Steve and Reagan, you were a blast to shoot! Glad we could talk you into sushi Steve.  Must do it again soon!

This spring we were cutting down the old dead grasses from last year and the boys were working on it with me.  I suggested they make a fort in the back woods with the grasses.  They asked me to help them out and I gladly accepted.  Our boys help us remember what it is like to be young, carefree spirits.  Deep inside of us all there is the little child we once were that has somehow been overshadowed by the man/woman we have become.  Having these children to cherish, hold, and watch grow up helps us remember what it was like to be young and to stay young in spirit ourselves.  It helps us to realize how fragile and dependent upon one another we all are.  We need to get inside their little world from time to time and learn from them.  We can learn to have a more humble and contrite spirit and lean on each other for support as they do.  Never lose touch with your inner child.  ~brett {baba}

So, we’ve decided to start shooting film again and I took my first roll of medium format film a couple of weeks ago.  I’m calling this my first “film experiment in light.”  There is something about film that draws us in to the images…something I can’t amply describe, but I like to call it “The Van Gogh Effect” because film grain and blur reminds me of his amazing textures and I love how it seems so much more pure, raw, and organic than digital.  And, I am an organic purist at heart.  There is  something deeply emotional about film in that it requires more time, effort, and patience.  Film also requires us to have a deeper connection with the subject that is elsewise absent.  This is what I love.

Well, I decided a few months back that I wanted to get back full circle to where this all began, but was dragging my heels on it.  When Jessica and I first started shooting together, I shot a lot of film.  Some of those photographs are still some of my favorites to date, but I could never get past the ease and convenience of digital.  This all met with a crescendo upon attending the WPPI conference this year.  This is where I became friends with a kindred spirit, Gabe McClintock, the incredibly talented man behind the camera of Perspectiveye Photography. Gabe was instrumental in my decision to start shooting film again and he was very helpful and graciously in lending me his ear on this venture.  If you haven’t checked out his work before, then indulge your senses and visit his blog here.  He shoots a lot of film these days and was one of my biggest inspirations for this endeavor…thank you Gabe!  I was also privileged to hear a couple of excellent and inspiring film artists speak at WPPI this year, Elizabeth Messina of Kiss The Groom Photography and Jose Villa.

Looking back, here is one of my 35mm film shots from the first wedding Jessica and I ever photographed:

Now, coming full circle, I’m shooting with my new (old) Contax 645 medium format camera.  This frame below is one of my favorites from the first roll I ever shot a couple weeks ago:

The water and light were so wondrous that I couldn’t stop shooting, so here are a few others…

That same day, the kids and I hung out with Grandma “Nanny” Beth, my mom, at Waffle House.  The vintage Waffle House feel and the beautiful light pouring through the windows all added up to what I felt was “film ready”…well, I’m actually getting addicted to it and now everything is seeming “film ready” these days:

We look forward to sharing more of our film experiments in light with you in the upcoming weeks.

brett & jess

Michael has recently pursued acting.  I loved hearing his story about literally just picking up one day and giving acting a try.  It has been one of his mini-dreams, and he is just taking off!  He has already been in a few movies, and even had a role in the recent “Ides of March,” that was filming in Cincinnati.  Go Mike!!

I really think these shots represent him well, and his many sides, from goofy to serious.

Mike, so proud of you for taking this step!!! You’re going to do so well!

I look at my life at this point and compare it to last year, and I honestly feel like a new person. This past year has been such a reflective and introspective one for me; a time of change- of reevaluation. In my constant search for BALANCE, I’m learning to view things with new eyes. I see growth- in my personal life, in our family, in our business. But I still see so many more goals that I want to accomplish…..(but much more on that later).

This morning we enjoyed a great breakfast as a family. We read the bible, and then Priya and I did some knitting. I also spent some time looking back at our year in photo sessions. Quickly, I grabbed a sampling from each shoot of 2010- minus a couple weddings that are still in the works….

Thank you to all the wonderful people that invited us into your lives for a moment. Each of you in turn gave something to us, and we truly feel honored to have documented bits and pieces of who you are.

xo~ jess + brett

When they got married they moved into Maggie’s Grandmother’s old house.  She found these books and blanket of her Grandmother’s in the attic, and brought them along for the shoot.  I loved this idea.

Much love to you two! 

jess + brett

]]> http://www.studio3z.com/blog/2010/11/maggie-nathan/feed/ 14 http://www.studio3z.com/blog/2010/11/chelli-jeff/ http://www.studio3z.com/blog/2010/11/chelli-jeff/#comments Fri, 12 Nov 2010 18:23:30 +0000 admin http://www.studio3z.com/blog/?p=7902 I think it is great when married couples want to have a photo session, just for fun.  Spending the time together, and having the photo memories to look back on….I would say a photo session is almost like a good therapy session for a married couple.  And I am only half kidding.

Jeff an Chelli are getting ready to celebrate 18 years together this December.  They made the trip down to Cincy from Columbus for the shoot, and if they look familiar, it is because they did a session with us at the end of last summer as well!

Cincinnati had a very colorless fall this year due to the lack of rain, but we found a FANTASTIC patch of color that evening!

I love this one….

Jeff and Chelli, you guys are awesome.  Thanks again for coming down and hanging with us!!

We drove up to Columbus and spent an evening getting to know these two wonderful people.  The love they had for each other (and their two “babies”) is quite evident.  The way Nate looks at Kelly is so sincere.  He completely adores her.  And Kelly has the most beautiful smile and laugh that Nate so easily brings out of her.    Nate, I still think part-time comedian should be in your future.

We began around their home with their two very lovable and playful dogs.

We moved onto a place that Brett and I found on the drive in to Columbus.  It was a photographer’s gold mine of goodness!

Kelly, you are GORGEOUS inside and out!

We ended with some night shooting on the campus of OSU where they first met.

Kelly and Nate, you two rocked this session!!  Nate, I know you thought you would be tough to photograph….NOT the case in the least.  Both of you were so at ease.  Thanks so much for having us do this session for you!

jess + brett

Our good friends Jess and Tony jam packed our 3 1/3 days in the big city, and we had SUCH a fun time. (Click HERE if you didn’t see our full post.) During that weekend, they also celebrated their 2 year anniversary, so Brett and I made sure to grab a snap here and there to document moments of their life in the city.

We love you guys!  Happy two years!  

Natalie ended up becoming a great actress, and when I came back to school to watch them perform “My Fair Lady,” Natalie  put on an unforgettable performance as Eliza. It is such a pleasure to see her now, in New York City, doing what she loves to do.

It had been a few years since she had head shots taken, and we lucked out with such a gorgeous day to work with!  The air was crisp, it was breezy, and the energy of the city was drawing me in each and every block we walked.

Natalie, you rocked it out!!!  Thanks for having fun with us. 

jess & brett