Rusty love

This girl loves rust. Maybe, I should say I love the stories I can only imagine that come with a rusted building or a rusty vehicle. The people who used to work there, the products they produced, and how they changed the local landscape. The individuals that once drove the vehicle, who transported things in the back of the pick up truck. I am addicted to the character within those images.

Over the years, over the many states in which I have lived and traveled, I always seem to stumble upon a rusty GMC truck. They must be made with superior materials that dictate longevity, as I cannot understand why they are so available, in that regard.

This morning, a friend dropped by to pick up some vintage finds from us and pulled into my driveway with this gem. Bedecked in my robe and slippers, I quickly grabbed my camera and snapped some images in the gorgeous morning light.

I was in heaven, as this truck full of the colors I love to see on an old truck, was within walking distance of my front door. Now I can add this one to my collection that started with this photograph I shot in rural Idaho nearly 10 years ago. You cannot shake a love like that. 

The perfect backdrop

A few years back, one of my clients I met at the International Home Furnishings Center in High Point, NC, asked me to photograph his lamps within an old abandoned factory. Here in NC that is an easy thing to find. Accessing them is another story. Many are still full of asbestos and boarded up, understandably, but a shame, as there is so many gorgeous old buildings.

I drove around one afternoon and stumbled upon this one factory in Thomasville, NC. Yes, that Thomasville. It was being utilized as a vintage car repair shop with hopes of turning the upper floors into a bar and grill. So they welcomed me with open arms. 

I was in heaven, as I love photographing the grit and history that surrounds us.

The light in these spaces is impeccable, as they were created to be illuminated by natural light well before factory lights were the norm.

If only I could have one of these as a studio... I'd be in heaven.

The trickiest part of the shoot was getting the lamps to be lit, but without plugging them in. No outlets. We thankfully found some fluorescent bulbs that were meant to be charged up and used without a direct electrical source.

Unzipped

Commercial Photography for a local marketing firm for an in-store promotions campaign for Wrangler Jeans.

Lookin' back

It's virtually impossible for most people to not reflect back on September 11, 2001. Where they were. What they did. How they found out. Who they knew. Their connection to NY. To PA. To the Pentagon and DC. To the world.

I have blogged about my time in New York City a mere 2 weeks before what we now refer to as 9/11. To me, it was about an outstanding journey both professionally and personally by way of New York city, or more accurately Newark, onto Stockholm for a business trip. But we thankfully had a long layover in NJ. And well, wouldn't you go into the city??

New York is much like any city in America. A must see. Grand walking access, although wear comfy shoes. And a photographer's dream to visit.  When we were there, we were shooting film. And traveling with film required thought and a plan. Or at least a back-up to buy more film. I chose to shoot in mostly in black and white. There is something so timeless about a black and white photo.

Bust, From My Window No. 7, Andre Kertesz

It is like every other city in that you have to accept the challenge to exploring a huge city. We had to stop an employee to ask him how to get to certain stops on the subway. He was the nicest man. So very helpful and really made our time so much easier.

I do remember that no one really looked at each other when we were moving. That train car was like a long elevator ride, where no one talks or looks at each other. I was so happy to hear that after 9/11, that people were talking more to each other. What cool people. I can only imagine their stories.

John Lee ©brandMOJO Images

As a photographer, it is weird to not look around. I had my camera in hand and wanted to photograph every nook and crack. I crave street photography. That is where Chinatown came in handy. Not one person looked at us with disdain for taking their photograph.

So today not only makes me think of how dramatically that city changed and how so many lost loved ones, but I think of the journey we all have come. And New York City continues to completely thrill many many visitors and photographers.  Cheers, New York.

On location

2013 has been the year of outstanding photo opps on location. I shot this image at a gorgeous home on Lake James, NC.

To Market. To Market.

(photo from www.apartmenttherapy.com)

This week is the bi-annual High Point Market, where a ghost town magically morphs into a real city.
This week-long event brings furniture makers, sellers, interior designers and their clients, buyers, artists, antique dealers, home decor companies and their clients and well-known spokespeople.
If you watch any of those Home Design shows, those celebrities will be here signing a book or promoting a line.

It's like a mini NYC for a short period of time. Local restaurants start carrying incredible cuisine that goes away until next Market in October. The local TJ Maxx (TJ Craxx, as I call it) carries Louis Vuitton items and Jimi Choo shoes, I have heard.

You hear languages spoken that make you feel like you aren't actually in High Point.  The local law keeps the streets clean of riff raff during the week. And a friend told me she can tell when it's Market, as there are seas of people around the import wine aisle in the local grocery store.

I have lived all over, so it is nice to have this area become a real city for even just a bit. Most locals rent their homes and go on vacation. But I like when Market comes to town.

The best part of Market, aside from the calamari Liberty Steakhouse carried that one year, is entering these buildings and seeing just what it holds. It is like this amazing high end mall with free wine and cheese.

I am lucky, I get to attend if I choose. My husband is the designer and craftsman for brandMOJO Interiors, LLC. So we get free Industry passes. Going to Market keeps me alert to the going's-on with that industry. Trends. Prices. And I get to go glad hand and try to drum up some local business. Plus I can see some of my favorite people.

Each year I meet someone new. And someone I am glad I have met. I am at Market though to find the hardwood furniture mixed in with slews of cookie-cutter imports. Shops like Calvin Klein Home, Klaussner, and La-Z Boy. And you hear people talk about a possible Martha sitting. I did see Paula Dean today. But she was on the side of a van.

And each year, we make more business contacts. Get to meet people and companies from New York, that we'd rarely have a chance to meet. And at the end of it all, each Market, we all get together at Liberty to enjoy that cuisine, to catch up, wish them the best, and we'll see them next Market.