I had a little self portrait therapy session late this afternoon. I was feeling restless and I really wanted to take some photos, but it was so cold outside today and I didn't want to go out in that weather. buuuuuut, I noticed the lovely afternoon sunlight streaming in from my window, so I decided to take some photos in my bedroom.  It was fun experimenting with my manual focus lens, which I've not used in awhile, especially on myself.  I also really like how soft these photos look.  I put a scarf over my lens to achieve that effect.  It was nice taking simple close up portraits of myself.  I usually don't take up close photos of myself, so this was definitely a little out of my comfort zone and it took a lot of experimenting, but i'm very happy about how they turned out. 

I really want to start taking more fashion photography instead of conceptual photography.  Conceptual photography will always be my first love, but I've been really into fashion photography lately.  I'll definitely still take some conceptual photos now and again, but it just won't be my main focus as it has been in the past.  I think it'll be fun trying something new!!!! 

Since it's still the beginning of 2015 and all, I thought I would post four of my favorite photos that I created last year!!!!! 

 Cupid's Arrow 

This photo is probably my favorite because the concept is something that is extremely personal to me & I feel like I executed it pretty well. 

Take to the Air 

I love this photo because taking self portraits at sunset has proven to be pretty difficult for me & this was the first photo I've taken at sunset that I can actually say i'm proud of. 

Nephelai

I'm just really proud of the way I edited this photo & how pretty it turned out to be. I love how colorful and soft it is. 

On Looking Ahead

This is another photo where the concept is a favorite of mine.  This photo was extremely relevant to the stage of life I was in when I created it.  I always feel slightly more proud of photos where the concept is something extremely personal to me. Especially if I feel like I executed it well. 

A few weeks ago I opened up my first vintage clothing shop on etsy.  I've been having a lot of fun going out vintage clothes hunting and slowly building up my inventory.  I thought I would show you guys a few of my favorite things i'm selling in my shop! you can view my whole shop here. 

I've honestly been really slacking on my photography game lately. Even though i'm right in the middle of a 52 weeks project I've just not been feeling that creative or motivated when it comes to my photos.  I've just been going through the motions & I've not been that inspired at all. This week, though, I looked out my window and I saw that it was snowing.  I remembered how two years ago if I saw it was snowing I would immediately get extremely excited, grab my camera & go shoot something.  I originally planned to just take something inside for this week but instead I decided to screw it and I went out in my backyard and laid in the snow.  Even though by the time I was done my whole body was completely numb, it was invigorating and it made me realize how much I missed doing crazy things for a photo. This shoot inspired me to break free from my creative rut and really start trying with my photography again. 

I usually like to let a photo speak for itself.  Especially since I find it so hard describing how I feel.  That's kind of why I started photographing.  It helps me express my feelings without having to say anything.  I also like letting my viewers interpret my photos however they like.  That's another thing I appreciate about photography, and art in general really, is that one work of art can mean so many different things.  It just depends on how the viewer decides to interpret it!!!! Anyway, to make the concept explanation short & sweet, this photo is basically inspired by the feelings of loneliness I've been wrestling with lately.   

click here to view on flickr!!!!