Category Archives: www.bonnie-rose.co.uk

Photography: Hard Drives & Online Sharing

I took this photograph almost three years ago during a stint of living in Tucson, Arizona. I was on my son’s field trip to the Botanical Gardens and shot this while we were waiting with our group. To be honest I forgot about this photograph until this week when I was browsing through my hard drive on a photo search.

It solidified the following facts:

I take so many photographs.
I take photographs of so many things.
I clearly like to document our life.
A small percentage of my photographs actually make it online (via blog or social networking)
A very large percentage of my photographs are forgotten on hard drives

The Problem

I take more photographs (for myself) that I do anything with after uploading.

The Bigger Problem

Just because we can back up our photographs in so many ways it does not mean something could happen to them. I still do not know if we are going to be able to recover digital photographs from the first few years of my eldest son’s life. We had them backed up on cds, which were lost in a move. We had them saved on an external drive…which we think is somewhere in a box but has yet to be seen. I’ve been putting of the hunt hoping that they really are somewhere. Luckily I have a few things printed out. But I did not print out or make it through more than a few pages in a scrapbook I began.

The Sad Truth

How many of us take digital photographs and only really share them online. When was the last time your printed off photographs? When was the last time you had a print bigger than a 4×6 and put up on your wall. If you have ever had your photographs printed out and have held them in your hands you know what it is like to be able to hold it in your hand. There is nothing compared to the lack of connection a photograph has on a computer screen. The digital age is amazing but are we just taking tons of photographs, perhaps sharing select ones online, and not enjoying them at home?

The Solution

Photo books. I want to start making yearbooks for my family. I am trying to figure out how to execute this mission. Perhaps I’ll see how far back I can go with my kids and begin there. Maybe I’ll start with 2013 and as I finish book work my way backwards.

The Rewards

I can have tangible books that my family can enjoy and relive memories. They will also make great christmas gifts for the end of the year. It kind of takes the next step over Christmas newsletters.

So this is my plan to address the family photos of my family and hope will be able to show off some finish products as I complete this goal.

Q: After reading this let me know what your thoughts are in regard to your personal experiences with digital photography. I would love to hear your story!

Self Portrait: ‘Morning Stretch’

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Welcome to another Self Portrait Saturday! Did you catch my Self Portrait Tips from last week? We had a great turn out on the link up and wanted to thank everyone for participating!

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DO YOU LOVE SELF PORTRAITS?

I try to do one every week and post on a Saturday.

If you would like to link up with me, add this button to your blog. I would love to see your photography!

Grab button for A Compass Rose's Self Portrait Saturday

Maternity Shoot on location in Wales

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Blogtember prompt for today is just photos and so I present to you a photo heavy post from a maternity shoot I did with my friend Miriam on location in Wales. These were shot in three different locations during our time in Snowdonia. Miriam is not just a beautiful person with a beautiful heart, spirit, and soul but a fellow artist and photographer. I am so blessed to have been able to document the last part of her pregnancy with her fourth child. I thought I would share just a few, but I had so many favourites.

Linking up with Jenni’s Blogtember challenge

Big Announcement & B.Lux

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Blogtember | Monday, September 16: Write a public love letter to someone in your life. (It doesn’t necessarily need to be romantic.)

Dear Friends,

Today I have some pretty big news but cannot begin to talk about it without saying thank you. Thank you to so many of you who have been influential in my life and my journey in the last several years. With out your inspiration, motivation, and encouragement I would not be on this new path that I embark. It is with my whole heart that I write this public letter of gratitude and reflection.

Pictured with amazing supporters of my photography journey, most importantly my husband Ryan.

I have to start with my family. Thank you to my parents for encouraging me in my creative endeavors. For the number of cameras, rolls of film, and editing software you supplied me with while growing up at home. Thank you to my dad, watching down from heaven, who got me my first really nice camera after the birth of my first son. Thank you to my husband for encouraging my interests in photography and getting me my first DSLR that began it all. Thank you Ryan for letting me explore my passions.

To my expat & model friend Leigh who brought me back Penguin biscuits from England before we ever met and who I have photographed on many occasions in Hawaii and England.

You have always been so amazing to my family and I am better for knowing you.

Thank you to my fellow photography enthusiasts in the Hawaii military wives community. As a self taught photographer I really appreciate all the guidance and for answering any questions I had when I first started using my DSLR. Thank you to my good friends who let me practice and were models for me while I honed my skills with the camera.

Liisa and Melissa whose art I adore and friendship I cherish. I miss working with you both!

Thank you to my friends that I met in Hawaii who sparked my creativity passions in photography. The painters, the illustrators, and artists who encouraged me to continue in my art. Thank you to my models and my team of make up artists who brought to life my creative vision for my first ever photography exhibit. It was the one photo shoot that began them all. Thank you to all the models, stylists, make up artists, and assistants that I worked with there after. I could not have asked for a more amazing group of people to have worked with during my time in Hawaii. It was never work and you all became like family to me. Thank you for taking confidence in me and encouraging me with each click of my camera. Thank you to all the other photographers who treated me like their sister, teaching me and advising me in my work. When it came to moving away from Hawaii at my last photography exhibit, I was blown away by the turnout and all the support. I may have left the island but a piece of my heart will always remain with you.

At the magazine launch for my first photos published!

Thank you to all those who were apart of my work being published in magazines, newspapers, and online publications in both my photography and my work as a hairstylist & make up artist. Thank you for your belief in me. It has been an honour to be a part of something so much bigger than me. Thank you also to all those who I look up to as mentors who have taken time to correspond with me in person and online. It really has meant so much to be able to have such creative and motivated people in my field who find success doing what they love. The fact that you have taken time to encourage me in my passions still means so much to me today.

Thank you Hudson for being my cheerleader and friend and hooking a girl up when I needed help.

Thank you to all all those I worked with in the fashion world. From the runways of Oahu, to Tucson Fashion week on the mainland, and Bristol Fashion week here in the UK. I have really enjoyed being able to be apart of the fashion community. Thank you for the encouragement of all the fashion bloggers here in the UK and for welcoming me as I left the US. Thank you to all my readers here on A Compass Rose. You live all over the world and make me feel so connected and included in this blogosphere. Thank you for all your support, your love, encouragement and kind words on my photography and posts. I started blogging every day to give myself consistency in a nomadic life but I found out I return every day because of you. You are so welcoming and so loving that it is hard to fathom that there is a form of distance by miles between us. Thank you for following along on my journey as a photographer living the ex-pat life.

To the fashion & photography community in Hawaii you will always be my Ohana!

Faithfully Yours,

Bonnie Rose
(pictured above in black and the long blonde wig)

Linking up with Jenni’s Blogtember challenge

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THE BIG NEWS

FROM BONNIE ROSE

It is with much excitement I announce some really big news. I began Bonnie Rose Photography in the winter of 2007 and have been blessed with many great opportunities since that time. This Autumn I embark on a new path with BRP and look forward to being able to give back to the photography world that has continued to inspire and motivate.

B.Lux Photography Courses

What’s in a Name?
Exposure is the amount of light allowed in when taking a photograph and is measured in lux, a unit of illuminance. I thought it only fitting to use this term as I shed light on subjects within the online BRP photography courses.

Courses
The first course of B.Lux to set to begin in October. Soon after and throughout 2014 it will be joined by a number of other courses already in the planning stages. The first course is entitled B.In Focus and the other courses have similar names with photography terms.

B. In Focus
In this course you will learn how to switch from automatic settings in your camera and to rely on your new knowledge of manual. The course is geared towards beginners who have only shot in auto and intermediate photographers who want a refresher to gain more confidence and skill in using manual settings. To take the course you need a camera that can shoot in manual settings, be it a point & shoot camera or a DSLR.

It is a four week course, with freedom to go at your own pace throughout. It is structured into four week segments that include a lesson, an assignment, and quiz at the end of each section. Lessons will include text, images, videos, and mashups with 60% of the course being taught in video lectures.

You should take this course if you do not feel comfortable relying on manual when wanting to get the shot you want, or often switch back to auto when using your camera. By taking this course you will build the foundation to get your camera to do what you want it to do in manual. Though not required, this course is a recommended prerequisite for the next six photography courses that will be included in the B.Lux series.

Ready to take part in B.Lux?
Thank you for reading about the official announcement! I know you will probably have many questions. Do not worry much more is to come in the next two weeks. Stay tuned for more information about B.Lux photography courses from Bonnie Rose Photography. More information on how to register, price, and number of openings available will be announced soon. To make sure you do not miss out you can follow along on Bloglovin’, Facebook, and Twitter for special announcements and future updates.

Q: Are you ready for B.Lux?

Self Portrait: ‘Summer End’

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“You don’t need to be perfect to inspire others.

Let people get inspired

by how you deal with your imperfection.”

–

Wilson Kanadi

DO YOU LOVE SELF PORTRAITS?

I try to do one every week and post on a Saturday.

If you would like to link up with me, add this button to your blog.

I would love to see your photography!

Barmouth Beach Pt. I

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Since so many of you enjoyed the post about our evening at the coastal town of Barmouth in Wales, I thought it only fitting that I follow up with a couple more beach themed posts in the town. We spent sunset at the nearly empty beach on this particular evening and it inspired a follow up beach day later that week. During this occasion it was quite windy and tiny sand particles stung our face as our hair flew about in the wind. The tall grasses seemed to dance and the sand was textured by the ribbed pattern the wind created like art. In our exploration of the beach we found an Easter Island type statue watching out towards the ocean in solitude. My hawaiian raised boys had fun playing in the sand and running up and down the dunes. With the setting sun and the picturesque town views behind us, I walked away to the car leaving my regular glasses (I was wearing my prescription sunglasses) and my hair clip in the sand. Luckily once in the car I realised it was not on my person and we made a mad dash to locate the items. Needless to say the area had a way of capturing my heart and keeping my attention away from worldly matters and onto the details of simple beauty and the wishes that the ocean holds.

Q: Do you have a place that can put you perfectly at ease or capture your heart, mind, and/or soul?

My Vow Renewal Dress

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Today is a three day weekend in England as it is a Bank Holiday Monday. A perk of living the expat life in the UK. While my husband and I take it easy today (really worked our muscles yesterday on a 5 hour kayaking trip on the canals and rivers in Bath, England) I wanted to surprise you all with a sneak from our Vow Renewal in Wales. I did end up wearing my original wedding gown for my 10th Wedding Anniversary. I took out the zipper in the back, sewed in loops, and laced the dress up with ribbon.

My head piece is something I bought while living in Hawaii for one of my fashion concept photo shoots. I snagged a whole bunch of props before we left for Wales not sure what we would use or not. I put this on just to play around with the look and everyone really loved it, so it stayed on. It was nice having a bit of home in Hawaii with us on our Vow Renwal day. I am pictured here at Portmeirion, Wales by my photographer husband who took a few shots while we were waiting for our party. It was so rewarding being able to wear the same dress again, ten years later, to say new vows to my husband. Even more special to do so with our intimate group of family and friends.

Q: Would you wear your gown again?