Alisha Stamper | Photography Blog

holly

2012-01-11T11:45:00.000-07:00

reflected

2012-01-10T11:42:00.000-07:00

i just really liked how the lights looked reflected back to me twice.

breaking out

2012-01-09T12:26:00.001-07:00

all the stages

2012-01-05T17:36:00.000-07:00

me through my own camera (thank you carolee)

and then as i worked at the market (thank you leslie)

then as i spent one of my last nights with some of the ladies (thanks holly)

and contemplated if this would be a christmas baby (thanks kiera)

all of that was along the way that led me to this:

Fern.

Reflecting Goals: the round-up: newberys

2012-01-05T16:31:00.000-07:00

I'll be posting this weekend my goals review. I love the time to reflect as the old turns into the new.

Here are my recommendations after spending a year reading the John Newbery winners. You can see all my reviews and ratings on my goodreads shelf that was dedicated to this endeavor. I really enjoy goodreads and it makes my reading organized, which is so helpful with a hectic life.

Up a Road Slowly by Irene Hunt
The Bronze Bow by Elizabeth George Speare
Missing May by Cynthia Rylant
Caddie Woodlawn by Carol Ryrie Brink
Out of the Dust by Karen Hesse
The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare
Walk Two Moons by Sharon Creech
Maniac Magee by Jerry Spinelli
King of the Wind: The Story of the Godolphin Arabian by Marguerite Henry
The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin
The Twenty-One Balloons by William Pene du Bois
I, Juan de Pareja by Elizabeth Borton de Trevino
Kira-Kira by Cynthia Kadohata

Happy Christmas!

2011-12-24T08:47:00.002-07:00

I hope it is merry and bright.

i like

2011-12-22T18:37:00.001-07:00

her. so much.

i wish

2011-12-22T06:39:00.000-07:00

i had a face that was this perfectly expressive.

thoughts-- i love i hate

2011-12-21T18:35:00.002-07:00

i love that i'm dotting i's and crossing t's/ i love that i feel purposeful and productive, but also willing to listen to the piece of my heart that is telling me to nurture and embrace the calm space before this baby arrives/i hate that birth is so scary to our culture that just by being behind me in line today, two women spent 15 minutes discussing birth horror stories/ i just finished an enlightening book and reviewed it. I so very much would love to discuss it with you/ i'm finishing up my "to-read" list for 2012/ i realized lists make me accomplish so much more/i finished up the newbery winners very early in the month and am working on my final big review/ i love the new look of our master bedroom after revamping, decluttering and switcheroo-ing/ i love that i'm at the any day stage for my baby and that i just can't wait/ i love that after listening to those harpies about birth i had the unique and beautiful opportunity to be a witness to the beauty and empowerment of birth to someone who didn't know anyone who had birthed naturally or successfully breastfed/ with epidural statistics of what, 97% and abysmal breastfeeding rates, i'm not surprised/ i love birth/ i love its messy, glorious value as an experience emotionally/ i learn so much every time about myself/ i love that i got to hear an amazing talk this past sunday that i am still thinking about/ i love that i got to give a talk the week before that was a joy to prepare/ i love learning new things and teaching them to others/dec 30th at abravanel, they are doing a concert called video games live/ final fantasy has some beautiful music so i bet this concert will be breathtaking/ go for me to tell me all about it?/ i heard one of the soprano airs from messiah today and i got a little teary. it was christmas for a large part of my young life performing it for years and oh i miss it so much/ i love that i got speakers for my ipod for 6 bucks and they are great and perfect for birth/ i love that oreos are completely ok right now/ i love that i've had recent interactions with someone who thinks i'm slightly silly/ i need to not be taken seriously sometimes so that i can up the ante and BE silly/ i love that we're not arguing about names/ i love that yesterday all i wanted was jennifer lopez movies-- proof positive that i am pregnant enough that i can have this baby now-- too tired to even think for my media consumption. bwa haha/ i love that i could have an impromptu night with a girlfriend and go about during the holidays running errands, shopping and laughing/ have decided this must happen yearly/ right now i'm listening to mindy gledhill for the first time/first song still playing/ i already want her christmas cd/ bad.

that's all.

happy holidays!

2011-12-15T11:45:00.000-07:00

more from the get together.
i sat on the floor and just watched...
sliding the bellows back and forth (i call them billows all the time. bellowsbillows.)
and watching.
i like these so much.

so sexy

2011-12-14T11:42:00.001-07:00

oh how i love the color red on women. i enjoyed this get together with kiera, leslie and holly. yes and yes.

more light

2011-12-13T11:42:00.000-07:00

i love the light in their room. I wish the window weren't quite so high, but i love the curtains (thank you Laura for making them in trade ). i won the alphabet. The drawing is by none other than Jeff Hein, whom I have the privilege of knowing. Its of E nursing and Todd and I both love it so much. So tender, and such a real and everyday part of our parenting. Happy life.

the light

2011-12-03T17:33:00.000-07:00

this is the best light in my home. right in the kitchen. every november we do a "thankful tree" where we each write a leaf each day. i like how our tree is growing.. and i like to think about how big it will be once my kids are older. thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. kinda sad its already gone, but i'm happy i documented this.

december books

2011-12-02T13:57:00.000-07:00

finishing up the newberys.

can't believe it.

embracing

2011-11-16T00:25:00.000-07:00

holistic blur in my imagery.

thanks keith carter.

also completely what I wanted.

and so perfect of her busy little moving self.

the sweet light

2011-11-15T00:36:00.000-07:00

i don't photograph outside much.
but seeing the sweet light was nice.
and i like this picture.
the glow.
mmmmm.

laughs

2011-11-14T00:30:00.002-07:00

can't believe i got any "serious" pictures from this night.
makebelieve cigarettes are hilarious and awesome.
so are pranksters.

be nice

2011-11-13T12:27:00.018-07:00

I was at the store. trying to find something nice to wear to a wedding this weekend (and also for sunday). I was annoyed at the one saleslady (leave me alone, I just want to look myself. I don't want your suggestions of hideous prints, etc). I was shut off.

Once I find something (score!), I go to the register. This lady is trying to be nice. She's asking about my pregnancy. I'm kinda being a jerk. Short responses. I'd had awful interactions during my errands all day and I was annoyed in general about strangers asking me personal questions.

but then....

she quietly asked----

can you tell me what it is like, to be pregnant and have a baby? I wasn't able to have children and I've always wanted them and I just want to know.

and it pricked my cold, awful heart. and reminded me of the privilege and earning I have done to have the knowledge and experiences with birth and children that I have had. My mindsets aren't the norm.

and I talked, and told her, about the beauty of birth. and how it isn't scary but glorious and that we were created for it.

It was a blessing. It healed the crappy interactions I had that day. Replaced them with the ability to be open with a stranger instead of having openness demanded of me. Reminded me of this experience. I'm grateful.

outing

2011-11-12T00:23:00.000-07:00

with the ladies
at the park
beautiful.

one hundred percent

2011-11-11T00:23:00.000-07:00

in love with this photograph.

in studio

playing

bonnie in color

2011-11-04T17:07:00.002-06:00

mamiya c330 porta 400

bonnie in black and white

2011-11-04T17:03:00.001-06:00

mamiya c330 xp2

A modern spin on a classic heirloom

2011-11-04T11:13:00.000-06:00

I've got something big and fun going on tomorrow and Monday. I'm slightly obsessed with these new silhouettes and am so excited to offer them as a fun twist on presents for the holidays (or for your cards this year).

Here's the deets:

Saturday November 5th 10-4pm 2pm (the 2-4pm time has been completely filled).

Monday November 7th 9am-noon, 5-9pm.

Cost: $10 per person in advance via paypal to alisha@alishastamper.com or $15 at the door--cash. This covers the little session (5-10min. A variety of silhouettes will be captured) then full files are customized with the color of your choice and purchased after (at a minimal fee- $5 per file).

Studio Location: 608 E. Wilmington Ave SLC (this is in sugarhouse.)

Contact: 801.369.3197 with questions or if you get lost.

There are awesome card layouts you can put the silhouettes into if you desire (I have ones you can purchase), or you can use these around the house, small or large for presents. Oh my! There are all sorts of things to do and its exciting!

Hope to see you!

post lazy

2011-11-03T12:22:00.000-06:00

i don't know why. i've been photographing loads. i think the summer did me in. so much work. so many deadlines. tired.

but i'll do some soon.... like after saturday. i promise.

for now, i'm running to the lab to turn in more film.

our life is a little topsy turvy and i'm just holding on... not holding breath... but just holding on. reading stories to my children, making meals, planning things, looking toward the future.

see you after the weekend.

when a child needs distraction

2011-11-02T12:27:00.001-06:00

give her your purse. full of film. this is what will happen before you realize that was dumb. doh.

november books

2011-11-01T12:21:00.001-06:00

I only have 1.5 of these left to read. I sprinted through october's, and a few other books before diving into november. I just am feeling the before the holidays, baby, crazy life crunch... and I really want to complete this goal.

Almost done!

baby shower gift

2011-10-17T09:05:00.000-06:00

in the last year, i've really embraced taking sweet, real photos of babies. these were of sweet carlyn's new one. she is a rocking artist. blows.my.mind. seeing their awesome familiy timeline made me think about all the chances we had to be true friends before it finally stuck. i respect and love her. what a lucky lady.

checking out drafts

2011-10-16T14:10:00.000-06:00

apparently i never published this one. this picture is fun. those chairs are fun (and won't be in my house for at least 20+ years based solely on their light color and stain-ability). That mirror rocks.

approach

2011-10-15T13:34:00.001-06:00

I'm so completely ok with the composition of this photo. From the Sistine Chapel, this is Adam's hand... the father of us all, blessing, as it were, the hands that protected and ushered this little one's arrival. This is Cathy, the homebirth midwife I had as an attendant (with her practice partner, Briana) for E's birth and my care. I had her over this week and it was so beautiful. Having her presence is that, always. She is wise, knows me well, and really listened. Such a talk we had of so many things. As I approach my own birth experience (#3!), I am reminded, deep down, of my spiritual thoughts, yearnings, and convictions about eternity, truth and right and how those apply to my everyday, but even more in the right now about birth, children, love and responsibility.

1600 pushed to 3200, I think. This was in 2009, November-ish.

old finds

2011-10-14T13:34:00.000-06:00

they rock my world.

couldn't resist

2011-10-12T17:16:00.001-06:00

just one more of my beautiful old assistant and her beau. AND i learned a new way to tie my scarves that is so pretty and different. Thank you thank you. And we honked at dogs, and tromped in mud and laughed and laughed.

my old assistant met a boy

2011-10-11T17:13:00.000-06:00

they're pretty in love and it makes me happy.

all on Mami. with film.

today

2011-10-04T16:20:00.001-06:00

i was at the library, the last of the errands. it wasn't too busy. i kept running into this lady, or my kids kept running into her, and i was starting to get embarassed because today was not a good mom day. it was a, i'm never a good mom, i'm so exhausted, why can't i be more than i am, kind of day....

well, as we walked out of the library, and i had to use a loud, firm mom voice to tell W not to walk out the door until we could go together, and as i held his hand and started a little discussion on reasons why we should stay together in public (which he normally doesn't have a problem with but it kept happening all over the place today. bottled energy, i don't know, but i just can't move that fast and it scared me how quickly he'd go on ahead)... anyway, this same lady walks out behind me...

and she whispers,
you are a really good mom.
i enjoyed watching you with your children.

And i cried. literally. right there. tears welled up. and i thanked her.

i needed it. so much.

be nice to someone today. they probably need it, too.

friend

2011-10-04T14:45:00.001-06:00

click to enlarge

oh film. your latitude. i love love.

found some good light pockets. i like them. totally diggin' xp2. favorite.

happy happy with the results of this little ten minute naptime shoot with my friend, Christopher. I will remember how his glasses kept getting darker because it was sunny outside. I will remember how strange it was to try to photograph someone taller than me with Mami.

I have been wanting to create something real of him for years. Its ridiculous how backburner things can become.

Take something off the backburner this month, ok, peeps? Get something photographed that matters to you.

i like

2011-10-03T14:42:00.000-06:00

friends that come over for me to do this:

but spend most of their time doing this:

Seriously. Christopher was a friend in college, but we've only become closer since and Todd and I both consider him a worthwhile friend of our family. W & E adore him. He has a good heart. So grateful for him.

the fruits

2011-09-30T16:51:00.000-06:00

Had the pleasure of photographing this mom and daughter at the market. They wanted something sweet....

and something of their everyday type of lives. These ladies were HILARIOUS and I laughed the whole time I was with them. Such a pleasure!

october books

2011-09-30T15:52:00.000-06:00

I'm on my last quarter of newberys. Its strange. I'm looking forward to reading these. Looking back over the last few months with the market and so much on my schedule with photo shoots and community involvement, I have zero idea how I finished those. Most of these are thick, which is daunting, but there are a few skinny ones. I will say, I'm not looking forward to reading Lincoln: A Photobiography-- I taught (high level TA for the American Heritage Department at BYU) a semester that focused on Lincoln and after all the reading of texts, preparing lessons, reading term papers, etc... I am Lincoln-ed out. still. I know.

september books

2011-09-30T15:45:00.000-06:00

I read them. except smoky the cowhorse and the story of mankind. those were both still on the shelf from july and I couldn't take them anymore. definitely some great ones from this stack.

Avenues Street Fair

2011-09-15T18:59:00.000-06:00

I know this isn't the first time this has happened, but it IS the first time it was someone new to me. Got this sweet photo in an email that said:

"Thanks again for my portrait.

I get a little camera shy & you have

a knack for making people feel comfortable

and downright awesome!"

Not only did this email totally make my day, but it reminded me of what a great experience I had creating that picture of her. I really love creating images, and it is a privilege to have everything align so beautifully on the fly. The market is pretty fast-paced, but I still get to really study the people I have met, even if it is only for five minutes or so.

Saturday was a raving success to me. I met no less than five people who enthusiastically responded to my desire to photograph them for personal work. woot. AND most of the people were silly, fun and genuinely happy and laid back. It made things light and happy for me. LOVED.

long grass

2011-08-31T17:20:00.002-06:00

oh the end of summer.

whilst I edit.

2011-08-29T15:05:00.000-06:00

check out this lovely I had in the studio. She was fun. And made me think people are not crazy for photographing fashion.

instants

2011-08-27T09:20:00.000-06:00

personally, i love this.

such a great face.

wednesdays: bribery doesn't go far in our house

2011-08-24T10:54:00.002-06:00

its not used often. but I was slightly desperate. didn't work, of course. W brought her the step stool and the toys. it had been awhile of her squawking wanting for someone to get her off the chairs. Now its over, and she just gets down, but oh my, what a travail to teach her.

wednesdays: a "new" old one

2011-08-17T10:15:00.000-06:00

so before Mami got serviced (by Forster's. They're great), she was doing this funky thing where she wouldn't advance rolls, and then she would only go to exposure 6. Anyway, this film was before I took her in. I've finally scanned it. I found this image and the double exposure didn't show up initially, until I started messing with the scan curve. WHOA.

its funky and fun. I like it. Its circa april 2010.

my city

2011-08-16T08:18:00.000-06:00

i was out the other day, right before the sweet light came. and there was something about the look of this, the lamp, and the tree, the mural and the clouds. it clicked and i clicked. completely snapshoty, and that's ok. I like having a visual representation of being stilled for a minute, even if its not awe-inspiring.

its funny, actually.

2011-08-15T17:32:00.000-06:00

You may not have seen it on facebook, so here's a little announcement: I'm pregnant.

I've started a longish list about status updates I would've put up if I had already officially announced my pregnancy. Here are some of them. They started literally the night I found out.

How am I going to lay on the floor with my laptop once my belly gets bigger? (and with this being #3, that will happen at 17 wks) * I was wrong on my estimate. No more laying on the floor started just this week.

Can I call my belly the Dome of Exhaustion?

How do I have more followers on pinterest than here on my blog? Seriously.

Milk smells like seafood. And that's nasty.

I'm touched out.

did I seriously just go buy nachos at 10:45 at night after seeing a Man vs. Food episode featuring nachos?

Why am I so tired? wait.....

Making choices is really hard sometimes. And I literally dissolve into a whiney puddle at Todd.

Being nauseous when vertical but not when horizontal is annoying.

i'd like to be able to do my dishes. seriously.

why did I buy cashews when I really wanted honey roasted peanuts?

maybe a brady bunch episode just got me teary... maybe....
(in my defense, it was about these people who adopt three boys (two are minorities), and they are defending them.. and it made me think about Todd and his awesome parents who adopted three boys who are asian, and how it was the same time period. And there could have been people who were callous and rude about it, it was just a wave of emotion of how grateful I am to them for what they did for him, how much they love him. What an amazing man he is.)

--

Anyway, I'm excited, T's excited, the kids are excited. We found out just hours before we found out about Briana moving from this life. We had the ultrasound last week and everything is right as rain. We'll be ringing in the ho-hum days of january with a new baby. Some of you may have already known this if you have visited my booth at the market. Its pretty obvious. :)

new instants

2011-08-11T21:58:00.000-06:00

from a session on saturday.

4 yrs old

in studio, used just the modeling lights on the strobes.

1/30 @ 5.6 (I think).

Harry and the Potters

2011-08-05T14:32:00.001-06:00

Two brothers, who are both Harry Potter (one as year 4 Harry, one as year 7 Harry), are the frontmen of the band. They dress up, talk like they are Harry, sing, are antics filled. Great showmen. And witty lyricists, to boot.

People dress up for these concerts. They tour to libraries in the summer. Reading is cool.

The age range was extremely diverse. More than I was expecting. There were lots of parents there with their older elementary/middle school age kids. And it was awesome.

Poor Wally. This was his reaction throughout most of the concert. He did ask me to take him up front and that was fun for a bit.

All in all, worth it worth it worth it.

eeee!

2011-08-04T23:05:00.000-06:00

a picture OF one of my pictures from the market. This girl, oh I love her. I didn't know she had documented having her instant portrait taken.

wednesdays: safe places

2011-08-03T09:12:00.011-06:00

he's close to his uncle. he gravitates to him when we're all together.
this was the day we learned that you can actually spin a child so much that he throws up.
poor thing.
thankfully, that is not what he remembers from that day.

p.s. remember when our little family digicam was on the wrong setting (thanks again, honey) and a picture i love love loved was small and i can't do anything with it?
it happened again with the image above. doh. worse that I had my film camera with me. the digi was in my hand bc i had just been doing a little video.
argh missed opportunities.

August's shelf

2011-08-02T22:38:00.000-06:00

There are some "hang-er on-ers" from last month. Didn't completely knock out 1922-29 along with the regular stack. Oh well.

The books look good, and some are slim, which is a blessing. But overall, I'm approaching this month with trepidation. This was the front page of the first one I started:

This book is a product of its time and does not reflect the same values

as it would if it were written today. Parents might wish to discuss with

their children how views on race have changed before allowing them

to read this classic work.

eek!

in the garden

2011-08-02T18:21:00.000-06:00

don't these look funky?

p.s. don't judge i didn't take out that line on the right.

minimalist.

minimalist is my mantra today.

halfsies

2011-08-01T18:05:00.001-06:00

this crop and composition seems to be calling to me lately.

fuji 100-c instant film. 4x5". f/5.6 @ 1/4sec. thanks for holding still.
window light
on location @ carolee's.

today

2011-08-01T18:02:00.000-06:00

sprinkles. everywhere. just because i was being lazy
and adding onion powder
instead of diced (real) onion
in the egg salad.

here's the thing, though.
today is glorious.
so i didn't care.
and i photographed instead of being bothered.
glad i learned that. and have proof i've applied it more than once.

what its been like:

2011-07-31T17:55:00.001-06:00

I've done the market half of my dates, 2 out of 4.

Watching people's responses (all joyful! yaya!) show up in the blogosphere, on their facebook pages, and via my fanpage, its been really cool. This week you'll be seeing some more scanned negs from the black and white instants I shot on the 16th, but alas, my color ones (which had me emoting. LOUDLY. ) are truly one of a kind. The negs get funky color (that can be very cool sometimes) when the back is bleached off. So the prints are truly their own little art pieces.

One of the greatest things about the 16th was watching some plans come to fruition. A fellow photographer was so taken with the idea of instants that she planned it into a project she has been doing (which is breathtaking), and I was able to link her with a painter. It was beautiful. You can check out her post about it. I'm flattered, to say the least. I ended my day creating images of her.

Here's another from that day:

T at a BBQ

2011-07-29T16:48:00.000-06:00

this was the only picture i could snap of him. stains? oh yeah, those are from sharing bratwurst with E. I love this picture. So much. My american-man husband, doing the man thing at a BBQ. Can't describe it more than that.

instants

2011-07-22T16:21:00.000-06:00

Fuji Instant. Measures 4x5". Straight outta camera. From the other day out with the ladies. Like what I'm doing at the market. Jessica is gorgeous, talented and real. This image = worth every second to haul my camera down steps. The instant gratification is so tasty. Especially when the results are this divine. Slowing down and taking the time to really really look makes for beautiful beautiful images. Holding this print was a highlight to my week, and also a rejuvenation for me about images I create.

pool honeys

2011-07-21T22:59:00.002-06:00

she likes to lay out. definitely didn't teach her that. but lounging on her towel in the warm sun is one of her favorite things about the pool. she giggles like nobody's business when we put on her sunscreen. chlorine and sunscreen. ah ah. the smells of summer childhood.

words they mean nothing

2011-07-20T17:10:00.000-06:00

Inside/a heart of summer soul/don't let them/take it away
Cause inside/something solid gold/don't let them/throw it away
Follow/your own path from here/so don't listen/to what they say
Cause here comes/something wonderful/so don't let them/throw it away

Words by The Doves

~~Lately~~ For the last year I've been thinking a lot about being authentic not only in my art, but in my life. Being expressive, and having my expression be what I want, and what I seek to put out in the world, is linked eternally to how I am doing in my personal realm. There are a whole lot of factors in our personal lives, no? How we view ourselves as artists, and even just as people, has such an effect on the vibe we send out to others. How we're doing on our own goals of betterment, within our relationships, all of that affects our expression, not just in the arts, but I think in our communication as a whole.

With all of these percolating thoughts, I've been thinking about the vibes I put out there. Sometimes, like everyone else, my vibes are dichotomies. Isn't that just the rub?

So I've been simplifying my life, making my output of energy into the things that really matter (I know my poor husband might not agree, but I think I'm making strides in the simplification department! Learning to say "No" has been so calming.) I've realized that I know what I want my vibe to be. And it was somewhat surprising at first, but makes more sense every day.

This is my vibe. My single word. The description of me that I want to be most prevalent: SMART. I realized that I don't really care, in the long term, if people even know I photograph. Doesn't make sense, right? I know whether people care or not, I'll keep doing it. On saturday I photographed my sister, her husband and baby and I realized, I have literally been photographing her for 15 years. Even did the math to make sure I'm right about that. 15 freakin' years. And I know that in 15 more years, I still will be photographing her, finding truth in expression through her image and what I'm able to clearly express when I'm with her. Our mutual lineage from our self-educating, passionate and empowered mother, is a recipe for taking hold of our communities and influencing them for good. So glad I have a partner in this. (well, four partners. all of my sisters are legit and rad).

What I offer the world is usually not photography. Its a part, and I love it, and the thought I put into it definitely has my full attention and effort when I'm creating, but there are so many other things I do, and am involved in, and learn, that have an affect on my creative expression. And ultimately, the bulk of who I am, a self-educating, book-reading, wordsmith of a woman, has nothing to do with photography.

Realizing this has made creating easier and more enjoyable.

What's your one word?

beautiful beautiful beautiful, beautiful girl

2011-07-18T10:24:00.000-06:00

at a party awhile ago, me and a dearie tried to get over stranger fears when photographing. Mine is somewhat beaten out of me because I have been known to ask strangers to come in and be subjects for my personal studies (the images are worth the few minutes of sounding like a moron).

this is my personal stranger of the evening. asked to photograph her. her response was beyond sweet. I love her face, so classic.

the test shot

2011-07-18T09:32:00.000-06:00

This is Cecilia. She's my assistant this summer. I'm beyond pleased with her. On Saturday, at the market (next confirmed dates are 8/13 and 9/17. mark your calendar), she sat for the test when I switched film stocks. I kinda wanted an image of her anyway.... and didn't really need to test. don't tell. I love this image. I love the color stock of instant. I love how utterly unique it is. The negatives get beyond funky when you bleach off the back. They have their own appeal, of course, but for now, the positive is embedded in my heart.

fascinator

2011-07-17T10:21:00.001-06:00

i'm not good at headpieces. wearing them, that is. but i'm beyond marginally pleased with this image of one.

two matrons

2011-07-15T16:16:00.003-06:00

On the right is Dixie Snow Huefner. She recently was awarded Distinguished Woman of the Year. If you pay attention to Utah politics at all, you may have heard in recent years about the push for an independent ethics board for our legislature. Listening to her speak was enlightening, to say the least. Talking to her during their commission was awe-inspiring but also rekindled my activist gene. Her mother (on the left), is her main inspiration, she said.

hurrah for summer!

2011-07-14T21:23:00.000-06:00

so excited to make jam. We went berry picking on our trip back in may. i can't wait for my regular berry guys to be at the farmer's market. their stuff is the best.

july bookshelf

2011-07-11T10:49:00.000-06:00

whoa delayed. Probably because the stack is so huge this month. I'm trying to knock out all those extras (1922-1929) this month. i've already finished three. So I'm on a good pace. This week is another market week, but I've hired some help so it will hopefully be even more successful (if that's possible. Last time was off the hook insane. I loved it) than last month. If you come, make sure you check out Noona's Kitchen. Her cuc-amole rocked my world when I was there on saturday with Todd and the kids.

late afternoon alabama sun.

2011-07-08T14:41:00.000-06:00

click to enlarge. really. worth it. promise.

I LOVE the reflected light on her face, the bokeh on the right, the absolute warmth and perfection of the memory this captured. I want to print this HUGE.

in the middle of nowhere

2011-07-06T11:10:00.000-06:00

the cars sit.

it was here that i watched the birth of a cloud. for real.
it formed out of nothing. a clear clear sky.
and grew and grew.
it made a mark.
on me.
i don't know how to adequately describe it.
but i'm so glad it was a shared experience.

durango

2011-07-05T23:06:00.000-06:00

check out this beautiful ottoman. I would love to have one as a room highlight. This picture makes me sad because of the green sweater (that was $80! eeek!) that I didn't buy, but still think about all the time. oh what a trip that was. Such great memories.

I love the saturation here. Not added. All film. Its slide. Contrasty, saturated, fickle, beautiful.

more than two

2011-07-05T11:44:00.000-06:00

here's another, from the beginning with Mami. I have 8 rolls waiting to be developed. A good talk with a new photo friend let me own that I'm scared to try a new lab, even though I know I need to. Courage! Its on the goal list for the week.

Happy 4th!

2011-07-04T10:52:00.000-06:00

Hope your day includes some gorgeous watermelon. This beauty was adorning the streets in Green River, which is famous for its variety of melon.

double exposure to the 2nd power

2011-07-03T09:38:00.001-06:00

all i know, is its at least six.

wheeler farm

from the archives

sept 2008.

fail?

2011-07-02T09:16:00.001-06:00

I was going through my archives tonight and i found these negs from one of the first times I used Mami. It was lowlight, in a sushi restaurant (samurai. pretty sure they've changed their name since, but its on 6200 s and highland. so delish.), definitely not a way I regularly photograph. I only took 3 frames that night. It was still so new. And parallax was something I knew, but not something I was used to consciously correcting for. Here's the thing, though. I don't care. I like the cut. It feels right. What do you think?

testing testing.

2011-07-01T16:04:00.000-06:00

I'm attempting to streamline my life. It makes things easier. For example, today I set up for my Facebook Page (are you a fan? You can be. I tell nice things & share secrets among other things).

So this is a test post. To see if it does, in fact, post to facebook like I think it will.

my life. really.

2011-06-30T11:29:00.000-06:00

...not really the fancy party all the time, but definitely the genuine laughs with a real friend, taken by a talented friend, that is so very much my life. Full of happiness.

Matter: the Lamberts

2011-06-29T09:09:00.001-06:00

Let me tell you a story. About my shaping.

When I was 13, my friend was living with his aunt and uncle for a few months, who lived within walking distance from my house. I'd gone over there a few times.

Fast forward to me being 16. His aunt, Linda (pictured above), called me and said she would like me to come work for her. She and her husband had a metal works company. They did high end metal, duct work, kitchen stuff, for hotels, county clubs, etc. I worked in the office with Linda a few days a week (most days in the summer), and learned about invoicing, quotes, business phone etiquette, and so many other things. It was a family business and they welcomed me with open arms. They even took pictures of me and my date before prom. I worked for them into some of my college years (she wrote a letter of recommendation for me), they were at my wedding, and they are a presence in my children's lives. They absolutely are family.

I watched them run their lives and business with monetary prudence. I learned things about car maintenance, plants, food and diet, organization, all from them. She was a strong beacon of love for God while I grew. They decided to invite me to their lives, the office was part of their home, and I had keys, codes, all those things. Looking back, and specifically looking at teenagers in my own life, I am so grateful they thought I was worth investing in.

Having the Lamberts in my life was such a complement to my own parents. I had other adults who so very much agreed with my parents and knew what was right, but still could be a sounding board while I figured out that my parents were right. I'm so grateful.

Who influenced you as a young adult? Do you have pictures to aid in your reminiscence to your own kids?

Market Dates

2011-06-28T14:11:00.000-06:00

My official market dates at this point are:

7.16
8.13
9.17

I may be at the Avenues Street Fair, 9.10.

The images above are a brief sampling of the images I did my first day, 6.18. It was wildly successful and I thoroughly enjoyed myself meeting people and working on the fly. I definitely have some new people I want to photograph for personal work (finding new models was one of my main goals in doing the market). The negs are interesting to work with. Very different from Polaroid Type-55.

peacock

2011-06-26T09:19:00.013-06:00

somewhere in my dreams, there is a garden with a gate like this-- bronzey/wrought iron depictions of animals. The beauty of nature being so overwhelming that it commemorated in the things used to enter it--- gates, doors, stones. Maybe its because of the countless times I watched A Little Princess and The Secret Garden... but I think I am searching, sometimes, for the places where literature comes alive. I know they are there. Heaven knows Michael Kenna has found them. People write what they know, they try to pin down beauty in their art. I want to see more gardens. Real ones. Rococo-style and Versailles style. The moors and India. All of it. I need more green.

central park, again

2011-06-23T09:05:00.000-06:00

watching baseball.

on the great lawn.

this was attempt #2 of going to the great park.

glad we made a 2nd attempt.

first time involved lots of traffic,

and a sick little lady.

mamiya c330, ilford xp2

wednesdays: central park

2011-06-22T08:57:00.000-06:00

i will not deny

i bribed him to stay there.

with an ice cream from a vendor.

he picked a spiderman one.

wish he didn't know who spiderman was.

........

but seeing him and E share it, and seeing their covered,

sticky,

messy happy

faces, was worth it in the short run.

this picture is more than worth it in the long run.

mamiya c330, ilford xp2-- i am completely in love with this film.

central park

2011-06-21T08:57:00.000-06:00

i thought this was interesting. all adults on the swings & it was like a pattern.

mamiya c330

ilford xp2

south of the border

2011-06-20T08:30:00.000-06:00

i had been here back in HS. We stopped there at night on our way to Florida. I remember it being really cool. Its not cool, actually. But I love this image.

Save the Date: June 18th (tomorrow!)

2011-06-17T00:40:00.001-06:00

Hi Everyone! As I've said here on the blog, I'll be doing instant large format portraits at the SLC farmer's market a few saturdays this summer. Here are some samples that I created so people can have an idea of what my work looks like.

I'll be just about at the corner of 400 West and 400 South.
Come by.
Have one taken of you.
or someone who matters
and you want something tangible of.

these will take your breath away. they sure did for me.
Holding a print immediately that is of large format detail is
unreal.

from the trip

2011-06-13T00:02:00.000-06:00

our first few days we stayed with my friend, amy. she is an artist and had already scoped out a sweet light spot in her home for me to photograph in.

she matters to me. deeply.

new toy

2011-06-11T13:56:00.000-06:00

i got an instax mini for my birthday.

beyond fun.

i love this method of preserving childhood memories.

it is what it is, but it looks like what it isn't

2011-06-05T13:10:00.000-06:00

cutting up things to make vegetarian chili.
i was distracted and did not cut down the middle.
not even close.
but this greeted me.
this seashell cut of an onion.

does that happen to you? the beautiful design of the food we eat?
nature at its best? it happens to me. often.

my june shelf

2011-06-04T19:07:00.000-06:00

picking up this stack at the library had me a little anxious. but then I remembered I was picking it up on the 2nd of the month---- not the 20th, as I've been moreso doing. who knows though, I am seriously considering reading this and this before I dive into the stack.

I found a new sweet light spot in my house. It makes me stop every day with the desire to photograph something in it. these books were the first thing. granted, they're highly adjusted, but the spot is there. and I'm excited.

where have I been..

2011-06-03T01:07:00.000-06:00

you ask? Well, all over the place. It was amazing. Why haven't I shared? WELLLLL, I'm waiting to get back this stuff.

but I looked like this most of the time.

and got some quick ones I love already. So I can't wait to see the film.

How was your May?

leaving

2011-05-06T14:32:00.000-06:00

a couple things:

i left this morning on a massive 3 week trip

going to nyc first

then philly for a minute

then penn laird for a while,

then DC to celebrate and party

then raleigh to relax and enjoy

then auburn to laugh and play the day away.

its a big trip.

i took my twin lens and my ricoh.

i bough a summery dress (fabric pattern above).

see ya, weirdo spring of utah.

i'll be spending may gallavantly in the fresh green of the east.

when i get back, its full steam ahead to prepare for the downtown farmer's market.

did I mention I got in? that there were 246 applicants for 100 spots?

I DIDN'T?

Well, here's notice. I'm going to be there. A few saturdays.

and I'm stoked. It will be so nice

to spend the day there.

to meet new people (and potential models for my personal work).

I'll be announcing the set dates and all that, but for now,

enjoy your may. take some pictures. read some books. write something.

the may shelf

2011-05-05T14:32:00.002-06:00

still plugging away on those newbery winners over here. Thankfully, May is a short stack.

briana blackwelder

2011-04-29T02:41:00.001-06:00

i don't know where to start.
my heart has weights.
attached so securely that i wonder if i'll ever
ever
feel uplifted from this.

sorrow isn't a normal place for me.
depression isn't a place a i frequent.
but i can't.seem.to.leave.

but at the same time i'm
so grateful.
for photographs done well
for the blessing of talent from a loving god
for a friend that held the promise of many shared memories.

i'm crying. i do every time i think of her.
being busy from sunday-wednesday was really good
for me.
i couldn't crumble.
i had to perform.
finish pictures, check.
respond to emails, check.
give to family, help with film-making, book making, program making, check.
bring frames.
bring more frames.
figure out a display.
kick myself for not printing it bigger.
keep kicking myself.

what i cannot forgive, and i know it doesn't matter
in the scheme of the impact she had, or the friendship that
was budding after her wonderful presence at E's birth....
is that an opportunity to see her,
just one last time,
was something that i said no to
to put my family first.
it was a crazy morning. the SLC marathon was in full-swing.
we were headed there... but oh the traffic.
and i was embarrassed that we'd be so late.
and i knew T didn't really want to go.
it was his first saturday off in so long.
and we missed him, me and the kids.
and i didn't fight for her.
didn't insist that we go and support her.
and so, i said it was ok.
and i didn't see her.

that feels wretched.

but more than that, its this,
from that night.

as soon as the day was over, and i went online to do a few things
she wrote me. immediately.
she reached out to me. yet again. ever giving.
i felt it now and i felt it then.
i let her down. she never would say so, of course.
but she noticed.

she so very much deserved my support.
she gave and gave and gave to me....
to help sort my issues with E's birth. to help me see the beauty.
and i partook.
i can't think of another well that fit in this weird space of
confidant, caregiver yet not a regular social life staple
that has run as deep as hers, for me, in this and so many other ways.
and so these weights are staying their course.
don't tell me it doesn't matter in the scheme of things,
i know.
it doesn't change the hurt,
the regret, and the deep sadness.
this isn't a hurt i need comforted. its a hurt i need to say,
that needs to stay until it fades.
aren't those the ones we learn from the most?

----------------

i want to write about the positive.

i had the privilege of photographing Briana.
Not only in the studio, but on a day with her
and Cathy. Visiting mamas, watching them work
so seamlessly together.
i was gifted long car rides.
and sweet laughter.
i go to bask in their connection
as friends, caregivers, saints.

Cathy believed in me.
in my ability to create real portraits.
she had me photograph briana
(two birds with one stone. she was part of the MATTER project, obviously).

i am indebted to her.
i have long said, i want to create images that show someone, truly,
who a person is.
i take a long-look approach. i want these images
to speak
20 years from now.
i want them to be the beautiful things held onto by grandchildren.
momentos, heirlooms.
pieces of someone past that shows
her beauty. her spirit.
her true self.

though as artists, we strive to be successful,
i never knew it would hurt so much.
to know i had nailed it.
completed my desire.
even in her passing, she gave, again.

i'm truly speechless.
there are memories.
wonderful ones.
of visits, and honesty
of cakes, soup, comparisons.

but underneath it all,
i miss her.
i will miss running into her
at the park
at the market.
i will miss her ability to
truly embrace a person.
to uplift with her touch.

"Believer in ferns" as they said
"Agent of creation" as they said
an original, a standard, a sentinel of worthy things.
that is what i'm saying.

Winners

2011-04-25T17:37:00.000-06:00

Ok Ladies. Send me you addresses to alisha (at) alishastamper (dot) com and you'll get something lovely.

last chance

2011-04-25T01:19:00.002-06:00

scroll down and enter my little handmade pay it forward giveaway.

easter

2011-04-24T01:51:00.005-06:00

He is risen.

28 things and something to enter

2011-04-22T09:34:00.001-06:00

Today is my birthday. years ago, a random stranger gave me some hit and run criticism about needing to "up" my self-esteem and people skills. He said I needed to write down 50 things I liked about myself. ( I then spent the next 30 minutes at the store thinking of all the things I liked about myself in relation to him--did I mention he was a checker at our local grocer who wears crazy hats a la six flags? I know this was not exactly a nice moment for me. Did I mention he told me he's a life coach as a precursor to his unsolicited advice? yeah.)

Maybe its just my hubris talking, but I think I have too much of one, and am amazing at the other, of the things he said I needed to boost, respectively. But I think there is something worthy of keeping a nice list of things about yourself. I know that I have never written one before (barring any memories I am missing from my formative years at girls camp, etc). So here's 28.

01. i am a good friend
02. i am a good sister
03. i am a good wife
04. i am a great mom
05. i enjoy my calling at church
06. i love to read
07. i am involved in my community
08. i am a champion of women and want to help empower
09. i like long walks
10. i like to cook
11. i enjoy having people over, especially for meals
12. i forgive
13. i am a good storyteller
14. i connect people
15. i am righteously indignant when necessary
16. i am honest
17. i am realistic
18. i dream
19. i am welcoming
20. i can sing and love to
21. i like to teach others
22. i like to sew
23. i plan
24. i am grateful
25. i take a nice picture
26. i like to give credit where credit is due
27. i pursue continual education
28. i am well-spoken

I intentionally left out appearance things. Not only are we more than just our outer frames, but I think when women list what they like about their bodies, it inevitably makes other women criticize themselves. I don't like that and don't want to have that effect. I'll just say that I am a positive realist about my body.

Now, HERE'S where this gets interesting:

A friend recently did a post of sending others handmade things. I have seen others do it also. I think I try to be in the closet about creating things if it isn't photography-- at least online. I'm not completely myself here in the niche I've created. I think part of it is that I don't want to be perceived as a jack of all trades and master of none. Because I think I am really good at doing large format portraits. And I don't want to be another person with a blog of every little thought.

But I do make things, and cook things, and try to beautify my life and have that enrich the lives of the people I love.

SO, dear reader. Leave me a comment about something you like about you. Make sure you leave a way for me to contact you if you're not sure I can. I'll pick five randomly and send you something worthwhile. You have the whole weekend. (ending monday 8am)

dinosaur eggs

2011-04-21T13:00:00.000-06:00

Today is a mom day. Where I try my hardest to steer clear of all the rest of the stuff in my life (except during naptime) and just BE a mom. Read stories all day, color, lay on the floor. With our upcoming updownallaround east coast extravaganza trip coming up, I know that I need to get back into funmom mode. Do you do that?

Some of my favorite, inspirational home ladies had a rockin' tutorial for easter that is perfect for hand-ons, BOY fun. It is a great introduction to dyeing eggs... when wee ones are tooooooo little to have the desire for anything other than smashing and dropping eggs.

I think I might try these next.

demonstrated

2011-04-20T10:52:00.000-06:00

Camera.

complete with shutter release and viewfinder (that is really long).

we were photographing tomatoes.

i have this thing

2011-04-18T09:04:00.000-06:00

with ambient light. I only photograph it super yellow. and it always looks kinda creepy. i'm going for warm and inviting, of course. but nope. just creepy is what i get. i did photograph these lamps before and it was nicer.

while mentoring

2011-04-17T13:32:00.000-06:00

I grabbed these two shots. i am loving the square. The 222 building is newer, at least to me. I can tell a big difference downtown since we first moved here and I am really liking this city more and more. I think Within Walking Distance is slated to make a comeback in June.

good Mami

while i was out, definitely got some looks. but its not the kind of looks that tell you, hey! you still got it. nope, its the kinda looks where they are looking because of your camera. Remember how Mami is super pretty? Yeah. Proved it while i was out.

the retro rose

2011-04-15T00:25:00.000-06:00

Can I just say how much I love this picture? The bokeh makes me swoon, and the tones, OH the tones.

Back when pictureline was on 200 east, I went there once and afterwards was walking around a bit and found the retro rose. I've gotten a few things there over the years, always classic pieces that I love, even from the first thing I got there. a few weeks back I met christine there so we could walkabout and photograph downtown. It was kinda raining here and there but it was the kind that feels SO good. Well, this was right after I had picked up Mami from the shop. I literally got one frame outta her that day then had to carry her around for nothing (or, if I remember correctly, christine did, thank you again).

why would i have the person i was with carry around my camera? well, see, this was wrapped onto me:

A friend gave me a korean backwrap (I'm sure there is a much more beautiful name for it), and christine is lovely and oh so accommodating. She even took that picture and i La La La LOVE it.

But for real, peeps. getting back Mami and working with her has been more of a learning curve than I was anticipating. I won't be discouraged, of course, but photographing lines that should be straight is not in my foreseeable future, let's just say that.

our house

2011-04-14T22:39:00.000-06:00

lest you think i'm joking when i say one/both of my kids are sick. yeah. this is what my days look like sometimes between october and may.