April photos

"off the highway"



"closing the gap"



"the bench"



"crown"



"giving hope new life"



"portrait"

portrait edit from Lauren Parker on Vimeo.

"t + j"



"t"



"when I am discovering"


This has been a good month for my photography. I've been deliberate with creating things that I feel like reflect my personal style. And while I was editing portraits for my friend Tabatha, it reminded me how much I love making photos for other people and just how badly I want to do this for the rest of my life.

art student awards

dress: ebay // shoes: thrifted





I just got back from my university's art student awards! It was an unbelievable night with some awesome entertainment and recognition. I haven't laughed so hard in a while. I had been nominated to submit a portfolio to the first photography awards, the Triple "S" Award, in which the work had to represent the "achievement in the creative advancement of image making as an art form", and made within the school year. You can see the pieces that I submitted here. After the nominees submitted their portfolios, my photography teacher sent them out to successful photographers in the business, who then looked at each of the portfolios. They each gave three points to the portfolio that they felt deserved first place, two points for second, and one for third. Not only did the winner receive the most points total, but the winner also received the most "threes".

Well, I suppose you've already guessed it ... I got the award! I couldn't even believe it when my name was called, and I still can hardly believe it happened. It's very uplifting to have my work be recognized as an art form, especially since I have been struggling with this recently, and especially from people who are successful photographers. My teacher gave me their comments on my work, and I was so thankful and over the moon from their kind words. I just wanted to send a special thank you to everyone who has been so supportive of me and my work and my journey, whether you left an encouraging word, modeled for me, allowed me to shoot your senior or wedding photos, or even bought my work. You are the best and I will forever be thankful for you. Thank you!

Now I will be able to look at this award and remember that my work is something special, and I will remember everyone who supports me and it will give me strength to push on.






Have a fantastic day everyone!

discovering

everything: borrowed





Happy Friday all! I've been enjoying this nice little blogging break for the past few days, especially since we have been having really awesome weather. I've been wearing shorts nonstop and actually right now I'm outside hanging out with all my friends. It's hard to believe that we will have to be apart for four months in just a week. I'm going to miss them a whole bunch, but we are planning on having google+ chats often. Thankfully I'll be busy with my internship, so I won't have too much time to sit around and be lazy and bored. I'm hoping to explore my favorite places over the duration of the summer, taking photos and making a short film about Alaska. We shall see what actually occurs though. I tend to get ideas in my head and then start working on them, but I never finish them, so cross your fingers!





So this week, I signed the contract to sell stock photos through a stock company. I was super excited when I got the email of approval after sending them my website, and now I just have to begin the process of submitting photos. It's all really new and exciting. My friends all signed model releases and I'm planning on getting a business license for my photo business this summer. I've been taking lots of photos (the photos from this outfit shoot are just supplements to a main piece I shot yesterday) and emailing people about different opportunities in the works and it's all so exciting. This summer will be a good one.






Have an awesome weekend everyone!

p.s. Megan interviewed me for her new blogger of the moment series, so be sure to check out the post here!

We're gonna have a good day!

Just quickly popping in to leave you guys with this song. Matt reminded me of its existence and I just wanted to share it with you. It's been a fantastic week, with hot weather, lots of good news, lots of good friends, and many adventures.

Hope you have a good day!