California Road Trip

I have been awful about updating this lately, but just as I got home from London and thought everything would slow down ... I was thrown back into the chaos of school and life.

this weekend was the first weekend I had a minute to breathe, and it was much needed and appreciated. I drove out to California with a herd of my friends and we had one of the best vacations I've ever been on.

open-top jeep cruisin. disneyland. sleepovers. huntington beach. bonfires. pier diners. newport. sandy toes. car songs. smores. surfers. shopping. dolphins. country music.

and my mark III of course. perfection. 

 now back to reality. until next time California. 

LONDON 2012 | Camden - Changing My Definition Of Weird

Camden Town ... Camden honestly deserves its own book; just a little post will not do it justice.

I didn't know what to expect when we were sent to do a travel feature on Camden. I didn't even have a chance to look it up because it was very last minute ... just got the tube stop and went. Well the second I got off the tube, my camera experienced what it must be like to be on acid. EVERYTHING was weird. The first thing we saw was a giant alien sculpture protruding from a building. Every wall was covered in art and graffiti and every single person made the circus look fit for tea. Amy Winehouse suddenly made sense. They were all covered in tattoos and piercings. Their clothes didn't match, and forget not matching, I don't even know where people find clothes like that? It was EDC meets Coachella meets a circus except none of it was dress-up ... it was real life. I'm not complaining, I'm just saying ... I felt like a wide-eyed Dorothy straight out of Kansas. And we could not have fit in less - sporting blazers and business attire. Ironically - we were the ones getting stares.

Camden itself is really cool though. The people may of scared off some but when you actually spoke with them they were all very nice. The food was GREAT. There are lots of street market vendors and the food was better than any we've had in London to date. 

Camden really won my heart when I found a vendor selling Dr. Pepper ... every meal here has been dead without my beloved Dr. Pepper. England just doesn't do Dr. Pepper. Camden, however, does :) After dinner we went to a comedy show with some local street musicians we had just met and that too was interesting and funny in its own way. 

Everything in the town is just full of flavor (and not just Dr. Pepper)  - the music, the people, the buildings, even the chairs were made from old motorcycles. I will definitely be returning, not just for a drink but also to hopefully check out the Stables Market.

LONDON 2012 | Southampton and Hyde Park

So I had all these great intentions to blog my highlights from each day ... then I got here and realized I am working 20 plus hour work days ... so about that. Today I'm catching up. I promise I'll try to do better in sharing! Just bear with me!! 

On the 27th, my day started at 4am on a train to Southampton for England's "Ringing of the Bells" ... it was so strange and awesome haha. We met the mayor and town crier of Southampton and got to share this experience with them. It was fun just to see everyone so excited about the Olympics beginning that evening! I have never met a classical English town crier, and now I can say I have ... thank goodness a reporter did a video package because this was one instance where the audio was necessary. 

As soon as I got back from Southampton, I went to Hyde Park where lots of pre-opening-ceremony celebration was occurring. The hand you see to the right is that of 'Dundu' a large figure promoting coexistence and peace. Dundu' realized I was taking photos and decided it would be a good idea to stalk me and touch me a lot, Everyone was laughing and it was all in good fun. I'm used to being behind the lens, not the subject here; it was a funny change in pace. 

The park was a neat experience - to be in a place filled with people from all over the world all celebrating one thing. It was awesome.

Opening ceremonies was a crazy day. I worked a total 22 hours without break and produced more content in one day than I ever have. Let the games begin :)

LONDON 2012 | Fish-n-Chips & Big Ben

Today was crazy but I found a way to get in some serious London stereotypes before I really don't have time. After I picked up my press credentials and got a briefing and tour of the London Media Centre I snapped some typical tourist shots of the one and only - Big Ben. Afterward I headed to Olympic Park and Stadium for some more tours and briefings. The buzz of the Olympics is definitely in the air. 

For dinner I decided to keep with my theme of the day and try out the traditional fish-n-chips. To be honest it was totally plain and gross but hey, I had to. Since when are soggy fries worthy of being so famous??

Press credentials - company bought. Lunch - 7 pounds. Dinner - 11 pounds 

Being asked what time it was while staring at the most famous clock in the world - priceless.   

LONDON 2012 | Calm Before the Storm

Today was my last day to explore London before the work sets in. It was a lovely day. I started my morning bitter around 6am (jet lag), but it turned out to be the perfect time to hunt down a little cafe and enjoy some breakfast. With no place to be, I distracted myself however I wanted stopping at many random gardens I discovered near UCL. 

I explored for a few hours keeping my eyes open for a grocery store or any sort of store that sold hangers, some soap and maybe a loaf of bread. Of course, I ended up in the chocolate store before any of those. I love walking around London. I am so distracted by the architecture of even the most insignificant buildings, but not only that ... it is the little details I love - the fences and the gates and the huge slab serif fonts carved into the buildings.

I explored all day until dinner, where I ate at this yummy little restaurant called Zizzis close by. It was good and the ambiance was great. They had this quote plastered everywhere (on the walls, napkins, boxes) and it was really adorable so I think I will close with that.  

"One can not think well. Love well. Sleep well. If one has not dined well."

LONDON 2012 | And So It Begins ...

I have only been in London for one day and already I have learned the most dreadful phrase in the English language - NO LIFT.

I arrived at the John Tovell House today and let me just say there is nothing "flat" about this place. When I was given my key, I was told I would be residing on the third floor. The coordinator failed to mention that the third floor was actually about the ninth floor and that England just thinks its really "cheeky" to number the rooms in no apparent order. Oh, they also think it's really funny to enclose every room, hallway, staircase and every little turn with "fire doors". After shuffling through the house and running through rooms like a failing game of clue, I discovered my room ... and no defibrillator. But that wasn't the fun part, no. The fun part was dragging a 65-pound suitcase larger than myself along with two 30-pound camera bags up 10 flights of narrow stairs ... myself. Once again - they may want to re-think the defibrillator.      

I am settled in and once my broken back heals tomorrow, I will definitely explore.

Note to self: no apartment is ever nice enough to make up for "no lift"

Etsy Find: Lettergirl

I know my last post was an Etsy store,

but when I saw this one I couldn't resist!

LETTERGIRL

this shop sells handwritten-style stamps

mainly for return addresses and mailing-type needs,

but they are SO adorable. I will definitely be ordering one soon.

these are my honest opinions, this post is not sponsored

Cary LaCouture Photography - SHOP

I'm a huge Etsy fan, a huge photography fan and a huge fan of Cary LaCouture ... naturally I would be extremely excited to announce that Cary LaCouture Photography now has a shop on Etsy :)

Yes, I do work for Cary LaCouture Photography,

but look at some of these shots, and tell me who wouldn't be a fan?

check out the shop: Cary LaCouture Photography Shop 

happy Wednesday everyone!! :)

My Playlist: Texas Country

my brother lives in Texas, and let me tell you, it comes with benefits.

UT football game benefits.

bbq benefits. 

tall boot-walkin, cowboy-hat-wearin friend benefits.

music benefits.

LOTS of benefits.

listen and you'll understand :)

Fuchsia Favorite

It was time for a good color board,

and when I stumbled upon this shot by Cary LaCouture Photography,

I couldn't resist. 

I'm not a fan of pink usually, but nature just has a way with color!

On Top Of The World - Mount Evans

Last week I hiked Mount Evans in Idaho Springs, Colorado.

It is a GREAT hike and I recommend it to anyone.

Even if you aren't a big hiker, there are options where you can drive pretty close to the summit,
so it's really an awesome outing for a lot of people. 

Well, on my hike I came across a herd of friends who were so unafraid, I got to sit in amongst them for a good twenty minutes. It was honestly one of the most amazing experiences I have ever had. 

The pictures speak for themselves :)

you can see more photos from my Mount Evans hike HERE

Hope everyone had a great weekend :)

Beauty In Unexpected Places

I'm a big time quote person. LOVE words packed with wisdom.

Recently I read something out of a great book:

"Extraordinary things are always hiding in places people never think to look."

-Jodi Picoult, My Sister's Keeper

Well, yesterday I was hiking Mount Evans in Colorado when I came across this flower in the road, 

not just any road, the highest road in the United States.

If you know anything about Mount Evans, it is what they call a 14er (aka a mountain above 14,000 feet). It is one of my life goals to hike all 54 of these mountains in Colorado before I die, which, if you've ever hiked any of these mountains you know is a pretty lofty goal. People mainly go for the view and feeling. There is nothing a beautiful as the view from the top of these mountains, and there is truly no feeling comparable to standing on top of the world like that. But yesterday, I found myself extremely moved by something else as well - this little flower. Yellow is my favorite color so when I saw it popping out of the road I had to get a better look. When I did see how beautiful it really was, all I could think about was how strong this little flower was - growing above the tree line where oxygen is so minimal the landscape is dominated by vegetation-less rocks, and not only that ... growing between the cracks of asphalt; constantly pounded with storms and the strongest winds possible. Talk about thriving despite substantial obstacles. 

Seeing this little, flower kind of gave me hope for things I've been dealing with lately, so I had to share. 

Maybe a little flower 14,200 feet high doesn't inspire you, 

but something else hiding in a place you never thought to look will.

Happy Thursday Everyone :)

more pics from Evans soon!!

My Playlist: Summer Country

someone asked me why I hadn't done one of these in a while, 

and I really had nothing to say, so, 'turn it up' continues

it's never anything mind-blowing.

just some good music I'm loving as of lately. 

happy Thursday world :)

How To Glitter Your Phone Case

I love that this post is right after another post about glitter,

but if you know me then you understand.

I'm kind of a glittery person.

basically everything I own is a victim of rhinestone-ing or glittering

including my phone case!!

everyone is always asking me how I make my phone case, and I just got another one so I thought this time I will put it up here rather than explaining it every time.

it's very easy though, I swear.

supplies: mod modge (I use the orange satin finish one for this), glitter (I like recollections extra fine, or martha stewart brand), a paintbrush, hairspray

first, mod-podge the case. only do the back though

(we'll go on the sides in a second)

sprinkle the glitter onto the wet mod podge

when you have it good and covered,

tap it to get the loose glitter off.

now find something to prop the case on ...

(I usually use a little aspirin case or a small food container)

coat the sides (one at a time) with mod podge and glitter them 

just as you did on the back

let the case dry for a while.

I usually leave mine for at least an hour.

 when it is dry, rub over the glittered case to get the loose and almost loose glitter off. if this makes a lot of gaps or the glitter is very very rough, mod podge the case again and glitter another coat on. 

when you are happy with the glitter, the big secret: hair spray.

yes. seriously. that's how you finish it so that none of the glitter will come off. 

hair spray the glittered case (with lots of hairspray, don't be shy) and let it dry.

I repeat this and ultimately spray the phone three times, but I'm kind of crazy.

It doesn't get sticky (not even in Arizona summer heat)

it holds the glitter on,

and it makes it smooth!! 

ok sorority sisters ... I love you ... now stop asking me how I glitter everything :)

Facebook Cover Photo Download

cover photos on Facebook timeline are awkward.

they just are.

851x315 pixels of space. that's a lot of space to fill.

and with what? it overpowers your profile picture, so

a picture of yourself? that's kind of self centered.

then again, it is YOUR Facebook.

but who has a photo that lends itself to that awkward crop?

no matter what you choose the little chunk your profile picture cuts out

is bound to ruin it anyway?

you could advertise your blog or business or something,

but since when is Facebook about advertising? YUCK.

that leaves you choosing between a pretty landscape

or a corny quote ...

let's go with a corny quote :)

"some girls are just born with glitter in their veins"

this is seriously the story of my life.

if it's the story of yours too, feel free to steal!

HAPPY WEEKEND EVERYONE :)

Why My Kids Won't Grow Up In A City

This morning I was greeted with such a delightful friend.

It was too fun not to share :)

Happy Wednesday everyone!!

Happy Fathers Day

HAPPY FATHERS DAY

to my main man, always and forever :)

Newborn Photography | Parker Colorado

Being home for summer has given me the chance to photograph newborns!

It has been so much fun. I've decided being a portrait photographer is one of the best gigs in the world. Weddings. Babies. People in love. You just get to be around such happiness all the time. It's amazing. Had to share some of the joy :)

and they say photographers never make it into the pictures ...

PSH ... wrong :) 

Happy Monday everyone! Have a great week :)

Parker Newborn Photography

Between work and summer fun and Olympic preparations,

I have been so busy lately! 

This weekend I was lucky to shoot some newborn portraits for an amazing family.

Here is a little preview! Much more to come of course!

Contact me at jannahdin.photo@gmail.com to discuss a shoot of your own :)

University of Texas Graduation

Last night my brother graduated from UT,

I was lucky enough to sit through the excitement and joy that is a graduation ceremony ...

an engineering graduation ceremony ...

(if you don't sense the sarcasm, just wait until you attend one).

I did find a bit of entertainment once my rear and both legs fell asleep ...

first was in choosing the most ridiculous engineer's name.

John Smith is not an engineer. not even close. I promise.

the announcers should seriously receive an award. 

entertainment number 2: photos. of course :)

here is my favorite from the night! CONGRATULATIONS BROTHER!!

New Feature Alert: Instagram Love

ever since I got my iPhone, I have been instagram obsessed.

how could I not be?

I love photography and it's instant photo sharing 

inspiring everyone to capture beauty with their iPhones.

it's genius.

naturally, as for any blogger,

a good obsession turns into a feature ...

share-worthy instagram pics from yours truly #misssjannah

if you don't have instagram and are sick of feeling left out ...

I often post my instagrams to twitter as well.

follow me: www.twitter.com/misssjannah

happy capturing!! :)

Shot Sharing - Portraits with Dani

last week I had the privilege to shoot Dani right before leaving Arizona.

how adorable is she?

 it was such a fun shoot, I had to share :) 

happy Monday everyone!