GUEST POST // LARK & LINEN

I am guest posting today for the lovely Jacquelyn of Lark & Linen while she's in Mexico. I am sharing some scenes and thoughts from my weekend. I hope you'll check it out. 

SNAP CLASS!

I am so very excited to announce that my dear friend and fellow photographer, Kimberly Genevieve and I are launching Snap Class! Snap Class! is a photography workshop (actually two separate workshops), one for beginners or anyone who wants to learn basics on how to improve your photos, for your blog or Instagram. Major secrets will be revealed. The second one is aimed at advanced level photographers who want to break into the industry, but need the proper tools to do so. We will be covering advanced post-processing techniques, how to find your unique style and talk about all things business related. 

Kim and I taught our first mini-workshop back in March and have been working tirelessly to put together Snap Class! ever since. We promise you will come away with all kinds of helpful photo knowledge and it doesn't hurt that we are super fun to hang out with. Every workshop will include a special guest speaker, hand chosen by us, to help inspire and give you advice. Check out our website for more information and make sure to spread the word!

SNAP CLASS! BASIC // PHOTOGRAPHY FOR BEGINNERS

los angeles - saturday, january 11th 
san francisco - saturday, february 1st

HERE'S THE BREAKDOWN:

- learn camera settings & functions
- our preferred camera equipment
- inspiration & where to find it
- how to find locations & utilize natural light (indoors & out)
- finding your own personal style & aesthetic
- how to make street-style photos look more editorial
- basic post-processing tricks using Photoshop, VSCO & Alien Skin
- how to color correct & retouch skin
- a lifestyle photo session with Kimberly: Let's get creative in the neighborhood. She's going to teach you how to bring color & movement to your portraits & style shoots
- a styling photo session with Jessie: Let's create beautiful tabletops & vignettes using food & items from around the house for your blog & Instagram
- a guest speaker, hand chosen by us, will help inspire and give advice

LET'S TALK INSTAGRAM:
- learn editing techniques & the apps we recommend for quick color correction
- what makes a good Instagram photo versus a bad Instagram photo
- quick styling techniques when you're in public
- how to use Instagram to grow your blog or business
- the power of hashtags, well, the right hashtags

SNAP CLASS! ADVANCED // MAKING PHOTOGRAPHY YOUR BUSINESS

los angeles - saturday, january 12th 

san francisco - saturday, february 2nd

HERE'S THE BREAKDOWN:

- how to break into the industry
- how to create content that "sells"
- creating a brand
- let's go over contracts & invoicing
- the right pricing, how to get paid & negotiate with your clients
- perfecting your skill
- directing techniques
- creating work you feel passionate about
- advanced post-processing skills, using Photoshop, VSCO & Alien Skin
- mini portfolio reviews 
- how to use Instagram to promote your photography business
- a photo session with Jessie and Kimberly 
- a guest speaker, hand chosen by us, will help inspire and give advice

If you have any questions, email us at wearesnapclass@gmail.com

LATELY

The last few weeks have been packed with photo shoots, birthdays and exciting new work ventures. I like being busy this time of year. The overcast mornings and cooler temps make it a little harder to get out of bed in the morning, but I've been forcing myself to wake up early and take a little time to enjoy my coffee before my work day officially begins. This weekend, my friend Jacqui and I decided to take a short trip to Yosemite. We both are dying to see some changing leaves and have a chance to wear a scarf. It's supposed to be over 80 degrees in LA, so I feel like we are getting out of town at just the perfect time. I'm sure there will be lots of photo opportunities, so follow me on instagram for a peak at my trip. In the meantime, here is a little look at my life of late and a few of the sweet things making me smile...

SNAPSHOTS FROM NEW YORK

Since I was already flying through New York to get to Martha's Vineyard, I figured I might as well make a trip out of it and hang out in my favorite city (other than LA of course). I got to visit with my dear friend Teissia and my sister Merry, eat at some amazing restaurants, meet up with some old friends and new, be in a St. Lucia music video and even got a little work done as well. It was some of the most fun I've had in a very long time. Actually it has me craving a trip back there very soon. 

Some notable stops on this trip:

Maison Premiere

ABC Kitchen

Bakeri

Jack's Wife Freda

Reynards

Cafe Select

Bluebird Coffee Shop

Lennox Coffee

Gasoline Alley Coffee

The Butcher's Daughter

Marlow and Sons
Roberta's

One of my favorite parts of the trip was getting to catch up with a blog buddy @aboyce18 and meet some of my instagram/blog friend's in person, @emily__johnston, @nicole_franzen and @aguynamedpatrick. Sometimes the internet is just awesome. 

Check out the St. Lucia music video I was part of. I'm in it a couple times!

AIRBNB PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP // HELLO LA

Airbnb is hosting five days of events called Hello LA, starting this friday at some of LA's coolest locations. There will be pop up housing designed by celebrities and tastemakers, parties, concerts and even workshops. They have asked Kimberly Genevieve and I to host a 90 minute photography workshop in the Arts District and the best part, it's FREE!! Just sign up here. We will be teaching 5 tricks to improve your photos, whether they're taken on your DSLR or iPhone. I promise it is going to be ridiculously fun and to top it all off there will be Handsome Coffee baristas and delicious snacks on hand. I hope to see you there! 

WHAT: HELLO LA MAKERS CRAFT WORKSHOP
Photography with Jessie Webster & Kimberly Genevieve
5 Tricks to Improve Your Photos

WHEN: Monday September 30th, 1-2:30pm

WHERE: Arts District. East 3rd Street Los Angeles, California 90013
LINKS:Photography Workshop Sign Up PageAirbnb Hello LA Info Page

LATELY

The last few weeks have been a dream. I got to work and spend time with friends and family in New York City and attend an old friend's wedding in Martha's Vineyard. Both two of my favorite places on the planet. New York makes me feel alive, energized and strangely at home. Martha's Vineyard makes me feel peaceful, contemplative and overwhelmed (in a good way) with it's beauty. I got to see many old friends in my travels and meet new kindred spirits. I must say, It's been hard coming back to LA after such a wonderful trip. An overflowing inbox and piling up work was waiting for me upon my return; and of course brought me right back to reality. But that's life. The other day I was thinking how even if I didn't make money doing what I do, I would still do it; because for me photography is part of me. I can't not do it. So even when I am begrudgingly glued to my computer for days, responding to emails and editing photos, it's still exactly what I want to be doing. Well...almost. Here is a little look at my life of late and a few of the sweet things making me smile... 

LA WEEKLY WEB AWARDS

If you can believe it, I was nominated for a LA Weekly Web Award for best fashion blog! Sadly I was not informed of this until after voting had closed, otherwise I would have kindly asked you all to vote for me. Ah well, it's still such an honor since I have been a loyal reader of LA Weekly for many years. If you did indeed vote, thank you so much it means the world to me! 

LATELY

The last few weeks It's really started to feel like summer. Maybe it was my getaway to Palm Springs for the 4th, the few beach and pool days I've managed to sneak in, or watching sunsets, cold drink in hand with both new friends and old. Come Monday I will be headed back east again to my favorite magical island- Martha's Vineyard. It's crazy to think that it's been 44 days since I posted this instagram, counting down the days to my trip. This time I'm bringing two friends with me who share my love of exploring and photography, so this should be quite a fun trip. I'm sure I'll be going a little instagram crazy while I'm there, so make sure to follow me @sweetthingblog to come along on the journey. In the meantime, here is a little look at my life of late and a few of the sweet things making me smile...

HAPPY 4TH

Happy 4th of July my friends! I'm off to Palm Springs for the weekend. It's supposed to be 112 degrees today. Yikes. As always I'll be Instagramming my travels so follow me @sweetthingblog. Hope you have a wonderful holiday! 

HAPPY WEEKEND

I've barely been back in LA for 24 hours and now I'm heading out again. This time to the east coast for a friend's bachelorette trip. The last six months have been all about work, work, work, so it's nice to take a little break from the routine, travel and have some fun. I'm so looking forward to spending time with friends, lobster rolls and lounging on the beach {weather permitting}. Next week I'll be sharing photos of my time spent in Ojai with all kinds of creative and inspiring ladies. I hope you followed along on instagram, our hashtag was #girlscoutcamp. Happy weekend friends!

{photo via}

LATELY

Another week, come and gone my friends. What are you up to this weekend? I'll be spending mine finishing up a few jobs before I head out on Monday for two back to back trips. I can hardly contain my excitement! First off Ojai and then a bachelorette trip to Boston and York, Maine. While I have spent many a summer in Massachusetts, I have never been to Maine. I've heard it's very similar to Martha's Vineyard, so I'm sure I feel right at home. We are only there two nights, but If you have any favorite restaurants or sights in Maine, I'd love to hear them. For now, here is a little look at my life of late and a few of the sweet things making me smile... 

HAPPY WEEKEND

Well that was a lovely short week. I've spent it mostly catching up on all the photo editing and emailing I had neglected over Memorial Day weekend. This photo is a little sneak peak of what's to come next week. It's from last summer, when I chopped off my hair. No I didn't get another hair cut, so it's not that. As the temperature rises in LA and the days get longer, I can't help but feel that summer is near. Can we officially say it's summer or do we have to wait until June 21st? Either way, I'm dreaming about beach days and warm nights. Aren't you?

GUEST POST // LARK & LINEN

This week I am guest posting over on one of my favorite blogs, Lark & Linen. Since Jacquelyn is out of town, I decided to carry on her tradition of 'Scenes from my Weekend' and photographed my own weekend {last weekend}. I hope you'll go take a look. 

LATELY

Well, these last few weeks have just flown by. Somehow it's almost summer and I can't believe it. I have all kinds of fun trips coming up to be excited for, like Boston, Maine, Martha's Vineyard and Palm Springs twice. I can hardly wait! I've been jonesing to get out of town lately, but with my schedule I haven't been able to make it happen. This past week I was up in my hometown of Ojai for a photo shoot and just as I was about to start driving home one of my appointments got canceled. I suddenly realized I didn't have a reason to come back to LA, at least for a few days, so I called some friends and they joined me for an impromptu Ojai sleep over. It was out of control fun and exactly what I needed. I didn't turn on my computer for four whole days. Unheard of. When I returned to LA the fun didn't stop because I had a friend's birthday to celebrate, a night planned picnicking and watching Clueless at the cemetery and an Arrested Development marathon to attend. All and all a very full and perfect long weekend if I do say so. How about you, what did you do this holiday weekend? Here is a little look at my life of late and a few of the sweet things making me smile...

HAPPY WEEKEND

Happy weekend my dears! I am going to a 90's dance party tonight, which if nothing else,  should be interesting. Other than that I've got mucho photo editing to catch up on, but I also plan on making a little time to visit the farmer's market and see friends. What are your plans?