Elle Effect Photography

I’m finally jumping the bandwagon on BIG CARTEL to sell prints that have been asked for. I’m starting out with the free website, seeing how that goes. But, I’m in a little bit of a dilemma… I can only start out with 5 photos to sell. This means, I need you to let me know your favorites! I’ll sell 10 of each photo, then switch it up once those are sold - a little idea I took from Longbrake.

So, you can go to my FLICKR and select photos from there. Post the links in a comment and hopefully by this weekend, I’ll have the photos up and ready… I’ve had a lot of requests, so I’m trying to make it happen quickly and easily.

Side note: Out on my back porch at home. The air is the same temp as my skin. Couldn’t ask for anything better… well.. maybe a thunderstorm would be nice. : )

these people have been so good for me/to me:

SO many shoots to finish editing by Saturday. I’ve been working, working, working… trying to enjoy being with the people around me, sort through the things in my heart and create. Once I finish all these past couple weeks shoots, I’ve got a packed next couple weeks here at home (and maybe back in Nashville), then back in beautiful NC for Brentley and Jodi’s wedding. Very excited about it - it was so good to be able to see the locations and scout while I was down there last weekend. I just need a few things before shooting it - 35mm f/1.8 and 2 more memory cards. Doable.

A few photos of past shoots I’ve been working on (more to come):

caleb maitland

liz stanley
makeup, styling, body paint: christin cook
photography, styling and post pro: myself
assistants and visionaries: jessica grady and brittany yates

Also, Tuesday morning was glorious. I spent 2-3 hours straight sitting on an old tree root overlooking my small, humble town in silence… writing in my journal, listening, being still… things that need to be practiced on a continual basis. Things I love and value. It was so good for my soul - I actually felt the goodness of God resting on me… how undeserving am I.

jessica makes me laugh… and peeks well.

This morning I’m staring at a compost pile nearby after a brisk walk. It seems out of place with it surroundings… I got to thinking about it… and it hit me how it looks and appears to be a bunch of old banana peels, fruit, tomatoes; all things rotting, really; and hw they will melt and mold and rot together in a big, stinky pile of make… rich soil. Rich soil?! Yes - rich soil. Nothing poor or lacking about it.

I’m like that compost pile. A lot of things complied - rotting, melting and molding together for my good. And it will, in time, turn into rich soil. Not a thing lacking. But… for the rich soil not to waste, I must then plant good things in it. I’m being prepared and conditioned for something greater than myself and will no longer allow myself to think or be stunted in any way… this process is aching and it is glorious.

agenda today:
-edit 5-8 photos from every shoot I’ve done in the past 2 weeks (equaling 7; whew)
-read a chunk from ‘what is the what’ and new collective poetry books I’ve got (mmm)

and from there, we’ll see. it’s a beautiful day.
`lauren

I’ve noticed there has been a lack of posts… shrugs. I’d rather experience it than post it, I’d rather write it in my tangible journal first, and one of these days - I will pour what I’ve been learning at a rapid and continual pace.

just thought I’d go ahead and add that.

and this:

maybe in this photo you can see how my heart is good.

or in this:

ha. thanks to my girl, jessica.

refreshing yet long day. I’ve driven 13hrs in 2 days.

Charleston to Raleigh, Raleigh to Wilson. Sleep.
Wilson to Wilmington. Wilmington to Raleigh… current location.

So many adventures today - I’ll debrief more tomorrow. Right now, I neeeed sleeep.

- lauren

The drive here was so refreshing… it felt like such a smooth, short drive - but it took about 6 hours. The scenery took my breath away, and I felt so small, so content within the moment, so overwhelmed all at the same time.

We’re stopped here in Raleigh where we met Jodi, the wonderful girl I’m taking bridal photos of tomorrow, and we’re heading down to Wilmington tonight ready for an early shoot in the morning. I feel my heart changing a continual pace for the better… I’ve been going to sleep every night this week with the thought, “wow, His grace really is new every morning.”

I was not really wanting to hop in the car and drive when I woke up this morning. But once we started out, sat in the silence for awhile (which I’m learning doesn’t always have to be an uncomfortable thing), and had this great time just talking with each other and God back and forth for about an hour… I felt good. Right where I was supposed to be in that moment.

…I’ll have to finish all these thoughts later. We’re leaving her apt for Wilmington. Heading to her Mom’s house for some gooood southern cookin’. Oh, thank you Lord : )

-lauren

iChat party from nashville to WV:

love me some katherine. : )

But, I guess there’s a first time for everything.

We don’t have wireless where we’re staying (which could be a blessing in disquise), and since I haven’t blogged in awhile, I thought I should post… Something.

Today has been good. I ate 3 meals for under 6 bucks (yes, it can be done!), had a shoot with a musician, Caleb Maitland, that involved rooftops- and enjoyed the WARM/hot day here in Nashville. Met up with my beautiful friend, Katherine Mez, and just for the record… Her new recordings are seriously incredible. (Myspace.com/katherinemez)

Tomorrow you’ll be seeing photos of my entire day.. And oh, I’ll have to tell you stories when I don’t have to type like this (haha) from earlier this week before I left.. Jess assisted me at a commercial model shoot on Tuesday. We found this killer location and well.. You’ll hear about it all soon : )

I feel like I just typed out the longest text of my life. Wow.

I’ve also been writing a lot - brainstorming a lot - ready to take some huge steps.. And figuring out exactly what they are. I’m part way there. I’ve never been more ready to just.. Go for it. I mean, honestly. And in every aspect of life. And again, I can’t believe I typed all this out.

I’m done. My fingers hurt ; ) I’m well here on this couch about to head to sleep with 2 wonderful friends experiencing this all with me. Feels good to experience life with someone again.

Love all of you.

I was asked to come up and help sing the last song… apparently, something was hilarious. We did kick it singing 3-part harmony on free fallin’  ; )

btw, chad and brittany owned it.