This weekend my brother Seth and his girlfriend Joy drove down from Knoxville to visit us in Birmingham. It’s always exciting for us to play tour guides, so we showed them the side of Bham we’ve been discovering slowly but surely. This included tacos at Rojo, coffee and breakfast at Urban Standard, shopping at Urban Outfitters and Anthropologie (neither of which Knoxville has… yet…), and sushi at Sekisui. We also (re-)watched the episodes of Portlandia that have aired so far and played a few rousing games of Scattergories. All in all, it was a fantastic weekend, and it was nice to be unplugged from technology the whole time and just enjoy each other’s company and the gorgeous weather and the fact that none of us had to work.
While we were at Urban, I impulse-purchased a new Holga camera. Though my beloved Diana has served me well, it’s not quite as user-friendly. 120 film is much more difficult to load, and more than twice as expensive to purchase and get developed. So I bought the Holga because it’s a 35mm version, which is not only easier and less expensive, but also has the same ratio and format as the digital images I shoot, so it fits in really well. I wanted to take advantage of the fact that I had Seth and Joy to model for me and the gorgeous light we were having to shoot a few practice rolls, and I’m really pleased with the results. What I love about shooting with these lo-fi cameras is that there are so many unexpected surprises that come from them. It’s a low pressure shooting situation, and I’m not constantly checking my camera screen to see if I’m getting what I want. And I love the anticipation of actually dropping film off and having to wait for the results. So awesome. And while I would never shoot an entire session with a Holga (like I did here- but that’s only because there will be MANY more photo sessions with Seth and Joy to come), it’s a great tool to add to my arsenal. So behold the soft yummy dreaminess of good old-fashioned Holga fun:
They’re my little Urban Outfitters models. :)
And this, hands down, is my favorite. Aren’t they so cute?
Melanie Harris - They are as adorable as you and Jamie! - Love you all, Mom
Lorraine - totally gorgeous shoot. I just picked up UO’s fisheye lomo on sale a couple weeks ago, and I’m so excited to see the first round of pictures! It’s such a weird sensation to not have the instant gratification of downloading, or the luxury of taking 100 pictures and choosing the best one to keep, but that’s been part of the thrill! Thanks for the inspiration!
Megan Merkl - Amazing! I seriously love all of these pictures and you are so right about the Urban Outfitters models.
Kelly Cummings - how awesome! I’m jealous. need to shoot more film and probably buy the 35 mm holga as well. ugh.
Melissa M - i love the nostalgic feeling that film has over digital. digital is just so much easier.
Seth - These look amazing! So glad to be your little UO models. I LOVE YOU!
carly - No way! I impulse bought a new Holga too! Just a couple weeks ago! I haven’t even had the guts to try it yet but you’ve inspired me to go for it. Gotta say, that second to last double-exposure shot is the bee’s knees… Frame it. It’s a keeper.
Kimber - This is fabulosity! Love the cute UO couple! The kissing shot is in the words of Rachel Zoe: bananas. :-)
Joy - I can barely pick a favorite I love them all so much! Can’t wait to be your little models again, and again, and again.
kaitie bryant - love it! my brother just gave me some lomography hand me downs, and they have been OH so fun:) I’m waiting to develop the fisheye right now and love the anticipation. sometimes it is so good to get away from photoshop!
christina moodie - Great shots Morgan! I love them!
Jennifer - Oooohh! I love these Morgan! PS - They are super cute together!
Aunt Heather - Too cute!!! I think they need agents!!! Excellent job Morgan….its fun to get new gadgets!! Would have been nice to have seen a shot or two of you and Jamie though……maybe next time. Love all of ya!!
Kristin Nicole - How fun!
heather hester - these are beautiful morgan..i adore every one of them!!!! holga’s are just so lovely! hope you are doing wonderful…and i would love to get together again sometime in the near future:)
Camille Johnson - These look sooo cute and lovely! I have been wanting a holga camera for SOO LONG!