11.14.2011

inspire me

If you've followed my blog for awhile, you might remember me saying the style of photography I do is not the style I love. I feel like my last few posts have been mediocre snapshots of my kids, and I've felt the creativity draining from my body.

The photos in this post inspire me. It's a bit of a departure from my regular clean, clear style... so if you don't like them, please don't tell me as I am extremely sensitive and will turn into a pile of sniffling goo.





These shots speak to me. They inspire me. The make me want to get out there and take a million more.


They have a feel, a mood, a quality that reminds me of why I fell in love with photography in the first place.


When I take shots of my kids, it feels like something I have to mentally prepare for. And I'm so afraid the session will be a failure.
These shots are effortless. They come naturally.


Just the world as I see it; me alone with my camera. It's pure enjoyment.
Not trying to make anyone smile or laugh or look natural.


While looking through these pictures, I realized I don't give myself enough time to go out and shoot just for me. From an hour in the Old Market, I have 256 pictures that are keepers. Most of the shots turned out exactly the way I envisioned them in my head. That's because I was doing what I love.


Not to worry friends (and mom), I'm not abandoning my clean style. :-) I'm not giving up trying to get better shots of my kids. This is something I need to do every once in awhile to keep the creative juices flowing. Photos just for me.






I couldn't decide on a realistic number of shots to share - LOL! and I didn't want to overwhelm you. More to come this week. Happy Monday! ♥

40 comments:

Amy H said...

Whoa, those are so different from your normal pictures! I'd love to see more, only if you keep posting the other kind too. :-D

Okay, I understand (in response to your email). I was just curious.

Mandy@ a sorta fairytale said...

You and I have very similar styles. Clean & crisp. But every once in a while I like to break free and do something different... I totally love these photos. Right up my ally :-)

Tracy said...

One word, LOVE. The style, the processing...warmth.

Jaymi said...

I think these are AWESOME! I sooo struggle with street photography. I walk down a street like that and I just can't think of anything interesting to shoot, but you look at it and find beauty everywhere! I thin they are great--though I thought the last few posts of your kids were great too! :)

Just Jen said...

I love these shots! I adore seeing your world through your eyes. I love to shoot sunsets. That is what I have been shooting lately, and they inspire me as these inspire you. Keep shooting what you love, your kids included!

Unknown said...

I love these! I like to play too much to have a definite style I think ;)

Discovery School at First Baptist Heath said...

well ya know I LOVE all your shots, even the ones you do not love... and these are fun.. where you in Omaha????love to shoot the old market there...Outstanding job friend...

SarahinSC said...

I will not criticize for I do not want to turn you into goo! There's nothing at all to criticize here either! Still life shots are so much easier because 1)the are STILL!! 2) They're going to listen. Kids have a tendancy to not listen and do just as you want them to. 3)These things don't have real moods that have to be taken into account every time, even though they do create moods.

I just went off there, sorry! It's your blog Karli and whatever you put on it we will love!

Sarah:)

Tracy said...

Oh girl, you do it all so well.... These are gorgeous!!

Kristal said...

I personally love these shots. I can see these kinds of shots in my minds eye, but not always capture them. You have got that down! Each of us has been given a different talent!

Anonymous said...

I really like these shots, although I hesitantly admit I like the one with the feet in it the best...I just think it reflects so much personality. (Maybe it's just in context with the other photos though)

Hope you are having a great day and keep developing that great style.

Ashley Sisk said...

Good for you - we all need a date with our camera every once in a while. I took about 15 minutes to myself yesterday afternoon to capture the fall leaves before a Mexican lunch caught up with me. ACK. But I love this set...the processing is absolutely perfect!

Natalie said...

Karli, I think this is where you really stand out as a photographer. Your artsy shots like this are the ones I love best in your portfolio. This is your wheelhouse so to speak. I think you are good at all types of photos, but this is where you and your camera become a real team. LOVE THESE!

If I have to pick a favorite it is the door with the open sign.

When can we go on a photo walk together?!

Vanessa said...

These are perfect. You gotta go back and remember why you love photography and these tell that. I love your lost shot. Beautiful.

Diana said...

These are beautiful! Great photos and I love the post-processing, too.

Jo-Anna@APrettyLife said...

I think they are all fabulous and lovely! From them you can tell that you are inspired!!
Jo-Anna

Jenn said...

We'd make a great team because I feel worthless shooting anything that DOESN'T have a face in it - HA! These are awesome. Hope we get to catch up and talk photography soon...we'll be there in a week...EEEEK!!

Marvett Smith said...

Love everything about these! The last one is my fav. My favorite thing about all of it is that you have found what you love. Stick with it my friend. These are amazing!

Anonymous said...

I love these so much. I am like you, I take clean clear photos, but LOVE photos like these but never think my photos like this look good. Great job Karli!

Amarie said...

I love them! They have a sort of "grungy" feel to them, and they have a very "urban" edge, if I'm making any sense lol. They are different from your usual photos, but every photographer doesn't have to be chained to taking the same style of photos. It's great that we can use a camera, and take awesomely sharp and clear pictures, but where do we venture off from the mainstream and carve out our on niche? Follow what you love, and the others will follow with you, I'm sure! :-)

Casey Martinez said...

As I have said many a time before..you my friend are gifted. Whether you photograph your kiddos or objects or settings you always do it superbly and I mean that in all honesty. These shots made me smile because I can see that they have made your creative heart soar and given you new wings. Go girl!!! You rock at everything your eye captures through your lens. These pictures are beautiful!!

Liz said...

these are wonderful!!! Good for you!!! What a neat little market area. I need to just go out in my little town and shoot. These remind me of my town.

What actions did you use for the vintage soft fade look? Love it.

Catheryn @ Pink Bibs said...

They are beautiful nevertheless! It is interesting to explore your 'other' styles sometimes :)

happy me said...

These are phenomenol Karli !!! And here's something you might not realize; I "know" you well enough that these photos look "just like you" to me. I can't really explain it.

Also? How did you get those storefronts without your reflection reflected?

And the tiny birdies by the storm drain? Stop it! Also? I need that print please. (Srsly.)

YKILYLAS!

deb duty said...

Really awesome perspectives and so creative! You should be so proud!

Jess said...

These scream at me to grab my camera, run out the door and not come home for a couple hours! They're beautiful but gritty real. That last one with the ivy on the curb is my fav, and I also love the one with the birds and the drain.

Altax said...

Excellent pictures and awesome photography.


School Resources

Jodee said...

I love, love, love the Old Market. Great pictures!

stacey said...

They are fantastic!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful shots! I love the processing on these and the overall style, I feel like there is something very intimate in these images.

Hannah said...

I think these are beautiful! I totally understand where you are coming from, we often forget that we have to give ourselves time to just do something for us, be it photography or what not. It is a good time for us mom's to re-group and remember who we are and what we love, outside of our children and family. Time for yourself is important :) I love the last pic the best, the colors and angle are wonderful!

Unknown said...

Good grief you are popular! :-)

Now if that doesn't tell you something I don't know what will! Look at all the lovin above my comment!!!!

Karli, I for one am SOOOO proud of you for doing what you love not what others want. Because these are some of the best photos you have shared! Not that I don't like and love your photos of the kids. But getting to know you like I have - I see your heart and soul in these. They tell me a story and I LOVE what I'm seeing! Great job on every aspect of these. Composition - amazing! Editing - perfect!

Bravo and I love you just the way you are!!! Keep it up!
Jill

Naomi said...

These are all so great! Love the one with the birds and the last but of course all are wonderful! I enjoy any photos you take!! :)

Unknown said...

When I look at these, I see Karli. This *IS* your style! :D This is your art style, it's different from your kid style.

I love them both.

And that last shot ROCKS.

momaziggy said...

I wrote this long whole thing and I lost it! UGH. I LOVE these so much. These move me. The shots are fab..I love every single one. And the editing is utter PERFECTION. What did you do/use? I LOVE all the edits, the tonal range, the hazy filmy feel yet they are still rich and deep. Great combination. The good thing for us, is that we do this just for us. So we have so much more freedom to follow our heart. Be you always and never look back! I LOVE these!

Ashley said...

I love the processing, it totally gives them that feel. I would take those pics and then make them bright and colorful and they would suck. ;) Your pictures are gorgeous no matter what you are shooting! I think I fell in love with your still life pics at the beginning so I hope you keep them up!

Heather said...

Love the pictures, like you said, there is a feeling there...or, maybe it's that they provoke a feeling in me when I look at them. Walking around with just a camera, shooting anything I wanted?! Sounds heavenly. And it's something you should do more often, I would throughly enjoy seeing more of those kinds of pictures along with the beautiful shots of your children.

Lori Allberry said...

Oh.
My.
Goodness.
Gracious.

Oh.
My.
Goodness.
Gracious.

These are AMAZING Karli!!!! Truly amazing! They are INCREDIBLE!!!

Please, TRY to overwhelm me with many many more! Gosh, it has been quite a few months since I was at The Old Market - and I want to go back now! I have not had Zio's for a few months as well, and I can feel my mouth watering just thinking of it!

I am not quite sure why - but the shot of the car tires, the birds and the gutters, that one speaks to me!!!

Fabulously incredible job Karli!
Wow!

♥Lori

Michelle R said...

AH! (thunk, boom,...... groan)

what????????

really????????


Sigh. We have the same heart, dear friend!! Here's what you said: When I take shots of my kids, it feels like something I have to mentally prepare for. And I'm so afraid the session will be a failure. These shots are effortless. They come naturally. I said something very similar this weekend..... I love my nieces/nephews (20 of them now! OYE!!!! I'm tired!) and I want to capture them... but it is SO MENTALLY WEARING and stressful for me. I know I can take "snapshots" of them... but I want more than just snapshots... but that takes practice and I'm just not around them all enough to get consistent practice - and that annoys me and gets me to the point that I just don't want to pick up my camera and capture my family (like my folks/sister/b-i-l) or anything else... although it was a pretty cool sunset and I did force myself to grab my camera tonight to capture it.

I'm needing to also find the balance and get back into my groove and water my creativity more. I've also been feeling like I'm just slacking lately... maybe I need to go out for a walk, too!

These images are amazing! I'm loving how you captured so many things we see everyday, but don't pause long enough to see the beauty there. You, my dear, truly have inspired me.

I <3 you!!

xoxo
Chell

Linda Walton aka bobbysgirlforever said...

Hi Karli!

This is my first visit to your blog and experience with your amazing eye behind the lens of a camera!

I found my way here by way of a link posted by Jennifer Wilson (Simple Scrapper) for your tutorial on creating a Bokeh Christmas Tree! Squee! B.E.A.U.T.F.U.L.

I love your eye for capturing the "everydayness" of life! I also ADORE the photos of your precious "party of three" :)

I would give anything to own a DSLR to practice with, but know that it will come to me at just the right time. My passion has been digital design and I could totally relate with the style that inspires you versus what you typically produce. I love dirt and grunge, yet I typically produce clean lines. I think I've finally found a way to bring them together ... I think ;)

Looking forward to seeing more of your STUNNING work and allowing myself to become immersed in your natural talent as a way of aesthetically pleasing my eyes, as a tool to learning more about real photography, as well as being inspired to stay true to myself as I continue to follow my passion :D

Happy Holidays to the Bonnie 5!