INSPIRE Meet Up

posted in Main

March 31, 2010

Me & Felix Kunze decided to put together INSPIRE photographer meet ups after a brief chat whilst we were in NYC. We noticed that there’s hardly ANY form of networking for creatives in the UK and it’s a shame since networking is one of the most important things to do in the industry we are in. The point of INSPIRE meet ups is to give the opportunity to all levels of photographers to come together, meet, talk, give advice / feedback and critique and share their ideas and thoughts on the industry – the whole point is to inspire each photographer.

We held our first meet up in Hyde Park on the 26th March – we had a great turn out with photographers coming from all over the UK, some from different countries also. It was great to see everyone talking about the industry and sharing portfolios. We started off in the park (which was a typical miserable London day) and then we ended it in a pub near Victoria.

The event wasn’t ‘planned’ as such but an opportunity for everyone to get talking. I’ve been a photographer for five years now and I can say that this has been my best year in the industry because of the contacts and friends I have made through networking. The meet up also give me the opportunity to meet a few online ‘friends’ that I’d been in contact with over the years, as well as fans of my work that came along to tell me I’d inspired them to start photography – it’s moments like this I realize all the hard work and effort has been put to good use. If I can inspire someone with what I do, I feel the late nights, early starts and constant business work are well worth it.
We had some great feedback from people that attended on the day and so many twitter/facebook messages later that week, so many people mentioned that there needed to be more events like this for us creatives..

Both me & Felix are planning to do more workshops in the future, possibly with some talks going on and some events on the day, also. We have plans to do one in NYC when we’re both there from June onwards and also a few around the UK. To keep track of our meet ups follow our twitter page – www.twitter.com/inspiremeetups

Photography Credits: Chris Davies, Oscar May, Tom Messenger, Sam Butler.

INSPIRE MEET NL » Blog Archive » Wat is Inspire Meet ?: [...] Lara : http://www.larajade.co.uk/blog/inspire-meet-up/ [...] (April 18, 2010 1:26 am)

Oleksandr Hnatenko: Cool stuf... maybe will make it here in vienna in the future ;) (April 7, 2010 12:53 pm)

Maz: Wow your AMAZING youve inspired me lara. p.s your BEAUTIFUL! (April 5, 2010 11:07 am)

lizet: ahhh too bad i couldn't come! I had to take a plane to come, haha... would be lovely though! Looks like you had a great time :D (April 5, 2010 2:32 am)

Lara Jade: haha, that's why they did it. all us photographers do it! (April 4, 2010 7:19 pm)

Chris: Looks like the group at the top forgot to remove their lens caps :( (April 4, 2010 5:21 pm)

Recent Haiti & other media coverage – felixkunze.com: [...] Separately we’ve been working on our inspire meetups and Lara also mentioned it on her blog here. [...] (April 4, 2010 11:40 am)

Kiara Black: I'm hopefull that I can come to the UK when the next meeting is there (April 2, 2010 1:37 am)

Gianma: Congratulations guys!!! I'm sorry i didn't manage to come from Switzerland, but I'll surely do it next time: you're all so inspiring and I'd like to meet you all!!! :) (April 2, 2010 1:15 am)

Andrew: Looks like lots of fun :D Congrats on everything :D (March 31, 2010 4:43 pm)

Bonnie Rose: Looks brilliant! Hopefully will get to be inspired further by so many of you and meet up eventually. This looks like it was a blast! (March 31, 2010 4:39 pm)

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Follow Your Dreams

posted in Main

March 5, 2010

I’ve always been a dreamer.

Photography enables me to capture the world how I dreamed it would be as a child. Through that viewfinder I can capture anything. Open your mind and realize that (most often) rectangle can capture anything you want, if you frame it in THAT space. How amazing is that thought?
‘Art’ frustrated me from a young age. I’d paint and draw but I would always feel restricted, I longed to find MY way of sharing my creativity. Art as a subject was very concise, you had to paint in a certain way of it to be correct, my grades were often low on my art because I’d try and create something unique – most often to please myself, but to rebel against what the teacher wanted me to do. Seeing everyone in my classroom painting the same Van Gogh style vase with wilting flowers drained my creativity.
I have always followed my dreams, sometimes it’s bad to chase your young ideality but from an early age I knew what I wanted. School depressed me, I was bullied for being different. I dyed my hair dark at an early age, wore dark make up and over-sized clothes, i desperately did not want to fit in so I rebelled against everything i knew. I thought differently. I wouldn’t attend academic classes because I didn’t feel like I understood or even so wanted to understand. I’d question everything in my head.
In the end my teachers would accept I was working on my photography and I’d wander to the computer rooms instead of class to browse inspiring art or to retouch my work.
My escape from reality in turn was always through my photography.

On the day I picked up my first camera, I realized it wad a door to many things. It instantly clicked.

Dreams are meant to be followed if you want to fulfill your life. My nightmare scenario would be to be too comfortable with life. Don’t get me wrong I truly admire those that can work 9-5 routine jobs and live happily in small towns with a family. However, for me that would be a living nightmare, I’d feel very trapped and lifeless. At seventeen, I lived that life for a brief period of time, I realized instantly it wasn’t for me. I am not the type of person to be tied down and constrained, I long to be free. You only live one life: In my life, I want to make an inspiring journey.

I have been greatly inspired by ‘The Law If Attraction’. If you live by the thought that your positivity and energy is in turn bringing you more of this, you WILL see results.
“Anything in your life you want to change, you can — simply by understanding the Law of Attraction, and choosing to deliberately change your thoughts and constantly reach for the thought that feels better. The way you predominantly feel about any given subject is your barometer for knowing what your balance of thought is on that subject. The circumstances of your life is another indicator. If you’re ever wondering which end of the barometer your thoughts are on, check in with your emotions. Your emotions never lie about the way you are flowing your energy” – http://www.law-of-attraction-info.com/

I have only lived twenty years, but in the last quarter of my life I have discovered so much about myself. People have entered and left my life, I’ve had a near death experience, I’ve loved and lost, I am very spontaneous (a Leo trait), this means I often jump into things very quickly and without much though – and when things go wrong I learn the hard way. However, through all experiences I have been taught something good or bad and ultimately this has took me further up the path towards my ultimate goal. I have let go of negative energy by teaching myself to think about every experience as a learning curve, every experience has shaped me in my life someway and without this, I might not be who I am or where I am today. In the past three months.

If you want something in life, reach out and grab it. That star might be far away, but take little steps gradually towards it. You may be restricted by finances or commitments but everyday question yourself and say ‘have I done something towards my goal today?’.

Remember, follow your dreams and in return they will follow you.

kari: Makes me sad and also happy reading your lines. I'm happy for everyone who can follow their dream.. even more important than finances I think is family and friends, and if they distract or even restrict you it's worse than having no money.. but there may be/come a time for everyone. (July 6, 2010 2:02 am)

Jukano: Hey Lara, I really enjoyed reading your post! Yes, the law of Attraction. I truly believe in this theory, too- I admire you how you turned your dreams into reality. I am still in the process ;) even before I knew that you live according to the law of attraction, I always had the impression that your whole work and biography expresses exactly this Theory. You are taking full advantage of this great Energy. Continue like this - Take care, Jukano (June 1, 2010 1:33 pm)

Melissa Hayes: I think its kind of rare to find commercial photogs that blog and are involved with social media. glad to see you are one of them! (May 12, 2010 10:25 am)

eurila: Damn young lady that's DEEP! I'm happy to have discovered your work :-) Im also happy your happy with your life!! The best thing you can do for your self is know what you want and you've done that. Your work is phenomenal I cant wait to see what you grow to become :-) Take CAre (May 7, 2010 11:13 am)

Edward Lui: Inspirational post Lara, I think what you have achieved in your life and how you capture art through a lens pretty much speaks for itself. Keep on creating, as I am sure a lot inspire to what you produce day in and day out. (March 31, 2010 4:55 pm)

Suraj Joshee: I really loved this post Lara. I discovered your site through JoeyL's blog. I follow his work quite a bit. Some say wisdom comes with age, however, brave souls like you prove that wisdom comes with experience, and having gone through a multitude of good and bad events in one's life. I love your work and the way you share your feelings. I will be following your work. Thank you. (March 26, 2010 8:57 am)

Kassia: I think you are so lovely and strong Lara. You have character and have persevered through hardships. I love the new blog. It looks fantastic! (March 10, 2010 3:24 pm)

Tom Svilans: Rock On. (March 8, 2010 7:00 pm)

Bine: Your words are so true and wonderful :) (March 5, 2010 5:59 pm)

ContessaNera: Thank You for sharing your hope and strenght. I am 20 aswell but I am just starting to really do something to follow my drea,m. It is hard indeed, it is so far away, but things seem to be going the right way and, even though it's time consuming and tiring and I get close to nothing in return, I feel this is slowly taking me there. (March 5, 2010 5:01 pm)

Capture Your World Photography: Thank you so much for the inspiring words. You are a role model to me. I am only about 2 years younger than you and you have inspired me to jump on what I want and take hold. Thank you for being such an inspiration to me. (March 5, 2010 3:37 pm)

Processos Fotográficos: Thanks Lara for your words. Yesterday I was thinking about quit photography and seel my new camera, but now I see that if I give up from this dreams I'll never be happy.
You are an inspiration.
I'll search this book in portuguese. =D (March 5, 2010 3:32 pm)

Gianma: As you already know I felt (and still feel sometimes, but I'm coming out, I know it for sure...) trapped in my personal nightmare as you described it so well: living "happily" being too comfortable with my life.
Your work, words and your being are the reasons why I have to thank you once again each and every day.
I'd love to have around me more people like you, with your positivity and strenght...
Hugs, G. (March 5, 2010 2:59 pm)

Violet Bella: as i was reading the first paragraph about your early days it was like i was reading about myself. i completely understand and have always been the same way about my art. and once i discovered photography, i felt the same release to. although i do love my small town, little family, the stars and the smell of campfires, i have walked a very similar path as you, and you are so right about reaching for your goals everyday. all of my friends wonder how i am living my dream of being an artist, while they go to thier 9-5 jobs, and the only thing i can say is that i get back what i put in. i put my whole heart into it b/c it is my love and passion, which in turn has become the most rewarding career. i have followed you for years, you are the single most inspiring young photographer to me, and i have enjoyed watching your journey through the years, your art speaks volumes to me. i have your Adore print by my computer, the smashing pumpkins remake. many blessings to you on this amazing journey you are taking in life! (March 5, 2010 2:54 pm)

Saphitri: Wow. This is so inspiring.

I can totally relate to what you've been through with school and those sort of things, feeling restricted and wanting to be free.
I graduated from high school last year and went to college to study graphic design, but I soon realized the way they worked and the way we were taught things, just didn't suit me at all. I quit after just a month to go my own path.
I started my own company just two days ago.

I'm now 18 and seeing you're just two years older than I am--it gives me courage. I hope I will be at about the same place you are at now.
Thank you so much for this inspiring blog post. I won't ever give up on my dreams :) (March 5, 2010 2:51 pm)

Melissa Raimondi: Oh Lara how you inspire me. Being 10 years older than you, I admire how far you have come and how hard you work for what you want. You are right, we only live one life, and what we do with it has to be worthy of the time we are here. I realized that only a short time ago, when art was my passion from the age of 5. My passion was stifled and I never had anyone supporting me until a couple of years ago. Sometimes I feel regret that I couldn't have been just like you, but every day I try harder, and take one step at a time towards my dreams :) Thanks so much for being so amazing. The world is blessed because you are in it! <3 (March 5, 2010 2:41 pm)

Felicity Parker: Wow, I really feel your passion, and me, I think always I wouldn't be as good as the people crave to see my art how I feel it.

It's gorgeous, and I really love your photos, hope to ebcome a good photographer, too! (March 5, 2010 2:08 pm)

Abbie: Wow. Talk about timing. Thank you for saying something I *really* needed to hear. Life is funny that way, huh? Beautiful post. :) (March 5, 2010 1:48 pm)

Chris Rollason: Funny how you post this today, (aged 20), just as I am about to go out and celebrate my 40th. Wise words on young shoulders. I've done some reflecting recently, and although I wouldn't say I've wasted most of the last 20 years, I definetly forgot my purpose there for a while. Sometimes, you just have to wait for a bit to find the path. (sometimes, you have to hack your way to it). (March 5, 2010 10:17 am)

Lara Jade: Inspirational (March 5, 2010 10:07 am)

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Vision

posted in Main

We take for granted how important our vision is.

Our eyes let us see a beautiful reality, they connect our other feelings, they put everything into perspective. Stop for a minute and think – how would I live without sight?
As a photographer, my vision is very important. My camera is another way of seeing the world. A third eye as some would say. It has let me take my dreams and set them into reality. Through that viewfinder I can make my dreams, I can capture the dreamworld I desperately wanted to grasp as a child. My inner child is still holding on to that thought that somewhere, out there – there is another world and I like to think my camera is a window to this dream place.

My grandmother Megan (in the photograph above) is now in her late eighties. She has been blind in one eye since she was eighteen. I have always wondered what it’d be like to see the world through one perspective, a half vision. I remember as a child I’d squint one eye and try to imagine seeing into ‘her’ world and why most often shed never see me enter the room if I entered on her ‘bad’ side.
My grandma has always been a beautiful person, her aura is overwhelming- whatever life throws at her she is always smiling, laughing. Very rarely do I see life get her down, even after three hip operations, her husband (my dear grandad) dying, her friends dying (she has outlived them all), constant pain and losing her home and having to accept living and relying on her daughter, my mother, to live.
She has never complained about her restricted vision, I asked her recently what it was like to live her teen years with full eyesight to then see the world in a different way. Admirably, as the soldier she is she jokes “Lara, at least I still have my vision in my good eye, I can see twice as good through this one!”.

Two years ago an eye specialist on a routine examination told my mother that my grandmother’s sight would fail in her ‘good’ eye within the next two years. The operation was too risky for someone of her age and health and advised against any further treatment.

It has been two years. My grandma does not know.

As life goes by she questions why she can no longer see two feet in front of her. She recognizes colors, shapes. She longs to see features, to see her five year old gran daughter grow older, to watch the television screen she has known all her life – the news she used to ‘report’, the soaps… but what she doesn’t know is that sight will only deteriorate. The thought of her knowing would only worry her, so we have decided to leave it so.

Remember to appreciate your sight, as artists we DO take it for granted – our sight is a gift.

LJ.

Samantha Nandez: I certainly know what you mean. My younger brother was born deaf, and it's been so hard for him growing up and being different from everyone else. He's still trying to come to terms with it. There are so many things we do without even thinking about it that we are so lucky to have. I give my best to you and your family. (March 5, 2010 3:16 pm)

BatFromHell: Thank you for an excellent post, and a moving photo.

Well, if your sight does fail, you could get into photography, as I have! Your camera will still capture those images, even if you have to use different methods to get them. You may find that you can still see them blown up on a large monitor, but if not, tactile technology is gradually taking off.

You already know what it's like to see the world through one eye, unless your camera has a twin viewfinder - do any of them have those? Maybe they should, if not. (March 5, 2010 12:42 pm)

Lawrence Oluyede: I completely find myself in this post. My grandma has a degenerative disease affecting her sight. She started losing it in her late 70s and now that she's 82 she can just recognize shapes, colors and so on. One eye is worse then the other. She used to walk and ride the bike all over the town and now she can't. She's the center of the family and one of its driving forces. I never asked her what she feels about that. She still tries to do everything and I can see in her eyes that sometimes she's angry at the disease because she feels that she can't be there for everyone everytime. I love her. Thanks for sharing Lara (March 5, 2010 10:37 am)

Gianma: We take for granted a lot of things...
Your deep and touching words are a gift to treasure Lara; sometimes we're all to focused on our ambitions we forget to appreciate the "obvious", the simplest and most valuable things, and your grandmother is such a positive example to follow.

Keep your window always open.

Hugs, G. (March 5, 2010 8:16 am)

Kiara Black: Very emotional post. And full of truth. As the most of the readers here, I'm teary eyed while reading it.
Last year, my family desided not to tell my granddad a diagnostic, too.
So he could calmness enjoyed the last months of his life.
It's harder for the family around, who know what will happen in future.

Wish you and your loved ones all the best (March 5, 2010 8:08 am)

Vivian: a lovely and heartfelt post lara! there are many things people take for granted and it written words like these that wake people up to them again :) (March 5, 2010 8:06 am)

Ella Bell: Sigh i already have horrible eyesight... i don't know what i would do if it got worse. One of my life goals is to get laser eye surgery so that i don't have to rely on contacts or glasses.
I've always said that if i found a Genie my first wish would be to have perfect eyesight that never failed me!! (March 5, 2010 4:51 am)

Mariana: As tears tream down my face, I had to take a moment and thank you for reaching into my heart and helping me value all that I often take for granted. Your grandmother is a beautiful gift and has helped mold you into the artistic & creative person you are.

Thanks for sharing this lovely post.

All my best to you & your loved ones,
Mariana (March 5, 2010 3:49 am)

victoria smyrniotis: It really is something we take for granted. That and our sense of sound. (March 5, 2010 1:03 am)

Adam: Very moving post Lara. I agree we do take sight for granted. I like you have a grandparent who has no sight, albeit not from such a young age, but it really is hard to imagine how they 'see' the world.

It's very hard trying to explain to my grandad what relatives look like every time they grow another year. He, like your nan reminds me that he's had 60 years of seeing the world and that now it's someone elses turn.

Vision is everything. (March 5, 2010 12:40 am)

Johny Cook: So true. I meet a lot of older people when I am on placement being a student nurse. They never complain but always talk about how much of a lovely life they have had no matter what has happened to them now.

Good Blog. (March 5, 2010 12:37 am)

Bottle Bell Photography: oh, bless you all. ::so moving, lara:: -make a girl teary eyed ;) | a very beautiful post, and truly something we all (speaking from a place of having an illness myself) overlook and so often take for granted.

best to you and to your family, always.

ash x (March 5, 2010 12:36 am)

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