45 minutes of hiking, 5 minutes here, and 45 minutes hiking back to the car to beat the darkness. Next time we need to plan that better! Be sure to go check out the 5 Minute Project blog if you haven't lately. You can find it here on FB. The artists that contribute there regularly are pretty amazing.
"what a road trip to socal looks like"
So last month, I threw my four kids in the car and drove 10 hours to southern California to go visit one of my dearest friends from college. She's living in an amazing house on Santa Monica Beach. We've been friends with this girl for almost 20 years (yikes I'm old) We have been on countless adventures together. Back in the day, she was my friend who would hop in the car and go anywhere on a moments notice. We have slept in countless parking lots, flown to NYC with people we hardly knew at the time. We have hiked the subway in Zions with no ropes, map or permits (stupid), kayaked the entire 17 mile napali coast. We jumped in the car and drove 400 miles to see L L Cool J just because we thought it would be funny, drove around Colorado City, windows down, rap music blaring (if you don't know what Colorado City is google it and you will get the humor in that experience). We have hiked countless miles together and belly laughed together regularly. Every time we get together it's like we we never apart. This trip was no exception. This was the longest road trip I have gone on with just me and my four kids. I was pretty nervous about driving this far with my four kids and no other adults but it was actually no big deal. It felt good to step outside my comfort zone and do it despite my apprehension. I'm a big believer in pushing past fears and doing it anyways...and every time I do that, the payoff is huge. This trip was no exception. We were sad to leave the husband behind but he was too busy at work There's always next time right? The perks of not having your husband go along is that you can do whatever you feel like without worrying about torturing him with too much photography talk. So on this trip I got to hang out with Ashley Jennett of The Stork and the Beanstalk (who is joining our group this month) and Leah Zawadzki. It's always awesome when you meet friends you have made online and they are every bit as cool (even cooler) than you'd imagined. Here are some scattered bits and pieces from my trip. I do have to say that sometimes I go on trips and feel very inspired to take all kinds of pictures and sometimes I don't. This trip fell more into the "not feeling it category" so the images are a bit all over the place, but I give you my scattered "what social looks like"....
and the one image I took when I was with Ashley...
and my evening with Leah...
Then we decided to stay one more night and we went to Leah's amazing house and hung at her pool.
Now go see what Stephanie Moore is up to this month....and then be sure to follow through the circle...
5 minutes on the swing...
It's time for another installment of the 5 minute project. Sometimes I have spiderman powers and climb up on top of the swing to get a different perspective. And sometimes I get bored and want to play around with slow shutters. Panning is hard...just sayin.
Ok, maybe I don't have spiderman powers....just a swing set with a playhouse on stilts right next to the swing. The panning? It really is hard. :) Be sure to head over to the 5 minute project blog to catch up on all the amazing posts there. And while you are at it find it on FB here.
What Little Sahara looks like...
Summer Murdock Photography Salt Lake City Photographer Desert Sand Dunes
There is nothing quite like being in wide open spaces. We headed to go see some sand dunes that I have been hearing about for years. It's amazing what you can find if you are willing to venture out and explore a little bit. It's not always easy. My kids usually complain that they don't want to go with me BUT they are always (well usually) happy once we get there. This amazing place is only an hour and a half drive from my house. We actually went twice in one week. This was the second trip. My daughter really wanted to go back with her friend. So I made arrangements for my other kids and off we went. We didn't see one single soul the whole time we were there. Talk about quiet? Almost surreal and unsettling at times but oh so good for me. This month I give you "what Little Sahara looks like".
If you saw the summer issuer of Dreamer Journal, you might recognize some of these images. :) Now be sure to go check out what this month looks like to El Hogan who is currently living my dream. Her post will blow you away...no joke. She even attaches her camera to some crazy remote control camera to make an amazing video??? I'm so blown away by it...you must check it out.
5 minutes of sister shenanigans
Sometimes all it takes is to be patient and wait for that perfect time to pull out your camera. You can capture quite a bit of awesome in just 5 minutes…
a good ol time…
This family? They are some of the most genuine and down to earth people. I had a genuine good time photographing them. Mom is a pretty talented fine art photographer. I was pretty honored she asked me to capture her family!
5 minutes at the pool…
I'm excited to join a group of photographers that I admire in something called "the 5 minute project" that was started by Dana Pugh. "The spirit of this project is keep it unplanned, unstaged, just 5 ordinary minutes. Of course, 5 minutes can be extraordinary." It's brilliant. I have contributed once before to this project a while back but now I will be a regular contributor and I'm very excited. I tend to shoot my own kids in increments of five minutes anyways. You have to keep it short and sweet or they get sick of you real fast. :)
Today I give you what five minutes at the pool looked like at our most recent family vacation.
I probably won't always share my "5 minutes" here on my own blog so be sure and go follow this project here on Facebook and on the 5 Minute Project blog to follow along!
All images shot with my Mark III and SPL underwater housing.
my boy and the sea…
A couple weeks ago we spent a few days at the beach in southern California. This beach was literally my front yard for several years of my life as a kid. I think when you spend so much time there as a child, it becomes part of you in a different way than just vacationing there. I love the ocean. When I was younger, I could spend hours out there in this cold ocean and it never seemed to bother me. Maybe I'm just forgetting. Maybe I'm getting old, but man this water is COLD! The waves are pretty big here for my younger kids to venture out very far but my oldest, me, and my camera spent some time out there together. It was exhilarating for me…FREEZING but amazing. This was the first time my camera has come with me in rougher surf (and by California standards these waves were small). I wish I lived by the ocean as I could get used to being out there with my camera (as long as I had a wetsuit). I give you "what my boy in the sea looks like"..
Summer Murdock Photography Salt Lake City Photographer
Now go see what beauty Amy Grace of A Beautiful Life Photo'smonth brings…her post's always make me stop, breathe a bit deeper, and look a bit longer….
family love…
See? I told you. This was my first session of the season and it felt so good to photograph someone other than my kids. Loved this family. As I was driving to the session it was so overcast. I get bummed out when there is no sun for me to work with. The photo gods much have known because the sun peeked through for a short time just for us and I was very grateful.:)
"what _____ looks like" moab edition
One thing I know for sure after going through all of my images from last month's spring break trip is that I take WAY too many photos. Here is a glimpse of some of my favorites from our trip to Moab, Utah.
Now be sure to follow the circle and check out the amazing photographers that participate in this project. Up next isRoxanne Bryant who's work is a dream…
"what _____ looks like" hawaiian edition
I was recently lucky enough to get to go to Maui, Hawaii with just my husband. Kid free time proved to be good for my soul as I knew it would be. I am an explorer and adventurer at heart. I love to roam, explore and try new things. I felt like my old self (young and kid free)…getting to do all the things I love without a care in the world. Sigh… I had a few photo mishaps on this trip….first my camera plus app with the first half of my trips iPhone pictures got deleted by my leg in a bumpy jeep ride on the road to Hana…(tear). Then on our boat trip to Molokini my underwater housing for my "real" camera failed out in the ocean while we were snorkeling (multiple tears) leaving me camera less for the second half of my trip. Thank goodness for my iPhone. I give you what exploring Maui looks like….
Summer Murdock Photography
Summer Murdock Photography
And now for the iPhone version of the trip…
Now be sure to go see what Kelsey Gerhard's (who is beyond talented) month looks like…
kaleidoscope..march edition
in 10 on 10, kaleidoscope
Kaleidoscope is derived from the Ancient Greek (kalos), “beautiful, beauty” (eidos), “that which is seen: form, shape” and (skopeo), “to look to, to examine.” Hence “observation of beautiful forms.”
We are a group of friends, moms, visual artists and photographers from around the world who are passionate about capturing images of the real, the messy and the magical-the wonder of the everyday. Like a kaleidoscope, our photographs are playful and experimental, ever-changing and infused with light and colour. Once a month, we assemble a single mosaic comprised of our collective pictorial tiles, one submitted by each of us, that reflect the shared meaning and beauty in our lives.
Summer Murdock Photography| SLC, UT Area Photographer
Summer Murdock Photography| SLC, UT Area Photographer
Summer Murdock Photography| SLC, UT Area Photographer
Summer Murdock Photography| SLC, UT Area Photographer
Summer Murdock Photography| SLC, UT Area Photographer
I'm beyond honored to be a part of this project with an amazingly talented and creative group of mothers and photographers. Be sure to check out the Kaleidoscope website this month so see all my talented friends view of their part of the world…you won't be disappointed…PROMISE!
she gave me 2 minutes…
Summer Murdock Photography
She told me I had "two minutes" and I think we made them count. It's amazing how much 2 short minutes can feed my creative soul…
what presidents day weekend looks like…
A few weeks back we went on a little road trip down to southern Utah where it's usually significantly warmer. It was a nice reprieve from the cold. We got some much needed outdoor exploring time. This month I give you "What President's Day Weekend Looks Like". I'll warn you in advance, it's a REALLY long one…
See, I told you it was long. Now head over to Wendy VonSosen Photography who just got back from Field Trip to see what that looks like…pretty cool I am sure!
kaleidoscope…a new collaboration
in kaleidoscope
Last year I participated in a "10 on 10" project with some of my favorite ladies. This year we are doing something a little different. We are starting a new project called "Kaleidoscope". (brainchild of Bee Chalmers who is a fav of mine) Kaleidoscope is derived from the Ancient Greek (kalos), “beautiful, beauty” (eidos), “that which is seen: form, shape” and (skopeo), “to look to, to examine.” Hence “observation of beautiful forms.”
We are a group of friends, moms, visual artists and photographers from around the world who are passionate about capturing images of the real, the messy and the magical-the wonder of the everyday. Like a kaleidoscope, our photographs are playful and experimental, ever-changing and infused with light and colour. Once a month, we assemble a single mosaic comprised of our collective pictorial tiles, one submitted by each of us, that reflect the shared meaning and beauty in our lives.
I absolutely love seeing all of our different voices and perspectives all together in one place. I am excited to see how it all unfolds this year…be sure go here to check it out. And if you want to find Kaleidoscope on FB go here.
And here are a few images from an outing to the Great Salt Lake I did with my youngest one snowy morning while everyone else was at school. I feel most alive and happy when I am outside exploring. I don't get to do much of that in the wintertime. This day I decided to get out there anyways despite the cold and I'm glad I did…the earth is a pretty amazing place.
Now really…go check out Kaleidoscope
"what ____ looks like" february edition
It's been a few months since "what ____ looks like" has posted. I am glad we are back and with a couple new girls this time around. If I am honest, I am pretty sick of winter but that is all we have around here these days. I almost posted some unblogged summer time images because I need a little sunshine in my life but in the end went with what is right outside my door. This month I give you "what a snowy walk looks like". It was just the two of us on this particular morning. I've really been enjoying my one on one time with her while everyone else is at school…
Now be sure to go see what El Hogan has in store this month…she is new to our awesome little group this year and I couldn't adore her work more than I do. You must go look I tell you!
If this is your first time visiting my blog or if you missed previous editions of "what ____ looks like" go here, here, here, here, here, here, and here!
let's be really real
This post may ruffle a few feathers but it is something that has really been eating at me lately so I am going to just say it. I'm not one to air all my grievances and complaints online. I just don't. Does it mean life is perfect? NO WAY! Do I ever complain? YES. I just complain to my friends and my family (I am in NO WAY knocking anyone who does air their stuff..to each their own). Am I fake because of this? Well ask anyone who knows me and they will tell you that I am NOT fake at all…not a phony bone in my body. What is real? Is there such a thing as a "real" image? You hear this term used as a description of lots of photographers and their images. I think that is a matter of opinion. Yes, some images feel more "real" to me than others but what is real to me may not ring true to you. I have a pretty good life. I don't have a lot to complain about. Hard things have happened in my life. I have had to work hard at many things in my life. I have struggles and frustrations on a daily basis. but I also have SO much good in my life. I am happy. I always choose to focus on the good vs the negative. I don't like to concentrate on my struggles. Is this fake? Am I living a life that is glazed over? Not in the least. That's just me. That is how I have always been. I like being happy. I truly believe that your life is what you make of it. You can't control other people and the circumstances that you were born into but you can choose what you do with what you were given. Does this mean I walk around all giddy and laughing all the time? NO! I can be quite impatient. I feel grumpy on a daily basis but I don't like drama and contention. I would rather feel peace and joy so I do things in my life that help me to feel that way.
Sometimes I show happy images. Kids are generally pretty happy beings when they are loved and cared for. Of course I am not denying the moody tantrums, drama, and meltdowns that come with kids…or teenagers and adults for that matter but happiness and joy aren't phony or glazed over emotions. I feel like there is a trend lately that in order to be "real", "raw", and "artistic" you can't show happiness or fun. I think there is space for all kinds of images…the happy ones, the sad ones, the raw ones, the beautiful ones, the gritty ones, and any other kind you can think of. There are a lot of photographers out there and a lot of different viewpoints. I hate when I see people put others into certain classifications. Can't we all be friends or at least respectful? Aren't we all adults? Do we really need to relive the junior high or high school years where you deicide what kind of person someone is by the clothes they wear or the music they listen to? Can't we appreciate images that are different from what we produce without thinking they are less than someone else's? You can actually learn a lot from things and people who are different from you. Who am I to judge if someone's images are "real" when we all have different realities? And let's just be REALLY honest from one photographer to another. We all manipulate something to make an image. Some of us may manipulate light, some may manipulate our subjects, but pictures will never be real life. They are creations of the photographer. I would venture to say that the very most hardcore documentary style photographer manipulates something to create a photograph. Now that is the most real thing I have said yet.
I'm just sort of sick of the "cool kid club" mentality…and the mocking. It repulsed me in high school and it still does. I know it's part of life…it's just a part of life I hate. Even though I don't want to hang out with everyone I meet, I have learned that even someone who totally annoys me has good qualities. I could probably learn something from almost every person walking this earth. I'm not saying this from a bitter place. I have always had friends from all different walks of life. I don't feel like it has been a struggle for people to accept me…but I have usually been pretty accepting, I'm sure someone out there could tell a story about me where I was less than kind. I am human and I know I have hurt people in the past so I'm not saying I'm perfect. I am not saying I have never mocked. I just wish people would be kinder and more understanding of different voices. There is no time for ego.We all have something to say.
I have decided to take the Facebook app off my phone, at least for now. I think as an industry and culture we are all a bit too obsessed with it all. I love Facebook and social media don't get me wrong. I am so so grateful for it and for the connections I have made and the opportunities that have come from it. I will still be checking it daily and posting like I always do…just no longer from the carpool lane or in the parking lot while I am waiting for my son to come out of basketball practice, or my daughter out of dance.I think we all need to stop worrying about who is collaborating with who and who's images are phony and glazed over. Yeah, I don't fall in love every image I see but I don't look at images I don't get and think "well that sucks" or "I am way better than that". We should all get off social media more often, stop comparing ourselves to anyone else, and go out and shoot something cool. Something that is personally meaningful and that ignites that creative flutter inside yourself. That's where the magic happens….enough said.
Now this is a photography blog right? So of course I have to show some more glazed over, happy images..
I kid. I kid….please don't take this post too seriously. It feels good to get this off my chest and I just felt like being "real", open, and honest about my thoughts. My intention is not to cause contention or bad feelings…just to slow down and think about how we treat the people around us…and believe me this post is preaching to myself as much as the next guy!
xoxo,
Summer
a few personal favorites from 2013
in 10 on 10
My fabulously talented and cool "10 on 10" group from last year is sticking together for another year…BUT we have something different in the works starting next month. Stay tuned because it is going to be awesome. For this months post we decided to post some of our favorites from 2013. Not an easy task I tell you. I am a horrible decision maker when it comes to picking the best of my own work…I get too attached to them all for different reasons so I decided to post only favorites from my personal work and not include any client work. I'm sure I left out lots of images that should have been included and included images that should have not been but OH WELL! Now be sure to head over to Melissa Weicker's blog (whose work I love and adore) to see what eye candy she has for us this month...
baby love..
in portraits
I hope that these images will stand the test of time and that in 10 years when this Momma looks back on these they will transport her back to this fleeting time in her life. It passes so quickly.
the blizzard and the streetlight
It's been cold here…really really cold. So cold that we can hardly stand to be outside for more than 10 minutes. I have been missing shooting outside. So on Saturday when we pulled into our garage and the snow was coming down in huge flakes, I had to take advantage of the available light….which was a streetlight. Turns out snow looks really cool all lit up by a streetlight. Also turns out you have to shoot quick when the snow is coming down this hard or your gear gets wet and your fingers fall off from frostbite. She gave me only about 3 minutes and I got one of my favorite images I have shot in a while. Glad we took a couple minutes to do this. Sometimes it's hard to stop what you are doing and seize opportunities like this. This almost makes me rethink doing a 365….I really am considering a 182.5, The question is…what does a .5 image look like?
