hello again

well then ......... my last entry was longer than i feel like admitting. dwelling in the past hasn't proven helpful so i simply say -- my experiences during my blog hiatus managed to help my approach on life. here are some thoughts i drummed up after reading local indianapolis writer leslie bailey's "i believe" blog post.

all perceived wrongs are part of a greater right.

our relationships with those around us are spiritual. people who challenge us most hold our greatest lessons.

we are not here for ourselves — that said, it's critical we extend the same kindness inward that we do towards others. if our center isn't balanced we inevitably spread chaos even with purest of intentions ... from solid footing we can create meaningful change around us.

truth will not stay hidden, it always presents itself; in my experience sooner is better.

life experience helps decipher authentic beauty from illusion.

with endless gratitude,

t'ai

website photo credit

© polina osherov

© john bragg

© john bragg

© greg perez

© trinity jackson

© harold lee miller

© stacy newgent

© stacy newgent

© jason boyer

© jason boyer

© john bragg

© stacy newgent

© polina osherov

© polina osherov

© larry endicott

© stacy newgent

© harold lee miller

{inspiration} *william eggleston

{art} *morning

this was about the most un-produced shoot i can remember participating in:) which was great! i had just come off a larger job so polina osherov's impromptu idea to catch some early morning light with what ever wardrobe i had in my closet was welcome. polina works with a wide range of people in the area, she does a great job of connecting people + creating a sense of community amongst us. that morning, our lovely subject stephanie kincheloe arrived at my place at 5:30 am. she's a natural beauty even at such an early hour so i did my best to keep her look pretty clean. in these shots, i used a soft lavender shadow washed over the lid with a heavy black liner to really define her eye shape. i felt the heavy liner worked with the blouse somehow.. i envisioned her as a slightly forlorn little parisian girl complete with a pouty magenta lips;) well that's what i was going for anyway.. ps i love working with models that are more than just a pretty face. stephanie really is just that although she's not shooting these days, she's quite a photographer in her own right. now day's her band ranger occupies more of her time + interest. i'm looking forward to catching them live!

*please see more of polina's photography + blog --- also stephanie's photography + her band ranger!

{inspiration} *ozlem haluk

for me, ozlem haluk's body of work comes off a little melancholy while maintaining a quirky whimsy. possibly that's where i relate so strongly?!.. in any case, she's one of my favorite flickr artists so i wanted to share her with you today after my month plus blogging hiatus. i'm hoping she helps me get my blogging groove back. so please enjoy! oh! also, if you are interested in prints she sells on etsy.

{inspiration} *funnel

a sampling of eric's site, art + some shots of the cards he crafted for me. every time i hand one to someone it feels as though i'm giving them a little piece of art. the image on the cards + my site is me as a child + the private island i was raised on till i was 4:) during the whole branding process eric + i became great friends so it feels a little odd writing about him in any kind of a formal way. simply put, his whole heart + soul go in to his work so it shows. his patrons include: photographers, fine artists, musicians, clothing designers.. all these artists trust him to uncover personal features in creating a brand that is meaningful + honest.

*fine commercial artist - funnel *eric kass

{art} *yana

it was busy morning doing hair, makeup, wardrobe + set styling for our "beautiful day" series - we shot in the thick of winter in my dining room. originally intended as a new years shoot, to bring on the new year as though a perfect fresh start morning..

i spent most of my time running around for table props (a stretch from my usual styling) that i ran a little low on time for wardrobe. i do my best to style with vintage or indie designer pieces but this time i'm a little embarrassed to say... i ended up with a target dress. i know unforgivable - but it couldn't be helped.. it worked with the pink + yellow palate i had envisioned. special thanks to dear friend + photographer stacy newgent who not only executed the beautiful day vision but fried eggs the sunny side up.

*photographer stacy newgent + her swell photo blog