farewell 2012

Here's to wishing for beautiful things, wonderful connections, and the celebration of life, family and friends in the coming year!  Happy New Year to you all!

breathe

Sand.  Water.  A cool breeze.  Sun kisses.  The scent of salt and seafoam.  The delightful sound of my child's laughter accompanied by the roar of the sea.  Simple pleasures at their best.  The perfect time and place to breathe.

iphoneography

The best camera is the one you have with you.  I have finally joined the millions who have turned their iPhones into visual record keepers.  It's all still new to me.  Smartphones.  I actually still use a flip phone.  Ha ha!  Instagram has become my new hangout.  

instagr.am : ikat_evans

 

the impossible project once again making the impossible possible!

Digital and analogue are engaged!  I don't know about you, but this totally made my day!  The geniuses at The Impossible Project have come up with a new revolutionary product that I think Edwin Land would have been very proud of.  So hurry up and jump over to The Impossible Project's Kickstarter page and help make analogue history!  

in transition

 

Everything is quiet at home right now.  My little one is finishing up her second week in kindergarten, and I am spending my second day fully alone in this house trying to figure out what to do with myself.  I am in transition.  Still trying to come to the realization that my days are freer, more open to opportunity.  It'll hit me here soon, I'm sure of it.  Right now, I share with you these photos, just tidbits from the every day. 

Have a great weekend my friends!


 

ruche bridal . . . lavender & lace

 Once again, fashion company Ruche and the talented Stephanie Williams team up and pull together yet another a breathtaking new bridal lookbook.  Shot on location amongst the lavender fields of the Highland Springs Resort, every image is scented with nothing but beauty and glows with the most delicate of light.  

 

 

escape into reading

If you were to ask me what I've been doing most of this summer, I'd tell you this:  craving stories.  I honestly haven't been out with my camera much during this time in which our planet rotates just a wee bit closer to the sun.  So, storytelling from my end has been rather minimal, as I'm sure you've already gathered.  I've been satiating the cravings with words, printed on paper, in the form of books, vicariously living each character's experiences, page after page.  There has been a lot going on in my mind.  Each and every thought and worry creating a noise that together resemble the chaotic symphony one hears while in the midst of a metropolitan city, of course, during rush hour traffic.  I've been desperately needing an escape, or at least a temporary diversion.  So, I've chosen to escape into reading. 

Before a friend embarked on an adventure to Asia, there was a lot of talk about travel, which of course reminded me of my earlier "gypsy" days.  My heart ached more than just a little.  I recalled memories from my childhood, flying back and forth over the vast ocean of the Pacific, experiencing a world far from the comforts of my own.  I needed something that smelled like freshly cut greens, made the sound of broth  hitting the bottom of a hot pan, from a place with a name I would try to genuinely pronounce correctly.  This led me to pick up Anthony Bourdain's A Cook's Tour.  I felt like his mute companion, walking alongside Tony as he blissfully soaked in the sights and flavors of Saigon, shook my head in disbelief as he threw back yet another shot of Tequila in Puebla, and although I was a quite disturbed by the process of how one of his favorite dishes came to be, I actually tried really hard to imagine the taste of foie gras. 

 After globe trotting with Tony, I decided it was time that I ventured to Middle Earth, gliding over hill and dale upon the wings of a Great Eagle.  I did this with The Hobbit.  Once Mr. Baggins returned to the safety of his Hobbit-hole a changed man, I returned to my bookshelf pulling out titles I had read once before.  Bury Me Standing, Notes from My Travels, and one of my all-time favorites, Neither Wolf nor Dog.

Soon enough, I would find myself holding another story in my hands.  New, beautiful, and very much alive, screaming for my attention, much like the precious babe we are introduced to in its very first chapter.  The Light Between Oceans.  It has been a long while since a book has gripped me so, like a mother's firm yet gentle hand, pulling me through not just the sea of emotions of those whose lives unfold before me, but also through the waves of my own memories, making me face the question of how I could have done things differently in my own story.  What a bittersweet tale!

And now, a thief by the name of Liesel has stolen my attention!  

 What stories have grabbed you this summer?

 

chelsea rose

Just a few favorites from a recent photo session I had with the talented Chelsea Rutledge. 

clickbooq | site of the week

Hello friends!  This week, I was pretty stoked to find out that Clickbooq, the website company I have hosting my portfolio (which still needs some major work!), chose The Reverie Tree as their "site of the week"!  It was quite humbling and exciting to see my work side-by-side with some pretty talented folk!  So, thank you THANK YOU Clickbooq for the shout out!  

With all that being said, I truly am very happy with their services.  I am not a techy when it comes to building websites so finding a company that provides a DIY setup that is simple enough to work without having to know codes and all that jazz was a super plus for me.  So without a doubt, I recommend these guys for sure!

for the love of books | the fantastic flying books of Mr. Morris Lessmore

 

The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr Morris Lessmore Trailer  from Moonbot Studios on Vimeo.

*Sorry folks!  The original video I posted was removed from YouTube.  However, to view the film in its entirety, visit www.morrislessmore.com to purchase a digital copy.  It's beautiful!

vintage family photographs

 

Things have been a little quiet here.  I've been spending some time reflecting on things, work, photography, life . . . In the process I've found myself once again going through Great-Grandma Sylvia's footlocker, sifting through old family photographs.  The above photographs are of my Great-great-great and Great-great Grandparents on my father's side.  I adore these photographs.  The style, the clothing, the weight of the paper on which they are printed on.  I'm soaking it all in.  More to come. 

sea treasures

Just a few treasures I've gathered from along the shore since we moved here two years ago.  Although many of the shells are merely pieces of what they once were, I still found their color and texture quite beautiful.  Dark pieces of wood make me wonder where they came from originally,  perhaps bits off an old ship or simply remains of a weekend bonfire. Pearlescent looking chips, not exactly sure what they are exactly, look almost like large fish scales . . . off a mermaid!  Ha ha!  Amongst the seashells, I've gathered pieces of seaweed, sea glass, and feathers.  I love combing the beach.  Maybe I'll be lucky one day and find an old bottle!  You just never know what treasures the ocean will carry over to the shore for you. 

Hope you are all enjoying your weekend!

a musical note | sea of bees

I have to admit, I rarely RARELY ever listen to the radio.  Most of the time I am listening to music I already have and love that I don't feel the "need" to listen to the radio.  Weird?  I don't care for most of what's out in the mainstream music scene, so if you were to ask me if I've heard the latest Lady Gaga song, I'll have to disappoint you and say no.  My sister thought I was joking when I told her I didn't know who Nikki Minaj was, and honestly, I still don't.  So, when I do happen to stumble across some new music, GOOD music, my heart does a happy little dance.  Such an occurrence happened this evening and although I have yet to truly delve into the music created by the talented Julie Ann Baenziger of the Sea of Bees, I already know that I'm in for a wonderful time! 

morning at the table | breakfast

Ahh . . . breakfast time.  Over the last week or so, I have been trying really hard to drop the gears down a little bit, just enough to embrace this crucial part of our day.  Mornings at our home typically have us in a crazy rush to get things done like showers, the brushing of this and that, ironing, and getting dressed so that either one or all of us can get out of the door and to where we need to be on time.  The constant stream of chatter from the t.v. plays like a soundtrack during this mad race against the clock.  Now, the television is turned off.  It's amazing how much more your senses kick in when the boob-tube is silenced.  It's been a long while since I've truly felt present at the morning table.  I didn't realize until just recently, how beautiful this time of day truly is.  Yesterday, we had cereal, like per usual, but this morning we decided to bring out the strawberries, have a hard-boiled egg, and slather some raspberry & apricot preserves on our toast  How much more focused one becomes when you do something beyond just pouring Cheerios into an empty bowl!  A routine is slowing taking place.  Miss Sunshine will set the table, most of the time, by placing our mats and eating utensils down while I piece together our meal.  A stack of picture books will soon find themselves to one side of her bowl, or plate, much in the same way I keep my pile of magazines beside mine.  Peacefully, we will dine, taking our time to enjoy a few pictures, maybe a story or two, and share a conversation about what we want to do today.  And the light, morning light, how simply wonderful you are.  They say "breakfast is the most important meal of the day" and for so many reasons, I'll have to agree.  

Inspired by Kinfolk and Jen Causey.

instant love

So, if you haven't already heard, instant photography is definitely not dead.  Three ladies, whom many of you familiar with instant photography will recognize, put together a book entitled Instant Love.  For years, I have been following the awesome works of Susannah Conway, Amanda Gilligan, and Jenifer Altman and believe that these ladies have made a huge contribution to the world of instant photography by sharing their love for this photo medium and getting others excited about it as well.  Now, especially with the creation of integral film by the Impossible Project, people are dusting off their old Polaroid cameras and bringing them back to life again.  The book is a guide to the different types of cameras and film used in instant photography, but it's also a guide on basic elements to photography such as composition and lighting.  Below is a book trailer that was put together by the folks over at Pacing the Panic Room.  Have fun watching!  Oh, and they're having an awesome contest by the way!    

skies the limit . . .

. . . sometimes, I just wish I had wings.

slowing down . . . coming back

In this new age of social technology with texting, emails, Facebook, Twitter, "like this" and "pin that", it's been really hard to focus.  Seriously.  Instant communication and online recreation has been wonderful, don't get me wrong, but here lately, I've been missing the simpler, quieter times.  Life has been moving at warp speed and honestly, I feel like pulling over just to catch my breath.  s l o w  d o w n . . .  A little while back I received my copy of Kinfolk's second volume and I cannot tell you how much I love LOVE this magazine.  Every page is a reason to take your time and simply enjoy the taste of the tea you happen to be sipping on.  I have yet to order volume three, but plan to do so this week.  It's rare that I come across something that makes me want to just chill.  The photographs are a big reason for that I think as each photographer has taken the time to capture the essence of just being, whether by one's self or with others.  Who knew a publication about simple gatherings could be so meditative.  And it truly has been, for me.  

As I mentioned in my previous post, I've been doing a lot of reflecting lately about a lot of things.  Times are definitely changing in my world, for the good, thankfully.  I'm needing to prioritize and dedicate my time to things that I know will allow me to continue to grow. One thing I do want to do more is post here much more frequently than I have in the last few years.  I was quite shocked at how many of the bloggers I used to spend time visiting have, just as I, fallen by the way side with their blogs for one reason or another.  Well, as for myself, I'm coming back.  

Just a couple of things that I am loving at the moment . . . 

• Music by composer Keith Kenniff as Helios.  
• I'm still one of those who truly enjoys holding a physical magazine.  I actually keep them like I do my books. However, I have recently found some new eZines on Issuu that I really like, especially some of these new bridal magazines like this one and this one.  And I will always love this one!

Now because I love Kinfolk and Keith Kenniff . . . AND honey . . . I'll leave you with this video.  Have a great week friends!

beauty in simplicity

Here in the last several months, and especially here in the last few weeks, I have really been thinking a lot about who I am as a photographer.  What is my style?  What is it that I want to do with my craft?  Where do I want to be in five years, or even five months?  What am I struggling with and how can I overcome it?  In a market overflowing with photographers, and especially living in a small town full of talented ones, how does one not bleed into the crowd?  Staying true to yourself and your own vision.  I recall Tim Walker mentioning somewhere that one of the best pieces of advice he received while working as an assistant for Richard Avedon was "to shoot what you love."  And that's exactly what I want to do.  I want to go out and seek the beauty in the simple things.  Write beautiful lyrics with light! Meet new people and make wonderful music together!  Easier said than done sometimes, especially when you're also trying to find ways to earn a living with your craft.  But that being said, I've come to realize that making photographs that I love will work to my benefit because it will clearly show people who and what I am as a photographer.  

My copy of Elizabeth Messina's new book, The Luminous Portrait, finally arrived a few days ago.  I love her style and the fact that she considers herself a "natural-light photographer".  The way she approaches her subjects and her craft are similar to my own. Seek out the best light and capture beauty in authenticity, even if it's a stylized shoot.  After reading it this weekend, I felt rejuvenated and empowered, anxious to get back out with my camera and make some beautiful imagery.  My goal is to come up with ideas for conceptual photo shoots and putting together the plans to make them happen.  I think after having put together our mock vintage wedding, this should be a piece of cake!

Before I let you go (and thank you for reading my ramblings this morning by the way) I want to direct you to my good friend Zila Longenecker's new blog, Thistle & Fern.  Zee's work always whispers beauty and simplicity.  I hope to feature Zee and her new blog here soon, but until then walk on over to her serene and beautiful space.  Until next time friends!

Happy 4th Blogiversary!

Wow, four years.  A lot can happen in four years.  A lot HAS happened in four years.  There have been many times where I have thought that maybe keeping up with this blog was too much and that really I should let it go.  Despite the fact that I have been horrible at posting, I am at the point where my blog has a lot of sentimental meaning to me.  I can look back over the years and see both growth in myself, in my family, and in my photography.  Because of this blog, I have been able to make friends from places far away, some where I have yet to step foot in.  Sitting here, I can tell you that I am so thankful for this little corner of the internet world where I have been able to just "talk".  I am even more grateful for those of you who have been following me on my journey to . . . somewhere.  Ha ha!  You all have helped to make this adventure so much more fun and meaningful.  Thank you.

So where do I see myself and this blog going in the year ahead?  Well, I finally opened up my photography business here in Wilmington under the name The Reverie Tree, so that's going to be a big directional pull and hopefully a great motivator to create and make photographs.  There are projects that have been floating in my head for years that really need to come to fruition and I hope we'll start to see that happen this year.  I'd like to get published somewhere.  I've got my eye on a few places I plan to submit to and hope to one day grace the pages of.  Probably the biggest thing I want to see happen this year is a way that I can give back to my community.  Locally.  Nationally.  Globally.  Not because it's what everyone else is doing, but because I have a lot to be thankful for and I feel a great need to see that any talent that I may possess be given back in some way.  So much of the time I think we get caught up in the hype of giving that too often we lose sight of what's really important:  a genuinely deep experience where one's heart is not just moved, but changed.  I need this to happen, not just for myself, but also as an example for my daughter.  I want her to grow up knowing the importance of making positive changes in the world around her, and especially in the life of another because I truly believe this is what God intended us to be here for.

Thank you again for coming to sit down to a cup of tea with me, and letting me share my reveries.  :)

xo.kat

Be the change that you wish to see in the world.  - Mahatma Gandhi

a sweetheart ceremony

Several months ago, my good friend Blaire Johnson and I came up with an idea.  With both of us wanting to reintroduce ourselves into the wedding business, we thought that it might be a good thing to revamp our portfolios.  Our idea was to photograph, or in Blaire's case film, a fun, eco-friendly, vintage wedding.  How does one accomplish this?  Throw one yourself apparently.  Which was exactly what we did.  With the help of several local vendors, an awesome band, the sweetest couple, and many of our friends, yes, YES, a wedding came together.  Due to time constraints and the high probability of getting pelted by hail stones and rain, we didn't get to throw the wedding we had originally planned for.  But despite all that, we pulled it off.  We got to meet and work with talented individuals who we wouldn't have met otherwise.  We were able to dust off our wedding caps and kick our creativity gears up to a whole new level.  As worn out as I am, it was worth it.  We had a great time and I hope these photos reflect that.  There are a few more photos on my new Facebook page.  And to watch this wedding unfold, simply watch the video created by Green Hope Productions below.  Long live slide whistles and kazoos!!

The Vendors: 

Photography | The Reverie Tree

Cinematography | Green Hope Productions

Wedding Gown and Maid-of-Honor Gown | Camille's Closet

Bride and Maid-of-Honor floral hairpieces | Joanne Miranda Designs

Floral | Marshall Gardens

Wedding Cake | Creative Cake Designs by Tammy Hodge

Bride's Hair & Makeup | NSalo Salon

Music | Mike Blair & the Stonewalls

Jewelry | Rachel Andrews of Jewel Kade

Officiant | Shannon Mackay 

A big BIG thank you to Sarah Elizabeth and Jason, and to all of our friends who came out, dressed up and helped out.  You all are so absolutely wonderful.  Blaire, Alex and I cannot thank you enough.  We are truly, and eternally grateful!