pictures and not being pictured. and Ryan took full advantage of capturing "Emma." haha
She took great pictures and I actually don't hate them too much. Which is saying a lot because I never like pictures of me at all. I guess it is nice for you all to see me too, and who is behind this whole "Photo Diary" thing. Oh by the way that isn't beer in my hand if you were wondering it is actually this crazy cool tea we tried at the Smorgasburg thing and it is called Kombuch. I will put link for that and the Smorgasburg thing below for you all to check out. Basically it gives you the same effects that coffee would without the "crash" part after the caffeine would eventually fade. Definitely something I could only have every once in awhile but it is worth trying if you hate the crash part of caffeine.
I caught couple of moments while we sat near the East River, including a little girl who was just relaxing and taking in the sunshine.
I hope everyone has a great Monday!
xx
Emma Jane
Thank you Ryan for pictures of me! <3
Coffee, Sprinkles and Inspiration
I promised you all a happy post today, and I'd like to think I follow through with my promises! ha Anyways last week I finally decided on one of my days off to try Sprinkles! I know you are all probably like...you have never had their cupcakes....and I am all like no I am from North Carolina...nuff said. ha Well I decided to go on a day I was feeling pretty crappy and the cupcakes definitely made up for it. I had a normal sized plain vanilla cupcake and a mini red velvet. They were PERFECTION. I have had a lot of cupcakes in my day but the frosting is pretty killer at Sprinkles.
The best part about the trip was the fact that I sat down in their small place and was next to this older lady who was enjoying a cupcake as well. Can you all think what happened next....well you probably guessed it, we started talking and had a full on conversation. We talked about many things, but there was one thing she said I will never forget. She said "I think nice people meet nice people" and I said "I think your right." Those simple moments in life that many of us take for granted but that is one I will never forget.
More after Sprinkle pictures..
Toby's Estate Coffee
Then yesterday I decided to stop by a coffee place I pass everyday. It is called Toby's Estate Coffee. The reason I have not went in yet is because everyone you see in the window is gorgeous...so that means I had to look my absolute BEST before entering. The atmosphere is simple and awesome...filled with again BEAUTIFUL people. ha.. The people who worked there were very helpful and made me a beautiful latte! If you are ever in the area and need some delicious coffee and a great atmosphere to get something work done, Toby's is the place to go!
125 N 6th St Brooklyn, NY 11249
(347) 457-6160
Things that inspired me this week!
Favorite Portfolio Ideas
Favorite Words
Favorite DIY
Favorite Bedroom Idea
Favorite Moment
I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!
xx
Emma Jane