I'm Back!!

So as you can see, I have been pretty late on blogging. I apologize, but I'll update you on my life really quickly: I moved back to New Jersey on May 17th, had no luck finding a job so I worked odd jobs doing promotions here and there. I finally got a job in Toms River at the Ruby Tuesdays, and Im still in the process of training, hopefully I'll make some money soon. I'm staying with my grandmother in Toms River but lets just say I'm "commuting" back and forth to Union when I have the time. Chris is leaving Utah today and driving back (lucky!) so he will be in NJ soon enough. Predictions for going back to Utah? Who knows. Everything always works out in the end, right? I guess I'll figure it out along the way. Goals to accomplish this summer:

1) See the wild horses run at Assateague State Park
2) Go to Gettysburg (again) for the civil war re-enactment
3) Go swimming at the watering hole!
4) Visit the Northeast (only ever been there during the winter!)
5) Hike parts of the Appalachian Trail
6) Go to Georgia for some peaches!
7) Visit family in Virginia!
8) Get down to Tennessee for a country music concert!
9) Ride on an airboat/fanboat in the swamps down south!
10) Sturgis?!?!?! (huge maybe)
11) Do the boot scoot boogie at a Honky Tonk!
12) Go horseback riding

I'm sure I'll add to that list, and as I accomplish different things Ill be sure to come back and check them off. There is more to life than staying in the 9 square mile town you were raised in, and I plan on seeing all I can! Speaking of which, while still in Utah Chris and I saw a mountain goat up in Big Cottonwood Canyon! I didn't have my telephoto lens, but the new lens I bought was better quality, so the pictures aren't too noisy.





They aren't the best photos, but we were so excited!! Next I'll post the Hogle Zoo!

--Stephanie

Men: The Superior Race

As the weather is changing here in the valley to spring (yay!), the mountains are still getting some snow. So Chris and his friend Jon wanted to set up this wall ride thingy up in Little Cotton Wood Canyon. Chris was there two days before with another friend setting it up but then it snowed another foot or so, so they left it for another day. We didn't think there was going to be much work, BUT there was a skier there that had totally ruined what Chris had previously set up. Fortunately, they left within 5 mins of us getting there. The skiers friend was filming and kept saying... "Dude, that was stupid, it just looks stupid." So once they left we got to work... well Jon and Chris did, I didn't have a shovel. But when one of them needed a break I helped out. Eventually they had it set up again and off they went!!











The weather was being bipolar all day. It was really nice when we got there, then it turned to overcast, then it was snowing and really windy, and then it was beautiful again. That's just Salt Lake for you. Sadly, none of us had sun tan lotion on... Jon did have a hat so he was probably ok, but Chris and I were really sunburnt. I guess I'll start working on my color early!! (Oh, and about the title of this post.. I forget what the heck we were all talking about but Jon said that little gem and it was genius.)

We also saw a mountain goat up in Big Cottonwood Canyon not too long ago. I still have to go through and edit those pics, but they will be up soon! Also just did a photo shoot with my friend Missy, plan on going to the Hogle Zoo soon, and possibly Antelope Island.

--Stephanie

Color or Black & White?

As a photographer you are trained to look at the world a little differently than most. After a while, its sticks and you cant not think, "oh that would make a nice picture." Any photographer would agree that it's second nature. Well, one night while Chris and I were driving to get some dinner, we passed this lonesome little gas pump with one light. At first sight I knew I had to photograph it. Unfortunately, I didn't have my camera with me. This has become an unfortunate pattern for me. Whenever there is something I would like to photograph, I don't have my camera. I think it's my own personal fear that it will get stolen or broken. Thankfully, unlike daily situations that I can't go back to capture, this gas pump wasn't going anywhere. So last night we went back and I took a few shots. I shot in color, but after an aha! moment, I converted to black and white. I was first trained in black and white film photography, so I have a bias towards it. I still have a hard time finding color photos to be "art" but that's a discussion for another time. So tell me what you think.. color or black and white??




--Stephanie

Mormon for a Day...

Before moving out to Utah we had a lot of expectations about those "Mormon Folk." They push their religion onto every one, they don't drink or gamble, they are super judgmental of non mormons, and they practice polygamy. Well, upon living here and meeting plenty of Mormons, I'd say only half are true. The first one we found out that wasn't true was the polygamy. There is a whole other religion that split off from the Mormons, or Latter Day Saints (LDS). They are known as the Fundamentalist Church of Latter Day Saints, FLDS, not to be confused with LDS. The other false perception was that they push their religion onto every one. Yes, they go on missions to spread the word and convert others to their religion, but I was thinking about it. Back in the early days of Christianity there were Christian missionaries that went places to convert people to Christianity. Look at how they tried to convert the Native Americans in America. Since the LDS church was founded in the 1800's, they are really only doing what other Christians did, they are just doing it in a less accepting day and age. Personally, I don't agree with missions, but hey, let's agree to disagree.

Some of the truths are that yes, they do not drink. In fact, the way I understand it, they don't really engage or use anything that is addictive. (Coffee, soda, cigarettes, alcohol, drugs etc) The gambling thing I'm still not sure on. Gambling IS illegal in Utah, but an hour and a half over the border in Nevada is a nice little town called Wendover which you can find plenty of Mormons gambling there. One thing I have found to be true is the judgmental part. Now I'm not saying that ALL Mormons are, but some of the younger girls I worked with were pretty judgmental about living a "non LDS" lifestyle. That's totally fine with me, because what they don't know they can't miss. Ignorance IS bliss, right?

Anyway, the reason for this post is because my friend Allie invited me to the General LDS Conference. It happens twice a year in April and October. The major people in the LDS religion, the Prophet, Quorum of the Apostles, and the Quorom of the Seventies all come to Salt Lake City. (No I didn't make that word up!) There are several speakers that concentrate on different aspects of life that you should work on. A lot of the messages had to do with church and sacrament, but most of the messages could apply to all Christians, not just LDS members. Here are just some of the messages:

-Learn from Children. They are the first to love and the first to forgive.
-Women are great! Wives are equal to their husbands. Even if they aren't in the working world, they have equal responsibilities at home.
-Following Christ requires strength.
-We all have spiritual pain, but all souls can be healed.
-Christ helps those in need.

Those were just a few things from the session I went to. There were 3 other sessions that talked about different things. This is a major weekend in the Mormon religion, and they all take it very seriously, it's even televised around the world! I may not agree with every thing the LDS religion believes, but I do believe in being a good person!!


Waterfall at the Conference Center. (It's directly above the pulpit.)

The Temple.

Front view of Temple.

Some people that didn't have tickets were standing around with signs asking f0r them. (they were free!)

These people came all the way from Arizona with out tickets!

Satan just watching over the protesters.

Another definition of LDS. (Just kidding, of course)

Bare feet on State Street? I think not.

Yes!! I love when people show their love for America!!

Of course there were protesters. Unfortunately, there weren't as many as I would have liked. (is that wrong of me?) As much as I love controversy, I don't understand what makes the protesters think that they can change peoples minds, or why they go out of their way to try. Either way, it was a good day. I got to see Temple Square, the inside of the conference center, a couple thousand Mormons, and a couple protesters along the way.

Don't worry Mom, I'm not converting any time soon. I still think it's a bit kooky.

--Stephanie

Spring is in the air...

..and that means baseball season!

Growing up in Northern New Jersey doesn't leave you much choice for what baseball team you root for. You can either root for the Mets, and be on the short end of the stick all season, or you can be a Yankee fan. I was born into a Yankee household and can't picture my life any other way. BUT, I went to school in South Jersey where every one is a Phillies fan. Two years ago, North and South Jersey were at war... over bragging rights. Yes, thats right, the Yankees and Phillies were in the 2009 World Series!! So the campus looked like a gang war... you either wore red or blue. Of course there was more red because of the vicinity to Philadelphia. There were the dedicated Yankee fans, like myself, that had to hear all the trash talk, but in the end we were the ones that had the last laugh.

THE YANKEES WIN! THEEEEEEEEE YANKEES WIN!

When the Phillies won the World Series in 2008, their fans literally tore the city apart during the parade. Luckily, Yankee fans aren't that obnoxious, so my Dad and I ventured into the city for the Yankee Parade! There were so many people that the police made a barricade a block away from the block the actual parade was going to be on. Thankfully, my Dad's fireman badge got us past the barricade. Like he said, the badge respects the badge. So we were front and center! (kind of.) We got as far as the crowd would let us, but it was far enough to see the parade!! Ok, enough talking, more pictures!!


Getting off the subway

Daddio in front of one of the floats

I'm with you buddy!

The confetti... most of it was shredded paper from the offices

Looking up at the confetti!

Matsui!!!!

A-Rod and Jay-Z!!!

I'm your Daddy!!

Johnny Damon!

Damon up close!

Texiera and CC Sabathia!

<3

JETER!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Andy Petite and his kids

Of course they saved the "Closer" for the last float!!

Mariano Riveria!

The aftermath of the confetti.

Today is opening day for the Yanks, and hopefully it's a good season! I would love to go to another parade!! On that note..

LET'S GO YANKEES!!

--Stephanie

Bright Night Lights

Salt Lake City has some really great views, even while driving on the freeway. From our apartment you can see clear across the valley, (as long as theres no inversion.) At night it really is an amazing thing to see. So a while back in October Chris and I found this really awesome spot in the Federal Heights area that had an awesome view of the capital. So when we had our friend, Mark, visit last week, we took him there to see the city. We also took a stop right in front of the capital to get some up close shots. You can see the capital pretty much any where you are in the valley because it sits up on the north side of the city. Here are some long exposure shots I experimented with. The first two are from the first time we went in October, the rest are from last week.


From our spot in Federal Heights

Down on State Street

The Capital

The long walk up

The great state of Utard.

Gotta love the bright night lights!

--Stephanie

Cowboy Grub!!

We all know the story of my life.. and if you don't I'll fill you in really quick. I moved out to Utah in August with hopes and dreams of finding the best, most awesome photography job ever, all while snowboarding and living the life, everyday. Well, seeing that dream hasn't fully come true yet, I still have to pay the bills. (don't we all.) So down the road about a mile is this little restaurant called the Cowboy Grub. So in September I went there, resume in hand, and talked to the manager. He said that they don't have any positions open currently, but if I don't hear from him to give him a call in about two weeks. Well a whole two days went by and I got a call! I started training, and well.. the rest is history, I am a waitress at the Cowboy Grub! Don't get me wrong, I love it there! Every one is super nice, the food is good, and they play country music all night! What's not to love?! ...Oh that's right.. I didn't go to college to be a professional waitress... (even though, I am pretty darn good at it.) No this isn't a sob story abut how I didn't find a job in my field, and yes, this story does have a point.

So, one fine day I over heard the owner, Kim and one of the managers, JR, talking about hiring a photographer. OBVIOUSLY, I told them I could help them with what ever photographic needs they had. No, I don't have professional lenses or lighting, like I would love to have, but yes, I take good pictures and work for free. So they let me be their photographer! I came in early one day and we had a photo shoot of some baked goods for their Halloween coupon mailer. I took a bunch and we experimented with different back rounds, but eventually I got a few good shots!












There was a few weeks before the coupon was actually mailed out, but my mailbox was one of the lucky ones to get it! Both times! Yep, that's right, they used my photos twice! (Of course I got some REALLY good food out of it, so it wasn't free) Here are the mailers that were sent all over the Valley!! (not the best scan.. sorry!)


October Mailer

November Mailer

Ok, ok, I know they are the same pictures on both mailers... but it doesn't matter! I'm just so grateful they chose to use me, and actually used my pictures! Thanks to the Cowboy Grub for giving me a job, and letting me be their advertising photographer for a day! I may not have gone to college to be a waitress, but at least I have a job!

--Stephanie