A bit about myself:
I have always been extremely routine oriented, even as a child. I love myself a good routine! I rarely miss a dosage for medicine. I've loved Martha Stewart since elementary school, and I have her books and magazines, dating back to 1990's to prove it. I love the F word. I also love pearl earrings (I think they light up the face). I am well-spoken and uncouth, awkward, inappropriate, anything but subtle. I am not gentle. I am a force, an annoyance, a breath of fresh air. Good intentions and (hopefully) good outcomes. I am sarcastic and a bit of an a-hole, and sometimes negative.....and yet a total optimist. A Cheerleader hiding inside a curmudgeon.
Apart from photography, what I do:
I make stuff. I cook stuff. I clean stuff. I write people thank you cards and I love sending mail and touching flowers.
I am currently a teacher for Sylvan, we are working through a program that directly benefits underprivileged children. I'm also a lead teacher for Sylvan as well. Prior to this, I worked with developmentally disabled adults, and loved my work. I basically enjoy doing jobs where I know I am helping someone...and not just helping someone spend their money! ;)
What the title of my Memoir would be:
Flaming Blaze of Glory, the Memoir of a .....korean-american girl?
....a Longview girl?
....girl still in progress.
Where I find my inspiration from:
Everywhere. Inspiration strikes me all the time. I find inspiration on walks outside, studying leaves and flowers and mushrooms. I find inspiration from anal perfectionists like Martha Stewart (I would never want to be/nor could I be an anal perfectionist, but I like to have a go at it every now and then). Movies. Sparkling conversations (and arguments) with my husband. My grandmother's hands. My amazing friends who do things like it's not even a big deal.....but it's so a big deal!
What hand made means to me:
I love this. I am the person who spends an hour making her own pie dough, when you could've spent less time and money on the frozen kind. It's not the product itself....it's the process. When you buy your pie crust, you can't say you made it, and worst of all, you missed out on the enjoyment of actually making it! So many of these things are lost in our instant-gratification world. I am the girl who has hand stitched a doggie shirt, just because I wanted to or suffered rashes on her hands because a handmade garland is better than a store bought one.
Who has been most influential in my craft:
My grandfather and his camera. This is the only thing I received after he passed away.
How I would describe my creative process:
Lately, I find inspiration from finding new photo backdrops and seeing visuals of good photographs online.
The hardest part of what I do:
Honestly? The hardest part of what I do....is the getting paid part. I think a lot of photographers/artists will say this. It's not the doing or the making or the editing. It's the getting credit where credit is due. Asking people for money (or being put in the position of asking) is really the most uncomfortable part of all of this. I would hire an assistant (if I could figure out how to get paid more) to take care of this for me.
Where would you like to be in 10 years?
Living in a well-lit, well decorated house that I can use as a studio. Happy, healthy, married (still), children, more traveling and experiences under my belt. More (if possible!) good and outrageous stories. RICH in friends, love and life. (and maybe a newer subaru). Maybe an assistant! ;)
