Where have you been?

I am sure the 5 of you out there reading this have been asking yourself the SAME THING. WHERE THE HELL HAVE YOU BEEN SUSIE?

Well, I have been hustling. I had a few life changes occur over the last few months and I just have not been sure what the best way to deal with them is. Do I rant on my blog and complain about what is going on? Do I ignore it and pretend nothing has happened but let it fester anyways? OR – Fucking use it as an opportunity to do what you want.  And that is exactly what I have been doing!

I am getting back to shooting film. It is what I started on when I was in high school – and what Brooks BEAT into us after.

I broke up with film for a long time. We fought, film wasn’t giving me what I thought I wanted, I blamed film. I am happy to report that we are back together and very much in love. Both of us have changed and at the same time are both are totally stubborn selves.

I wouldn’t have it any other way.

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I have been teaching my friend Josh ( check out his instagram @joshsorheim to see the fun stuff he has been shooting) how to shoot manual and how to develop. His completely   bat-shit enthusiasm has reminded me how I used to feel about the entire process. I foresee many more photo adventures and smelling like fix in the future.

With that being said I am going to be posting these quick little shoots here from time to time. I always post one or two on instagram but there are so many I would like to share and not be a complete self important asshat about it. So I am going to be one HERE, because IT IS MY DAMN BLOG!

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I had the pleasure of being acquainted with Janet (see her instagram here) from mutual friends, roommates, and just knowing she is a creative vintage force. She travels a LOT and while we have exchanged messages about wanting to work together time just seems to slip away from us. When I realized she was off around the world again I asked if we could get together for a quick little shoot. SHE WAS IN!

We went up to the Griffith Observatory at dusk – and I brought a few rolls of film and my little TLR and we pretty much just did a lap around the property and left (and celebrated with a glass or two of wine and CHEESE)

She did her own hair, makeup, and styling and needed ZERO direction. These photos are equally hers as they are mine. I love it when a plan comes together.

Please check out her site  –  http://www.janetfischietto.com

I am convinced she is just visiting us from another time. I am also convinced that we need to be besties and run around LA together every time she visits!

I am going to work on that one.

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I develop my own negatives at home – with some experimental combinations that Josh and I have been working on – then scanning and doing my post until I have a dream house with my own darkroom.

 

Homework:

• Do you have a hobby or skill you used to love and don’t use it anymore?

• Is there one you wish to learn?

• How do YOU deal with stressful life situations? Is being creative a factor?

 

 

Come back soon, I promise to be here!