A Beginner

Here is the website that I have to make from my Introduction to Multimedia class. It is the first of my web design classes so this isn't prime work. Plus, we are extremely limited at this point as to the layout on our page and the elements that we use. In the next week or so either the banner will be a slideshow, or the buttons will be interactive. Maybe this will be my new blog? Well, I'm not sure If am that smart but it is worth a try when it is finished. 

Here is a link to the first website I made way back in January. And here is an additional one where I added Java Script.

Testing 1, 2, 3...

I  feel like this past week was a test. I have never been so stressed out over school; I nearly had an anxiety attack in one of my classes. One of the nights I managed an hour of sleep, another was 3 hours, and everything in between consisted of 5 hours. It doesn't help that my stomach medication makes me extremely tired. Well I attempted to finish graphic design projects, finished photography projects, took a test, and wrote a horribly developed paper. Either way, these next two weeks I will be taking day by day, since It is now midterms. Ugh, I need a break.

Lately I've been learning the language of HTML and CSS. I never though the web had it's own language, but apparently it does. I guess the one thing to look forward to is that once midterms are done I will have my school website(that I created and designed) to show you all! So far, It is looking pretty awesome. Now I wish I was more fluent in Adobe Flash and could do some cool buttons and animations for the site. I should be at that point in a few months.

Other than school, I am excited where God is taking me. I have been listening and praying about some opportunities this summer am going to put my self out there. I never thought I would be doing photography, but it seems like God wants me to learn more. I have never advertised myself to gain the clients that I have and I have never considered myself a company. I have been blessed with he opportunities that have came up. Working at the photography studio was an amazing experience; I learned so much about processing, presentation, and working with clients. All of the families and weddings that I have shot and have booked have been purely word of mouth, college friends, or family. I guess this is how I want it for now since this is not what I have planned to do. The mind-set I have about my future is this:  Ideally I would like to work in a graphic design firm. While working for this firm I want to have the skills know web design and photography. My plan is to take the knowledge of working with photography clients and create a portfolio so that I will be doing all of the photography for the firm that I work for. Then, to make myself even busier, my idea is that since I will have weekends off, I can do a few weddings a year, or portraits on the side. I don't know if if this is where God is taking me still, but right now I will soak up all the knowledge that I can about all of these fields. 

I'm excited about what is happening in my life right now! Learning web design, editing a two winter wedding(photos coming soon), booking engagements, families, and wedding for the summer. Last but not least, my month long trip to Scotland is coming up in 3 months! I have my goals for everything set high, and am so excited to see where they take me. 

Quick Update

I notice I haven't blogged for a while now so here are a few new things in my life:

• We finally have 4 people living in the house. Even though the house seems to look like a tornado ran through it, it is really fun having so many people and friends around.
• I am newly single, since I broke up with my boyfriend. I know it is for the best. I'm very proud that I followed through and that I had the strength to leave when I did.
• I have more schoolwork due in the next month than I can physically and emotionally handle. 
• Yesterday(Valentines Day) was the 5 year anniversary since Travis Flom died in a snowmobile accident. Once again, my dad let Tyler, Cody, Doug, and I borrow snowmobiles so that we can snowmobile in his memory.
• Today is the birthdate of Sammy my Canon 7D. :)

2010

Christmas(aka the most stressful time of the year) is now over with and we are now into a new year. I have yet to really think much about what my new year resolutions will exactly be. Instead of making one large resolution I'm going to list a few thinks I would like to accomplish this year. 

10 for 2010

1. Work more original crafts, artwork, and designs into my home/life.

2. Instead of picking up my camera for a project or photoshoot, make sketches of ideas beforehand.

3. Plan a little trip away from the area.

4. Go to the Wellness Center to work out more often.

5. Cook healthier using fresh veggies.

6. Develop a schedule to keep as much stress out of my life.

7. Attend more events downtown since it is only a couple blocks away.

8. a) Don't be afraid to take out my camera just because people may feel weird(ex: friends or families homes).

    b) Don't be afraid to take out my camera when other people have theirs out and are taking the same picture(ex: in Scotland with way too many aspiring photographers).

9. Purchase or find a Polaroid, Instax, or Lomo camera.

10. Finish and start fun little sewing projects. 

My Inspirations:
Flickr

The Graphic Exchange

The Die Line

Red Velvet Art

Elsie <3

The Green Frog Studio

Lomo :)

Fades Away

With finals now happening and me being more stressed than ever, I managed to pull myself together to come home to Thief River for a church conference. It was so much fun to see everyone again and had wonderful deep talks with many people whom I haven't seen for awhile. Even people who I have never talked to had something to talk to me about. Last night was the Fades Away concert which rocked the Ralph Engelstad. I was surprised by the turnout of people and saw many lives come to Christ. Even the hardest of hearts were softened by the testimony given. Afterwards I talked to a couple of the band members about some of the photography that I did during the concert. They were really interested in purchasing some or all of the images(what a great thing to hear when jobless). I was pumped to hear about their need for all types of photography and I look forward to chatting a little bit more with them. Hmmm, sounds like there may be a possible photoshoot/concert shoot in the cities in the next year. Sounds like just one more reason to upgrade. Goodbye two thousand dollars. Maybe.

Moving Day

Well, yesterday was moving day. It was definitely a sweet sorrow. Sarah and I will definitely miss our safe, sweet, quite apartment. We have less space since our house will be shared with four people total; although it will be nice to have that company. Moving went extremely well since our previous landlord paid professional movers to move everything for us. So after 2.5 hours all of our belongings were at our new downtown/north Fargo home.

It hasn't been lived in for awhile so there are a lot of little things that have been fixed or need to be fixed. One of our most recent discoveries happened while showering.  Since it is an older home, There was no shower head from the wall. So maintenance put one of those removable hoses that run from the faucet. Well, the water pressure is similar to someone blowing water out of a straw. Not pleasant. Well let me tell you that this showed took a really long time. Since there wasn't proper pressure there was zero steam. As a matter of fact, the 6-inch radius that the water was hitting was only somewhat warm. My toes actually went numb. true story. If they don't do anything about this water pressure I think I may resort to not showering throughout the winter. Our other discovery happened earlier that day when I decided to try our brand new washer and dryer. We found that when the washer is running it cuts off all water to the upstairs bathroom. This may be an issue once there are four people showering, doing dishes, and laundry.

Well as you may be able to tell, it is a very interesting old home with the squeakiest floors, walls with stories to tell, and things in boxes waiting to be unpacked. I will hopefully take some better pictures once unpacking is done. For now here are a few snapshots to show you our 'old' apartment  and our 'new' house(click to view larger image).

Portfolio Review 2009

Here are 4 of 30(roughly) presentation boards.

Ah, Portfolio Review 2009 is officially over with.  Yesterday, I walked into the room with my three judges who made nerve-easing(is that a word?) small talk with me while I set up my presentation boards. Review went much faster than I imagined and luckily my nerves didn't catch up with me. I did forget to breath in the beginning but I didn't stumble over any words or forget my place.  After they privately reviewed my work and discussed my progress throughout the past year and a half, I was asked to come back in the room. I was so nervous about what they would say since many of my friends have gotten their hearts ripped apart by the judges. They started it off with, "we feel like your work has stood out above the rest today because you have taken your own photos. We hope that you continue to go in that direction." Next they started the 'constructive criticism', which isn't always very constructive. The first suggestion I was given was that I need to research more color palettes to steer me away from continually using orange which I had noted earlier in my presentation. The only other suggestion was that they would like me to take another 3-dimensional class like ceramics or sculpture to enhance my knowledge about working 3-dimensionally. Thankfully this was only a suggestion so instead of taking a class, I may try to work in another product design piece into my portfolio.


Well, I think I will just take my above average score and my checkbox marked 'recommend to continue.' Now I can be thankful for the progress I have made and I look forward to see where this may take me.