Monday, May 6, 2013

new beginnings



shirt: target // cardigan: thrifted // dress: c/o sugarlips // boots: forever 21





Well I am back in Alaska! When I heard that there was still snow on the ground, I definitely was not excited to come home. After leaving Oregon's gorgeous weather, I didn't want to wake up to snowfall. Weeeell this is how it looked on Saturday (that was my outfit, but most of the photos turned out blurry because my camera kept focusing on the snowflakes instead of me), and while part of me always loves the snow and how beautiful and peaceful it is, I don't particularly like it in May. Yesterday and today have been better though. I can only hope the snow will be gone soon! It's weird though, when it's 45 degrees in Oregon, I'm so cold, but when it's 45 degrees in Anchorage, it feels nice. I don't know if it's because the air is drier, or because the sun is reflecting off the snow into my skin, but there's just something about it that is very different from the lower forty eight. Matt said the same thing. He was up this weekend just to visit, but he flew back to his school this afternoon to finish out the next three weeks.






Also today, I started my new (aka first) job! (Well, unpaid internship, but who cares about technicalities.) I'm working for a really awesome photographer alongside one of my photographer friends, and today was our first day in the studio. I'm incredibly excited for this opportunity to learn about the business of photography, study under him, and make invaluable contacts with his clients. I even get my own desk space which I get to personalize however I like ... so cheesy, but I've always wanted a work desk like those generic ones on tv shows. I'm also really excited for this job because it gives me something to do all day. I don't have many friends in Alaska, so my summers are for the most part really boring--sitting around the house, browsing the internet all day, sleeping a lot, it gets old after a while--but this will be a nice change. I love the idea of working all day doing something that I love to do, and then coming home and relaxing, or working on my own projects. Working at the studio really inspires me to work harder with my own business, and I'm already thinking up ideas to expand Lauren Parker Photography!





I hope you have a wonderful day!



Friday, May 3, 2013

I'm coming for you, Alaska



dress: handmade // shirt: thrifted // tights: forever 21 // shoes: target





Just a super quick post for you today! I have one final left this Friday morning, and then I'll finish cleaning the dorm and doing last minute packing, and then tonight I'll be off for summer vacation! I'm really sad to leave all my friends for four months though. And the hot Oregon weather we've been having. And just the atmosphere of my town and Portland in general. But I'm also excited to go back to Alaska. I have some fun summer projects that I want to do, and I'm starting my photography internship on Monday. It's going to be a summer of experiences (I always love labeling different times in my life, so now this is going to be my motto for the whole summer. And because it now has that label, just you watch, there are going to be some absolutely insane experiences. And they will be awesome), and I cannot wait.

I can't believe I'm already done with freshman year of college. It seems like only yesterday I was heading off to class for the first time (I walked into the wrong room and everything), and now I'm finally done. So many memories, so many experiences, so many lessons learned. It hasn't quite hit me yet that the first year is over. From being so freaked out about such a big life change to who I am today, it's been a huge transformation, not only style-wise and academically, but socially, emotionally, spiritually, and rationally (ie. gained some maturity and responsibility). I dyed my hair for the first time, met some awesome photographers, got my first job working at the scene shop and newspaper, explored my beautiful state, took pictures of strangers, tried new classes, developed film photos for the very first time, had my first gallery show, started selling prints through a stock agency, had my work in the student art show, and won an award for my photography.

Who would have thought that I was going to do all those things my first year of college? If this is just the beginning, I can't wait to see what the next three years will hold. Needless to say, it's been an awesome first year.



Thursday, May 2, 2013

the zoo







A couple weekends ago my friends and I made our way to Portland for some adventures. We went to the zoo first, then the Art museum. These are the photos from the zoo. I was super excited to go because I haven't been to an extensive zoo since 2010. Alaska has a pretty fun zoo, but it doesn't have all the cool animals like monkeys and bears and giraffes and elephants, so I was really happy when I got to see those animals!

*edit: lawl, our zoo totally has bears. I is an idiot.









It was so great to be able to hang out in Portland one last time before summer break. I've fallen head over heels for this city and this state and I can't wait to have more adventures here soon.








In other news, I am all packed up, I have one final left tomorrow, and then I'm leaving on a jet plane!






Wednesday, May 1, 2013

april in review














Man, April has been yet another fantastic month. I'm sad to see it go, but as usual, I'm really excited to see what May holds! Lots of new beginnings are just around the corner.

What was the highlight of your month?