Shot Through The Heart.

Check out a little post I wrote for BH Photo a couple of years back. BH Insights - Shot Through The Heart by Sara Louise Petty

I'm the kind of girl who wears her heart on her sleeve. So much so, sometimes it gets me in trouble. My style of photography, I believe, encompasses who I am as a person and also as a photographer. It's almost a never-ending question—as in life—I'm extremely curious and inquisitive.

 "Who, what, how and why?" I love to find out what makes people who they are. I love to connect. My style of photography can be defined as street portraiture or street photography, but I prefer the term, "Realism." I enjoy concentrating on the human moment.

Baby Dreads, Aruba, February 2010

Celebrating Life

I'm a hopeless romantic and a sensitive person. Even when, perhaps, photographing a subject whom others may be afraid of, such as a drug user (with 7" knife in pocket—true story!) or someone with a disgruntled look about them, I choose to see the good in everyone. Behind the using, there is a person with a heart who may have had rough breaks in life and made a huge wrong turn. It's not for me to judge. I feel my work is not about judging people; it's about celebrating people. We are all so unique. Perhaps that's why I'm so attracted to the term "Realism." It's about finding the soul behind the exterior of what we see daily on the street. 

Purple Haze, Portugal, June 2010

The Eyes Have It

I like to capture the real person, not the person whom we try to be in our daily lives, behind the masks we wear. When I "catch" somebody, and only them, it truly is special. I know that moment, the moment when eyes lock with my eyes, through the lens, my vision. As soon as I press the button and I hear the loud audible shutter slap of my trusty Mamiya 645, I know whether I captured that moment or not. I feel a rush when I know I got it, or perhaps disappointment in myself that I couldn't connect. I want to tell the subject's story. It's an openness I'm looking for, as if I (or my lens) know them better than anyone in this world. 

Bearded Lady, Madeira, June 2010

Old School

Yes, I'm old school. I shoot film, usually 120 film. Yes, I know we live in a digital age. I truly believe digital is an amazing medium and I use it for personal shots or commercial projects, but for my street photography, I wouldn't dream of it. Could I get more bang for my buck? Sure. Could I potentially shoot a lot more in a day? Sure. But would it be as special to me? No. To me, there is a romance in using film. It not only looks more authentic—as if I could reach in and touch the person—but it slows down my process. It makes me think and savor each shot more, really think about my exposure, think about the framing. I have 16 shots on a roll of 120. I try to make each and every one special. I don't take two or three shots of each person, perhaps two at most. I usually feel I can catch the moment in one shot. There is nothing like viewing the negatives for the first time; there is a wait involved. A huge anticipation. Don't the best things come to those who wait?

Girl, Dutch Caribbean, February 2010

I'm back to blogging!!

Hey all, after a 3 year hiatus, I have decided to blog a little again. Just to share some fun stuff, and maybe some serious stuff and maybe some sad stuff (promise I won't make you cry!).

To start off with I have been super busy with my job. I'm the VP of Trend, Color & Concept at a new kid's brand and I am responsible for helping lead the direction of the collections and where the brand is going. It's super fun and I totally love my job. I work with an awesome team and it's just very rewarding. As well as this, I actually hold same position for a women's shoe line (we are owned by same company) so basically I have two really busy jobs!  Keeps me out of trouble, right? (kind of)

I juggle both jobs (usually) with a smile on my face and maybe the occasional meltdown but I love it. Being a single Mum, it's hard but working makes me happy and fulfilled, like Motherhood so a happy Me makes a happy Mother. Plus Riley gets a really cool wardrobe!

Here is a snippet of behind the scenes at our last shoot. I am currently putting together the looks for the Fall shot and the line just gets better and better every season! We are on a ROLL!

May Day! May Day!

Oh I do like to be beside the seaside, 
I do like to be beside the sea,

I do like to stroll along the prom, prom, prom,

Where the brassbands play

Tiddley-om-pom-pom!

So just let me be beside the seaside,

I'll be beside myself with glee;

And there's lots of girls beside,

I should like to be beside,

Beside the seaside, beside the sea.

1909, Music Hall Florrie Forde

This ditty always reminds me of my grandparents! And how true! Growing up beside the seaside 
in beautiful Dorset, England I'm spoilt with such childhood memories. 
So happy that my son has the chance to enjoy the seaside too. Although just a short ride to the 
metropolis of NYC, the luxury of having this on our doorstep is wonderful. 

Have a lovely weekend.

Not too many weekend plans this weekend. We are thinking about possibly checking out the NY Photo Festival either Saturday or Sunday. Perhaps lunch or crepes at our local French cafe, who sell the most amazing selection of cheeses and the most delectable sandwich made with the softest french ham, brie, dijon mustard and cornichons (mini gherkins).
Work and other less fun stuff might consume the remaining time of the weekend as I have a deadline for a collection I'm working on for a client.

I might take a stab at creating these handmade snickers bars I found linked from Joanna Goddard's fantastic blog, Cup of Jo. Here is the original link and recipe. Enjoy!

A Hammock Made For Two.

One of my most favorite memories of February this year. Me and my boy, in the sun, sleeping on a hammock tied between two palm trees by crystal clear water with iguanas running underfoot.

Rogue Space Juried Photography Show

I was proud to be a winner of the 2010 Juried Photography Show with John Benton judging, over at Rogue Space Chelsea. It's a great gallery, run by nice people who've been so supportive!

This is a clip of the opening reception. I won Best in Show along with 4 others so we are lucky enough to have another opening soon. Details to come.