Archive for ‘Photography’

March 5th, 2013

twiggy shoot in chicago

photo by Michael Newsted | makeup by Sara Jean Stevens | Colleen Ludovice of Inspired to Share

 

Last Fall I planned a trip to Chicago for the day to spend time with Michael Newsted. I love that Chicago is just a close drive away from Milwaukee and it was so fun to spend time with Michael after getting to know him online. He is such a talented photographer and I love his unique style. He shot these photos in film!

At the time I was going through a Twiggy obsession and I thought it would be fun to dress up like her for a day. Obviously I am far from being anything near Twiggy, but with the help of the amazing makeup artist Sara Jean Stevens, I got to feel a little 60′s mod for the day. :)

This is way delayed as the shoot was months ago…but better late than never, right? To be completely honest, this shoot turned out differently than we envisioned…simply because we planned on daylight. But time got away from us (funny how getting from A to B takes much longer in a big city:) so it ended up being a night shoot. I learned the importance of flexibility in creative endeavors. Sometimes things don’t go as planned and that’s ok…because we learn from them. I’m so happy with how these photos turned out, not only for the connections made but because it challenged us to try something new. And that’s what creativity is all about, right? Even if the results are different than anticipated, the end goal is growth. :)

Thanks so much to Michael and Sara for sharing their talent and being a part of this! Please check out their work and I’d love to hear what you think!

 

photo by Michael Newsted | Colleen Ludovice of Inspired to Share

photo by Michael Newsted | makeup by Sara Jean Stevens | Colleen Ludovice of Inspired to Share

photo by Michael Newsted | makeup by Sara Jean Stevens | Colleen Ludovice of Inspired to Share

photo by Michael Newsted | Colleen Ludovice of Inspired to Share

photo by Michael Newsted | Colleen Ludovice of Inspired to Share

photo by Michael Newsted | makeup by Sara Jean Stevens | Colleen Ludovice of Inspired to Share

photo by Michael Newsted | Colleen Ludovice of Inspired to Share

photo by Michael Newsted | makeup by Sara Jean Stevens | Colleen Ludovice of Inspired to Share

 

Photography: Michael Newsted
Makeup: Sara Jean Stevens
Styling & Art Direction: Colleen Ludovice (me:)

 

 

CategoryFashion/Style, Personal, Photography | Comment6 Comments »

January 8th, 2013

morning frost

morning frost in Wisconsin | Inspired to Share

 

Over the holiday, we spent time at parents-in-laws’ house and one morning we woke up to the most beautiful frost I’ve ever seen. Everything was covered frosty white with big frozen flakes clinging to branches.  I bundled up and ran outside with my camera. It was magical walking in a frosted winter wonderland; it seemed as if time had frozen and the world was still. The sun was shining and despite the cold temperature, I was happy and content to capture this moment in time.

morning frost in Wisconsin | Inspired to Share

morning frost in Wisconsin | Inspired to Share

morning frost in Wisconsin | Inspired to Share

The most amazing part was when the big frost flakes began to fall off the trees, filling the air. It was better than snow!

morning frost in Wisconsin | Inspired to Share

morning frost in Wisconsin | Inspired to Share

morning frost in Wisconsin | Inspired to Share

 

After freezing my buns, it was pure heaven returning to the wood-burning fireplace and spending time in the sauna. :)

Hope you’re having a great start to your week. Cheers to the first full week of 2013!

 

P.S. On Friday I was on my dear friend Jessica’s blog, Dahlia Lynn, sharing some things I love about myself. I’m often preoccupied with weaknesses and I have a hunch I’m not alone in this. It was so refreshing to focus on the positive and practice a little self-love for Jessica’s series. Be sure to check out Jessica’s blog and I encourage you to do the same! xoxo

CategoryLifestyle, Personal, Photography | Comment16 Comments »

December 17th, 2012

slowing down

slowing down | Inspired to Share

 

This weekend I tried doing something I’m not always very good at : slowing down. I’m so saddened by the tragedy in Newtown and it suddenly feels silly to be worrying about gifts to buy when there are far more important things to be acknowledged and remembered. Funny how quickly things can change. It seems everywhere I go there’s a little extra stress in the air during this time of year…it’s a season filled with intense emotion. I usually get caught up in the busyness, but this year I’m doing my best to slow down. I’ve been a little quieter than normal, but sometimes it’s what we need to recharge, disconnect, and appreciate what we have. On Saturday I spent the day with Nick just enjoying the simple things – having a leisurely breakfast together, talking and sipping tea, reading for however long I wanted, admiring the Christmas tree, and baking his Grandma’s cookies. For the first time in a while I was able to let go of worries and stressors that I normally carry with me, and I’m hoping to bring this peace of mind into the week.

So tell me, what are you doing to slow down? I hope you’ll join me in taking extra deep breaths and appreciating the moment. :)

Happy Monday!

xo

 

(photo from my Instagram)

CategoryLifestyle, Personal, Photography | Comment5 Comments »

November 27th, 2012

letting go

 

I’ve been realizing that part of growing up is learning how to let go. Letting go of the past, letting go of dreams and aspirations that aren’t meant to be …it takes courage. For a long time I’ve had this vision of Nick and I moving to California, living in the land of sunshine. But after our trip there, my perspective changed. I began to evaluate why I was so determined to move to California…where did that desire really come from? Is it really the right decision for us?

I came back from that trip with a new understanding that the grass is greener where we water it. It doesn’t matter if we’re here or there, it matters if we’re living. And in fact, our life probably wouldn’t look that different if we lived somewhere else. And I started wondering if the reasons I wanted to move (or really, insert another want/dream in life) were even the right reasons at all. By holding onto this dream, it was keeping me from fully living in the present.

I’m realizing this is true for so many other dreams and aspirations that I have. I have visions of how I think and want my life to be, yet sometimes it takes a little perspective to really understand that those glorified imaginations are not usually accurate. And don’t get me wrong, I’m a huge dreamer and I believe dreams are important to motivate and propel us forward, as long as they are the right ones. Figuring out which dreams are right is the tough part, and maybe we’ll tackle that on another day.

I don’t know what will happen in the future but I do know that right now I am in the Midwest…learning how to let go of old dreams and make room for bigger and better ones, and hopefully getting a little wiser in the process. I’m doing the best I can with with what I have, right now. That’s all we can do, right?

It turns out that letting go of old dreams is incredibly freeing, opening us up to new possibilities. Oh adulthood, you weren’t at all how I imagined.

So tell me… what would you like to let go of in your life?

xoxo

 

(Photo by Ben Schuyler)

CategoryPersonal, Photography | Comment15 Comments »

November 16th, 2012

charles bergquist

I stumbled upon the work of Charles Bergquist and am in awe. His use of saturated color is phenomenal and completely mesmerizing!

 

Aren’t they incredible?

Happy Friday! Hope you have a wonderful weekend!!

 

P.S. Last chance to win holiday cards – the giveaway closes tonight!

 

(Photos by Charles Bergquist)

CategoryArtist/Designer Feature, Photography | Comment9 Comments »

September 28th, 2012

feels like fall // photography

 

It definitely feels like Fall here and I’ve even started wearing gloves and thick scarves. I stumbled across the photography of Laura Leal and I am so inspired! She uses film for the majority of her photos and does some beautiful things with double exposure. To me, these photos just feel like Fall…everything from the colors to the emotions. I especially love the simplicity of the last shot – just a coat and scarf hanging and waiting to be used for the cold months ahead.

Does it feel like Fall where you are?

Be sure to check out Laura’s blog, website, and Flickr.

xoxo

 

(photos by Laura Leal)

CategoryPhotography | Comment3 Comments »

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