Photography Blog | The Life and Times of Julie Harris Photo Blog | Photography Blogs. Welcome! This is where I show my work and write about what stirs me. Mary Ellen Mark says, "Reality is always extraordinary". I live by this. I'm a documentary photographer with a thirst for love, life and truth... a true bohemian at heart. In an industry saturated with trendy processing techniques and emphasis on style instead of substance, I strive to make honest images that are full of emotion and reality. Please visit and comment often!
I know it doesn’t fit my branding, but I must confess that I’m a sucker for Valentine’s Day. I don’t remember the last time I didn’t celebrate it. Even when I was single I would make Valentine cookies or watch a really sappy love flick with my girlfriends. No need for the singles to pout, right?
Tonight was no exception. Although Jesse and I didn’t do anything grand, we did go to the Boulder Cafe for a romantic dinner. Then we ended up at the food court at Flatirons crossing for some subway sandwiches (no joke–we really did! Jesse apparently wasn’t satisfied with the fondue, crab and oysters that we had at dinner). On the way home from the mall I was smiling and happy, and thinking to myself how great it is to simply celebrate love. It doesn’t have to be fine dinning and a couples massage on the 14th of February, or chocolate and roses. The food court with my hubby was perfect, plus I got the chance to pick up the latest sweethearts CD at the mall’s Starbucks. In case you haven’t caught on to this fantastic annual tradition, Starbucks puts out a love song cover compilation every February. 2004′s was the best yet, but this year’s wasn’t bad. Anyhow, it prompted me think…. If I were a rock star and could cover just one love song—what would it be? I thought about this the entire way back from Broomfield and came up with a few, but it boiled down to either “Alone” by Heart or “Blossom” by James Taylor. It also made me think about how good I would be at putting one of these compilations together (I’m stellar at a good mix CD), which then led me to this brilliant idea: A love song blog contest!
If you could pick just one love song to cover— one song that you could sing with all your heart and perform even better than the original—what would it be? Whoever (in my humble opinion) picks the best love song that they would hypothetically cover, will receive a love song cover compilation put together by yours truly. The contest will end in one week. Leave your entry in my blog comments and if you win I’ll contact you for your address! Yippeeee—I love this holiday! Good luck, love birds!
P.s. Please participate—or I’ll feel really lame.
I photographed Cindy and Brandyn’s wedding just two years ago…. and while I don’t want to minimize how in love they were on their wedding day ( they truly were smitten), I have to say that seeing them the other day, made me wonder if they haven’t fallen even more in love with each other since the pregnancy. When Cindy and I had talked about doing this maternity shoot a few months back, we both thought that we would do something cute and sweet…. but when I saw the passion between Cindy and Brandyn, the shoot took a turn to something far more intimate and sensual…. I waited to blog these images for a few days because I wasn’t sure if I wanted to make something so intimate, public—but then I thought about how beautiful pregnancy is, and about how Brandyn looks at Cindy’s pregnant body, and I couldn’t help but be moved by the connection and deep love that this expectancy has evoked….
I’m not always the best at articulating emotion—I’m better at photographing it, so I’ll let you hear it straight from Cindy: “I took some time this morning to go through your photographs and they brought tears to my eyes. I am positive it will be even more emotional to look at them once baby Kate has arrived. It’s hard for me to express my love for Brandyn or his for mine and his true excitement and love for the baby in words, but somehow you’ve nailed in it pictures. Thank you so much. And for some reason, I was thinking “cute” and sweet maternity pics. Meanwhile the pregnancy has been a sweet, loving and sensual experience for Brandyn and me. I’ve been amazed at how beautiful and sexy he tells me I am – and without you even knowing that – you got it!”
It is always such a treat to get a call from past clients to come back and document a new event or stage in their lives. The Seyboldts have been clients now for three consecutive years—-First for Heidi’s pregnancy, then Gabe’s newborn photos, his first year photos, and now of course his 2 year old photos. What I love about working with the Seyboldts, is how relaxed and easy going the shoots always are. Heidi and Dave aren’t looking for a Sear’s photo of Gabe every year, but a true depiction of a day in the life of “Gabe”. I truly believe that these photos are more for Gabe when he grows up, then they are for Heidi and Dave. They want him to have bundles of memories of how adored he was, every day of his childhood. Heidi’s sister and parents also made a trip out to Colorado for Gabe’s birthday. Hmmmmm….. I don’t think Gabe will ever be able to play the “I didn’t get enough attention growing up card”—clearly, he is the star of the Seyboldt clan!
What is it about play-doh that makes kids want to eat it? I still get hungry when I smell it fresh out of the can!
I’m pretty sure that Gabe is going to be a mean breakdancer when he grows up—he seriously started doing the worm, out of the blue across his Thomas table!
And peek-a-boo with Grandma!
So cool! I really like them!
(01.29.2008)I never thought you would be partaking in this fab!!!! Though I must say they do send you over the top in the edgy department. I think you should pull out the old grainy film more often for those rugged looking shots, its more you!!!!!
(01.29.2008)Nice effect. You might also achieve a "softer" or "country" effect by adding clouds, fabric, or both. Love your photos!
(02.02.2008)Almost everyone knows that besides some pretty great 70's singer/songwriters my ipod is downright lame. So, I'll stick with the 70's and go with Joni Mitchell's "All I Want" from the Blue album. I could never hit those notes but that's not the point, right? I love the song and the album.
(02.14.2009)Long time reader first time commenter! Love your blog and couldn't resist entering the competition- if I could cover any song it would have to be Bonnie Tyler's "Total Eclipse of the Heart"...I guess it's not exactly a happy love song but I still think it qualifies!
(02.15.2009)I'll participate, although no one will know this band or this song, LoL. "Tuesday Morning" by the Pogues.
(02.15.2009)I'm going with "Bless the Broken Road" by Rascall Flatts. It perfectly describes my love with my man!
(02.15.2009)April, The Pogues' "Fairytale of New York" is a song I just love!"Tuesday Morning" is a great choice.
(02.15.2009)Hands down The Proclaims 'I'm gonna be (500 miles)' because there is something extremely wonderful about screaming the DA DA DA (DA DA DA!) part.
(02.15.2009)Jamie-Fairy tale in NY is such a beautiful song, I cry when I hear because I was such a huge Kristy Maccoll fan and miss her music :-(
(02.15.2009)John Prine and Iris Dement, "We're Not the Jet Set." Great little video:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SsyHo8iUsjE Makes me want to slink into an old country dive bar with my man, drink cold canned beer, smoke a Winston, and belt out this tune together!
(02.15.2009)I love Laid by James. Fun, playful and sexy. Not a deep love song or anything but very cool. I've loved it since the 90's and am listening to it at this very moment! Will you please make a mixed CD for me! :-)
(02.15.2009)Okay, so great hanging out with you tonight. Mine for sure has to be "Making Love out of Nothing at All" of which i actually do cover every now and then while in the shower. I have the words all down. Practiced for a week straight in college.
(02.15.2009)"Open Arms" by Journey.
(02.16.2009)For myself – “Like a Star” by Corinne Bailey Rae… but I would make Steve sing “We Have All the Time in the World” by Louis Armstrong. Thank you for making our Val Day special… you pictures are beautiful and it was a joy meeting you.
(02.16.2009)I would have to choose Ludo's "Love Me Dead" because Nate and I love singing it as loud as possible while driving. Plus who doesn't get to sing along to lies like "your hideous and sexy" and "your born of a jackal, you're beautiful"?
(02.16.2009)This is usually embarrassing to admit, but I'm a huge (closet) John Denver fan. (I'm only 26... How did this happen?! Anyway...) "Annie's Song" by John Denver is one of the best love songs of all time. The melody is so sweet, and the lyrics... ohmygod the lyrics! "Come let me love you, let me give my life to you let me drown in your laughter, let me die in your arms let me lay down beside you, let me always be with you come let me love you, come love me again. " I mean, come on! Does it get any better? Love the blog! :)
(02.16.2009)I hope I am not double posting I tried to post a minute ago and it was kind of glitchy, but I had to throw my vote out there. I am pretty sure there are only a few people in the world that would agree with me here, but I have to throw it out there. Steelheart "I'll Never Let You Go" (Angel Eyes) Admittedly, the lyrics are a bit cliche, but the vocals...WOW. I wish I could belt out a song like that.
(02.17.2009)