The rabbit-hole went straight on like a tunnel for some way, and then dipped suddenly down, so suddenly that Alice had not a moment to think about stopping herself before she found herself falling down a very deep well.

You may have noticed a sprinkling of Polaroids on the blog lately.

Well, dudes… it finally happened. I done gone and bought my very first Polaroid camera (and then another, and then another. Oops!).

It’s been awhile since I was exposed to a whole new world of photography, but since buying the Polaroid Spectra earlier this month I’ve been having my mind blown left and right by the possibilities. Getting straight-up giddy over photography has been an awesomely refreshing experience.

In just 10 days I shot 21 Polaroids, and the count is on the rise. Some of them are duds, some of them are okay, some of them only serve to teach me a lesson. And, I admit it, a few of them I take out of their safe keeping and look at daily.

Alice was not a bit hurt, and she jumped up on to her feet in a moment: she looked up, but it was all dark overhead; before her was another long passage, and the White Rabbit was still in sight, hurrying down it. There was not a moment to be lost: away went Alice like the wind.

I think it’s plain to see that this is an area of photography that I have a lot of learning to do. If only you knew the troubles I encountered (or the blatant follies I made) with my first pack of film. I fear telling the story, lest I sound like an utter newb. :)

Let’s just say I was ready to throw in the towel before the rad folks behind the Impossible Project stepped in, not to mention my Polaroid-wielding pals who had nothing but good advice — and patience! — for me. A million thank-yous for taking care of me, guys.

The photos in this post are evidence that even seasoned photographers make huge mistakes when they fall down rabbit holes. The key is to be like Alice — to let your curiosity guide you, even if it briefly gets you in trouble, and no matter what, keep chasing that White Rabbit.

I only have a few hours left in the city before heading back up to Portland, but I was just emailed a copy of my tintype portrait from Photobooth SF and wanted to share it. I’ve made a lot of lighthearted jokes about how I look in this photo (“Ninja Turtle Coal Miner’s Daughter” was my fave) but the truth is, I’m absolutely blown away by the feeling and detail that this process evokes. I’m forever grateful to Michael and the team behind Photobooth SF who make this possible for the masses.

And I think that might be my favorite part of all — how accessible this is. Sure, it costs $60, but considering they’re the only studio in the world to offer this service they’re definitely in the position to charge whatever they want. But still, it remains affordable. And there is no discrimination against who can get one made (unless you’re a crazy pet owner, so I hear ;).

Plus, they offer you beer while you wait. I didn’t have one, but it’s definitely the thought that counts.

Thank you, Photobooth SF, for the best souvenir of any trip I’ve ever been on. I’ll definitely be back for more tintypes the next time I’m in your beautiful city.

What follows is my contribution to this viral blogging project: a list of raw truths about myself that I’ve never, or rarely shared publicly. I’ve written the following not to alienate others or convince you all I’m a total nutjob, but in hopes of connecting further with my peers and readers in solidarity against the poison of perfection.

Where to start? Well, despite my loud and bubbly persona, I’m probably one of the most constantly anxious people I know. I get so nervous doing something as simple as asking for cash back at the grocery store, or riding a bus route I’ve been on 50 times, let’s not even talk about meeting someone for the first time (and shooting their wedding). I have perma-shoulder pain because of the anxiety I carry in my daily life, be it real or perceived. And honestly? Even knowing that it’s usually the latter, I still can’t shake it.

Speaking of shooting weddings, here’s a doozy for you: I’m an atheist. This is a truth about me I’ve always been terrified to share because I feel like there is a taboo about atheist vendors in the wedding industry, and maybe the blogosphere in general. However, I don’t really identify as an atheist, and despite my personal views on God, I can guarantee I’ll be the first to cry at a wedding or a choir of singers in a church (I haven’t watched Home Alone in about 10 years because of this!). I’m uber sensitive and if you were unsure, please believe me when I say that the weight and meaning of a wedding is not lost on us heathens.

That leads me to my next truth: I’ve been told by more than one person that they thought of me as being someone who doesn’t care what others think, but the truth is my boisterous persona is just a cover for how much I actually do care, which is way more than I should. Even when I’m laughing and having a good time — even when it’s with friends I know and love — there is always a piece of me that is frightened. Frightened of saying the wrong thing, of having a joke bomb, of finding an awkward pause in the conversation, of coming off as boring, ignorant, snobby, bitchy, whiny, wimpy, superficial or annoying.

Finally, I’m competitive to a fault (even though I usually lose) and feel unnecessarily threatened by my peers, those who are “more successful” or attractive than me, and especially other women. That last one has been something I’ve been working on all my life. Just ask Chris — his favorite game is asking me to list 10 female actresses I love. While comparing myself to others I’ve been known to downsize my own achievements and supersize my peers’ (your compliments are sweet and kind but admittedly, I rarely believe them). I’m no stranger to jealousy, or pining over what others have instead of focusing on what *I* have.

And now for the lightning round: I’m horrible at housekeeping. I love my cats to death but sometimes forget to feed them or clean their litter box. I enjoy cooking and healthy eating, but have been known to default on pizza, mac-n-cheese or other boxed meals when stressed or busy. In ‘real life’ (not to be confused with internet life) I cuss — a lot. I can be a bad listener, and judgmental even when I don’t mean to, or want to be. I’m obsessed with my horrible teeth and have a real desire to get veneers. I fart, snore (actually still waiting on concrete proof of this one), don’t shave my armpits, have cellulite (That’s right! I said it! Cell-u-lite!) and sweat a lot. I’m not a fashionista, I don’t know how to use make-up and kinda wish my boobs were bigger. I’m extremely co-dependent (but getting better). I pride myself on being friendly but am full of piss and vinegar. I have a degree in art but rarely feel like an artist. I am fiercely loyal to those I love. I almost cried writing this list.

Phew! I’m usually a big fan of re-writing, but worried I might edit myself too much if I re-read this. So, for the first time ever and in the spirit of this exercise, I’m gonna throw caution to the wind and just hit ‘publish.’

Thank you to all the brave bloggers who helped give the online creative community a much needed reality check this month. You guys are my heroes.

I have a wild and crazy year ahead of me, and it all starts tomorrow. Before I get caught up in that whirlwind I’d just like to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who has supported me in any way — big or small. I really could not have made it this far without you all.

So, things have been a little lax on the blog lately. I’ve been having fun getting settled into our new home (aka IKEA TRIPS!), and busying myself with preparations for wedding season, which just so happens to begin this week in the grand ol’ city of San Francisco, CA! I’ll be gone tomorrow morning and back in exactly one week — I’ll also be in Paris later this month, so I’m going to go ahead and apologize in advance for dropping off the face of the Internet! I have a few posts queued up for the month, so it won’t be a total ghost town while I’m gone.

While down in SF I plan on getting my tintype portrait done at Photobooth, hopefully meeting up with Suki and Co. and drinking a buttload of Philz. I’ll have my iPad at the ready to Instagram the highlights, so be sure to follow me if you don’t already!

See you next week, friends.

The day I took this Polaroid was a bit of a special case, though…

We were only on Day 3 of officially living in the new home. Franny wasn’t taking it well and spent the majority of Day 2 curled up under the blankets of our bed. To make matters worse, she discovered her reflection in the bedroom mirror, which left her freaked out and confused.

I feel evil saying this but, it was all pretty adorable.

Now, being the World Class Fly Catcher that she is, a buzzing bug that wandered in through the bathroom window was just what she needed to make this awful week awesome. She was back to being the Franny that I know and love! Doing Matrix jumps off the office chair and chirping at the ceiling!

Unfortunately, that bug happened to not be a fly– it was a bee.

She got stung on the chin and looked so sad for the rest of the day that I figured, one afternoon of huddling in the corner of the kitchen table is probably warranted. She was better after a few hours, and the next morning she really was back to her normal self… For good this time!

Happy Caturday!

Thanks to a car full of gal pals, I was finally able to join in on the fun this year. I had no idea so many amazing varieties of tulips existed! My favorites were the ones so purple they were almost black. The frilly edged tulips gave me such willies I couldn’t even bring myself to photograph them, but I’m sure there’s enough flower power in this post to make up for that oversight. :)

The photo above is me goofily trying to make my way through the tulip fields in all my 4’11″ glory.

And on the walk back to the car we found a rare patch of grass that was free of unintentional photobombers. The conversation went something like this…

“What’s a 3-letter word we could spell with our bodies?”
“CAT!!!!”

Thank you to Colleen, Molly and Stefanie for a most excellent (and much needed!) girl’s day out. This whole adventure got me super pumped for future summer activities. Berry picking on Sauvie Island and water gun fights in Laurelhurst Park are seriously a handful of weeks away.

And on that note… Happy May 1st!

Happy Caturday!

A LOT.

I had always been a creative child, but my own personal grasp of the art world was only then beginning to expand beyond the childhood standards of painting and drawing. I hadn’t even come close to touching a camera yet, so much of the friendship and memories I had built over the few years we spent in Davis while my mom finished her art degree were to be immortalized in nothing but angsty chicken scratch.

You bet your buns I picked up photography real fast once we settled into our next hometown. I started off with point-and-shoot cameras and moved on to SLRs when I was 16. Eventually I picked up a digital camera, but even back then I truly cherished the sentiments behind film.

A real, tangible, stuff-it-under-my-pillow-while-I-sleep photograph. A photo with soul — my soul — that’s as intrinsic to the resulting image as the plastic it’s imprinted on.

Last week I said goodbye to another place I once called home. While I’m ready to say goodbye to this apartment, I won’t kid myself into thinking that I didn’t have some awesome times here in Irvington.

This was our first Portland apartment, and the place where I first shot a Rolleiflex. I thought it fitting that I end our time here on a similar note.

I won’t be stuffing these pictures under my pillow, but I will cherish them, and my time here, always.

Happy Caturday!