Collaborative Creative, a collaboration for all artists.

.... i'm so nervous, i'm shaky just typing about it, but tonight there is something really cool going on. a few weeks ago i met a girl named melanie at the bijou market. we got to talking and she told me about how she and a few of her artist friends are working to establish a regular gathering of artists, so to speak. read about the whole idea on their fancy website here. you see, melanie has this idea of uniting the variety of artists here in ut rather than stroking the old flames of cut throat competition (because, yes, even artists can get ugly about that sort of thing). i liked melanie's idea. a lot. who wouldn't? so when she called me up about a week ago, and asked me to fill in to speak for someone way cooler and more popular than i, cough, justin hackworth, i was a little taken aback, but before i knew it, there i was agreeing.

crap.

now here i am, a few hours before the event doing my best to put together an entertaining 10 minutes on the subject of inspiration. completing this project  might require a second bowl of ice cream.

my point in typing all of this is that you should COME. not to hear me speak. not to make me feel more nervous by increasing the number of faces in the room, but because as artists, are cool, and if you are one, its a good idea to surround yourself with other artists. duh. and even if you can't come tonight, you should head on over to their website to read more about it because this is going to be a regular get together kind of thing!

so wish me luck, and i hope to see you there!

what i did this afternoon...

is it normal to have that ben fold's luckiest song run through your head with regard to clients? hmmm... i just feel so happy to have sweet, cute families come in on wednesdays here and there for simple sessions.

in related news i am strongly considered giving away a simple session or five like the one pictured here. {don't know about simple sessions yet? fix that by reading up here).

what do you think?

melanie and brett get married on new years day

1.1.11. seattle.

melanie.

brett.

love.

ohhhhhhh.

yeah.

the most awesome wedding, for the most awesome couple on the most awesome day in many many many many moons. when i first talked to melanie on the phone, we clicked right away. i fell in love with her laid back approach. when she described her vision for her wedding as a grand party for all the people she and brett loved most, i knew she was the kind of bride i just had to work with. i feel so grateful that melanie and brett had marty and i out to seattle for their amazing new years day wedding. the power of their connection was moving. the kindess, and yes, all around awesomeness of their family and friends made for an incredible and memorable trip. also, a big special thanks to my super talented  friend kj for second shooting for me that day. see her images here:

YAN'S STUDIO SPACE FOR RENT

so, with so much studio work floating around lately, i've gotten a lot of emails wondering if i rent out the studio. the answer is... sometimes.

.kind of.

no, i don't know.

maybe?

here's the thing, the studio? is my BABY. my fourth baby. we put our hearts into creating the space-- our whole hearts. and every time i walk into the space, no matter what kind of day i'm having, i feel like---me. at peace. the whole thing is a dream realized. and though my mother tells me i was excellent at sharing as a child, i've felt more than a little protective of sharing this.

here's the other thing.

i'm a mom. i have real babies, ones not so clean and pristine. i have a husband. i have a busy business inside and outside of the studio. what i don't have is a lot of extra time to use the studio in all the ways i've dreamed up. it just doesn't make sense to keep the space all to myself anymore.

so while i am still shouting from the rooftops:"the studio is mine mine mine! all mine! and won't be giving it up any time soon, i am opening it up to others to rent on select days.

NAMELY:

Tuesdays and Thursdays - the studio will

now be available to rent.

What is it?

Located in downtown Provo, UT, the studio is pretty much  a big white box of shooting space with tall windows for ample natural light. furnished with a bed, two couches, various chairs, tables, lamps, and pillows--all movable if you like.

Groundrules:

1. All work taking place in the studio must be family friendly. No shoots or projects involving nudity or implied nudity.

2.The studio can only be rented to one party at a time, unless special permission is obtained from Yan.

How Much?

The hourly rate is $35 (minimum of two hour rental), the day rate is $175

Contact:

email me at photography.yan@gmail.com if you are interested.

and well, that's about it. To see shoots that have taken place in the studio have a look at these:

ballet shoot

(this is a video inside of the actual studio)

simple session in studio