Smokin New Studio Shots

Whaaat, this is really my studio? I had no idea these shots would turn out so well. I cannot stop looking at them. Gonna be the next big thing on Pinterest is what.

Here's how it all happened. I love to barter. I started this little habit when my husband and I owned a restaurant, because everyone has to eat, right? I'd offer up gift certificates in exchange for whatever, usually stuff from other small businesses and friends. Like drugs. One time I threw in a case of booze on a real estate deal to make it happen. Not only is it a gesture most people really appreciate, but it's an alternate currency and a perfectly acceptable way to avoid taxes. Just sayin.

But we sold our restaurant years ago so I have to come up with other ways to take part in the sharing economy. I mean, short of selling my body. (Hahahaaaa.) The leverage I have now is my vacation rental apartment in Vail. I need people in there paying real money this summer and fall. You know, so I can eat? These are my two favorite seasons in the mountains but it's still tough to get overnight stays, even at deep discounts. People are cheap, Vail isn't, and they have to eat too. They also need cash to buy killer Colorado pharma-dope. Priorities! I get it.

Anyway. I thought of kicking up advertising by trading a couple nights in it the studio itself to a professional photographer. Win-win. I score a professional portfolio of my property and the photographer gets to party in Vail.

Time is money and a weekend in my place holds real value. The building might be vintage and fugly but it's still Vail. The interior is chill and the view includes a fucking waterfall. What more do you people want?

Kinda stoked I hustled this all the way from Japan. And just look at what I did, you know, those renovations, all by myself. (I need validation here!)

Still can't get over these shots. Though I'm reminded that my photography pretty much blows. This was the under-ass fire I needed to finally buy a real camera.

For the a full photo tour go to its sick website or listing on Dwellable or Facebook page. BOOK IT while you're there, by all means! Don't make me beg. You can also check out all the fascinating deets on how I revamped the kitchen right here.

Styling and everything pictured is by me obviously but all images in this post are by Joseph Deats Photography. Thanks Joe, you got serious talent.

★

Camera Porn

I WISH.

I'm in the market for a new camera. I shouldn't care how it looks as much as how it performs, but I do. First choice is the Leica T-System hands down. A brilliant design and priced accordingly. Maybe one day ... you know, when I grow up and stop breaking and losing expensive things?

Yeah, I'm not a photographer but I like taking photos and, well, I need goals. Still, my wee brain all but blacks out whenever someone says f-stop within earshot. Due to this genetic mutation combined with straight-up unwillingness to haul a camera bag around, I can't deal with a full-on SLR. I need a small camera that will think for me. My best chance at this is a compact mirrorless interchangeable-lens system because it's a dumbed-down, shiny little object that takes very good photos and will fit in my bag. Perfect.

Believe it or not I did some research. In other words I watched videos of the annoying yet oddly entertaining camera nerds on DigitalRev TV. Because they know a shit-ton about cameras. Mad knowledge. And these Hong Kong hipsters criticize EVERYTHING so I was shocked they didn't hate the Lumix GX7 by Panasonic.
 

Oh yeah.

But ... Panasonic?? I know, right? And here's how that conversation went with my Nikon-loyal husband:

Him:  Panasonic is an electronics company, they make microwaves and vacuum cleaners and shit. They're not even a camera company.

Me:  I know that. But digital photography IS electronics if you think about it. Besides, the Nikon, Canon, and Olympus equivalents don't hold up against this one according to some experts on YouTube.

Him:  Hmm. Well it's clear you've really looked into this. 

Me:  I like how it looks.

Him:  Ah. 

Me:  It has wifi. 

Him:  Got it.

Me:  If I ever graduate from photography kindergarten I'll get an SLR from one of the big companies. And maybe even a book on taking photos. But right now I just want this slick little microwave camera. Then I can go around saying "My GX7" ... I mean, that sounds totally rad.

Him:  Fine. Whatever makes you happy. [cough] Sucker. [cough]

Anyway. Forget him, I was leaning toward the Lumix after messing around with it in a shop a couple months ago and this comparison video and then this hands-on video sealed it for me. No, it's not the perfect camera but it handles well, the retro design-build is impressive, it's affordable, and the geeks over in Hong Kong conclude by saying it's a small, good-looking camera that has features that aim to please.

SOLD.

Lumix photos via fotografr.de

★

Where Real People Live

I could live here.

Not surprisingly, I peruse myriad photographs of interiors. While some are dead-on inspired, I prefer seeing real places, where actual breathing people might live.

This Swedish apartment is like that. Obviously styled and shot by professionals but still looks entirely livable.

I forgive them for cramming the rest of their clothes behind that curtain for this shot.

Do you prefer propped, staged and styled or messy, unfinished and real?

Photos from Stadshem via Homesick.

★

Boxer Shot

Here's K-dog going for that I'm-tough-with-my-one-clipped-ear look. While he drifts off again in the sun like a pussy. Oh, I mean like a cat. Neither ear is clipped, this is just gravity. I'm not sure how he's pulling it off but clearly it warranted a shot.

★

Sunday Wasted

I should be out running with the dogs. Or cleaning or putting up shelves. Or organizing something or doing the taxes. Instead I'm fucking around with Instagram as if I know what I'm doing. That's the beauty of Instagram, it makes me feel like I know something about photography. This is my bed, and it actually looks like this. Almost.

Lame Excuses For Not Blogging

 

I've been remiss about blogging since March. March! 

Here goes the list:

1. Our house sold in three days and we bought a new, smaller one about ten blocks away. What can I say? I like the neighborhood.
2. My spouse is living and working in Beijing. Yes, that big city in northern China. We are still very much together. But there are approximately 6,356 miles between us now. I should write a post titled 'How FaceTime saved my marriage' because it has. I wanted change ... I got it.
3. I'm insecure and think my posts are pointless and stupid compared to all the ones I read and like with beautiful photographs and witty, knowing comments by real artists, writers and designers who consistently blog AND have full time jobs, children, picturesque travel adventures, lavish dinner parties, and cats. (Why do they all have cats?) I can't even bring myself to tell anyone about this blog. So no one actually reads it anyway.
4. I've been working on the new house.
5. The novelty of blogging wore off.
6. I've been traveling a lot to faraway places like, oh, China. Been there twice. I also went to South Korea, before we knew about the job in Beijing.
7. I suck. (See my last post.) I even quit my job so, in theory, I should have more time to do this blogging thing. (Maybe it's that word 'blogger' in the American accent that bothers me. Blah-gging. Blaahh-gger. Blech. I should start using that hidden British accent of mine.)

Okay, that was just all kinds of sadness. It's not like I don't have ideas or material overflowing from my head about which to write. Although cohesiveness could be an issue.

Sigh.

I'm trying to get through this. It's my personal favorite First World Problem for the moment. 

Oh, the photograph above is stolen from my uncle Ed. He's an architect/photographer in Western Austrialia. He doesn't know I stalked him online and found his Flickr photostream. I'm not going to tell him. It's my favorite photo of the whole lot. Well, today it is. I have no idea what he was shooting, something in or around Fremantle. One day soon I will visit him and take my own beautifully styled, profound photographs of unfamiliar abandoned Australian industrial areas that will speak directly to the creative souls of my readership ...

But probably not.