#yeahfieldtrip 3.0

Three weeks ago, I was in the middle of one of my most favorite experiences each year. Tucked away in El Capitan Canyon, just north of Santa Barbara, over 400 photographers gather to connect and to learn from each other and to play. We call it Photo Field Trip.

I’m having a harder time this year finding words for my week at field trip. I think I was more present. I was busy and I was over-stimulated with new information and socializing and the fresh air and the lack of sleep, but my mind seemed to stay quieter, in a good way. I focused on connecting with old friends and new friends and being comforted by the fact that these people are kindred creative spirits. I took some practical classes and some live-shoot classes. I scribbled notes and documented what I could while remaining conscious of the experience of it all. I navigated among the familiar settings and new faces with a little bit more ease. I laughed a lot. I took some deep breaths. I looked at the stars, guided by an astronomer. I talked to people about my hopes for my creative business and was greeted with encouragement. I asked questions. I listened and watched more than anything. There are so many options of how to fill your time at field trip, but even if you love what you chose to do, there’s always a trace of FOMO. But I very much enjoyed my time and the friends I’ve made through this wonderful community. The words and feelings I’ve collected from all three years at field trip have stayed with me and have deeply become a part of my business and philosophy. I’m so very grateful.

Here are some of my favorite photos from the week!
(click to view my posts from year 1 and year 2

I always wish I had more time. I wish that I was better at socializing. But I did my best to learn and I have good conversations with interesting people and get some images that I love. And that's more than enough.  

xo, Michelle

P.S. I did a little illustrated portrait project while I was there and I’m still working on it, so I will share those when I’m finished :)

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summer time endings.

While the weather is still fluctuating in extremes and most days I change from pants to shorts and back to pants several times, I'm surrounded by the feeling of the end of summer, a summer that passed so quickly I hardly remember it. It didn't feel the way summer usually feels this year, for some reason. That makes me feel some sadness and regret and nostalgia. I think I was just extremely focused on the business side that I'm having to learn to keep my art shop selling. But I'll try to focus on the things that were summer-y.....

I took a really beautiful and fun roadtrip up the CA coast with my younger sister. We'd never traveled just the two of us, and it was right before her first full time job began. It was one of those rite of passage trips I'll never forget. And the scenery was like a dream.

Big Sur area.

Big Sur

Big Sur

Carmel

The 4th of July was actually fun this year, and we did some small home fireworks & sparklers for the first time!

infinite.

dueling like Harry Potter & Voldemort.

sparkler happy.

We had a Tea Party to celebrate the Royal birth haha. I ate all gluten-free versions of things, but so yummy. I absolutely love having High Tea.

Spirited Anglophiles.

So much delicious sugar.

As a group of girls, we went to Lake Arrowhead for a weekend. I love being in the mountains, even though it wasn't quite June Lake.

Gluten free smores & hot chocolate! (and vegan marshmallows)

re-enacting Dirty Dancing on this log haha.

5/7 of the group.

Summer is the season for concerts! Went to about one each weekend in August. So many musicians that I love!

Backstreet Boys!

Adorable Hunter Hayes

Yeah, we went to the Jonas Brothers and it was awesome.

Taylor Swift (my all-time favorite) and Ed Sheeran.

Sara Bareilles!

OneRepublic

The OC Fair is crazy crowded, but it always feels like summer.

IMG_5356 IMG_5357

My older sister & I started this labor day weekend pool party every year that we call Poolfest. This year we had a ton of people there and we played with a waterproof camera!

Poolfest oh-13!

Some other highlights:

summertime flowers

late-summer sunsets

babysitting these sweet sweet boys once a week.

the twins, aka "the nuggests"

Hope you all had a nice summer :) I'm so excited for sweater weather; I crave it year-round!

xo, Michelle