My first week..

posted in Main

July 1, 2010

So I am here, a week has passed.. although to be fair it doesn’t seem like two days..

No matter how tired I am, I don’t care. I love walking around New York City.. no matter how much I shoot, no matter how much iced coffee I drink, how many people I meet – the tiredness doesn’t matter. I am living and breathing and enjoying life day by day.

I am excited to see how the next few weeks will go and where my journey will take me. I am working on my portfolio solidly, working on new projects and building contacts whilst I’m out here.. I can’t wait to show you what I have done so far!

LJ. xox

Michelle: You have inspired me so much with your artwork and your photos. You make me strive to not only be a better person but a person who lives life to the fullest <3 and for that I thank you (July 6, 2010 4:16 pm)

Tayla: the journey is what matters most, enjoy every minute. your work is incredible, with you talent and determination you will get to wherever it is that you want to be :) (July 1, 2010 11:30 am)

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My Summer Adventure

posted in Main

June 17, 2010

My summer adventure awaits – from Tuesday next week I am leaving for the US for just over a month.

The majority of my trip will be spend in NYC. However, I will be visiting Florida for around a week mid July. I can’t tell you how excited I am to be back traveling and getting out into the world. I feel very lucky to have the opportunity to travel and to visit my friends over in different countries. At the start of this year I told myself  I would travel and experience different places. My summer adventure will be combine the city in the summer sun, chilling with friends, shooting for personal and editorial projects, collaboration, video projects and most importantly – enjoying life.

The world is your oyster, live life while you’re young. Don’t question anything, if you feel strong about something – just go and do it.

(Photo of me above taken by the wonderful Rosie Hardy on one of my recent London photo shoots.)

lizet: have alot of fun this summer! i'll follow you through twitter :) and i love that photo, beautifull :) (June 19, 2010 2:17 am)

Michal Stepien: Have an awsome time Lara!!:) And come one day to Poland...;) (June 18, 2010 6:16 am)

Viorella: Have tons of fun there and like someone mentioned before; live the dream! Enjoy every second of it! (June 18, 2010 4:55 am)

Lyn: you go girl x (June 18, 2010 12:38 am)

Ashlee: 'just looking at that picture above, you have got to be the most stylish photographer I've ever seen' :O you're such a suck-up. Damn, Can't wait for the new work. (June 17, 2010 9:13 pm)

Binny: Wish you all the best,waiting to see your video project. (June 17, 2010 7:42 pm)

Samantha: Well if you are ever interested in visiting the neighbors up north in Canada you always have a spot here too ;). Hope your time in the States is great! By the way, just looking at that picture above, you have got to be the most stylish photographer I've ever seen! (June 17, 2010 7:12 pm)

Jessie: Sounds awesome! Live it up :) (June 17, 2010 5:52 pm)

Skip Gue: Love to collab in Florida, If you get as far as Miami and the Florida Keys! (June 17, 2010 5:48 pm)

Andrew: Have a great summer, lara :D (June 17, 2010 5:35 pm)

Lucy: You certainly are living the dream Lara. How I wish I could just get up and go! But theres much for me to worry about back here at home. I'm starting to get the ball rolling with my photography so hopefully one day I will get to do what you are doing :) Once I get some more money behind me hehe Hope you have blast! (June 17, 2010 5:32 pm)

Ashley lebedev (bottle Bell): Well said, Lara!! hAVE A BLAST! XO (June 17, 2010 5:23 pm)

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New York Shoots

posted in Main, Photography

June 1, 2010

I just wanted to show you a collection of my new work I completed on my trip to New York City in April/May this year. Now I’ve had a bit of a chance to step back and breathe for a while I can finally introduce you to what I did out there. Making this post and going over the images made me realize how much I miss the city. I hope to be back soon!

Photo shoot with Ashlyn on a rooftop in the city..

Photo shoot with Mia (Elite, NY) in Central Park..

Photo shoot with Svetlana (Elite, NY) in Central Park..

& Svetlana using the wonderful Mercura glasses..

..and finally the lovely Kara from Wilhelmina

LJ. xox

JPayne Photography: Love the style and post processing on these. There is a very nice feel to the set. Love the glasses shots too, very different. Keep it up. (November 19, 2010 2:19 am)

Hannah Mercado: omg. I just love your work, Lara Jade! My number 1 idol when it comes to Photography. All your shots always take my breath away. (October 20, 2010 7:19 am)

stephane: I do not want to look to sweet and compromising in anyway but i find your work amazing and "rich", inspiring! (September 19, 2010 1:14 pm)

Savannah Daras: Wow. These are outstanding. I recognized Ashlyn right away, she works with a local photographer that I know frequently. I am so jealous and amazed that she got to work with you. (September 8, 2010 8:59 am)

Jav: WOW, THOSE Nyc bRIDGE SHOTS, THE COLORS ARE SUBLIME. (June 27, 2010 2:34 pm)

noelle houdek: I love your work. Very cutting edge. I'm about to graduate with a bachelor's in photography and love your style! I am very inspired by your work! (June 24, 2010 2:21 pm)

Tim Osborne: this is beautiful thankyou soo inspiring :) (June 7, 2010 11:50 am)

Katrin: the biggest compliments, very inspiring!a Welcome also to Estonia - Carmen Kass and Karem Pedaru homeland:) (June 7, 2010 3:28 am)

Sheree: Wow Lara, I've always been in love with your work, ever since the early days of deviantart. Your a big aspiration to me and I'd love to see you work or even work with you. Absoloutley in love with your skills behind the camera as well as infront (June 3, 2010 2:11 pm)

happie: absolutely INSPIRING! HOPE TO LEARN MORE FROM YOU. (June 2, 2010 8:31 pm)

Nicole: love the new site and recent work. i love how you captured the mercura sunglasses. i think you would make a wonderful addition to the big apple ;) (June 2, 2010 8:02 pm)

pacholis: kara, looks like you! (June 2, 2010 1:40 pm)

S Jessica Deal: Lara, You've done it again! Amazing Work... Those shots for Mercura are out of this world! (June 2, 2010 11:45 am)

Ian Douglas: I'm absolutely blown away by your use of light and depth! inspiring! (June 2, 2010 9:55 am)

ursha: I love your photos :) they are amazing! from this photoshoots i especially love svetlana & mia photos cause they are so dreamy & bokehlicious! (June 2, 2010 7:18 am)

John Erdovegi: Why hese are the ugliest pictures i've seen! oh, wait, wrong website, no. Let me take off my Murky glasses. WoW! Beautiful! Glamorous! (June 2, 2010 5:58 am)

Alexandra: you are sooooo talented, lara! I love it! (June 2, 2010 5:22 am)

An Admirer: I may have just fallen in love with those mercura glasses :> Stunning photographs as usual. Keep up the great work Lara! (June 2, 2010 5:19 am)

Andy Golpys: i wish i was as good at photography as you !! i love all your work, well done x (June 2, 2010 5:09 am)

Lauren: Your creativity will continually amaze me! (June 2, 2010 5:06 am)

Viorella: Gorgeous pictures as always, but I'm especially in love with the ones of Mia. What a stunning girl! (June 2, 2010 5:04 am)

lizet: amazing pictures!! en beautifull models :) they must be happy to have been working with you :) (June 1, 2010 11:45 pm)

KhashiPhoto: nicely done ! (June 1, 2010 9:53 pm)

Phil Hewitt: I absolutely love these. I don't even know what to say about the glasses, they're unreal. This is also the first time I've visited your blog in a while, the new design is mint Lara. Get back out to NYC, I want to see more! (June 1, 2010 7:09 pm)

s h e r r y: Lara, these are so incredible! <3 I recently visited NYC and LOVE it there. (June 1, 2010 7:08 pm)

Danny St: Holy wow, these are absolutely beautiful. your shots of mia, svetlana, and kara are my big faves. I've been wanting to transition into portraiture, and you are a big inspiration for it. (June 1, 2010 6:18 pm)

jess: love your shots of ashlyn, she is one of my favorite models to work with and i'm glad she got to work with you! all the other shots are beautiful too! nyc is incredibly inspiring. best, jessica (June 1, 2010 5:47 pm)

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Capturing Life

posted in Main

May 23, 2010

There’s little said when a moment of happiness passes you by. Of all the moments
I caught onto, even the so called bad ones I grasped onto, I can honestly
 say photography was one I grasped and never let go of. 
Throughout the last five years, whilst everything else in my life has been rather unsettling and unsure, my photography was there – it’s my escape from reality, it’s my weapon of choice, my way of showing the world; my world.

Feeling unsettled is what makes us as artists uneasy, but it’s that mere thought that
 makes me push harder, breathe faster and want more in life. I want to show
the world what I can capture – beauty, emotions, dreams.. these are all things
 we strive for in life and we can’t live without one or the other.

Our thoughts and emotions control our life. We are constantly searching for better, to make ourselves better, to control everything around us – yet reality gets in the way of dreams. 

Life is a constant echo of what we had and lost. Memories exist to keep us human; to remember is as much as it is to forget. We lose touch with ourselves and are so keen to move on but memories keep us grounded, unsolved and help us remember who we are and where we came from. My photography enables me to capture memories, milestones; whether in fashion, style or age.


I am capturing existing life – in pictures they will never grow old, in reality they will.

nivea: I'M SURE YOU HEAR IT ALL OF THE TIME,...BUT YOU ARE SO WISE AND TALENTED, FOR ONE SO YOUNG. MAY GOD CONTINUE TO BLESS YOU AND GUIDE YOU. TRULY YOU HAVE BEEN GIVEN A GIFT-CONTINUE TO LET IT SHINE FOR ALL TO SEE...EVEN YOUR WORDS ARE LIKE VISIONS SEEN THROUGH YOUR CAMERA'S LENS. BE WELL FROM NYC NIVEA (August 12, 2010 3:56 pm)

Spills: Being settled is when the dream becomes the reality, or the reality becomes the dream, and there is nothing greater to aspire to anymore: you've reached whatever hell or heaven you wished for. Being unsettled, however, is to feel the persistent burning of the things that lie just beyond the horizon, the everlasting curiosity of what lies around the corner. Memories are markers of where we've been so that eventually we can map our course, catch our bearings and a glimmer of where we're heading. (June 1, 2010 4:01 pm)

Robert Larson: You sound like someone who had a relationship come to a recent end. I say that because I've said similar things during those moments of my own life. (May 26, 2010 4:55 pm)

Donovan: This post really inspired me. I agree so much with what you're saying. Lara, you're such an inspiration, keep up the work. :) (May 23, 2010 4:09 pm)

Donovan: I remember a while ago you made a tweet about being a writer if you couldn't be a photographer. I couldn't agree more. I loved this post and it really spoke to me. Lara, you're such an inspiration, keep it up. :) (May 23, 2010 4:06 pm)

DannyLamar: thank u a million for this blog.. very inspirational.... i just got started into photography and it is my escape as u described.. when ever life gets a little too weird or unsettling i grab my camera and i feel liberated... i'm not really that good at it..but i'm learning so much everyday and i practice as much as i can... wish me luck... once again thank u for this blog (May 23, 2010 4:06 pm)

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Artists..

posted in Main

May 12, 2010

We, as artists constantly strive for perfection, we live life on the edge, unsure where life will lead us, we live life in the moment, achieve and move on to the next thing, the constant strive to do something new and unique, we want to be noticed yet we want to hide ourselves, our lives are a contradiction and yet we question everything. We are yet to realize that the happy things in life come from imperfection. We fail to notice the things in life that truly matter – it’s not the money, fame, the image we hide ourselves under, it’s the people around us, the energy and warmth of those we love. It’s being able to live in a beautiful world and appreciating that we are living.

Jacinda Setiawan: Fully love your work. This quote is perfect, so true. (August 6, 2011 4:30 am)

Noel Hannan: Hello Lara, great blog and great photos - I really like your work. I must say that I don't totally agree with what you say in 'Artists'. I think as artists we absolutley do notice the things in life and we photograph them. The little things that we see everyday creep into our shots, sometimes we notice them, sometimes they go unconsciously into the frame. But they are there. Your shots are truly great - please keep sharing. All the best, Noel (June 3, 2010 10:11 am)

Skip Gue: If we could all adopt this attitude,we would be rich beyond our dreams! (May 21, 2010 4:09 am)

karl bratby: wow that is so true, and straight from the heart. (May 16, 2010 11:39 pm)

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NYC

posted in Main

May 9, 2010

New York City is one of my favorite places to be. 12 days ago I visited for the second time. I absolutely love the vibe, the people, the attitude – you can feel alive, you can be free, yet you can still feel at home at the same time. Most of all I love the rush. I don’t care that I’m walking around on heels for 12 hours a day, I don’t care that there’s constant noise in my ears, I don’t mind rushing through crowds, riding on packed subways. I just can’t explain the feeling, I can only say you need to experience it for yourself.

I booked my ticket without knowing where it would take me. I knew I wanted to shoot there – so I did. I did four shoots in total with models from Elite & Wilhemina, none of which were planned, I just feel alive whilst taking photos and the models were absolutely wonderful. If there needed to be a make up artist – I did it, the styling – the models turned up in their own clothes and I would accessorize if they needed it. I shot with the quirky Mercura Sunglasses (their glasses have been used by some of the most amazing photographers in the world and also worn by the likes of Lady Gaga, of course!). I can’t wait to show you the images.

I met with friends, I shopped until I was quite literally sick of seeing the same things in the stores (and believe me this takes a lot), I was out for coffee everyday, I walked and walked blocks and avenues, I took the subway places just to discover, I worked in the warmth of the night on the balcony of my apartment, I enjoyed the food without counting the calories and I was inspired. Everytime I go to NYC I am so inspired that when I come home I don’t even think about it – I work and retouch and try to push myself more than I ever have.

I am hoping to move here in June for a few months, we’ll see how it goes. All I know is that I think this is good for me right now. There’s something about New York that London doesn’t have. Everyone I know that has experienced both says the same thing..

I will update very soon with images & shoots! I am so tired right now, I slept almost all of today and have retouched since I got home.

All my love, LJ

katrina: I love NYC too! I don't know what is it about that city that just makes you wanna get up and move and explore. It's when America meets Europe. Some of the older buildings are captivating... like air we breathe. (July 16, 2010 7:03 pm)

karl bratby: hey L, i hope i get the same Vibe...but this bloody ash cloud might scupper my plans. (May 16, 2010 11:42 pm)

jOHN erDOVEgi: "Green Acres is the place for me, no New York is where I'd rather be..." I was born in a big city and they still excite me. I've seen some of your eyeglass pics on facebook. If you wear them to long your eyes will go gaga. nice! (May 15, 2010 1:49 pm)

Estelle: I totally understand where your coming from! I went there in March and loved it! I definetly want to go back! Although last time I went as a wind band player I can't wait to explore the city fully in my own time. So inspiring! Good luck! (May 12, 2010 1:45 pm)

Jenan Julianne: DEFINETLY MOVE TO NYC!!!! IT IS THE BEST PLACE ON EARTH!!!!!!!! AHHH oh i miss it everyday of my life! LIving on the busy streets my first summer out of high school was the most amazing adventure, of. my. life. Congrats lara jade, you have found your soul in that city!!! (well...you are already have hot photography skills...so all you need do to in nyc is work em!!!! ow ow!) :) Cheers, xo, jenna (20 as well.) :) (May 10, 2010 11:50 am)

Eduardo: NYC is magic. My experiences there were also amazing. It is a place to recharge the batteries of imagination. If I could I would live there too. (May 10, 2010 2:56 am)

Kahulani: Lara I am so happy to hear that New York was magical for you. i absolutely love nyc and when i go again I will look you up. keep shooting and being inspired. i wish you all the best. (May 10, 2010 1:35 am)

lizet: Hoping to see some cool new pictures soon! I saw some previews on twitter, and those looked good allready ^^ i've been to new york once too, and i think you have to experience the big city before you know how it feels... i loved it too and am wanting to go back in the near future :) would be cool! have fun retouching! :) (May 10, 2010 12:17 am)

PierLuigi "AlienXS" Franchi: Thank You for your NYC feedback :) I guess all the enthusiasm is because you don't live there and few days is absolutely not enough to "get" the city. I did work and study there and I started to understand and "feel" the big apple properly only after 3 months. It's a Wonderful Hell ;) A city that gives you everything but asks a Lot. A place to enjoy but not to live in. (BTW, I miss the shopping too, especially at Strand Bookstore close to Union Sq. and Pearl Paint in Tribeca) :D Update us! (May 9, 2010 11:27 pm)

True: I love NYC rush too.. update!)) (May 9, 2010 10:58 pm)

Steve Morton: When you find that place in the world where you feel most at home, where work doesn't feel like work, and where your creative side comes alive you just have to be there. I'm about to move to France in a couple of weeks time and that's where I find I start to see things when I'm out and about with my camera that I never see in UK. Enjoy your next visit and I look forward to seeing your pictures from this latest visit. Take care Steve (May 9, 2010 9:56 pm)

Daisy von Starr: I want to go to NY even more now that I have read your post! it sounds wonderful, I am hoping to visit n the summer. Looking forward to seeing the photos you took whilst out there. Daisy x (May 9, 2010 8:22 pm)

the-LifeStyleBlog: I must say, you had the best nyc experience. and just going with the follow....thats one thing, i miss...'the rush'. two fav agencies, luv elite more so, drop names of the models on your next post. (May 9, 2010 8:09 pm)

bruna: hey lara, nyc seems amazing, its one of my dreams also, i never went there, but hope this year, i'll keep my fingers crossed,good to know that your work was good there and 'can wait to see what you are saving for us. you are a inspiration with your great work. cheers. bruna (May 9, 2010 8:01 pm)

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Childhood

posted in Main

April 5, 2010

Ever since I was a little girl I always dreamed of having my own wonderland to such an extreme I’d go searching for it.. I was brought up watching fantasy movies – I didn’t want to be Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty or Ariel, I wanted to be Alice and my dream was to find my own wonderland. I often wondered how I’d find it, I’d spend days thinking about a world far from this bland reality we called earth. I wondered if there was an escape, a void, a secret door, a hole in this world I could escape into. I didn’t care what was behind it, that was the fun part – I needed to find it. I wanted it so much I’d actually crawl underneath the small gap underneath my bunk bed to see if there was a secret world, I’d look inside the closet, past my grandma’s fur coats hoping to touch snow and feel the chill on my skin from Narnia, I’d make dens and tree houses in forests and role play a different world. I’d swim every Saturday underwater and see how long I could hold my breath, dance with my eyes closed and my ears filled with the sound of beautiful music: I’d make different worlds in different scenarios.

I am still that little girl, dreaming. However, I’ve come to realize what I was searching for was right in front of me, I can make my world, my vision – right in my camera. I may not be in it, but I can create my vision. I can take that vivid imagination, pinpoint the exact moment, sketch is down, write ideas and then put that image to life.

(Photo above is of me and my sister around the age of four & five playing dress up)




Studiophotograf: Cutties! ;) (December 20, 2011 2:58 pm)

Laura Abigail: Thanks for sharing your wonderland with us. It's great to see how you create a new world in every picture you take :D Keep up the great work Lara! (April 25, 2010 3:19 am)

TimR: So poignant and beautiful. You've realized something most people never do their entire lives. And it shows in your work. (April 6, 2010 6:54 pm)

Samantha Nandez: The wonderful thing about what we do is that we never have to grow up. I always imagined it like neverland. We can keep our imaginations, we can play while we work, we have the ability to make dreams into reality. And while others lose all that, it's our job to bring it back to them. (April 6, 2010 5:42 am)

Alicia Raft: :) I used to create wonderlands out of boxes, sneak into my attic, run away and spend the night in my little tree haven I made with a blanket in a pine tree. My grandmother always patiently watched alice in wonderland with me and encouraged me to search and create my worlds. Maybe we're alike in coveting photography as that new and everchanging reality! (April 5, 2010 9:43 pm)

Brian: this is quite lovely...thanks for sharing! Your work is really great..so inspiring to see what you are doing! WOULD LOVE TO SHOOT NEXT TIME I'M IN THE UK. BEST WISHES! (April 5, 2010 7:24 pm)

Janet Meas: Your love of fairytales and finding your own wonderland shows in all of your photos. You've created your own style & it's amazing. I will always love your work & be inspired by you! (April 5, 2010 6:49 pm)

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The Power Of Social Media

posted in Main

April 4, 2010

The last few months I’ve realized how powerful social media is – I’ve had the opportunity to experience the full extent of how powerful this is through networking and being around inspiring people. You only realize how small the world is when you meet a group of people who then get talking and they know someone else you know, it’s amazing when you think of how everyone is linked and this is mainly because of networking on the internet.

I am not ashamed to say how I’ve built up my base purely from the internet and using social media websites. I started off at the age of fourteen using the website DeviantART – it enabled me to interact with a well established community of artists from all different mediums. These people at the beginning are the ones that shaped me to the artist I am today, through criticism and encouragement and the constant following of my work whenever I took the next step. Later on I joined websites such as Flickr – which was a similar platform to engage with like-minded people and trawl through thousands of inspirational images. I still use these websites today – along with Twitter and recently I’ve started using Myspace again and I can 100 percent say that this is still a successful way of marketing myself and my work – it’s a form of encouragement and inspiration to say the least. If you’re reading this and you’re just starting – PLEASE look into using social media to get yourself started, join these websites, network, have fun! If you’re reading this and you’re a professional, then look into social media as a way of improving what you already have. Here’s a tip from me – “Don’t ever be satisfied with what you have. Push yourself, always try to better yourself”.

Only recently have I took the step to meet many of the people that have followed me or artists whose work I’ve admired – and it’s overwhelming how many of those people feel inspired by you and how ‘close’ you feel to them. I enjoy meeting new people, most of the people I’ve met have lead to a new door opening in my life in my work and personal life. We are all artists, we live and breathe the same air, we think the same, we spend countless hours stressing over how an image should look, we all get frustrated with the ‘starving artist’ element, we all want to be somebody, want to be unique. We ALL want to be ourselves but want to be known for being an individual. We put ourselves into our work.

LJ.

Cheralee: Can I just say I found your Deviant Art page when I was 15 and it was one of the most inspiring moments for me. you used to be my style icon too when you had that amazing black hair. Love the blonde too, I am blonde myself :) Keep up the awesome work, you just keep getting better and better. Love from Cheralee, in South Africa.xx (September 12, 2010 11:32 pm)

Laura Abigail: the Social Media is very powerful indeed :D Keep up the good work, I enjoy following you! Love, Laura Abigail (April 4, 2010 2:16 pm)

Janet Meas: I completely agree with you! It has helped me a lot, and you are very inspiring. In addition to networking, interaction is also vital! You are so inspirational & I always comment in hopes that you will recognize me & one day we could work together or I would receive the honor of working under you. The benefit of social media networking is tremendous and I remember watching you on deviantart, it's amazing to see how far and how successful you've become! & yet, you continue to work on it! (April 4, 2010 2:12 pm)

Ollie Millington: well said :) I hear people on an almost daily basis saying things like " I wish I had been working during the seventies" or " this decade isn't exciting like the sixties"... I feel sorry for those people. (April 4, 2010 2:10 pm)

Usy: This is just so true. I've been following you since you joined deviantART and it's such an ispiration to see how much you improved yourself and your art year after year. It truly is. Sorry for my bad English. (April 4, 2010 1:37 pm)

Tonhya kae: Thanks for sharing, love your work! Keep inspiring.. :) (April 4, 2010 1:33 pm)

Vickie: I look at your work and think its all so amazing yet i love how you don't seem satisfied. Your work is such an inspiration to me and makes me want to try everything to be as sucessful in the world of photography as you are. (April 4, 2010 1:22 pm)

AmyPunky Photography: Great post! I totally believe in the power of social media. it has helped me so much. (April 4, 2010 1:20 pm)

Elspeth Van Der Hol: I love your blog m'dear, very inspirational. John from the BCU foundation course actually introduced me to your work, said you were the only girl who he'd said you didn't need to be on that course! So jealous of your work! Haha. Keep at it, you're awesome x (April 4, 2010 1:17 pm)

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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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