49 st. SW

I found the most cute and adorable little community just 10 minutes from my house today. A part of me had wished I'd found it sooner, but another part of me knows there could have been no better day to find it. I googled starbucks from Marda loop. I picked a location not too far, but not to close. I was hoping for a new one, maybe one with a place to sit or a barrista that smiles. Seems there aren't too many smiling barrista's anymore. In a lot of ways I understand. I used to be a barrista you know. Anyways, I pulled up to a large strip of boutiques and vintage stores. Not even 10 am, but the thermostat already shows 15 +. Canada is known for those super crisp mornings that look amazingly warm, until you step out into them. I always put my head to the sky and say a silent thank you to the higher powers on days like today. The authentic summer and warm days are never enough. I cherish each and everyone one.

Now then: as I progress to shoot outdoor more and indoor less due to the change of seasons and weather, there are a few things that are absolutely crucial to me. One of those things is exposure. I understand that sometimes it can be tough to tone the sun down. Its big and beautiful and bright. HOWEVER, lets just say I have enough photos of me overexposed from the past few years to last me a lifetime. I don't need to be overexposed ever again! Another thing that has become super important to me is "object in environment". The more I shoot, which is constantly, the more I notice how important it is to have the muse in an environment that magnifies its presence. I like having preferences, and signature touches that indicate to people I had a part in the making of the photo. I like to purposefully create powerful environments that provoke the question "why".

Within the next few months my hope is to create an amazing and powerful series of outdoor photos that forms into a timeless collection of memories of my short yet fabulous and jammed-packed time in Calgary. I do not yet know if/when I will be coming back to this city of hidden opportunities once we depart in November, but I will always remember the amazing artistic and creative connections that have been made and kindled in my time here. It gives me so much warmth and contentment to know that I can connect authentically and deeply to a large group of people that share the same desire to create as myself.

On another note: below is a top I made in time for summer. I have been sewing my heart out for the past two months, experimenting and producing pieces I feel reflect me as a human being and designer. I was so absolutely honored to be able to work with Glam and Beyond makeup on this project. She accepted the challenge to go far out on my face, and the result was something absolutely SPECTACULAR. Photographer Tara Charlotte of Light Artistry used her amazing photography skills and perspective to create a set unlike anything I have in my collection. I am beyond grateful and in awe of both of these creators. It felt amazing to work with individuals that have such a high creative drive.

Photography by Light Artistry.

Makeup by Glam and Beyond.