baby sleeping in man's lap - Gold Hope Project

Gold – Community

Facebook Community Posts

This month we did something a little different and in support of The Gold Hope Project we selected the them Gold as part of their campaign to raise awareness of childhood cancer.  It was amazing to see the beautiful Gold inspired images you sent us.  Please send some love out to the artist behind our top honor, Antonina Mamzenko Photography.

baby sleeping in man's lap - Gold Hope ProjectAntonina Mamzenko Photography

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child in iron man mask - baby sleeping in man's lap - Gold Hope ProjectMelissa Hines Photography
Child with stick in field - Gold Hope ProjectHart’s Desire Photography
kids dig in garden - Gold Hope ProjectLive Dream Amore
child at splash pad at sunset - Gold Hope ProjectStacey Repinski Photography

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To see your image here next month post your images to our Facebook page.  Our theme for October will be At the Park. We can’t wait to see what you have to share with us!

boy in gold light - Gold and Hope for Childhood Cancer Awareness

Gold – Collective

Collective Post

” All that is gold does not glitter, not all those who wander are lost; the old that is strong does not wither, deep roots are not reached by the frost.”
– J. R. R. Tolkein

boy in batman costume - Gold and Hope for Childhood Cancer AwarenessRobin Stephenson
Girl in Gold Dress - Gold and Hope for Childhood Cancer AwarenessCelina Bailey
Girl with gold belt - Gold and Hope for Childhood Cancer AwarenessNatasha Kelly
boy in gold light - Gold and Hope for Childhood Cancer AwarenessJessica Uhler
Gold lame at night - Gold and Hope for Childhood Cancer AwarenessErika Roa
Boy with Gold Balloon - Gold and Hope for Childhood Cancer AwarenessJenny Rusby
girl in warm light -Gold and Hope for Childhood Cancer AwarenessLacey Monroe

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This month’s theme was in support of The Gold Hope Project.  This month’s theme was part of their campaign to raise awareness of childhood cancer. 

baby yelling while held by father

Meet Jessica

Contributor Profiles

Jessica is from Tacoma, Washington.  She has 4 kids and loves hot sauce.  Here’s what she has to say about documenting life with her camera.

Where can we find you online (Website, Facebook, Instagram)?

www.jessuhlerphoto.com
http://www.facebook.com/Jessuhlerphoto
http://www.instagram.com/jessuhler

baby yelling while held by father

What’s your favorite lens for shooting this type of work?  And do you have any accessories you just love (filter, bag, camera strap, etc.)? 

One of my first lenses was a 50 mm, and it taught me how to see details of composition, to get creative about angles and lines. Once I found my passion in family photojournalism and learning more about what makes a great photograph I started shooting more with my 35 2.0. Last year I bought the Sigma art 35 1.4 lens and I’m in love. It’s on my camera 90% of the time. I’m not a gear geek, and I’ve tried to become a better shooter within the constraints of my equipment, but I have to say that investing in this higher quality lens has made such a difference in the quality of my images and how I can shoot indoors. As far as accessories- I’ve tried a couple of the cute bags available and have not been impressed. They just don’t hold up well. For a recent international trip I bought a Crumpler bag. It’s not super cute or sexy, but it’s totally durable, comfortable, and designed really well. I’m still on the lookout for a fantastic everyday, stylish leather bag. Having done a ton of travel this year I’ve realized I just don’t love carrying my big camera around everywhere unless I’m on a job. The next purchase on my wish list is a Fuji mirrorless.

kid rolls around in pajamas in living room

What are you drawn to document? Is there a particular composition, technique, or mood you love? 

When I became a mom and chose to stay home with my three young kids (now 4) I had a hard time making the transition from relative success in academia and the professional world to what felt like anonymity and invisibility. I really saw that what is traditionally women’s work, the life of the home, the shaping of a family, is absolutely invaluable, important and yet totally undervalued. I started using photography as a way to document for myself the moments that I was investing in which are so repetitive and mundane, but so beautiful and powerful as well. I think everyday family life, the details of our homes and how they reflect us is what inspires me the most. As far as mood, I used to really love easy, glowy light. It’s still pretty, but as I’ve grown technically as a shooter I am more drawn to contrast between light and shadow. It’s so much more interesting and dramatic. I’ll take gorgeous window light over safe outdoor open shade any day.

kids playing on kitchen floor

What is the most valuable tip you have learned in pursuit of shooting in a more documentary style?

That is a good question. I think the idea about composing a shot- looking for the light and the interesting composition- and then waiting for the decisive moment has changed how I shoot and made me a better photographer. Documentary photography, as most of our readers know, is so much more than mere candid photography. It takes intentionality and practice to “see” the right moment. The difference between a photograph and a snapshot can be fractions of a second. 

kid plays in bath tub

Why is storytelling photography important to you?  Why do you feel compelled to shoot with this approach? 

Having three older kids and one younger I know how true all those warnings about “it goes so fast” really are. Photography has become a way of journaling for me, a way to capture and document our life as it unfolds. I don’t have a lot of mementos or photographs from my childhood and I want these pictures to be a legacy for my kids and their kids. I need to start making more photobooks! And I believe the same is true for my clients. Our daily lives matter. The mundane shapes us and our children immensely more than the big events do. Documenting the beauty of it is a way to celebrate that and give thanks. I want people to remember what their families felt like, not just what everyone looked like sitting in a pretty field with matching clothes staring at the camera. 

mother and child in sunlight

Briefly tell us about your journey into family documentary photography.

I shot film in college and high school, took a few classes and loved it…but it fell by the wayside with kids and the expense of film and the darkroom was too much for a hobby. I got my first DSLR when my kids were little and re-ignited my interest in photography. I learned everything I could, then decided it would be a good idea to start a business. Truly, I didn’t know what I was doing. And I was looking at what other photographers were doing to guide me. Bad decision. I knew I wanted to make more than pretty pictures but I didn’t know how to combine that with client work. Once I stumbled upon Molly Flanagan’s work and took a couple classes from her it was like a light bulb. The biggest leap for me was digging deep and articulating WHY this type of photography matters to me, why I want to have a business doing this. Then everything became clear and began to fall into place.