Alright, well it's been awhile everybody! I actually have photography news for you all!
An organization in my town/school (I'm not sure which it is) is hosting a daddy-daughter date night, and guess who is the photographer? This girl! I get to take candid/posed shots of the daddies with their daughters, make a compiled CD, and make each daddy/daughter a CD of their own. AND I'm getting paid to do all of this!
It's my first paid "gig" and I can hardly wait!
Tonight was also the very first "Good Stuff" celebration at my school, and my journalism teacher gave me pretty much the whole presentation board all to myself. It talked about how I was going to WJMC this summer, and some of my photos were on display. I don't have a picture of it though, because the picture my mom took of it was pretty terrible (I definitely didn't get my photography gene from her).
Anyway, that's about it for now. I feel that it's appropriate to start counting down to WJMC, so maybe at the end of my blog posts, I'll write how many days are left.
Have a great last day of March/first day of April depending on your location!
-There are 104 days until WJMC-
One girl. One mission. Change the world as a photojournalist.
Monday, March 31, 2014
Sunday, March 23, 2014
Fifty Fun (Maybe?) Facts About Me
Well, I'm bored and I have nothing journalism related to write about so here's a fantastic little list about me:
1. I'm a photographer (clearly).
2. I sing. I'm in choir, but I can't do it next year due to scheduling conflicts. I have mixed feelings about that.
3. I play piano. My favorite song to play is Pachelbel's Canon composed by Johann Pachelbel.
4. I tried to teach myself French once. The only sentence I can actually remember is "Parlez-vous francais?"
5. My goal is to go to the University of Missouri and major in journalism.
6. I watch a lot of British television.
7. I do write some. Most of it isn't very good though.
8. My car is TARDIS blue and her name is Bernadette.
9. English is my favorite subject. But I am pretty good at math and sometimes science.
10. I'm really interested in WWII. I'm not sure why, but any book that takes place in Nazi Germany instantly grabs my attention.
11. The Book Thief is my favorite book. The previous fact may be a small part of why.
12. I also quite love the movie adaption. They did a really great job following the book, and I'm not too upset about the changes they made because it helps people who haven't read the book understand what's happening a little better (although I am sad that they took out the bread scene and the scene where Liesel finds Max in the "parade").
13. New York City is my favorite city.
14. I want to live in London.
15. I'm an anglophile and proud.
16. My room at my dad's house is British themed. I love it.
17. I love my best friend to death, and I definitely wouldn't be here writing this blog or having as much confidence as I do right now without her. She was there for me when I needed her the most.
18. Top five favorite bands: Bastille, Coldplay, Imagine Dragons, Mumford & Sons, and OneRepublic.
19. My favorite song at the moment (because it always changes) is "Icarus" by Bastille.
20. Matt Smith and I have the same birthday.
21. I really enjoy driving to the soundtrack music from Sherlock series three.
22. I like listening to tenors sing. Hence Dan Smith and Chris Martin.
23. I wanted to learn how to play the drums when I was five. I kind of still do.
24. I love harmonizing, but since I'm a soprano, it's sometimes nearly impossible for me to do.
25. The highest note I can sing is a high B. Sometimes a C on a good day.
26. I own the 10th Doctor's sonic screwdriver. I plan on buying the 11th Doctor's one of these days.
27. Matt Smith is my favorite Doctor. He's just so adorable and fun.
28. I love Disney. "The Lion King" is my favorite Disney movie. I even saw it on Broadway a year ago.
29. I don't watch horror films. They're not my cup of tea. I watched "Halloween" a couple years ago (my first and last horror film), and I couldn't go outside in the dark for a good week afterwards. I'm a wimp, I know.
30. I don't have any siblings, so I get really bored at my house.
31. The St. Louis Cardinals are my team.
32. Baseball is a good sport. Much better than football.
33. David Freese was my favorite player on the team, but he left this year. I still proudly wear his jersey though.
34. I have a massive crush on Benedict Cumberbatch. My mom spells his name "Commberbirth" and it cracks me up.
35. Sherlock is an amazing television show. I'm obsessed with it. Don't ask me to choose between it and Doctor Who though, because that is a question that should never be answered.
36. I like dressing up and looking cute when I go out, but the second I get home, you can bet your bottom dollar that I'm changing into sweats and a t-shirt.
37. I'm really OCD about who touches my camera. Pretty much me, my dad, my best friend, and my journalism teacher are the only people allowed to touch it.
38. I said earlier that English is my favorite subject, but it's also my favorite class of the day (besides journalism) because my English teacher is hilarious. We like all the same things (Sherlock, Doctor Who, music, etc).
39. I've never had much self confidence. I've really branched out this year.
40. I've often struggled with social anxiety.
41. I don't like to brag about my grades and school performance.
42. That being said, I really hate it when people insult my intelligence.
43. I'm such a nerd because when we read Edgar Allan Poe or Shakespeare in English, while everyone else is complaining, I'm actually really enjoying it.
44. I was in a play once. I had a really small part so I didn't really like it that much. A month into practices, I was already really bored.
45. "Something I Need" by OneRepublic is one of my jams.
46. I've been to three concerts in my life. Toby Keith, Trace Adkins (I went through a country phase a few years back, glad that's over). and Mumford & Sons last September.
47. I don't go to parties because I'm focusing on keeping my grades and GPA up in high school so that I can get a scholarship. That, and my kind of party is sitting on the couch with a pizza and Sherlock/Doctor Who on the television.
48. I'm not athletic at all, which is why I don't do sports, but I really do like a good run.
49. I can be very sassy and sarcastic. But according to my best friend, "it works for me."
50. My favorite store is American Eagle.
BONUS FACT: I once tried to write a short story about a girl from Alaska who gets stranded on her own in her aunt's house during one of the worst snow storms of the year. It started to sound bad, so I quit writing it. The drafts are lying around my house somewhere. Every once in a while, I'll stumble across them and try revising it again, but then I just get discouraged. It's a vicious cycle.
And done! I hope that wasn't too tedious. I "borrowed" this list thing from Sherlockian because I think it's a good idea. Side note: If you're a fan of BBC Sherlock, you should probably go check out her blog! It's pretty awesome! Until next time.
1. I'm a photographer (clearly).
2. I sing. I'm in choir, but I can't do it next year due to scheduling conflicts. I have mixed feelings about that.
3. I play piano. My favorite song to play is Pachelbel's Canon composed by Johann Pachelbel.
4. I tried to teach myself French once. The only sentence I can actually remember is "Parlez-vous francais?"
5. My goal is to go to the University of Missouri and major in journalism.
6. I watch a lot of British television.
7. I do write some. Most of it isn't very good though.
8. My car is TARDIS blue and her name is Bernadette.
 |
| Isn't she a beauty? |
9. English is my favorite subject. But I am pretty good at math and sometimes science.
10. I'm really interested in WWII. I'm not sure why, but any book that takes place in Nazi Germany instantly grabs my attention.
11. The Book Thief is my favorite book. The previous fact may be a small part of why.
12. I also quite love the movie adaption. They did a really great job following the book, and I'm not too upset about the changes they made because it helps people who haven't read the book understand what's happening a little better (although I am sad that they took out the bread scene and the scene where Liesel finds Max in the "parade").
13. New York City is my favorite city.
14. I want to live in London.
15. I'm an anglophile and proud.
16. My room at my dad's house is British themed. I love it.
17. I love my best friend to death, and I definitely wouldn't be here writing this blog or having as much confidence as I do right now without her. She was there for me when I needed her the most.
18. Top five favorite bands: Bastille, Coldplay, Imagine Dragons, Mumford & Sons, and OneRepublic.
19. My favorite song at the moment (because it always changes) is "Icarus" by Bastille.
20. Matt Smith and I have the same birthday.
21. I really enjoy driving to the soundtrack music from Sherlock series three.
22. I like listening to tenors sing. Hence Dan Smith and Chris Martin.
23. I wanted to learn how to play the drums when I was five. I kind of still do.
24. I love harmonizing, but since I'm a soprano, it's sometimes nearly impossible for me to do.
25. The highest note I can sing is a high B. Sometimes a C on a good day.
26. I own the 10th Doctor's sonic screwdriver. I plan on buying the 11th Doctor's one of these days.
27. Matt Smith is my favorite Doctor. He's just so adorable and fun.
28. I love Disney. "The Lion King" is my favorite Disney movie. I even saw it on Broadway a year ago.
29. I don't watch horror films. They're not my cup of tea. I watched "Halloween" a couple years ago (my first and last horror film), and I couldn't go outside in the dark for a good week afterwards. I'm a wimp, I know.
30. I don't have any siblings, so I get really bored at my house.
31. The St. Louis Cardinals are my team.
32. Baseball is a good sport. Much better than football.
33. David Freese was my favorite player on the team, but he left this year. I still proudly wear his jersey though.
34. I have a massive crush on Benedict Cumberbatch. My mom spells his name "Commberbirth" and it cracks me up.
35. Sherlock is an amazing television show. I'm obsessed with it. Don't ask me to choose between it and Doctor Who though, because that is a question that should never be answered.
36. I like dressing up and looking cute when I go out, but the second I get home, you can bet your bottom dollar that I'm changing into sweats and a t-shirt.
37. I'm really OCD about who touches my camera. Pretty much me, my dad, my best friend, and my journalism teacher are the only people allowed to touch it.
38. I said earlier that English is my favorite subject, but it's also my favorite class of the day (besides journalism) because my English teacher is hilarious. We like all the same things (Sherlock, Doctor Who, music, etc).
39. I've never had much self confidence. I've really branched out this year.
40. I've often struggled with social anxiety.
41. I don't like to brag about my grades and school performance.
42. That being said, I really hate it when people insult my intelligence.
43. I'm such a nerd because when we read Edgar Allan Poe or Shakespeare in English, while everyone else is complaining, I'm actually really enjoying it.
44. I was in a play once. I had a really small part so I didn't really like it that much. A month into practices, I was already really bored.
45. "Something I Need" by OneRepublic is one of my jams.
46. I've been to three concerts in my life. Toby Keith, Trace Adkins (I went through a country phase a few years back, glad that's over). and Mumford & Sons last September.
47. I don't go to parties because I'm focusing on keeping my grades and GPA up in high school so that I can get a scholarship. That, and my kind of party is sitting on the couch with a pizza and Sherlock/Doctor Who on the television.
48. I'm not athletic at all, which is why I don't do sports, but I really do like a good run.
49. I can be very sassy and sarcastic. But according to my best friend, "it works for me."
50. My favorite store is American Eagle.
BONUS FACT: I once tried to write a short story about a girl from Alaska who gets stranded on her own in her aunt's house during one of the worst snow storms of the year. It started to sound bad, so I quit writing it. The drafts are lying around my house somewhere. Every once in a while, I'll stumble across them and try revising it again, but then I just get discouraged. It's a vicious cycle.
And done! I hope that wasn't too tedious. I "borrowed" this list thing from Sherlockian because I think it's a good idea. Side note: If you're a fan of BBC Sherlock, you should probably go check out her blog! It's pretty awesome! Until next time.
Friday, March 21, 2014
District Solo
I realize choir has nothing to do with journalism but oh well.
Alright so every time I go to a solo/ensemble contest, I get the toughest judge. EVERY TIME. Today was no different. Every other room, the judges were handing out 1's right and left, and in my room the judge had only given FOUR when it was my turn to go up. Keep in mind that I did my solo at 6:30, so throughout the WHOLE day, that's how many 1's she had given out.
Also, over the past four years I've been doing solos at contests, I would always get really nervous. REALLY nervous. I would lose my voice and shake like crazy and barely be able to sing. Today I told myself that I was not going to do that. I really wanted to go to state because I can't do choir next year.
So it's my turn to go up and sing, and the most miraculous thing happened; I wasn't freaking out. I was a little nervous, but I wasn't so scared that I couldn't sing. In fact, I did really really good, if I do say so myself. And then I MESSED UP THE WORDS. Gah! The good news is, I recovered pretty well.
Anyway, the toughest judge gave me a 2 today, and I will definitely take it. I may not be going to state, but getting a 2 from the judge that was giving a lot of 3's is a pretty great achievement in my book. Plus I still get a medal, so it's not all bad. Well, Auf Weidersehen!
P.S. I'm running on a whopping five hours of sleep, so that's my excuse for why this is so poorly written.
Alright so every time I go to a solo/ensemble contest, I get the toughest judge. EVERY TIME. Today was no different. Every other room, the judges were handing out 1's right and left, and in my room the judge had only given FOUR when it was my turn to go up. Keep in mind that I did my solo at 6:30, so throughout the WHOLE day, that's how many 1's she had given out.
Also, over the past four years I've been doing solos at contests, I would always get really nervous. REALLY nervous. I would lose my voice and shake like crazy and barely be able to sing. Today I told myself that I was not going to do that. I really wanted to go to state because I can't do choir next year.
So it's my turn to go up and sing, and the most miraculous thing happened; I wasn't freaking out. I was a little nervous, but I wasn't so scared that I couldn't sing. In fact, I did really really good, if I do say so myself. And then I MESSED UP THE WORDS. Gah! The good news is, I recovered pretty well.
Anyway, the toughest judge gave me a 2 today, and I will definitely take it. I may not be going to state, but getting a 2 from the judge that was giving a lot of 3's is a pretty great achievement in my book. Plus I still get a medal, so it's not all bad. Well, Auf Weidersehen!
P.S. I'm running on a whopping five hours of sleep, so that's my excuse for why this is so poorly written.
Thursday, March 20, 2014
STATE CHAMPIONS
Firstly, I should apologize that I'm almost a week late on this post. School has kept me so busy my first week back after spring break. But I'm back!
You've probably already figured this out by my title but the girls are Class 3A STATE CHAMPIONS! This is the first time in basketball history for my school, and I'm so happy that I got to be one the photographers to experience it. It was an amazing experience and it was my first taste of being a REAL photojournalist. I must say, I LOVED it.
Photo time!
Well guys, I'll be back later. I have district solos tomorrow for choir, so wish me luck because I really hate singing in front of people. Until next time!
Thursday, March 13, 2014
Blog Name
Also, I changed the name of my blog to something catchier and not as...long. And while Ansel Adams was not a photojournalist, I look up to him in so many ways. I love his work, so in a way, I do aspire to be like him. If you've never seen his photographs, you should probably go look at them right about now. This website is a pretty great place to start. You're welcome!
Semi finals
I'm back and I have great news! WE WON! We're moving on to the finals and the state championship game. Also, I got hit in the head with a basketball, but that's an entirely different story. As my journalism teacher put it, "I took one for the team, now I'm a real journalist!"
As far as I know, the only MSHSAA guidelines for photographs is they cannot be sold. So hopefully I don't go to jail for posting a few photos.
As far as I know, the only MSHSAA guidelines for photographs is they cannot be sold. So hopefully I don't go to jail for posting a few photos.
And check me out with my fancy media pass! (Bad iPhone picture, I know, I'm sorry!)
Monday, March 10, 2014
Website
Hey guys! Another post today for you. I've been toying with the idea of a website for my photography for a long time. I created one in July and I just now decided to put it online. If you want to check it out, you can go to it here.
It's not much, but at least it's live online. I can always work to make it better later. Happy almost Tuesday!
It's not much, but at least it's live online. I can always work to make it better later. Happy almost Tuesday!
STATE GAME
The state basketball game is at Mizzou on Thursday, and I cannot tell you how excited I am. Not only for our girls to kick some tail and move on to the state championship game, but because I get to go and take pictures there!
Now, I know what you're thinking. "So what? You take pictures at every basketball game." True. But this is at Mizzou aka: my dream college. And this is a huge deal because not many photographers are allowed on court level to take pictures. I have to get a special badge for the game that gives me access to the court and to top it all off, I'll get to go to a post game press conference. I've made it to the big times, everyone!
I'll be back Thursday with more photos (if I don't have any updates sooner)!
Sunday, March 9, 2014
Nature Shots
As by request from my dedicated reader, Sherlockian, here are some of my nature shots!
The next few pictures are from Maymont Park in Richmond, Virginia. It's definitely one of my favorite places to go for nature shots!
The next few pictures are from Maymont Park in Richmond, Virginia. It's definitely one of my favorite places to go for nature shots!
I was at a campout with my church one night last summer, and I looked at the fire pit and thought, "Wow, that would make an amazing shot." This is how it turned out:
My dad's Christmas cactus had just bloomed and my dad begged me to take a picture of it.
The next photos are from New York City/Central Park/Columbus Circle, aka: my favorite place on Earth (besides London, but I actually haven't been there yet..)
And last, but certainly not least, this photo was taken at my aunt's house.
Just a quick reminder that none of these photos have added filters or have been edited in any way. I hope you enjoyed! Happy Sunday!
Saturday, March 8, 2014
Sports Photography Stuff
This is going to be a very short blog post, but I just thought that I should let you guys know that my school's girls basketball team IS GOING TO STATE!
I got some very nice pictures. And I get to travel with the team to MU and take pictures on MIZZOU CAMPUS *screams*
I got some very nice pictures. And I get to travel with the team to MU and take pictures on MIZZOU CAMPUS *screams*
P.S. I'm not sure what's wrong with the last photo and why it looks orange...sorry!
Breaking the Rules Again (Because I Liked It The First Time)
I feel like I should keep posting things even though I'm lacking any updates on the conference, which is the soul purpose of this blog. I mean, I might as well strengthen my writing skills, right? That's still journalistic. Yes, we'll go with that.
Well, I talked about books in my last post, and I've already covered my favorite TV shows in my very first post, so maybe I'll talk music tonight. I'm just letting you guys get a better idea of who I am, other than a scatterbrained photographer.
Unsurprisingly, most of my favorite bands are British. I don't know how that happened, I just really like alternative music, and it just so happens that a lot of alternative bands are British. The very first alternative band I fell in love with is Coldplay. Way back in 2008, I heard Viva La Vida on the radio when it was brand new, and thus started a going on six year obsession (that sentence was horrible, I'm sorry). The Viva era is still my absolute favorite as well; all the songs on that album are amazing and I can't get enough of them. Muse came next, though I'm not as obsessed with them as I used to be.
Other bands that I've been listening to over the years include OneRepublic, Mumford & Sons (I saw them in concert, it was definitely one of the best nights of my life), Imagine Dragons, The Fray, The Killers, Fall Out Boy, The Lumineers, Neon Trees, Of Monsters and Men, Panic! At the Disco, and most recently, Bastille.
Bastille is like a mashup of Coldplay and Imagine Dragons, and I think that's why I love them so much. They're like two of my favorite bands compiled into one, except with their own unique sound. I can't get enough of them. If you like alternative, or if you like Imagine Dragons/Coldplay, I would definitely recommend Bastille to you.
So there's my music tastes for you. I think I'm done strengthening my journalistic writing skills for tonight. Maybe my next post will have a for real update rather than me rambling on and on about my favorite things. Have a brilliant night/day! Until next time!
Well, I talked about books in my last post, and I've already covered my favorite TV shows in my very first post, so maybe I'll talk music tonight. I'm just letting you guys get a better idea of who I am, other than a scatterbrained photographer.
Unsurprisingly, most of my favorite bands are British. I don't know how that happened, I just really like alternative music, and it just so happens that a lot of alternative bands are British. The very first alternative band I fell in love with is Coldplay. Way back in 2008, I heard Viva La Vida on the radio when it was brand new, and thus started a going on six year obsession (that sentence was horrible, I'm sorry). The Viva era is still my absolute favorite as well; all the songs on that album are amazing and I can't get enough of them. Muse came next, though I'm not as obsessed with them as I used to be.
Other bands that I've been listening to over the years include OneRepublic, Mumford & Sons (I saw them in concert, it was definitely one of the best nights of my life), Imagine Dragons, The Fray, The Killers, Fall Out Boy, The Lumineers, Neon Trees, Of Monsters and Men, Panic! At the Disco, and most recently, Bastille.
Bastille is like a mashup of Coldplay and Imagine Dragons, and I think that's why I love them so much. They're like two of my favorite bands compiled into one, except with their own unique sound. I can't get enough of them. If you like alternative, or if you like Imagine Dragons/Coldplay, I would definitely recommend Bastille to you.
So there's my music tastes for you. I think I'm done strengthening my journalistic writing skills for tonight. Maybe my next post will have a for real update rather than me rambling on and on about my favorite things. Have a brilliant night/day! Until next time!
Saturday, March 1, 2014
Breaking the Rules....Maybe?
Am I allowed to talk about my personal life on here? I mean, technically the conference isn't for another five months (FIVE MONTHS OH MY GOSH) and I'm not making any progress, so I might as well, right? Is that breaking the rules? Oh well, I'm a risk taker.
Recently, I've read The Book Thief and Looking for Alaska and I must say, they are excellent reads. The Book Thief is probably one of my all time favorite books now. You can't help but fall in love with Liesel, Rudy, Hans, Max, Rosa, and everyone else in the entire book. Markus Zusak is such a great author, and if you haven't read it yet, I would highly suggest doing so. You won't regret it. Looking for Alaska was fantastic as well. I'm a huge John Green fan and this book was yet another example of how great he is.
On the topic of books, I've just started Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children. I kind of picked it up in Barnes & Noble without ever hearing about it or having someone recommend it to me, I just thought it looked good and "different". So if you've read it, I would love it if you would tell me if I'll like it or not. I'm only on page thirty and so far, I'm a little bit confused about what the "monsters" are but I guess I'll figure it out soon enough.
This whole week I've been alternating my time between school, district basketball games, homework, and sleep. In that order. So I'm a little bit tired. While I'm on the topic of district basketball, I should probably point out that every night, I was there being a dedicated photographer. So you know, I'm not completely slacking on my journalism stuff. People always ask me "Do you even like taking pictures at games?" and my response is always something smart like, "Well I kind of have to since I'm going to be a journalist/photojournalist one day." Yeah, I'm a little bit sassy and sarcastic, but isn't every journalist? It's actually quite funny.
This is my second blog post in one night, would you look at that! I just wanted to give you guys some fun reading material (good joke, Alissa...) Anyway, I'm done for the night. DFTBA (Nerdfighters will get that one) and have a great day/night, depending on your location in this world!
Recently, I've read The Book Thief and Looking for Alaska and I must say, they are excellent reads. The Book Thief is probably one of my all time favorite books now. You can't help but fall in love with Liesel, Rudy, Hans, Max, Rosa, and everyone else in the entire book. Markus Zusak is such a great author, and if you haven't read it yet, I would highly suggest doing so. You won't regret it. Looking for Alaska was fantastic as well. I'm a huge John Green fan and this book was yet another example of how great he is.
On the topic of books, I've just started Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children. I kind of picked it up in Barnes & Noble without ever hearing about it or having someone recommend it to me, I just thought it looked good and "different". So if you've read it, I would love it if you would tell me if I'll like it or not. I'm only on page thirty and so far, I'm a little bit confused about what the "monsters" are but I guess I'll figure it out soon enough.
This whole week I've been alternating my time between school, district basketball games, homework, and sleep. In that order. So I'm a little bit tired. While I'm on the topic of district basketball, I should probably point out that every night, I was there being a dedicated photographer. So you know, I'm not completely slacking on my journalism stuff. People always ask me "Do you even like taking pictures at games?" and my response is always something smart like, "Well I kind of have to since I'm going to be a journalist/photojournalist one day." Yeah, I'm a little bit sassy and sarcastic, but isn't every journalist? It's actually quite funny.
This is my second blog post in one night, would you look at that! I just wanted to give you guys some fun reading material (good joke, Alissa...) Anyway, I'm done for the night. DFTBA (Nerdfighters will get that one) and have a great day/night, depending on your location in this world!
"Did You Miss Me?"
It's been nearly a month since my last post, and so to show that I have not completely abandoned this blog, (because I haven't) I'm back! And I have made zero progress since my last post because the first club/organization I went to denied my request for financial aid, and I have yet to hear from the second. Despite this, I refuse to let myself be discouraged. (Personally, I feel the club that denied me was just taking it out on my family because they USED to be members...) Also, I'm still working on getting a job because I'm tired of taking all my mother's money. And school is keeping me very busy at the moment. In short, school, finding a job, and trying to get someone to give me some sort of donation, is keeping me away from this blog. I apologize profusely to whatever amount of readers I have (which I'm sure isn't many) for my absence, even though it probably went unnoticed.
Props to any Sherlock fans who got my title's Moriarty reference. I feel it fits nicely.
Props to any Sherlock fans who got my title's Moriarty reference. I feel it fits nicely.
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