The Photographs of Brae

The Girl with the Pearl Earring

2010-10-21T10:33:00.000-04:00

After a quick run to Ikea just a mile down the road, Eleanor and I had a black sheet for the background, a blue towel for her head, and a beige pillowcase for her shoulder. And then we had a new photo for her promotional use! Eleanor is a commercial graphic designer and illustrator, and the funnest housemate I've ever had!

Etsy product shots!

2010-10-14T19:16:00.001-04:00

I did some product shots for my dear friend Eleanor Grosch's new etsy shop of greeting cards. How cute are they?

Virginia, a friend and neighbor

2010-10-11T13:47:00.001-04:00

I recently photographed a neighbor of mine here in South Philly named Virginia. Virginia was a dancer in her younger days and only stopped dancing a few years ago. In this picture she's holding an image of herself backstage with feathers glued to her breasts. How fun! I met Virginia in a yoga class. I saw a lively spark in her eye, and we got know each other a bit. When I came over to photograph her, she had tea and cake prepared for us.

Carson family photographs

2010-03-16T00:30:00.009-04:00

I recently did a fun family photo shoot. Amie and her two little girls were so easy to photograph. I loved how Amie didn't mind that the girls were splashing around in the mud.

Promo photos of Eleanor Grosch

2010-03-10T17:42:00.007-05:00

I recently shot some promotional portraits for graphic designer Eleanor Grosch of Pushmepullyou design. Because she does animal illustrations, we were going for some fun animal looks. Check out her stuff! [link]

new lego jewels

2010-02-27T18:05:00.009-05:00

We've got a few new fun designs in our etsy shop of Lego jewels. Check 'em out. As always, designed and made by my dad, photographed and promoted by me. [link]

come one. come all. come do your laundry!

2010-02-15T21:15:00.003-05:00

Portraits on Halloween in Tokyo by me, and stamped illustrations created by hand done woodcuts by my girl Melissa Choi, plus some live music from singers and dj's! There will also be a kid's hour from 7-8 complete with Japanese cartoon coloring pages, and free gourmet treats and vino!
And last but not least, our friend Wendee Strause, who designs jewelry for Anthropologie will be selling her own creations.

New necklaces in our Lego jewelry shop

2010-02-08T20:45:00.006-05:00

My father and I collaborate on a little lego jewelry business. He does the designing and creating, and I do the photographing and store running. Check out our store: The Fingerpost Shop on Etsy.
Here are some of our newest designs on a beautiful model!

A heartfelt story for you on the health of change

2010-02-08T11:23:00.007-05:00

I stopped riding my bike when my true love, Stephane, broke up with me. It was one of the many changes, including a three month stay in Tokyo, that I made to my life to make it new. I thought, fuck this shit, I'm reinventing EVERYTHING.

Reinvention breathes life into the banal and also seriously heals deep wounds. I'll start biking around Philadelphia again soon enough. I didn't religiously cut it out of my life a year and a half ago. I rode my bike here and there. But I changed my handbag to a more sophisticated one that wouldn't hang across my back, took on a wide leg jean as my signature look, and decided to dress up, so that I'd feel stronger. The jean couldn't easily be tucked in to be protected from the bike chain, so out went the bike.

My new look provided a strong enough feeling of escape from my usual experience as Brae to warrant the change, and riding public transportation gave me new things to see and think about. I needed to see in a new way. I aimed to discover something enlightening, redefine my desires, in fact, become a different version of myself. Part of this was the old symptom of depression; disowning the self, but also present was my ferocious optimism. My fighting spirit wasn't dead.

The most uplifting thing I'd say to myself throughout the freezing, painful days I dragged myself through last winter was:

Today I'm fighting for my joy.

And then sometimes angrily:

No one can interfere with my joy. It's all mine.

That one was helpful but more reactionary. I'd recite these mantras not because they were true, but because I wanted them to be true.

A year and a half later I've slowly gathered my joy back, and it feels richer now. Richer because my empathy has grown through experience and because I'm settling back into a strengthened, more confidant version of myself. Cliches helpfully sum up human experience sometimes:
Shit that doesn't kill you makes you stronger. I'm happy that's true. And I like applying cliches to my life because they help me take myself less seriously. We're all in this together, right?

I'm settling back into this stronger version of myself and am returning to some of my old interests that I'd temporarily disowned. The bright colors are returning to my wardrobe. I'm making photographs more often. I don't need cigarettes anymore because I'm not in survival mode. I'm in living mode.

It's funny the self-seriousness depression causes. But it's quite real.

I pulled through mine by making intentional changes in my life, both simple and serious. The changes broadened my perspective. I'm a firm believer in the principle of reinvention to open the mind.

I will ride my bike again when the spring comes.

And I'm grateful for the remnants of changes I made; an excellent addition to my limited shoe collection of expensive black leather boots, a nice assortment of Mac make-up which helped me feel more confidant, a small library of books by Thich Naht Hanh, my resolution to worry less about social engagements and more about centered and calm solitude, my new house mate, and Tokyo's influence on me from the three months I spent there. All of these new things and experiences helped strengthen my heart and refocus it on something other than its brokenness.

Life's fun and interesting and weird. Cheers!

a morning walk in frigid South Philly

2010-01-30T14:41:00.005-05:00

Went to breakfast with my housemate David and his (and now my) buddy Noah. We snapped some fun photos on the walk back home.

photos by David Schrott, except the one that I took.

a spot for peace

2010-01-29T16:08:00.003-05:00

A few days ago I made a small prayer and meditation spot in my living room, which also happens to be my bedroom. My apartment in Philadelphia is quite tiny, and quite cozy. I've got no complaints.

I've been reading a lot of books by the Buddhist monk Thich Naht Hahn lately and after a year of meaning to, I've finally decided to designate a space for peace, meditation, prayer, and self collecting. My resolve is to sit here twice a day.

Let me describe this space for you:

On the wall I tacked a hello kitty cell phone charm from Japan. Hello Kitty is dressed as the Statue of Liberty and she is a little bell. So she functions as my mindfulness bell. I ring her to begin my time of peace.

There are some beads on the wall next to her. It's a bracelet handmade for me by my six year old cousin. They're kind of like rosary beads.

Above these two charms is a quotation from Thich Naht Hahn which says, Peace is every step. A valuble lesson I've learned from Hahn is that peace is available to us in each moment. We can always make the choice to smile, to breathe, and to offer kindness to ourselves and to the people we encounter each day.

I bought the Catholic Jesus candle at the Acme a block away.

There is a little jar that my friend Ida gave me for Christmas, and a fake green flower inside. I would like to buy fresh flowers for this space every few days.

There is also a paintbrush I bought on sale at the Pearl Arts and Crafts store on South Street, which recently had a closing sale. The paintbrush reminds me to see my identity as an artist as a gift. I can get burdened by the stresses and responsibilities of it so easily, but perhaps I don't have to.

An orange scarf that used to belong to my little sister Chalice covers an Aldo shoe box to make the stand.

This place is beautiful to me, and reminds me to come back to myself, to breathe, and to be grateful to God, or to whomever deserves the gratitude.

another delcious din.

2010-01-20T01:20:00.004-05:00

I just can't stop cooking. The vietnemese market is only 5 blocks away. I could camp out in that grocery store for a week- I love it there so much! I bought a light pink carrot peeler and the biggest moka espresso maker I've ever seen last week. Just 15 bucks total for both. Here's tonight's supper made almost completely from Hung Vuong ingredients. Frozen vegetable dumplings with a bowl of soy sauce, a hard boiled egg, and linguine with a sauce I made out of coconut milk, peanut butter, chicken stock, and rice vinegar. Fresh basil on top always completes the look and the taste.

and she's back.

2010-01-19T01:40:00.005-05:00

Took a three month haitus from blog writing and now I'm back with a vengeance! Actually, I'm back with a lot of joy and ideas. More to come. For now- some snap shots of this evening's dinner.

A salad of fresh spinach, grated carrot, sliced mushrooms, capers, and roasted red pepper dressing.

And then a delicious and inexpensive soup. I bought instant thai tom yum ramen at the Vietnemese grocery store right down the block here in my South Philly neighborhood, cooked it in coconut milk and chicken broth, then added the seasoning packets and topped it with Japanese pickled ginger and fresh basil.

Yum-o.

Below is the instant soup package. It was twenty five cents.

Deeper thoughts coming soon!

Tokyo does Halloween

2009-10-31T09:31:00.015-04:00

Went to a Halloween parade in Kawasaki today. Check it!

Creepy Marie Antoinette. Love her.

You'd think there was a plague in Tokyo with about half the people here wearing white hospital face masks. I like this lacy gothic Halloween version of the face mask.

This was my favorite costume today. She's a pile of desserts. And her cold color themed friend is below.

Strawberry crocks and an amazing costume. I'm not sure what she is.

Sequined eyelashes.

They're wearing reflectors. It makes for an interestingly lit image.

Excited cross-dressers. One even got his nails done.

Lil pumpkin boobies!

Super Lovers. From Tokyo with Love.

2009-10-27T13:13:00.004-04:00

3 images from Harajuku. It's actually a pretty touristy spot, feeling somewhat
akin to South Street in Philly.

pb and j

2009-10-25T22:33:00.001-04:00

Peter, Bjorn and John had these guys star in one of their music videos. Check it.

rockabilly

2009-10-25T08:27:00.004-04:00

Saw some dudes and ladies breakin it down in Yoyogi park today.

Rockabilly groups gather on Sundays in this park to dance. It's a lot of fun to watch! If you search for Tokyo Rockabilly on youtube, you'll get all kinds of stuff. Like this video.

design festa

2009-10-24T10:15:00.009-04:00

Went to a big event called Design Festa here in Tokyo today. Saw some fashion shows, watched some pop bands perform, and saw lots of interesting people wandering around. When I asked to photograph the girl above she struck that cute sexy pose!

Sexy backs. The four of them did a modern dance performance.

These little ladies had some amazing synchronized dance moves going on.

Plush pants!

I don't know what this lady's story is. I guess someone painted her.

When I asked to shoot this girl, she threw her bag on the ground and struck this pose.

OB?

Posing. I'd like to do some sort of photo essay on the way people pose for photographs in different cultures.

Meeting some friends in Harajuku tomorrow to check out the Lolita Goth girls who apparently hang around there on Sundays. Then I might go to a university to see a hip hop dance performance I found out about on couchsurfing. Fun!

Kamakura

2009-10-22T22:15:00.007-04:00

Here are a few images from a trip to Kamakura. One of the main attractions at Kamakura is the giant Buddha, pictured below. But I found the girl's multi-charmed cell phone much more interesting!

Here are some scary masks being sold at the entrance to a temple.

The cups on this ledge are part of a small shrine I happened upon while walking down a side alley. What a beautiful place for meditation. I need some little cups and a ledge for a my spiritual journey! Maybe I'll make one when I get back to the states...

This little girl is dressed in a kimono because she is turning 7. 3 and 7 are both special ages for some reason over here. She was being photographed by lots of tourists and looks a bit tired.

Here is the giant Buddha- one of the main attractions at Kamakura. And there is a group of school kids posing for a picture in front.

festival day! check it!

2009-10-18T10:30:00.011-04:00

Today I met up with local and international friends through couchsurfing.com and we took a train about an hour out of Tokyo to go this crazy crowded street festival.

I am much more interested in photographing daily life on Tokyo streets, but I find it so much less intrusive to point my camera at people during festivals, because they expect it!

Check it out. Gross! But Japanese people love raw eggs.

The three girls in the lower part of the picture are from Singapore, Japan, and China. We were such a fun group hanging out all day!

a cat in Shimokitazawa

2009-10-17T07:04:00.002-04:00

Check out this old dude just chillin with his cat. Check out how that cat is chillin! And tolerating Japanese accessories dangling from him too. Wow.

guys without pants, among other things

2009-09-23T08:49:00.008-04:00

This evening I spent a few hours with an American friend's friend named Emily who was visiting Tokyo for the week on business. Emily and I used to live just blocks from each other in South Philly, but we met for the first time here in Tokyo. Fun! We ate some dinner at a cafe in Shimokitazawa, pictured above. I liked the lady sitting at the red bar, smoking her cigarette, and wearing her cool earrings.

Here is Emily, wishing she could take this cute lama rug home.

Emily again, looking alarmed while vintage clothes shopping.

I don't understand the meaning of this, but I like the look of it. Can anyone explain? I should ask a Japanese friend.

I blogged about this lady back in February when I visited Tokyo. She has this really funky, adorable little pink, Disney themed crepe corner in Shimokitazawa. Emily and I bought some choco-cinnamon crepes from her. She's been making crepes for 20 years, and her little corner is covered in dusty Disney figures, and an old dirty tv that always plays Disney movies. It's a totally fascinating spot.

While walking around with Emily, we also stumbled upon some kind of festivities involving all these men walking around without pants. Gross! We even saw pantsless guys on the train later in the evening. I need to ask a Japanese person about the significance of the pantlessness.

What in the world? This guy has no idea his butt is on my blog tonight.

Check it out. A guy in a thong, and slippers with 2 sections for toes. Whoa. I really need someone to explain to me the things I see. On this blog, I can offer photographs, but I can't always offer explanations.

some foods. some festivities.

2009-09-14T10:39:00.011-04:00

I've been in Tokyo for six weeks now. I started my job two weeks ago and the adjustments to the newness of my whole life have been slow, but coming.
I got shy about pulling out my camera on the streets for some reason. It's a shyness that's sure to leave any minute now, and then I can settle back into the fun of updating this place. Here are some pictures I made on Saturday while strolling through my new neighborhood and stumbling upon a festival. Festival pictures are easy to make with all the crowds. Next and soon are people just walking by me on their normal days. Those pictures are more interesting and more challenging.

Yay for challenges!

I love the energy of Japanese drumming. I've seen a few performances since I've been here. It has such a fierce and fighting and joyful energy. I wanna do a Japanese drum dance!

A little one chilling before his performance.

A lady and the shadows of others dancing in the streets.

Some cute.

I really love this Yukata look. There are more wearing get-ups like this on the subways that I ever thought there would be.

Golden teapot and scrunched up face.

Many people here wear hospital face masks. I don't know if it means they're protecting themselves from sickness or that they're protecting others.

Casual tutu skirt. A fun touch.

There are always plastic foods advertising what fast food places have to offer. I appreciate the visual information since I'm illiterate to Japanese characters. But I think it's funny that all the plastic foods are ordered from restaurant suppliers. I think America is unique in that we don't have lots of standard foods. Most restaurants in the U.S. try to make what they make differently from every other place. Maybe it's because we don't have a strong cultural tradition of food. Our foods come from all over the place and we're always making up new things. Many of my international friends tell me they are not sure what American food is. I agree!

Some raw fish over lettuce. Check it! 880 yen is just under 10 bucks.

XO. More coming soon. I think.

fireworks and yukatas

2009-08-02T08:35:00.009-04:00

The family I'm staying with here in Tokyo for a few days before I move into my own apartment took me to see a really long fireworks display yesterday. We sat on crowded hill and ate a picnic while we waited. By crowded, I mean hundred of thousands of Japanese were sitting on this hill by the river with about 10 inches of space between each group.
Check out the old man in the picture above! He's my favorite part of the shot!

Here's a bit of our picnic lunch.

Even ladies in Kimonos talk on their cell phones! Actually, this is a summer kimono and its proper name is a 'yukata'.

Apocalyptic looking fireworks display.

Tokyo Birthday

2009-07-29T07:55:00.007-04:00

I spent the 27th seeing a couple good friends before I left the country, the 28th flying across the world, and the 29th relaxing in a litte neighborhood here in Tokyo with my friend Eriko and her two children. Today I am 25 and I have had a lovely and relaxing birthday. Eriko and her kids surprised me with these pretty little cakes at dinner and they sang Happy Birthday to me.

I will be in this city for the next year learning a lot and teaching English to children at an after school program.

Eriko is a wonderful cook. She prepares breakfast, lunch, and dinner for these lucky little ones every single day! I am a lucky partaker in some of these meals for the next two days.

Haruka

Satoshi

Eating cakes and watching tv. Nothing better!

process of packing

2009-07-09T13:25:00.003-04:00

Just 18 days till I'm shipped off to Tokyo! Day by day I'm going through every single thing I own, editing the whole mess down to one large suitcase and one small suitcase that will come with me into my new Japanese life. I'll store two boxes of stuff I can't part with at my parent's house, but I'm even trying to narrow that down to one.

This process is both refreshing and emotionally intense. But it's a fun challenge to realize every day that I'm but one girl in the universe, and what I happen to own is of very little consequence in the bigger picture. All of my things are replaceable, and I like the idea of reinventing myself a little. There's no need to keep any one item of clothing in my life until I die, though this idea is easier to write, and a bit more complicated to put into practice.

A lot of my things I have to stare at for several days before I have the courage to delete them from my life.

A few of those things I'm wrestling with in my mind right now:

-a red tshirt commemorating the Phillies as World Series champs that I bought that exciting week last fall
I haven't worn it since, and I can't quite imagine myself ever wearing a sports jersey unless I'm in some kind of costume, which I think I was that day of the Phillies parade. But that week of the Phillies parade and Obama winning the election was some kind of unforgettable party week in this city, and this tshirt makes me remember it.

-neon green cargo pants that gather at the ankles and have a green satin belt
Nobody else has pants like these. They are crazy and they are lots of fun. They actually look good on me. Like the Phillies tshirt, I've worn them once.

-a burberry printed bible cover I bought in Thailand
Who else has a cover for their bible with a designer print on it? It's such a funny, cute, stylish, weird thing. I love it.

-a black bra covered in silver sequins that I bought in Soho with my friend Annie Hauser a few months ago
This is a ridiculous thing that looks like it could only be reasonably worn by a stripper. But it's so much fun! And I had a great outfit planned for it involving a sheer top. It'd be really fun to photograph too. Probably totally inappropriate, but it's an idea that my mind just can't let go of.

These things probably sound like total junk to you, my blog reader. Maybe by sharing this list with you I'll be able to share your perspective, and get rid of these things tomorrow!

Mcdonald's placemat

2009-07-01T13:07:00.003-04:00

This is a placemat that I pulled off a Mcdonald's tray in Tokyo. It's now pinned to a bulletin board in my room. Isn't it hip? It's details like these that I notice constantly and that bring me so much joy when I travel. I'm moving to Japan at the end of this month and I'm pretty psyched to be entering a totally new environment with a million little things to observe everyday.

hip hop on septa

2009-06-10T13:43:00.006-04:00

Just did a fun shoot on the subway for a girl who's producing a Philadelphia hip hop documentary. Check it.

50% family reunion

2009-06-09T14:47:00.004-04:00

4 of the 8 members of my family reunited at a wedding on Saturday. How pretty is my mom? And how cool is the necklace she's wearing that my dad made for her out of legos?!

sexy south philly

2009-05-27T23:31:00.001-04:00

How sexy is Passyunk Avenue here in South Philly? Soooo sexy!

exploring chinatown

2009-05-23T00:59:00.004-04:00

My friend Dawn and I explored Chinatown today. We walked around, took some pictures, ate some noodles, and bought some cute things. One of the cute things I bought is the head band Dawn is wearing. I'm pretty excited about some other colorful accessories I bought for a photo shoot I have in mind.

These two pics are from today. Dawn shot me, and I shot Dawn. See what else Dawn shoots here: [link]

portraits of girls in my life

2009-05-22T01:22:00.007-04:00

My friend Vita, a fellow server at the French restaurant where I work a few days a week.

My good friend Melissa, a sales associate for a clothing boutique.

And Fatima, who cooks French crepes and helps me pronounce them correctly.

I love my kitchen

2009-05-17T13:39:00.006-04:00

I am in love with the house I moved into last February. I especially love my kitchen. I like to french press my coffee and boil perogies and make thai food here. Hanging out in my kitchen brings me a lot of joy. I also love to observe how others express themselves in the space where they live. Last week my friend Melissa showed me the work of a photographer named Todd Selby who shoots people in their homes. Some of his work is so wonderful. I especially love the image below of the home of a girl who lives in London. What a fun and colorful arrangement of clutter! I plan to shoot a project like his eventually.

Check out Todd Selby's work here. [link]

bathroom stall at borders

2009-05-14T20:16:00.003-04:00

I stopped by Borders bookstore in Center City the other day to use the bathroom. While I was in the stall I took this picture of what someone had written on the stall wall. There was something pathetic and wonderful about the written font and the context of the sentence. Love it.

rubber stamped

2009-05-11T23:05:00.004-04:00

A got another wonderful envelope in the mail today from my dad. Check out the rubber stamped moon faces all over! The envelope was filled with hand made rubber stamped business cards for our new lego necklace store. Fun!

this envelope is to die for

2009-05-10T13:24:00.003-04:00

Check it! Another envelope design from my dad. How much does this blow your mind? Mine's to pieces.

Check out the blank moleskine notebook he designed below. It's for sale on The Fingerpost Shop.

purple guns

2009-05-06T23:18:00.002-04:00

This is a photo by Zoe Strauss that means a lot to me. See more at zoestrauss.blogspot.com

DARTH SIMPSON!

2009-05-06T15:47:00.003-04:00

My dad recently created this lego necklace and he named it Darth Simpson. Genius! This adorable idea makes me smile whenever I think of it. If you like it too, get yourself one at the the fingerpost shop.

handmade clothes

2009-05-04T17:51:00.005-04:00

2 designer friends of mine named Melissa Choi and Pia Pannaligan designed the pieces I'm wearing. Aren't their designs beautiful? I modeled for them for a show they had in the East Village a few weekends ago. Fun! I wish you could see the hand made leather lace up cuffs (is that the right word?) I'm wearing on my legs. Melissa made those by hand and they were so bad-ass! I think my favorite part about modeling for this event was wearing 3 inch heels for 5 hours. I've never done that before. So much fun!

something important

2009-05-02T22:03:00.003-04:00

There's an important photo show happening under the I-95 bridge in South Philly at Front and Mifflin streets tomorrow afternoon. It's right next to Target. You don't want to miss this.

sneezing

2009-04-30T22:05:00.002-04:00

Today I modeled for a photographer who needed a lifestyle shot for a piece on springtime allergies for the Philadelphia Metro. Fun! I got to keep the brown tissue box I'm holding, which is nice, because I was just about to buy some.

bull shits

2009-04-27T21:45:00.003-04:00

I was sitting outside of a neighborhood coffee shop the other day and these kids were hanging out across the street outside of the Chinese take out place. They kept saying over and over again, "Man, it smells like bullshits out here!"

goodreads.com is fun!

2009-04-22T15:57:00.000-04:00

I love keeping track of books I want to read and reviewing the ones I have on goodreads.com
They rock! Such a beautifully designed website too! Staying true to my school. This one was an English major.

lego necklaces on people

2009-04-20T01:34:00.008-04:00

Got some product shots for my Etsy shop of lego necklaces being worn by people at church today. Fun!

magnets and notebooks

2009-04-09T23:01:00.008-04:00

Like I just blogged, my dad and I just started an Etsy shop. A couple more items are up. Check them out! Shop till you drop!

Lego magnets and moleskine notebooks! [link]

The Fingerpost Shop

2009-04-08T13:32:00.008-04:00

My father and I just started an etsy shop together this past week. It's called The Fingerpost Shop [link]. All of the items are hand made or designed by him, and I've done all of the product shots. Take a look and buy a cute gift for yourself or someone else!

Also, more products will be posted later today or tomorrow!

snippets

2009-04-08T13:01:00.003-04:00

I enjoy hearing snippets of conversations as I walk through my day. Here are a few sentences I've heard over the past week.

"I'm a firm believer that people don't change. You have a kid with a woman and leave her, have a kid with another woman and you're gonna leave her too."

- man talking on his cell phone

This man was walking towards me when he said this and I thought he was looking at me, but then I quickly saw the cell phone in his hand. The funny thing is, I looked like a mom because I was holding the hand of the 3 year girl I take care of once a week.

"But thank you for the compliment. I feel as though it looks good today....too."

-woman talking to her friend over lunch, looking down as she said this and touching her bangs

"How you doin, honey?
....I'm hangin in there. Just about all I can do. My ankles been hurtin for about 8 years now."

-lady walking past my door while I sat on the front steps with my coffee

South Philly Easter gift

2009-04-07T16:00:00.002-04:00

Check out this adorable, ugly Easter flower creation I bought for my house mate. Isn't it cute? It's so South Philly. I bought it around the corner for five bucks, and walked home giggling.

check it!

2009-04-07T00:36:00.002-04:00

Check out this amazing envelope my father sent me last week. I get amazing envelopes like this from him just about every week, believe it or not. This one especially pleases me when I stare at it. The stamp is actually personalized. It's a photograph of my little brother Pax dressed up as a jester of some sort.

wide

2009-03-30T19:31:00.004-04:00

2 weeks ago my friend Sung Won called me to ask if I could meet her for a cup of coffee. I hadn't seen her in a while and I told her I was happy to do that. At Starbucks that day she told me she was taking a leave of absence from school in order to visit her family in Korea for two months. She was leaving on Sunday, just several days later and she wanted me to go with her and stay for two weeks. Just like that. She asked me to meet her to see if I could fly home with her to Korea. I told her I'd do it in a second if my bank account weren't so anorexic, because that's the kind of girl I am.

We had a nice time together anyway, and in a little discussion we had about American culture, she left me with a great quote. Check it.

"America has a wide viewpoint because the land is wide and the people are wide."
-Sung Won Park

2 cute things

2009-03-24T12:09:00.003-04:00

A notebook I bought at Omoi boutique in Center City to take orders at the French crepe restaurant where I serve.

And the cutest frog in the reptile house at the Philadelphia zoo where I went with my friend Irene last Sunday.

Cute attack!

fashion designer

2009-03-12T23:02:00.010-04:00

This morning I photographed a young fashion designer named Melissa Choi. She's modeling clothes that are her original designs. I loved her energy and am quite excited about these images!

DC with Irene

2009-03-08T14:50:00.014-04:00

I spent a couple days in DC going to museums with my little friend Irene who I tutor in English and with her mom and one year old sister. It was priceless. Little Lena (the 1 year old) is such a funny thing. She looks like she's too small to even stand on her own, but she's always running. It's a really funny sight. Their mom is a fun lady too. Her English is quite limited, but it doesn't keep us from having lots of conversations. Irene's English and accent are almost perfect. She's a smart cookie. I get a kick out of the some of the things she says to me. While we were flying her kite on the mall she stopped and looked at me and said, "Wait, is this Washington DC or is this America?"

We bought rubber bouncy balls at the Natural History museum and were having way too much fun bouncing them all over the place. But after hers bounced in the fountain, she would not stop saying to me, "Brae, my bouncy ball is cleaner than yours! Look at it! Look at it! Look at it!!" Everyone wants to be better than someone else in some way. I like how this desire comes out in such funny ways in kids.

cute family

Irene thought we should have a contest to see who could take the 'baddest' picture. Here's her attempt.

She says her favorite subjects are math and science. I tell her those were never my favorite subjects.

Little Lena.

Irene is always coming up with new games we can play. 'I Spy' is one of her favorites. She also likes writing stories a lot. I blogged one of her stories earlier. While we were sitting on a bench on the mall she said, "I want to write a story. I'll say it and you write it." I said, "Ok, cmon."

Below is her story.

The Girl Who Loved Sunglasses (don't think you've got this story figured out by that title)

Once there lived a girl named Brae. One day the girl decided that she should wear stinky clothes. She tried on a dress that was made of rocks. She tried on a skirt made out of trees. She tried on a hat made out of leaves. She tried on a tattoo made out of animals. Then she decided she should wear sneakers made out of teeth. When she was running the teeth cracked. Then she wore sunglasses made out of buildings. And then finally she was very stinky. She decided that she needed a stinky smell. The first stinky smell was in the bathroom. The second stinky smell was in the living room, and the third stinky smell was on the bus. She decided that she wanted the third stinky smell.

pregnant in style

2009-03-04T10:24:00.010-05:00

M.I.A. continues to be my hero, role model and my favorite fashion icon. She's so bad-ass! Check out her two wardrobe picks for the Grammys. I love the black and white polka dots that make her look like a fun, hot symbol of fertility. She's got so much passion and lack of self-seriousness. What a fun lady. She had her baby on February 11th and the father is her fiance, some Canadian business man. She won't release the baby's name but I heard her quoted in some article saying something about him like, "Me and the little one are planning our tour for 2010 and making mix tapes together. Baby loved being on stage at the Grammys!"

I can't wait to be pregnant. M.I.A. makes it looks so hot. I'll have to quit smoking though.

coffee and cigarettes

2009-03-03T12:41:00.007-05:00

The other night I re-watched the Jim Jarmusch movie Coffee and Cigarettes. I'd tried to watch it in college 4 years ago before I enjoyed coffee or cigarettes and on a night that I felt extremely tired.

This time, I loved it! Two friends had told me they'd watched it recently and that it was very boring. I gave it a chance anyway because my personal enjoyment of actual coffee and cigarettes is so intense and because I like films and books rooted in strong character development and conversation. My own art is a little like this. I do portraits. Coffee and Cigarettes is a sort of portrait film. And it's hilarious. My favorite was the awkward conversation between the humble actor and the pretentious actor where the humble one has figured out that the two of them are like third cousins ten times removed and then has the idea that they should do a film together and also vulnerably asks the pretentious cousin to love him. Of course, the arrogant actor is a total prick and won't even give the lame 'cousin' his number, UNTIL the humble actor gets a call from Spike Jonze during the conversation over coffee and cigarettes.
I absolutely love this depiction of people and their desperate desire for power, belonging, love, success, etcetera.

The conversation involving the Rza and Bill Murray is pretty excellent too. I actually felt a bit convicted over my addiction after hearing the Rza speak the praises of alternative medicine and the curses of caffeine and nicotine.

But the latter two really do seem to quell my desperation a bit. Alas, I like movies, coffee, and cigarettes. And I've got one life to live.

photo credit- Jean Daniel

colorful memories of Tokyo

2009-02-24T11:56:00.004-05:00

Ni-Ni

2009-02-21T16:57:00.003-05:00

This is a little korean girl I just started tutoring in English. She's holding a picture of a bird she drew and named Ni-Ni. She is an incredibly bright and spirited girl and speaks English just about as well as I do. I get a kick out of hearing her thoughts. The first day I tutored her she gave me this story she wrote. It's amazing!

Title: Bye Head

One day there was a little girl who wanted to smack her own face. And she did.
"Oh," she said. "I will never smack my face again."
Then a unicorn passed by and said, "Is that poop next to you?" Then the little girl knew the unicorn was a boy who was pretending to be a unicorn.
She saw a table that was alive. She was so scared she dipped her finger in the toilet. She was so scared she bought a camera. She saw a map and when she looked at it she died. She took a shower with the camera. But it was too late. The camera broke! Then when she stopped she knew she was dreaming.

Adult

2009-02-19T15:25:00.001-05:00

Several big things have happened in my life recently that have made me feel that I have finally arrived into my adult life, and that I have done it successfully. I can't wait until I'm 30 though. Hell, I want to be 50. I'll take wisdom over youth any day.

cutie

2009-02-15T17:39:00.001-05:00

Check out this cutie! I got to observe her class when I was in Tokyo last week. Yoriko's friend took us to her children's elementary school for a few hours and I took pictures in each class. This little one wouldn't stop making these adorable faces and doing cute things for my camera. This day was filled with some pretty intense cuteness.

follow me!

2009-02-14T14:45:00.002-05:00

Dear blog readers of mine,
I recently added a feature to my blog on the right hand column where you can follow my blog and receive an email whenever I've just posted. Please subscribe to my blog if you like!

Fondly, Brae

Betty Boop and Jesus on Valentine's Day

2009-02-14T13:17:00.004-05:00

I saw this door decoration the other day while I was driving through my neighborhood. I was camera-less, so I wrote down the address and returned today. I find it fun and strangely suitable for a Valentine's Day post! What in the world could it mean? I have no clue. The only thought I had was that 'Jesus' could be the name of some Spanish boyfriend of Betty Boop's. Otherwise, it's just a wonderful, quirky enigma!

I thought this car was pretty.
And the red matches Betty Boop and arguably fits into the theme of Valentine's day.

Happy V Day peeps.

Back in the U.S.A.

2009-02-11T22:28:00.007-05:00

Here's the last picture I took in Japan at the Mcdonald's in Narita airport where I ate a hamburger and small coke. I want her shirt! But it's especially great on her.

And now I'm back in my South Philly neighborhood. It's a pretty great neighborhood. Fun window displays, a decorated air conditioner and some disney statues below.

portraits

2009-02-09T01:42:00.017-05:00

a shop keeper

cutie pandas!

A local woman who is famous for her crepe stand. I'll devote an entire post to her soon. She's one of the most fascinating people I've ever observed.

also a shop keeper

shop keeper

check out her funky style and her 'dreamy days' bag

a pleasant couple

Her skirt is made of patterned material I've only seen on tacky older people in the states. And check how she's pulling it off.

Can anyone translate his apron thing?

She worked in store that sold vintage fashions from London and Tokyo, so a sign said.

I spent the day yesterday with Yoriko and two of her best friends. They all went to the same university and they were all math majors. We had an amazing day. We went to a natural hot spring on a mountain where we all bathed nude. Then we went to a winery for some wine tasting. Then we went to a traditional udon restaurant where we sat on bamboo mats and ate the most delicious udon in the world. They we went to Erico's house where we had home made hot pot. Heaven, I tell you. More posting about the amazing day that was yesterday soon to come.

Yoriko

Eriko

cute things and the emperor's palace

2009-02-08T21:29:00.007-05:00

Yoriko took me to the business district of Tokyo, comparable to Market Street west of Broad in Philadelphia. We went to the 45 floor of this corporate building so that we could see a view of Tokyo. This city is gigantic. The view was pretty impressive. The thing I liked most about the location where we saw the view was the gift shops for the tourists. I didn't see many postcards to commemorate the view. I just saw all of these cute things, which I found far superiour to any such postcards anyway. The cuteness here is overwhelming. Japan can make a stuffed animal adorable like American will never be able to.

An icing-dipped kiwi! And a bit of waffle.

What is he? He's adorable.

My favorite Miffy. It's all can do not to buy all of this cute stuff. You'd be proud of me though, whoever you are. I have a very small bag of sweet pencil cases and postcards. I don't need to fill my life with cute clutter. But I need to photograph it and put it on my blog.

Here is one of the veiws. The grassy area is the location of the emperor's palace. I learned that he does not have a political position, but rather is a respectful symbol of Japan.

Today's my last day! I'm off to explore.

swank and swag. this place is so sexy.

2009-02-07T03:22:00.012-05:00

Check out that sexy cleavage! Ow!

So fancy. So coquettish.

Wanna be your valentine. Sweet Love Story.

A dust bin (trash can) in front of a poster in shopping mall.

Obama and Wutang are similar motifs. Obama kind of looks like Kanye on that t.

Another pleasant bottom half.

Funny toys!

Just standing there looking perfect.

Toturos and Popples.

It wasn't a sex shop. Just a cute clothing store.

patterns

2009-02-06T18:21:00.000-05:00

Kid's fashion is pretty dang adorable over here.

7 pictures for you instead of the 35 I wanted to post.

2009-02-06T06:43:00.009-05:00

A shop girl who was willing to pose for me.

Obama is the hippest president ever. His face is all over this city.

A flashed toilet.

She was sitting there looking great.

Who doesn't love a sexy panty?

Fabulous.

This sums up the truth about so many things.

Her shirt has some kind of mohawked hamburger going on. I think?

Ok. I can't handle Tokyo anymore. It's too good to be true.

don't put your thumb on the inside of the rice bowl

2009-02-05T18:31:00.016-05:00

This poster in an elementary school tells children not to put their thumbs in the rice bowl. It's rude!

Yoriko's friend Eriko took us to her children's elementary school. I got to go in to all of the classrooms and take pictures! The best part was taking pictures of kid's meals at lunch time. You've never seen anything so perfect. The most remarkable thing about visiting this elementary school was how well behaved all of the children were. After greeting me hardly any of them were distracted from their songs or work or rhymes they were doing, which was a perfect situation for me to get great photos! You wouldn't beleive how neatly they ate their lunch. One girl dropped two pieces of rice on the table and immediately picked them up and ate them. At the end of their meals they had to bring their bento boxes to the teacher to show her they'd eaten every last bite. Wow.

A trashcan for sale on the street.

It decorated a school's fence.

The Mcdonald's workers look so chic.

A mini Hello Kitty figurine celebrating Girl's Day. There are decorations all around for this holiday, but the mysterious thing is that the symbol for Girl's Day is a princess and prince on their thrones. What's the hell is the prince doing there?

A nice looking bottam half.

An interesting window display.

These pictures are a fraction of the thousand I've taken so far!! Having an amazing time! It's so great here I can hardly handle it.

glimpses

2009-02-05T07:20:00.016-05:00

I didn't realize that women still wore kimonos for daily life. I've seen several of them on the subway.

Yoriko's sister's house has an elevator. A bunch of Star Wars and baseball figures decorate inside the elevator.

Yoriko's sister got this done near the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia. I want to make one!

These cute little demon toys were everywhere in China and Thailand too. This one decorate's Yoriko's tv.

The schedule Yoriko wrote for our week.

Yoriko and her mini coke container used to hold little candies.

Delicous snails I pulled off the belt at a sushi bar.

Sushi bar.

School children posing for a picture in front of a temple.

A girl doing a ritual inside a Buddhist temple.

That's me. I'm happier than I look.

These men threw soybeans into a crowds of thousands for the Setsubun festival. People scrambled to pick up and eat as many soybeans as their age. Yoriko wanted me to, but I couldn't stop taking pictures. Setsubun is a festival that celebrates the opposite of Winter solstice. Spring is coming! Also, all of the men who threw soybeans had been born in the year of the cow. Yoriko told me so many interesting things about this festival. I need to read more about it on Wikipedia!

Tokyo and Yoriko's house

2009-02-02T18:03:00.011-05:00

Fun tv decorations.

Airport sign I've been waiting to see all my life.

Starbucks!

Yoriko prepares breakfast this morning.

Breakfast is rice moshi sprinkled with soy sauce and wrapped in sea weed. Delicious! Green tea too.

Cute teapots in Yoriko's house and Doraemon toaster in the back ground that prints toast with his face.

Magnets that resemble Maurice Sendak illustrations.

Beauty and the Beast figurines decorating the liquor shelf.

Toturo cup in front of a bouquet of flowers I gave Yoriko yesterday.

A famous morning tv program, so Yoriko told me. Love it!

a few fun observations

2009-02-02T15:16:00.005-05:00

I arrived safely in Tokyo! I can't stop smiling. Everything around me is fascinating and interesting, most especially the fashion. It's a good feeling. I'll post pictures soon, but for now some fun observations:

1. On the train I took from Narita airport to Tokyo city to meet Yoriko I was able to sit in a smoking car! I felt like I was in the 50's with my suitcase and sunglasses, staring out the window and puffing away.

2. The public restroom in the airport had a bidet function. That made me feel like I was zapped to the future in the 2050's or something. What a clean and developed culture! I must admit, I was afraid to use a public one. I'll probably try Yoriko's though.

3. Speaking of toilets, Yoriko's toilet seat is heated. That makes me want to get up in the middle of the night to go pee.

4. The safety signs in the subway that say things like 'watch your step' or 'yield these seat to the elderly' are illustrated with Hello Kitty's face. Just for fun!

5. I bought a snack at the 7-11 while I was waiting to meet Yoriko: salad with seaweed, ginger dressing, and octopus on top. It was really good.

6. I'm sitting at Yoriko's 'heated' coffee table in her living room right now. The table has a sort of bed skirt that keeps in the heat and there's a remote that I can use to adjust the temperature. It's pretty amazing. My friend Yoriko is just visiting Tokyo now. She has lived in Philly with her husband for three years. She said that when she first arrived in America she couldn't beleive there were no heated tables!

7. Last night Yoriko drew me a bath and while we were sitting in the living room waiting for it to fill a robot lady voice on the intercom announced that the bath was full. The water turned off automatically. How amazing is that? I've learned the Japanese always shower before they get in the bath so they aren't bathing in their own filth. It's a good idea. So I showered in a spot right next to the hot tub and then I got in. I am convinced that besides a mother's love, hot tubs are the most nurturing thing possible for human beings.

Pictures soon!

ready for some international fashion

2009-01-30T10:21:00.004-05:00

What I might love most about traveling is observing the fashion of other countries. I'm ready for that again! My favorite fashion detail in China was how often women traveled on bikes and mopeds in dresses and heals. Hot! Can't wait to see what Japan has in store for my eyes. These images are from the famous Sartorialist blog. The Sartorialist is a fashion photographer who travels all over the world all the time glamourously attending runway shows and checking out little boutiques for inspiration. His blog documents street fashion that strikes him as excellent.

I think his blog is very sexy, subtle, and inspiring. Check out his portraits! [link]

I moved and I love it.

2009-01-26T15:25:00.009-05:00

I moved into a different house in South Philly. I have one house mate now instead of seven. And I have heat! My new house is just 10 blocks south of my old house, but that means I am surrounded by different houses, cafes, window displays, shops, restaurants, and neighbors. I love my new surrounding and I couldn't ask for a better house or house mate. I actually have heat in this new place. Life is good. Here are a few images of what I'm surrounded by!

Still saving lives.

This is my current feeling based on the facts that this week I have moved into a beautiful new house, am visting DC tomorrow for two days to see art museums with my grandparents, am getting an interview for a Japan teaching job in NYC on Saturday, and am flying to Tokyo to visit my friend Yoriko on Sunday!

Sarah Kaufman, photographer

2009-01-21T13:22:00.004-05:00

Sarah Kaufman's tender photographs are so striking and beautiful, they make me cry. Please look:
[link].

new art I own

2009-01-18T01:06:00.003-05:00

I just bought this wonderful photograph from my photographer friend Annie Huntington. That's her with the dark hair, second to the left. I grew up with this family. I can't wait to frame it and hang it on my wall!

Zoe Strauss: America

2009-01-13T18:18:00.002-05:00

Please watch this amazing video that is an interview with South Philly based documentary photographer Zoe Strauss. She is such a wonderful soul. After you watch the video you should buy her new book 'America.'

vietnamese food!

2009-01-04T13:31:00.003-05:00

Life in South Philly is so incredibly interesting. There are so many different cultures here, and the Vietnamese one is especially vibrant. Today for lunch I walked a block away to my favorite restaurant called Nam Phong, where I ordered a vanilla egg soda and a crepe filled with egg and sprouts with sides of basil and pickled carrots and parsnips. It was delicious.

sibs

2009-01-01T18:40:00.001-05:00

Went home for a couple days for Christmas. The other five siblings and I were altogether for the first time this year! That's Pax I'm standing next to. He's a special one.

A South Philly Christmas

2008-12-24T18:25:00.020-05:00

Merry Christmas from South Philly! I walked around my lovely neighborhood yesterday snapping photos of my neighbors' cheerful window displays. Enjoy...

I saw my friend Kelly Darling. Her mom was visiting. I like this portrait I made of them and I like her mom's coat..

coffee, time, flag.

Not festive, but I couldn't resist.

I ended up walking over to the Vietnemse market because I wanted to photograph all the red, colorful, visual fun. It seems like it's always a holiday in Asian markets.

Chinese new year is next month!

Love the pop culture.

Happy, Happy Holidays to you. This is how I feel.

want to look cool?

2008-12-22T10:38:00.005-05:00

Check out how cool you can look if you buy one of my Thimblehead t's! Just $15 each or 2 for $25. Hot!

Men's, women's, and kid's sizes available.

Erin and Web

2008-12-19T12:29:00.011-05:00

I'm a couple months late in posting my favorite shots from Erin and Web's wedding. I got to travel back to the eastern shore of Maryland where I'm from to photograph it. Erin and Web were incredibly relaxed and happy on their wedding day. They also had very attractive wedding guests and the dancing at the wedding reception made me wish I was shaking it down at a club. So fun!

Right after the ceremony I got to hop on a boat with the couple. Pretty sweet.

This brown number is one of the hottest dresses I've ever seen.

(Eastern shore specialty)

B2 Bazaar Bonanza

2008-12-18T17:09:00.005-05:00

This is a laughably late notice, but tonight I will be selling some photos, cool tshirts, and lego necklaces at a holiday craft bazaar at B2 cafe where I work in South Philly. It's at Dickinson and Passyunk from 6-9pm. If you happen to read this within the next hour or so and are in the area, come for free wine, treats, and fun shopping!

favorite wedding photo ever

2008-12-17T16:51:00.000-05:00

What a funny image. I absolutely love it. Check out Alex Baker's photography. A true talent indeed.

Christmas baby

2008-12-16T18:17:00.003-05:00

I did a Christmas photo for a family in the neighborhood today. Their little one's name begins with a B. I like the one above of him holding his stocking. I kind of like how mainstream they look. Mainstream is fun.

thimble head

2008-12-03T21:35:00.003-05:00

Check out this amazing image my father created about 25 years ago. I'm selling t shirts printed with it at Art Shop this weekend. Come buy one! It makes a perfect boyfriend gift. (Those can be hard to find.) Art Shop is this Friday, December 5th from 7:30 to 10 and Saturday, December 6th from 11-4. It's at Circle of Hope on 2007 Frankford Ave here in Philly. If you can't come but you're still interested, email me!
( braebrae@gmail.com )

a show

2008-12-02T14:49:00.005-05:00

The 2 photographs below were recently selected for an art show hosted by an organization called Buildabridge. Buildabridge is a non-profit arts education and intervention organization here in Philly that transforms communities through the arts. All of the images in the show revolve around the theme of poverty. The reception is this coming Thursday evening from 6-9 at the Philadelphia Cathedral on 37th and Chestnut.

I didn't think my images would be chosen because though the parts of China where I photograph are extremely poor, my images are not about that. My photos celebrate people and communities and street life, rather than showing what they lack. I'm excited to see the rest of the images in the show!

some slides

2008-11-24T22:19:00.007-05:00

Finding old film is fun. I found a roll of slide film from China that I just developed a couple weeks ago. Here are my favorites.

Yet another pleasant mop arrangement.

I took this picture at a stop light from the window of the taxi I was in.

This was a little shack restaurant where I ate several times a week. I would always try to learn Chinese from the woman who owned the place. She was a fun lady. She worked there from 8am to 10pm every day and she lived in the back. She had me over for a dinner of fresh fish with her husband and daughter one evening before the normal dinner hour began.

I was in the back of this man's little motor cart. I paid about 70 cents for a ride from the super market back to my apartment.

I walked past her and took a picture.

artshop

2008-11-17T21:31:00.003-05:00

This year I'll be participating in Art Shop- one of the many craft fairs that happen frequently around my city during the holidays. I'll sell some of my photographs and shirts screened with an amazing design my dad did 30 years ago. I'll share a table with my friend Caroline who will sell some of her paintings. Come see us!

Mary Ellen Mark

2008-11-12T10:46:00.006-05:00

A few days ago I was privileged to hear the Mary Ellen Mark speak at the public library. Mark is a photographer whose work I've always deeply admired. Her personal work is documentary in nature and depicts the lives of all sort of fascinating, offbeat people around the world: circus performers in Vietnam, impoverished families in Tennessee, and street performers in India to mention a few.

Her work means so much to me because it tells the stories of people to whom society gives little respect. It elevates the strange and interesting and shows vibrantly the art of the everyday.

Mark has made a living and gained her fame shooting celebrities- from Marlon Brando to Federico Fellini to Yoko Ono to Pamela Anderson. She also shoots on the sets of major films. The one of Johnny Depp below makes me swoon.

colors

2008-11-08T11:59:00.003-05:00

I was looking through some images I shot in China earlier this year and this one caught my eye. I like the floral garlands and the hanging lightbulb. Friends who understand Chinese, what does it say?

One week. Two wins.

2008-11-05T01:00:00.003-05:00

Broad Street, smack in the middle of Center City Philadelphia, has never been a more jubilant place than it has this week- cars honking, kids dancing hip hop in the streets, and people shouting and giving high fives. The Phillies are world champs and we got our first black president. This city is pumped. After experiencing the victory in a local bar I rode my bike up the street with my simple point and shoot camera to catch a little of the action.

I am in love with William Eggleston.

2008-11-02T22:39:00.004-05:00

Today I was reminded of my love for the work of photographer William Eggleston. His work glorifies the mundane and the off-beat, and with such extraordinary use of color. The photo above astounds me. Just about every Eggleston image astounds me. He is one of my heroes for the way he sees.

an animal and a salad

2008-11-02T08:33:00.002-05:00

Ashley Wingo suggested my favorite idea for what I should be in this dress. I was a salad, with handmade felt tomatoes and mushrooms, which I'm going to turn into ornaments for the Christmas tree! My friend Eleanor was a generic animal. I love costumes. Why does Halloween come just once a year?

The Phillies parade on Halloween day

2008-11-01T22:03:00.011-04:00

The city was an adorable festive mess yesterday. Thousands upon thousands lined Broad Street (just 2 blocks from my house!) waiting for the 12:00 parade all morning. Riding my bike through the city during my morning errands, hearing all of the cheers and seeing all of the happiness I totally got caught up in the moment and bought a Phillies t-shirt. I love my new t-shirt. See me wearing it at the bottom of this post. All day long cars honked and people cheered and danced on street corners. I don't mind this kind of celebration one bit.

Read the poster in the window. That's right, it says "Phat tit."

Philadelphians are rough ones. I love us.

I loved this day! I'm going to wear my t-shirt with pride for years to come.

Better than New Year's

2008-10-30T19:34:00.017-04:00

The Phillies won the World Series last night and what ensued on Broad Street just two blocks from my house was better than New Year's Eve and a hot wedding reception combined. Happy Philadelphians ran around the streets dancing, hollering, vandalizing, standing on cars, shooting off fireworks, and jumping around in pure joy. There were no barriers between anyone. It was beautiful.

This girl was deliriously happy. She's not getting hit by a bus. It just looks that way.

Housemates

A shot from earlier that night. There was standing room only in all of my neighborhood bars, and hardly that.

I think I'm going to buy a Phillies hoodie at the parade tomorrow and sport it with pride for the rest of my life. I love this city!

You should have seen it.

2008-10-22T22:00:00.004-04:00

I recently attended my friend Nancy's wedding. Finally I was a guest instead of a photographer! I've been to about seven weddings over the course of September and October and I'm always part of the hired help, for which I'm grateful. But being a guest this time was a treat! Nancy's wedding was not of the traditional sort. The ceremony was at 4pm, but at 3pm Nancy and Pete and Nancy's daughter Benna stood atop a parade float and about 150 of us guests followed the float to the ceremony location: the Mummer's Museum here in South Philly!

Above is a shot of Benna sitting beneath her bride mother's wedding dress. And below is my friend Eleanor posing with the Mummer's Band which performed for an hour at the park where we all met to begin the parade. You should have seen it!

I need your opinion!

2008-10-01T15:49:00.004-04:00

I found my Halloween costume today for 4 bucks! The only problem is that I'm not sure what the costume is. So, I welcome you to comment and tell me what you think I could be in this dress.

So far I'm considering:

-sea weed
-tinkerbell
-a grape vine. I could sew bunches of purple felt grapes around my body.

Halloween should happen more than once a year! It's too much fun!

Michelle Angela and Mickey Roker

2008-09-24T11:23:00.008-04:00

Recently I photographed Michelle Angela again. She's a talented painter whose murals can be found all over Philadelphia, in different cities around the U.S., and even internationally. We drove around together one Saturday morning to document 8 murals she'd done in this city and I felt blessed to get a personal tour of her work.

These murals were huge. This is not a short 6 story building.

Just blocks from my house is this mural which features Mickey Roker, a jazz musician who used to play drums in Dizzy Gillespie's band. He is pictured in the bottam left hand corner. Mickey Roker grew up just a block from the location of this mural and still lives there. After shooting the mural Michelle and I walked down to his house and knocked on the door to say hello and to see if we could get a shot of the two of them together. Below is the legendary Roker, with soon to be legendary mural painter Michelle Angela!

my face

2008-09-24T09:54:00.002-04:00

I found my face on the photographer friend Gene's website. Check out his portfolio. See if you can even recognize me. I was assisting him on a band shoot that day in a frigid warehouse. I had to jump up and down to keep from becoming numb from the cold.

Steve and Sara from Spain

2008-09-23T18:45:00.005-04:00

Last Saturday I worked as an assistant photographer on a cute but boring wedding in the suburbs. The couple had met working on a ship in Spain and they still lived in Spain. They flew back for a little wedding with about 50 close friends and family. I'm not really proud of any pictures I took at this wedding, but these two are decent. They sort of bore me.

I was thinking how brides probably never realize the journeys some of their wedding workers must take to get to them. Commuting to the past two weddings I've shot has been interesting. A couple weeks ago I actually had to spend the night at the photo studio I was assisting because I had to leave with the main photographer at 5am to arrive at 8am for a morning beach wedding in Cape May. Last Saturday I had to meet the photographer at 9am in Center City. He had flown in from Florida the day before and was spending the night at a fellow photographer's condo who worked for the same company. I had to meet him there at 9am and make my way to the 6th floor of a parking garage to borrow the condo-owner-photographer's diesel fueled stick shift yellow vw beetle which I used to drive us to all of our wedding destinations.
During the mile and a half walk to the condo that morning I enjoyed a delicious Starbucks mocha and a Djarum Special clove cigarette. That morning walk was the best part of my day.

I wanted to make up for my boring photographs with some interesting writing, but I'm not sure I've done that.