Summer, captured on film

Last year was my first year as a full-time photographer, and by the end of the year I was feeling tired. I had nothing to complain about – I had amazing clients, and was photographing almost every weekend. I had jumped in to this full time thing, and the bottom wasn’t falling out from under me – I felt lucky.

But my old friend doubt was also starting to creep in (and if I’m being honest, he never is very far from my side). My images were starting to feel old and stagnant, I wasn’t getting excited in the way that I used to, and I wasn’t ever picking up the camera for myself; a mix of exhaustion from client shoots and the inevitable guilt that comes with photographing for myself, but then never having the time to edit the images. Hard drives full of half-done work.

At the beginning of this year I went on a trip with my girlfriends and I brought along an old film camera I had laying around, determined to try something different. I was so excited to get those images back, I paid to have them sent to a special film lab I had heard about, and when I got them back I was so.. disappointed. They sucked. Let’s just say, there is autofocus for a reason and I am that reason.

But I didn’t quit, and slowly my images started resembling something that I could be proud of. Plus I got a different camera/lens that had autofocus which basically saved the day. I’ve spent the summer photographing all of my personal work on film. It’s been exciting (hello, scan day!), and really freeing. I no longer have hard drives worth of images (just a few folders – ha), and even though it costs my money to buy film and get it developed it’s been so worth it.

And now, some film love.

The first set of images are a series I took in Brigantine, NJ for my mama. She is notoriously hard to buy for, so I thought I’d take some photographs in our happy place so that I could decorate her walls with them.

I totally missed Bradley Cooper..

I also spent my summer celebrating with friends: baby showers, christenings, and just good old fun.

Brandon, Frances and I went upstate to visit our good friends Janel, John and baby Calder. I was a little crazed that Frances was going to throw down with Calder as she’s known to really dislike little kids, but luckily they stayed friendly through the whole trip and dare I say it, she even LIKED him.

I did some location scouting with clients/friends..

..and spent a heck of a lot of time at the beach. Frances is a fish! That girl has no fear and just adores everything about the beach.

Seriously best friends.

And then I ask to be in ONE PHOTOGRAPH and she starts a tantrum. Being two is SO MUCH DRAMA.

Are you DYINGGGGGGGGG over a baby with a cast? Cause I certainly am.

Then I jumped across the pond with a few of my favorite people. Ireland, I miss you.

Ashley + the cliffs of moher.

Oh heyyyyyyy Ashley, did you get your shot? Cause you ruined mine.

Christie and the burren. It actually doesn’t get any cuter than this. (and I’ve got photographs of babies and shit)

This guy is my favorite. Only next in line to Frances and the dogs. But he knows that, so it’s cool.

Our amazing hosts in County Clare!

Going to Ireland meant that I was going to miss our annual Mackiewicz family vacation. But, you know, it’s Ireland, so it was kind of a no brainer. But once my feet were on the ground in the US, I packed up my little lady and made it down for the last weekend with the whole gang. First up was the moonrise on the beach..

And then family beach time. This is Katie and her little love Ava..

Once we were back home and settled, we went for a visit to Francie’s aunts and mom mom. Aunt Bailey showed Frances around the pool, and then we visited her work for some ice cream.