Fair Rarity Flowers | Project Two Roll

February 23, 2015

A few months ago, I realized a couple things:

I didn't shoot enough (or ANY) personal projects
I wanted to get out of film photography what I love about digital: the storytelling aspect

After being inspired by my friend Anna Zajac's 20 Images project (she's awesome; go follow her!), I realized I needed to do something similar with film. I love film … the light, the colors, the way that it makes me slow down. BUT I haven't totally given up my security blanket of digital because, well, because digital photography seems safer to me for some reason. It seems much easier to take a ton of photos, look back and make sure you have enough good ones than to give yourself 16 chances (or one roll) to nail each frame. I'm not sure that "easier" is entirely true but it's what I've been telling myself.

I knew that to get over this and learn to use film the way it's meant to be used I needed to truly challenge myself. I love pretty pictures but I also love storytelling. I want to make sure I can tell a story in 32 frames … or 16 … or however many rolls of film I have. Two rolls of film seemed like a good place to start, thus Project Two Roll was born. I want to photograph passionate people creating, performing, living in front of my camera. I want to tell their story in 32 frames, with no security blanket to be seen!

I asked the lovely Heather of Fair Rarity Flowers to be my first subject and to create a floral arrangement (she chose a gorgeous, Valentine's Day-inspired bridal bouquet!) in front of my camera. I photographed her as she worked--and let me tell you, she is talented!--and attempted to get it all. Here's my first try at Project Two Roll ...

(Shot on Fuji 400h | Developed/Scanned by Richard Photo Lab)

Don't you wish you could carry that bouquet around all day?? I love the reds and pinks and all the draping. It's seriously gorgeous.

*Many thanks to Suzanne of Suzuran Photography for letting us use her bright, cheery studio for our shoot.

**I'm looking for new subjects for this little personal project of mine. If you'd like to collaborate on a creative, film, storytelling shoot, please e-mail me at lane@lanebaldwinphotography.com.

Amanda & Derek | Squire's Castle Maternity

February 6, 2015

You know what I love more than film itself? Maternity photos on film. Especially when the couple is as gorgeous as Amanda and Derek. We hung out one dreamy fall morning exploring the nooks and crannies of Squire's Castle. These two have since welcomed their baby boy into the world, and I'm so, so happy for the lovely family!

Andrea & Henry | Cleveland Botanical Garden Wedding

February 4, 2015

Andrea and Henry planned THE most unique wedding I've ever photographed. Ever. The lovely Meredith of Rain Wedding Planning brought it to life and the whole day was just a ball. As for how these two met? They tell it best, and it's too good for me to paraphrase!

"Once upon a time, both Henry and Andrea moved from California to Seattle. Henry, not knowing anybody in the area, turned to the magic of computers to help him find new friends. He searched the internet high and low, from hobby meetup groups to dating sites, looking for interesting people of all types. In his searches he found many friends, and he also found Andrea. Andrea's page asked some very peculiar questions about Batman actors and Disney movies.

Henry wrote to her and answered the questions truthfully — Kevin Conroy is clearly the best Batman, even if he only contributed his voice to the animated series — and closed with:

'You and I should get coffee some time. I think it's going to be AWESOME.'

Four months later, there was a cat.

They took trips to Hawaii and Paris. They sampled the best restaurants in Seattle. They baked cookies and watched movies and played board games and bought a house. They stood on top of the Space Needle and ate gelato under shooting stars. And after an endless onslaught of beautiful, spontaneous, romantic moments in which Henry did not propose, he asked Andrea to marry him. On the couch. After an episode of Game of Thrones.

She said yes. And that's how we know that it's going to be awesome."

Andrea and Henry, your whole wedding day was … awesome. Just plain awesome. I'm so honored to have been there and captured each beautiful piece. Cheers to you guys!

Andrea and Henry are just FUN people. Plain and simple.

Yes, those are STAR TREK BOUTONNIERES.

I could have photographed Molly Taylor's beautiful florals all day long. Holy cow were they gorgeous! I especially loved the luxe ribbon detailing.

Andrea and Henry had a few wedding themes that were "hidden in plain sight" as Meredith described it to me. One of those themes was dinosaurs. Can you find the dinosaur hidden in the bouquet above? I absolutely adore how Andrea and Henry integrated their interests and personalities into their wedding details.

Ceremony & Reception: Cleveland Botanical Garden Wedding Planner: Rain Wedding Planning (Meredith Masaveg) Videographer: JFray Productions Florist: Molly Taylor Designs Cake: Wild Flour Bakery Ceremony & Cocktail Hour Musicians: Sonatina Strings Trio DJ: Backstreet DJs Hair and Makeup: Wedding Hair of Ohio Bride's Dress: Laineemeg Bridal, Allure Couture Bride's Shoes: Badgley Mischka Bridesmaids' Dresses: Laineemeg Bridal, Sorella Vita Tuxes: Calvin Klein Honeymoon: Maui! Film Processing: Richard Photo Lab (Fuji 400h)

Edinburgh, Scotland | Travel

November 5, 2014

Oh, hey! Look at this! One more set of photos from our UK adventure. Don't mind if I do. :)

We spent the second half of our trip in Edinburgh, Scotland. Actually … we stayed with our friends Lindsey, Alex and Miss Evie outside the city, but we traveled in a few times despite the foggy and misty weather. Edinburgh was soooo different than the small towns we visited in Ireland (here and here). First of all, it's a HUGE city and just so gorgeous and regal! I loved the contrast. That and trying to figure out how to do a Scottish accent vs. an Irish one. (Still haven't figured it out. I'm terrible at accents.)

I would love, love, love to go back to Edinburgh one day. I felt so classy and elegant walking amidst the old stone buildings and cobblestone streets. Even though I was wearing tennis shoes the whole time.

Right after we landed at the airport, Lindsey and Alex took us to Queensferry, which is just about the cutest town I've ever seen.

Nathan and I toured the castle. It was a little pricey, but really cool.

Hey, Evie! You're cute!

Ironically enough, we were in Scotland during the independence vote. It was pretty unreal to see all the banners and news crews and passionate people at the Parliament Building. Just looking around the city, it seemed the vote would be a "Yes." There were "Yes" campaigners everywhere!